There is something I am struggling with and I could use some ideas or advice. I was not raised in a home where christian habits of saying grace, going to church Sundays and other times, devotional times, tithing etc..were stressed. Now that I am older and I have a loving relationship with the Lord, I really struggle with these things. I really really want to be obedient in these things consitently but it seems to be so hard since these things were not a part of my childhood. It seems like I try so hard but I just am not consitent with these things, and I want to be. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to stay obedient to God in these areas. I go to church on Sunday, that is consistent, but the other things I struggle with, such as forgetting to say grace, I'm not very good with my tithing (due to financial problems), and it seems like my favorite place to meet with the Lord to pray is in the car. I am just not a very structured person.
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Help with Obedience
- Thread starter grace4sds
- Start date
Hello,
The key is to become a bit more structured. It's ok to pray in the car..just don't get into an accident!!...Try and set some time aside in the morning just before you start your day. Then after you've got that down pretty well start reading one or two chapters a day in the evenings before you go to sleep..I would keep it to one or two chapters so that you don't over tax yourself and then stop because it becomes to much for you to keep up with yourself. In the end though it really doesn't matter when or where we pray, as long as the thoughts, words, and deeds are coming from your soul, with love for Jesus. As far as tithing is concerned I always tell people to tithe what they can, when they can. Some Christians are rich, they have lots of money to give. Some Christians are poor and can give maybe only five or ten dollars. The most important thing about tithing is that you learn how to give what is hard to give, which for us is ussually money. Overall though it sounds like you are doing great! Our relationship with Jesus is a process. He eases us into our new lives, and you will have tremendous success in a short amount of time as long as you work together with Him. God's peace to you
The key is to become a bit more structured. It's ok to pray in the car..just don't get into an accident!!...Try and set some time aside in the morning just before you start your day. Then after you've got that down pretty well start reading one or two chapters a day in the evenings before you go to sleep..I would keep it to one or two chapters so that you don't over tax yourself and then stop because it becomes to much for you to keep up with yourself. In the end though it really doesn't matter when or where we pray, as long as the thoughts, words, and deeds are coming from your soul, with love for Jesus. As far as tithing is concerned I always tell people to tithe what they can, when they can. Some Christians are rich, they have lots of money to give. Some Christians are poor and can give maybe only five or ten dollars. The most important thing about tithing is that you learn how to give what is hard to give, which for us is ussually money. Overall though it sounds like you are doing great! Our relationship with Jesus is a process. He eases us into our new lives, and you will have tremendous success in a short amount of time as long as you work together with Him. God's peace to you
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When I first started walking with the Lord, I stunk at praying, but really good friend told me to get up seven minutes earlier than I normally do in the morning and pray... what's seven minutes? nothing!! SOOO I did, and let me tell you, it affected the rest of my day! Most importantly, pray for help!!! I added little post it notes around the house... My husband actually found us a hotplate with the Lord's prayer on it... and I used to place it on my dining room table, as a reminder to say grace... I have too little ones so its hard for me to find alone time.. so I pray in the shower... **lol** its QUIET in their!! It doesnt matter when or where you pray, as long as its coming from a sincere standpoint!!! and reading once chapter of the bible at night is a great idea! I would get a set of highlighters and a notebook to make notes of things that stand out to you also!
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allieisme
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I hate to admit it, but we don't say grace at home often either, it seems its rather forgetful most times, but when we do remember it, its usually our 3 year old that wants to say it. The thing with tithing is, you need to trust God and if you cant give a perfect 10% then you don't beat yourself up over it, God doesn't want you to go broke, just because you tithed, but He does want you to pray to Him about it, maybe He will reveal something else for you to do. My pastor says the mornings are perfect times for prayers. Think about it.. Get up 20 min or 30 min before you normally do, get your coffee, if you drink it, then your house should be quiet but depending on what time you get up..make that your devotional time with God, talking and reading the Word. Trust me, God is thankful for that time you give Him in the car, but if you want to be more structural try mornings. Mornings are better than at night, at night, you are usually exhausted from a hard day, and you might not be able to give Him your full attention, rather the morning, you are awake, your mind is clear, and most of all its quiet!grace4sds said:
Try those things, that might help
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I have not been on here for a little while and I want to thank you all for your replies. They all sound helpful. I am going to try setting some time aside and reading a couple chapters a day for my devotional time. I have also learned since I posted this thread that as far as tithing, whatever you are able to give it has to come from your heart, even if sometimes it is just the desire to tithe. And I agree that the important thing is we give what is hard to give. Thanks for all your replies and have a blessed day!!! 
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Being a christian is about conforming our minds and life to Christ, not to other Christians.
Sometimes we put so much effort and emphisis on the customs of contemporary Christianity, we loose focus. All of the thigs you struggle with are good things to do, but that does not mean we will all do them in the same way.
You need to be reading the Bible. You need to be praying. But it is not essential that you do both of them in the same quiet devotional time every day. There is nothing wrong if you do - it would be great! But if you pray a lot in the car as you go through your day, and read the bible in bed at night, there is nothing wrong with that, either. I drive a lot on my job, and my car is where I pray the most - out loud (I've gotten some curious looks at traffic lights!) and for long periods of time. I keep a prayer list above my visor.
You can look at your finances and have a plan that will eneable you to work your way toward tithing. Many Christians have found that when they do tithe, even when the numbers did not add up, at the end of the month they do!
One family I know says "grace" after the meal. People are less in a rush, they have relaxed through the meal and "grace" is then a longer, more meaningful group prayer instead of a prufunctory "Thanks for the grub, God!" Do you really imagine that God spurns those prayers "You should have prayed BEFORE the meal!!!" God knows the heart!
The word Christian literally means "little Christ". That is what we should all strive to be. Others Christians can help us all grow and mature in our life in Christ. (That means that you are also in a position to help other Christians, including those who have been Christians far longer tht you.) But don't get caught up in modeling your life on other Christians. Model your life on Christ.
Blessings on you!
Sometimes we put so much effort and emphisis on the customs of contemporary Christianity, we loose focus. All of the thigs you struggle with are good things to do, but that does not mean we will all do them in the same way.
You need to be reading the Bible. You need to be praying. But it is not essential that you do both of them in the same quiet devotional time every day. There is nothing wrong if you do - it would be great! But if you pray a lot in the car as you go through your day, and read the bible in bed at night, there is nothing wrong with that, either. I drive a lot on my job, and my car is where I pray the most - out loud (I've gotten some curious looks at traffic lights!) and for long periods of time. I keep a prayer list above my visor.
You can look at your finances and have a plan that will eneable you to work your way toward tithing. Many Christians have found that when they do tithe, even when the numbers did not add up, at the end of the month they do!
One family I know says "grace" after the meal. People are less in a rush, they have relaxed through the meal and "grace" is then a longer, more meaningful group prayer instead of a prufunctory "Thanks for the grub, God!" Do you really imagine that God spurns those prayers "You should have prayed BEFORE the meal!!!" God knows the heart!
The word Christian literally means "little Christ". That is what we should all strive to be. Others Christians can help us all grow and mature in our life in Christ. (That means that you are also in a position to help other Christians, including those who have been Christians far longer tht you.) But don't get caught up in modeling your life on other Christians. Model your life on Christ.
Blessings on you!
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HolySpiritWarrior
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bliz: That was a very big problem of mine for a while... thanks for sharing that with everyone!
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