Please Help I need advice

[Khrissy78]

Hello all and thank you for reading my post


I need advice:


As a child I was never taught about God/Jesus and very rarley went to church. I have always wanted to be a Christian but I never had the drive. One day about a month ago, I woke up thinking about God/Jesus I dont know why, I just did. I got extremley interested in him really quick. From there I practically dropped all my normal activites to focus on learning about Him. I do not read at all yet I found myself reading for hours! I bought a Bible, researched the different churches and thier beliefs until I found one I liked, I started asking my sister (who is recommitting her life to Christ) alot of questions (which in turn made her open her Bible more!). I have done so much to try and educate myself about Him. I am just struggling because I dont know if I am worthy enough to walk with Him. I still do things that I shouldnt. Will I change over time? Will he stay with me until I do? Am I disapointing Him when I mess up while promising to committe my life to Him?How can I learn to understand the Bible and follow it? How do I get the faith that all of you have without loosing it? I dont even know how to pray right. How do I learn these things? I despritly want to be closer to him I just dont know how. What If I cant do it? I am so scared that I will loose intrest, I dont want that! I believe that the devil has spoken through others around me to try and turn me away from God/Jesus, how do I stop this? I know I have flooded this post with questions but Im so confused and I really need advice. If you can help me at all it would mean everything to me. I mean that.


Also:

I have some questions about some experiences not sure if you can help with this...

When I prayed to Him my commitment prayer I know that I felt him with me. It was like a comferting warmth surrounded me while I prayed to Him. I feel in my heart it was Him but there is that other voice saying I am just making it up. Is that the devil trying to turn me away?

I also prayed that he would protect me from the second hurricane I was about to go through in 3 weeks and all my fear of hurricane Frances went away, Was that Him answering my prayer?

Another thing that I am wondering about is latley I have been hearing someone knock on my door (atleast once a day) but noone is ever there! One morning I woke up out of a deep sleep knowing that I heard someone at the door, I checked all the doors and looked out all the windows, noone was there. Could it be Him telling me to let Him in or am I just crazy? I am leaning toward the crazy on this one!

One more..I promise

I was reading something about Him that made me so grateful and Happy that I just cried. I was sitting in my computer chair with my hands on my face feet on the floor. Sitting very still when out of nowhere my chair moved and I know it was not me. It was like someone brushed by it or sat in it. Again could this be Him? Does He do things like this?

Am I going bonkers


Am I disapointing Him by asking you instead of trusting in Him?


God Bless you if you read this whole post.

 

[TheListener]

God Bless You too Khrissy, I am going through similar things. I can't answer your questions as I too am searching the answers but I will watch this topic closely to see what the others think. I don't think I'm mentally disturbed and I have similar thoughts in my mind. So I guess it might be a normal process.

I was having pure evil thoughts in my heart which said things like "your making this up, your rebelling against satan, your not worthy Jesus will abandon you" etc etc etc. I asked my pastor, he said it is normal. He said the moment you give your life to Jesus you oppose satan and you are basically a target for him. So stand fast in your Faith and be strong, and pray pray pray

I'm not sure about the chair movements and door knocks though, thats a bit of a worry...

 

[homewardbound]

Hi, Khrissy. I understand exactly what you mean because I've experienced the same thing in my walk with God. You've asked a lot of questions and I probably can't answer them all now, but let me offer a few thoughts to start with.

First, you're never going to stop messing up. None of us do. But that's the beauty of Jesus' sacrifice for us. If you stay close to Him through prayer and reading the bible, repent regularly, and trust in God's grace, you'll begin to experience the things you're seeking.

Don't expect all aspects of your life to miraculously change overnight. Expect a sense of fullness and purpose, but don't fret if all your sinful desires are still there. When you give your life to Christ, you begin a relationship. Do you know anyone who has gone from a handshake to a deep, abiding relationship in less than, say, a week, month, or even a year? I sure don't! Relationships take time to build, and your relationship with God starts with cleaning out closets....those sinful areas of your life that you've described. You can't do that overnight. It takes time, and God knows your heart...trust in His grace. As you work with God to clean out those closets, you'll begin to experience the fullness of his love and presence in your life.

Also, be aware of the spiritual battle taking place. When you dedicate your life to God, you can expect Satan to do everything in his power to destroy that relationship. His favorite weapons are doubt and confusion. Please remember that when you see, hear, or experience things that don't have an immediate explanation. Through prayer and regular reading of God's word, He will make things clear to you.

 

[Protoevangel]

I am just struggling because I dont know if I am worthy enough to walk with Him.

That’s the beauty of Christianity! If you were worthy, you couldn’t be one! REALLY!!! The whole point is that we are not worthy!!!

Jesus loved us and died for us when we were his enemy.

I still do things that I shouldnt.

We all do, trust me!

Will I change over time?

Some. You will not reach perfection in this life. You will have times of growth and times of trial.

Will he stay with me until I do?

Always. When you feel like he’s abandoned you, he is just as close as ever, watching over you in perfect love.

Am I disapointing Him when I mess up while promising to committe my life to Him?

I am sure that when we mess up, there is disappointment. There is also forgiveness.

How can I learn to understand the Bible and follow it?

Read in it every single day. God will speak to you.

How do I get the faith that all of you have without loosing it?

Live, Learn, Love. When doubt creeps in, it is time for more intense prayer and more Bible reading.

I dont even know how to pray right.

Do you know how to talk to a friend? Start there.

Also, use this as a start and a model for future prayer:
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

How do I learn these things?

You already found a church. Participate in Bible Studies. Read the Bible on your own.

I despritly want to be closer to him I just dont know how. What If I cant do it? I am so scared that I will loose intrest, I dont want that!

You can’t do it, He can, He has already started. He will bring you close. No one can snatch you from His hand.

I believe that the devil has spoken through others around me to try and turn me away from God/Jesus, how do I stop this?

Just like wolves that smell blood, Satan attacks the weak. Arm yourself with the weapons of the Christian. The Bible; the Word is all you need.

When I prayed to Him my commitment prayer I know that I felt him with me. It was like a comferting warmth surrounded me while I prayed to Him. I feel in my heart it was Him but there is that other voice saying I am just making it up. Is that the devil trying to turn me away?

Just know, your commitment prayer was not what brought you into the family of God. God brought you into the family of God, your prayer was a response to His work in you. What you felt was real. You may never feel like that again, you may feel like that every time you go to God deeply in prayer. The feeling is a gift, but it does not make the experience any more or less valid. God called you and you came.

I also prayed that he would protect me from the second hurricane I was about to go through in 3 weeks and all my fear of hurricane Frances went away, Was that Him answering my prayer?

When God is in your heart, there is no room for fear.

Another thing that I am wondering about is latley I have been hearing someone knock on my door (atleast once a day) but noone is ever there! One morning I woke up out of a deep sleep knowing that I heard someone at the door, I checked all the doors and looked out all the windows, noone was there. Could it be Him telling me to let Him in or am I just crazy?

Just stay on the path following Him.

I was reading something about Him that made me so grateful and Happy that I just cried. I was sitting in my computer chair with my hands on my face feet on the floor. Sitting very still when out of nowhere my chair moved and I know it was not me. It was like someone brushed by it or sat in it. Again could this be Him? Does He do things like this?

Does He, or can He? Of yes, course He can. Just focus on Him.


If you ever want to talk, I spend most of my time over in Theologia Crucis
I only get to log on for a couple of hours at night now, so please forgive me if any replies are delayed.

Welcome to the family Khrissy78, all of heaven is rejoicing that you have heard the call!

 

[Khrissy78]

Thank you all for your replies, I know that I cannot change over night, I think its just that I am scared that I wont change. I have been reading the Bible everyday, does anyone have a opinion on what parts I should be reading first? I am also reading a book now called "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, my church gave it to me.

I know that the last part of my post sounded silly, Im confused and I think maybe thats what it is

Danhead: Thanks so much for tackling all my questions..I know that took some time!

TheListener: Thanks for your reply, its nice to know that I am not alone.

Homewardbound: Thanks for offering me your support. I have a question for you...

repent regularly

What does repent mean? I have heard of it but never really understood what it was.

You all are very kind, and thank you for not making me feel crazy for the what was said in the second part of my post.

 

[homewardbound]

What does repent mean? I have heard of it but never really understood what it was.

Acknowledging sin is a mental process. Repentence on the other hand brings about a change of heart and deepens your relationship with God. Check out www.tasteheavennow.net and just read through the home page...lots of good stuff.

 

[Daughter of His]

Krissy, I can relate to your post. You are doing everything right! Praying and reading the word, going to church, asking questions and being teachable. The Holy Spirit uses lots of things in our everyday life to teach us . There is no "formula" for prayer but there are some basic guidelines that might help you if you should want to use them.

ACTS
Adoration---telling God how much we love Him and why
Confession--confessing our sins and repenting
Thanksgiving- thanking God for the things He has done in our lives
Supplication-- requests or petition

I love it when the Lord allows me to know He is near-the highest high.
Hope this helped a bit. Blessing to you!!

 

[Khrissy78]

Thank you very much!

 

[Protoevangel]

I have been reading the Bible everyday, does anyone have a opinion on what parts I should be reading first?

Hi Khrissy,

I would suggest you start with one of the Gospels. Matthew might not be the best choice for someone new to the faith, it is full of concepts you will understand better later when you have read more of the Bible (don't let that scare you off if you already started, you will still get a lot out of it if you start here). Mark is brief and to the point, a great first choice. Luke is much longer, but also a good first choice. John is one of my favorite books, and would be ok to start with, but has some stuff that might be a little hard to understand at first.

After reading one of the Gospels, you can get into the istory of the early church in Acts.

Romans is the purest, most beautiful presentation of the Gospel. I would read it next.

After that, finish up the rest of the New Testament in whatever order you like. Front to back is a good order. If Hebrews is a little deep or confusing, go on to James, and come back a little later. Every once and a while, after a few books, go back and read another of the Gospels.


God bless,

 

[Khrissy78]

Thanks so much Danhead

I thought noone was going to answer that for me!!

May I ask: What is the definition of Gospels?

 

[2Timothy2]

Khrissy78, I echo these posts. We all struggle with these things from time to time. The best answers are in the Bible. Ground yourself in His Word and trust Him. None of us are worthy to walk with Jesus. That is what Grace is all about.

I don't want to push my theology upon you but these books have been a great help to me in my walk with the Lord. Getting grounded in the essentials of the Faith, getting to know who God is, establishing Spiritual disciplines (such as how to pray, devotions, time alone with God), and how to study and interpret the Bible will aid you as you grow in your faith and in God's grace.

Know What You Believe - Paul Little
The Life You've Always Wanted - John Ortberg
Knowing God - J. I.Packer
Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible - Henrichsen, Walter
Knowing Scripture - R. C.Sproul
Know Why You Believe - Paul Little

If you want you can PM me and I can give you a good site where you can get these very cheap. They will be used but useful. God bless and know that you are in my prayers.

Grace and Peace
2T2

 

[Protoevangel]

Thanks so much Danhead

I thought noone was going to answer that for me!!

May I ask: What is the definition of Gospels?

You are very welcome my sister!

"The Gospels" are those books detailing the life of Jesus; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word Gospel is derived from a translation of the Greek word euangelion, which is a millitary term for "good news". This refers to the good news that Jesus has won, and hasredeemed all who trust in him. Gospel: Good news, Christ is victorious!!! :crosself:

 

[Radagast]

Keep on posting if you have any questions.

-- Radagast