i'm tired of struggling

[Tolworth John]

i dont go to church. I havent in years. And i havent taken communion in even longer years, and i doubt i ever will again.

Why ring a random preacher. Oh he will help you, but he will also know that councelling those who will not submit to Jesus is a pointless task.

If you want the peace that Jesus gives you have to submit to him and part of that involves attending church.

 

[Fish55]

Hi lifelong_sinner, I may not know what you are going through, but I prayed for you just now. May you remain open to God and read the Bible, maybe starting from the book of John. You can pray to God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Or ask Him for a sign that your heart desires. You can call a preacher up. In these troubled times, Jesus Christ can offer answers to life's questions.

May God bless you.

Daily Bread Devotional : www.odb.org

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Hi lifelong_sinner, I may not know what you are going through, but I prayed for you just now.

thank you!

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Why ring a random preacher. Oh he will help you, but he will also know that councelling those who will not submit to Jesus is a pointless task.

and there it is.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Curious why you call yourself a Calvinist?

i believe the doctrine of reformed theology is the correct one. it is what i judge my actions on.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

i believe the doctrine of reformed theology is the correct one. it is what i judge my actions on.

Calvinists interestingly, are the most insecure when it comes to soteriology. I can understand why and you have my sympathies. It is difficult to feel secure in this system. I do hope one day you will seek out why it is so difficult and find your way to comfort. Be blessed.

 

[1watchman]

i dont go to church. I havent in years. And i havent taken communion in even longer years, and i doubt i ever will again.

Dear friend: do not give up, but learn to look in the RIGHT places. I think I know what you need, but don't just take my word for it ---FIND IT for yourself. If you fail to make the Lord Jesus 'Lord' of your life and best Friend, as well as your Savior and ONLY hope of Heaven and the blessings of the Father: our Creator-God, then you will go on reasoning and without an entrance into eternal blessings and peace. Please read John 3; John 14; etc; and make sure your trust, hope, and communion in your daily walk is WITH the Lord Jesus, even if it is NOT in an organized church group. Then you can join with other real Christians in worship, fellowship, and peace in the UNIVERSAL CHURCH with "unity of the faith" worldwide as God tells, walking with your Savior as 'best friend'. I have been blessed by some readings found at the Biblecounsel website about the mind of God for His people in the world and a universal unity. I will pray for you, and feel free to write me personally, friend. - 1watchman

 

[1watchman]

God wants to give us "..the peace that passeth all understanding" (note Philippians 4:7), and that comes by those who receive His "so great salvation" in His "...beloved Son".

Very recently I, as a follower of Jesus, my Savior, had a song in my heart from past years ---called "When the river meets the sea" ---which can give peace to a faithful seeker. I recommend you find and hear that precious song for those who know God through Jesus: the Christ of God. The song is found on the internet by googling lyrics for 'when the river meets the sea'; by the singer: John Denver. It is a precious comfort to those seeking peace of mind.

 

[Lukaris]

I believe salvation is lived by faith which I believe is a basic meaning of what St. Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10. I believe this relates to what the Lord told the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-19 & what St. Paul says in Romans 13:8-10. Our basic way to help ourselves & our neighbor is to be charitable & pray as the Lord preached in Matthew 6:1-15.

 

[Dreams65]

Sometimes a lifetime of destruction takes a lifetime of rebuilding. Transformation is not a one time occurrence, it's a process. The new man has to wage war with the old man. For that war to be officially declared you have to ask Jesus into your heart. After that you have to arm and feed the new man so that the old man will die. Don't stand still waiting for an answer, move on, be the person you know He wants you to be.

 

[ldonjohn]

Lifelong_sinner,
For many, many miserable years I tried to make myself believe in Jesus, while at the same time I wasn't sure if the bible was true or if God was real. I thought there was no way anyone could know for sure that he/she was really "saved."
After many years of struggling with the matter, after reading books about the bible & about how to "believe in Jesus," I was still confused, miserable, fearful, & uncertain about the truth of the bible.
My struggle ended one night when I just simply gave up on trying to understand it all and asked the God who I wasn't even sure existed if He would show me the truth about believing in Jesus. Next, I found a bible and opened it to the Gospel of John and started reading. (That was the first time I had ever opened a bible out side of being in a church.) As I read the words in the Book of John I soon realized that God was showing me the truth about Himself & about who Jesus is. By the time I got to the end of chapter 6 I was convinced that God is real, that the bible is the truth, and that Jesus paid the penalty for all my sin when He went to the cross. I put my faith in that message that night & called out to Jesus for Him to give me the new life in Him that only He can give.
I can only explain what happened to me that night by saying that I took me eyes off of myself and looked to God for the answer to my struggle, and God's Holy Spirit took over and gave me the spiritual light I needed so that I could "believe."
I found a peace that night that is impossible to explain to anyone who have never experienced the peace that only God can give. Today, 40+ years later I still have that peace.
My suggestion to you is that your answer is in God's Word. The Book of John, Gospel of John, and the Book of Romans are two books I would recommend that you read. Read them more than one time if you need to do so, and ask God to show you whatever it is you need from His word to convince you to believe.
And, yes, ask your preacher friend for help, but if he tells you that all you need to do is say a prayer "in Jesus' name" then I suggest you seek counsel from other Christians, and read the Gospel of John.
I have a favorite hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul" and the third verse says it all to me:
My Sin Oh the Bliss of this Glorious Thought
My Sin Not in Part but the Whole
Is Nailed to the the Cross and I Bear it No More
Praise the Lord Praise the Lord Oh My Soul

It Is Well with My Soul, by Horatio P. Spafford

Regards, John

 

[Rescued One]

Calvinists interestingly, are the most insecure when it comes to soteriology. I can understand why and you have my sympathies. It is difficult to feel secure in this system. I do hope one day you will seek out why it is so difficult and find your way to comfort. Be blessed.

There are soooooooooo many Calvinists in the world, that I don't think anyone can say whether or not Calvinists are insecure in their faith.