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Where to begin?

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Lilline77

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Am really struggling trying to work out this religious stuff. Have recently accepted that there is a God. It's as though he somehow found me, as daft as that may sound. Was C of E as a kid at primary school but it meant nothing to me then. Have been christened too. I want to embrace this new found belief but I don't know where to start. Do I have to be a member of a particular church? Can I just believe and worship in my own way? I do feel like I need some kind of structure. Sorry for rambling. Helpful suggestions welcome!
 

TheMainException

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I suggest that you go to church to find some Christian friends and worship with other believers, but you don't have to do that to be a Christian. All you have to do is accept Christ's gift. Yes, you can worship in your own way (as long as that way isn't something anti-biblical of course).
 
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God_of_Mercy

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Well just start with the Word of God. Focuse on what it is saying and apply it to ur life. It may take time but dont be discouraged. Church is not nessasary but I highly recommend you go. Fellowship and encouragement of other christians will really help you grow in your faith and learn more about God. Pray daily, focuse on God, He loves you!
 
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GodSaves

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Greetings Lilline,

I cannot tell you happy this makes me that you have found that God has been calling you back home. You are a precious child in His sight and by receiving His gift you will be eternally blessed.

For new Christians I often suggest that going to church will often be of great help. Going to church is not necessary for a relationship with God, but it will nurture it, and give you the support of other believers. A good place to begin your relationship with Christ is by praying. I suggest you take some time and find a place where you will not be interrupted and pray. Even though God knows every faucet of your life, tell Him about yourself and what you need spiritually so that you may grow. For in the Bible it tells us that we must ask, and we will receive. I would like to maybe later go more in depth with you on what this means, but not at this moment. After you spend some time telling God about yourself and what your struggles are and what you feel you need help with, find some time to sit and read the Bible. I suggest you start with the Gospel John and learn about what our Lord Jesus Christ did during His time here on earth. You of course do not have to read the whole book in one sitting, whatever time you can put forth to it each day. I suggest each day because our current day life has become quite difficult at times, so we can use all the encouragement we can get. Reading the Bible is like sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His teachings.

Pray as often as you can, bringing to Him all of your needs and thanks for what He has done for you. You can pray at anytime while doing anything, and you can talk with Him much as you do with a best friend, for you will find that He will become your best friend.

I offer you myself and my ear. If you have questions about anything please feel free to send me a private message and I will answer you. We can talk about churches in your area and what one may be good for you, or about passages in the Bible that you would like more understanding of, or just to talk.

You will be in my prayers for God to strengthen you and keep you.
May God Bless you Lilline and welcome to His family.
 
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GodSaves

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Pagan, if you look at the Struggles by non-christians, you will see that it is for non-christians to post and for christians to answer. Also, this is not a forum for debate. If you have issues with me, then bring it up in another forum on a new thread and i would be happy to talk with you.

God Bless
 
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Endure2

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lilline77

Godbless you, welcome to the kingdom.

when we are freshly born again, we are babes in Christ. and babes cant take care of themselves yet.
there is so much you need to learn and so much growing in Christianity that you need to do that will take place in due time.

but the season that you are in, i believe the 3 most important things are these.

1. find a church very soon to become a member of, and be commited to it, that churches strength will become yours untill you find your own.

you may be able to barely survive without one, but believe me you dont want to live that way or go through that. you dont know the word of God enough yet, you dont know God well enough yet, and you are ignorant of the devils devices you need some people who have gone before you who love you and will be like spiritual parents to you. i know i would not be where i am today if werent for a few men whom i could name you that God placed in my life to minister to me in my season of extreme dependancy. we all start off destitute and needing help.
AND IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU DONT UNDERSTAND, DONT BE CRITICAL, GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND STAY COMMITED TO A LIFETIME OF GROWTH, theres alot you dont yet understand, dont form opinions yet.

2. begin to meditate in the word of God the bible.

the bible says all scripture is given by inspiration for the perfecting of Gods people, to shape them into all good works. all that you need is in the word of God. its the bread of Life. the word of God will save your soul and shape you into christs image.

3. begin to pray and form a personal relationship with God.

God doesnt want you to just go through motions or regulations, but he wants more than anything else, for you to engage in a relationship with him.
talk to him and hell talk to you, and overtime your spiritual ears wil grow more acute, the ears that have long been dule and waxed dull from living in this sinful world without being used. the bible says he will LEAD us in the ways of righteousness. God wants to eventually be able to clearly hear his vioce and be able to have clear conversations with him so that youll be able to with him hand in hand through this life.
ask God to teach you to pray, and believe it or not, he will.
hell begin to drop realizations and thoughts or ideas into your heart about what you ought to do or say, and those are actually clear instructions from God about how to come closer to him.

Godbless you, find a church, stay faithful, this isnt a 50yrd dash, its a long run, just pace yourself and get ready for years and years of continual growth. through the years God will ever be loving you and peeling off more and more layers and shaping you more into the image of Christ.
 
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