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10th March 2012, 12:12 PM
|  | Newbie
  
 | | Join Date: 8th March 2012
Posts: 153
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Reps: 9,266,584,473,163,370 (power: 9,266,584,473,165) | | | What if the Bible doesn't touch the heart?
Hello, in spite of what you may or may not know about me, I am not unversed in the Word of God. There is much of both the New Testament and Old Testament that I have read. My problem is that the Bible has never spoke to my heart, and it has never moved me.
I remember quite clearly all I have read from the Word, and it is been so broad and sweeping, that I don't know what I have done wrong in terms of the physical act of reading the Bible. First, this is what I have read in the order I can best remember.
Revelations (in its entirety), Phillipians (in its entirety), Matthew (in its entirety), Leviticus (in its entirety), Genesis (in its entirety), 1 and 2 Colossians (in their entirety), Romans (in its entirety), Galatians (in its entirety), Deuteronomy (in its entirety), Titus (in its entirety), 1 and 2 Chronicles (mostly in its entirety), Luke (mostly in its entirety), Acts (mostly in its entirety), Isaiah (Mostly in its entirety), Proverbs (Mostly in its entirety), Daniel (Mostly in its entirety), Amos (Mostly in its entirety), Ephesians (in its entirety) 1 and 2 Corinthians (in their entirety).
Nothing has stood out, at all. I was patient at first, but I don't read even read it very often now, because I'm only seeing negative messages at this point. I have tried to pray before, during, and after reading, and it never has a genuine impact. If anything, I just end up flipping the pages around and learning nothing. Is God saying that I'm not ready to read it? Or that I'm not allowed? I'm no longer certain what is happening in regards to that.  |
10th March 2012, 03:46 PM
|  | Senior Member
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| | Join Date: 28th January 2002
Posts: 1,354
Blessings: 1,227,191
Reps: 107,976,078,569,704,592 (power: 107,976,078,569,717) | | Originally Posted by Deusmaximaerror  Hello, in spite of what you may or may not know about me, I am not unversed in the Word of God. There is much of both the New Testament and Old Testament that I have read. My problem is that the Bible has never spoke to my heart, and it has never moved me.
I remember quite clearly all I have read from the Word, and it is been so broad and sweeping, that I don't know what I have done wrong in terms of the physical act of reading the Bible. First, this is what I have read in the order I can best remember.
Revelations (in its entirety), Phillipians (in its entirety), Matthew (in its entirety), Leviticus (in its entirety), Genesis (in its entirety), 1 and 2 Colossians (in their entirety), Romans (in its entirety), Galatians (in its entirety), Deuteronomy (in its entirety), Titus (in its entirety), 1 and 2 Chronicles (mostly in its entirety), Luke (mostly in its entirety), Acts (mostly in its entirety), Isaiah (Mostly in its entirety), Proverbs (Mostly in its entirety), Daniel (Mostly in its entirety), Amos (Mostly in its entirety), Ephesians (in its entirety) 1 and 2 Corinthians (in their entirety).
Nothing has stood out, at all. I was patient at first, but I don't read even read it very often now, because I'm only seeing negative messages at this point. I have tried to pray before, during, and after reading, and it never has a genuine impact. If anything, I just end up flipping the pages around and learning nothing. Is God saying that I'm not ready to read it? Or that I'm not allowed? I'm no longer certain what is happening in regards to that. The Bible was much as you describe it to me before I was born again spiritually. IOW, it meant nothing to me as I truly didn't understand a bit of it until I became a Christian. I notice that you are a "Seeker". If or when you become a Christian, the Scriptures will take on an entire new meaning for you as well. Read 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 ( a "natural man", v14, is one not lead by the Spirit of God, IOW, not a Christian). Yours and His, David |
10th March 2012, 04:09 PM
| | Senior Member
40    
| | Join Date: 25th April 2009 Location: Queensland Australia
Posts: 2,744
Blessings: 14,422,467 My Mood 
Reps: 136,245,030,737,922,688 (power: 136,245,030,737,929) | | When I came back to God all I saw was negative messages as well. 
There is a reason why these verses are written: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV)
Part of faith in God is the painful realisation of how much you have fallen short of the glory of God.
And you said before that you never felt anything that people describe when reading other everyday books. If you genuinely believe in Jesus Christ and don't feel anything or "see" any special personal revelations when reading you may be one of those christians who are "thinking" not "feeling" christians. There have been a few christians who have doubted their salvation because they don't "feel" anything when reading the Bible. If YOU are learning, if YOU are being challenged if YOU are seeing things about yourself and/or God then YOU are being ministered to.
I see you haven't listed the Gospel of John. That was written for the Gentiles (us non-Jews). That would be a good one for you.
Since you are a deep thinker this time also take mental notes of events, subjects and undercurrents in this gospel that the other writers did not mention or go through in their gospels. Think of WHY did John go into those topics and not others. |
10th March 2012, 07:53 PM
| | Newbie
| | Join Date: 3rd February 2012
Posts: 253
Blessings: 116,760 My Mood 
Reps: 18,956,553,531,772,588 (power: 18,956,553,531,774) | | | Not everyone can live forever, we need people to live among in the "clouds". |
10th March 2012, 08:27 PM
|  | Senior Contributor
46  
| | Join Date: 2nd June 2005 Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 15,838
Blessings: 14,095,040 My Mood 
Reps: 287,329,116,144,577,888 (power: 287,329,116,144,600) | | The bible must have touched you in some small way...you are here posting and reaching out
Have you considered talking with a pastor or signing up for a church bible study to hear more? |
11th March 2012, 01:13 PM
| | Newbie
| | Join Date: 8th March 2012
Posts: 153
Blessings: 26,107,058
Reps: 9,266,584,473,163,370 (power: 9,266,584,473,165) | | | I left my church some time ago, and I haven't seen another spiritual advisor since. There are 5 churches in a 1 square kilometre area where I live, but I haven't been able to bring myself to seek any of them out, or return to the church I was at before. |
11th March 2012, 02:59 PM
|  | Sinner Saved By Grace
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| | Join Date: 25th June 2010 Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 343
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Reps: 112,602,738,335,795,584 (power: 112,602,738,335,798) | | My friend I was once the same way. I read some of the bible but it never moved me, in fact I found most of it absurd. Then I got saved and that all changed, suddenly I understood it as if I was reading it for the first time. So you may not be saved yet. But the fact that you are posting here at all indicates to me that you have the seeds of repentance in your heart.
Seek God and you will find him. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). This is a promise, and God does not lie. Keep seeking him diligently and do not give up. Based on the fact that you are even posting here I truly believe that you will be saved, keep seeking him and when you are moved in your heart, feeling conviction over your sins, call out to God in repentance. Keep seeking friend, and I will pray for you |
11th March 2012, 03:05 PM
| | Newbie
| | Join Date: 8th March 2012
Posts: 153
Blessings: 26,107,058
Reps: 9,266,584,473,163,370 (power: 9,266,584,473,165) | | | Here is one of my bigger problems. I do not want peoples prayers for me, it bothers me, I am not worth the time and effort to do such a thing for. I ask God often to help me, to give me strength over my sins, and to bring me a new chapter in my life, but I never keep up with working towards a greater good for myself and others. I do not contribute to anything, and in that I feel as if I do not reserve any sort of reward, regardless of what type of reward it is. I do not beleive myself worthy of being rewarded with education, much less salvation. |
11th March 2012, 03:16 PM
| | Sinner Saved By Grace
22
| | Join Date: 25th June 2010 Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 343
Blessings: 1,527,193 My Mood
Reps: 112,602,738,335,795,584 (power: 112,602,738,335,798) | | | Have you given your life to Christ? It seems that you have genuine sorrow over you sin, so if you haven't, now would be the time!
None of us are worthy, but Christ died for all of us sinners, he died for you, and freely gives life to those who will come to him. To be born again you need only admit your sins, know that Christ died that you might be forgiven and become a child of God, and repent. To repent means to give up your self-lordship and give your life to Christ.
Remember, none of us are able to do anything good whatsoever, all of our works are as dirty rags before God. Christ will take you as you are! I was a wretched sinner, the least of sinners, and I in no way deserved this grace! Christ died for me and for you, and desires that you come to him! Come as you are! Christ will change you! If you haven't given your life to Christ yet I urge you to do so right now!
If you already have given your life to Christ, then know this. Don't expect a sinless perfection because you are born again. Believers struggle with sin, but know this also, that there is no longer any condemnation for us who are in Christ. You need not work to clean up your life, you need only cling to the light! Lean on God in all things and cast all of your shortcomings before him, and he will sanctify you more and more! In Christ you have victory of both the condemnation of sin and the power of sin! You need only to trust in him and lean on him in all things. |
11th March 2012, 03:17 PM
|  | everlovin' shiner of light in dark places Angels Team
    
| | Join Date: 23rd March 2004
Posts: 145,378
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Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,932) | | Originally Posted by Deusmaximaerror Here is one of my bigger problems. I do not want peoples prayers for me, it bothers me, I am not worth the time and effort to do such a thing for. I ask God often to help me, to give me strength over my sins, and to bring me a new chapter in my life, but I never keep up with working towards a greater good for myself and others. I do not contribute to anything, and in that I feel as if I do not reserve any sort of reward, regardless of what type of reward it is. I do not beleive myself worthy of being rewarded with education, much less salvation.
none of us deserve anything.
we can't do anything in our own strength.
we are ALL but dust.
He loves us anyway. It's inexplicable, pure grace.
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"If the pace and the push, the noise and the crowds are getting to you, it's time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit." ~Charles Swindoll "Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul,
a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan."
~John Bunyan
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