| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"I Need Help" |
| Date: |
10 Feb 2004 03:38:27 PM |
| Object: |
Help me with your answers |
Hello Everyone,
I have a problem and would like some help from christians in this
group.
I am a christian by birth and always went to the church with my
parents but never read the bible. Overall i have had a wonderful life
growing up. Personally i was always under the assumption that if i
didnt do any evil i would go to heaven. I never denied the existance
of god but also did not acknowledge it. It was always something that i
would worry about when i was old. I always pictured myself getting
religious when i became old. Till then all i had to do was to be a
good human being.
All this changed a few days back when i was hurt. I was treated and i
am in the bed taking rest now. During this time i started thinking
about a lot of things like
1) If i cant even bear this pain what would i do when i am old and
face more serious problems. I empathize the suffering people must have
faced when they die in earthquakes etc. I imagine the suffering during
the last moments of people in the news.
2)Why do good people also die in suffering inspite of people praying
for them.
3) How will i be able to bear the pain when my loved ones die? will i
meet them again? I have the most loving family in the world.
Then the focus shifted towards god. A lot of doubts came to my mind
1) If god created earth, then how was god created. It all started to
confuse me.
Then i started looking on the internet for answers. On the internet i
found both athestic and christian testimonials that were convincing.
Then i came to the conclusion that i would fear god and live according
to the bible only if i experience god myself. I see christians who do
not fear anything ( I also see atheists like that). I want to become
fearless and want to be able to thank god for even the suffering he
puts me through.
On the other hand i also see very bad people saying that they are
religious. They read the bible,pray and even say that god speaks with
them and still do bad things in life.
1) How do i have a conversation with god. How will i be convinced that
god spoke with me. I also want to witness miracles. I would really
appreciate any testimony of similar experiences and how you found god.
2) I am at the point where i am starting my career and would like to
know if its a sin to concentrate on my work now. I have not been able
to concentrate after the accident. I am having guilt that i am trying
to focus on earning money when i should be reading the bible.
3) Also i am so scared that i am not able to concentrate on anyhing. I
am afraid that i am starting to go crazy.
4) One more thing is that, since all this is happening after an
accident. Could it be possible that god is saving me through this
accident or is it just plain cowardice on my part?. I also feel guilty
turning towards god only at a time of suffering. Have any of you been
saved during time of crisis and maintained faith for the rest of your
lives.
I know that was lot of questions but would appreciate any answers.
Thank you for reading.
.
|
|
| User: "Dore" |
|
| Title: Re: Help me with your answers |
10 Feb 2004 06:06:15 PM |
|
|
"I Need Help" <lostinfear2004@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eb13110e.0402101338.117c73db@posting.google.com...
I am a christian by birth and always went to the church with my
parents but never read the bible.
There is no such thing as being a Christian by birth, for being a Christian
is believing, seeking, obeying and doing what Christ said, so if you haven't
read the Bible to KNOW what Christ said, commanded, demanded and required,
you can't say that you are a Christian.
cont
1) If i cant even bear this pain what would i do when i am old and
face more serious problems. I empathize the suffering people must have
faced when they die in earthquakes etc. I imagine the suffering during
the last moments of people in the news.
What makes you think you will live to be old? That is a careless assumption
on your part. Without God, pain is unbearable, but with Him, and prayer,
obedience and servitude of Him, He provides relief.
cont
2)Why do good people also die in suffering inspite of people praying
for them.
Each human being and their lives, is a very complex situation. God has a
plan for every individual, and according to their CHOICES in life, He does
things according to His plan and purpose. This life is NOT about being good
or being evil. God created the earth to test His creation (humans) of their
desire for Him and their loyalty to Him. There are many people who seemed to
be "good" people in hell, because they did NOT obey, nor walk in the ways of
God that He has set down for redemption, the most being, belief, obedience
and servitude to Jesus Christ.
cont
3) How will i be able to bear the pain when my loved ones die? will i
meet them again? I have the most loving family in the world.
Well, without God and faith, you won't be able to bear the pain of the death
of loved ones. Of course it all depends on their relationship with God,
through Christ too, as to whether you will be comforted knowing that they
will be in heaven or be in even more grief, knowing they have been
condemned. And yes, if your family is loving and good people, it is likely
that they will all be there to meet you at your death. Only the most
wretched of sinners, who are condemned to the deepest levels of hell, do not
enjoy the pleasure of meeting those who die after them.
cont
1) If god created earth, then how was god created. It all started to
confuse me.
God was NOT created, He ALWAYS existed.
cont
1) How do i have a conversation with god. How will i be convinced that
god spoke with me. I also want to witness miracles. I would really
appreciate any testimony of similar experiences and how you found god.
Just talk to Him, whether out loud or in your head. First and foremost, ask
Him to give you the faith you need. Ask Him to show Himself to you. And
believe me, if GOD has truly spoken with you, you will have NO doubt.
cont
2) I am at the point where i am starting my career and would like to
know if its a sin to concentrate on my work now. I have not been able
to concentrate after the accident. I am having guilt that i am trying
to focus on earning money when i should be reading the bible.
I think your first priority should be building your relationship with God,
for your work and career will have an end, as will your life, but when your
life ends and you spent all of your time on money, and careers, hell will be
your fate. That is the devil trying to influence you to seek money and a
career instead of God, since the beginning of your faith now is so fragile.
I guess you will have to choose whether to give in to Satan or fight against
Him for your eternal soul's well being.
cont
3) Also i am so scared that i am not able to concentrate on anyhing. I
am afraid that i am starting to go crazy.
That too is the devil. God doesn't need you to concentrate on anything. Just
begin by spending quality time in prayer with God, telling Him everything
about yourself. All of your thoughts, hurts, disappointments, dreams,
wonders, concerns, etc. Pick up the Bible and read Matthew, and you don't
have to read the whole thing and concentrate on every word right now. Read
something Christ said and then talk to God about it and let Him reveal what
He wants you to know. You have a great opportunity being laid up, now, to
begin having a wonderful, close, intimate relationship with God, don't blow
it. for when you get better and all you did was concentrate on money and a
career, you will forget about God, and live your life and end up in hell,
regretting that you didn't listen to GOD when He has placed this burden for
Him on your soul.
cont
4) One more thing is that, since all this is happening after an
accident. Could it be possible that god is saving me through this
accident or is it just plain cowardice on my part?. I also feel guilty
turning towards god only at a time of suffering. Have any of you been
saved during time of crisis and maintained faith for the rest of your
lives.
Allot of times, afflictions and accidents are the wake up call to allot of
people. Don't feel guilty about only turning to God at the time of
suffering, be thankful that He has taken this time to give you the desire to
know Him better, for turning to God at ANY TIME is ALWAYS a good thing.
--
Dore
www.dorewilliamson.com
"I Need Help" <lostinfear2004@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eb13110e.0402101338.117c73db@posting.google.com...
Hello Everyone,
I have a problem and would like some help from christians in this
group.
I am a christian by birth and always went to the church with my
parents but never read the bible. Overall i have had a wonderful life
growing up. Personally i was always under the assumption that if i
didnt do any evil i would go to heaven. I never denied the existance
of god but also did not acknowledge it. It was always something that i
would worry about when i was old. I always pictured myself getting
religious when i became old. Till then all i had to do was to be a
good human being.
All this changed a few days back when i was hurt. I was treated and i
am in the bed taking rest now. During this time i started thinking
about a lot of things like
1) If i cant even bear this pain what would i do when i am old and
face more serious problems. I empathize the suffering people must have
faced when they die in earthquakes etc. I imagine the suffering during
the last moments of people in the news.
2)Why do good people also die in suffering inspite of people praying
for them.
3) How will i be able to bear the pain when my loved ones die? will i
meet them again? I have the most loving family in the world.
Then the focus shifted towards god. A lot of doubts came to my mind
1) If god created earth, then how was god created. It all started to
confuse me.
Then i started looking on the internet for answers. On the internet i
found both athestic and christian testimonials that were convincing.
Then i came to the conclusion that i would fear god and live according
to the bible only if i experience god myself. I see christians who do
not fear anything ( I also see atheists like that). I want to become
fearless and want to be able to thank god for even the suffering he
puts me through.
On the other hand i also see very bad people saying that they are
religious. They read the bible,pray and even say that god speaks with
them and still do bad things in life.
1) How do i have a conversation with god. How will i be convinced that
god spoke with me. I also want to witness miracles. I would really
appreciate any testimony of similar experiences and how you found god.
2) I am at the point where i am starting my career and would like to
know if its a sin to concentrate on my work now. I have not been able
to concentrate after the accident. I am having guilt that i am trying
to focus on earning money when i should be reading the bible.
3) Also i am so scared that i am not able to concentrate on anyhing. I
am afraid that i am starting to go crazy.
4) One more thing is that, since all this is happening after an
accident. Could it be possible that god is saving me through this
accident or is it just plain cowardice on my part?. I also feel guilty
turning towards god only at a time of suffering. Have any of you been
saved during time of crisis and maintained faith for the rest of your
lives.
I know that was lot of questions but would appreciate any answers.
Thank you for reading.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Dave Oldridge" |
|
| Title: Re: Help me with your answers |
11 Feb 2004 08:06:08 PM |
|
|
(I Need Help) wrote in
news:eb13110e.0402101338.117c73db@posting.google.com:
Hello Everyone,
I have a problem and would like some help from christians in this
group.
I am a christian by birth and always went to the church with my
parents but never read the bible. Overall i have had a wonderful life
growing up. Personally i was always under the assumption that if i
Nobody is a Christian "by birth." You become a Christian through baptism
and, in traditional rites, confirmation (or as they call it in the east
chrismation). But a Christian is only someone who believes that Jesus is
making them a saint and who tries to help in that process.
didnt do any evil i would go to heaven. I never denied the existance
of god but also did not acknowledge it. It was always something that i
would worry about when i was old. I always pictured myself getting
religious when i became old. Till then all i had to do was to be a
good human being.
All this changed a few days back when i was hurt. I was treated and i
am in the bed taking rest now. During this time i started thinking
about a lot of things like
1) If i cant even bear this pain what would i do when i am old and
face more serious problems. I empathize the suffering people must have
faced when they die in earthquakes etc. I imagine the suffering during
the last moments of people in the news.
Then picture the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Not just the physical
pain, which is really the least of it, but the knowledge that He bore in
His own person the sins of the entire world, throughout history!
2)Why do good people also die in suffering inspite of people praying
for them.
Largely because we cannot prevent it in our present state of spiritual
growth.
3) How will i be able to bear the pain when my loved ones die? will i
meet them again? I have the most loving family in the world.
Exercise faith here, not worry. Life is not just pain, it's also
treasured and happy memories and experiences. Live it all.
Then the focus shifted towards god. A lot of doubts came to my mind
1) If god created earth, then how was god created. It all started to
confuse me.
God is beyond space and time and throughout them. Thus He is uncreated.
Then i started looking on the internet for answers. On the internet i
found both athestic and christian testimonials that were convincing.
Then i came to the conclusion that i would fear god and live according
to the bible only if i experience god myself. I see christians who do
not fear anything ( I also see atheists like that). I want to become
fearless and want to be able to thank god for even the suffering he
puts me through.
You'll find everything and nothing on the internet. What you need to do
is learn to pray. If you do that, praying according to God's will (not
your own), all things will come to you.
On the other hand i also see very bad people saying that they are
religious. They read the bible,pray and even say that god speaks with
them and still do bad things in life.
And sometimes He even did speak to them.
1) How do i have a conversation with god. How will i be convinced that
god spoke with me. I also want to witness miracles. I would really
appreciate any testimony of similar experiences and how you found god.
To have a conversation with God, you need to be fully willing to hear
what He says. Miracles are nice, but they are usually by invitation
only. If they are being trumpeted all over the TV, they are probably
fake. However, if you really learn to pray effectively, you may find
yourself invited to witness miracles.
2) I am at the point where i am starting my career and would like to
know if its a sin to concentrate on my work now. I have not been able
to concentrate after the accident. I am having guilt that i am trying
to focus on earning money when i should be reading the bible.
You need balance. Earning money is not wrong if it's an honest living
and we all have to do it for at least some part of our lives.
3) Also i am so scared that i am not able to concentrate on anyhing. I
am afraid that i am starting to go crazy.
Why? Just because you've been worrying about your spiritual life? Or is
there something deeper going on here?
4) One more thing is that, since all this is happening after an
accident. Could it be possible that god is saving me through this
accident or is it just plain cowardice on my part?. I also feel guilty
turning towards god only at a time of suffering. Have any of you been
saved during time of crisis and maintained faith for the rest of your
lives.
Well, accidents happen and sometimes we escape with our lives. It's
happened to me a couple of times and I'm sure God had a hand in
protecting me. But, you know, He also saved me from myself by answering
my prayers when I needed to quit smoking tobacco, which was putting a
real strain on my health. The thing with prayer is this: God already
knows what you need and it may not be what you want. You need to find
out what GOD wants and pray for that. Then you start to arrive at a
place where you can hear that still, small voice.
Also, don't be afraid to find a priest or pastor who will talk with you
about these things and give you counsel.
I know that was lot of questions but would appreciate any answers.
Thank you for reading.
You're welcome.
--
Dave Oldridge
ICQ 1800667
Paradoxically, most real events are highly improbable.
.
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
