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Need your advice

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Stinker

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q_mark said:
Hello Daughter of His,

Actually meeting people is a difficult task for me. I prefer communicating to people on the internet. :sigh: I think that's because I've been isolating myself for too long. Being unemployment makes me feel very shameful. You know, during the introduction, people usually like to ask is: what do you do? There are people who like to judge others based on their accomplishment and success. I don't think I can't handle that kind of rejection at this moment. I'm quite vunerable. Even a Christian can be nasty and rude.

Btw, could you guys tell me how to delete a message? I couldn't find the delete icon. :D


q_mark: I grew up with no religious teaching and was taught that all Christians were hypocrites. However, when I got out on my own, I found that I was taught falsely. I do know all too well what it is like to go into any church building when you are not a Christian! It doesn't matter what denomination it is. It is like crossing over into a another kind of alien sphere. What I did was call the preacher of the most scriptural church known. He helped me when I could not help myself at the time!:thumbsup:
 
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Daughter of His

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Well, while you are unable to get out why don't you read the Bible and pray about those things that are difficult for you and ask God to help. Keep asking.

You can however start to think that you will soon get out, planning is not doing but it is a beginning. How about a little outing everyday, make it brief and increase as it gets more comfortable. And if you run into a rude person, well, guess what you have met a rude person and there definately are some.

Well, you can come here and talk for sure and I don't think you will find anyone rude here. Think positive thoughts about yourself, if something negative is creeping in, replace it with a positive one, you are worth more than you know. I'm glad you found this place.
Blessings
 
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adthrash

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Hi--First of all I know exactly how you feel. I have delt with depression and social anxiety myself..I still have times when I have a hard time being around people and would rather stay at home. When I get nervous I have nothing to say to people and when I do the words don't want to come out.
What helped me was finding a spirit-filled church who didn't care what you looked like. You could go in blue jeans and a tee shirt and they don't care. All they care about is loving Jesus.
As far as you being a christian without going to church--the question is, have you asked Jesus to live in your heart and to be your Lord and Savior? If so, then you are a christian. As for your prayers being heard? I have no doubt.
 
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adthrash said:
As far as you being a christian without going to church--the question is, have you asked Jesus to live in your heart and to be your Lord and Savior? If so, then you are a christian.
Don't forget taking up your cross daily, as well as loving God (obeying His commands) :)
 
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adthrash

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When I was so depressed and all I did was cry and sleep the only thing that pulled me through was listening to my favorite christian songs that worshiped and praised God and He finally pulled me through. I know what it is like to feel shameful and feel like everyone is out to get you. But you know that God loves you and He wants the very best for you.
You just remember to never look at life's circumstances and living by other people's standards because by doing that you will never keep your head above the water. You will always wish you had done something different with your life and all that does is keep you from looking forward.
God has you in His hands--that's why you are here in this chat forum talking with christian friends. He will raise you up. The bible says that those who are last will be first in heaven.:pray:

God Bless You!!
 
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adthrash said:
When I was so depressed and all I did was cry and sleep the only thing that pulled me through was listening to my favorite christian songs that worshiped and praised God and He finally pulled me through.
What groups?
 
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Dr. Holly

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q_mark said:
Thank you so much for your encouragement, VAGal! :)


Could you share with me what made you so sure that the prayers were truly anwered by God? I truly want to believe. I'm very desperate and hopeless at the moment. I pray God for direction. But at the same, I'm not sure if he truly exists.
Hi again, q_mark :)

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I just not logged back in.

To answer your question - prayers being answered are not always going to be some lightning bolt response where God speaks out and says, "Hey! Your prayer has just been answered!" ;) Sometimes some pretty radical experiences, like healing, will occur though.

Any prayer that you lift up to God is special to him. Why? It shows that you trust Him, even when you don't feel like you can. It shows that you want to know Him better and draw closer to Him. Therefore, he will do whatever He can to help you. The best way I can describe a prayer being answered is through peace. When you pray, say to God, "I need to experience you. I need to feel your presence. I need the peace that only comes from you." Then stop for a moment and let Him touch you. This is how you know He is listening. These words must be spoken from your heart however. This is very important. If you truly desire to know Him (and I believe that you do), He will care for you & be with you.

I will share with you an example. There was one night that my life seemed to be about to end. I was so sick and my body had just given up. I was terrified, not because of my death - but because I had so much to live for. So I just got down on my knees and cried out "Jesus!!" I immediately felt the burden lifted off of me, and immediately, the tears turned in to comfort instead of fear. Basically, what I'm saying is that there is might power in the name of Jesus. If you call on that name with everything you have in you, I can promise that He'll listen if you open up your heart.

If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always PM me. I am more than willing to listen or share advice with you. As I am sure that others are too :) This is a great site. I will continue to be in prayer for you. May God's love and grace touch you so mightily that you have no doubt where it comes from. Amen! ;)
 
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q_mark

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Hi all,

Thank you so much for your blessing, support and encouragement. This is truly a great site. :thumbsup:

Many times I could feel my prayers were being answered by God. But part of my heart just simply refused to believe it cos I coudn't see Him. :( Also, I don't know if I can live up to His standards.

I don't listen to Christian songs/music. Am I supposed to do so? Not long ago, I stumbled across a website of a local church which allowed me to listen the Sunday sermons online. ^_^
 
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Dr. Holly

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q_mark said:
Hi all,

Thank you so much for your blessing, support and encouragement. This is truly a great site. :thumbsup:

Many times I could feel my prayers were being answered by God. But part of my heart just simply refused to believe it cos I coudn't see Him. :( Also, I don't know if I can live up to His standards.

I don't listen to Christian songs/music. Am I supposed to do so? Not long ago, I stumbled across a website of a local church which allowed me to listen the Sunday sermons online. ^_^
You are welcome for the support and encouragement. That's what us Christians are here for - to radiate God's love and saving grace :)

Let me just touch on a couple of things you said here as well. To say that you don't know if you can live up to God's standards is a lie from the pits of Hell, ok? Do not let that hold you back from going to church and following Jesus. You CAN live up to His standards! All you have to do is accept Him in to your heart, read His Word, and pray for his guidance every day in your life. There is not a Christian on this site or anywhere that is perfect. If they claim to be, I have to say they're deceived because there is only 1 perfect person - and that is Jesus.

We can as Christians ask God to make us pure, make us clean, and help us stray from evil. This is all we can do, and God honors that. We are all human and will make mistakes and commit sins, but He still loves us, no matter what. Just repent and ask God to help you never do it again. You are worthy of His love & of his grace..and never let anyone tell you any different. Especially Satan!!

As far as Christian music goes. Let me just put it this way. Listening to Christian music does not make you a Christian, but it DOES help you draw closer to God. It does help you strengthen your relationship with Him. The Devil can not stand to hear you sing praise to God, so it's a tool to help you. The church is the same concept. The church is built as a place for fellow believers (hopefully anyway) to gather together, to help each other grow in the Lord. Basically it just keeps you going down the right path. All of these things are tools that God has given us to help with the pressures and alluring sense of sin.

Christian music has evolved greatly. Whatever type of secular music you listen to, there is more than likely a Christian group that has that same style. So whatever you listen to, go to a Gospel shop somewhere and just kind of browse around. I'm sure that there is something there which you will love listening to. Just give the glory to God when you're singing/listening to it, and He will help you!

There is one more thing that I would like to add. As a new Christian, we are most vulnerable to back-sliding. So when you notice that you are being attacked and you just can't seem to get right with God, do not be discouraged! Satan is only trying to hinder you from further advancing in God's love. God has a special plan for each and every one of our lives, and the Devil will do whatever he can to keep you from achieving that purpose. So in the midst of your troubles, keep praising God & believing that He will pull you through and He will. He is faithful to his Word. At the end of that darkness will be great light and your life will be completely fulfilled.

God Bless you. I pray that you find everything and more that you are looking for :)
 
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q_mark said:
I don't listen to Christian songs/music. Am I supposed to do so? Not long ago, I stumbled across a website of a local church which allowed me to listen the Sunday sermons online. ^_^
If you are worshipping God when listening to them, then yes, it is a good idea. If you are just listening to them, you may as well listen to something secular. As for sermons, good idea. Just be careful what you listen to :thumbsup:
 
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Edial

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q_mark said:
Dear friends,

This is my first post. :wave:

I have never attended any Sunday service. But I pray God for help and advice whenever I feel depressed and hopeless. There were times I could feel my prayers being answered. But at the same time, I wasn't sure if this was just a coincident. I want to get closer to God. But I don't know how. Many times, I wanted to go to Church, but too scared to meet people. :( Am I considered a Christian? :confused: What should I do to get closer to God? :help:

Looking forward your advice. Thanks.
Hello there, q_mark.
I have noticed that some people advise for you to start going to an Orthodox church. If they mean something like an Armenian, Greek or Russion Orthodox church then these are traditional churches. Usually the traditions, which are man-made requirements and practices, are taught at par with the Scriptures in such churches. Usually, the new Christian cannot distinguish the two. What you need is some type of a church that teaches the Bible. The Baptists would do.
I used to be an Armenian Orhodox, (my uncle was an archbishop!) however, I left once I got saved. The Baptist church was something that I really needed.

I would suggest the following,

1. Get saved. Do you know what that means? If you are not certain, please reply. Once you get saved the doors will open. (That includes where to go, courage, Bible-friends and such)
2. Find a Bible-teaching and applying church. No church is perfect (except the one in heaven). However, find the one that keeps closer to the Bible - usually the Baptists.
3. You must walk as close as possible to the Bible, once you get saved that is.
4 IGNORE the Mormons, Jehova's Witnesses, Masons. These are Christian cults.

Thanks for sharing your concerns,
Ed
 
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