For New ChristiansThis forum is for new Christians to ask questions and be encouraged by other Christians. Here you can post your questions and talk about issues relating to new believers.
I have a question for you, and hope that you can give me some words of encouragement. I have never really been very religeous, but I quite enjoy the ideas of Paganism, with observing the turn of the seasons, and being grateful for what the land and different times of the year gives to us, although my family our Christian, but do not regulary attend church. I always loved singing at school though, and was part of the choir until I was 15.
I have recently started going to our local Methodist Church with a friend of mine, and we also go to a Singing group, and a wonderful "Celebration" Service at our local college for theology students and the community.
I really enjoy going to these meetings, and really feel good being part of something so wonderful and good! Although listening to these people who have such a firm belief, and passion for their love of God - I feel like a bit of a fraud going there.
Although I can accept most things, and I do feel that I would like to commit to God - I just don't belive that he has got time to listen to every one of us praying - and it just seems weird for me to think about people praying and asking him for help, or giving him thanks. I just think it's almost arrogant of us to think that he has got time for us.
Can someone please put me right because I really feel although there is some secret about this that I do not know about.
I have a question for you, and hope that you can give me some words of encouragement. I have never really been very religeous, but I quite enjoy the ideas of Paganism, with observing the turn of the seasons, and being grateful for what the land and different times of the year gives to us, although my family our Christian, but do not regulary attend church. I always loved singing at school though, and was part of the choir until I was 15.
I have recently started going to our local Methodist Church with a friend of mine, and we also go to a Singing group, and a wonderful "Celebration" Service at our local college for theology students and the community.
I really enjoy going to these meetings, and really feel good being part of something so wonderful and good! Although listening to these people who have such a firm belief, and passion for their love of God - I feel like a bit of a fraud going there.
Although I can accept most things, and I do feel that I would like to commit to God - I just don't belive that he has got time to listen to every one of us praying - and it just seems weird for me to think about people praying and asking him for help, or giving him thanks. I just think it's almost arrogant of us to think that he has got time for us.
Can someone please put me right because I really feel although there is some secret about this that I do not know about.
Thank you,
Sarah
If He didn't have time for us He wouldn't have created us. It's not God's nature to bite off more than He can chew (as if that were even possible). He's not stressed out, or overburdened. He's the happy God.
What's arrogant, and belittling of God is to say that He's incapable of handling our prayers. Not only does He hear each and every prayer from His children but He actually answers them. He doesn't file them away and get back to them later, but He deals with them.
It is hard to understand, because we only have human minds, which can't comprehend God! But what we do know is that He loves us, hugely, unconditionally and eternally. And when we love someone, we make time to listen to them, to care about their concerns, to help when they need it. If we humans do this for our loved ones, how much more will God, whose love is so much greater than ours?
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I just think it's almost arrogant of us to think that he has got time for us.
He desires to spend time with you so desperately that he sent his only begotton Son Jesus Christ to die a horrible bloody death on a cross just so YOU could have a personal relationship with him.
Although I can accept most things, and I do feel that I would like to commit to God - I just don't belive that he has got time to listen to every one of us praying - and it just seems weird for me to think about people praying and asking him for help, or giving him thanks. I just think it's almost arrogant of us to think that he has got time for us.
We are told in the Bible that to God the very hairs of our heads are numbered. I think that this helps to show how much he loves us and cares about every detail of our lives.
Luke 12
6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
He has time for all of us. I don't know how, but he isn't limited as men are. He is God, and as amazing as it is, he really does loves us!
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
I have a question for you, and hope that you can give me some words of encouragement. I have never really been very religeous, but I quite enjoy the ideas of Paganism, with observing the turn of the seasons, and being grateful for what the land and different times of the year gives to us, although my family our Christian, but do not regulary attend church. I always loved singing at school though, and was part of the choir until I was 15.
I have recently started going to our local Methodist Church with a friend of mine, and we also go to a Singing group, and a wonderful "Celebration" Service at our local college for theology students and the community.
I really enjoy going to these meetings, and really feel good being part of something so wonderful and good! Although listening to these people who have such a firm belief, and passion for their love of God - I feel like a bit of a fraud going there.
Although I can accept most things, and I do feel that I would like to commit to God - I just don't belive that he has got time to listen to every one of us praying - and it just seems weird for me to think about people praying and asking him for help, or giving him thanks. I just think it's almost arrogant of us to think that he has got time for us.
Can someone please put me right because I really feel although there is some secret about this that I do not know about.
Thank you, Sarah
Hi Sarah, believe it or not, when you become a Christian, not only will you want to pray to God all the time, He actually commands you to do so. Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about from the Bible:
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Cast allyour anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Notice, in particular, the Philippians passage. It's a command from God that comes with a promise from Him as well ..
Please also take note of the last phrase in the passage from 1 Thessalonians above. Rarely in the Bible does it say something like, "THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD". That is normally assumed as He issues forth commands, etc. to be followed. But in some cases, where He apparently does not want the reader to miss how especially vital His words are, he adds the qualifying phrase, "THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD", and this is one of those places!
Look, if you feel that God is calling you to become one of His children, talk to Him about the problem you're having with doing it. When I became a Christian, there was one sinful behavior that I was sort of willing to give up on, but really didn't want to or even think I could. So I told Him about it and told Him that I knew it was wrong according to the Bible and would trust Him to help me not only see it for the sin that it was, but that He would help me get past it as well ... and that's exactly what He did ..
Cast all your anxiety upon Him and in everything give thanks ... because that's exactly what He wants His children to do ..
Hope that helps a little! If not, let me know, and I'll try again.
Yours and His, David p.s. - do you know how to become a Christian? If not, would you like to know how? PM me if you'd like to talk about this ... or anything else for that matter.
Last edited by DaLeKo; 8th November 2009 at 12:52 PM.
Reason: Clarity, a couple of small corrections + a little more!
God doesn't have a time management problem like we do. God is eternal - he always was and always will be. He has an INFINITE amount of time for each of us. Humans just can't comprehend - nor more than we can count the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on a beach. Jesus came in human form and has experienced what we experience so He can relate to each of us. Not only does He listen, but He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. I personally testify that He is REAL.
__________________ For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, W.W. Norton, New York, 1978, p. 116)
When you are really serious about knowing God simply begin to read His Word. In them you will find the answers to who He is, why He does what He does, why He loves us, why He answers our prayers and any other questions that you have concerning Him.
There are no secrets when it comes to God and everything about him He has been brought out in the open for all to see. You just need to come to the place where the knowlege of his existence is found and that's the Bible.
You have shown a curiosity in Paganism and for what ever reason it found a place in your mind. God is the Supreme Creator of heaven and earth and you will find in His Word that those who thought about paganism as you found their idols and beliefs to be subject to His power. It can't comfort your soul when you are distressed, it can't feed you when you are hungry and it can't love you when you feel that everyone has turned their back to you but God can do all these things and He does.
As you have allowed yourself to experience Paganism, I ask you to allow yourself to experience God through His Son Jesus Christ. I assure you that what you give up for Him will provide you with a life time worth of Grace, Mercy and Love for the rest of your life and throughout all eternity.
As Creation, we can not put you right with anything. What you are searching for is the
Father in Heaven. Through the Act of Jesus and the Act of the Father. The way is open.
This is called the " Open Heavens ". As the Temple of the Father is open, you
are allowed to enter. To do this you must walk in. Do this with you mind and spirit.
Once you enter, all will be given to you. See Mark15:38.
Do not look at creation, ie the seasons or the earth, as they will end in time, but
focus only on the Father.
Do not judge yourself against other creation, as you will fail, and their faith and hope
mean nothing to you.
Father only through Jesus.
__________________ Mark 15:38 Enter into the Temple it is now open
to all.
I am an Engineer so I had a thought that might help you from the world of parallel computing and fiber optics. If man can design a system to send virtually every conversation through a piece of fiber optics cable buried under the ocean from continent to continent, then take that high speed data and distribute it through computer switches to everyone on that continent, isn't it almost trivial to think that God the maker of the Universe could listen to 1,000,000,000 voices at once? Even me a mere human have through use of 3D audio been able to discern 4 or more simultaneous conversations. You are thinking of God in terms of human limitations, but you cannot think this way. It's like comparing a single candle to the power of the sun.
__________________ For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. (Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, W.W. Norton, New York, 1978, p. 116)
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