going to church.....

[thereaperman]

i dont have a chruch i regularly go to, but i occasionally go to one near me normally to talk to one guy about all thats going on in my life. last time he told me that it was time i started walking in victory and stopped surviving, that really scared me that im expected to readh higher and futher thatn i feel i can right now.....

i know going to church is smoething im suppose to do but i dont feel comfortable in a room full of people who feel so close to god when i dont. i get scared that if i dont go and if i dont try my hardest at everything everyone i know will end up going to hell and i really dont want that. i reason that i can sit in my room and talk things over with god, praise god and read his word without having to be in church to do it. so why do i feel guilty about not going and so confused over everything to do with christianity?

i do believe, i do read and pray but at the end of the day im still only human and it all gets a bit much at times, should a relationship with god be this hard all the time?

[Anne]

The first thing I wondered after reading this, was, are you saved?

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

Anne

[Shelby]

There,

I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself. A relationship with God and fellowship with his people is not about what you can do for him. It is about what He can do for you through your fellowship with other believers, which WILL encourage you and give you more confidence in those relationships.

Since you do have someone at that church that you feel comfortable talking to, why don't you ask him if you can sit with him, and go to the different programs and Bible Studies he goes too. Then you will have something more to converse about. If you truly want God to move in your life, then let go of trying to "Be" a super Christian, and get ready to be supernaturally transformed. You will not be acting on your own any longer.

Church is important, and there are those who do think it isn't necessary but the Bible clearly states that being in a fellowship of other believers to help encourage and continue accountability are necessary to a spiritually mature life.

Go back, no one is expecting you to come in and be Super Christian, nor are they going to look at your short comings and backslide. It is not about you, it is about God, and if the people are that easily swayed, find a new Church.

I encourage you to pray for the confidence and courage to open up and realize you aren't perfect, nor are you going to be that influential until the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

Set your intention, declare it, and do it.

1. I intend to become closer to God and develop relationships that will help me do that and encourage others to do the same. (my intention)

2. Go to teh pastor, share your intention and your need for his support.

3. Go to church, go to your friend, and stay close to the Lord through personal Bible study and prayer. And God will move in you.

God is working, and he will in spite of you if need be, so go willingly and be a useful vessel.

[Botz]

Hi Reaperman...Sometimes we struggle as young Believers to become established in our faith and secure in our relationship with Jesus...you are in very good company and what you describe is probably symptomatic of nearly all of us.

You will probably also find that many of the High-powered Christians that you feel intimidated by all go through their own personal struggles and some may be good at putting on a front.

It is true you need to learn to walk in victory and it is right that this provkes you to a degreee...many Christians are content to get on the roundabout of constant defeat and just rely on the love and grace of G-d to pick them up when they fall...if you can be passionate about the L-rd and honest and real in your relationship ...I think your fears and struggles will just naturally get less and less.

Learn to pray...get the word of G-d into your spirit...and begin to fellowship with other Believers however mature and full of G-d they may seem...you might find friends that are good role models and who really help you in your growing in G-d.

Yes you are only human...and the L-rd knows what is in your heart...you will not be mature over night...just learn the love of Jesus and be determined to go from one degree of glory to another....you will fail many times...we all do...but learn to turn to Him always...and draw your strength from His faithfulness to you...we have a great Saviour who has our best interests at heart and loves us with an everlasting love...and has not left us to struggle alone...but given us the Holy Ghost....above all enjoy your walk with the L-rd...and know His peace.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Phi 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[thereaperman]

my dad just called, his frined drove 50 miles to see him today, to check hes doing ok (which he isnt i think the cancers back) and hes now a christian, my dad said it made him think sere never too old to change, maybe god is drawing him close to him? my fear is taht if im not doing a good job at being a christian my dad wont be saved.

plus i have this fear that everytime i see people it could be the last time, like they could get stabbed or beaten up on the way home, that my sin might cause them harm....

i believe im saved, i just also belive im doing a really bad job of representing christ in the world. i find more relevance from spaceman3 sining about calling out to god than i do in a room full of christians or reading the word, is that wrong?

thank you for your answers of support

love paul

[Anne]

You asked Christ Jesus into your heart, right? Then you are saved, don't let the devil creep in with nagging doubts, chase him away with this:-

John Chapter 14 v 2

"In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

This is God's promise to you, he never breaks his promises.

As for finding more in common with Spaceman3 (i'm an oldie, no idea who/what they are!) However, the problem of putting something/anything before the word of God, will create problems.

The fact that you asked "Is this wrong," suggests to me you already know the answer to that, go on, pick up your Bible right now, say a prayer telling God your thoughts, problems and ask him to speak to you, to make it clear. He is convicting you for a reason little brother, all you have to do is listen.

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne

[Orr v'emet]

my dad just called, his frined drove 50 miles to see him today, to check hes doing ok (which he isnt i think the cancers back) and hes now a christian, my dad said it made him think sere never too old to change, maybe god is drawing him close to him? my fear is taht if im not doing a good job at being a christian my dad wont be saved.

plus i have this fear that everytime i see people it could be the last time, like they could get stabbed or beaten up on the way home, that my sin might cause them harm....

i believe im saved, i just also belive im doing a really bad job of representing christ in the world. i find more relevance from spaceman3 sining about calling out to god than i do in a room full of christians or reading the word, is that wrong?

thank you for your answers of support

love paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One of the many things that I love about God is that we can find rest and peace in His presence and His Word. Let's see what the word of God says:

Jeremiah 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 John 4

15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

You know what these verses say to me? We don't have to worry about anything...anything. God has our future in His hands and no matter the ups and downs of life, His plans will prosper you, give you a hope and give you a future. You don't have to be afraid of anything.

I like the passages in 1 John 4, vs 16 in particular. "and so we know and rely on the love God has for us" These verses tell me that I can trust God for my best because He loves me. He would never do anything to hurt me, He has my best interest at heart because of His deep love for me. Does that mean that bad things won't happen? No. What it does mean is that through it all, God will be working things out for my good (Rom. 8:28).

Let me also say that I can understand your frustration as expressed when you said that you fear you are not doing a "good job" as a christian. What you need to realize is that you and I can do nothing on our own. Our righteousness is as filthy rags to the Father. The bible says in Philippians 2:13...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. We have to allow God to work in a through us. If we try to do it on our own we will fail every time. So what do you do? Submit your whole life to Him. Get grounded in the Word, be in prayer, telling God your fears and asking Him to deliver you from them and fellowship with other believers. Don't give up. Rely on God to hold you, He won't let you fall.

[Fr Chuck]

Is there something in your life, you do not wish to stop or you do not wish to give up,

Many times we refuse to take that close walk with God because we know that there are things in our life that God will change and we don't want to make that change, so we choice the things in our life over God.

I am with that guy, it is time, God is talking to you, so you need to start that walk with him.

[Work in Progress]

You feel guilty because deep down, you know you should be in church, being fed with the Word of God and hearing from His Spirit. Not that you can't hear from the Spirit on your own, but there is a lot to be said for God using the music and the sermon to speak to you.

We can find all sorts of excuses not to go, but they are only that - excuses.

There is no rule that you have to feel what the other people at church feel, or say the right words, or be anything like them. You only have to be you. Go and worship and get from the service what you get (after asking God to totally open your heart) and leave. You are not committed to anything else. Maybe later, more will come. But for now, all God asks is that you go and get your soul fed.

As for your friend there - that is great that there is a guy you go to see. There are people that have literally no one who cares about them, so count your blessings. When he says things that make you feel uncomfortable, or 'scare' you, tell him so. I'm sure he wants to hear exactly what you are feeling. Your feelings are valid, so share them.

God bless.

[Guest hubertdorm]

i know going to church is smoething im suppose to do but i dont feel comfortable in a room full of people who feel so close to god when i dont. i get scared that if i dont go and if i dont try my hardest at everything everyone i know will end up going to hell and i really dont want that. i reason that i can sit in my room and talk things over with god, praise god and read his word without having to be in church to do it. so why do i feel guilty about not going and so confused over everything to do with christianity?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"You can't go to church as some people say

The common terminology we use everyday

You can go to a building, that is something you can do

But you can't go to church 'cause the church is you

'Cause the church is you"

"U Can't Go 2 Church" words and music: Keith Lancaster