What next?

Read the Bible daily. Get into the word of God.

I think the second most important thing is to find a good church to attend.


God Bless,
Roberta

I would suggest finding a church to attend that you feel comfortable with and one that doesn't stray for God's word of course. Find a good bible study program to go to is always good and also just keep reading the bible, praying and asking God to guide you in everything you do every day of you life.

I would also suggest finding a good Christian radio station and listening to Christian music.

After you are saved the best thing to do is surround yourself with Christians who have a stronger walk with you. Read your Bible daily, talk to a pastor or youth pastor and ask them for advice. Begin to have a prayer life and attend church regularly. But I really think the surrounding yourself wih Christians is a very important part of staying in a relationship with God.
RayNay

Form Christian friendships. Get together with people who believe you need to pray. Study the bible. Accept all the Gifts of the Spirit without exception. Some denominations exclude some of them.

I think the point about surrounding yourself with other Christians is very important. I think it helps to have people around who can hold you accountable and for encouragement and to share each others burdens. Encouragement is something we definately all need at times.

This may be a little off topic...

Seeing that some of you said to surround yourself with other Christians, I would like to ask you all to pray for me.

I have a mild case of supposed "social anxiety disorder" in other words strangers and people I do not know scare me. I don't go to weddings, parties, and things of that nature because of this. I was always real shy. One reason I LOVE online forums. I don't have to meet anybody face to face. That would scare me too much.

Anyway, pray that when I do find a church that I like that I will not be afraid to mingle with the people there, this has always been the reason I stopped going to church. Fear of not belonging has something to do with it. I really think this has hindered my walk with God.

I am very much like you. Very shy and uneasy around groups of people. My shyness many times gets in the way and I get nervous and end up sounding like an idiot, or at least I feel I do.
I get too self-conscious. This is why being with other Christians is so important because it helps to have people who will listen and share, sympathize.
I will definately pray for you.
Do you have any Christian friends?

Originally posted by Mandy
Do you have any Christian friends?

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I do not have any Christian friends in "real" life. I do have some here on the internet in various forums though.

I am glad that I am not the only one that feels this way, thanks for making me not feel so weird.

I think all these suggestions are right on. I guess the very most important thing is reading the word of God every day.

I would also say, make absolutely certain that you are a genuine Christian and that you haven't rushed into making a commitment that isn't real/ made a half hearted commitment.

Pray to Jesus and ask him, also check that you have fully obeyed the gospel, which is to have truly believed AND called upon Jesus personally for forgiveness of everything you have done wrong and salvation. Also check that you are truly repentant- willing to be as obedient to Jesus as you can (in regards to sin and good works), serving him as your Lord with the help of his Holy Spirit.
Remember all the above is grace, so if you haven't got the necessary faith and/or repentance ask God to give it to you!
Check with other Christians and maybe your pastor that you are a genuine Christian.
Otherwise, you could well get into serious problems a few months, sometimes years down the line. I say this because sadly I have heard of too many people (some I knew myself) who looked like and thought they were genuine Christians, could even give a shining testimony and yet fell away from their faith altogether a few months or a couple of years or so later. If any of them were saved they will come back, but God will not give anyone a second chance if they fall away short of being truly saved. Most genuine Christians will go through doubts (sometimes serious doubts) sometimes and will make sure they are genuine Christians.

Originally posted by soulsisterclaire
This may be a little off topic...

Seeing that some of you said to surround yourself with other Christians, I would like to ask you all to pray for me.

I have a mild case of supposed "social anxiety disorder" in other words strangers and people I do not know scare me. I don't go to weddings, parties, and things of that nature because of this. I was always real shy. One reason I LOVE online forums. I don't have to meet anybody face to face. That would scare me too much.

Anyway, pray that when I do find a church that I like that I will not be afraid to mingle with the people there, this has always been the reason I stopped going to church. Fear of not belonging has something to do with it. I really think this has hindered my walk with God.

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Hi SSC, I too am very shy just like you. I find it extremely difficult to interact with people I don't know- I get extremely shy, self conscious and clam up- I just don't know what to say to people unless I know them really well.
For instance, when I joined the young adults group at church in August, with the exception of a couple of people, most of them I didn't know and only now am I getting really friendly and able to be relaxed and chat easily to them. It's getting over those barriers.
Outside of church I tend only to make a couple of friends that I really get on with- I never mange to get very friendly with most people- I am just too shy and don't know what to say to them.

Originally posted by soulsisterclaire


I do not have any Christian friends in "real" life. I do have some here on the internet in various forums though.

I am glad that I am not the only one that feels this way, thanks for making me not feel so weird.

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You're not weird, you are just you. According to my husband it is normal to feel like you're weird or different. I will keep praying for you, I know it's hard. I always do my best to rely on God and step out in faith, when I feel like He is leading me into a situation I am not comfortable in.

God bless you!

Originally posted by Da Berkshire Massive


Hi SSC, I too am very shy just like you. I find it extremely difficult to interact with people I don't know- I get extremely shy, self conscious and clam up- I just don't know what to say to people unless I know them really well.
For instance, when I joined the young adults group at church in August, with the exception of a couple of people, most of them I didn't know and only now am I getting really friendly and able to be relaxed and chat easily to them. It's getting over those barriers.
Outside of church I tend only to make a couple of friends that I really get on with- I never mange to get very friendly with most people- I am just too shy and don't know what to say to them.

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I am the same way!

It is so nice to know that I am not alone.

May I consider you all my Christian friends now?

Originally posted by soulsisterclaire
It is so nice to know that I am not alone.

May I consider you all my Christian friends now?

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Absolutely!

>>people I do not know scare me.

I do believe the atonement is two fold. Jesus died not only to restore us to the Father, but to restore our relationship one with another. Only He does this by making us of one mind and one accord in and though the mind of Christ.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

The Bible is clear that it is though faith and perfect love that we overcome fear. If we have faith in God's love for us, then we will know that God is for us, and nothing can be against us.

So, when God puts His love in us, the fear has to go.

It maybe best to stay away from people who do not have the mind of Christ. They really have nothing to offer to us or add to what we have in Christ. With God it is all or none, we either represent Him, or we do not. Thanks, JohnR7

Originally posted by StogusMaximus
Come here. Take that.

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I was wondering what was!

Thanks StogusMaximus!