Questions from a teen Christian

[christiangirl2012]

Hi everyone! I've been a christian for 2 years, 1 year attending church. Unfortunately, I don't attend church any longer for some issues that occured, but I'm still looking for the right one! I need advice on how to grow closer to God, especially as a teen where there's so much negative influence in the world making the road to following Jesus narrower than ever. I am not water bapitized... yet.

Also, I'm aware of Christians being given spiritual gifts by the Lord. Currently I don't have any (at least none that I am aware of) and I know that the Bible says we should seek these blessings. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sketcher]

The answer to most of these is find a good church, and be active in it. That and do private devotions where you read your Bible and pray, preferably daily.

 

[Johnnz]

Relationship with other Christians is important. See what church you can find that you can get too OK and where you sense you will be well taught and cared for.

John
NZ

 

[timf]

I don't attend church any longer for some issues that occured, but I'm still looking for the right one!

Christian Pioneer - What is the right church

I need advice on how to grow closer to God,

Christian Pioneer - How do you walk in the Spirit?

You are to be congratulated on seeing the heart of Christianity, growing into the full measure of Jesus.

 

[1watchman]

Welcome to CF, friend. Read your Bible every day, as God wants to speak to you there. You might begin at John 1; John 3; John 14 for a good foundation.

 

[asiyreh]

*cough Sda cough... Who said that? hehe

No only joking. You know, I wonder what it is peoples want us to say, when they open this kind of topic. Christiangirl, what is it you would like to achieve with your walk with Christ? What things are important to you. What things would you object to?

I'm not water baptized either but I made it a priority to complete this very soon. I definitely advise you to do the same and by the way the path to Christ is narrow, no one made it that way, but Christ himself.

So give us a few pointers and we'll try and tell you which denomination fits your description. Peps are going to say this is wrong there shouldn't be any denominations. Well Paul had to suffer denominations and I suspect it will be the very same when Christ returns. Peps who have no denominations float there own particular brand of theology all the time so I wouldn't let it worry me. So out with it then; what is it that you want to achieve with Christ, give us a few ideas and we'll try and point you in the right direction.

 

[christiangirl2012]

Thanks everyone for your replies and asiyreh I just love Jesus I'm not really focused on any denominations. But, I do believe in following the Ten Commandments, staying pure until marriage, that God planned out our life before we were even born,that any astrology is evil, etc... I don't really know what other pointers I could give as I base all my pointers from the Bible haha

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Thanks everyone for your replies and asiyreh I just love Jesus I'm not really focused on any denominations. But, I do believe in following the Ten Commandments, staying pure until marriage, that God planned out our life before we were even born,that any astrology is evil, etc... I don't really know what other pointers I could give as I base all my pointers from the Bible haha

That's very good. You are on the right track. Finding folks to share your beliefs is good but its not going to be beneficial if you believe things that are not true, especially when they may very well cost you your soul salvation. So studying the bible and asking the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth is what is most important. Looking for a church can come after that. So keep trodding the Christian road.

 

[asiyreh]

Hmmm you sound a little Calvinist, strange for a girl (I mean this in a good way) you must be very logical.

I would probably try one of the reformed churches if I was you. If you want to keep all the commandments including the forth I'd do some research into one of the Sabbath keeping churches.

 

[Ark100]

Even when you find a church, let it be about JESUS, and only Him. Dont get lost in church that you forget who its about -Jesus
Keep studying the Scriptures. Pray that The Holy Spirit helps you while you read the Bible. Ask God to enlighten and broaden your knowledge of Him.
Speak words of favor into your life as you pray to God. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, and set you up in His firm foundation so that your feet will not slip.

Cover yourself with the blood of JESUS at all times, and soak those you know and love in the same blood.

I was just prompted to write those things to you by the Holy Spirit so take them seriously.

Keep praying to God, Keep drawing close to Him, keep worshipping Him, praise Him at all times, and He will always guide and protect you.

 

[christiangirl2012]

Ark100, thanks for your input! But I have another question, what exactly did you mean by "speak words of favor" into my life?

 

[Emmy]

Dear christiangirl2012. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. In Matthew 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells us: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy hearts, with all th souls, and with all thy minds. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyselves." Then Jesus points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our Love, freely given and no conditions asked.
How do we best achieve it? By treating all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends, as we would love to be treated. God sees our sincere efforts, and God will approve and bless us.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then we get up, ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring. Everything we do or say, everything we advise or ask for, should be done from selfless love, freely given and no conditions made. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love. Keep asking and receiving. ( Matthew 7, verse 7-8)
Love is a Christian`s great weapon, Love will overcome all enmity, and Love will turn everyting for the better. Men and women will notice and know whose we are, we are the only representatives which God has in this imperfect world.
And many might want to join us, Love is very catching, christiangirl.
I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[christiangirl2012]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply! God Bless. I will follow the advice you've given me.

 

[Johnnz]

Having a well informed, robust faith though that you can relate well to life is a great basis to live from. I find non Christian influences do not challenge me to abandon my faith, as I have already thought through their implications and seen their shortcomings. But, they have also resulted in new challenges and sometimes an expanded faith to better meet those fresh challenges.

John
NZ

 

[Harry3142]

Christiangirl2012-

Find a church where these passages are agreed with, and those which require action have members participating:

Romans 3:19-5:10. The righteousness necessary for our salvation is a righteousness which we must receive as a gift from God himself. We cannot earn it as a salary, nor can we purchase it as an asset. Instead, we must accept it in much the same manner as a child accepts a gift from its parents.

Romans 10:5-13. The definition of faith which is meant by Scripture is a definition which states that we are to accept Jesus Christ as Lord, and we are to accept as fact that God did indeed raise him from the dead. There is no getting around this, and if any denomination or sect that you approach does not accept this as the only foundation for Christianity, keep looking.

Galatians 5:16-26. Just as a poisoned tree cannot bear good fruit, motivations and desires of the sinful nature cannot lead to the performance of righteous acts. For any act to be seen by God as righteous, the motivation which was the impetus for that act must in-and-of itself be righteous. This means that in order for anything that we do to be seen as being 'in synch' with God, its origin must be one of those motivations listed as 'the fruit of the Spirit'. That is why the words immediately following their listing are, "Against such things there is no law."

Matthew 25:31-46. This is the feed-the-hungry passage. And it means exaclty what it says. If we have been truly bonded with Christ, we will demonstrate that bonding through our compassion for the needs of those around us. Jesus Christ healed the sick, cast out demons, corrrected infirmities, and even raised the dead. IOW, he lightened the burdens of those he came in contact with. We cannot do all that he did, but we should endeavor to do all that we are capable of doing in order to alleviate the suffering we see around us. That is what being Christlike is really all about.

God bless-

 

[Peripatetic]

Also, I'm aware of Christians being given spiritual gifts by the Lord. Currently I don't have any (at least none that I am aware of) and I know that the Bible says we should seek these blessings. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Identifying our spiritual gifts starts with serving others. Consider this passage:

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
-Romans 12:6-8

Have you ever helped anyone with your encouragement?
Have you ever unselfishly helped others?
Have you ever been generous with money or time?
Have you ever been merciful with your forgiveness to someone else?

Chances are, you have one or more of those gifts. They may not seem as glamorous as healing or speaking in tongues, but they are just as (if not more) important because they are rooted in love for others. Enjoy your journey and discovery! You have plenty of time.

 

[1watchman]

That's very true, Ark100!

 

[americanvet]

Pray about what church to attend. It is ok to go different ones to find a "fit". However, be careful about finding the coolest church. Look for Christ not cool factor.

Pray to God, read the Bible, and worship with believers. These things are paramount. Once you connect with a body of believers get involved with a small group.

 

[craig34]

Hi everyone! I've been a christian for 2 years, 1 year attending church. Unfortunately, I don't attend church any longer for some issues that occured, but I'm still looking for the right one! I need advice on how to grow closer to God, especially as a teen where there's so much negative influence in the world making the road to following Jesus narrower than ever. I am not water bapitized... yet.

Also, I'm aware of Christians being given spiritual gifts by the Lord. Currently I don't have any (at least none that I am aware of) and I know that the Bible says we should seek these blessings. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi sister, I'd just like to point out that the true church are the believers in Christ. The bible says the church is not a temple made by human hands, but is built up by the hands of God( See Ephesians 2:18-22, Ephesians 4:15,16, 1 Peter 2:5, Acts 17:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16,17). The negative influence in the world is because of Satan's dominion over it. Jesus called him the "prince of this world", which is why Jesus came to call us out of the world to live for His kingdom which is to come here to earth upon His return. He said that iniquity(sin) would multiply in the last days and the love of many would grow cold. I see this everywhere. People are self-centered and don't care about their neighbor. Although this sounds depressing, God has a plan for us. We were once alienated from God through sin and walking independent from Him, but He has reconciled us back into harmony with Him through His Son, Jesus. Once we become children of God our whole life changes. We have a new life in Christ and have renounced our old life at the cross. The holy spirit indwells us and causes us to cling to Him. Jesus said we must abide in Him and endure to the end to be saved. It is a life of victory, which is a blessing in itself. I'm not sure what you mean by "spiritual blessings". Maybe you could explain. I can say that I'm blessed to have found a family of believers that live Christ and share this life with others. The bible is our foundation and Jesus is the Head of the church. Don't be too concerned about finding a "church". You are the church. Although we need fellowship and edification to grow and mature daily. Alone, we will fall victim to the world and can easily be led astray. God bless and look to Jesus!