seeking god? help!

October 7, 2004

Well, hello all. I am new here, and decided I would get right to the point.

I am 21 years old, from Massachusetts, and in the US Navy.. Back when I was a teenager around 17 or so I did some heavy partying, lots of sinning, and you know all that stupid stuff you do as a teenager. Anyways, I joined the navy when I was 19 and since then have gotten my act together tremendously.

BUT! It is only recently that I have tryed searching for GOD again. I have tried numerous times before but have never gotten anywhere, and lost hope and gave up.

I am trying again, and pray every night literally calling his name out but with no luck. What is wrong with me? I always have trouble reading the bible, the stories just don't make any sense to me. I do believe there is a GOD, I just need help finding him (or him finding me??)

I don't know. I go through weird mood swings a lot. I have been keeping a journal lately, and writing down my thoughts and such. Also, I have quit cigerattes recently in hope that GOD will keep me on the right path.

All in all, I just want to live a life through GOD, but have no idea where to start.

Maybe some advice could be thrown my way??

-Ryan

October 7, 2004

Welcome to Worthy krete77!

I want to share some scripture with you.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

Jesus came to the world to die on the cross for humanity. See we were guilty before God because of our sin and in order for us to be made right with God there had to be a perfect sacrifice and that perfect sacrifice was Jesus Christ. If you would have been the only person that has ever lived, Jesus would have died on the cross for you. What is so amazing is that Jesus didn't stay in the grave, he rose again on the third day and this is our glorious hope. We too will be raised again to new life and spend eternity with Jesus.

How do we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. Romans 3:22

We must confess our sins. We must repent of our sins. You have already admitted you are a sinner. To repent means to turn away from them and to turn toward Jesus. We must forsake all to follow Him. When we are truly repentant God will forgive us and make us holy in His sight, through the blood of Jesus.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. Romans 5:1-2

We are made right in God's sight by faith. If you truly repent of your sin and believe in Jesus Christ, you are saved. You must accept this by faith. You may not feel anything, it is not about feelings. It is about trusting that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross we can have eternal life.

Once you believe and repent you can then move forward with God. Pray for understanding when reading the Bible, seek out a local Bible based church in your area, pray everyday.

I am available to answer any questions you may have. You can send me a PM if you like. I hope this helps!

God Bless!

Debbie

Botz · October 7, 2004

Hey Ryan...Good to meet you.

Man you are no different to any of us...we all have a past...I'm just really glad mine has been completely forgiven.

This is a good site to join and ask questions and be real and up front just like you have been doing...I would also suggest that you read the Gospels (or at least one of them) and the Book of Acts...flick through the Psalms of David...check out Proverbs. The books of Joshua,Judges,Samuel and Kings also give a good idea of how G-d has operated through the nation of Israel and will not bog you down too much.

Talking in the flesh to other true Christians will always be a help and ask them to pray for you...so get to a Church that is on fire...where the people are enthusiatic and you can sense the presence of G-d (even if you don't understand it).

G-d doesn't usually answer in the way we expect...but I promise you all your sincere crying out to Him will not have fallen on deaf ears Ryan...when I first sought G-d I used to expect Him to show me a miracle or appear before me...it never happened....but I found I needed to take a first step of faith and believe that Jesus truely died for my sins and that I could be forgiven...

So I believe the way to approach G-d in all sincerity is to repent and believe...this will truely open things up for you...and much of your confusion will dissipate because the Holy Spirit will come and dwell within you and guide you into all truth...check out Gospel of John chapters 14,15 and 16.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

John 3:21 But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.

I'm praying for you Ryan....I believe part of G-ds answer to you has been for you to be open and honest and come to this Christian web-site.

May G-d bless you and answer the cry of your heart. Botz :hug:

Dad Ernie · October 7, 2004

Greetings and welcome Krete77,

I am a retired Navy vet, and when I was a young man, I went through something very much like what you are now going through, only you are searching for a relationship with God at a much younger age - so good for you!

Simply said:

Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Stick around and ask the questions that are bothering you. Make a time daily for studying the Word of God and pray as often as you have the time - make time.

God knows your heart and desire to know Him. Be diligent and keep pestering Him till He gives you the desire of your heart.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

tsth · October 7, 2004

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Welcome to Worthy Boards Ryan!

In His Love,

Suzanne

BroChuck · October 7, 2004

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Welcome to Worthy Boards Ryan!

In His Love,

Suzanne

Ryan... Welcome to Worthy Ministries

Amen!! Suzanne!! my life verse!

And also Ryan don't forget what faith is too my friend

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Love in Christ.. Yur Bro .... Chuck

October 7, 2004

Thanks all for your replies. See my problem is I read a lot of these passages and words from GOD but it's almost like it goes in one ear and out the other. I think very strangely sometimes, almost like a dream. I sometimes think that whatever I think will happen sometimes in the future, and such. I have had 3 of my really close friends die within the past 2 years and I have frequent dreams about them, and when I ask how they are doing in my dream., they give me the response that they aren't happy. None of which were really into GOD, but were brought up Christian. Thats how I am, I was brought up Christian, but never really understood it... Just kinda thought of GOD as that guy up in the sky watching over us.

Anyways, does my behavior and language that I use affect my relationship with GOD? I consistently swear a lot, and I do drink on the weekends (don't do anything stupid though)...

I don't know, I guess I am just to young to understand.

-Ryan

LOVE SONGS · October 8, 2004

Hi ,there krete.........

We are all here for you and will help you .

When one receives JESUS CHRIST into their heart and life,

GOD actually puts HIS SPIRIT into their heart.Their spirit

with GODS SPIRIT, entwines and the two become ONE.

Once a person receives JESUS CHRIST into their heart and life

that person is born again from above, (spiritually).

They are a child of GOD and is in GODS' family.

GOD is a SPIRIT and we don't see GOD.

He makes us aware of HIM ,by the presence of HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

Ask GOD to open your heart and understanding, to know HIS

word, with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, in the name of

Jesus.

It helps to study the word, where you can hear yourself speak.

One must take it into the heart, and not in the mind only.

THE LORD takes us just the way we are .

Gradually, GOD does the changing on the inside of us ,

by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

I would suggest to study in the BOOK of JOHN.

GOD says this in HIS word..........

JEREMIAH 29:13

And you will seek Me and find ME,

when you search for Me with all

your heart.

As someone said in here......go to a SPIRIT filled Church.

GOD said, no one shall pluck you out of MY hand.

May the LORD lead you and guide you, where ever you are ,

in the name of JESUS.

LOVE and PEACE to everyone, :hug:

keslc · October 8, 2004

Hey Ryan...Good to meet you.

G-d doesn't usually answer in the way we expect...but I promise you all your sincere crying out to Him will not have fallen on deaf ears Ryan...when I first sought G-d I used to expect Him to show me a miracle or appear before me...it never happened....but I found I needed to take a first step of faith and believe that Jesus truely died for my sins and that I could be forgiven...

So I believe the way to approach G-d in all sincerity is to repent and believe...this will truely open things up for you...and much of your confusion will dissipate because the Holy Spirit will come and dwell within you and guide you into all truth...check out Gospel of John chapters 14,15 and 16.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

John 3:21 But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.

I'm praying for you Ryan....I believe part of G-ds answer to you has been for you to be open and honest and come to this Christian web-site.

May G-d bless you and answer the cry of your heart. Botz :hug:

I second this post!

Welcome to worthyboards, Ryan! :hug:

WayneB · October 8, 2004

Ryan,

Wecome to Worthy friend...AND thank you for your service in to our country. It is because of men like you that we can rest easy at night, secure in the FAITH that you are on the wall protecting us from all threats and attack.

It is interesting to note that God is also watching out for all HIS children even though we may not see HIM and may not always feel HIS presence. There is so much to share with you but I suggest this be your initial focus. GRACE... HIS grace, which is the source of your salvation. Ryan, may I be honest? It seems that you are trying to be "good enough" and you are growing frustrated because you can't seem to connect with God by doing so.

Well, I have good news and bad news. The bad news? You could never be "good enough" for entering in God's presence. Your sin no matter how small will always separate you from God. The good news? You don't have to...the work has been done for you. You are made righteous and free of sin ONLY through the Blood of Jesus Christ and once you accept HIS free gift of salvation, the indwelt Holy Spirit will guide you into a deeper understanding of God's plan for you and lead you as you turn away from your fleshly desires. Make sense? You are trying to do it on your own and it ain't possible...no matter how good you get.

Scripture (the Bible) as the Holy Spirit gives understanding is the key to all TRUTH. You have received some sound advice so far. Start with reading the Gospel of John and go from there. There are some excellent studies in the Study Forum that you may find interesting on topics ranging from Spiritual Warfare to Effective Prayer. Start with this one..."Is GOD really listening to me?", Effective Prayer ...since you had questions about your prayer life.

Regardless, stop trying to be good enough. Instead, get on your knees and ask in your own words for Jesus Christ to enter into your heart. Through HIM you will begin your journey of spirtitual growth and will continue growing until the day your flesh passes away and your spirit returns to God. You will NEVER be perfect but you will have the PERFECTION of Christ who as you grow, you will desire to please HIM more and your own desires less.