need an answer

[surprisedbynothing]

hello, I am new to this forum. I have been an atheist for a while now but lately i have been thinking, there must be more. Im searching for an answer but have not been able to find it yet.

Im 23 and need something more.

please help.

 

[EdMa]

What's your question(s)?

 

[faceofbear]

Read the Bible. Start with John then read Romans then Ephesians then Galatians.

I'd tell you to read a book on Apologetics, but from my perspective they don't work. All books on philosophy, whether Atheistic, or Theistic, are not convincing in the least. All the arguments have their flaws. So if you're looking for a logical answer, I don't think you'll find it, at least if you're relying on philosophy. I find that books, even like the acclaimed (by Atheists) The God Delusion, have SERIOUS flaws. In fact, when I was doubting the existence of God awhile ago, I read the God Delusion, and it actually strengthened a belief in God. I'm not saying you should go read it, but I'm just telling you that philosophy won't help. No matter what your stance is, if you rely on philosophy, at one point or another, your philosophy will crumble. Mainly because most atheistic and theistic views can be refuted with a introductory course to philosophy.

In the Bible we are told that those who seek, shall find. Now, either the God of the Bible is, or He isn't. If He is, and He is as He says, then He cannot lie. If God cannot lie, then if you seek God, you will find Him. How do you seek God? Not through philosophy. But through His written word. The Bible. So, read the Bible. Even if it's just a chapter a day, just get into it and read it. Perhaps try finding a church or another Christian friend you can talk to, or even someone on here that can help. I can recommend a few people if you want.

 

[Anihilus]

Here is a testimony you might like to watch.

YouTube - An Atheist then a Religious Hypocrite, now a Lover of Christ - Testimony

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

I was an atheist until I was about 24. After the years of going to parties and living how I liked I felt there had to be more as well. It helped that I had known people that were Christians that walked the walk and didn't just talk the talk. There was a point where I submitted my heart and mind mind totally to God. Asking for forgiveness for all the nasty things I had done and said in the past. I started by reading a Bible I had from when I was a kid and started reading the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). I eventually found a Bible believing church and continue to grow to this day. I would also recommend reading Genesis which tells you why there is a need for the gospel and also Acts which tells you the story of the early Christian church. Feel free to send me a private message.

 

[Goinheix]

hello, I am new to this forum. I have been an atheist for a while now but lately i have been thinking, there must be more. Im searching for an answer but have not been able to find it yet.

Im 23 and need something more.

please help.

Hi. I was an atheist myself; actually I defined as antitheis; that is: having an active actitud agains all theists. One day somebody toldme that God loves me, explain me about the sin, and the significance of Christ at the Cross. I simply throwed away all my antitheist and acepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savor.

As Christians I did a lot of evangelism, peresonal evangelism, person by person. What I learned is that evangelism is not about discussing matters, it is abou believing. Actually is about faith, not just believing.

Some body says that being christian is not making intelectual sicide. Paul says that christians have to be ready to offer reasons of its faith to whom deman it. Faith and reasonig with logical intelect are not oposed. But faith cames not after argumentation. It comes from the Holy Spirit and a open and honest hart.

Faith is not agaist your mind and inteligency, but operates meanly in your hart.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

Hi. I was an atheist myself; actually I defined as antitheis; that is: having an active actitud agains all theists. One day somebody toldme that God loves me, explain me about the sin, and the significance of Christ at the Cross. I simply throwed away all my antitheist and acepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savor.

As Christians I did a lot of evangelism, peresonal evangelism, person by person. What I learned is that evangelism is not about discussing matters, it is abou believing. Actually is about faith, not just believing.

Some body says that being christian is not making intelectual sicide. Paul says that christians have to be ready to offer reasons of its faith to whom deman it. Faith and reasonig with logical intelect are not oposed. But faith cames not after argumentation. It comes from the Holy Spirit and a open and honest hart.

Faith is not agaist your mind and inteligency, but operates meanly in your hart.

Well said - right on.

 

[C-Man]

Check your PMs, brother.

 

[surprisedbynothing]

So for me to have god in my life, first I would have to a accept his love? I have asked for his help before but I didn't hear him.

 

[Julian of York]

Suprisedbynothing, I think you will be suprised by this.

Once Jesus was making a journey through the country of Israel. His followers,the Disciples, were with Him. As Jesus was teaching the people,some kids came around where He was,to see Him and to listen. The Disciples were kind of upset because the kids were crowding in,getting in the way,making noise,you know. They tried to send away the kids, but Jesus said,"No! Leave them alone! For little children are like those that truly seek God, by being listeners,and believing, and saying "Yes,Jesus".
While He was speaking, a rich young man came running up to Jesus and asked,"Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus told Him that he should only call God truly good. Of course, the young man didn't realize that he was talking to God! The first fact is that Jesus is God.
Now, as God,He knew everything about the young man,so He said ,
"Though knowest the commandments ,Do not commit adultery,do not kill, do not steal ,do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor thy mother and father." Mark 10:19
The young man said,"Yes! I have been doing that all my life!" And still, he KNEW he wasn't right with God.He knew he still needed to do something to gain eternal life. What could he do?
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest...
What could it be? The young man was moral, obeyed all the Laws of God...he was a pretty good guy! But he knew he wasn't going to Heaven in the condition he was in.
"One thing thou lackest; go thy way ,sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor,and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come,take up thy cross and follow me." Mark 10:21


What God is looking for in the heart is repentence. that is, the giving up of your will. All the sins,the bad stuff that you love, the trash, God wants to take away from your life. He is much better than anything the world can offer. Are you ready to give up and let Jesus take over? Are you ready to get out of the sin loving buisness? To let Him make a new man out of you? The giving of money to the poor is good,it shows that money and "things" no longer have control. Then Jesus says, if repentence is real, He wants you to come to Him. And to take up the cross. Dedicate "you" to Him, and follow Him.
Jesus died to pay for all the bad you have done,all the dark sins and things that you know you are guilty of. Now follow Him.
I think this is a good time to go someplace private and talk to God about this.Ask for His help to understand and to help you let go.Let go. And

God bless and may the Holy Spirit open your heart and show you,in spite of my poor attempt to help. what is real.
Julian of York
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." Isaiah 32:17

 

[Goinheix]

So for me to have god in my life, first I would have to a accept his love? I have asked for his help before but I didn't hear him.

Excuse me, what exactly do you mean with "hear him"?

 

[surprisedbynothing]

Well said - right on.

I hope I don't sound rude or disrespectful, that it the least of my intentions. I am simply looking for answers.

you said that its about faith. so does that mean that for me to have god in my life i must first believe him before he comes to me?
I have prayed before with no answer. does this happen to you guys?

im confused.

 

[Goinheix]

I hope I don't sound rude or disrespectful, that it the least of my intentions. I am simply looking for answers.

you said that its about faith. so does that mean that for me to have god in my life i must first believe him before he comes to me?
I have prayed before with no answer. does this happen to you guys?

im confused.

thousend of christians experience what it is discribed as the pray dont go throu the cealling. praying is not something automatic. Do you have a dog? If you call your dog probably he will go; but is not something like calling the elevator. it depend in many other factors.

Paul teach that there is three kind of persons:
the natural man (you) who does not have the Holy Spirit (He comes to a christian as the person became christian)
the spiritual man (christians) who has the Holy Spirit
and the fleshy man (christians in sin) who has the Holy Spirit by switched off.

(I am talking very simple and little disrespectfull)

Only spiritual christians have the pray go further than the roof.
If a pray goes up high it will be lisent, and answered.
by answered thas not means granted the wish.
if you poray in the wrong basis or ask for bad things God will denied you as a parent denies to his crying kid "dont take me to school".

 

[Goinheix]

In few words

it is all about faith. love is bigger than faith, but for being saved it is necessary faith
faith comes from the Holy Spirit
the Holy Spirit works in your human spirit in orther to convince it that you are a sinner and need rependance.
once your spirit recognices that you are a sinner and are repent, you are ready to recieve the faith.
is the Holy Spirit that give you faith.
you have to accept God in the basis of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ did died in the cross in our place, to pay the price of or sin. he did pay for us.
Jesus Chist did olso resrrected to life inorther to give us eternal life.
eternal life starts the very moment you put down your head and pray to God something like this "God, I recognice that I am a siner and I accept the work of Jesus Christ in the cross as paying the price in my place, and I take Jesus Christ as my personal Savor and Lord"

If you are honest, if that pray comes from deep in your being (spirit) that is a pray 100% sure, more sure than calling the elevator. Omce you do it, the Holy Spirit will inhabit you. You might not feel any special. feelings are in the soul not the spirit.

 

[Goinheix]

I dont want to confuse you more.
Faith and believe are not the same. You dont have to believe in your mid that God exist. Faith belong to the spirit not to the intelect.

 

[zeker33:9]

hello, I am new to this forum. I have been an atheist for a while now but lately i have been thinking, there must be more. Im searching for an answer but have not been able to find it yet.

Im 23 and need something more.

please help.

Hi Surprised,

What makes you think there's more? I'm not being smart or anything, but you have a dilemma here. You've been an atheist, but lately you've been thinking there must be more. You're searching for an answer that you may not even know the question to. See the dilemma? You need something more. The question is, "Is there really a God". The answer, "unequivocally Yes! there really is a God" He has always been and will always be. But that doesn't provide you with any proof, does it?

You said you've prayed but didn't hear Him. If you remember what you prayed (and I'm not asking you to repeat it here) think about what it was you asked Him. Did you put conditions on anything? Such as "God if you are really there make this warm soda pop cold". It's not that He couldn't do it, but it's putting a condition on the answered prayer. How much faith would it take you to believe in Him after that? Not much right? But on the other hand would you have accepted it, now that's the real answer to the question. Would you accept His answer or try and explain it away? Guess what? He knows the answer to that question. He knows your heart better than you do.

My advice is to read the book of John and learn who Jesus is and all He's done for us. There are many online sources for Bibles and study material blueletterbible.org is a good place as well as Biblegateway.com. That is if you don't have a Bible of your own. If you have any more questions as you read along post them and someone will try to answer the questions for you.

 

[savedfromdistruction]

hello, I am new to this forum. I have been an atheist for a while now but lately i have been thinking, there must be more. Im searching for an answer but have not been able to find it yet.

Im 23 and need something more.

please help.

Go here and look around and see if your question is answered.
The Way, The Truth, and the Life