How do you stay "on fire"

[savvy]

I had a really enthusiastic awakening in Christianity a couple of months ago. I prayed, I felt it, I tried to live up to it. But my personality fluctuates from extreme to extreme so its kind of growing less important to me. I believe, I love God, but I slip up more and more. I thought maybe I should have been improving? Convicted in the spirit? But then I keep going back to my previous beliefs and rationalizing them even though I know they are probably wrong. I can't seem to read the Bible for very long.
So how do you stay committed?

 

[whatseekye]

When I first came to faith, I didn't have a clue how to do anything. But I believed that God was listening and would help me by answering all my questions and show me how to please Him. If you pray and ask God to teach you how to pray, read scripture, worship, etc., He will help you. Also, get your bible out every day and read out loud even if it's just a few lines. Start in the gospel of John and try to read the whole thing over however many days you need. Find a good church where you feel comfortable and start going every Sunday, as much as possible. Keep talking to God and confess your sin to him. I think there are certain basic things that are necessary for a vital faith life. Prayer, reading scripture, worship....by worship, I mean, both private and communal...so at home when you are alone, praise him and even sing songs or whatever makes you feel worshipful of Him. and also join a church for group worship on Sunday. Try to cultivate love for God by thinking about him through prayer, worship, contemplation, and understanding the Truth. This last part is something that will really help you as a new Christian. You probably know the basics of what you believe, but it's so good to ask God to direct your attention to understand more of his ways. All these activities I have described will help you develop a Christian worldview and complete understanding of the whole Truth. You don't have to know everything all at once though. I think it starts with love for God and an understanding of his work on the cross. God wants a relationship with you and he'll show you how to walk with Him.

 

[Singing Bush]

Well, in my not so humble opinion, I do not believe all Christians are meant to be the passionate, zealous on fire for God types. For some that is simply not the nature of their personality. Perhaps I am just rationalizing my own lack of fervor, but this is certainly how it has been for me since I gave my life to Christ some 7 or 8 years ago. Don't get me wrong, at first it was "Yea God!" this and "Yea God!" that and being enthusiastic about God is a wonderful thing. I still have those God moments from time to time, but I fear it relies too much on emotion and not enough on what God really wants, faith.

The Christian walk isn't about always believing w/o a shadow of a doubt everything that you claim and hold to be true. It is stepping out and acting out despite your skepticism. That is when you live Christianity, that is when your faith becomes real, and that is when, for me at least, you have those God moments all over again. Sometimes you wont wanna pray. Sometimes you wont wanna read God's word. And many times you'll rationalize your actions and beliefs. The thing is, it doesn't matter if you fall only that you get back up again. Even when you think you're not going anywhere in your walk w/ Christ, the fact that you care and have this introspection and concern over your faith shows that you are in fact still in love w/ Him.

Anyways, as for practical advice. The poster before me offered up some great advice and I'm sure many more will do the same. Only thing I'd specifically advise is finding some Christian friends that both share the same faith/theology as you and some that don't. And pray. Not necessarily a formalized prayer listing all your prayer requests and those of others, but talk to God. Explain your troubles, your frustrations, and any struggles you have. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me. I hope this answered your questions to some extent. Your mileage may vary.

And for whatever it's worth, I'll say a prayer for you now.

 

[Endure2]

well, like one man of God once said.
"ive seen a southerner when he sat on a tak, and ive seen a northerner when he sat on a tak, and they both jump to exactly the same height. its a question of stimulation"

anyone who fully realises the the depths of hell from which they were lifted out of and has a thriving relationship with God will say "oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together!"

the bible says God MAKES his servants flames of fire.
it has nothing to do with our present personalies, but rather the work God does in us, he creates that in us, he isnt obligated by our present personalities or characters.

i was a very intraverted shy person, but God birthed a fire in me nonthe ess!

we do not look into ourselves to find out who God made us to be, we look into God and see what he says. becuase like a tool is nothing without the creator, we are nothing without our creator handling us and using us.
thats why personallity exams and things are good to only an extent and only if God chooses to use them.
only God knows who we are and who were called to be, we sure dont. im a completely diffrent person than i was a year ago. so a year ago, a personality test would have done me no good, and really would do me no good today either. because im constantly being changed by God.

man the key to staying on fire for God is staying in the fire.
stay in Gods word, and stay in the prayer closet.
the fiery passion of God does not come out of your will of your choices.
it flows down the steps of the thrown of heavon into prayer closets and times alone meditating in the word of God! GLORY!
its not your passion, its Gods passion in you. its not your desires or boldness, its God boldness in you.

thats why the only way to keep from growing cold is to stay on your face before God and stay deep in his word as much as you can.
because its not of man or of this earth, it only comes to those who can break away from all that and get in touch with heavon. through prayer in the holyghost and the word of God.

the disciples prayed for boldness in the book of acts, and the place shook under the power of God, but they had to pray...
its not your choice to be fiery... its your choice to stay in prayer that keeps you on fire.
i remember one man of God said "STAY IN THE PRAYER CLOSET, AND YOULL COME OUT PREACHING THE FIRE!" and that works for anyone.

the bible says in daniel that HE WHO KNOWS HIS GOD, WILL BE STRONG AND DO GREAT EXPLOITS! stay close to the spirit of God in prayer and worship!

the pharisees saw the disciples and their love and fiery passion and boldness, and they figured in themselves that surely...THESE MEN HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS! and it still works that way today.

no man is fiery by choice, only by impartation.
impartation into your life, that only happens by getting alone at the feet of Jesus in worship, prayer, and the word.

pray this prayer,
that out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water!
pray that the spirit of God would come upon you and make that happen.
make that the theme of your prayer, and the theme of your worship and you will grow into a glorius powerful relationship with God!
and by all means, LEARN TO WORSHIP GOD!
the doorway to the holy of holies, is the door way of worship! it has never been correct theology.

but remember friend, we all have times of darkness where we cant see or hear from God, becuase the teacher doesnt talk during the test. but when you cant hear the vioce of God, you live off of Gods word.
but stay in prayer and passionate worship even during those times, even if it seems like your worship and affection arent going anywhere, BECUASE WORSHIP DOESNT CHANGE YOU, IT CHANGES HEAVON, IT ISNT MEANT TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, BUT MAKE GOD FEEL GOOD, AND THEN... YOUR BLESSING COMES! so be patient!
and remember YOU CANT RELY ON YOUR FLESH TO PICK UP OR DISCERN WHATS GOING ON IN THE SPIRIT.

 

[savvy]

Thanks for the great replies, everyone. I really, really appreciate it.

 

[Evie]

I had a really enthusiastic awakening in Christianity a couple of months ago. I prayed, I felt it, I tried to live up to it. But my personality fluctuates from extreme to extreme so its kind of growing less important to me. I believe, I love God, but I slip up more and more. I thought maybe I should have been improving? Convicted in the spirit? But then I keep going back to my previous beliefs and rationalizing them even though I know they are probably wrong. I can't seem to read the Bible for very long.
So how do you stay committed?

when I was a new Christian,reading the Bible bored me,I just couldn't understand it. I bought a teen Bible (then) It was easier to read. Go check out the different Bibles that are avaiable to you. Even WalMart sells them! Pray to God and ask Him to direct your path.What about Christian friends,you must have strong people around you.Try to pray and read everyday,I can't wait to read every day. It just feeds my soul.Being a mom now,I read at a certain time every day. The Bible is my highest reference in life.God's word is alive. No other book is.

 

[LynnMcG]

Remember, it's called a "walk" for a reason. We don't suddenly - become! We grow, we mature in our knowledge and in our relationship with Jesus. That's what's so exciting about it! I don't know about you, but I can get really bored, very easily. So just like any relationship, I have to work at it.

I try to stay in the word daily. I read a devotional and the Psalm and Proverb from that day (i.e. today is 9/30 so I read Psalm & Proverb 30). And that's just a beginning. Pray before you open your Bible; that God would reveal his will to you. We need to really get into the word, to know the word. And listen to the Holy Spirit - it's a gentle voice that's sometimes hard to hear. You need to read the bible to gain knowledge in the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit so that your soul and mind are in line.

Read. Find an author you like. I read a lot of Joyce Meyer and Max Lucado. I love Max Lucado because reading his books are like having a conversation - they're really easy to read. Joyce Meyers books are more work, but so worth it. Oh, I love the Left Behind series. That made me want to get everyone around me saved!

I was raised Catholic, dabbled in Wicca and finally became a born-again Christian 10 years ago. Some days I'm on fire, some days I need to make sure I'm still breathing. I'm human!! It takes work but it's so worth it! When you start to see the fruit of your works you're going to be blown away. God is so good!

Keep on walkin'!

 

[LilRitt04]

When I was a new Christian everything was absolutly awesome! Its like when you first get saved its like you want to tell the whole world, and I did but then that dern devil, got ahold of my head! The devil will minipulate anyone so that they are like him...look at 90% of the world!

I have stayed on fire alot of different ways...
1. I stay active in my church
2. I watch who I hang with
3. I watch what I watch on T.V.
4. I watch what I listen to on the Radio
5. I date Christians
6. I read my Bible
7. I have a prayer life

Nobody EVER said that the spiritual walk was going to be easy! Its a hard thing to live up to...only because of the world. You are born in sin, and its our job to create a spiritual walk and maintain it! Its not easy but its not something that you cant do! Just be yourself...dont try to please other people by being something you are not. (that was my problem). Another big thing is to give EVERYTHING up to God. Everything you did in the past...you need to lay it down at the Altar and dont look back...press on!

God Bless

 

[songz777]

Just Keep at it ) We have all beem through Highs and Lows...keep in touch Keep in Prayer DONT give up ,,Hunger for God ..and He will as He has said "They shall be filled" Ive been there, and when that "Joy" slacks I get back to the heart of worship and spend more time with God..He always FILLS me again :o)) John

 

[Endure2]

uhmmm.....Jesus..............
ok, someones been using my name.

 

[SteadyRock]

Hehe I'll have an answer tommorrow! Tommorrow's Bible reading notes are headed...
'Avoiding Burnout' hehe What a 'coincidence!'

 

[IntimateFriend]

Don't stop seeking God because you don't feel His presence. Our walk is a walk of faith. We don't walk according to our emotions but through our faith in the Lord Jesus. Spend time with Him...tell Him everything that you are going through. He'll be ther for you. Read Psalm 23, it will bless you.

 

[angelwind]

Excellent replies here...they encourage all of us no matter where we are in our walk.

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1Cor.10:13

He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Cor.1:8-9

 

[HotRhymez]

Just keep praying and reading your Bible, that's what I do.

 

[Ziwei]

I agree with whatseekye. Try to stay on by prayer. I would also like to recommend getting other things out of your life. This may be very difficult, but it sure comes effective because the less things one has on his/her heart, the more room for God to come in. But indeed as many before me has said, "we are human". Failure will be acceptable as long as we still pitch in an absolute effort.

 

[Endure2]

uhm sorry guys, if anyone ever saw what my last reply to this thread was before i edited it, i certainly never said that....
i was foolish and allowed other people access to my membership here through a public computer. im sorry.

 

[heartnsoul]

All replies have been excellent! Very good advice from everyone. Keep the faith. Know that everything takes time. Find friends who share your faith, go out have fun with them and just keep praying everyday. God is faithful and He loves you! No matter how bad of a day you're having, know that God is always there for you when you have no one else to turn to. In time, you will see how God uses people and experiences to reveal His love for you. Just like you, everyone would love life to always be a feeling of being on "Cloud 9", however, that is not reality. Reality is a combination of good and bad days, happy and sad. Just when you're feeling blue, the happy days are just around the corner. Tolerate the bad days, and try to make each day a beautiful one for yourself. Keep trusting in God. Remember, God loves you!

 

[Glorianna]

It's really hard but I believe that prayer is the key. God can do anything, no matter how impossible it may seem!

 

[LilRitt04]

Everyone here is on the right track for a good response. But I think along with prayer and reading your Bible alot of other things can play a key role in staying focused in your Christianity. I touched on something in my last post, but ontop of that, I think that maintaining good relations with your family and elders are key aswell. I know this one from experience. I used to never be able to stand my Mother. By not being able to stand her I couldnt go to church and get the right thing out of it...all because of my complete and utter hatred for my Mother. I realized just one random night that, if I just aoplogize to her that maybe things will work out for the better. Low and behold they did, and since then we have a great relationship and my Christianity is stronger than ever!

God Bless

 

[HisFireFly]

I find that when my passion seems to flicker I need to count my blessings and remember the life that JESUS saved me from. That is often enough to start me singing HIS praises and then worshipping HIM and that starts the flames jumping all over again!


Also, I sense FATHER GOD wants me to tell you that once HE has you, HE will not let you go. Even when in your flesh you feel you are walking the wrong direction, your heavenly FATHER knows exactly where you are.

be blessed,

HisFireFly