I want to be a light

[Juli123]

I am a 16 years old that was born into a christian family, but we aren't very religious. I grew up being told that God died on the cross for us to free us from our sins, but we never read the Bible much and only go to church 1-3 times a year.
Since I was young I've had a dream of changing the world ("The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do") -Steve Jobs. What I mean by that is I want to impact the way that many people think (to have a life with more purpose, happiness, fulfillment, etc) and improve many people's quality of life. I almost never talk about this with anyone because I know that this is extremely difficult to achieve and don't want to come across as unrealistic.
I believe that my faith in God can help me impact people in a positive way, but I don't believe that it's strong enough. I am scared to put all of my faith and trust in him because there is so much about Christianity that I don't understand.
I'm also not motivated enough to read the Bible; there are days when I wake up and think "I'm going to read the Bible today" but go through the day without reading a single passage. I have downloaded a Word of the Day app and read one passage on many days, but I feel that it isn't nearly enough to change me in a significant way. I don't understand why this happens... I want to read it but I don't?

Any advice on how I could overcome this situation would be very appreciated... Thank you in advance!
-Juliana

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi; good to see you; good to persevere in your Bible reading, daily!

 

[Dave-W]

Hi Juli! Welcome to the forums!

I would suggest downloading a bible app onto your phone. Youversion is a good one that has good reading plans, some easy and some lengthy and difficult. (start with an easy one)

 

[RaymondG]

I almost never talk about this with anyone because I know that this is extremely difficult to achieve and don't want to come across as unrealistic.

With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. You dont have to fear putting trust in Him, because He never fails.

The only endeavor you can attempt that is sure to fail, are the ones you never try.....

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[Dave-W]

OK guys - give Juli some "likes" so she can take part in all the Forum has to offer.

 

[dreadnought]

I am a 16 years old that was born into a christian family, but we aren't very religious. I grew up being told that God died on the cross for us to free us from our sins, but we never read the Bible much and only go to church 1-3 times a year.
Since I was young I've had a dream of changing the world ("The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do") -Steve Jobs. What I mean by that is I want to impact the way that many people think (to have a life with more purpose, happiness, fulfillment, etc) and improve many people's quality of life. I almost never talk about this with anyone because I know that this is extremely difficult to achieve and don't want to come across as unrealistic.
I believe that my faith in God can help me impact people in a positive way, but I don't believe that it's strong enough. I am scared to put all of my faith and trust in him because there is so much about Christianity that I don't understand.
I'm also not motivated enough to read the Bible; there are days when I wake up and think "I'm going to read the Bible today" but go through the day without reading a single passage. I have downloaded a Word of the Day app and read one passage on many days, but I feel that it isn't nearly enough to change me in a significant way. I don't understand why this happens... I want to read it but I don't?

Any advice on how I could overcome this situation would be very appreciated... Thank you in advance!
-Juliana

You have a dream of changing people's lives for the better. An important step in realizing that dream, I think, is reading the entire Bible. I would just start at the beginning and read regularly till you're finished.

 

[Juli123]

Hi Juli! Welcome to the forums!

I would suggest downloading a bible app onto your phone. Youversion is a good one that has good reading plans, some easy and some lengthy and difficult. (start with an easy one)

I had already downloaded it on my phone quite a while ago, but I had never started a reading plan. I started a 7 day reading plan today and after I plan on starting a 1 year reading plan to read the whole Bible!

With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. You dont have to fear putting trust in Him, because He never fails.

Thank you for reminding me of that, but think that my issue has much more to do with having complete faith in his existence rather than trusting that he'll do the best thing for me.

The only endeavor you can attempt that is sure to fail, are the ones you never try.....

I have heard something very similar to that before, especially from the book I'm currently reading called "Mindset", but I had never applied this to Christianity and reading the Bible. Thank you for showing me that connection!

Have your Bible right by your bed or someplace where you will easily see it. Leave it open, so you can quickly read the verses, even if just a few at a time.

My Bible is now open and visible in the living room.

And I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and the support and advice that I've gotten so far!!

 

[Jenniferdiana]

well a light cant be hidden so you are a light....

 

[Tolworth John]

I am a 16 years old that was born into a christian family, but we aren't very religious. I grew up being told that God died on the cross for us to free us from our sins, but we never read the Bible much and only go to church 1-3 times a year

You can make a difference right away and it is world changing.
Ask your daddy, why he doesn't go to church?
When he's stopped talking, tell him you want to attend church with him.

The simple question 'why?' is very powerfull,.
Why won't you attend church?
Why do you say you are a Christia, when Christians attend church?

May I suggest you start following the coldcasechristian web site. It is full of information about how reliable and accurate the bible is.

 

[Dave-W]

I had already downloaded it on my phone quite a while ago, but I had never started a reading plan. I started a 7 day reading plan today and after I plan on starting a 1 year reading plan to read the whole Bible!

Good news indeed!

Keep us up to date on your progress, please!

 

[Juli123]

You can make a difference right away and it is world changing.
Ask your daddy, why he doesn't go to church?
When he's stopped talking, tell him you want to attend church with him.

The simple question 'why?' is very powerfull,.
Why won't you attend church?
Why do you say you are a Christia, when Christians attend church?

May I suggest you start following the coldcasechristian web site. It is full of information about how reliable and accurate the bible is.

My family has actually been wanting to attend church for years, but we hadn’t been going partly because my school was extremely time consuming (20 different subjects, I believe) but mostly because we lived in a big city in Brazil where violence is very predominant. One of the only times we went we probably almost got robbed... When we got in the car a taxi cab driver drove his car next to us and told us that there was a man in a nearby corner with a gun.
Right now I’ve been living in the US for half a year, and it’s probably ten times safer here. We really just hadn’t been going because we got used to it...
I’ve been very sick for many days now and have been missing a lot of school... And I have no idea if its getting better and me and my parents are very worried and trying to find out what the problem is. I’m lucky that the free time I have is motivating me to get closer to God. When this is finally over I’m planning on joining a teenage church group close by and now (since you mentioned it) talk to my dad about going to church every Sunday.
I know this is a long explanation... I just felt the need to explain what has been holding me back.

I looked at the coldcasechristian website and it does have interesting information but it isn’t really what I’m looking for. What I’m really wanting to understand is the explanation behind things like why people who don’t believe in God go to hell even if they are good, why being gay is a sin, why the Bible prohibits eating shrimp (not that I care, I’m a vegetarian), pieces of clothing and many other things that almost all Christians still do/use, etc.

 

[Juli123]

Good news indeed!

Keep us up to date on your progress, please!

Right now I’m on the last day of the one week plan I started; actually, I’m going to finish it right after I post this. I haven’t noticed incredible change, but I feel a little calmer and am thinking more about God. After I finish it I will start a one year plan.

 

[Dave-W]

I haven’t noticed incredible change, but I feel a little calmer and am thinking more about God.

Yep. Step by step you will notice a change in you.

 

[Tolworth John]

why people who don’t believe in God go to hell even if they are good, why being gay is a sin, why the Bible prohibits eating shrimp (not that I care, I’m a vegetarian), pieces of clothing and many other things that almost all Christians still do/use, etc.

I'm sorry that you have been sick.

Quick answers to your questions.
No one is good without God.
The bible only approves of sex between husband and wife. All other sexual activities are wrong.
The OT laws about diet, clothing etc were given to the Israelites, they do not apply to Christians.

 

[Juli123]

I'm sorry that you have been sick.

Quick answers to your questions.
No one is good without God.
The bible only approves of sex between husband and wife. All other sexual activities are wrong.
The OT laws about diet, clothing etc were given to the Israelites, they do not apply to Christians.

I really appreciate your help, thank you!
If you feel like it, could you answer these questions?
1.People who don’t believe in God can still do good things because of the Holy Spirit in them nevertheless (or at least that’s what I think?)... Why is it necessary to believe in God to go to heaven even so? (I may just be repeating the same question again; I completely understand if you don’t get it).
2. Why are all other sexual activities wrong? (Maybe the real problem is I don’t understand why His Plan is the way it is).
3. What do you think gays should do about their situation?
Again, I don’t want you to feel kind of forced to answer these. If you do, thank you in advance!!

 

[Tolworth John]

I really appreciate your help, thank you!
If you feel like it, could you answer these questions?
1.People who don’t believe in God can still do good things because of the Holy Spirit in them nevertheless (or at least that’s what I think?)... Why is it necessary to believe in God to go to heaven even so? (I may just be repeating the same question again; I completely understand if you don’t get it).
2. Why are all other sexual activities wrong? (Maybe the real problem is I don’t understand why His Plan is the way it is).
3. What do you think gays should do about their situation?
Again, I don’t want you to feel kind of forced to answer these. If you do, thank you in advance!!

What is 'good'?
Yes non christians can do good things, live moral lives etc, but that is not what saves anyone.
Salvation is through faith in Jesus's death and resurrection.
Who sets the rules for life?
Is it society or is it God?
In Genesis we read that a man will leave his parents and join with his wife. That is the patten that is taught through out the bible.
It is theway families are created and the way mature men and women are made.

People being people there are problems with marriage and problems in marriage, but there are far more problems with and in those relationships that attempt to replace marriage.
Those who are in any sexual relationship that is not between husband and wife need to repent and start obeying God.

 

[Juli123]

What is 'good'?
Yes non christians can do good things, live moral lives etc, but that is not what saves anyone.
Salvation is through faith in Jesus's death and resurrection.
Who sets the rules for life?
Is it society or is it God?
In Genesis we read that a man will leave his parents and join with his wife. That is the patten that is taught through out the bible.
It is theway families are created and the way mature men and women are made.

People being people there are problems with marriage and problems in marriage, but there are far more problems with and in those relationships that attempt to replace marriage.
Those who are in any sexual relationship that is not between husband and wife need to repent and start obeying God.

Thank you, I think I understand now!

 

[Mayflower1]

I came to know Christ when I was fifteen. And back then and now at 31, I still feel the same way as you, that I am meant to do something great for God, and want to be a world changer. Never ever give up on that or think it is impossible. Whatever the address is,the Bible says that" with God, all things are possible."

As far as reading the Bible everyday, sometimes prayer and singing spiritual songs is just as good. There are Bible phone apps that have short devotions, and many people to pray for. Talking to God is the biggest thing. The closer you to get Him, the deeper your walk becomes and you want to study.

When I was around your age I loved country and contemporary music tons. I still do, but I had done a fast of all music except the Christian radio stations for 30 days. I prayed to have a closer walk with God and to help me know how to make a difference for Him. Fasting and prayer is a good place to start.