Help with Faith (72 views) Subscribe   
  From:  Angie (mrsrabi)    Dec-3 2:27 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 17)  
 
  752.1  
 
Good Day to you all,

I too am in need of prayer.  I truely feel a darkness hanging over me.  I have been trying to read the Bible, I have asked Jesus to come into my heart and asked for forgiveness, I have professed that I am a sinner.  But I have not, as with many other born again christians, felt a change in me.  As II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) states "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  I think I want to read the bible, but I do not have the hunger for it.  I try to feel the fear of our Lord, knowing he can take me home to heaven or throw me in the Lake of Fire, but I don't feel it!

I have been in a rotten mood for the past three days, and today at lunch I drove to a nature park, and started walking, talking to God & Jesus.  I vented my frustration; the frustration of not being able to see Him, feel Him, touch Him; I cried a little, and asked Him to help me understand, I again asked Him to come into my heart, and I asked to see, hear, or feel Him.

I don't understand what I am going through.  I know that lately the things people, at work, do or say have been striking a wrong chord with me.  Can anyone help shed some light on being saved?  Will you pray for me?

Thank you, and God Bless you all.



Angie
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    Dec-3 3:38 pm  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (2 of 17)  
 
  752.2 in reply to 752.1  
 
Hi Angie,

Welcome to the forum.

I think that what you are experiencing and going through is the most common and most legitimate and most misunderstood part of the Christian walk.

Looking at the Bible and the disciples interaction with the Resurrected Jesus at first there is the very real "honeymoon" period and this is illustrated in the Old Testament where God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt yet He led them not into the battles that were being waged along the coastline but out into a secluded area (the desert) where they could get to know God.

After the Honeymoon Resurrection period of realizing that God is Alive and that He does love us then there is the very real period of doubt and this is especially evident in the actions of the Disciple Peter and it is at this time in his Christian walk that Peter (John 21:3) says "I go a fishing" in other words I'm out of here permanently and it had been given to Peter and the rest of the disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the "Power from on High" the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It is then during Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, upon the Already Christian believers, that Peter is empowered and becomes one of the Churches two extraordinary leaders.

I personally think that there is much confusion and needless doubt about this very common part of the Christian walk of the believer just prior to their "Baptism in the Holy Spirit". This is even a time period when some think that they are not a Christian and worse that others mistakenly tell them that they are not a Christian.

Rest assured each Christian is a Christian it is just that the Holy Spirit Baptized believer lives a much fuller and a more rewarding Christian life.

I think that I know this very well as I have lived much of my Christian walk without the empowering Baptism of the Holy Spirit and then as it happened, and in my case not all at once but suddenly over months (after years), I began to really desire to read the Bible and Pray to God and that is when things took off for me. For certain now in my life one minute of being a Spirit Baptized Believer is more rewarding and fulfilling that even years were before I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to be clear that All Along we are Christians. The moment we acknowledge the Resurrection of Jesus as our New Life we become a Christian and many people have told me that "I was never a Christian back then" but I did have some very Divine encounters with God and it is Christianity it is just that as Jesus said a relationship with God continues to get Better as God continues to pour out His best wine.

Please post any more comments or questions and rest assured that you are going in the right direction. The direction of Everlasting Life.

God Bless You,
David




David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited 12/3/2003 6:44:30 PM ET by David (DAVIDABROWN) 
  
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  From:  Angie (mrsrabi)    Dec-3 6:37 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (3 of 17)  
 
  752.3 in reply to 752.2  
 
Hi David, Thank you for your post, it was reassuring to me, God Bless you! I have been to several Christian forums, have posted a couple of times, but it just seemed to inpersonal, like those folks were very advanced in their Christianity, and here I am a beginner, did not feel very comfortable. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain what I really needed to see. In Christ's Name


Angie
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    Dec-3 9:05 pm  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (4 of 17)  
 
  752.4 in reply to 752.3  
 
Hi again,

Well in this case you are an inspiration to us.

Here are a couple of other Basic Christian items that try to examine the Christian walk.

www.BasicChristian.org/miracles.html covers the seven Miracles preformed by Jesus and recorded in the Gospel of John that I think spells out and Illustrates the Christian walk.

www.BasicChristian.org/jesuswalk.html covers the various feast day completions and how they relate to the Christian walk i.e. Pentecost.

God Bless you,
David




David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
  
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  From:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)     Dec-5 9:17 am  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (5 of 17)  
 
  752.5 in reply to 752.1  
 
I'm glad you came by.  :)  I will be praying for you.   

One thing:  our faith cannot be built on feelings...it is because of Jesus Christ and Him alone that we have faith.   When in these dark times, we just have to keep believing that He is Who He says He is.  

Also, we have to remember that the enemy(ies) of our souls, will continue to work on our minds to distract us and to keep us 'low' and affected by our feelings.   Satan always wants to do us harm, but greater is He who is in us, than he that is in the world.   We never need to fear the enemy, but we do need to realize that he is ever working to keep us from fulfilling our purpose in Christ on this earth.

In coming to the Lord, we must continually decide for Christ to be the LORD of our lives.  I so doing, we are opening ourselves up to HIS truth for us, and allowing Him to purge us of all the deceptions and lies that we've believed along the way.  Also, we are saying to Christ that we will trust and obey Him above all things...even when we do not 'feel' like we can or want to.   

I've been where you are...not being 'able' to read the Word.  [some of the reason is spiritual warfare going on heavily.  we have an advocate in Christ to come against any darkness that is hovering.]  We have to read the Word of God...not as some legalistic duty, but truly as the way to know the very heart of God!   When we understand that the Lord longs to feed us with His love and truth...through the reading and hearing of His Word, we can come to Him more easily and readily...and willingly.   

It is possible that the Lord needs to do some work in your heart concerning just 'who' He is.  I know that was true for me before I could come to His Word as if it were a balm to soothe this soul; a love letter from the Most High God; the light of Truth to guide my way; {etc}--instead of an 'obligation.'

God bless you in your walk with the One who loves you so much that He was born to die for us all.

Amy

 
 
 

 
  
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  From:  Angie (mrsrabi)    Dec-9 6:43 am  
To:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)    (6 of 17)  
 
  752.6 in reply to 752.5  
 
Thank you for your words of encouragement.  I know the path is narrow and difficult!  However I have learned over the years that the easy path is also the path of destruction.  It is hard to throw away everything you have learned, but I have now begun thinking, when I want something material, or self satisfaction, that I don't need that where I am going.  I also have to believe that I am going to heaven, I have asked for forgiveness, and I believe Jesus died for my sins. 

God Bless you Amy, thank you again for helping me stay on the path of salvation.  Now I need to start climbing the mountain.

In His Service....

 



Angie
 
  
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  From:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)     Dec-9 9:18 am  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (7 of 17)  
 
  752.7 in reply to 752.6  
 
You're welcome.  God bless you and keep you.

 

 
 
 

 
  
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  From:  LenBenHEAR/LIFE_or_death:SEE: John 3:36 (franknsense)    Dec-9 10:03 pm  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (8 of 17)  
 
  752.8 in reply to 752.6  
 
Hi Mrs. Rabi. Here is an excellent website that is 
very helpful in sorting things out on a very sound 
Biblical basis: 
www.vor.org/truth/sew/easychr/easych00.html 

- The important thing is to rest in the knowledge of 
the salvation PURCHASED for us on Calvary by The Lamb of God. 
- this salvation is freely given to the humbled and repentant 
heart that allows Christ within by sincere invitation. 

"Christ IN YOU, - your Hope of glory." ! 

The rest is the Holy Spirit-initiated process of growth 
and sanctification. 

God bless 
and keep you. 

bro.Len 


~ CHOICES. ~


-----------------------------
* He is looking for REALITY: not pretense! * 


Daniel 12:10: Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;

but the wicked shall do wickedly:

and none of the wicked shall understand; 

--> but the wise shall understand. <-- 


*LenBenHear/FranknSense/SEE: Romans 8:14 + John 3:8 and
~~~ I Cor.1:15-16; 4:3-5 ~~~

VINCIT OMNIA VERITAS: * There is a time for mercy...and a time for Judgement. * - (which one you get depends upon your honesty and humility before GOD)


sanctification. 




==================================

and YOU will be EITHER the cross on His right...or the cross on His left. - they symbolize the whole of humanity in relation to Him: The Savior and Judge of every soul. THIS I declare to you in the authority of His Name and Word: you are EITHER {and WILL be either} one or the other. ~ Selah. {pause and ponder that very carefully} for it is an ETERNAL TRUTH. 
 
  
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  From:  Angie (mrsrabi)    Dec-10 5:14 am  
To:  LenBenHEAR/LIFE_or_death:SEE: John 3:36 (franknsense)   (9 of 17)  
 
  752.9 in reply to 752.8  
 
I have that website up now, and checking it out.  Thank you!

God Bless you!

In His Service......

 



Angie
 
  
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  From:  Watchman77    Dec-12 5:20 am  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (10 of 17)  
 
  752.10 in reply to 752.1  
 
Dear Angie you are but a babe in Christ and very precious in His sight. Do not be fearful when you start to feel this way, just as a child who has been put down for a nap, your Caregiver is not far away. The child may feel alone and frightened because they cannot see mommy, but when they need her she will be there, just like Jesus when we "need Him" He will always be right there. It is very normal to have these feelings, we all go through them in the beginning because we are so use to walking by sight and not by faith, it is a growing process so please don't feel "inferior" because of it. Each time you exercise your faith it will grow, each time you just close your eyes to what you see around you and trust in the LORD Jesus in spite of the way things look, He will prove Himself to you and your faith will grow... I do not trust in Jesus because of blind faith, I trust Him because in my faith He has proven Himself to me over and over again, and He will do the same for you if you will just let Him. Just remember you are growing and it will not happen overnight, but just the fact that you want it so much is enough to prove you are growing in Him, so just trust Him and grow \o/ Praise Jesus
Love & Blessings 
YSICJ Earla

I share, because I care, if you don't want it, don't take it, leave it for someone who does....(but please don't chew it up and spit it out, it makes it very distateful to others)
Watchman77 


http://forums.delphiforums.com/Godswrath/start 
(Watch ye therefore and Pray always)

  

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
   Pat Marvenko Smith


  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. Rev 19:11

  
grandma and Allie
 
  
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  From:  Watchman77    Dec-12 5:21 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (11 of 17)  
 
  752.11 in reply to 752.2  
 
very good advice, I couldn't agree more.
Love & Blessings 
YSICJ Earla

I share, because I care, if you don't want it, don't take it, leave it for someone who does....(but please don't chew it up and spit it out, it makes it very distateful to others)
Watchman77 


http://forums.delphiforums.com/Godswrath/start 
(Watch ye therefore and Pray always)

  

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
   Pat Marvenko Smith


  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. Rev 19:11

  
grandma and Allie
 
  
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  From:  Watchman77    Dec-12 5:27 am  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (12 of 17)  
 
  752.12 in reply to 752.5  
 
exactly, we have to learn to walk by faith and not by sight, because the world and satan will do their best to distract us if we go by what we see.

 I've been where you are...not being 'able' to read the Word.  [some of the reason is spiritual warfare going on heavily.  we have an advocate in Christ to come against any darkness that is hovering.]  We have to read the Word of God...not as some legalistic duty, but truly as the way to know the very heart of God!   When we understand that the Lord longs to feed us with His love and truth...through the reading and hearing of His Word, we can come to Him more easily and readily...and willingly

I too have been here, when the word of God was a hard thing to read. And I agree I believe it is spiritual warfare that causes this... satan would like nothing better than for a christian to be ignorant of what the word of God says, that way he can twist and pervert it as much as he wants, and unfortunately he has been very successful at it. I always found it helped if I prayed before I studied the bible and asked God to protect my mind and to reveal to me all that He would have me learn. Block satan from your studies and I believe you will have a easier time reading your bible... at one time I looked at the bible as a book of do's and don't and rules and regulations, now I see it as a beautiful love letter from our Creator and I can't get enough of it.

Love & Blessings 
YSICJ Earla

I share, because I care, if you don't want it, don't take it, leave it for someone who does....(but please don't chew it up and spit it out, it makes it very distateful to others)
Watchman77 


http://forums.delphiforums.com/Godswrath/start 
(Watch ye therefore and Pray always)

  

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
   Pat Marvenko Smith


  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. Rev 19:11

  
grandma and Allie
 
  
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  From:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)     Dec-12 9:46 am  
To:  Watchman77    (13 of 17)  
 
  752.13 in reply to 752.12  
 
HI Earla,

You made a very good point:  to pray before reading God's word.   

How are you doing? 

Amy

 
 
 

 
  
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  From:  Watchman77    Dec-12 11:35 am  
To:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)    (14 of 17)  
 
  752.14 in reply to 752.13  
 
Hello (((((((Amy))))))))) I am blessed thank you, hope you are too...

I have found that praying before I read the word of God help more than anything else I tried back when satan tried to prevent me from reading it. I don't have to do it so much anymore, because reading His word is such a joy to me now and I always get something new out of it when I read it, I do not find it boring but very refreshing \o/ Praise Jesus

Love & Blessings 
YSICJ Earla

I share, because I care, if you don't want it, don't take it, leave it for someone who does....(but please don't chew it up and spit it out, it makes it very distateful to others)
Watchman77 


http://forums.delphiforums.com/Godswrath/start 
(Watch ye therefore and Pray always)

  

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
   Pat Marvenko Smith


  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. Rev 19:11

  
grandma and Allie
 
  
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  From:  Christ, our Hope (amym38)     Dec-14 8:06 am  
To:  Watchman77    (15 of 17)  
 
  752.15 in reply to 752.14  
 
Hi Earla,

Yes, I am also blessed.  :)  Very much so.  

Have a wonderful day!  

amy

 
 
 

 
  
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  From:  Abbas_Child    Jan-7 1:32 pm  
To:  Angie (mrsrabi)    (16 of 17)  
 
  752.16 in reply to 752.1  
 
Hi Angie!

>> But I have not, as with many other born again Christians, felt a change in me.

Angie, was there ever a time in your life when you were not concerned about being a new creation in Christ?

And now you are concerned, right?

Guess what? You've changed! You are now a new creation in Christ because it matters to you today! There was a time when it didn't matter! Now it does! Hooray! Praise Jesus!




"May the LORD bless you and keep you.
May the LORD show you his kindness and have mercy on you.
May the LORD watch over you and give you peace." 
  
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   From:  Angie (mrsrabi)    Jan-7 7:55 pm  
To:  Abbas_Child   unread  (17 of 17)  
 
  752.17 in reply to 752.16  
 
Concerned, yes.  Oh there is sooooo much to learn, and I have yet to learn to put God before my life.  Turning over my life to Jesus.  I just want him to say, "I've got you, relax, quit worrying".  

Yes I have felt a change in me.  I now feel like everything I am doing is pointless.  Pointless to go to work,  oh how hard that is getting to be.  Pointless in trying to keep my house clean; everything my family does irritates me, especially when they display the "Me" attitude.  I am having a difficult time dealing with a lot of things.  I am trying to read the bible, but I am sooo frustrated with it.  Where do I start? Genesis? The new testament?  WHAT?????????  I don't know what to do with my self, I am frustrated with my feelings, and yes I feel like Jesus is not here with me.

Can someone explain me to me?  I want to follow Jesus, I want to give over my life to him, but every morning I end up taking it back.  I work all day, and forget to pray when things get difficult or even when things are going smoothly.  I feel like I am adrift.  So where do I begin?  If this is a test, I don't know if I can hold out very long.  Oh how I would love to hear Him talk to me, like he does with others.  I want to be like a child and have that child's trust in him.

Thank you for writing. 



Angie
 
  
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