Christian help?

Question

I believe in god, read the bible and prayer but I feel nothing is changing in my life?
Am I doing something wrong?
I been trying over the last few years to follow god but feel I am getting no where. Appreciate your answers.
Just feel a little lost spiritually.

Answer 1

if God gave you everything you've ever wanted right up front in a snap, what do you think you would lack? if everytime you do something right and God rewards you for everytime, what woud you lack? you wouldnt know the meaning of being patient. God works in our lives and we dont even know it.



my mom has been a believer for years, ever since last year, my mom has been praying for a certain position at work for a LONG time, i think for about a year and a half. she had to move or transfer from hospital to hospital, the made her work two parts which was exhausting. but now, God just blessed her with that position that shes been praying for for a long time. yes its difficult to wait on God, but God does work in HIS time. he can see past your life and knows what awaits ahead and knows the obsticles. all you can do is stay with him and be patient.

Answer 2

Having a Christian life is a little more than reading the Bible and praying. I'm not saying that you should suddenly become SuperChristian, super evangelical, or anything, and I assume you try to "do good" regardless.



I'm saying that faith is a growing thing, and I'm glad that you are looking for help at a time when you are feeling stagnant in your new faith.



I recommend reading these two books:

Faith on the Edge: Daring to Follow Jesus

Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World

Answer 3

First thing to do, is PRAYERFULLY read your Bible; go through it methodically, i.e by either reading one book as a whole, or following a theme throughout the Bible (I did the 'theme' readings for about ten years, following notes by various Christian publishing houses, but the last fifteen or so have been one chapter a night, in two versions, with commentaries).



Second, get into a fellowship where you can discuss Christianity, ask questions, ask people to pray for you (and more important, be able to pray for them), and learn how they approach problems; also, if they have an evangelism program to reach the lost, see if you can be involved in that.



Third, look at some Christian websites, particularly if you have a problem that's about ethics or science, or if someone has asked you questions you were unable to answer and feel the question(s) have rocked your faith. I recommend the following:



http://www.christiananswers.net



http://www.answersingenesis.org



http://www.thebereancall.org



http://www.lightforthelastdays.co.uk



Those sites are very helpful for a wide range of questions.



Fourth, it's normal to go through periods of depression, doubt and anxiety: Jacob was in a depression for YEARS because he believed Joseph to be dead! So also, pray to your heavenly Father, asking Him to help you through whatever is causing you distress. He will help -- not necessarily ending any pain or suffering, but keeping you through it, as He did Paul and others (see 2 Cor. 12:1-10).



Hope this helps; God bless, A.S.

Answer 4

That's actually pretty normal. The spiritual life has many ups and downs. Even the holiest person doesn't "feel" close to God at all times, even if they are.



If you read about the saints, many go through periods of airidity and dryness in their spiritual lives. Sometimes it may last a short time, and sometimes it may last years.

However, many graces come from this dryness.



It seems to me like you are on the right track. You desire a relationship with God and are open to the truth.



My suggestion is to first and always - PRAY. That is the best way to develop your relationship with God, by just talking with Him. Second, read lots of books on the subject... I always suggest Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis for starters.



Persist in prayer and seek the truth - be open to the truth

Answer 5

You believe in god which is a good thing. But in order to get prayers answered in life we must also believe God. We must trust what he says.



There are over 900+ promises in the word of God written for us to claim the things we need. Why not start by claiming some of them?



3 John 2

John 10:10

Phillipians 4:19

Romans 10:9-10



Just some of the promises.



Read them and claim them. If you beleive that God will fulfill his promises to you then you will have a start on learning to have a close relationship with him.

Answer 6

Pull yourself up by your "bootstraps" and remember, Jesus said to take up His cross,..He didn't promise you a rose garden while in this flesh. When one really accepts Christ and puts on that full armor,..get ready for many spiritual battles. Lost Spiritually?....or needed to be Spiritually fed. Faith comes by "hearing" the Word of God. Study deep to get the meat of Gods Word. Get out an old KJV and find yourself a Strong's Concordance and you let the Holy Spirit guide you through the Word and I'm sure Spiritually you'll feel like you're getting somewhere. (Check out The Shepherd's Chapel for good Bible studies full of the meat of Gods Word)

Answer 7

Have you asked God for guidance?.....I was lost for a long time until i realised i never asked god to accept me, i learnt that Jesus made the greatest sacrifice for me so that i could take God's grace, in turn i believe i still have to ask and work for it!....

I certainly recommend the Christianity Explored Course, with this you can learn why God is offering his grace and how to become closer to God, your local church may organise it or maybe you have a christian/religious book shop near by to you and you can find the books there.



Remember that God will never leave you and is always there through your hour of need and your greatest moments.....But Most importantly, Stay With It, you have the greatest Gift, your faith, God will always nurture that if you ask him.....

Answer 8

Mr-K,



I've been there and felt the same way. I can only speak for myself, I believe we all go through this from time to time. And believe me we all get through it. God is there...all the time. He has not abandoned you. I am not sure you heard...things don't always happen the way we want it but it happens right on time. And I believe it. Right now it may seem like nothing has changed but it has. Step back and look where you were before to where you are now. Don't loss your faith...it hard sometimes that we get leary about our direction in life. In time it will show more and more, just don't give up. Keep following his path...sometimes negativity will try to get you to stray but don't. Keep your faith.



I hope I helped some ; )

Answer 9

Don"t give up .The christian walk is sort of like a little baby being born. At first you have to be fed, and then you have to learn to crawl and then after some time if you stay in the word and church and continue learning you will learn to walk.It is a growing process and your heavenly father loves you more than you could love your own child. Would you give up on your child just because he fell down. Of course not. God says in his word I will never ever leave you and always remember that and don"t stop trying.

Answer 10

I was feeling lost a couple of weeks ago so I posted a question on Yahoo! Answers. It was "Question for atheists. What is the reason you believe that God does not exist?" And I got tons of answers. So I e-mailed some people who replied, trying to prove my point. It really made me feel secure in my knowledge of God.

Answer 11

we should become more "incarnational" not spiritual, because Christian spirituality is always an embodied spiritualy, due to God's incarnation! The task of the Christian is to grow in chastity, charity, etc. Pray alot for more faith, love of Christ, trust, humility, etc. read The Bible and te theology of the Body! God bless.

Answer 12

Have you had the Baptism of the Holy Spirit yet? Look it up if you don't know what it means.



Also are you doing any works? Just believing, reading, and prayer aren't enough. You need to live a Christian walk and do good works. Sure being saved gets you in to Heaven but you are supposed to do good works too.



Get out and get involved!

Answer 13

I have seen this many times before & the one thing that always seems to be common is they were all on the milk of the Word. You need the meat of the Word! If all you were ever given since birth was milk even into adulthood. Would you be a strong person as an adult? No, it would be fine as a baby, but as you grew, you would need more solid food. The same with our spiritual life. In order to grow up spiritually, we need more solid food!

Paul had necessarily adapted his manner to teaching to the condition of the church. "I, brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual," he afterward explained to them, "but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2. Many of the Corinthian believers had been slow to learn the lessons that he was endeavoring to teach them. Their advancement in spiritual knowledge had not been proportionate to their privileges and opportunities. When they should have been far advanced in Christian experience, and able to comprehend and to practice the deeper truths of the word, they were standing where the disciples stood when Christ said to them, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." John 16:12. Jealousy, evil surmising, and accusation had closed the hearts of many of the Corinthian believers against the full working of the Holy Spirit, which "searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

1 Corinthians 2:10. However wise they might be in worldly knowledge, they were but babes in the knowledge of Christ.



Here is a link where you will find Spiritual meat of God's Word. They have free on-line bible study lessons full of spiritual meat!

http://www.amazingfacts.org/

Answer 14

I would try expressing your faith outwardly, through (perhaps) a charitable donation, volunteering, or doing a good deed every day. This way, you will see your religion and spirituality taking you somewhere - to a place closer to God. The results of such actions will reaffirm the tenets of your faith, which you see in the text in the Bible and the prayers you recite.

Answer 15

Get involved in a community of believers. Like you're second answerer said (I think), try a few different churches, see what you like, what fits you the best. Not necessarily a Catholic church, a Baptist one, a Lutheran one, etc. Go to a couple Catholic churches, a few different Lutheran ones, etc. Not every church is the same, no matter the denomination.



And try getting into a Bible study. They can help you.

Answer 16

Keep seeking and praying.

Job,Paul,John the baptist,Micaiah,Joseph,etc. all suffered while trying to serve God.I understand how tough life can be.

I pray Jesus will give you peace.Find some encouraging christians to spend time with.If you need salvation read:

John 3:15-21

Acts 2:21

1John 3:16

Romans 3,6,10

Eph 2:8-9

Hebrews 11

Matt 25

1 & 2 Tim

1 & 2 Thes



I hope this will help.

e-mail me if you want to.

Answer 17

Of course it is not wrong to believe in God, read the Bible and pray.



You seem to be suggesting a lack of vitality, maybe a lack in some way of the sense or knowledge of God in your life.



That may be because you have not been born again as some suggest. Perhaps you have insufficient conviction of your sin, have not come to a full repentance, have not heard God for the faith that He gives(Romans 10/17). Seek Him the more for these things.

Ask Him to show you your sin and to give you repentance and faith and to show you of the excellency of His Son Jesus Christ and His perfect provision for you. Ask Him that you might live by Christ's life rather than your old life.



Perhaps you have not committed yourself wholly to God or some sin or practice is holding you back. Then seek Him to reveal and enable you to overcome any such restraint. Seek for God to fill your life and for your life to be given over to Him in the way He directs and not as men say.



As you read the Bible consider how it reveals how great God is and His wonderful attributes and dealings with man and in particular you. Think on all His blessings to you from the greatest down to the simplest. Of course you will not be able to exhaust this but it will surely draw you closer to Him.



Ask Him to not only save you but to fill you with His Spirit and the knowledge of Him and the knowledge of His will, to quicken you in Him



When you read the Bible perhaps you do not apply it to yourself that it will show you about yourself like a spiritual mirror. Then ask God to help you see through the words of the Bible what He would show you.



Since prayer is the essence of communion then seek Him through prayer and the Bible. Ask Him to show you if there is anything wrong or what it is that He would have you learn.

Though it is true sometimes faithfulness is learnt through endurance yet He will always give sufficient to sustain you.



We are justified through faith in the way that the example of Abraham was, who believed the promises of God and it was counted righteousness to Him.



That is very important, vital.



For this reason ManoGod's advice above (and Alleycat) is absolutely right on. Take the promises of God to yourself and ask God to enable you to do this. "I do believe, help Thou mine unbelief," as the man cried to the Lord for his son.



In all this two things emerge.



Prayer and seeking of God, together with depending upon God. Everybody will agree with the first but few, precious few actually do the second.



For this reason be very wary and careful of what men say and teach and of the poor examples of the churches.



Be discerning in who you mix with and ask the Lord to provide you.



Remember that Christ Himself could do nothing, nor say anything except what his Father showed Him. John 5/19, 30, 8/28 and as He depended upon the Father so we are to learn to depend upon Him.



Salvation is all of Him.



He is well able to provide and show and teach us and that is what Christ died for that we might know Him for ourselves from the least to the greatest and none need teach you to know the Lord.





Continue on only more so.

Answer 18

There are basic ideals and higher ideals. Ideals something that fires you to move, take action. Basic like food,water, shelter, sex, companion. Higher like god, country, patriotism, noble deeds, etc.



Try the christian group Recovery church. They have wonderful teachings never heard in other christian groups. Or you could join my quest to spread, propagate the standard human.

Answer 19

I'll pray for you.

Visit some Bible-believing churches, maybe Baptist. They are usually friendly and have sound doctrine. Speak with the pastor or a deacon after the service and tell them what you told us.

Answer 20

The bible is written to God's people.

You become one of those by being born of His Spirit:-



"they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance . . . Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear . . . the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call"

(Acts 2:4, 33, 39)



Get that and you will start to get somewhere.



PM me if sincere.

Answer 21

Why not visits other churches? Why don't you go volunteer at a hospital, shelter or old folks home? it is a great way to help others who could use it . You have to keep the faith- remember the road to heaven is not an easy path, but well worth the struggle

Answer 22

i need help too. try K Copeland and Joel Osteens podcasts on itunes they help a lot.

believing isnt enough guess, whats your faith like?

be positive and start reading up on what your entitled to, this is the year of manifestion, fullness of blessing, the blessing without measure. read Mark 11:23 daily, confess it

quote and learn those scriptures so the devil can not deprive you of what is rightfully yours. no where you stand

Answer 23

What kind of a Christian are you because some Catholics call themselves Christians and also Jehovah's Witnesses are considered to be Christians too.

Answer 24

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.





Keep reading and praying, Ask God for wisdom. Don't allow distractions to rule you.

Answer 25

Have you been "born of the spirit?" (Born again Christian). Do you go to church? Have you been saved? I was feeling the same way all my life until my salvation. Look up local christian church's in your area and attend a few to see which one you like. Getting involved in a bible study is extremely helpful. Once you have that connection, it's amazing.

Answer 26

Fellowship with other Church members will help. Most especially if you have an accountability group that will monitor, correct and encourage you as you face life.

Answer 27

the bible is for guidence not for answers. Such as in time of need of help there are readings etc to guide you spiritually. There will be times you feel lost and I think that is natural but we live our own path.

Answer 28

Well that is between you & God

Read the Bible

God Bless!

Answer 29

Ask yourself a these questions:



Are you truly saved?

Is there sin in your life?

Have you been baptized?

Are you in the center of Gods will?



Maybe one of these are holding you back.

Hope you find your answer.

Answer 30

Do not take this the wrong way but just study Islam abit just so you know what it is all about then compare it with christianity. It might enlighten you to learn about other religions.



Alislam.org try this site and just see what Islam is really all about



Tell me what you think.



Also keep asking God to show you the way.





Love for all, Hatred for none.

Answer 31

2nd Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Answer 32

Do you have any goals? God helps those who help themselves, so I heard.

Answer 33

Go to your religious leader(s).

Answer 34

Give it up..



Stop trying to believe some-thing that will not make you a better person or change your fortunes.



Don't pray, it does not work..

Answer 35

The unsaved person cannot understand God as the Bible says. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." -1st Corinthians 2:14

I thought you might be interested in reading the following.



What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? This term first appears in the Bible in John chapter three..."There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." -John 3:1-7



To understand this Biblical term, it is necessary to understand that there are TWO BIRTHS. The "first" birth is the PHYSICAL BIRTH when you were born into this world from your mother and father. When the Bible speaks of being "born of water," it is speaking about the physical birth (NOT baptism). The "second" birth is a SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which means to be born of the "Spirit" (God's Holy Spirit). This raises a couple of questions: Why does a person need to be born spiritually?...and, What is a "spiritual" birth?



The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God. God manifests Himself to mankind in the Persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Likewise, mankind is composed of a body, soul, and spirit. Our body is the "tent" you could say of the soul and spirit (the body is a temporary dwelling place). Our soul is composed of the heart (to feel), the mind (to think), and the will (to decide). Our spirit is dead in sin when we are born; that is, we are born void of God. No person is ever born with God. The only exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who came as God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16). Our spirit is dead in trespasses and sin the Bible says...



"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" -Ephesians 2:1,2



The reason why you need to be "spiritually" born is because you have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being "born again," it actually means "born for the second time." You were born physically into this world, but you were born without the Spirit of God in your soul (spiritually dead). Yes, God created you, but He gave you freewill to decide for yourself where you will spend eternity. God never forces anyone to accept Christ as their Savior; He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). We must accept God's gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die).



To be "spiritually" born means that God's Holy Spirit "quickens" (or makes alive) your dead spirit. When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, trusting Him alone to forgive all your sins--then God the Father and God the Son comes into your heart in the form of God the Holy Spirit (John 14:23). The "Holy Spirit" is "God within us."



I have God living in my soul the Holy Spirit of God. I am not God, but I have God living in my body. The Godhead indwells every believer. The Holy Spirit of God guides me, comforts me, teaches me, rebukes me, chastises me, convicts me, encourages me, empowers me, loves me, strengthens me, and so much more. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to do these things. This is why it is critically important for every believer to live in their Bible (and make sure you have a reliable Bible--I only use the King James... not the "new" King James). A person cannot understand the Bible without the presence of the Author, and God is the Author. When you become born again (or born for the second time), God's Holy Spirit comes into your body (1st Corinthians 3:16), never to leave (Hebrews 13:5), and you will understand many new things for the first time in your life...



"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -2nd Corinthians 5:17



It is ONLY through the Precious Word of God that anyone can be born-again. Surely, no one can born into this world again physically... there is no turning back the hands of time. However, you most certainly can be born again spiritually into God's family through the Spirit of Christ... "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). The way we become "born again" is found in the Word of God...



"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." -1st Peter 1:23



We are born again by the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1,14: Revelation 19:13). The following statement sums it up pretty good...



If you're born once, then you die TWICE; If you're born twice, then you die ONCE.



If you don't receive Jesus Christ and become a born again Christian, then you will sadly burn in Hellfire for all eternity (John 3:18, 36; Revelation 20:15; 21:8). Perhaps you say, "That born again stuff makes no sense to me." Well, most people can't explain how a black cow can eat green grass, give white milk, and then it's turned into yellow butter—but they still eat it!



The GOOD NEWS (the Gospel) is that it is very EASY to have the second birth, i.e., a spiritual birth. God came down to this earth 2,000 years ago and took upon Himself the form of a man. That man was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14; 1st Timothy 3:16). Literally, the GODHEAD became incarnate (Colossians 2:9--King James Bible). Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus never sinned once (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died, was buried and rose again after three days (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus shed His blood to pay for all our sins (Colossians 1:14; 1st Peter 1:18,19), and applied that blood to the Mercy Seat in Heaven (Hebrews 9:24-26).



There are a few things you must know to be saved:



You are a sinner under the condemnation of God's Law (Romans 3:10,23).



You are GUILTY, and deserve to go to Hellfire as punishment for your sins (Romans 3:19; 6:23; Revelation 21:8).



Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (God's Son), died upon the cross to pay for your sins (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8). It is Jesus' blood that takes our sins away (1st John 1:7).

If you believe that Jesus is the Savior (the Christ) who paid for your sins, and you realize your sinful condition (and thus your need for a Savior), then you're ready to be born again. All you need to do is repent (i.e., turn) to Jesus Christ in faith, believing upon Him to forgive your sins and save you... "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." You may pray if you'd like, but you don't have to. Salvation is of the heart (Romans 10:10). If you'd like to pray, simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and tell Him that you're trusting Him as your Savior. It matters not exactly what you pray, just as long as you realize these two main truths:



1. You are a guilty sinner under the condemnation of God's Law!



2. Jesus is the Savior who shed His blood to take away your sins!





Salvation is very simple. We are sinners, and Jesus is the Savior. You see friend, there is no religion involved here, ONLY Jesus. Salvation is NOT found in a religion, but in a Person---The Lord Jesus Christ.