Don't know what to call this so it has no title

[flying_kiwifruit]

I have been in and out of church for a long time, for 8 years I went to Sunday school with my brothers and dad to gt out of mum's hair for awhile then age 10 I went to a kids church for a year, at 13 I join youth group, 14 started going to church, 15 dedicated my life at a camp, 16 got baptised, 17 as far away from believing in God that I have ever been.

I have believed in God before but never felt that he was there, through rough times i felt more alone than I have ever felt before my christian friends went there for me when things were hard they abandoned me saying with there action that they didn't care. What i had heard wasn't matching up with what I was seeing and when we studied evolution in science it just grew more doubt in me because I'm a logical person who like facts and figure and that what science was unlike Christianity. For a year I played the role of good christian girl but behind it all I was a different person completely. I live in a home with two non-christian parents, one of which give me the impression that she doesn't like me being christian so I'm always afraid to do bible things or pray in my own house, also afraid to pray because God could reject me.

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

 

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[FONT=&quot]

I have been in and out of church for a long time, for 8 years I went to Sunday school with my brothers and dad to gt out of mum's hair for awhile then age 10 I went to a kids church for a year, at 13 I join youth group, 14 started going to church, 15 dedicated my life at a camp, 16 got baptised, 17 as far away from believing in God that I have ever been.

I have believed in God before but never felt that he was there, through rough times i felt more alone than I have ever felt before my Christian friends went there for me when things were hard they abandoned me saying with there action that they didn't care.

Human beings are faulty things just as the Word of God reveals.

What i had heard wasn't matching up with what I was seeing and when we studied evolution in science it just grew more doubt in me because I'm a logical person who like facts and figure and that what science was unlike Christianity. For a year I played the role of good christian girl but behind it all I was a different person completely. I live in a home with two non-christian parents, one of which give me the impression that she doesn't like me being christian so I'm always afraid to do bible things or pray in my own house, also afraid to pray because God could reject me.

So you never talk to God. How can you hope to form any relationship with anyone without talking to them?

And you do not talk to Him because you fear rejection? Why do you think He would reject you? Because your a sinner? Well everyone is? Because your not good enough? Nobody is. Why then do your fear rejection.

And another observation. I pray when ever i need to even with people around me and you know what no one ever knows when i am praying. A prayer can be said within ones own mind without needing to say a word or make any physical actions revealing that one is praying.

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Well those other people are not God, are they? I am not God either. So why judge the existence or otherwise of God or why judge the truth or otherwise of the Messiah Jesus on the actions or lack off actions by human beings who are all sinners and fall short of the Goodness of God? If one is seeking a relationship with God then they should focus on that relationship and build upon the Rock of God not upon the quicksand that is other people.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times.

Its not to hard to see Him when your focus on Him and Him alone. See when one seeks God by getting into His word and praying to Him, God opens up the door and reveals Himself to the seeker, But if they go out and seek to make a God out of other human beings then their faith will sink into a morass when their God person or organization let them down.

That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

So what is this "experience" this,,, feeling you think you will get when you find God? Will it be like some drug induced high or a kind of unending bliss? I often hear seekers who are looking for some kind of "experience" ? And i do worry that they are looking for something that God is not into providing.

From my personal experience the only experience i have from my faith is a sense of claim and peace. The peace of Jesus.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days[/FONT]

 

[seashale76]

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

This sounds like me a few years back. I can relate. I wanted nothing to do with organized religion unless I felt that it was the truth. It took a lot of heartache and many years of searching. I desperately wanted to be a Christian, but couldn't reconcile it with what I was seeing around me. So, I felt that I had a choice, reject it all or find the New Testament Church. I do believe that I have found it.

One thing you must do is separate yourself from the emotionalism that you've learned to attach to religious experiences. Emotions are fickle. God exists regardless of one's emotions (good, bad, high, low, or ambivalent). It is our fidelity to working out our salvation in the life of the Church that counts, not our varying emotional states. We must daily pick up our cross and follow Him.

As far as the existence of God goes, you may not literally see God (though we now have the incarnation to look to), but we see the effects of God all the time. For example, take the idea of feelings/emotions and the mind. We all know they exist as we can see their effects, but we can't actually prove their existence.

Belief is a matter of dying for Christ and His commandments. It is believing that such a death is life-giving. It is to count poverty as riches, and to consider the lowest humiliation as true honor and nobility. Faith is believing that when one has nothing, one has everything. More than this, it is to possess the incomprehensible riches of the knowledge of Christ and to look upon all visible things as but clay and smoke. St. Symeon the New Theologian, The Practical and Theological Chapters



The problem of our life is union with God, and sin completely prevents this; therefore flee from sin as from a terrible enemy, as from the destroyer of the soul, because to be without God is death and not life. Let us therefore understand our destination; let us always remember that our common Master calls us to union with Himself. -St. John of Kronstadt (My Life in Christ, Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 20)



If you wish to save your soul and win eternal life, arise from your lethargy, make the sign of the Cross and say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Faith comes not through pondering but through action. Not words and speculation but experience teaches us what God is. To let in fresh air we have to open a window; to get tanned we must go out into the sunshine. Achieving faith is no different; we never reach a goal by just sitting in comfort and waiting, say the Holy Fathers. Let the Prodigal Son be our example. He "arose and came" (Luke 15:20). -Tito Colliander The Way of the Ascetics.

 

[salida]

Well, there is definitely a God. People saying one thing and doing another arn't what they say they are. We can't judge them to heaven or hell but we can be fruit inspectors Christ said. A duck is a duck if it walks like one. If it acts like a horse, than beware! Yes, there is a lot of this going around unfortunately. This is why we have the Bible. Yes, its true but most people accept what makes them feel good and don't care if its true or not- sad. I'm a christian for spiritual reasons and secondly for intellectual reasons. Look for a church that practices what they preach not the social reason type. Many people are deceived- look to God and role models not phoneys. I can call myself a cat but its obvious I'm not one.

Biblical Evidence – This is a very small amount of information
out of large amounts of information out there.

Internal Evidences-Prophesies that are confirmed with Bible;

mentioning only a few – but there are hundreds.

Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen. 49:10, Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke’s time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5, Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 – four kingdoms are described in the interpretation
of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek – Daniel 8:21, 10:20/ and a fourth great kingdom to follow which was part iron and clay – which is the
Roman Empire – during this empire, Christ came and the church was established – Daniel 2:44.

Historical Accuracy

The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events of hundreds of years ago, yet
none of them has been proven to be incorrect.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents)
New Testament – starts at 25 years – between the original and surviving copies
Homer- starts at 500 years/Demosthenes – at 1400 years/Plato – at 1200 years/
Caesar – at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies

New Testament – 5,686/Homer – 643/Demosthenes – 200/Plato – 7/Caesar – 10

Consistency – Written by 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no
Internal inconsistencies.



Claim of Inspiration- It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.


External Evidences

(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never to be built again- and they haven’t.
Niveveh – Nahum 1:10, 3:7, 15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon – Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre -Ezekiel 26:1-28

Bible before Science

He hangs the earth on nothing – Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago – some scholars think it could have been even 3000
years ago)
Note: Man only knew the above for 350 years.
Earth is a sphere – Isaiah 40:22/Air has weight – Job 28:25/
Gravity – Job 26:7, Job 38: 31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True

Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogical Evidence (Still adding to this list today- it hasn’t stopped)
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

Plus, you may want to visit www.reasons.org - science and belief. Also, books that are helpful - Evidence that Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell and The Real Jesus by Lee Strobel (a former athiest). Yes, I have more books but its a start and this isn't the book section.

The Bible is the only religious book or book period that has hundreds of detailed prophesies that has come true and more to be fulfilled. Its characteristics in general could only be written by a God. The chance of 5 prophesies coming true on the birth of Christ alone is 1/30 billion approximately; a mathematican did this. ***If you think you are good enough to go to heaven without Jesus read these questions at: http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

 

[flying_kiwifruit]

[FONT=&quot]So you never talk to God. How can you hope to form any relationship with anyone without talking to them? [/FONT]
I talked to him sometimes late at night but it was always hard to, it would take me minutes to build up to courage to talk to him at all.
[FONT=&quot]And you do not talk to Him because you fear rejection? Why do you think He would reject you? Because your a sinner? Well everyone is? Because your not good enough? Nobody is. Why then do your fear rejection. [/FONT]
That is just part of me a have a big fear of rejection from everything parents, friends, God. Anyone who can reject I will fear the rejection from them.

[FONT=&quot]And another observation. I pray when ever i need to even with people around me and you know what no one ever knows when i am praying. A prayer can be said within ones own mind without needing to say a word or make any physical actions revealing that one is praying.[/FONT]
I know that because at times I have said silent prayers but I'm always nervous that people will somwhow be able to tell that I'm praying, and that would just be embarasing, I do all things to avoid being embarassed.

[FONT=&quot]Well those other people are not God, are they? I am not God either. So why judge the existence or otherwise of God or why judge the truth or otherwise of the Messiah Jesus on the actions or lack off actions by human beings who are all sinners and fall short of the Goodness of God? If one is seeking a relationship with God then they should focus on that relationship and build upon the Rock of God not upon the quicksand that is other people.[/FONT]
People arent God you are correct there but you say build upon the Rock of God, God has never been a Rock to me because of past experiences which if you want to know what they are then PM me because I don't wish to post them.


[FONT=&quot]So what is this "experience" this,,, feeling you think you will get when you find God? Will it be like some drug induced high or a kind of unending bliss? I often hear seekers who are looking for some kind of "experience" ? And i do worry that they are looking for something that God is not into providing.[/FONT]
Other christians one that I know have strong faiths tell me about times they have felt God's presence somewhere like at a hard out worship sesion they can just feel that God is there. I have never had that I would into the worship just like everyone else but the many times I have been I have never felt that God was present like others have said they have.

I have replied in blue

 

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[FONT=&quot]Hi bellaandpjforever thanks for replying my replies are colour differently. lol i am not sure what the name of the colour is.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] I talked to him sometimes late at night but it was always hard to, it would take me minutes to build up to courage to talk to him at all.

I understand what you mean. I have gone through the same process, I think for me it came from the unease that the One who i was talking to could see me warts and all. But then i realise He sees everyone as they are all moments of the day and He still wants us to come to Him and trust in Him and know that we are forgiven. From the scriptures i know that God wants to forgive us and to comfort us, But we must be willing to come to Him. The Lord Said.

Luke 13:34
[ Jesus Laments over Jerusalem ] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

See how Jesus wanted to protect and comfort the people of Jurusalem even after they had killed the propets He had sent to them in history's past. And even when they where executing Him. His desire for them remained.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

It should not be hard to come to God and pray to Him knowing just how strong His desire for us is.



That is just part of me a have a big fear of rejection from everything parents, friends, God. Anyone who can reject I will fear the rejection from them.

Maybe that comes from having low self esteme. And maybe that comes from having an idealistic view on the level of goodness or perfection a human being should be able to atain or maintain. The truth is however that human beings can think great thoughts but we cannot live up to them. And God understands this. Scriptures reveal that it is not God that rejects people, it is firstly people who reject God. God is longsuffering and ever so willing to embrace us imperfect beings, Jesus did not come for perfect people He came for imperfect people like me and you and thats everybody else on planet earth too. LOL You have nothing to fear when it comes to being rejected by God but you have everything to fear if you come to reject God.



I know that because at times I have said silent prayers but I'm always nervous that people will somwhow be able to tell that I'm praying, and that would just be embarasing, I do all things to avoid being embarassed.

[FONT=&quot]Well i pray silent prayers because Jesus said to pray in a secret place and not to make a big show to other people as to how religious or pious one is. i pray in secret to avoid praise and admiration from other people. If someone did find out about me praying and decided to ridicule me for it i would feel sorrow and fear for them. What a fearful thing to do, to mock someone talking with God. For God is the ultimate reality and talking to him is a absolute honour and something never to be embarrassed about.[/FONT]



Other christians one that I know have strong faiths tell me about times they have felt God's presence somewhere like at a hard out worship sesion they can just feel that God is there.

Can youy look into their hearts and know the level of their faith? God can. We should not compare ourselves with others who boast and put on a big show when they praise God. We do not know if they are genuine or if they themselves feel the need to impress others with their experiances. Be very careful not to compare yourself with others when it comes to a relationship with God. This is not some kind of religous olympics where people are measured like gymnasits on the execrcise floor.



I have never had that I would into the worship just like everyone else but the many times I have been I have never felt that God was present like others have said they have.

Yes like they .. "said" .. they have. Irrespective of what others experiance in relation to God it is between them and God. We should be forcused on our own relationship with God and what ever experiances come from it.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Faith In God]

...you know, one thing I am pretty certain you've neglected?

When you went through hard times, I'm sure you did loads of praying...but did you ever listen?
I mean, when hard times came, did you start neglecting the Word?

There's more to Christianity than talking at God. Emmerse yourself in His Word. THAT is how you get to know God.

Science says "I'll show you proof. Then believe me."
God says "Show me your belief in me. Then I'll give you proof."
And nothing shows more belief in Him than desiring His Words "more than your necessary food" to live.
When you're ready to go back to God...don't forget to eat. His Word is the bread of life. Stop eating...and you'll starve to death.

 

[OldChurchGuy]

I have been in and out of church for a long time, for 8 years I went to Sunday school with my brothers and dad to gt out of mum's hair for awhile then age 10 I went to a kids church for a year, at 13 I join youth group, 14 started going to church, 15 dedicated my life at a camp, 16 got baptised, 17 as far away from believing in God that I have ever been.

I have believed in God before but never felt that he was there, through rough times i felt more alone than I have ever felt before my christian friends went there for me when things were hard they abandoned me saying with there action that they didn't care. What i had heard wasn't matching up with what I was seeing and when we studied evolution in science it just grew more doubt in me because I'm a logical person who like facts and figure and that what science was unlike Christianity. For a year I played the role of good christian girl but behind it all I was a different person completely. I live in a home with two non-christian parents, one of which give me the impression that she doesn't like me being christian so I'm always afraid to do bible things or pray in my own house, also afraid to pray because God could reject me.

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

You have received a variety of responses and I would like to add on more, please.

The book of Luke, chapter 17, erses 20 and 21 reads:

"20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." "

For me, that has meant looking inside myself and the more I understand what makes me tick, the easier it is to talk with God.

There is the story in the Old Testament about the prophet Elijah who ran away after a tremendous victory against the priests of the god Baal. The gist of the story is found in I Kings, Chapter 19, which reads:

"

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them." 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. 10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11 The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 15 The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. "

For me, the key is that God was a gentle whisper. After reading that story, I concluded that I did not need a dramatic visit from God such as wind, earthquake or fire to believe in God's existence. Rather, just to listen for that "gentle whisper". Other translations call it "a still small voice".

To sum up, know thyself and listen for that gentle whisper which may very well be God wanting to have a conversation with you.

Sorry if this sounds too mystical. That was not my intent.

Sincerely,

OldChurchGuy

 

[BigNorsk]

I have been in and out of church for a long time, for 8 years I went to Sunday school with my brothers and dad to gt out of mum's hair for awhile then age 10 I went to a kids church for a year, at 13 I join youth group, 14 started going to church, 15 dedicated my life at a camp, 16 got baptised, 17 as far away from believing in God that I have ever been.

I have believed in God before but never felt that he was there, through rough times i felt more alone than I have ever felt before my christian friends went there for me when things were hard they abandoned me saying with there action that they didn't care. What i had heard wasn't matching up with what I was seeing and when we studied evolution in science it just grew more doubt in me because I'm a logical person who like facts and figure and that what science was unlike Christianity. For a year I played the role of good christian girl but behind it all I was a different person completely. I live in a home with two non-christian parents, one of which give me the impression that she doesn't like me being christian so I'm always afraid to do bible things or pray in my own house, also afraid to pray because God could reject me.

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

Sounds like you are looking at people and feelings and such for proof and evidence. That is of course undependable and can't be trusted and just as you have found, just when you need it the most, it deserts you.

Instead, I would recommend turning to the bible and Jesus. They don't desert you, nor are they dependant on your feelings. When things are rough, cling to the cross and praise Jesus for loving you so much to die for you.

Of course people don't seem to line up. One reason is people tell you they believe something but their actions say they don't believe that at all. Even people who believe will go against their beliefs. Maybe at some time you did something you believed was wrong?

Your science knowledge is very incomplete. Chances are so is the knowledge of your teacher, and you don't really understand the Bible that well yet either, so don't make a decision in haste with very incomplete knowledge.

Let's just take a bit of Genesis. People say science says God couldn't create the universe. Well that's strange doesn't the Theory of Relativity say that E=mc2

So you could create all the matter you wanted, if you just had enough energy. So the creation of matter is not impossible in science. See this.

Now lets take the first chapters seven day creation, impossible according to science? Not so. Once again science doesn't say it is impossible, but rather it is possible.

In case you are wondering, the text really doesn't say day, though that's one meaning, but it's talking a period of time. But to again take the theory of relativity, time is a relative thing. Let's take the first "day" what is that relative to? The Earth? That doesn't even exist. It's very possible according to science for a period of one day to pass someplace while millions of years pass in another, depending on their relative speeds. The text doesn't say and it's a wooden literalistic reading to assume it means a standard 24 hour day on Earth.

As for evolution, are humans evolving or devolving? Shouldn't we under evolution become a higher creature? Yet our genetics seem to be going the other way over time.

A hundred years ago, people pointed to their science then as proof the bible was wrong. What's happened in all fields of science, well we've learned they were wrong. Evolution is one such case. If you took the evolutionary theory that people said proved the bible wrong from them and tried to present it today, they'd laugh you off the stage. According to scientists today, that was full of errors then. So how could that prove the bible is wrong? Are we now certain that we understand exactly what is going on? No we're actually pretty sure a lot of science isn't right yet. That's why scientists still use the term "theory", if science felt pretty certain, it would use a term that would show that like "law".

So a little patience and stay away from a literalist reading of scripture, especially the translations.

Marv

 

[flying_kiwifruit]

So a little patience and stay away from a literalist reading of scripture, especially the translations.
Marv

So what scripture can I read, I have two bibles one is a NIV and the other a NLT. The reason because when I used to read the bible these were the translations that don't confuse within a few sentences.

 

[BigNorsk]

Well those are both fine translations. It's not the reading, it's the literalist reading.

I'll give you an example, it involves on of the mistakes in the KJV.

Mat 23:24 kjv
(24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Notice it is strain at a gnat. That's strange isn't it. Well the thing is, it's a typo, it should be strain out a gnat, but this little typo has live, it's lasted all the wasy since 1611.

Now you run into a literalist, they work to make the passage fit and to do that they end up with straining not like a sieve would strain, but strain like physical exertion.

Go back to the original language, and it's obvious. It means strain like a sieve. So what the passage is using is an illustration from the life of the nomads. You come out of the desert, you and your livestock are all drinking. The largest livestock is the camel. Well if you look into the water, there will be little insects and such, one you can see in almost any water that sits for awhile is mosquito larvae, but it's not necessarily that, just a small insect.

Anyway, it's saying you take a drink and are careful to strain out the smallest thing, but you completely miss the biggest things.

The literalist reading (aided by the mistake) took a meaning of the passage that actually conflicted with the originals. People who aren't King James Only generally pick up another translation and see the meaning and then it makes sense so they go on with the correct thing.

And there is lots of that, only not often so clear cut. It's just the way translation works.

So you work to understand the text. And there are various ways to do that. One is by picking a translation that uses language similar to how you speak. You've done that already in your choices. Another is to have more than one translation available. You've done that too. Often in difficult passages translations end up saying things a little different, and realizing that they are trying to say the same thing helps you undestand the meaning.

Another tool that is good is commentaries because there you can see the opinion of someone who didn't just fall off the turnip truck. Now it should be remembered that commentaries aren't scripture so it needs to remain in view that they are helping you not telling you.

Then a lot of people use something like a Strong's Concordance. I know for instance that is avaialble for a NIV. That lists every word and you can see the original language word behind it. And there is a lexicon for the meaning of that word, and there is also where you can see other places that the word was used. That would really usually keep you from a meaning too far off.

Let's go back to the example using a Strong's.
Mat 23:24 KJV+
(24) Ye blind5185 guides,3595 which strain1368 at a gnat,2971 and1161 swallow2666 a camel.2574

Those numbers are Stong's numbers they represent a Greek word the Greek word translated strain is number 1368. Let's see what it says.

G1368
διῦλίζω
diulizō
dee-oo-lid'-zo
From G1223 and ὑλίζω hulizō (to filter); to strain out. ("strain at" is probably by misprint.): - strain at [prob. by misprint].

Well there we are strain like a filter. Now we know which meaning that is possible in English to give the word.

That actually a word that only occurs once in the Bible. Let's jump back a word to guides.

G3595
ὁδηγός
hodēgos
Total KJV Occurrences: 5
guide, 2
Act_1:16, Rom_2:19
guides, 2
Mat_23:16, Mat_23:24
leaders, 1
Mat_15:14

There is every occurance of that word in the KJV and how it is translatied.

So you can see that can be really useful. It's not 100% because Greek word have more than one meaning too. But again it's a help.

Now there's a couple of ways to get access to a Strong's, one is as a book. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=0310262852&event=AFF&p=1021604

The other is computer, you could get e-sword which includes a KJV with Strongs. Or you can find Strong's numbers and such online. http://bible.crosswalk.com/ has both a KJV and NAS Strong's I'm not sure if there is a NIV Strong's online but the NAS works well actually because it's almost the exact same text behind them in the original languages.

Last thing I would recommend is getting a copy of the NET. Now that can be done freely. http://www.bible.org/index.php?scid=3 You can read it online, download a free copy or buy bibles in either electronic or print. It's unique because it has over 60,000 footnotes, and the majority of them are translators notes. So it gives you a lot of insight into why the translation says what it says. From textual questions to choice of words.

That should really get you on your way. Then it's mostly a matter of doing some reading.

Marv

 

[Faith In God]

So what scripture can I read, I have two bibles one is a NIV and the other a NLT. The reason because when I used to read the bible these were the translations that don't confuse within a few sentences.

I like the NASB.

Oh, BigNorsk, that isn't literalist: that's hyperliteralist. x_x I'm pretty literalist, but I don't go near that far.

 

[pdudgeon]

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come

i would start with Psalm 23. that Psalm talks about God's relationship with us--what He does for us, how He takes care of us, what we can expect from Him.

next i would look at the names of God, and there are a lot of them! Names in the Old Testament were very descriptive of the person and their character, and so is God's name.

finally i would read Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, to learn how God inspired men and women when they had hard times.

 

[spiersdodgerblue]

...you know, one thing I am pretty certain you've neglected?

When you went through hard times, I'm sure you did loads of praying...but did you ever listen?
I mean, when hard times came, did you start neglecting the Word?

There's more to Christianity than talking at God. Emmerse yourself in His Word. THAT is how you get to know God.

Science says "I'll show you proof. Then believe me."
God says "Show me your belief in me. Then I'll give you proof."
And nothing shows more belief in Him than desiring His Words "more than your necessary food" to live.
When you're ready to go back to God...don't forget to eat. His Word is the bread of life. Stop eating...and you'll starve to death.

Wonderful reply!

 

[flying_kiwifruit]

i would start with Psalm 23. that Psalm talks about God's relationship with us--what He does for us, how He takes care of us, what we can expect from Him.

next i would look at the names of God, and there are a lot of them! Names in the Old Testament were very descriptive of the person and their character, and so is God's name.

finally i would read Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, to learn how God inspired men and women when they had hard times.

I love Psalm 23, its so beautiful. But i also like 22 because it describe what I've felt like often in that one.

Names of God???? You have me confused there.

 

[beegy]

I live in a home with two non-christian parents, one of which give me the impression that she doesn't like me being christian so I'm always afraid to do bible things or pray in my own house, also afraid to pray because God could reject me.

The thing is part of me still reckons there could be a God out there I just don't know where to look anymore because when I look around i see people saying one thing but doing another.

Where can I find the God I hear people talking about the one who loves us and that comforts the hurt in there lowest times. That's the God I want to experience instead of one that you never feel in your heart and appears to disappear completely as soon as the hard time come.

Bella, you can find that God inside yourself.. His Spirit lives within you and is waiting for you to ask Him to help you to build your faith. Jesus promised us that he would never leave us alone when he left this world..He promised to send us a comforter and a teacher..He was speaking of the Holy Spirit..You can reach Him simply by silently asking..You need a personal relationship with God and he desires one with you..No one needs to know that you are in prayer or communicating with God..He hears your thoughts