Thinking about letting go..

[twirla]

Help all!
I am having problems right now. I've been saved for only 5 years the first year was Ok but the rest hasn't been easy at all. I see many christians rejoice and all that, but this new life has been miserable for me. And I've been thinking about giving up on God for a while now, too. Actually I did give up for a short while, but i'll explain that later. I'm giving up because it's not easy, even though getting saved is a gift from God I still feel like I have to "earn" my way into heaven - I feel like if I keep sinning then maybe God will get tired of it and kick me out, and besides he is looking for a church without "spot or wrinkle" in his second coming and I certainly don't think I fit that category (yet), and the worst thing about being saved is a question I've always wondered! I recently found out that even saved people can still go to hell. No wonder the bible said that not everyone that ways Lord will enter heaven. In church we read Mathew 25 (or 24?) about if you have gifts and don't use them in the church you'll go to hell (i don't have gifts, cant sing well, not godod at instruments) and in Revelation 21 verse 8 it says the FEARFUL, and UNBELIEVING (and others) will end up in the lake of fire. I know I'm fearful about some things, and about unbelieving i don't know if they mean not believing in Jesus or just someone not having faith about anything. Well since i'm already guilty of those, then I already know I'm going to hell then. It just don't make no sense how a saved person can still go to hell, especially over something stupid and SIMPLE as this. It didn't help me any to hear the preacher talk about it this past sunday it only discouraged me more I guess. But at least I know now so I can fix it and change my destination route. I just don't likw how some preachers sugar coat everything and just say you'll be saved without even mentioning the exceptions like a few of the ones i mentioned. BUT I can't give up on God either or I will end up in the same place. So now i learned that there's not easy way through christianity you just have to suffer through it, it seems like.
And I said that I did give up on Him for a while. I didn't want anything to do with God anymore, because thinking about the What if" questions and thinking about if I would make it in the end bothered me so just i couldn't even focus on life, not just that but I messed up alot and just thought I'm not worth Gods time forget this. I had stopped going to church regularly, going often turned into going only 1 or 2 times a month or maybe not many times a year. And if I did go I wouldn't clap, or shout or praise God, I mean for what? What is there to be happy about when things arent going good and when you still have a possibility of going to hell? So I didn't see any point of going, all I was going to do was sit there and listen to workds that would hurt or discourage me more, just to think about how much harder it would be to try and go through it. But anyway, I didn't pray much or read the bible much either. But then i realized that God is all I got. When it seems like the whole world is turning against me and have no one else to turn to, or I'm just too loaded down with problems or just cant find someone to talk to about it, then I cant help but go back to God. But I can't even get help from Him either because I don't "know" him personally, i never built a strong relationship with Him and therefore I wouldn't know how to get help from him, and praying seemed like I'm just talking to myself. So now I don't know what to do. I can't give up anymore or I'll for sure perish. I can't be half steppin either cuz thats about the same as giving up, well the way I do it is. So now I'm stuck here. I just want to hear other opinions if you ever felt like giving up and what did you do to get back up and stay up (without repeatedly thinking about giving up..?)

p.s. I did try to talk to my preacher about this, but since he is deaf in 1 ear (accident on job) he could not hear/understand the whole story I got tired and fed up w/ repeating myself and just waited for time to pass on by to see if things would get better on its own but it didn't. Its like a cycle, i think about giving up and almost do, then try to give it another shot, and i'm back to where I was thinking about giving up and and I'm SICK of the whole merry-go-round thing.
I talked to another preacher about me giving up he told me there is power in staying put, but I didn't really stay put. Why because I've tried staying.

Any thing I can do about this? I'm about this close to falling for what satan wants (its what I kind of want to do, too not just him) and just giving up but then I can't give up because God is all I got, but its not easy getting back up.

so basically i'm choosing my own destiny. If I give up then I'm going to hell.
I just don't think I will MAKE IT in the end. I don't think I can hold on any longer. *cries* I don't think I can hold on from now till the time jesus comes and who knows when that will be.
And when He comes will I be just picking myself back up, going back down, still thinking on it, or prepared?

If you've almost let go and thrown in the towel,? how did you solve the problem? ????

 

[Jun_Canada]

Hi there!
Thanks for your post!
Ok let me just start by saying God loves you! .........GOD LOVES YOU! He never gives up on any1. And we all do stupid things but we go to God to receive forgiveness and repent for our sins. Dont let the devil make u believe that you cant get things right with God. Just pray to God for wisdom and help for getting ur relationship right with Him. He doesnt want you to go to Hell!

Go look up James 1:12.

I know it seems tough....probably not the easiest thing to be a christian but with the tough times comes the happy and joyful times But dont give up!!
And look up these verses too if you want reassurance

1 Timothy 4:16
Hebrews 10:35-36

I dont know what your going through but God admires you for sticking in there and having the will to seek for guidence.
Plz dont think u might go to hell. Just believe and declare that God loves you and you have his favor!

And you said that you might be bothering God and that u think that he doesnt want to be bothered with. Thats not true!
Look up Luke 18: 1-8
This person kept persisting and praying about what he was asking for and he got it. He wasnt bothering God. God finds persistance a great thing!

And in response to this
"But I can't even get help from Him either because I don't "know" him personally, i never built a strong relationship with Him and therefore I wouldn't know how to get help from him, and praying seemed like I'm just talking to myself. So now I don't know what to do."

Knowing what God says to you comes mainly from reading the Word.
There are other ways of hearing from God but the main way is from the Bible.

Try listening to some sermons if u get a chance
I suggest u listen to these 1s if u get the chance. They are a bit long...like an hour but it is FILLED! with knowledge and wisdom from God


http://www.churchwithoutlimits.net/mp3.asp

Spifically for you I think u should listen to the June 7,14 and 21 , 2003 sermons

Sorry if my reply was a bit to much to handle.....I pray that this helps you in some way!
If you have any other questions or concerns plz dont be shy or whatever lol...just pm me, ill be glad to help u!

Have a great day!
God Bless!

 

[rogsr]

I double dog dare you to give up. If you do you will learn a very important lesson, which is once you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit there is no real turning back. Even if you turn back you will hear Him calling your name every single day, and it will drive you insane until you turn back around and walk with Him again. This is the truth.

In your post you said, "God is all I have." I am the same way. There was a time, and are still times when God is literally all that I have. It sounds to me like you are suffering from something that most Christians suffer from somewhere along the line. Repenting is changing your life. You and God are in this together, He doesn't do everything for you. If you are sinning excessively then stop sinning-- if there are people in your life that cause you to sin then cut them off. Be strong enough to make those decisions and you will get stronger. Also, don't concentrate so much on your sinfulness. Instead, concentrate on loving everyone around you. Paul taught that if you concentrate on the Law then you will sin frequently, but if you concentrate on the law written on your heart, which is love, then you will sin far less. This is because you are what goes through your mind. If it sin that you think about then you will sin. If it is virtue that goes through your mind then you will be virtuous. You can do this by making a serious effort to be loving to the people that you come into contact with, and you can look for places where people need alot of love and then give them your love.

For instance, if I have a problem with lust and I concentrate on that one thing all the time then I will get blindsided by the many other temptations that I am confronted with all day long. However, if I have a problem with lust and I ignore it and go to a soup kitchen and serve a meal to the homeless I have not only not succumb to the lust I have also done a charitable deed. Love is our secret weapon.

It seems that many people today are doing exactly what the pharisees were doing in Jesus' day. Which is to say, becoming so obsessed with the Law that they become cold hearted and judgemental, even towards themselves. You are a human being, so you are going to sin sometimes, but you are also a servant of Jesus Christ, so you can bear a cross of love. If some part of this did not make sense to you feel free to ask questions.

Love is the answer in all cases. Go out into the evil world and love. Concentrate on it and you will be back on track.

 

[Bob Moore]

Help all!
... I'm giving up because it's not easy, even though getting saved is a gift from God I still feel like I have to "earn" my way into heaven...

The key word here is "feel" which is subjective. Twirla, Christianity is objective. Our feelings and emotions will often mislead us because they are things of this world that are by nature opposed to the things of the Spirit.

- I feel like if I keep sinning then maybe God will get tired of it and kick me out, and besides he is looking for a church without "spot or wrinkle" in his second coming and I certainly don't think I fit that category (yet)...

Ah, but you do! God chose you before the foundation of the world as a gift to His Son. Five years ago He called, and you came. What happend when you came is that you were justified before God by faith in Jesus. Being justified does not mean that you were suddenly supposed to become perfect. That only happens when we enter the Kingdom. What it does mean is that you grow in faith and Christ-likeness day by day.

... and the worst thing about being saved is a question I've always wondered! I recently found out that even saved people can still go to hell.

No, Twirla, that is not correct. John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.". The phrase 'no one' is a universal class and it includes you. So once you truly belong to Jesus the Scripture says in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." You see? If you are His now, you always will be.

No wonder the bible said that not everyone that ways Lord will enter heaven. In church we read Mathew 25 (or 24?) about if you have gifts and don't use them in the church you'll go to hell

The term 'evil servant' in Matthew 24 is not talking about believers, it is talking about counterfeit Christians and unbelievers. Look again at the passage from John, above.

(i don't have gifts, cant sing well, not godod at instruments) and in Revelation 21 verse 8 it says the FEARFUL, and UNBELIEVING (and others) will end up in the lake of fire. I know I'm fearful about some things, and about unbelieving i don't know if they mean not believing in Jesus or just someone not having faith about anything.

The passage is speaking of those who say they believe, but do not, and those who are afraid, not of mundane things, but "but such who are of cowardly spirits, and are not valiant for the truth, but who, through fear of men, either make no profession of Christ and his Gospel, or having made it, drop it, lest they should be exposed to tribulation and persecution; these are they that are afraid of the beast, and live in servile bondage to him".

Well since i'm already guilty of those, then I already know I'm going to hell then. It just don't make no sense how a saved person can still go to hell, especially over something stupid and SIMPLE as this.

Quite right. In makes no sense becuse it is a lying, corrupt version of the gospel. The effect of such teaching is to rob the believer of hope by destroying his/her faith. Think about this: where does such perverse teaching come from? It doesn't come from God, so that leaves only one other option doesn't it?

It didn't help me any to hear the preacher talk about it this past sunday it only discouraged me more I guess. But at least I know now so I can fix it and change my destination route. I just don't likw how some preachers sugar coat everything and just say you'll be saved without even mentioning the exceptions like a few of the ones i mentioned.

Twirla, not only is the preacher required to preach sound doctrine, but the hearer is required to hear accuratley what was said. It is often the case that the hearer mistakes the meaning of what he heard because of lack of scriptural knowledge or for some other reason. I'm not saying difinitively that your preacher misled you, or that you misheard, because I can not know that for certain. But I do know this for certain: something is dreadfully wrong in your perception of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So now i learned that there's not easy way through christianity you just have to suffer through it, it seems like.

Read James on the subject of trials and temptations. We who follow Jesus can expect troubles and trials on account of the Word, and the opposition the world brings against it. But God not only calls His people, He strengthes them so that they can stand up under the attacks of the world. If you are His you will persevere because He will see to it that you both can and do.

... But then i realized that God is all I got. When it seems like the whole world is turning against me and have no one else to turn to, or I'm just too loaded down with problems or just cant find someone to talk to about it, then I cant help but go back to God. But I can't even get help from Him either because I don't "know" him personally, i never built a strong relationship with Him and therefore I wouldn't know how to get help from him, and praying seemed like I'm just talking to myself. So now I don't know what to do. I can't give up anymore or I'll for sure perish. I can't be half steppin either cuz thats about the same as giving up, well the way I do it is. So now I'm stuck here. I just want to hear other opinions if you ever felt like giving up and what did you do to get back up and stay up (without repeatedly thinking about giving up..?)

The 4th chapter of James says that "we have not because we ask not", or "ask wrongly". But before we get to that piece of wisdom we discover this, and I really think it will help you: James 1:5-8, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." I strongly reccommend that you study this passage and meditate upon it because much of what you said is described in it.

When you pray be specific. God doesn't care about the vocabulary you use, or whether your prayer is couched in proper grammar and covers all the theological bases, or about your posture. He already knows all there is to know about you. He knows the turmoil of your heart and what you desire before you ask Him. So just spill it out. If you don't have fancy words to describe the problem it doesn't matter. His ear is waiting to hear from you. Don't keep Him waiting.

I did try to talk to my preacher about this,

Did any of these preachers sit down with you and go through the portions of the Word that address your problems specifically? If not, they should have.

 

[KleinerApfel]

Twirla
hang in there!

You've had some encouraging replies, so take heart from them.

In Mark 9, a worried father says to Jesus, "I believe, help me overcome my unbelief."

Jesus didn't condemn him, but healed the man's son.
That shows that even a little faith pleases God, and a little doubt is not a barrier to coming to Him for help.

The way we can deal with doubt is not to pretend it isn't there, but to admit it to God and ask Him to strengthen out faith and make it grow.

We can all use this prayer at times - "Lord, I do believe, but please help me with my fears and doubts."
I'm sure He loves to do that.

God bless, Susana

 

[wayfaring man]

Hi twirla ,

The followers of Jesus were faced with much doubt in John Chapter 6 .

And when many departed , Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked , " Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. " <------> 6:67+68

Since you have expressed an acknowledgement of having embraced The Salvation of God through His Anointed Son Jesus The Beloved .

You must realize , as Peter did , that there is no hope outside of continuing to follow Christ , even if our following is quite flawed , or intermittent , there is much solid reason for believing , it will be refined and improved , as long as we persevere .

As it is written :

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: <-----> Philippians 1:6

There is much confusion surrounding the Grace of God .

Once when I was feeling discouraged , I prayed , Lord Jesus , Help me ; For -

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. <----> Acts 4:12

And - whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. <-----> Acts 2:21

Then I was shown a vision of individuals trying to high jump over a very high bar ; none of them were even coming close ! It was Pathetic ! I grew wearing of watching them , as little by little they gave up trying , until there was one poor soul left ; and by now this person was all but worn down to the ground , but they kept running , best they could , and springing up into the air with a hopeful tenacity which I could not help but in some way admire ; even though their effort appeared to be falling farther and farther short .

Then just as I was beginning to be distracted away from beholding the vision , a voice from above spoke , saying ," Now , watch this ! " and my attention was once again fully directed to the weary effort before me , and as usual the one remaining person plodded up to the high bar and began to push off from the ground , and as the height of their jump was peaking ( which was still ridiculously far from clearing the bar ) , I saw a huge hand come down from heaven , and grab that poor weary soul by the scruff of the neck and gently lift them over the bar with great clearance ,
to be safely set down on the other side ; and what once appeared as a poor loser who didn't stand a chance ; was now rejoicing and praising God with such enthusiasm and fervant joy , that very angels of God were compelled to join in the celebration .

And I , while being filled with awe and wonder at the hand of the Lord and the tremendous difference made thereby , could not help but realize how God in His infinte wisdom , does use our suffering for righteousness sake , as an elevator of our ability to be ever so thankful and grateful for the grace He has given us through Jesus His Beloved Son , The Saviour of the world , especially those who believe !

...The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,[will] make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. <-----> 1st Peter 5:10


In Jesus Name . Amen .

wm

 

[twirla]

Hi, all thanks for your replies. They really helped alot. I didn't have the energy to want to go on anymore but after reading some of the scriptures you gave me I fell that I can give it another try. I find myself having to read these over again to be reminded of what I really need to know and meditate on so I won't forget. But even though it seems bad now, it will be worth it in the end. I just hope I don't try to give up again.
I didn't mention that the other times I tried giving up God had picked me back up. But when times got hard again I started going back the other way. One of the reasons was because the devil would put obstacles in my path so that if I did get back up and try again I would fall and nearly give up, because he know and I know how easily I can give up on things. But God had put him to the side and its been that was since. I was really grateful. so he's not the main problem anymore. he can say things to me like Go ahead give up! But he can't put a block in my path anymore.. ha Ha.
But now sometimes I just feel like I' not good enough for God. Like when he said he's loking for a church without spot or wrinkle. What if the moment he comes I have a spot?
And the part in the bible (don't remember where) where it says having the Holy Spirit is a *guarantee* that you will go to heaven. If you're not filled with his spirit then what? I've also heard that if you don't have his spirit then you won't be caught up in the rapture? I don't know if that is true though. I don't think I read that anywhere.

I know I'm making this sound confusing but the only problem now is being successful and "making it" or winning in the end.

Rogsr- i think that maybe one of the problems. I concentrate too hard on not trying to sin, if I try so hard not to do something I will end up doing it. And learnign to love is th hard part too. its not that I hate anybody but I don't know how to. But I guess it could help.

Bob - Ok since no one can snatch us from God, well could he snatch us away (if he really wanted to???) Or could I cause myself to get snatched away?

And about the passage about being fearful, that is what I meant. I have witnessed to some people (of my religion or similar) But I travel alot and encounter people that know little about Jesus and I know then I get fearful to witness to them thinking maybe they won't listen or what I say wont make sense or trying to speak their language in a way that they will understand b/c I still lack vocabulary or they won't accept Him. I know it seems kind of dumb that I fear men to witness. But that is what Rev. 21/8 is saying I couldnt believe it at first.

And I do tend to misinterpret scriptures. I've tried switching bibles. I don't need king James thats for sure. The ones with footnotes at the bottom that explain certain ones are really helpful. But they still sugar-coat which is what I don't like. Go ahead and tell it like it is! Don't make it sound good and leave all the catches out.
I've asked God for wisdom before, but... *shrug* I'll try again

Thanx all!
~Twirla

 

[but'n'ben]

Hi Twirla. I'm glad you're feeling better about things. Right now I'm in the same boat you were in. I feel like I'm going mad because on one hand I want God so badly and can't accept that he doesn't exist. On the other had I'm so sick of putting in 100% to earn his love and having no reason to believe that He hears me.

At work today, something happened that made me feel very, very annoyed at God. I'm ashamed to say that I shouted for Him to get out of my life, and even swore at Him. I know he's angry with me but at the time I didn't care. A little voice in my head said that Satan has a nice hold on me but another voice said 'what am I worried about. Satan is as much a lie as God' I write this because I am disgusted with myself for doing and saying those things. I have prayed to God to say sorry but I know that's not enough. So I write this so people can tell me how bad I am. I think punisment is the only way God will be able to get through to me. But I already feel punished and that's why I'm so upset.

The thought of going back to the effort and amount of praying I did before is so disheartening. I don't want to do it. Well, I kinda do, but I felt like it was driving me mad. I wondered at myself for praying for ages and hearing silence. I wondered if I was going mad because it was like talking to myself. I have to ask what the point is. Before I was praying all the time and reading the Bible when I could but like was miserable. So, last week I decided to stop all that. I never prayed, never read the bible and made a point of not thinking about God and life was much the same. No change either way.

Coming onto the CF is good because people uplift me without being judgemental because they know only God can judge. But I guess part of my problem is people telling me 'They've consulted the Holy Spirit about me'. I get annoyed because a) I am desperate for God to talk to me but he won't, yet, he'll apparently talk to these other people and b) are those who claim to hear God telling the truth? Everything is so confusing and vauge.

Some things have happened that I'd like to think God has made happen but these things could also be coincidence. As a result, my faith is hanging by a thread. I have no motivation or desire to seek God anymore.

 

[Bob Moore]

And the part in the bible (don't remember where) where it says having the Holy Spirit is a *guarantee* that you will go to heaven. If you're not filled with his spirit then what? I've also heard that if you don't have his spirit then you won't be caught up in the rapture? I don't know if that is true though. I don't think I read that anywhere.

It is true that without the Spirit one can not enter heaven, but all Christians have the Spirit. At the moment of saving faith one receives the Spirit. I know that some churches teach that being filled with the Spirit is a separate operation that may or may not ever happen, but that is not what the Bible teaches. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit in their hearts. So, since saving faith is a work of the Spirit, one can not be saved and not have the Spirit.

I know I'm making this sound confusing but the only problem now is being successful and "making it" or winning in the end.

Those who are His will indeed 'make it to the end'. I strongly reccommend that you carefully study what I am about to give you on the subject of perseverance. Look up all the references and you will see that there is no way that one of God's children can be lost.

The Perseverance of the Saints:
They, whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally, nor finally, fall away from the state of grace: but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

Phil. i. 6; 2 Pet. i. 10; John x. 28, 29; 1 John iii. 9; I Pet. i. 5, 9.

II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

2 Tim. ii. 18, 19; Jer. xxxi. 3; Heb. x. 10, 14; Heb. xiii. 20, 21; Heb. ix. 12, 13, 14, 15; Rom viii. 33 to the end; John xvii. 11, 24; Luke xxii. 32; Heb. vii. 25; John xiv. 16 17; 1 John ii. 27; 1 John iii. 9; Jer. xxxii. 40; John x. 28; 2 Thess. iii. 3; 1 John ii. 19.

III. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.

Matt. xxvi. 70, 72, 74; Ps. li. title and verse 14; Isa. lxiv. 5, 7, 9; 2 Sam. xi. 27; Eph. iv. 30; Ps. li. 8, 10, 12; Rev. ii. 4; Cant. v. 2, 3, 4, 6; Isa. lxiii. 17; Mark vi. 52; Mark xvi. 14; Ps. xxxii. 3, 4; Ps. li. 8; 2 Sam. xii. 14; Ps. lxxxix. 31, 32; 1 Cor. xi. 32.

Bob - Ok since no one can snatch us from God, well could he snatch us away (if he really wanted to???) Or could I cause myself to get snatched away?

No. The phrase "nor any other creature" in Romans 8:39 takes in the whole compass of created beings in heaven, earth, and sea; and most strongly expresses the inseparableness of the saints from the love of God, by any thing or creature whatever; nothing in the whole universe "shall be able to separate us the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". It is also impossible that God should reject, for any reason, one whom He chose before the foundation of the earth as a gift to His Son, effectively called, and who is justified by the blood of His Son.

And about the passage about being fearful, that is what I meant. I have witnessed to some people (of my religion or similar) But I travel alot and encounter people that know little about Jesus and I know then I get fearful to witness to them thinking maybe they won't listen or what I say wont make sense or trying to speak their language in a way that they will understand b/c I still lack vocabulary or they won't accept Him. I know it seems kind of dumb that I fear men to witness. But that is what Rev. 21/8 is saying I couldnt believe it at first.

Revelation 21:8 isn't talking about a believer who is reluctant or nervous about witnessing in the manner you are talking about. It is talking about those who are ashamed of the Gospel. In other words it is talking about those who do not believe. Twirla, keep in mind that not everyone is called to be an evangelist. One can bear witness to Jesus in any number of ways. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, "but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:". You can do that simply by telling people what Jesus has done for you, and by living your life as an open book with which no one can find fault. Actions speak louder than words, so how you live means more than what you say.

Sometimes though a believer is a lazy regarding Bible study or has no real understanding of what or why the doctrines of the faith are what they are. Does not the Scripture say, in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth? You will find that the more you study the Word the easier it is to tell others about it.

And I do tend to misinterpret scriptures. I've tried switching bibles.

Which one are you using?

I've asked God for wisdom before, but... *shrug* I'll try again

Over and over and over again. Read Luke 18:2-8. The lesson taught there is that we are to ask, and keep on asking

 

[Bob Moore]

.. On the other had I'm so sick of putting in 100% to earn his love and having no reason to believe that He hears me.

Who told you that you have to "earn His love"? You not only don't--you can't.

I have prayed to God to say sorry but I know that's not enough. So I write this so people can tell me how bad I am. I think punisment is the only way God will be able to get through to me. But I already feel punished and that's why I'm so upset.

Forgiveness is promissed to everyone who repents. There are no exceptions, and there is no Biblical support for the notion that you have to be punished. In fact, the very idea is contrary to the message of the Gospel.

The thought of going back to the effort and amount of praying I did before is so disheartening. I don't want to do it. Well, I kinda do, but I felt like it was driving me mad. I wondered at myself for praying for ages and hearing silence. I wondered if I was going mad because it was like talking to myself. I have to ask what the point is. Before I was praying all the time and reading the Bible when I could but like was miserable. So, last week I decided to stop all that. I never prayed, never read the bible and made a point of not thinking about God and life was much the same. No change either way.

Let me ask you something, and please don't think you have to make a public answer. This is what David says regarding what is acceptable to God: Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise". Are you broken over your sin? Are you convinced that your heart is not right before God? If not, then real repentance is not possible and one can pray until one is blue in the face and there will be no answer.

Coming onto the CF is good because people uplift me without being judgemental because they know only God can judge. But I guess part of my problem is people telling me 'They've consulted the Holy Spirit about me'. I get annoyed because a) I am desperate for God to talk to me but he won't, yet, he'll apparently talk to these other people and b) are those who claim to hear God telling the truth? Everything is so confusing and vauge.

Be wary of anyone who says such things. If you want to know God's opinion then read His Word. There is nothing you need to know that isn't there. For example, has any of these people told you what I just told you about what God requires? I very much doubt it, yet it is exactly what you need to hear right now.

Some things have happened that I'd like to think God has made happen but these things could also be coincidence. As a result, my faith is hanging by a thread. I have no motivation or desire to seek God anymore.

Spiritually speaking there is no such thing as coincidence. Nothing whatever happens in the universe without the permission of God. In daily life things we often take to be coincidence are actually acts of providence, which is the method God often uses to arrange things the way He wants them to be.

ADDED IN EDIT: My wife is from Ayrshire. Where in Scotland are you?

 

[wayfaring man]

Hi twirla ,

I hope this effort to share with you of the things which I have received , will be helpful to you .

Upon reading your post I noticed you mention God several times , but do not express the name of Jesus .

Consider :

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. <-----> John 14:6

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. <-----> John14:13+14

One time I was faced with an ongoing life threatening situation , in my agonizing I keep saying , " O God , please help me , please help me "...

This went on for days and my situation only worsened and I had no sense that God had heard my cries for help .

Then , I was struck by the fact that I wasn't asking in Jesus' name , and it dawned on me that I had insidiously slidden backwards away from the intimacy which was beginning to be established in my life , through being mindful of the Testimony of Jesus Christ , and the Revelation of God's perfect will for us , in Him .

Well , at that point I began to cry out , " Jesus , help me , Jesus help me please "... And almost immediately I was shown what to do ; which triggered a somewhat miraculous result , which led to my recovery , which helped to instill in me the importance of staying mindful of our Blessed Lord and Saviour , And to call upon His Name for Salvation , whether it be a small thing , or a great one !

If our efforts to receive blessings from the Lord , are apparently unfruitful , rather than abandon all efforts , examine the manner and the method we have been using and seek for a better approach .

Another time , I was praying for a certain thing , very much , I was convinced it was a good thing , and that I sought it for a good reason : But my request went unfulfilled .

This went on for a few weeks . Then it dawned on me to change the nature of my prayer .

So instead of praying that Jesus would grant my request , over and over , and over again ; I prayed that He would help me to endure well , this time of having to do without , what I was in need of ... And in but a few short days what I had sought for was graciously granted to me .

**********************************************************

Of course , not all claims of , having heard from God / The Lord Jesus are precisely that ...we are instructed to be --- comparing spiritual things with spiritual. <---> From 1st Corithians 2:13

Or in other words compare what is claimed to be a word from God , with The Word of God ; even as Peter expressed when he wrote :

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. <-----> 2nd Peter 1:18-21

It's good that you're not quick to assume " a miracle " has occurred when things work out unusually well for you . For crying " miracle " too zealously is diminishing to one's perception of the truly miraculous ; and suggests a delusional state .

Too little skepticism and we risk becoming blind followers of blind leaders .

Too much scepticism and we risk rejecting the Path of our own Salvation .

If you haven't already , ask God , in Jesus name , for the Holy Spirit , to come into your life to lead and guide you in all truth . For it is through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit that our way in Christ is made plain , and we are empowered to follow in harmony with Jesus' Example .

Also , it is through the Spirit of God , that our praying , and studying of Scripture is enlivened and made fruitful , in godly edification and holy exhortation .

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. <---> From Zechariah 4:6

 

[but'n'ben]

Bob:

West Lothian. About 20 miles west of Edinburgh.

 

[TheMainException]

This is what Satan wants...YOU CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM...only God can....you have to give it to him. Satan wants you to let go and thow in the towel....if you do that, Satan has one you over...take heart, God is still there...he still loves you..he will always love you no matter what path you take. I love you too...if you are on your face when Jesus comes again...he will pick you up and give you a great reward...heck, you'll be getting a reward no matter what...if you go through struggles you'll be getting some great stuff in heaven.