How to build a strong relationship with the Lord?

[JohnB445]

I pray daily and read his word. But that's the only things I'm doing for the Lord, along with abstaining from sin. I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Which I actually have done before, now I know don't say things you do not know even if you feel like you know what your talking about.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi John, why not just tell "your" story. You know, what you were like before becoming a Christian and what you are like now, how life has changed for you because of having Jesus in your life and what He means to you personally.

And if they like what they hear and wish they had what you've found in Christ for themselves, then tell them how you became a Christian (and thereby, how they can become one too ).

Just like a witness is called to testify in a court trial about what they know (not what they don't know), that's what Jesus has principally called us to do as well for the lost in this world. And if they ask you a question that you're not sure of, just be honest and tell them that, that you don't know or you're not sure of the answer to their question or point, but that it's a great question, one that you'd like to know the answer to yourself, and that as soon as you know it, you'll get back to them and let them know too.

Being genuine and honest with people are two of the most important things in witnessing because part of effective witnessing is gaining the trust of the people you're witnessing to. And if being honest means you have to go research something to get them an answer to a question they've asked you, hey, you just set up a second opportunity to share the Gospel with them, didn't you

As you grow in your personal understanding of God, the Bible and the Christian faith, you'll be able to use that new information as well when you witness, but it will never replace your personal testimony about God, what it's like to be a Christian, and how you became one to begin with.

Here is the 4th and final lecture in a series by Dr. John MacArthur called Spiritual Boot Camp. This lecture is called How to Witness and it is loaded with helpful tips about doing that effectively (and it's free to listen to and/or read online here).

God bless you!

Yours and His,
David
p.s. - this is not the normal verse that you'd expect to be reading about witnessing, but it is still one of my very favorite verses in the Bible. When you find the time, take a look at all it says to us about witnessing, about the One we are doing our witnessing for, and who we are to Him as well

Isaiah 43
10 "You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
"And My servant whom I have chosen,
In order that you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me".​

 

[mukk_in]

You're doing great. Spirituality and service will come in time.

 

[Serving Zion]

I pray daily and read his word. But that's the only things I'm doing for the Lord, along with abstaining from sin. I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Which I actually have done before, now I know don't say things you do not know even if you feel like you know what your talking about.

How about just asking people what their thoughts are, and seeing where the conversation leads. IMO, you are stronger for not having an agenda to promote a doctrine, because it means you are more available to simply serve their needs.

 

[St_Worm2]

One last thing @JohnB445, don't hesitate to call/email/text your pastor with any questions you need answered. Pastors love the opportunity to answer questions like those

Or you could go to places online like this one that has a lot of commentaries to find your answer: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/1-1.htm

And you can come back here and ask us too, of course!

--David

 

[St_Worm2]

You're doing great. Spirituality and service will come in time.

Hi @JohnB445, well, I'm back (so much for "one last thing" ).

I agree with both of Mukk_in's assessments above. Just like St. Paul spent three years with the Lord before beginning his main ministry when he first became a Christian, your main ministry to Christ at this point is to sit at His feet and learn all you can from Him.

Here's an interesting little passage from Scripture that kind of speaks to this that you might be interested in reading. Notice what Jesus thinks the most important thing is.

Luke 10
38 As they were traveling along, Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”​

--David

 

[JohnB445]

@St Worm.

After I believed in God, and this was a genuine sincere belief of his existence and his words in the Bible. I felt an endless spring of cold water rush through my body. It was an awesome experience and It made me holy.

The way my life has changed. I am no longer frustrated or angry, I can forgive, I can much more easily abstain from sin. But I am not perfect there were times I fell into lustful thinking, or been disobedient towards my parents and have negative thinking. I've actually said something terrible behind there backs which of course I regret but sometimes it just comes out. These are just moments.

Other than that I have insanely strong urges to read the Bible, and pray. Before I wasn't really interested but now I am.

There is only one issue. I have absolutely no conviction when I do wrong things, sometimes I do not know if I do wrong. So it gives me a sense that what I did was ok, but I know not to go based on feelings alone but on the word of the Bible.

 

[Tayla]

I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Seems to me there is a huge burden on Christians to do works for God, as if God wants us to do works. A very odd perspective since Christianity is about faith, not works.

I think the constant pressure to perform glorious works for the Lord has very bad results for many, subtly forcing people to emphasize things in their life that just causes grief and pain and sadness.

 

[carolina16]

I pray daily and read his word. But that's the only things I'm doing for the Lord, along with abstaining from sin. I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Which I actually have done before, now I know don't say things you do not know even if you feel like you know what your talking about.

Go out there once a week, to evangelize people. You dont have to prepare a lot, you can give brochures. Its a need for a christian give love to others like God teach you. It´s a fruit of the Spirit.

 

[Greg J.]

I pray daily and read his word. But that's the only things I'm doing for the Lord, along with abstaining from sin. I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Which I actually have done before, now I know don't say things you do not know even if you feel like you know what your talking about.

There's many opportunities. Consider that the Lord wants us to take care of other Christians first and foremost (typically "brothers" in the NT).

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— (Ephesians 5:29, 1984 NIV)

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17, 1984 NIV)

You can add twice weekly fasting to your habits. There is much spiritual benefit to this, sometimes even perceivable.

You can ask one of your pastors if there's anything you can do for him, or perhaps more comfortably, ask if there's anything you can use your skills to help with.

You can also press into doing the same things for God you do now, except in a group. This is hard for some people (in part because it is hard for others), but very well worth it.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, 1984 NIV)

Be in a Bible study group. Attend prayer meetings that are just to pray for others (typically your church), aka intercessors groups.

 

[dreadnought]

I pray daily and read his word. But that's the only things I'm doing for the Lord, along with abstaining from sin. I feel the Lord would be happy if I help bring people to Christ, but I'm also sure the Lord doesn't want me teaching them any doctrines since I am not ready for that and don't want to say something that is not true out of my ignorance.

Which I actually have done before, now I know don't say things you do not know even if you feel like you know what your talking about.

If you are abstaining from sin, you're a long ways along the path. Remember that Paul taught us to pray constantly (1 Thess 5:17). I think you'd find a church to be rewarding, if you haven't already.