A'ight...lets try this one more time....

[HotRhymez]

What up?!

For those of you that don't know, I recently quit Christianity a couple months ago due to personal reasons, but now after thinking for a couple weeks I have decided to swallow my pride, step up to the plate, and give Christianity ONE more try. But now this is where you come in, CF, I want to actually stay with Christianity, and not quit it after a few months like I did so many times in the past. I want to stay with it for like the rest of my life, or at least several years, and not get tired of it. So what should I do differently this time? Advice is appreciated, thanx homies.

I know I am supposed to read the Bible and pray, and I will try to do that more than often this time. But I'm just wondering if theres anything else I should do besides that. All opinions are welcome.

 

[Dark_Lite]

Believe in it.

Baptism.

Good works.

 

[sandman]

I would like to applaud you for putting pride on the back burner and following what is in your heart. Pride is, and can be a massive obstacle that will stop people from doing what they know is right. We all have it in some degree but to not let it be a stumbling block takes a person of true character …..hats off to you.

Since I cannot check your past posts I am unaware of what the combination of events or the final straw was that caused your decision to walk away. If you could give some insight as to the reason, it might help myself, or others that may have some godly advise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God bless
sandman

 

[hiumble1]

You need to ask yourself some questions:
why did you come to christianity in the first place? promises of a good life? filling a god shaped hole in your heart?

I was told an anology concerning christianity and why some believe and fall away. They were told promises that did not come true.

Two men boarded an Airplane.
The plane took off as normal but halfway to altitude a flight attendant came up to man #1 and told him that he should put on this parachute. She said it would make his flight better. So the man belileveing in what he was told put the parachute on, and imediately felt the weight of the parachute on his shoulders, it was uncomfortable. and as he started to sit down he noticed others in the plane pointing at him and giggling, and starting to make fun of him. As he sat down he noticed he could not sit in a normal fashion, he had to slump forward, this made even more comfortable. The passengers were starting to really make fun of the man for having the parachute, this went on for about 10 minutes, till finally the man in his disgust grabbed the parachute from off of his shoulder and threw it to the ground. In his mind he was told nothing but lies, The parachute did not make his flight better, in fact it made it worse, it would be a long time before you would catch him wearing a parachute.

Meanwhile we go to man #2, he was approached as well by another flight attendant, but this time flight attendant explained it differently to this man. The told him that when they reached an altitude of 25,000 feet they would all have to jump, you might want this parachute. The man gladly put on the parachute. He also noticed the weight of the parachute, the other passengers making fun of him, and the uncomfortable position he had when he was sitting down. But this man did not throw the parachute to the ground, he instead clutched onto it for dear life with the knowledge that he would be made to jump soon. This man was not promised that the parachute would make his flight better, he was told that it was to save him from the jump that is to come.

This is an anology. but the mind set as to the knowledge behind christianity is similar in nature.
When Jesus said we needed to be born again he also promised that in doing so we would also have persecution, temptation, and tribulation.
But in no way should you throw of Jesus during these times, you should hold on tighter. For you now have the knowledge that even after all these things there is a judgement to come and in throwing off Jesus I am (metaphorically) taking off the parachute knowing that I still have to jump.

Pray everyday (it doesn't have to be perfect, you can do it while driving listening to christian music, you can do it while in the shower every morning, you can do it while waiting for something or someone)
Read a passage out of the bible (it doesn't matter how much or where in the bible; the idea is to start; its like working out, it is always hard to start but once you do you see the rewards)
And find fellowship (there is always strength in numbers; for whenever 2 or more or gathered in my name I shall be there; it will amaze you how every one out there is going through the same temptations, persecution, tribulation, it will strengthen your walk.)

and again I say, pray pray, pray.
Did say pray, if I didn't I'll say it again pray!

For even the strongest can be taken down in a time of weakness (look at ministers being taken off guard in a time of weakness; remember the enemy is subtle)


I will pray for you in your walk!
remember he is with you (not by you or is watching you, but WITH YOU!!!)

 

[Nevada77]

My advice is to find some good Christian youth and adults and start hanging with them. Read the bible, pray and maybe change some things in your lifestyle. For example: What type of music do you listen to??? Where do you go to hang out, what are you doing when you are there??? You will need to evaluate your life and if you truly want to follow Jesus make some changes if need be.

Nevada

 

[WashedClean]

What up?!

For those of you that don't know, I recently quit Christianity a couple months ago due to personal reasons, but now after thinking for a couple weeks I have decided to swallow my pride, step up to the plate, and give Christianity ONE more try. But now this is where you come in, CF, I want to actually stay with Christianity, and not quit it after a few months like I did so many times in the past. I want to stay with it for like the rest of my life, or at least several years, and not get tired of it. So what should I do differently this time? Advice is appreciated, thanx homies.

I know I am supposed to read the Bible and pray, and I will try to do that more than often this time. But I'm just wondering if theres anything else I should do besides that. All opinions are welcome.

OK, I'm glad you want to come back to God. That's great. I've bolded the words that jumped out at me in your post. You say you want to give Christianity one more try. How about giving Christ a try instead? You may say, how are they different? Well, Christianity is religion and conjures up all kinds of images that may or may not have to do with Christ. What you really need is Jesus in your heart. You need to be born again and it doesn't sound like you were/are. I'm not judging you, but based on what you're saying above, that's what I'm getting.

Jesus wants to be your Savior, Lord and Master. Not a concept or teacher, but your King. Will you allow Him to take first place in your heart and life? Ask him to forgive you of your sins and wash you clean. He will do that, if you truly repent. That means to turn away, change your mind about living a life of sin and run toward him and his will for your life. Maybe you've done this in the past, but not with your whole heart.

So, you're asking what you must do. Repent, believe, receive. Got it?

I'll be praying for you and your salvation

God bless,

WashedClean

 

[HotRhymez]

OK, I'm glad you want to come back to God. That's great. I've bolded the words that jumped out at me in your post. You say you want to give Christianity one more try. How about giving Christ a try instead? You may say, how are they different? Well, Christianity is religion and conjures up all kinds of images that may or may not have to do with Christ. What you really need is Jesus in your heart. You need to be born again and it doesn't sound like you were/are. I'm not judging you, but based on what you're saying above, that's what I'm getting.

Jesus wants to be your Savior, Lord and Master. Not a concept or teacher, but your King. Will you allow Him to take first place in your heart and life? Ask him to forgive you of your sins and wash you clean. He will do that, if you truly repent. That means to turn away, change your mind about living a life of sin and run toward him and his will for your life. Maybe you've done this in the past, but not with your whole heart.

So, you're asking what you must do. Repent, believe, receive. Got it?

I'll be praying for you and your salvation

God bless,

WashedClean

I have a few questions....

I've tried to repent before but I always eventually go back to living a sinful life after a few weeks. What am I doing wrong? How do I stay on the right path?

And I've heard that believing in Jesus isn't enough, because somewhere in the Bible it says that the demons believe it too and shudder, or somethin like that. Whats that verse mean?

I have been an off and on Christian for years, and I'm kinda tired of it. I want to be a Christian and stay with it, and not be involved in so much sin and I want to sin less and improve my image, but its really hard.

 

[sandman]

Interesting that you bring up that verse: James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. which is wrapped up in the context of faith {believing} without works {action} is dead.

My question to you is how serious are you about this statement: “I want to be a Christian and stay with it, and not be involved in so much sin and I want to sin less and improve my image”

It doesn’t have to be hard, and it shouldn’t be hard if the desire is there, but it does involve action on your part. If your serious, and this is not just a fleeting moment I believe I can offer some advise that will help you become the believer you know you can be; how much do you want it….and what will you do to attain it ? Don’t answer those questions for my sake; those are questions to ask yourself. It’s your life, and you ultimately will be the one who decides, how far and how fast you want to go and grow with God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bless
sandman

 

[HotRhymez]

Interesting that you bring up that verse: James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. which is wrapped up in the context of faith {believing} without works {action} is dead.

My question to you is how serious are you about this statement: “I want to be a Christian and stay with it, and not be involved in so much sin and I want to sin less and improve my image”

It doesn’t have to be hard, and it shouldn’t be hard if the desire is there, but it does involve action on your part. If your serious, and this is not just a fleeting moment I believe I can offer some advise that will help you become the believer you know you can be; how much do you want it….and what will you do to attain it ? Don’t answer those questions for my sake; those are questions to ask yourself. It’s your life, and you ultimately will be the one who decides, how far and how fast you want to go and grow with God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bless
sandman

Yes, I am serious about everything I've said. I've come to the belief that "believing" is needed, but it is also needed to be shown by works also, because it doesn't make any sense to believe and not change your lifestyle. I welcome any advice that you have. This new religion seems more difficult for me than it should be, and I'm trying to figure out why. I keep falling away from God more often than other Christians do, and I need some help on that.

I'm willing to do anything God wants me to do. Jump off a cliff, run a million miles, etc, etc... ANYTHING. I just want to know what he wants me to do right now.

 

[Sketcher]

Actually, many Christians backslide, so in this you are not alone. It's not a good thing at all, but do know that you are not so bad that God will lose His patience with you.

Now, back to the faith and works: Works are the product of a complete faith. If your faith fails, then you draw back and don't do the good work. Good works are also exercise for your faith. They help each other, you see. I would challenge you to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer (James 1:22). If you fail, then repent, grit your teeth, and go at it again. Don't let sin or failure stop you. You're new and you won't be perfect overnight, because sanctification (becoming holy) is a lifelong process. You just really need to be committed.

 

[Diamonds2004]

The following website thas an Internet streaming video called "Hell's Best Kept Secret" in it. I watched it and it is very powerful.

www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch.shtml
and watch or listen to a second video from the same website called "True and False Conversion."

That video is very useful.
http://www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch2.shtml

Also, there are other video and audio things at:

Online Video:
http://www.livingwaters.com/watch.shtml
Audio:
http://www.livingwaters.com/listen.shtml

 

[HotRhymez]

Actually, many Christians backslide, so in this you are not alone. It's not a good thing at all, but do know that you are not so bad that God will lose His patience with you.

Now, back to the faith and works: Works are the product of a complete faith. If your faith fails, then you draw back and don't do the good work. Good works are also exercise for your faith. They help each other, you see. I would challenge you to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer (James 1:22). If you fail, then repent, grit your teeth, and go at it again. Don't let sin or failure stop you. You're new and you won't be perfect overnight, because sanctification (becoming holy) is a lifelong process. You just really need to be committed.

Thanks, this post has helped me somewhat. You are right in saying I need to be a doer of the word...which basically means I should try to do what the Bible says...but the problem is I don't really understand what the Bible wants me to do...is there a book in the Bible that explains all this, what we are supposed to do in our Christian lives, and provide examples of how to practice them?

The following website thas an Internet streaming video called "Hell's Best Kept Secret" in it. I watched it and it is very powerful.

www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch.shtml
and watch or listen to a second video from the same website called "True and False Conversion."

That video is very useful.
http://www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch2.shtml

Also, there are other video and audio things at:

Online Video:
http://www.livingwaters.com/watch.shtml
Audio:
http://www.livingwaters.com/listen.shtml

Um, no offense, but those videos are EXTEMELY long..over 40 mins..and my comp can't download things very well..lol...could you basically summarize what they are trying to say?

 

[hiumble1]

do you get the trinity broadcast network
they have a show on Saturday @3:30 est.

they explain how most who have become christian were not explained about properly.
something to the effect of "hey do you want to be achristian they are pretty cool, sure, then you truly find out without having conviction in your heart, you are more likely to become a backslider." basically the show and the website explain why modern day evangelism has gotten it wrong. Almost out of fear of frightening people they post a nice shiney picture of christianity, without understanding why you are coming to christ.
they give analogies that make sense (in the way that Jesus gave parables).
they don't try to come up with something new or inovative. They go back to how Jesus did it.
In fact that is the credo not what would jesus do, but, What Did Jesus Do.

when people witness to others (in Christianity), they tell others that God has a special plan for their life and how they have a god shaped hole in their heart, which doesn't make sense. Because if you are trying to witness to someone by telling them God has a special plan for their life, if their life is good already, then it won't work.

you have to come to grips with what has a hold of your life right now, sin.
Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
If so, are you good enough to go to heaven?
take a test and find out click the following:
www.livingwaters.com/needGod/http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

 

[HotRhymez]

do you get the trinity broadcast network
they have a show on Saturday @3:30 est.

they explain how most who have become christian were not explained about properly.
something to the effect of "hey do you want to be achristian they are pretty cool, sure, then you truly find out without having conviction in your heart, you are more likely to become a backslider." basically the show and the website explain why modern day evangelism has gotten it wrong. Almost out of fear of frightening people they post a nice shiney picture of christianity, without understanding why you are coming to christ.
they give analogies that make sense (in the way that Jesus gave parables).
they don't try to come up with something new or inovative. They go back to how Jesus did it.
In fact that is the credo not what would jesus do, but, What Did Jesus Do.

when people witness to others (in Christianity), they tell others that God has a special plan for their life and how they have a god shaped hole in their heart, which doesn't make sense. Because if you are trying to witness to someone by telling them God has a special plan for their life, if their life is good already, then it won't work.

you have to come to grips with what has a hold of your life right now, sin.
Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
If so, are you good enough to go to heaven?
take a test and find out click the following:
www.livingwaters.com/needGod/http://www.livingwaters.com/needGod/http://www.livingwaters.com/needGod/

Could you explain what this "conviction in heart" stuff means? Maybe thats why I keep backsliding, because I never had that. What is it and how do I get it?

 

[HotRhymez]

Hello???

 

[hiumble1]

[url]www.livingwaters.com/needGod/[/url]

 

[Dicy mind]

I have a few questions....

I've tried to repent before but I always eventually go back to living a sinful life after a few weeks. What am I doing wrong? How do I stay on the right path?

Do you have non christian friends? I'm not saying you shouldnt. I have too but don't let them lead you away from God.

And I've heard that believing in Jesus isn't enough, because somewhere in the Bible it says that the demons believe it too and shudder, or somethin like that. Whats that verse mean?

I guess it means you are also supposed to love God, repent your sins so they will be forgiven so that you don't have to shudder in front of God in fear.
You show love to God by doing God's will and obeying God's commands.

I have been an off and on Christian for years, and I'm kinda tired of it. I want to be a Christian and stay with it, and not be involved in so much sin and I want to sin less and improve my image, but its really hard.

Maybe you should try and find new intrests or something. Living on the edge is so hard...

 

[God_follower]

All good advice, but its all about the relationship with Jesus, read His word, ask Him about it, praying is good, but i prefer talking. If you try to do Christianity, it will turn out badly, try to be with Jesus. Just a sidenote, the sin doesnt matter. Repent and move on and try not to do it again, do not get down on yourself. Love God and follow Him and it will be good. He has been real good to me and He isnt a respector of persons, you still have to ask Him to do things though, ask Him to change you. All you have to do is be willing to change, which is harder sometimes then running a million miles. God bless

 

[Rafael]

Hiya Slim....
Ya just gotta take it one day at a time. Each day has victories and defeats and that is why we are given God's grace to grow in. You will never be perfect and without sin, but are supposed to always be trying to escape it. I have given you the verses in Galatians 5:17 a couple times now that explain how our flesh will always want the things of the flesh - like sex, over-eating, laziness, etc., but the Holy Spirit pulls us into prayer, Bible study, and service to others - not just having selfish thoughts and lives. Being a servant of Jesus Christ has its rewards, but they are not like the ones of the world at all. They envolve rolling up the sleeves and going to work to get right things done. The world seems to try and forget the work that needs to be corrected by the uneducation and the poor of the world that leaves tens of thousands to die everyday from starvation while there is enough resources that every man could live like a near king if not for greed.
One day at a time, and learn what God wants you to learn for each day. If you fall, get back up and go at it again.
Once more, let your testimony be that of fighting the good fight of faith against the works of the flesh in your own life:

Galatians 5:16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
18 But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,
20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group,
21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

Re 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 

[Sketcher]

Thanks, this post has helped me somewhat. You are right in saying I need to be a doer of the word...which basically means I should try to do what the Bible says...but the problem is I don't really understand what the Bible wants me to do...is there a book in the Bible that explains all this, what we are supposed to do in our Christian lives, and provide examples of how to practice them?

There isn't a book in the Bible that spoon feeds you. There are commands, examples, and stories all over Scripture, some are simple to understand and some aren't. An example of a simple command: "You shall not steal." Then there's "love your neighbor as yourself" which seems easy but is really complex when you think about it and very hard to practice. But I highly recommend a Bible study small group for you, and let them know you're a new Christian. Tell them what's up, you want to know what the Bible says and how you can apply it to your life. You need a community of believers who are older in the faith, meaning those who have been following Christ longer than you have. You will find it blesses your spiritual walk and the rest of your life in so many ways.

Um, no offense, but those videos are EXTEMELY long..over 40 mins..and my comp can't download things very well..lol...could you basically summarize what they are trying to say?

The airplane story pretty much sums it up. That's what I really took away from the day that Ray Comfort (who teaches it) spoke at my church.