a new christian with some questions...

[glad1242]

i recently found jesus christ as my personal savior, but where do i go from here? i goto church on sundays and pray every night and morning. it always makes me feel so good! im starting to love the way being a christian makes me feel! what else can a born again to do deepen his relationship with god and jesus?

 

[98cwitr]

you can feed His sheep:

1. Take care of the poor
2. Share the Word of the Lord with others

 

[glad1242]

Ty for the reply 98cwitr!

sadly, im in a very bad financial situation, i'd be considered the "poor" you speak of

also everytime i try to talk to people about god and jesus they look at me like i am insane, is it okay to just ask people about these things? or is it more of a sensative subject then i think?

 

[E.C.]

Ty for the reply 98cwitr!

sadly, im in a very bad financial situation, i'd be considered the "poor" you speak of

also everytime i try to talk to people about god and jesus they look at me like i am insane, is it okay to just ask people about these things? or is it more of a sensative subject then i think?

If you'd like to be rude and intrusive than by all means.

My personal rule is this: If asked a question about religion or if religion comes up in a conversation than I'll answer. Until then, shut up.

Besides, if your new to the Christian life than give yourself some time to settle into it a bit.

 

[DreamOutLoud]

Ty for the reply 98cwitr!

sadly, im in a very bad financial situation, i'd be considered the "poor" you speak of

also everytime i try to talk to people about god and jesus they look at me like i am insane, is it okay to just ask people about these things? or is it more of a sensative subject then i think?

Well, some people are allergic to Jesus. Don't be pushy, but sometimes you can establish to faith issues in a conversation. Remember not to convert them if they don't expect it, but rather set an example, then they'll see God in your behaviour.

Have a great day

 

[Emmy]

Dear glad1242. In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells us that the first and great Commandment is: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is: love thy neighbour as thyself. Jesus also tell us, that on these two Commandments hang all the Law, and the Prophets. Love is what God wants from us, glad. Selfless love with no strings attached. Paul tells us in 1) Corinthians what Love is: being kind and considerrate, helping where a helping hand is needed, always be friendly and forgiving, rather than angry and blaming others. God can see our hearts, He knows our thoughts and wishes, and when God sees our sincere efforts ( to be kind to all we know or meet) our neighbour and friends as well as enemies. Treat them as you would like to be treated, always let your love and kindness rule you. Try and do that day after day, and you will find that your kindness/love will surround you. Jesus will give you His Love and Joy to share with each other, and God will approve and bless you. It is not easy at first, but it will become better and better. We/you will stumble and fail, but get up and try again. God will forgive us as we forgive others. Jesus told us: " Ask and ye will receive." Everything we say, or do which is without love, is sin. And all we say or do which is with love, God will bless. I say this with love, glad. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[salida]

Welcome!!!

Take one day at a time and get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions. Read the bible and pray daily. Get involved in church. Its a life long lifestyle and you will know God more and more. True faith is demonstrated by actions than then the feelings will come. Feelings alone are like a roller coaster. Feel free to email me if have questions. Also, keep yourself separated from vulgar movies and t.v., etc. Remember with a computer its garbage in and garbage out-same with a human.

 

[oi_antz]

Well, some people are allergic to Jesus. Don't be pushy, but sometimes you can establish to faith issues in a conversation. Remember not to convert them if they don't expect it, but rather set an example, then they'll see God in your behaviour.

Have a great day

To elaborate on this, if someone makes a comment that seems dangerously wrong, you can make a comment in return that makes them doubt what they think, in this way you are challenging their misconception without outright confronting them with the message of the gospel.

I agree, not everyone is receptive to the message of the gospel, and you can even harm your relationships with them by pushing your beliefs upon them. Just be firm in your beliefs, demonstrate the power of the truth by gently correcting incorrect opinions but exercising discretion so you're not outright arguing with everything they say, and in this way, let your light shine!

Everyone is different in the levels of thinking they give to matters of truth and God, some people are involved constantly in it, and these are the ones you will be most likely to get engaged in arguments with, because with strong belief comes strong opinion. Eventually the seeds of doubt you sow will cause a change of thinking in the other person and could even warm their heart to the gospel message when they do come to hear it.

 

[drich0150]

You ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us direction and meaning.

Luke 11:

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

We ask through prayer, we seek in the bible and in people who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5) and we knock by repeating this process till we get what it is our heart wants.

 

[98cwitr]

Ty for the reply 98cwitr!

sadly, im in a very bad financial situation, i'd be considered the "poor" you speak of

also everytime i try to talk to people about god and jesus they look at me like i am insane, is it okay to just ask people about these things? or is it more of a sensative subject then i think?

Haha, I'm sorry you are poor. You don't have to give away money...actually I never give away money anymore. But if you have a few bucks to buy someone a burger and maybe an extra blanket you're not using...it would really make a difference to someone less fortunate.

Personally, I think if you try less "converting" and more of just sharing your faith that you have you will get a more elicited response from your listener(s).

 

[bibleblevr]

i recently found jesus christ as my personal savior, but where do i go from here? i goto church on sundays and pray every night and morning. it always makes me feel so good! im starting to love the way being a christian makes me feel! what else can a born again to do deepen his relationship with god and jesus?

Pray
Give alms (Time, money, or whatever else)
Fast

When you pray, don't forget to pray that God uses you, when you pray for God to use you, it is spooky just how quickly he will take you up on your offer. Expect quick results, this is a prayer God never says no to.

When giving alms give with a cheerful heart, if giving to you church doesn't thrill you, then buy a blanket and toss it to your local homeless man next cold night for example.

When you fast, reflect on the other ways you can let God be your strength

 

[glad1242]

im not nessasary trying to "convert" everyone but, i have a troubled past and my family and friends just dont understand my new life (as i like to call it)

my family is not religious in fact i never steped foot into a church until recently, and most of my friends are agnostics or athiests and they dont care about god and thats why they look at me like im stupid when it comes up in a conversation

does anyone else ever feel this kind of......discrimination....i guess you would call it?

 

[jada]

Funny you should mention messy family...
Yes, I too am a Christian amongst non-Christians, and yes, I get that kind of *selective approval* too.

My parents especially were very unhappy when I said I wanted to join a church, cause they left a legalistic church in their youth due to abuse, and raised us to be un-religious. So it is really hard for them to understand why I would subject myself to organized religion as part of caring for God and Jesus. They often tell me I should just start "thinking for myself" and not care what other people think. Which is not the point - I am really pig-headed and assertive, but not thinking for myself is not the same as trying to care about my church community or being accountable for my actions to the other members of the Body.

As for atheist and agnostic friends, the atheist friends won't have anything to do with talking about God with me cause I am way too patient and thoughtful for them to trip up - they get frustrated. Now they just sort of nod their heads and change the subject. But my agnostic/humanist friends keep finding moments to persuade me that I "don't really believe" in Jesus, but instead believe in humanism - in being a good person, and that I "don't need Jesus". I know they mean well, but their persuasion is misplaced. And I know I am not giving them that message, cause I am quick to acknowledge God in my life. I think it is wishful thinking on their parts, their wanting us to be closer friends without the "church divide".

Sometimes I am discriminated against though. I can't talk about all the instances on here cause I am committed to not complaining against my accusers but there are plenty of times I have been passed up, passed over or mocked because of my belief in God. It's not really painful emotionally, but there are times I am angry for being covertly excluded, segregated, disrespected or not given something I have earned such as a raise, a promotion or access to opportunities because I don't spout the same religious party line as my peers or superiors.

Anyway, how does it make you feel? What things have you tried to do to cope with being discriminated against?

 

[glad1242]

thanks for the reply jada!!

i find it harder and harder to share my new life with others, it makes it hard to want to continue searching and finding god a jesus. i have been to my local church but because of my past i feel like im not wanted there, i live in a small town and word travels quickly and my new found faith in god and humanity makes this very difficult

 

[razeontherock]

what else can a born again to do deepen his relationship with god and jesus?

Has no one said READ THE BIBLE? That would be a REALLY good step ...

I like to advise starting in John, and reading straight through to the end for a start.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

All I can say is to continue to be faithful to God. Just live your life reaching out to God (as you have been doing), then just allow your self the luxury to relax, don't get too stressed out about the things you need to do. I don't mean just give up on going stuff for God, but if it becomes too hard just sit back for a while until you feel confident to continue. You are saved not by your works (doing stuff) but by Jesus sacrifice. If you want to serve Jesus more fully just begin to pray that he would through his abilities do stuff. Like heal the sick, I have done this once myself (only once probably shows my lack of action, but anyway), or ask to hear his voice like the old testiment prophets did, it can help encourage yourself and others. By listening for his voice is how I found my wife, he told me who I should marry, so it ended up blessing me. Actually I will include a list of stories of God doing stuff in my life so you can begin to believe for your self. Believe that God can do things for you.

One morning I got up and walked into the hall and I heard a voice that I believed was God say "How would you like to be stabbed in the Valley". The Valley was known as the rough end of town, and the voice scared me a little, I wondered if I had done something to offend God. I had planned to go down to the Valley to ask people out to church as was my habit at the time. In the end I went anyway regardless of the fear. I walked up to the first person I met and asked him if he would like to go out to church. He said to me "I am an atheist, I don't believe in God". I just said "fine", but hoped to change his mind. He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt and showed me scar marks up and down his chest and stomach. He said to me, "I was attacked by a knife wielding man in the Valley some time ago and spent months recovering in hospital, How could God allow that to happen to me". Then I knew why God had said in the morning "How would I like to be stabbed?". God understood this man, but had a good plan for him. Some weeks latter this man came out to church and became a Christian.

Some time after the second Gulf War an Australian man Douglas Wood was captured by terrorists in Iraq, who made demands for a ransom or he would be executed. I set about fasting and praying for his release, I said to God "You know where he is....tell me". Three words entered my mind ABC, Bizaar and "A-meal". I thought "I am going crazy what has all that got to do with him. Bizaar I though "this is Bizarre". I thought maybe "A-meal" is a town so I searched a map of Iraq for a town of that name, but found nothing that really matched. Some time latter Douglas Wood was freed by US troops who came across his captors. It was not until latter that I actually discovered what the three words meant. I was on a forum libertyunites.us and came across a post by a user called ABC in the post she appealed to the captors to release Douglas Wood because he had gone to a/or the Bazaar and bought food for homeless people and had provided them with "A-meal". I believe God saw this action too and blessed Douglas Wood with an escape from his captors.

One time I thought about suing some one but felt bad about it because I did not want to give a bad impression about what a Christian is like. So I prayed and asked God to show me clearly what to do. Latter that day I opened my bible at random, selecting a random verse and it opened to 1Co 6:7 "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?" So I knew what God was thinking, no lawsuit. From this I do not believe God was saying all law suits are wrong just this one was.

At one point in my life I was praying for scientific cures for illnesses like cancer. Because I was on a science kick I thought would it not be fun to create a real life dinosaur. I wanted Jesus just for fun to show me how to create a Real Live Dinosaur, he can show us anything you know if he wants, but when I asked him how to start recreating a Dinosaur. Jesus spoke into my head the sentence "bood, a term I had never heard before. I decided to look it up on the Internet and I found out the following: You see, the children of Semai are taught from an early age, the concept of "bood." If a parent asks a child to do something and the child replies " bood," it means in other words, "I don't feel like doing that," and the matter is closed. Bood means gently No.

One day I was witnessing to a Muslim and he asked me why we ate pork. I used the verse out of the bible which says "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of the mouth". After some general discussion I finished for the night. I asked God to give me a verse from the bible to encourage me. I opened the bible at random and selected a random verse. It opened to the exact same verse that I had used with the Muslim. The one about food not defiling. So I knew that God was approving of what I had been talking about.
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean.'"- Mat 15:11

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. - Ecc 7:11 I have always considered it wise to seek God for every thing in life. By this I do not mean “God, what should I eat” or “what should I wear”. Not small insignificant things but things that matter. God cares about the things that we see as significant, things that are important to us. There was a point in my life where I was single, unmarried and constantly bombarded by the worlds system of doing things, a system to which I was diametrically opposed. I wanted to find a partner, but was not really sure how to go about it. By trade I am a computer programmer so the Internet was very familia to me. So I tried internet dating. I remember getting to a point of meeting quite a few people but not really fully clicking with any of them. So I prayed and said out of all the thousands of people that are online in the world there must be some one who could make a good partner for me. So I deliberately listened for God’s voice, and prayed once. The word “Grace” entered my mind. So I typed “Grace” into the search box (that was used to search for profiles). The first profile to come up was of Ru Chen. I had been contacted by Ru Chen once, but we were unable to send messages to one another over the site for some unknown reason. So I tried to contact her again, but again with no success. Some time latter Ru was able to contact me using an email I had sent to her when she had first contacted me, after chatting online for some weeks we decided to meet. We went out together to the movies and just eating out, and seeing each other for some time. Eventually we decided to marry. We went out and bought a ring. Some months latter we got married.

 

[glad1242]

All I can say is to continue to be faithful to God. Just live your life reaching out to God (as you have been doing), then just allow your self the luxury to relax, don't get too stressed out about the things you need to do. I don't mean just give up on going stuff for God, but if it becomes too hard just sit back for a while until you feel confident to continue. You are saved not by your works (doing stuff) but by Jesus sacrifice. If you want to serve Jesus more fully just begin to pray that he would through his abilities do stuff. Like heal the sick, I have done this once myself (only once probably shows my lack of action, but anyway), or ask to hear his voice like the old testiment prophets did, it can help encourage yourself and others. By listening for his voice is how I found my wife, he told me who I should marry, so it ended up blessing me. Actually I will include a list of stories of God doing stuff in my life so you can begin to believe for your self. Believe that God can do things for you.

One morning I got up and walked into the hall and I heard a voice that I believed was God say "How would you like to be stabbed in the Valley". The Valley was known as the rough end of town, and the voice scared me a little, I wondered if I had done something to offend God. I had planned to go down to the Valley to ask people out to church as was my habit at the time. In the end I went anyway regardless of the fear. I walked up to the first person I met and asked him if he would like to go out to church. He said to me "I am an atheist, I don't believe in God". I just said "fine", but hoped to change his mind. He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt and showed me scar marks up and down his chest and stomach. He said to me, "I was attacked by a knife wielding man in the Valley some time ago and spent months recovering in hospital, How could God allow that to happen to me". Then I knew why God had said in the morning "How would I like to be stabbed?". God understood this man, but had a good plan for him. Some weeks latter this man came out to church and became a Christian.

Some time after the second Gulf War an Australian man Douglas Wood was captured by terrorists in Iraq, who made demands for a ransom or he would be executed. I set about fasting and praying for his release, I said to God "You know where he is....tell me". Three words entered my mind ABC, Bizaar and "A-meal". I thought "I am going crazy what has all that got to do with him. Bizaar I though "this is Bizarre". I thought maybe "A-meal" is a town so I searched a map of Iraq for a town of that name, but found nothing that really matched. Some time latter Douglas Wood was freed by US troops who came across his captors. It was not until latter that I actually discovered what the three words meant. I was on a forum libertyunites.us and came across a post by a user called ABC in the post she appealed to the captors to release Douglas Wood because he had gone to a/or the Bazaar and bought food for homeless people and had provided them with "A-meal". I believe God saw this action too and blessed Douglas Wood with an escape from his captors.

One time I thought about suing some one but felt bad about it because I did not want to give a bad impression about what a Christian is like. So I prayed and asked God to show me clearly what to do. Latter that day I opened my bible at random, selecting a random verse and it opened to 1Co 6:7 "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?" So I knew what God was thinking, no lawsuit. From this I do not believe God was saying all law suits are wrong just this one was.

At one point in my life I was praying for scientific cures for illnesses like cancer. Because I was on a science kick I thought would it not be fun to create a real life dinosaur. I wanted Jesus just for fun to show me how to create a Real Live Dinosaur, he can show us anything you know if he wants, but when I asked him how to start recreating a Dinosaur. Jesus spoke into my head the sentence "bood, a term I had never heard before. I decided to look it up on the Internet and I found out the following: You see, the children of Semai are taught from an early age, the concept of "bood." If a parent asks a child to do something and the child replies " bood," it means in other words, "I don't feel like doing that," and the matter is closed. Bood means gently No.

One day I was witnessing to a Muslim and he asked me why we ate pork. I used the verse out of the bible which says "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of the mouth". After some general discussion I finished for the night. I asked God to give me a verse from the bible to encourage me. I opened the bible at random and selected a random verse. It opened to the exact same verse that I had used with the Muslim. The one about food not defiling. So I knew that God was approving of what I had been talking about.
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean.'"- Mat 15:11

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. - Ecc 7:11 I have always considered it wise to seek God for every thing in life. By this I do not mean “God, what should I eat” or “what should I wear”. Not small insignificant things but things that matter. God cares about the things that we see as significant, things that are important to us. There was a point in my life where I was single, unmarried and constantly bombarded by the worlds system of doing things, a system to which I was diametrically opposed. I wanted to find a partner, but was not really sure how to go about it. By trade I am a computer programmer so the Internet was very familia to me. So I tried internet dating. I remember getting to a point of meeting quite a few people but not really fully clicking with any of them. So I prayed and said out of all the thousands of people that are online in the world there must be some one who could make a good partner for me. So I deliberately listened for God’s voice, and prayed once. The word “Grace” entered my mind. So I typed “Grace” into the search box (that was used to search for profiles). The first profile to come up was of Ru Chen. I had been contacted by Ru Chen once, but we were unable to send messages to one another over the site for some unknown reason. So I tried to contact her again, but again with no success. Some time latter Ru was able to contact me using an email I had sent to her when she had first contacted me, after chatting online for some weeks we decided to meet. We went out together to the movies and just eating out, and seeing each other for some time. Eventually we decided to marry. We went out and bought a ring. Some months latter we got married.

thank you for this long thought out post, things like this is why i turned to god and jesus, just thank you

 

[Harry3142]

glad1242-

As Christians we are to exhibit the rightness of our faith through our interrelationship with those around us. This does not necessarily entail proselytizing everyone we meet, but it does entail behaving in a manner which tells those whom we interact with that something has happened which has had positive results for us and for all around us.

There is a code of conduct which I have quoted numerous times. It is found in Scripture, and our cooperation with its tenets is a powerful witness to the genuineness of our faith. Here is 'The Christians Code of Conduct':

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26,NIV)

Note that in both 'the acts of the sinful nature' and 'the fruit of the Spirit' the vast majority of the works aren't works at all; they're the core emotions which ultimately lead to acts of evil or acts of righteousness. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are given not only the gift of salvation, but also the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He doesn't come to us empty-handed; he brings gifts of his own, as well as a powerful nature independent of our own.

So when the Scripture says, "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law," It means just that. The Holy Spirit is ahead of us, not behind us. It's not up to us to make our own path through life's challenges. It's up to us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by willingly following his lead as he goes ahead of us, taking us through the rest of our lives. We not only accept his 'fruits', but we go so far as to welcome them. We do this knowing that the Holy Spirit himself is 'in the driver's seat' and will use those fruits to the best advantage.

Trust God. When you accepted Jesus Christ he took hold of your life, and he has a firm grip.

 

[Mcygee]

I'm happy to hear that you've decided to come to God.

If there is one important thing I can say to you, it is that many of what you see in the Christian community and among Christians has nothing to do with your relationship with God or your salvation.

Your relationship with God is not a religion. Religion is what we make around our believe in God.

As you can already see there are going to be many Christians telling you many different things, including me right now. We all have an opinion on what the Bible is telling us and what is and isn't a sin. I want you to understand the real meaning of a relationship with God is far less confusing that it seems initially.

Here is my two cents on establishing your relationship with God.

1) Prayer I believe is the most important. If you want a relationship with God, you really need to speak to him every day. On the way to work, on your lunch break, before you go to bed, or all of the above! And while I can't tell you what you should say to God because that is between you and Him, I can tell you how I choose to pray. I basically tell God thank you for his wonderful mercy, wisdom, and strength. I ask him to forgive my weakness and my lake of faith. I ask he forgive me of my sins and for him to guide me in all that I do. I also ask that he molds me into what is best for his kingdom. The bible speaks of the important of being humble to God. I believe we need to talk to him and tell him that HE is what makes us strong and that we are weak without him. I also ask for him to give me the wisdom to understand what he wants me to do on a regular basis.

2) Keep him in your thoughts in all that you do. We are weak on our own and will make bad decisions. Relying on God for all we do is very liberating and also continues to build that relationship.

3) Surround yourself with holy things. As a poster or two before me as said. If you surround yourself with things that are ungodly, you will be weaker in your faith and relationship with God. Going to a good church is an example of this. If a church is full of politics and people who just seem fake, then maybe you need to try an other. No need to be faithful to a church. The only one we need to be faithful to is God.

4) Read the bible, but don't be discouraged by what you don't understand. Seek out the truth and ask God to give you the wisdom to understand. There will be times when your faith is tested and some of those times will be from the actions of God himself. But when you logically think through things and search for answers, all makes sense.

Other advice for you...

1) There is a song I've always had in my head by Collective Soul called Untitled that pretty much sums up my belief.

Collective Soul Untitled - Bing Music

Basically, to me, it says that I don't believe in anybody except for God. He is the only one in the end you can fully rely on for the truth. Never take anybody at their word except for him. Analyze what others tell you and find the truth yourself. Don't blindly follow anybody. So many people seem to lose faith in God when others in their lives fail them. It could be a family member, their preacher, or anybody. We are all weak and we do weak things. God is really the only person you should put all your faith in.

2) Don't become obsessed with the small details. So many people will lay out what is and isn't a sin. The bible doesn't lay out what is and isn't a sin in a black and white fashion. Sure some things are, but a lot of things people consider sins are picking and choosing. There are many "sins" people talk about that are laid out early on in the old testimat but then they ignore others that are talked about. So many of those rules, to me, are obviously meant for those people in those times. God made us in his image (his image does not mean the way he looks) and gave us a conscious. Usually if you feel like something is wrong, it probably is. For instance.... If I drink a decent amount of alcohol at my home with my wife while we watch a movie and get a little drunk. Is that a sin? I would say no. Now what if I'm somewhere without my wife and there is a woman there that I know has heavily flirted with and I choose to get drunk there anyway. Or maybe I get drunk all the time and am not there for my family like I choose. When in doubt ask God for help. But I generally find it's easy to tell right from wrong.

3) You will have ups and downs despite help from God. God does not promise us a perfect life. He only promises that if we are faithful to him he will pull us up and give us a perfect life after we leave this world. Usually the harder things get, the more we need God than ever. Don't let it push you away. Instead pray harder and search for God even more diligently.

So to really sum most of this LONG post up. Don't let the man made rules, Christians who are not behaving as such, and hard times come between your relationship with God. Pray to him and ask him to give you the wisdom and strength to do what you need to do. If your faith starts to become weak, pray and tell God that you are sorry for your lack of faith and to please give you the wisdom to see what your missing.