So lost and confused

[Adalia]

I really don't know what I consider myself anymore. I was born and raised Catholic, but I haven't been to church in ages. (I received first communion, but I was never Confirmed.) I also admire some Buddhist beliefs. I bought a Bible but I've had a hard time getting interested in it. Unfortunately it has spent more time collecting dust than getting read. I want to know more about Jesus but I don't know where to start or what to do. Sorry if this seems like a big ramble and it doesn't make sense. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that I've put religion and Jesus on the back burner for so long now. I think it's time to do something ant take a step forward in my faith. Any suggestions?

 

[Deb7777]

Hi Silk, I was born Catholic too. My family stop going to church when I was younger but then my mother had a religious experience when I was 15 or 16, and she wanted us all to go back to church, which we did. But it was hard, I really did not know my faith very well. My mother insisted on Confirmation that I did not recieve yet , once again it was hard, what in the world was that. But she insisted, so me, my brother , another family member were enrolled in an adult confirmation class that changed my life. I was blessed with an absolutely great priest that taught the faith with such a simplicity and great understanding that I was hooked. I continue on in this priest bible study, he gave me alot of good books to read. So for me, when I really started to learn the faith was a turning point in wanted to know more. I would suggest, see what the local catholic church has to offer for confirmation , for bible study. There is also a catholic forum here to ask questions, all I can say learning about the faith made the difference for me, God bless.

 

[Skinster007]

First you need to ask Jesus into your heart. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus into your life. God will help you if you ask and believe. If you want to know more about Jesus, The book of John is a great place to start. Get yourself a good study bible also. Then find other Christians to meet with. And pray, even if you don't feel God keep praying until you get the breakthrough. Show God you are faithful. I'll be praying for you.

 

[SH89]

I really don't know what I consider myself anymore. I was born and raised Catholic, but I haven't been to church in ages. (I received first communion, but I was never Confirmed.) I also admire some Buddhist beliefs. I bought a Bible but I've had a hard time getting interested in it. Unfortunately it has spent more time collecting dust than getting read. I want to know more about Jesus but I don't know where to start or what to do. Sorry if this seems like a big ramble and it doesn't make sense. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that I've put religion and Jesus on the back burner for so long now. I think it's time to do something ant take a step forward in my faith. Any suggestions?

If you haven't made the personal decision of accepting Jesus as God the Messiah, then you should do that(if you haven't made that decision already). Communion/confirmation/baptisim cannot save you, only the works of Jesus on the cross can( atonement). This can be done through prayer.

As far as Biblical study is concerned, you should focus on how the prophets accurately foresaw a man who would die for sin and resurrect. Once you have the general idea of messianic prophecy(prophecies that concern the coming of the Messiah) then you should start reading the four gospels.Here is a good place to briefly go over the messianic passages/prophecies of the coming of the messiah.

The four gospels are found in the New testament. The names of the four gospels are Matthew,mark, Luke, and John.Each gospel has a different portrayal of Christ. Matthew is written to a Jewish audience and focuses on how Jesus is the Messiah King. Mark focuses on how Jesus is the servant of Jehovah. Luke focuses on the humanity of Jesus-the son of man. Lastly, John focuses on the deity of Jesus-Jesus is God. AI suggest reading either Matthew or john first. After that, you should work your way to the epistles. The epistles or letters, are written to explain things. Romans is a good book to read after you're done with the gospels.

Try to read the gospels/epsitles three times to get the "full picture."

After that, maybe you can start on Hebrews. Then you can grasp the flaws in the old testament sacrificial system, and how Jesus and his sacrifice is superior.

biblegateway.com is a great place to start reading online.
blueletterbible.org is good for studying the greek/hebrew words in certain bible passages.

aboutbibleprophecy.com is also good for a general knowledge of biblical prophecy.

Here is more as to the basics of the bible.

 

[Davis]

First you need to ask Jesus into your heart. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus into your life. God will help you if you ask and believe. If you want to know more about Jesus, The book of John is a great place to start. Get yourself a good study bible also. Then find other Christians to meet with. And pray, even if you don't feel God keep praying until you get the breakthrough. Show God you are faithful. I'll be praying for you.

This pretty much sums up how I feel.
Christ doesnt want to make it hard on us to find Him. Some very simple steps we can take to start our walk with Him. Now the walk may not be easy, but the steps to except His free gift are. Keep praying, seeking, and most importantly ask Him into your heart. Then your spiritual journey will begin and grow. Remember that its not going to be....."I asked Jesus into my heart and now I should know all the answers." Because we dont know all the answers. Our walk with Christ is a life time journey. We will always be learning. There will be times that we will walk on faith alone and not have a "feeling" attached to it. Be strong and have faith.

 

[AnarKiss]

I think it's time to do something ant take a step forward in my faith. Any suggestions?

Great to hear all your questions. I think this already means you're heading in the right direction. As you venture more into what God's on about, no doubt you'll end up with many more questions.

A few people have suggested the need for you to tick the salvation box. I respect their views, but would say there is no need to rush into anything - keep exploring.

You may enjoy Philip Yancey's "Soul Survivor: How my faith survived the church". This has insights of spiritual growth from all sorts of people, from all different faiths. There is so much we can learn and be challenged by from different traditions!

Best wishes in your faith journey - it will never end, but will hopefully always keep you challeged and excited. And remember, faith is a thing that is done - not a thing to believe.

 

[tinkerbell]

There are a couple of things that would be great.

There are two books I have to recomend :

His Princess by SheriRose Shepherd (short easy read broken up into minute long sections)

Steps to Christ by Ellen G. White (amazing book that helps us get back in touch with the basics of Christianity no matter what denomination)

There are also some Bible studies online that are great: moreaboutjesus.org

Hope these things might help some

The most important thing is going before God with a fully open heart. Start a prayer journal and tell God what's on your heart, even if you htink it's dumb, He won't care or He won't like what your saying. More than anything, He desperatly wants to spend time with you!

God bless you in your search!

 

[SavedByAnAngel]

The fact that you are searching inside yourself and even coming to this board to post is a big and wonderful step. God bless you.

Christ doesnt want to make it hard on us to find Him

Thank you Davis. It says in the bible somewhere "If you seek me, I will let myself be found by you". If you pray for guidance to reaffirm your faith and wisdom to understand the bible I am sure God will grant you these things.

 

[Anti Existance]

Just open up your bible and read =\

 

[Adalia]

Just open up your bible and read =\

I do but nothing really grabs my attention. Could you point out some good verses for me?

 

[tinkerbell]

I do but nothing really grabs my attention. Could you point out some good verses for me?

I know this may sound unrealated, but I promise it really is related. What is your favoriate kind of book to read?

 

[Glenda]

I was away from Christ for a long time.. almost 40 years after getting 'mad' at God when my father died in an explosion when I was 11..

There was a Bible around the house most of those years.. but seldom got looked at except in times of crisis..

What translation of the Bible are you trying to read??

When I got saved a few years ago, I discovered that there are many different translations of the Bible now.. some that are easier to understand..

The language ing the King James translation is very hard to understand for some.. I started with NIV.. New International Version.. was easier for me to understand what I was reading.. Now I have half a dozen translations that I read & compare..

The Gospel of John is where my husband guided me when I first started reading.. about God's abundant love for us.. always a good place to start..

there is a web site where you can downloaded bible software for free.. and different versions and compare them.. awesome site.. e-sword.net

May God bless you richly as you search for Him...

 

[Adalia]

I know this may sound unrealated, but I promise it really is related. What is your favoriate kind of book to read?

Romance novels mostly.

I was away from Christ for a long time.. almost 40 years after getting 'mad' at God when my father died in an explosion when I was 11..

There was a Bible around the house most of those years.. but seldom got looked at except in times of crisis..

What translation of the Bible are you trying to read??

When I got saved a few years ago, I discovered that there are many different translations of the Bible now.. some that are easier to understand..

The language ing the King James translation is very hard to understand for some.. I started with NIV.. New International Version.. was easier for me to understand what I was reading.. Now I have half a dozen translations that I read & compare..

The Gospel of John is where my husband guided me when I first started reading.. about God's abundant love for us.. always a good place to start..

there is a web site where you can downloaded bible software for free.. and different versions and compare them.. awesome site.. www.e-sword.net

May God bless you richly as you search for Him...

I have the NIV of the bible. Yes, I also find it's much easier to read than KJV. I was looking into the Contemporary Christian version and Message bible.

 

[Glenda]

I have the NIV of the bible. Yes, I also find it's much easier to read than KJV. I was looking into the Contemporary Christian version and Message bible.

E-Sword has the Message Bible and other contemporary ones too, I believe

 

[tinkerbell]

Because you like romance novels a good place to start might be one of the following:

Esther - Reads like a soap opera
Song of Solomon - a poetic account of Solomon and the love life of his bride
Ruth - a story of courage and a love between Ruth and Boaz

I reccomend reading a version like the New Living Translation or the NIV if you don't have either of those you can go to www.biblegateway.com and read it there. If you need someone to dialogue with or to help you find the excitement in the passages, feel free to PM or e-mail me. I love all of those books, so I wouldn't mind going throug them with you at all!

 

[Krazeekkc]

I think it's time to do something ant take a step forward in my faith. Any suggestions?

Actually I have a more unique suggestion I think. Instead of reading why don't you watch? I mean a movie or something. Possibly Bibical kids cartoons (depends on the person but I still like them and think they are cute. haha I remember staying up till 1 or 2 in the morning watching one of those ) or a movie. I'm not suggesting The Passion of the Christ but maybe.... hmmm, I'm thinking of these videos that I have...The Gospel According to Matthew. I love those tapes. You can follow along in your Bible too. So if you could find those videos some place that would be good. If not those, then maybe at the library or a video store you could rent something kinda similar? Just my suggestion!

 

[CommonGround]

Hi silk,

I was in a pretty similar place as you a few years ago. I was born and raised Catholic, although in my teenage years, I stopped going to church, then felt a need to go back to church and to the Lord about five years ago.

Have you found a Catholic church near you? I suggest that you find a parish that is around the size that you prefer, and start going there. Reach out to people - get to know the priest. Let him know that you want to come back to the Lord, and that you need to be pointed in the right direction.

You could join an RCIA class, and receive confirmation. It's not too late to do this.

Good luck - I'll be praying for you!

 

[Anti Existance]

Maby you want to read the cycle of the soul , it saved me from comitting suicide, and led me back to god. http://home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/kes/cycle.pdf But also has a very romantic story in it, there's no book like this.

 

[TheMatman]

Here is your problem.... You are looking for answers, but you have no idea what the questions are.

The fact that you are dissatisfied on the inside is proof that you have a need. And the fact that you are reading the Bible--the ultimate Book of answers--(or at least that you want to read the Bible) further evinces your desire to meet this need.

Unfortunately, there are so many answers in the Bible--all of which are good--to so many disparate questions, that you have no idea where to look. Hence the reason for your frustration, and for the dust on the Bible.

OK then, let's start with the basics. Love. We all need love. (The fact that you read romance novels is proof that you need love, or at least that you like to see love in action.)

Do what I did. Ask God to reveal his love to you through his Son. If you mean business, if you open your heart to Him, he will show you. And not only will he show you in His word, but he will also show you in your very circumstances.

When I did this in the 12th grade, my parents were unemployed, and I was attending a new school. I knew in my head that God loved me. But what I really need was for Him to show me in my heart. He did such a good job, that frankly I could understand why John referred to himself as the "disciple Jesus loved"--when you have a revelation of His love, its hard to believe that he loves anyone else as much.

The Bible says that faith works by love. Until you understand the love of God--until it is shed abroad in your heart--you will never be satisfied, and you will never have the answers that you seek. But when it comes, then you will be on the right track, because everything flows from love.