john smith Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 11 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 15 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted February 15, 2021 Dear All, I've been raised as a Christian & I do not have a problem what is being said in the Bible & as God gave me a wonderful brain I need to verify everything including what is really going on & the TRUTH, but why does God not make Himself more obvious, is it because it will take our free will away, if that is the case small babies that is killed don't have a choice either and they get a "free ride to heaven". I mean if I'm gonna follow the Bible strictly and have a living relationship with God I must be 99.99% sure I'm not just believing it because I was raised with it, this is very serious stuff? The same applies if I'm suppose to be an disciple for Him, if I'm not sure myself how can I possibly convince an atheist or other non believer? Also what confuse me as if you believe in God and pray for Him, why do we need physicians & other specialist to help us? I know God work via people as well, but by consistently praying He should be able to cure any health issue without doing it yourself, how do one balance it? If a miracle does happen (obviously depends what qualifies for one) people can say yes it was just just good scientific knowledge & no evidence of supernatural was involved. One cannot just accept, in the Bible is written that you have to vigorously test everything & everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who me Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 17 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,300 Content Per Day: 1.72 Reputation: 1,685 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/27/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted February 15, 2021 23 minutes ago, john smith said: I need to verify everything including what is really going on & the TRUTH, So what is your standard for what is true? How do you prove the existence of God? Or how do you show the evidence that supports and confirms your Christian faith? Basically you should be asking your parents and minister these questions. For your own research start with coldcasechristianity web site and Lee Strobels book the Case for Christ. Other basic sites are answersingenesis and tough questions answered. If logic is for you to to William lane Craig's site reasonable faith . Another site is wintery Knight. Two questions to remember. What do you believe? What evidence do you have for that belief? Ask your minister them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john smith Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 11 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 15 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted February 15, 2021 29 minutes ago, Who me said: So what is your standard for what is true? How do you prove the existence of God? Or how do you show the evidence that supports and confirms your Christian faith? Maybe I'm not asking the right question, but always willing to listen to others advice. Currently sitting with major depression coming from being bullied in high school, lost my dad to heart attack in my twenties & had a narcists boss that abused my skills at work. 45 now and it is almost like I do not know myself and only recently realized that I'm an extremely oversensitive person & had to rely on factual logic only, as feelings just messed up my whole life up till now. Before this always thought there was something wrong with myself, but at least have proven to myself that I'm good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.31 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted February 15, 2021 1 hour ago, john smith said: Dear All, I've been raised as a Christian & I do not have a problem what is being said in the Bible & as God gave me a wonderful brain I need to verify everything including what is really going on & the TRUTH, but why does God not make Himself more obvious, is it because it will take our free will away, if that is the case small babies that is killed don't have a choice either and they get a "free ride to heaven". I mean if I'm gonna follow the Bible strictly and have a living relationship with God I must be 99.99% sure I'm not just believing it because I was raised with it, this is very serious stuff? The same applies if I'm suppose to be an disciple for Him, if I'm not sure myself how can I possibly convince an atheist or other non believer? Also what confuse me as if you believe in God and pray for Him, why do we need physicians & other specialist to help us? I know God work via people as well, but by consistently praying He should be able to cure any health issue without doing it yourself, how do one balance it? If a miracle does happen (obviously depends what qualifies for one) people can say yes it was just just good scientific knowledge & no evidence of supernatural was involved. One cannot just accept, in the Bible is written that you have to vigorously test everything & everyone. As far as making himself obvious, I think God figures that he doesn't have to tell us something over and over again - it's good enough that he tell us once. Remember that he came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, and he was crucified - I don't think we should expect him to do that over and over again. If we walk with Jesus (pray constantly - 1 Thessalonians 5:17), he will lead us in a healthy lifestyle that will avoid a lot of health issues. I don't see how you would have any problem with the Lord. All he asks is that you love him with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40). Why wouldn't you want to do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who me Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 17 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,300 Content Per Day: 1.72 Reputation: 1,685 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/27/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted February 15, 2021 11 minutes ago, john smith said: least have proven to myself that I'm good enough You don't have to prove anything to God. He knows our nature, he knows what motivates us and that is not a blanket catch all. Summary of people, he really knows you. Despite that Jesus died and rose again in order to save you. He loves and values you for what you are. Stand tall in the knowledge that God loves and values you. The world might not but Jesus does. Study those two questions, they let others talk about what they believe and when you ask them for evidence are often shocked that there evidenceis often nothing more than feelings or ideas. Look at those sites you can learn that Christianity stands firm on historical facts, that there are reasonable explanations for Christianity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john smith Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 11 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 15 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted February 15, 2021 9 minutes ago, johnthebaptist said: I don't see how you would have any problem with the Lord. All he asks is that you love him with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40). Why wouldn't you want to do that? I suppose that is because of the depression & severe bad feelings that messed up my life, became so focused on factual logic that I'm not just gonna take anybody's word for it, it has to pass all facts a non believer can throw at me, for me feeling God in me does not mean it is God (so The Holy Ghost is having a hard time with me), it can just be a good feeling, I hope there is someone who has gone through a similar experience and are as factual as me to help get a better perspective of God & the truth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK1110 Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 22 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 6,873 Content Per Day: 2.42 Reputation: 9,606 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/18/2016 Status: Online Birthday: 11/10/1986 Share Posted February 15, 2021 1 hour ago, john smith said: Dear All, I've been raised as a Christian & I do not have a problem what is being said in the Bible & as God gave me a wonderful brain I need to verify everything including what is really going on & the TRUTH, but why does God not make Himself more obvious, is it because it will take our free will away, if that is the case small babies that is killed don't have a choice either and they get a "free ride to heaven". I mean if I'm gonna follow the Bible strictly and have a living relationship with God I must be 99.99% sure I'm not just believing it because I was raised with it, this is very serious stuff? The same applies if I'm suppose to be an disciple for Him, if I'm not sure myself how can I possibly convince an atheist or other non believer? Also what confuse me as if you believe in God and pray for Him, why do we need physicians & other specialist to help us? I know God work via people as well, but by consistently praying He should be able to cure any health issue without doing it yourself, how do one balance it? If a miracle does happen (obviously depends what qualifies for one) people can say yes it was just just good scientific knowledge & no evidence of supernatural was involved. One cannot just accept, in the Bible is written that you have to vigorously test everything & everyone. Have you don't much studying of apologetics and good science? The evidence is strong for those who are willing to engage in real pursuit of it. Keep in mind that Jesus walked among the people in those times and performed many miracles. Was their response belief? No. Their response was "he's using the devil's power!" People whose hearts are dead cannot see the truth unless God opens their eyes to see it. It doesn't matter what miracles or signs are performed. Even nowadays there are many cases where stage 4 cancer vanishes overnight or people have been without a pulse or breathing for many minutes and suddenly come alive again that science cannot explain. Do they believe? No. They say that eventually science will discover why these things happen. They don't believe because they do not want to believe. If Jesus descended now again and started doing miracles, many would claim he's a magician or charlatan and ignore it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK1110 Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 22 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 6,873 Content Per Day: 2.42 Reputation: 9,606 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/18/2016 Status: Online Birthday: 11/10/1986 Share Posted February 15, 2021 24 minutes ago, john smith said: Maybe I'm not asking the right question, but always willing to listen to others advice. Currently sitting with major depression coming from being bullied in high school, lost my dad to heart attack in my twenties & had a narcists boss that abused my skills at work. 45 now and it is almost like I do not know myself and only recently realized that I'm an extremely oversensitive person & had to rely on factual logic only, as feelings just messed up my whole life up till now. Before this always thought there was something wrong with myself, but at least have proven to myself that I'm good enough. I would start reading. Hugh Ross, J. Werner Wallace, John Lennox, Josh and Sean McDowell, and so many more have done such a great job highlighting evidence for faith. If your faith feels weak and you want good facts and logic to base it on, they are out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.31 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted February 15, 2021 12 minutes ago, john smith said: I suppose that is because of the depression & severe bad feelings that messed up my life, became so focused on factual logic that I'm not just gonna take anybody's word for it, it has to pass all facts a non believer can throw at me, for me feeling God in me does not mean it is God (so The Holy Ghost is having a hard time with me), it can just be a good feeling, I hope there is someone who has gone through a similar experience and are as factual as me to help get a better perspective of God & the truth God will lead you to happiness, if you listen to what he is telling you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john smith Posted February 15, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 11 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 15 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/14/2019 Status: Offline Author Share Posted February 15, 2021 Thank you all for your responses, just by talking to you it really lifted my emotions. Will start reading & studying all those books & links, really to want to make Jesus my only option, God bless you all 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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