New Christian Questions?

[Emery7]

Hi there! I have actually been saved for 5 years now, but have not been *trying my hardest* to be the best Christian I can be. I have my ups and downs, and I am trying to keep my relationship with God UP! I am trying to make Him my number ONE priority, then next will be my relationships with people in my life. Any tips/suggestions that I could use to help me to do this successfully? I really want to do this!

I just bought a Bible called "The One Year Bible for Women" It is in the New Living Translation, and it is arranged in 365 daily readings, so I can read the Bible in one year. They also have other plans, like to read it in two years if wanted. But one of my goals is to read the Bible in one year. Another goal is what I said above, wanting to make God first, and keep it that way. I want to live my life as best as I can according to how God wants me to! I really feel like He is speaking to me, and asking me to change for Him, so I can live a happier, more blessed, and awesome life. Any help would be awesome on how I could do this! Thank you everyone for the comments that will hopefully be posted! I appreciate them! God Bless everyone, and I hope to hear responses very soon!

Love and GOD Bless


~CountrieCurls~
I Love Jesus! And Jesus Loves You!

 

[catch22]

The thing with this is that you have to work from the inside out. It's a gradual process as I've found out, and it requires a tremendous amount of dedication. One of the things that I think is essential to change, is fellowship . If you have someone else you can be accountable to and help in each other's spiritual growth, you will be far more likely to succeed. It's definatley good that you're reading the bible. The best way to know God is through his word. God Bless!!!

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

I've been saved for a while now and I am still growing. Lately, I've become really close to the Lord. Growing in the Lord will be a process. You're going to make mistakes,but be sure to repent and stay repentant. Also, continue to stay tight with God and fill your mind with the Word and study it. This way you'll know what the Lord wants you to do.It will also help you to keep the Lord first. Also, I was having heavy trouble keeping the Lord first, but the past few weeks the Lord has really been doing a work. I prayed to the Lord and asked Him to help me. Keep on doing what you're doing and be sure to stay tight with God.

 

[Emery7]

Thanks for all of the comments!!! More are VERY welcome!!

I have another question? How do I inspire someone else to turn to God, and make Him a priority in their life? If it is even possible... Which I really hope it is! I know that I cannot change someone, I have learned that from experience, but I feel like God wants me to help bring this person to Him! Thanks again! Comments on all of the questions would definitely be helpful!!!

GOD Bless!

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

I know what you mean, I'm kind of in the same situation. Well, the best thing you can do is live a christian life in front of them. This is the biggest thing that will help lead them to Christ. Also, pray for them. Be sure to share the gospel with them too.

 

[catch22]

We can't change people, but God working through us sure can.

 

[Emery7]

Alright, so I can live a Christian life in front of this person, and just *pray* that I can be the right influence on them, and so now what I need to work on is my Christian life!!! I really hope I can be an influence on this person! It'd be so awesome to bring them to God, and for them to put God first!! It's a very hard task to do, but it definitely can be done. (putting God first) I mean, when I'm at a peak with God, I feel so awesome!!! Sometimes I cry tears of JOY!!! It's amazing the feelings I feel! I want to feel that way all the time! I want for God's light to shine through me like the sun shines every day!

Any suggestions as to what I can do daily to strengthen my relationship with God, and get closer with Him each and every day? I know reading in the Bible will help me to live my life how God wants me to (as best I can). Taking part in fellowship... but what else??

You know, I love to help people! And any time someone asks me to help them, or just to listen to their problems, if they want my feed back, I try to give them the answers that God wants them to have! Like God is speaking through me to them! That's the way I feel whenever I am helping someone! It's an awesome feeling! Especially when they react positively to what I say! Sometimes I have to worry about how I say certain things, so I really try to make sure that I won't offend the person I'm trying to help by saying what I believe God wants them to hear! I've never had anyone get offended by what I've said! So that's good. At least, they've never told me they were offended! Thanks for all of the comments! Any comments/posts on any of the questions would be awesome, and very much appreciated!!! GOD Bless!!

 

[Angeldove97]

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER and finding a good inspirational church and a community of Christian fellowship, such as this!!

 

[Emery7]

My dad has actually found an awesome church that he really enjoys! I have been once, and it was *awesome*!! It's a HUGE church, so that turned me away at first, because I was used to a smaller church, but once inside, it was like a second family right from the get-go! Everyone was extremely nice! I want to get involved in a youth group ~ But am nervous/scared to go by myself! But I have no one to go with me... My dad is talking about going to a Wednesday night fellowship group, so I may go with him, and just see what I can find out about the Youth Group! I typically go out of town every weekend to visit my boyfriend (as we are in a LDR), so I don't have the chance to go to church here with my dad. I actually dont' go to church while I'm visiting with my boyfriend either, but I need to, and I really want to! So next time I go to visit with him, I'm going to go to church! This weekend, I'm not going up there, so I'm definitely going to go to church with my dad! I can't wait!

I have been praying and praying and praying for this person! I don't get to see them every day, but when I do see them, I'm definitely going to live my Christian life in front of them! *yaay* Hopefully, I can still be an influence on them... Do you think it's possible to be an influence on them if I don't see them regularly? Anywho ~ Any other comments or answers to my questions is AWESOME, and MUCH appreciated!!! Thank you everyone!

GOD Bless!!!

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

Boy, you are a lot like me! I'm not a new christian, but I've just recently really been wanting to deepen my relationship with God and have been. Continue to read the Bible and pray. Also, ask and tell the Lord that you want to deepen your relationship with Him. There are two books out by Joyce Meyer called: How to hear from God and Knowing your Heavenly Father (I think that's the correct title for the 2nd one ). Anyway, they will help you with getting to know God better and developing a stronger relationship with Him.

 

[sawdust]

1. Set aside at least 30 minutes every day to read the Bible. Try to make it the same time each day. Let nothing dissuade from this appointment.

2. When you do No.1 above, always have a notebook and pen with you for any thoughts you may have.

3. Don't be afraid to write in your Bible. Use a highlighter pen for marking versus that speak to you. (it makes them easier to find again)

4. Memorise at least one verse a week. (one a day is better, but I'm slow so I give myself a week. ) Write it out each day like this on a scrap of paper:
Book Chapter Verse " Verse " Book Chapter Verse
ie: Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word I have hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee" Psalm 119:11
Carry the verse with you all day and read it often, committing it to memory.

5. Teach yourself to wake up with your first thought being "Jesus is Lord". (I have just started this one and it's hard )

6. Get a special notebook to keep by your bed. Use it to write out every verse that has special meaning to you. Sometimes you will be writing a verse a day, sometimes one a month. On the days you are not writing, read it.

7. Prayer - do it in the quiet of your room; do it in the morning; do it in the evening; do it in the Spirit; do it at all times. (the gist here is DO IT! )

8. Study the Bible (distinct from reading). Join a study group or if not available there are many studies that can be bought from a bookstore. For New Christians structured studies are best as it will help discipline you for personal study.

9. Fellowship with those who will encourage you AND teach you the Word of God. (the latter is more important than the former as the Word will become your strongest encourager but for New Christians just starting out I recommend they begin in a Fellowship that is highly encouraging as well.)

10. Discipline Discipline Discipline... it is what makes you a Disciple!

These are not in order of preference or exhaustive and you don't have to do them all. But if you do, you will grow quicker, stronger, sounder.

God Bless

 

[Emery7]

sawdust ~ Thank you so much for all of those suggestions! I am definitely going to print that out, and try to start doing at least a few of them! I appreciate it so much!

Lilly ~ Thank you for the book suggestions! When I'm done with my other books, I'll definitely have to check them out!!! I may even buy them now, and start reading on them each day, as I'm doing the Bible. I also have the book "The Purpose Driven Life". My dad got it for me at Christmas! I haven't started reading in that yet, because as I said I have the One Year Bible for Women that I'm currently reading, but I want to take in all I can! Thank you again!

I'm so glad to have everyone's help! This is just so wonderful! More comments are definitely welcome!!!! Thank you everyone for the posts!!! !!! GOD Bless!

 

[secretdawn]

Hi there! I have actually been saved for 5 years now, but have not been *trying my hardest* to be the best Christian I can be. I have my ups and downs, and I am trying to keep my relationship with God UP! I am trying to make Him my number ONE priority, then next will be my relationships with people in my life. Any tips/suggestions that I could use to help me to do this successfully? I really want to do this!

I just bought a Bible called "The One Year Bible for Women" It is in the New Living Translation, and it is arranged in 365 daily readings, so I can read the Bible in one year. They also have other plans, like to read it in two years if wanted. But one of my goals is to read the Bible in one year. Another goal is what I said above, wanting to make God first, and keep it that way. I want to live my life as best as I can according to how God wants me to! I really feel like He is speaking to me, and asking me to change for Him, so I can live a happier, more blessed, and awesome life. Any help would be awesome on how I could do this! Thank you everyone for the comments that will hopefully be posted! I appreciate them! God Bless everyone, and I hope to hear responses very soon!

Love and GOD Bless


~CountrieCurls~
I Love Jesus! And Jesus Loves You!

ok i wish i had that bible...where did you find it?

 

[cyberwing]

Do you think it's possible to be an influence on them if I don't see them regularly?

YES countriecurls!!! Absolutely!!! God's Love and The Holy Spirit can work miracles through a willing heart!!! Praying for you to be blessed in your walk precious one! {{HUGS}}
~Cyberwing

 

[Emery7]

secretdawn ~ I got "The One Year Bible" from my local Family Christian store! Check out your closest Christian store, and see if they have it! Otherwise, I know you can buy it online! Here, let me give you a website to where you can buy it! http://www.parable.com/parable/item_0842375899.htm That is where you can buy the specific one that I own. If you do a search for The One Year Bible on that site, they will bring up different one year bibles, or you can type in "The One Year Bible" into www.google.com and it will bring up other places you can purchase one as well!!

cyberwing ~ How do I know if they are willing to put God as number one? I want to be a great example to this person! And I hope that everything works out to where they are a great Christian, and putting God first, but not for me, for God *only*!!!

GOD Bless!!
I Love Jesus! And Jesus Loves You!

"How to be a Christian... It's more than just believing... It's a lifestyle."

 

[cyberwing]

countriecurls,
The way to know that they have changed is you will see the change in their hearts! Their lives will change! The Holy Spirit is very evident in our lives when we walk with His guidance. We have the 'fruits of the spirit', love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience and self-control! As the saying goes, be a fruit inspector! As you walk in these things before them, they will wonder how you do it! That is when the door is opened for you to 'water' the seed you planted! And tell them it is only through HIS mercy and grace that you CAN walk in His promises but oh how wonderful those promises ARE!
{{{HUGS}}}
~Cyberwing

 

[sawdust]

sawdust ~ Thank you so much for all of those suggestions! I am definitely going to print that out, and try to start doing at least a few of them! I appreciate it so much!

Actually I forgot one thing that really is very important to growth. The Lord reminded me soon after I posted and that is "service". It doesn't matter what form. It can be anything from little things to big ones. You don't have to join some international organisation to serve The Lord. Look around your own household and ask yourself "what can I do for someone". Jesus said he who is faithful in the "small things" will be the ones to whom much more is given.

Also in response to your question about influencing others. James says "the prayer of a righteous person has a powerful effect". If you collated every anecdote and story from people who have done nothing more than said a prayer for someone, and have seen results, you would have the largest book in the world. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in The Lord and He shall give to you the desires of your heart." (read the whole Psalm in context as too many tend to take this verse as license)

Take care

 

[Emery7]

Thank you everyone for all of the posts!! I am definitely taking them into my heart!!

I just had the most amazing talk and night with my friend Elena! I went to her house around 9:40pm tonight, and I JUST got home (it being 1:00AM!!!)!!!! We talked about God the ENTIRE time! It was so great! She and I are going to hold one another accountable to God!! Isn't that GREAT!! You know what ~ I'm sorry to be so short, but I'm sleepy! Post comments, anything! I Love ya!!! GOD Bless!!!!!!!

 

[Under_His_Shadow]

Hi Emery,
Just the fact that you want to draw closer & be more committed to Christ is evidence that His Holy Spirit is "working in you both to will and to do His His good pleasure" (Phil.2:13), which is wonderful!

It is also He that has given you a hunger & thirst for His Word, the Bible, and your yielding to that by buying that new version & reading it daily will gradually cause your faith to grow (see Rom.10:17), and help your spirit & character to "grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet.3:18).

Keep asking Jesus (daily, in prayer) to give you a love for Him, His word & other people, both believers & unbelievers, and to create in you a clean, pure heart, mind, motives, desires, goals, attitudes, etc., & He will as time goes on, because He is faithful to answer any prayer that is accordance with His will (1 Jn.5:14-15), which those things certainly are.

Other than that, just do the basics necessary to Christian growth, such as regular Bible study, prayer, praise & worship to the Lord, regular fellowship with other believers at a solid church that is teaching the whole counsel of God, etc.

God bless you!
U.H.S.

 

[craig_on_fire]

Dear Emery

Wow! I so admire your burden for others!!! Isn't it great to know that God wants to use folk like us to bring people to Him!!

Yeah you just keep on praying for these people and also for opportunities and God is really going to bless you and the people that you are praying for!! Don't be downhearted if it's taking longer than you expect - remember that God has PERFECT timing and everything will fall into place when it's right.

Keep up your awesome, contagious faith my sister and just see what God will accomplish through you and what you will accomplish through Him!!

Be very much blessed!