Hello!

[Devoted to the Lord!]

Hello people , i'm new here, as you can probably tell from the post count.

I need some help with my faith. I became a christian only a few weeks ago, and I haven't done much with my faith, I've read a bit of the bible, but not much, I am usually too busy, or too lazy to read it, I also find it hard to understand. I don't have any christian freinds and haven't started attending church or anything yet, i'm kind of scared to do that, because my parents arn't christian and I don't know what they will think about it, and also I have a social anxiety disorder problem (where you become anxious and nervous around people) and depression, which I think I need to see a councillor about but haven't taken any steps to do that yet either.
I'm also not totally sure that I believe in God, I think I do, but my faith isn't 100%.
I hope you can offer me some advice about what i've mentioned here.
Thanks.
Oh and if you can give me blessings that'd be nice too, because If I get 50+, I can get a signature.

 

[Johnny Be Good]

Congratulations on making the single most important decision ever made in life.

Really!

If you can get yourself to, start reading the New Testiment--the book of Mathew--and continue as often as you get the urge. You won't regret it--I promise.

I Do have a suggestion for your anxiety problem--I have an anxiety problem too. Go see a professional for sure. I got an ADD test and discovered that my whole life would have been different had I known 30 years ago (I'm only 39) that I had ADD!

Also, it helped me to attend a church where folks weren't looking at me all the time. I go to one of those 'hand waivers' churches (Rhema, Word of Faith, Assembly of God, and most any other 'Charasmatic' church is good) even though I always use to go to Prespiterian/Baptist type churches. In Charasmatic churches because everyone is really too busy worshipping God in their own way to be looking at what you're doing! I even raise my hands now--because it's Biblical--and because I realized that I just needed to raise my hands all of my life in surrender to God. So I do and feel free. It's good to feel free.

I say go to a church you're comfortable in--but make sure that they preach the Bible accurately, though. To know that, though, you have to read it! My experience has been that just because a church warns you about other churches not preaching the Bible accurately, doesn't mean that they do! Understand? In other words, have them show you in the Bible things that don't seem right to you.

Whatever you do, keep posting here for sure!

Welcome to the family!

John

P.S. I'm going to give you ALL of my blessings! Why? Cause it's better to give than to receive!

 

[rainbowprism]

First of all, congratulations and welcome to the family! It is understandable that your faith isn't 100%, you haven't had an oppurtunity to see the power of God working in your life yet. Luckily we don't need to completely need to understand to come to him at first...just with with as much understanding you have now hold on to that and keep trying to grow. I know it isn't horribly sexy but you need to dust of that Bible and get reading, it is one one that God will communicate with you. Another is prayer, I know how akward this can be when you're starting out-what do I say? What should you do?. I didn't start gaining confidence in my prayer until I was around others who prayed. Basically you can talk to God like you talk to your best friends's answering maching! Lastly and MOST importantly....you really need to start looking around and find a church that you feel comfortable with. Christians need accountability and support from other Christians to grow and learn--that's when Christianity becomes exciting! A Christian that acts as the 'lone ranger' doesn't last long. Plus God kinda set it up that way-the Bible discribes the Church as the 'body of Christ', so some people are gifted to serve in certain ways and function like parts of the body (ie hands and feet).
I would love to offer more advice if you are interested, feel free to PM me. Just getting to the point where you give up control in your life and submit to Christ is a miracle! And you are going to see many many more.

 

[KleinerApfel]

This is a really useful prayer. An anxious father in the Bible is asking Jesus for help, both for his child and for his own faith:

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
(Mark 9 verse 24) Read the story!

I posted this because you say your faith isn't 100%, and I think that's probably true of most people, so I just wanted to say, don't worry - give Him the bits you can, let him deal with the bits you can't.

How wonderful, another little brother in Christ for us here - congratulations and welcome. Do post again.

God bless, Susana

 

[rainbowprism]

I go to one of those 'hand waivers' churches (Rhema, Word of Faith, Assembly of God, and most any other 'Charasmatic' church is good) even though I always use to go to Prespiterian/Baptist type churches. In Charasmatic churches because everyone is really too busy worshipping God in their own way to be looking at what you're doing! I even raise my hands now--because it's Biblical--and because I realized that I just needed to raise my hands all of my life in surrender to God. So I do and feel free. It's good to feel free.

QUOTE]


Lol, when you said "hand waivers churches' it made me laugh. I go to a Vineyard Church myself People aren't afraid to look foolish doing other things but when it comes to worshiping God I don't understand why they hold back....there is something very freeing and honest about going 'whole-hog', to realize who really cares if people see you having an emotional connection to God-that's what it's all about anyways isn't it?

 

[Rafael]

Hello people , i'm new here, as you can probably tell from the post count.

I need some help with my faith. I became a christian only a few weeks ago, and I haven't done much with my faith, I've read a bit of the bible, but not much, I am usually too busy, or too lazy to read it, I also find it hard to understand. I don't have any christian freinds and haven't started attending church or anything yet, i'm kind of scared to do that, because my parents arn't christian and I don't know what they will think about it, and also I have a social anxiety disorder problem (where you become anxious and nervous around people) and depression, which I think I need to see a councillor about but haven't taken any steps to do that yet either.
I'm also not totally sure that I believe in God, I think I do, but my faith isn't 100%.
I hope you can offer me some advice about what i've mentioned here.
Thanks.
Oh and if you can give me blessings that'd be nice too, because If I get 50+, I can get a signature.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
Having faith in this world is the most important thing you can have. Without faith, there is only this short life and then death. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that the world could be saved, (John 3:16) so if you believe even a little, it is the time to seek God first and above the things that make you too busy or too lazy. He says that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. If you ask, the door will be opened. So, get a new language translation of the Bible or read it online and ask God to help you understand His will for this planet and for you in the world. If you seek Him first, all these other hinderances will fall away from you and an outline for life will happen for you and give you a hope of a future with God - not just the grave.
A good beginning translation is the New Living translation (NLT), and it is easy to understand.
So, that's my advice, pray (talk to God, asking) and seek God's truth in the Bible where He has guaranteed us that it is His very own words inspired by the Holy Spirit, and you can read about when God walked in the flesh, as a man, and gave light to the world as Jesus.

Ro 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mt 6:33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

Here's a link where you can start to read from John 1:1 in the New Living Translation. John is a good book for showing us who Jesus is and His deity.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?book=Jhn&chapter=1&version=nltp&Go.x=22&Go.y=8

Mt 7:7 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.

 

[Devoted to the Lord!]

Thanks Jonny Be Good, RainbowPrism, The Lord is my banner, and Raphe.
Johnny Be Good thanks for the reply, I will see a proffessional about my anxiety problem and I'll find a good church to go to, and also I'll keep posting here. I think this place would be a good place to help grow my faith with experienced christians.
And thanks for all the blessings Johnny, I only needed 50 but thanks.

Thanks Raphe for the reply, I have a KJV Bible, and I although some parts of it are harder to understand than the newer versions, due to the old english etc, I've read that it's more reliable than the others, more faithful to the original texts apparently although I know that's a matter for debate, but I kind of like it in the old english, it sounds more powerful to me.

 

[Rafael]

Thanks Jonny Be Good, RainbowPrism, The Lord is my banner, and Raphe.
Johnny Be Good thanks for the reply, I will see a proffessional about my anxiety problem and I'll find a good church to go to, and also I'll keep posting here. I think this place would be a good place to help grow my faith with experienced christians.
And thanks for all the blessings Johnny, I only needed 50 but thanks.

Thanks Raphe for the reply, I have a KJV Bible, and I although some parts of it are harder to understand than the newer versions, due to the old english etc, I've read that it's more reliable than the others, more faithful to the original texts apparently although I know that's a matter for debate, but I kind of like it in the old english, it sounds more powerful to me.

Hello again, the newer translations are faithful to the original meanings of the Hebrew and Greek, and actually there are a couple of versions that are more accurate than the KJV. I have a parallel Bible, myself, with the KJV and the NLT. The NLT is a translation instead of a paraphrase. Reading the two, side by side can help. The KJV is actually very good for memorizing scripture and very poetic. I love reading all the translations, and each contributes to the beautiful Living Word of truth God has given us as an anchor for our lives. God bless you on your journey.
Also, don't be afraid to ask God for healing of any condition. Talk to Him about all things.

 

[Celticflower]

So often I hear people say they are "too busy" to read their Bible. Well, guess what? You can get the Bible on tape and play it in the car on the way to work, while jogging or working out at the gym, or in the kitchen while you make dinner.
While this may not be a "perfect" solution, it can be helpful. Some people actually understand something better by hearing it rather than reading it.

 

[Johnny Be Good]

Thanks Jonny Be Good, RainbowPrism, The Lord is my banner, and Raphe.
Johnny Be Good thanks for the reply, I will see a proffessional about my anxiety problem and I'll find a good church to go to, and also I'll keep posting here. I think this place would be a good place to help grow my faith with experienced christians.
And thanks for all the blessings Johnny, I only needed 50 but thanks.

Thanks Raphe for the reply, I have a KJV Bible, and I although some parts of it are harder to understand than the newer versions, due to the old english etc, I've read that it's more reliable than the others, more faithful to the original texts apparently although I know that's a matter for debate, but I kind of like it in the old english, it sounds more powerful to me.

What's the best reason to stay, "Devoted to the Lord" ? (--great Login, by the way!!)

An old lady in our church puts it this way: she asks us if we know why she likes to give hugs, then as she moves in for the kill (begins to hug us!), then after the hug she says, "because you always get one back!" with a smile.

Michael W. Smith (a Christian musician) says that a Christian friend is a friend for life.

Christians of deep faith who marry other Christians of deep faith wind up with a relationship more deep than can be described (I'm blessed to know first hand!).

But none of those great things is really the best part...the best part, to me, is that God wants us to do, in life, what our hearts long to do--share our faith and care about others. It's the greatest gift, and also the most misunderstood gift. Many Christians fear 'sharing their faith' and 'presenting the gospel', probably because this has become institutionalized. I believe we're suppose to share what the Holy Spirit has for us when prompted by our hearts. *But presenting scripture to someone does obviously come from learning/knowing the Bible, and there's no substitute for knowledge and wisdom gained through structured study.

So study hard, and share softly. And when you make mistakes and get off track, God wants you to know that it's not how far you fall, but whether you bounce back. You'll fail, but no matter what you do, God's covenant with Jesus will stand. (God purchased your salvation through a covenant made with Jesus. I believe he made this covenant with Jesus and not with us, directly, because then if we messed up we might be able to break the covenant--but we can't break a covenant made between God and Jesus! *We're joint aires with Jesus, by the way, which means that we are entitled to everything belonging to Jesus--to include His AUTHORITY.

What kinds of authority does Jesus have that we now possess as well?

There's something for your first study!

God bless you, bro!

 

[rainbowprism]

What's the best reason to stay, "Devoted to the Lord" ? (--great Login, by the way!!)

An old lady in our church puts it this way: she asks us if we know why she likes to give hugs, then as she moves in for the kill (begins to hug us!), then after the hug she says, "because you always get one back!" with a smile.

Michael W. Smith (a Christian musician) says that a Christian friend is a friend for life.

Christians of deep faith who marry other Christians of deep faith wind up with a relationship more deep than can be described (I'm blessed to know first hand!).

But none of those great things is really the best part...the best part, to me, is that God wants us to do, in life, what our hearts long to do--share our faith and care about others. It's the greatest gift, and also the most misunderstood gift. Many Christians fear 'sharing their faith' and 'presenting the gospel', probably because this has become institutionalized. I believe we're suppose to share what the Holy Spirit has for us when prompted by our hearts. *But presenting scripture to someone does obviously come from learning/knowing the Bible, and there's no substitute for knowledge and wisdom gained through structured study.

So study hard, and share softly. And when you make mistakes and get off track, God wants you to know that it's not how far you fall, but whether you bounce back. You'll fail, but no matter what you do, God's covenant with Jesus will stand. (God purchased your salvation through a covenant made with Jesus. I believe he made this covenant with Jesus and not with us, directly, because then if we messed up we might be able to break the covenant--but we can't break a covenant made between God and Jesus! *We're joint aires with Jesus, by the way, which means that we are entitled to everything belonging to Jesus--to include His AUTHORITY.

What kinds of authority does Jesus have that we now possess as well?

There's something for your first study!

God bless you, bro!

Great post and advice!

 

[Devoted to the Lord!]

What's the best reason to stay, "Devoted to the Lord" ? (--great Login, by the way!!)

An old lady in our church puts it this way: she asks us if we know why she likes to give hugs, then as she moves in for the kill (begins to hug us!), then after the hug she says, "because you always get one back!" with a smile.

Michael W. Smith (a Christian musician) says that a Christian friend is a friend for life.

Christians of deep faith who marry other Christians of deep faith wind up with a relationship more deep than can be described (I'm blessed to know first hand!).

But none of those great things is really the best part...the best part, to me, is that God wants us to do, in life, what our hearts long to do--share our faith and care about others. It's the greatest gift, and also the most misunderstood gift. Many Christians fear 'sharing their faith' and 'presenting the gospel', probably because this has become institutionalized. I believe we're suppose to share what the Holy Spirit has for us when prompted by our hearts. *But presenting scripture to someone does obviously come from learning/knowing the Bible, and there's no substitute for knowledge and wisdom gained through structured study.

So study hard, and share softly. And when you make mistakes and get off track, God wants you to know that it's not how far you fall, but whether you bounce back. You'll fail, but no matter what you do, God's covenant with Jesus will stand. (God purchased your salvation through a covenant made with Jesus. I believe he made this covenant with Jesus and not with us, directly, because then if we messed up we might be able to break the covenant--but we can't break a covenant made between God and Jesus! *We're joint aires with Jesus, by the way, which means that we are entitled to everything belonging to Jesus--to include His AUTHORITY.

What kinds of authority does Jesus have that we now possess as well?

There's something for your first study!

God bless you, bro!

Johnny thanks for taking the time to write that long reply!
It's got some useful stuff in there and I'll do some research into that question.

Thanks!

 

[Johnny Be Good]

Romans 8:28 -- that's my favorite verse -- and you have it on your post, Devoted to the Lord!

 

[Devoted to the Lord!]

Romans 8:28 -- that's my favorite verse -- and you have it on your post, Devoted to the Lord!

A lot of people like that verse, I do too. I just put some verses I liked in my signature and that was one of them.

 

[kimleach]

Dear Devoted to the Lord

Congratulations on becoming an heir of the Lord's and welcome to the family!!

Father God I pray that you would hold this new lamb of yours close to your heart. Help him Father to grow in the knowledge of you and help him to become stronger in his faith each day as he searches for you in his prayers and in your word. Father give him a hunger for your word so that he may draw ever closer to you!! Surround him Lord with a hedge of your protective angels so that the firey darts of the evil one will not be able to touch him. Help him to overcome all his stumbling block and set him free with your truth. Let him know each day, Lord, how precious he is to you and how much you love him. Father I pray for his family, that they would not stand in his way, but that they will see you shining through him and know that You are the only way. Help him Lord to be an example to them in each moment of his day. And most of all Lord rain down your blessings on him so that he drowns in your love and grace, your peace and joy. I ask these thing in the most precious name of Jesus. Amen

May God bless you right out of your little cotton socks!!
Kim

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 

[Serapha]

Hello people , i'm new here, as you can probably tell from the post count.

I need some help with my faith. I became a christian only a few weeks ago, and I haven't done much with my faith, I've read a bit of the bible, but not much, I am usually too busy, or too lazy to read it, I also find it hard to understand. I don't have any christian freinds and haven't started attending church or anything yet, i'm kind of scared to do that, because my parents arn't christian and I don't know what they will think about it, and also I have a social anxiety disorder problem (where you become anxious and nervous around people) and depression, which I think I need to see a councillor about but haven't taken any steps to do that yet either.
I'm also not totally sure that I believe in God, I think I do, but my faith isn't 100%.
I hope you can offer me some advice about what i've mentioned here.
Thanks.
Oh and if you can give me blessings that'd be nice too, because If I get 50+, I can get a signature.

Hi there!



Welcome to the forums....

I need some help with my faith. I became a christian only a few weeks ago, and I haven't done much with my faith, I've read a bit of the bible, but not much, I am usually too busy, or too lazy to read it, I also find it hard to understand.

Pray before you read the Word, and ask for the discernment of the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth. You need to understand early in your Christian walk, that faltering faith is not failed faith. God will always be on the throne, you have a choice in how close you want to be to that throne.

I don't have any christian freinds and haven't started attending church or anything yet, i'm kind of scared to do that, because my parents arn't christian and I don't know what they will think about it, and also I have a social anxiety disorder problem (where you become anxious and nervous around people)

Sometimes with a social disorder, it is easier for the person to express themselves in writing rather than being in the presense of people. That is where the internet is a plus for social anxiety disorder. However, exercising social skills is necessary for "real" human relationships, and that isn't re-inforced in internet interaction.

and depression, which I think I need to see a councillor about but haven't taken any steps to do that yet either.

It's time to take that step.

I'm also not totally sure that I believe in God, I think I do, but my faith isn't 100%.

Part of that feeling is relative to the social disorder which will affect every relationship that you enter. Believing in God and being a Christian require a relationship and fellowship with God. The number one error that will discourage you is that you might believe that God should heal you from your "afflictions"... not so, Paul had a "thorn in his side" that God did not take from him.... God gave him grace, instead, to deal with the problem


God's grace is sufficient for your every need.


~serapha~

 

[Devoted to the Lord!]

Thanks for the reply Kim. That was a great prayer I also like that bible verse, I wanted to put it in my signature but it wouldn't fit.

 

[Devoted to the Lord!]

Thanks for the detailed advice serapha.

About your comments, I realise I have to take the step to seek out help soon as possible.

I understand that a christians life isn't guaranteed to be easy, for we can learn from hard times, and they can help us grow, but God will always be with us to support us .

 

[TheMainException]

when you do get the chance to read the bible, read the new testament about Jesus and his disciples.

 

[Faith In God]

Thanks for the detailed advice serapha.

About your comments, I realise I have to take the step to seek out help soon as possible.

I understand that a christians life isn't guaranteed to be easy, for we can learn from hard times, and they can help us grow, but God will always be with us to support us .

you got that right. only four promises with Christianlity. Temptation, tribulation, persecution, and everlasting life.