Possible new Christian - very confused

[seaflower]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

 

[pilgrimgal]

It always helps me when I feel as you do, and I do get feeling like that, to read the Psalms. The Psalmist often felt the same way but managed to keep right on praising and praying.

 

[visionary]

God waits for opportune moments... and just as Job had a lot of conversation going on around him, it was when they wore themselves out with suggestions as to the who what and why, before God stepped in and opened up Job's mind to more than his little world at stake here....

So it is with your world and its relationship with God.... When you are done talking,... and are really ready to hear God speak to your heart... He will... and you are to obey... to truly understand... so study a lot of scripture to "know" him, thus be ready to meet and know this is truly the God of the Hebrews, the Holy One of Israel, the great I AM, Yeshua, King of the Jews.

 

[1watchman]

Seaflower, seeking God is often an intellectual thing and one will thus get no answer. God calls on mankind to "believe", and that is faith in God's beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. If one will not have the Son he/she will have no part in God (John 14:6). You can write me at my profile if you wish to chat. Look up!

- 1 Watchman

 

[heymikey80]

You've probably heard the story of the guy trapped on his roof & the boats God sent to him, that the guy neglected. It's not necessarily that God isn't answering, it's a question of how God's answering.

God's Spirit has written a bunch of things to people through the New Testament: gospels, histories, letters, and prophecy. The Old Testament promises what the New Testament describes as history.

 

[Johnnz]

Read a good book for new Christians - John Stott "Basic Christianity" is a very sensible book.

John
NZ

 

[GodIsGreat2me]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

What do you want from God?

 

[SharonL]

Your walk with God is one of faith - we hear from God a lot more than we think we do. Sometimes we are waiting to hear a voice, a sign or a dream. God has a plan for our life and He tells us it is a good one, we sometimes wait until we think God has opened the door when we should be walking in faith - we work, we play, we speak all in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When you think you are not hearing there is that tug on your heart to do a certain thing, to say a certain thing - and in faith we proceed. If it is in the wrong direction, the Holy Spirit will guide you. In faith, just put your hand in the hand of Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Talk to Jesus, pray to Him, the Bible tells us that Jesus is our friend - when you have a friend and you don't talk to them every day - they are still your friend - Jesus is by your side all the time, He is only a heartbeat away.

 

[papaJP]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My only advise is to sit and be quite and listen God will give you a call if you are truly seeking Him. He can read your heart and will know if you are truly seeking him. Just understand that some of his answers are no.

 

[laconicstudent]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

Why don't you go to your local parish and speak to a priest? Or if you are lucky enough to live near a monastery, they could give you spiritual counsel.

 

[Mister_Al]

When God has something to say to you you'll hear Him.

Alan

 

[Husky7]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

I wouldn't expect an audible voice to talk to you any time soon. God communicates with us through dreams and visions, as well through our emotions. You're also not likely to encounter God, when you're in a noisy/distracting environment.

 

[cloudbyday90]

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

 

[seraphim_75]

I think that each person has their way of coming to Jesus, and their own reasoning behind their belief.

The three questions I asked myself before coming to the Lord were:
1.) Do I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God?
2.) Do I believe that Jesus died on the cross as the final blood offering for all of mankinds' sins?
3.) Do I believe that Jesus was resurrected three days later and walked the land before ascending back to heaven?

Answering yes to those questions was my personal way of saying I believe in Christ.

Before that, I spent a lot of time reasoning why science is so lacking in explaining anything with regard to the origin of the universe. It was atheism that pushed me toward God, and now Jesus that will keep me there.

So after all that, when I pray to God, I do two things. I pray thanks for saving my eternal soul, and I pray for things that I would like for God to do in my life. I expect nothing and often walk away the same way I came into prayer that day, but every so often I walk away filled with the Holy Spirit, and it feels like God was personally listening to what I had to say.

 

[BeeWrangler]

I've recently forayed into trying to figure out what I believe, or if I believe anything. I kind of feel like I'm in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. Do I wait for a "sign"? I've been chatting with God, and it's beginning to feel a little one sided with me doing all the talking and getting no response. Or am I missing something?

You are in a canoe with no paddle in the middle of the ocean. We do not steer God, God steers us Try reading Job, then pray and give thanks for all things in your life. God may not answer with a clap of thunder or a booming voice, but he will answer by filling you with the Holy Spirit.

 

[visionary]

Listening for that still small voice helps.

 

[Katarinea]

I know how you feel -- let me ask, have you just been praying, or have you been praying and reading the Bible? A lot of the time, that's how God leads us unless it's an extreme circumstance. There's been a few times when I've directly seen the hand of God in my life, but usually it's from reading the Bible that I discern his will.

 

[Deserae2011]

My advice, keep your faith in God and continue to pray... I am a new christian less than a year and I am just now understanding how that part works. God knows your heart and until his seed is planted into your heart the enemie will continue to tempt you and get you to pull away from him... He did it to me.. It was round 3 going back to god before I finally got it, and I kept praying and praying... I didnt think that he was answering my prayers, but I did not give up faith. Then all at once I got my answers. God will speak to you through other ppl as well... This is a definately a good place for you to seek answers. Do you read your bible? something else I feel on my heart to say is you only get what you put into it.... Pray to god with all your heart, tell him God I want you in my life. I dont know how to do it on my own so I am coming to you, plant the seed in my heart, give me the strength, the desire to know you.... You only get what you put into it... Do you go to church regularly? Before I was a firm in my relationship I would just go and sit and church to see what I could get out of it. To my suprise it seemed like everytime I went the Pastor was talking to me. Do you have someone that could be your battle buddy? I feel that has also been a powerful step for me as well.. Someone that you can talk to about how you are feeling... and get insight from??

Here are some verses on topics that I think might be helpful...
When you need guidance..
psalms 25: 4-5
Proverbs 3:5-6
John 16:13
Proverbs 4:11
Psalms 37: 23-24

When you need to feel gods love
Isaiah 54:10
Jeremiah 31:3
Ephesians 3:18
1John 4:16
Romans 8: 35-39

When you wonder how to pray
Matthew 6:6
John 16: 23-24
Luke 18: 23-24
Ephesians 6:18
James 4:3
mark 11:25

When you lack patience
Ephesians 4:2
Proverbs 14:29
1corinthians 13:4
Psalms 37:7


I hope this helps... you can message me anytime.. I would love to be your battle buddy... God bless you