Struggling Christian

[JackB03]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[Lee52]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

Jack,
GOD made it very simple for us. Confess your sins over the past months, turn toward GOD and seek HIS will for your life. Please read John Chapter 8. Jesus does not condemn us for our sins. He merely identifies them and then tells us to go and sin no more. He wants a change of heart, or desires in us. He did all of the work for us. All we have to do is accept His sacrifice on our behalf-in our place, and go and sin no more. That sounds rather pompous, I know. We cannot continue our lives on this earth without falling again and again to sin, because of our flesh and blood existence. Enter 1 John 1:9. Over and over again, IF WE CONFESS AND TURN AWAY FROM OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE US AND CLEANSE US.

As you surrender you to Jesus, He sends His Holy Spirit to strengthen your resolve and give you the strength for a day to not sin, then a week, then a month, etc.. This is the sanctification process. It is a matter of realizing that you were born for a purpose designed by GOD. As you realize this, you begin to surrender more and more of yourself to GOD. As you do so, GOD empowers you to be successful in that surrender of self to Him. Jesus is the example. Jesus is the means. Jesus provides the power to do so.

Begin to surrender to GOD, each and every part of you. When you sin, surrender that to GOD. When you are successful in not sinning, surrender that to GOD and give Him the thanks and glory for giving you that ability.

Jack, it is a matter of surrender. In total surrender to GOD, there is total victory in Jesus over self and the things of this world.

It is a process of surrender, failure, and victory. That is how grace through faith works in our lives. The grace of GOD is there waiting for us to surrender to it. We surrender to grace through faith that it will accomplish GOD's purpose in our lives. GOD then gives us more faith to surrender more completely to Him.

Be blessed,
Lee52

 

[heymikey80]

It's a good question. My departure was for seven years, over issues that seem tiny, today.

Get connected with a mentor. Find places where you can get your questions honestly answered. I had mentors helping me with tough questions and introducing a mature, strong theology to me that I had never encountered as a baby Christian. I also had a mentor who was willing to bring up some of the tough questions to be sure I grasped their importance and grappled with them among fellow Christians. I learned a lot from the Spirit of God in my mentors.

I also found a huge seminary library was nearby, and haunted it for a summer of Saturdays checking into my own questions and just learning.

Look for the pieces you think are most important. Find people and resources to help you respond.

 

[tturt]

You've gotten some good advice. I would add - We were created to worship Yahweh.

Someone said the other day you can’t worship with you on your mind. I definitely agree. Worship is getting our minds off ourselves and just focusing on Him. So I encourage you to get before Him alone and begin to tell Him what’s on your heart. Then spend time meditating (doesn’t mean emptying your mind, it means focusing) on Yahweh and His Word such as Psa 145 about who He is. If you play music, suggest that it’s just about Him. Or get a list of His titles, names and attributes Locate a list that has Scripture listed so they can be checked out.
Then think about a few of those at a time.

I can't explain it but spending time with just Him changes us.

 

[Peripatetic]

The life of every Christian has Spiritual ups and downs. The best defense is to continue to learn about and read scripture through bible study, daily devotions, Bible podcasts, or whatever it takes. It takes effort and discipline, but it can help to produce a strong foundation that can withstand the inevitable cycles.

The other thing to remember is that God doesn't necessarily make our lives easier from a worldly perspective when we pursue Him. The hard times we face can be a test of our perspective. Do we turn from God because He doesn't do what we want? Or do we hold on even tighter because God is the one true constant, and the one hope for our future after this life (which will some day seem very short in comparison to eternity).

 

[JudgeEden]

Everyone has given you good advice, but i'd like to add be careful reading Left Behind. None of the books are grounded in any scripture and it gets every prophecy it deals with wrong.

 

[eachallberg]

Everyone has given you good advice, but i'd like to add be careful reading Left Behind. None of the books are grounded in any scripture and it gets every prophecy it deals with wrong.

Amen.

 

[Harry3142]

JackB03-

Just because you have felt disconnected from God doesn't mean that he has been disconnected from you. The fact that you are on this website shows that the bond is still there that was created when you first accepted Jesus Christ. What you need to do is focus your trust on what God is capable of doing rather than on what you are capable of doing on your own.

 

[briareos]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

My Dear friend! Welcome back and God bless you! Brother all you need to do is walk to Jesus and just like the father of the prodigal son saw his boy coming from afar and readied everything and ran to him, Jesus will meet you and welcome you home! There are prerequisites brother If you just keep after him, continue to love him and rest in him he will keep you and ensure your sanctification as Paul told the Thessalonians.

I rejoice in you and in your remembering the Lord, amen. Keep us posted, I am excited and blessed at your testimony and will do anything I can to help you. All you need to do is begin to talk to Jesus again, ask him to help you and save you. Welcome back my brother and friend! The angels in heaven are rejoicing over you!

 

[briareos]

Lee52,

Good to see you! I wasn't sure you were still active here. God bless you brother, always a blessing to have you around. You are a never ending source of encouragement to me.

 

[visionary]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

Remember God has started a good work in you and He plans on finishing it. Just because there has been a few set backs doesn't mean that you can't come back with more determination than ever to hang on no matter what the devil or life sends your way..

 

[visionary]

Everyone has given you good advice, but i'd like to add be careful reading Left Behind. None of the books are grounded in any scripture and it gets every prophecy it deals with wrong.

amen.. books of fiction are entertaining but not something to base a faith on..

 

[briareos]

Let's remember the story of Jonah (my story ) God says

"Go, preach to the great city and call out against it!"

So Jonah says "no God" and runs from the Lord as he thinks hes perished and is no more he REMEMBERS God... and calls out to him and the Lord saves him.
and what's the first thing God says to Jonah
"Go, preach to the great city and call out against it!"

HE DOESN'T HOLD GRUDGES! HE JUST SAYS, I LOVE YOU, I FORGIVE, NOW LETS GO, LETS GET BACK ON THE MISSION WHERE YOU LEFT OFF!

He didn't send Jonah away to get himself right and spend time making up for sin he said "Come on son, lets get back up and go finish the mission!"

AMEN! MAN THAT'S A REASON TO SHOUT! AAAAAAAHHH! THANK YOU JESUS!

 

[JackB03]

Thanks everyone for the advice... JudgeEden - Thanks for the heads up. I thought this is how the scripture was interpreted. Which brings me to my next question....

I still consider myself a new believer, so I dont know where to start. I want to understand the bible and scriptures. I know to pray to God and ask him for his help. I plan on doing that. Im curious if their are some other books you all recommend that could help me become a better christian, understanding the bible better, and becoming closer to God.

Briareos- I appreciate the warm welcome. I yet to have a welcome like that and that really inspires me to move forward with God.

God Bless,
Jack

 

[frankleespeaking]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

Left behind series is not a biblical interpretation of events in the last days, but if you want to read it as a fictional book series I don't see a problem, one of the reasons people fall away from the Lord is they stop watering the seed that was planted, or they fill their minds and spirits full of worldly pleasures and lose touch with the reality of what God wants from them.

 

[salida]

Welcome Back!

Always take a day at a time. Start praying, reading the bible. Attend a church and get reconnected with inspiring christians. Left behind is fun reading and I have read all the series but its fiction-its not scripturally based-yes, there will be an antichrist and some of it is true but its not the bible. If your interested I can tell you who I feel is the most accurate in a email concerning relevation.

 

[JackB03]

Thanks for the heads on Left Behind. I truly thought this was their view on what the scripture says. I do have some questions though. I want to learn more about the bible. I want to understand it! I know I need to pray and ask God for help.

Im curious if any of you know some good books that will help me learn more about God, become a better christian and understand the bible.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[joey_downunder]

Congratulations!
Welcome back. I am also another christian who walked away from God for quite a few years. I use Bible and christian websites a lot. Here's good starting point for you: Free NET Bible and Thousands of Bible Studies | Bible.org - Worlds Largest Bible Study Site

 

[Migdala]

Hey everyone. Its been awhile since I was on here last. I believe it was the end of 2009. Anyways, these past couple of years, I have moved away from God so to speak. I asked him in my heart April 2009. Was really big into the bible and learning. But then it faded.

Im not sure why. I started to have doubts as well about God. But i recently started reading the Left Behind series and really got me excited about the Lord. I even prayed yesterday for the first time in along time.

Im curious, if I asked Jesus in my heart then faded away from Him, what do I do to be re-connected? Im not sure how to handle this. I hope alot of you give some good advice, because i need it.

Thanks,
Jack

I'm dealing with the same thing-over the last few months, the "cares of the world", and health issues, as well as just plain fatigue and lack of sleep have drawn me so far from God. But honestly, it all seems to have faded away....every day I have lost interest in Him a little more. I beg and beg for Him not to leave me, but I have to force myself to read my Bible and pray, and church seems like I don't fit in anymore.

So I do sympathize with what you are going through.

All I know is that no one can come to God without the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is a gift of God, I know that-He chooses us, we don't choose Him, so it has been said.

So the question is-"How to get the Holy Spirit to draw you back again?"

I have yet to figure that one out!

All I know is don't ever give up seeking God-worship Him even when you don't feel like it. Read your Bible and ask Him to open your eyes again and speak to you through His Word. Pray continuously.

I saw a video by Paul Washer on YouTube not too long ago-he talked about this girl who was just torn up because she kept going up to be saved, over and over and over, and still did not have the assurance of her salvation (boy do I relate to that! myself!). Paul told her to keep asking the Lord to save her and not give up.

Well, Paul said that he went to church one day and the girl came up to him, positively glowing with the Holy Spirit. He said that she had laid on the floor the entire night long, crying out to the Lord, begging Him to save her over and over and over, and the Holy Spirit finally came into her heart and she had full assurance of her salvation.

I'm trying to get to that point where I desire the Lord like that, like I used to. I don't understand what happened to my relationship with Him, but I do understand what you are going through-just don't give up!

 

[Lee52]

Thanks for the heads on Left Behind. I truly thought this was their view on what the scripture says. I do have some questions though. I want to learn more about the bible. I want to understand it! I know I need to pray and ask God for help.

Im curious if any of you know some good books that will help me learn more about God, become a better christian and understand the bible.

Thanks,
Jack

I have in the past and will continue to recommend:

"Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness: Living as a Christian in a non-Christian World" by Jerry Cook; and,

"Tired of Trying to Measure Up" by Jeff VanVonderen.

They are both available as used books on the net. Google them. You can pick up a copy for about 5 to 10 dollars-US.

They are not fiction. They even have study guides available to use them in Christian Bible studies and Sunday School classes. They are very straight-forward, thought provoking, catalysts of self examination, and examination of one's Christian walk. They are meant to be read WITH the Bible.

They had a very profound effect on my life when I really needed to become grounded in Christ and my faith in Him. Together, they helped open the Scriptures to my feeble understanding skills.

Be blessed,
Lee52