Looking for some guidance

[Jess22]

Hi!
I've just very recently accepted Jesus into my life and am now working on building a relationship with Jesus. I've always struggled with my faith and I tend to allow myself to get hung up on the obstacles in my life and lose sight of the fact that there is a larger plan, His plan.

I want to further embrace my faith, but I often find myself lost in the sheer amount of information in the Bible. I know that its all important, but I was wondering if there are any specific parts (books,verses,etc.) that a person beginning their walk with God should focus on?

I'm feeling secure in my choice, but still quiet lost as to how to progress. Any guidance would be a blessing

 

[SharonL]

Hi Jess:

Congratulations on the most important decision of your life which will last for eternity.

Trying to absorb it all is overwhelming - The calming part of it is that Jesus is by your side every step of the way. I think the 4 Gospels will help you to focus on what a real and living God we serve and will help guide you - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - once you get a good feel for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can literally go to any chapter in the Bible and work your way through it all -

The Bible tells us that Jesus is our friend, just talk to Him and ask questions - the guidance of the Holy Spirit will quicken your heart and as you read, will bring things out to you that you never saw before - this is how we learn. The Holy Spirit will also quicken your heart when you are leaning toward a misunderstanding of the Bible.

Just enjoy your walk and let the Joy of the Lord shine through you - it is a beautiful walk hand in hand with Jesus.

 

[pilgrimgal]

When I first became a Christian (was a teenager then..over 50 years ago) I joined a church youth group bible study which really helped me get into the Word. Most churches have bible studies for adults. Would suggest you find a good one and become part of a group who are also learning and endeavoring to live the Word of God. As for where to start on your own reading of the Holy Scriptures..the gospels are a good place to begin..and I suggest the gospel of Luke. Along with this you might find it helpful to read one Psalm a day from the Old Testament Book of Psalms. Going through the entire bible from start to finish (like a good bible in a year plan) is best done later when you have focused on the gospels more. And, of course, you can always explore and when something seems right for you..concentrate on that. Sometimes I have found one of the letters (after the gospels) is where I am to perch for a while and let it soak in so to seek how it applies to me in the here and now. Right now I am doing that in II Peter. It's all good but it takes years and years to get into it. Even now after all of these years I find it new each time. That is because it is a love letter from God and because the Spirit of God lives in the pages. I love it!

Welcome to the family of the Lord!

 

[nathanlandon1]

Hi!
I've just very recently accepted Jesus into my life and am now working on building a relationship with Jesus. I've always struggled with my faith and I tend to allow myself to get hung up on the obstacles in my life and lose sight of the fact that there is a larger plan, His plan.

I want to further embrace my faith, but I often find myself lost in the sheer amount of information in the Bible. I know that its all important, but I was wondering if there are any specific parts (books,verses,etc.) that a person beginning their walk with God should focus on?

I'm feeling secure in my choice, but still quiet lost as to how to progress. Any guidance would be a blessing

Hi,

Welcome to the [spiritual] family. Faith is one of the hardest, yet easiest things for a believer to have. It is hard because we are flesh, and we are inclined to believe we know everything even if we say we don't. It is hard trusting something you cannot see or hear, so it is easy to struggle with faith. On the other hand, it is easy to have because if we know God exists and believe what Christ did for us is true, then we are half way there. As humans, we put more faith in our employers by working for them and trusting they will pay you - and they do not necessarily love you. I think most all Christians struggle with faith; living in a scientific world that demands proof for vindication it is hard to believe something without "evidence." Faith is the substance of things which cannot be perceived by the senses.

Reading a Psalm a day will help tremendously I believe. I have been doing that, and it really helps strengthening my faith. Also, the book of Job sheds insight on having faith. The book of Jonah is also good.

If you read the gospels, you pretty much know everything you need to know. Christ restates law we should follow, and He gives insight on how to be a human. Read the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) These books also give insight on the nation of Israel, their struggle with faith in God, and His mercy and blessings for them.

God bless.

 

[salida]

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Many christians only know part of the bible which is sad.

Start with the gospels - and finish the New Testament. Then start on the Old Testament as it will give you a good foundation for understanding the NT.

Why is God so different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament?
http://www.gotquestions.org/God-different.html
Why is God so different in the OT than He is in the NT?
http://www.gotquestions.org/difference-old-new-testaments.html　
Why should we study the Old Testament?
http://www.gotquestions.org/old-testament.html

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

 

[1watchman]

Jess, I recommend you begin Bible reading in the Gospel by John, then read Romans. You will need to be grounded in the gospel. After that I would alternate readings each week in Genesis and in Matthew --progressing through the Bible.

- 1 watchman

 

[Erie79]

Hi Jess!
Welcome I am not a new Christian but only in the last couple of years have I begun to to grow in my walk with The Lord. I used to have a hard time with applying the principles of the Bible to my life. I bought a Life Application Bible(NIV) and I couldn't be happier with it! It gives me background information(of what was going on during Biblical times) and now I find reading my Bible to be a pleasure I do feel it brings me closer to God when I read and reflect on The Word. A good starting place can be reading the four gospels(Mark, Luke, John, Matthew) or Psalms and Proverbs. Right now, I am on the read the Bible in a year plan since I have never actually read the whole Bible. I read from Luke, Genesis and Psalm nightly. Try to talk/pray to God everyday and trust in him to help with life's obstacles. We all have problems and can lose sight of The Lord's presence in our lives. There have been many obstacles in my life and I sometimes think that God must not care as much about me or maybe He is giving me more than I can handle. I stop with the negative self-talk and begin drawing near God again. I tell him that I am putting it into His hands and that I trust Him. I usually get a feeling of such peace and calm over me. It is amazing and it's God's love. Seek Him in tough times Jess. I hope I was able to help you.

Erie

 

[Crosssword]

God is the author of this world, every bit of it and in every great story there are conflicts and villians. For he can harden pharoah's heart, and nothing is done or can be done without his will. Everything that happens is really Gods doing, but it is also equally true that we have choice and take on the karmic burden of responsibility for our choices. Learning to see them at the same time is understanding the paradox.

God sentences himself to die for our sins as Jesus Christ, thereby offering to take the blame for everything we have done. Yet we cannot accept or forgive the wrahtful God for surely you say in your hearts "surely God did not order the Israelites to kill every living thing when they entered the land." It is important, because God is beyond good and evil, knowing it not. The so called evil of God is more righteous then man's wisdom.

If you cannot accept and forgive the wrathful God then why should he accept and forgive you? God maintains that he can still be wrathful if he so chooses, but he is also loving and very patient with us. God exalts the innocence of the child, for the child can do anything, be anything, and not have sinned. And if you think children to be evil then you ought to have your heart examined. Mankind is born perfect, then we grow up and die.

 

[papaJP]

Just read it a bite at a time and pray that God will reveal what you need to know from it at that particular time.

 

[heron]

A good starting place can be reading the four gospels(Mark, Luke, John, Matthew) or Psalms and Proverbs.

I agree. Maybe start reading a chapter of Luke and Psalms each day, then shift when something else strikes you. There are no rules -- just to meditate on His words day and night.