How do I bring God into my life?

^ What she said.

Hensley, you have recieved a lot of good advice in this Thread. But now that you've heard the message and have believed, I might suggest going to the Word to see what God has to say for Himself, rather than going to outside sources. They can help you understand God's Word, but you've always got to make sure that they are IN LINE with God's Word.

I will pray for your journey.

Hensley258 said:

I am told that this Joel Osteen is not very popular with many Christians.
Most do not like the things he has to say, but it appeals to me because I have never liked the old "fire and brimstone" type of faith that talks of God as if he were one to be feared if one should fall out of line with exactly what is written. I like that Osteen does not spend his time dwelling about Hell and damnation. He doesn't even spend time condeming other faiths.

He says life is too short for harboring condemnation regarding the faith of non-christians. I also like to think that one can still follow Christ and not have to live a life void of the pleasures that God himself made for us to enjoy. I figure Jesus turned water into wine, so why is it that I can not enjoy 2 or even 4 glasses of wine, or maybe even a few beers with friends. I'm sure it's a sin to smoke, but I still do. I figure God knows my heart is true and I'm confident that he forgives me for harming my health.

The God I know is a God of compassion that fully understands I am not perfect. That's why I like Joel Osteen. He doesn't judge people.
"judge not lest ye be judged" I like that passage.

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I can see the Holy Spirit is already leading you with His wisdom. Joel Osteen is an inspired preacher. He knows about love and compassion. He knows that the word "gospel" means good news, and that's what he's preaching. Let your heart guide you - the new one that the Lord gave you, and you'll do famously. The Holy Spirit will gently mold you, teach you and guide you, now and always. Don't try too hard to be perfect, just focus on the good things, like love, and Christ's teachings. Remember, it's much better to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, than to listen to people who seem to tell you things that conflict with that which the Spirit tells you in your heart.

Hensley258

I see people that are followers in christ and I am always amazed at how happy they seem. They all seem to have this unshakable charictar that only devine intervention can provide. Adversity just seems to only stregthin their faith

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we'll that certainly isn't true... but I must say I am wow'd by the extent of your searching. All I have to say is you know who you are and you know what you want, if your searching for Jesus and God then thats what you want and if you pray for God to come into your life for him to find you, then thats what you mean. There is no benefit to this strange doubting of the truth of your own feelings. Why would you do that? Why would you say I wan't God in my life, and then doubt whether or not that feeling was true? Why do you feel the need for that? Why do you feel your feelings could somehow be...diffrent than what you really feel? You know who you are, and what you want, and its true. Why do you feel your feelings could be somehow diffrent than who you really are? Why do you feel you might be this other person, someone totally diffrent than who you want to be. You are one person, the one you see and feel, the one you are, thats it. You are you... no one else. Some other you, some strange diffrent unknown you is never going to jump out and say "Ha! this is who you really are!"

Maybe you doubt the depth of your desires and new found excitment in Jesus... maybe you doubt the extent of your new desire for God. Don't... just push ahead to where you want to go.

Begin to fill your life with God things, read the bible, pray, join a church go after him, the bible says if you knock the door will be opened and that he will turn no one away. You'll find him. Do not doubt yourself. About your fear of him not accepting you, the bible says he does accept you. That same God you said amazed you, the bible says he has forgiven you and he died for you, so believe it, ya know?

There is a story about Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion that is instructive. Nanak was sleeping on the ground during a trip to Mecca. He was awakened by pilgrims who told him that he should face another way since his feet were pointed in the direction of the Kaaba, a holy site. This was an insult to God, they said. Nanak replied that they should show him a direction where God is not present and he would face his feet that way. They had no answer.

The point is that God is everywhere. If you want to find him you should help somebody who is in need. Find somebody who is hungry or sick or an outcast. Help that person and you will find God. That is what Jesus did.

Hensley258 said:

I am told that this Joel Osteen is not very popular with many Christians.
Most do not like the things he has to say, but it appeals to me because I have never liked the old "fire and brimstone" type of faith that talks of God as if he were one to be feared if one should fall out of line with exactly what is written. I like that Osteen does not spend his time dwelling about Hell and damnation. He doesn't even spend time condeming other faiths.

He says life is too short for harboring condemnation regarding the faith of non-christians. I also like to think that one can still follow Christ and not have to live a life void of the pleasures that God himself made for us to enjoy. I figure Jesus turned water into wine, so why is it that I can not enjoy 2 or even 4 glasses of wine, or maybe even a few beers with friends. I'm sure it's a sin to smoke, but I still do. I figure God knows my heart is true and I'm confident that he forgives me for harming my health.

The God I know is a God of compassion that fully understands I am not perfect. That's why I like Joel Osteen. He doesn't judge people.
"judge not lest ye be judged" I like that passage.

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Not all Christians harbor condemnation towards non-Christians. In fact, most go on their way, treating everyone the same no matter their race, nationality, religious heritage, etc., because that is what Christ asked us to do. I don't know any who walk around asking what church anyone goes to, or if they go to church. What people dislike about Osteen is that his message isn't necessarily Christian. It certainly misses the boat on many Christian principles, and I don't think that anyone is saying to not listen to him, but that he shouldn't be your sole guide. The Bible is a much more important guide than Osteen, and should be your first source. Osteen's message might be OK for those who are well grounded in the word, but as a stand-alone, it probably isn't such a good idea.

Hensley258 said:

I figure Jesus turned water into wine, so why is it that I can not enjoy 2 or even 4 glasses of wine, or maybe even a few beers with friends. I'm sure it's a sin to smoke, but I still do. I figure God knows my heart is true and I'm confident that he forgives me for harming my health.

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Jesus himself drunk wine. So, no drinking it is not a sin. What IS a sin is getting drunk off of it. As far as smoking, it's not necessarily said in the Bible that "Thou shalt not light a cigarette and place it in thy mouth", but I don't see what is so appealing about doing so. Not to condemn you or anyone else for doing it, but I've lost two uncles and my grandma and grandpa to smoking related illness or incidents. So I see no need to smoke.

As far as your last sentence in the above quotation, I would agree that God forgives (IF YOU ASK HIM AND ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE SINNED), but I wouldn't say, "Oh hey, God forgives me... that's a free pass for me to sin." Nope, there's a whole passage about that in Romans, I believe.
Another verse in the Bible states that each and every one of our bodies are the temple (Jesus referred to his own body as the temple as well) of God. So think of piercings and smoking and stuff as graffiti-ing and trashing a church. Not too appealing to myself.
But anyway, I'm not here to condemn, only to point out what I believe. I pray that your search for God will be fruitful and that he will bless you.

Hi H258 ,

...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. <-----> Romans 10:17

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. <-----> John 4:24

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? <-----> Luke 11:13

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world . So that we could come before our Heavenly Father and receive the Gift of His Spirit of Grace & Truth . It is this Gift which revitalizes us , and enables us to have a close personal relationship with God + Christ . For The Gift of The Holy Spirit brings their distinct Presence within , uniting our spirit with Their Spirit which gives us access to The Virtue of The Divine & Life Everlasting .

When I first saw this provision many years ago , I wasn't sure it was true ... but it sounded extraordinarily good ! So , I prayed , admitting my inability to believe fully , asking The Lord to show me The Truth . And then things started to happen , I began to sense The Lord's Presence , His Direction , and Revelation . Which opens up a whole other world where all things are possible , and The Light is no longer at the end of a long dark tunnel , but is right there within lighting up my life with the hope of Salvation and Promise of Life unimpaired .

May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless and Encourage !

wm

First, it is not a stupid question - it is a longing question; a genuine seeking out for God.

Confess Jesus as lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead - in doing this, the Bible says that you are saved. In other words, recognize that Jesus Christ is the savior of mankind - he is lord of all men, and that he was dead and God raised him from the dead.

Some refer to it as the "new birth," others say, "born again." that is the starting point of Christianity. The Bible declares that you are now righteous - which means, you are right in the sight of God, you belong with Him, God is now your Father and you are His child!

But, what have you done to earn or deserve all of this? Nothing. that's why you and I needed a savior - we couldn't have accomplished our own salvation and righteousness.

Always remember that you are saved by grace, the Bible says, not of works.

I would also suggest two other things -
1. Pray - By that I don't mean prayers that someone else wrote out -prayer is talking to God - so, share your heart with Him, bear you soul to Him, tell Him everything that is going on in your life - open your heart to your Father.

2. Read Read the Scriptures - they are the Word of God - God had His Word written so that He might communicate to mankind. Just read and ask God to teach you what you need to know. (By the way, all of the Bible is God's Word, but the books of Romans - Thessalonians are specifically for those who are born again - you!)

Finally, find someone you can trust spiritually that can help you grow in God's Word - not in religious duties and rules and regulations, but help you grow in learning God's Word so that you can know Him.

(And if you are looking for some articles on having more confidence in God, check out my personal blog, Confidence And Joy .com.)

May God bless you in your journey with Him,

Mike