Little update from me...

[marty-eos]

Hello everyone,

Well, it's been a good few months since I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior and also posted here...

I'll be honest, I have been praying however, no where near as much as I should be. The same could really be said for my Bible reading.

Lately, I've sunk into my old ways. Days are going by wasted, I feel constantly tired and aggravated at even the smallest thing. It is as if I have no where to go with my life.

Don't get me wrong, I've been watching and listening to Christian TV/music, but nothings seemed to change me.

Until I saw this film on GOD TV tonight, one little section just got to me with this phrase, "if someone took a bullet and died for you to live, wouldn't you think of them every morning you wake up?" As you all know this is what Jesus did for us, he died on the cross for us to have eternal life.

I already knew that, however until I heard it put like that it never had such a powerful effect on me.

All I can say is each day going forward I am going to follow him, read the Bible for at least 30 minutes and try my hardest to change my outlook on life. God has a plan for me and I just want to realise what that is.



I know I should go to church and be baptized and I really want to however, I just don't know how to come out as being a Christian to my parents. I speak about events in the bible but I think they assume I'm going through a phase. I almost feel ashamed to be watching or listening to Christian TV/music and either mute the sound or change the channel when I hear one of them coming.

I need to pray for a way or opportunity to open up to them as I'm not sure how to do it yet.

Any advice with this would be much appreciated, thank you for taking the time to read this.


God bless,
Marty

 

[bsd31]

Keep pressing into God.

 

[Peripatetic]

one little section just got to me

This is why it's so important to stay connected to the word of God and related teachings. What you described is exactly what has happened to me over the years. If I feel myself falling away (or just getting into a rut), there will almost always be some little teaching in a bible study podcast or phrase in a daily devotion that jumps out at me... like it was meant just for me at that moment. The more we learn about God and His word, the stronger our foundation will be. We'll still have ups and downs, but you'll have the armor to absorb them better.

If you stop reading the Bible or learning about God, these personal messages will be harder to come by. If you find that just reading the Bible isn't speaking to you, maybe use a daily devotional that gives you some context and teaching about a passage. They only take about 15 minutes a day, and really help you stay rooted. Many free ones are available online too. Hang in there!

 

[heron]

It's hard to do all this on your own. See if you can find a few friends who will do a Bible study together. As with any learning, it helps to have something in your face. People join gyms so they will be more disciplined with exercise. Find what it takes for you.

 

[Saved_n_kept]

Hi Marty,

Often our own family are the hardest ones to witness to. They are also the ones who are closest to us and quickly notice whether our lives match up to what we profess. That's why we need to read the Bible daily, asking God to teach us. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psa 119:18 We also need to speak to Him in prayer regarding what He has shown us in the Bible and also to seek His help in daily living for Him. "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psa 5:3

If you can find a good Bible believing church where you can join with others, that would be a great help. Remember, all the coals in a fire burn brightly together, but remove one and place it on its own and it will soon grow cold! Heading off to church might just be the thing that will give you an opening to speak to your parents and convince them you are not going through a phase.

Every blessing in Christ.
Nice to see a fellow Scot on the Forum!

Brian.

 

[wayfaring man]

One of the best ways to witness is humbly with honesty.

Speaking of Jesus and faith as that which helps us find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

But if someone shows signs of being uncomfortable with our speaking of The Lord, then we should respectfully not press the matter unto angering or arguing with them; but continue to pray and endeavor to demonstrate by manners and deeds what Christ is like...and when they see the evidence of how Jesus is helping us, as His Spirit brightens + enlightens our life, they will be compelled to ask us about what it is we believe.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; <-----> !st Peter 1:13

[And] sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: <-----> 1st Peter 3:15

Also, if you haven't already, ask of God for The Gift of The Holy Spirit. ( See Luke Chapter 11 )

Luke 42 Chapter 11


May The Lord Jesus Be Magnified !

wm

 

[marty-eos]

Thank you all for the very helpful replies.

I have taken everything onboard that has been said here and it really has helped. Over the next few weeks I am going to begin to grow closer to God, reading the Bible, try reading some daily devotionals and through prayer.

endeavor to demonstrate by manners and deeds what Christ is like...and when they see the evidence of how Jesus is helping us, as His Spirit brightens + enlightens our life, they will be compelled to ask us about what it is we believe.

This could be the best way of demonstrating my faith to my family. Thank you.

 

[Emmy]

Dear marty-eos. In Matthew, chapter 22, verse 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer " the first and great Commandment is: love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like unto it: love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Love is what God/Jesus wants from us, selfless without any strings attached. A good way is to treat all you know and all you meet, as you would like to be treated, with kindness, understanding, a friendly smile, rather than ignoring them, you will find that people treat you the same way back, and your Mum and Dad will be pleased, perhaps a little puzzled. When the right opportunity comes, tell them of your love for Jesus/God and how it has changed you. Tell it with love, marty, and you will have love in return. Jesus died that we might live, Jesus is our Saviour, and Jesus reconciled us to God. Let love be your constant companion, and you will enjoy life. Jesus told us to Repent, and to exchange our selfish and loveless character for Loving God with all our being, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. I say this with love, marty-eos, and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[marty-eos]

Hi Emmy, thanks for your reply...

I read the book of Matthew almost straight away and I do remember that verse well. I am going to try, no I am going to, change my outlook on life and with other people from this day forward.

Sticking around here more often too, I admit I am a photography addict and spend a lot of my time on a photography forum however, I know God building up knowledge in God is important than that and being with Chrisitans - even through the internet - can only help me too.