Where to now?

[Guest Mal54]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this chat group and this is the first time in several years I've cared to contact any Christian organisation after blacksliding.

It's with real reluctance that I sit here now and write this. I still believe in God but my personal faith is hanging by a very fine thred.

During my association with certain churches I only found heartache, discouragement, and disappointment, and a lot of backbiting.

My prayers and calls to God seemed so empty and unheard so finally, out of sheer frustration, I simply gave up. It seemed as though I was making efforts to reach out to God but he wasn't making any effort to reach me. When God is unapproachable even when I've genuinely examined my own heart and life and sought him for so long and still he is silent. What is one to do when the ship is sinking and there are no life rafts, and it appears the Captain has abandoned you?

Regards Mal54

[WayneB]

God Bless you.

Welcome to Worthy Boards.

I moved your thread here and hope you don't mind. My hope is that it will be more visible to your brethren in Christ and that you will receive encouragement and feel God's perfect love.

May I offer one observation?

Don't seek God in church. Seek HIM through HIS Word and prayer.

IF you place your hope in a pastor or a friend or a church, you will be disappointed and lose faith. Rather, place your FAITH in Jesus Christ ONLY and you will NEVER be disappointed.

One thing you will learn is that in ALL things God does good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Yes..in ALL things. Even in sickness and death...even in my adult son's rare brain disease and the death of my close friend's grandson. Yes, in ALL things God does good!

When we come into HIS sanctuary (presence), we begin redefining "good" and realize that what matters most is that we are promised eternal life with HIM. We may suffer in the flesh but our spirits will one day return to be with the Father. What more do we need or should we want?

May the Lord Bless you richly,

Wayne

[Openly Curious]

Take courage my dear brother he is still standing at your hearts door knocking wanting to come in and sup with you. You just got to begin as you are doing now open up to Him. The more you open up your hearts door the more the Lord will fill it up. You should read and study the word of G-d and get it into your heart so that you are able to "hear" the shephards voice. the word also will be a lamp unto you feet so you will know which path to take in life. you just start right there where you are from a little child in the learn and then grow up in Him to a mature christian is how it is done we have to learn and grow in the Lord. The church part you should pray and trust G-d to work that all out for you for you will know in His time in that area. But you keep on praying whether you feel anything or not and reading the good book and you'll find and hear from heaven. I will be praying for you blessings

Openly Curious

[Leonard]

St. John of the Cross spoke of this as 'the Dark Night of the Soul.' Read what He wrote; I'm sure it will help you.

[Candi770]

Hi Mal,

God Bless You- Glad your here!!!

In returning to the Lord, I make sure to repent of all my sins, including forgiving those hurtful people in the church- I always check to see if I'm holding anyone in unforgiveness.

I check my prayer life:sometimes I cry it out with the Lord until I get released. I also check my word level. Your spirit truely needs the nourishment of His word. Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

We must purpose in our heart to seek him- for he does say those who seek him shall find him- his is faithful-if he said it in his word-expect it-he can't lie. Take him at his word.

Regardless of whether we feel him or not- we must walk by faith and not by sight. He doesn't manifest the same way everytime.

Do you know your identity in Christ? An excellent website: The Freedom in Christ Ministry-Homepage- Under-who I am in Christ- has a wonderful list of scriptures of who the Lord says we are. These are excellent to meditate on. When we know who we are-then we are not as concerned about what we do or donot feel.

Purpose in your heart to not give up, and do not be discouraged that others have treated you the way you have been treated- you are a part of the Body of Christ and your brothers and sisters need you- how can a natural body operate without a part-We need you.

Recently when I went through a massive trial- I vowed to God-it doesn't matter how hard it gets I will continue to serve you Lord. The devil wanted me to give up-the Lord told me to stand. It was the hardest thing I went through-but the experience drew me closer to him and I wouldn't have traded that for nothing. he is so Good!! I've given up under some trials and look back and say- man I could have learned something from that- now I'm more watchful of the enemy and as this last time-listen to the Lord's warnings.

Purpose also to never allow people to take you off this Journey-Those who hurt christians will face God- I've seen it in my own life-thats why we must pray for our enemies!!! always Keep your eyes of Jesus.

God Loves You and that hasn't changed-he is still in heaven and his ears are still open- and his arms have not been shortened and they are wide open for you- so come. He loves to be pursued- He has never given up on you-he's been waiting.

It is evident that the Holy Spirit has recently been drawing you-from your post.

I'm so happy your back with JESUS!!!!!!

[Guest Mal54]

Hello Wayne B,

thank you for your kind response. Something I don't understand the 'church', which is made up of people and Pastors etc., are the "body of Christ" and represent him upon the Earth and yet many of them behave in such an ungodly and unloving way. So naturally people (like myself) become disheartened. We can't see God but we can see his people.

Warm regards Mal54

God Bless you.

Welcome to Worthy Boards.

I moved your thread here and hope you don't mind. My hope is that it will be more visible to your brethren in Christ and that you will receive encouragement and feel God's perfect love.

May I offer one observation?

Don't seek God in church. Seek HIM through HIS Word and prayer.

IF you place your hope in a pastor or a friend or a church, you will be disappointed and lose faith. Rather, place your FAITH in Jesus Christ ONLY and you will NEVER be disappointed.

One thing you will learn is that in ALL things God does good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Yes..in ALL things. Even in sickness and death...even in my adult son's rare brain disease and the death of my close friend's grandson. Yes, in ALL things God does good!

When we come into HIS sanctuary (presence), we begin redefining "good" and realize that what matters most is that we are promised eternal life with HIM. We may suffer in the flesh but our spirits will one day return to be with the Father. What more do we need or should we want?

May the Lord Bless you richly,

Wayne

[Guest Mal54]

Hello 'Openly Curious',

thank you for your kind and thoughtful response.

Regards: Mal54

Take courage my dear brother he is still standing at your hearts door knocking wanting to come in and sup with you. You just got to begin as you are doing now open up to Him. The more you open up your hearts door the more the Lord will fill it up. You should read and study the word of G-d and get it into your heart so that you are able to "hear" the shephards voice. the word also will be a lamp unto you feet so you will know which path to take in life. you just start right there where you are from a little child in the learn and then grow up in Him to a mature christian is how it is done we have to learn and grow in the Lord. The church part you should pray and trust G-d to work that all out for you for you will know in His time in that area. But you keep on praying whether you feel anything or not and reading the good book and you'll find and hear from heaven. I will be praying for you blessings

Openly Curious

[Guest Mal54]

Hello Candi770,

I'd like to think that God is drawing me back again, but he'd have a lot of softening up to do with my heart as I've become somewhat cynical over the years.

Regards: Mal54

Hi Mal,

God Bless You- Glad your here!!!

In returning to the Lord, I make sure to repent of all my sins, including forgiving those hurtful people in the church- I always check to see if I'm holding anyone in unforgiveness.

I check my prayer life:sometimes I cry it out with the Lord until I get released. I also check my word level. Your spirit truely needs the nourishment of His word. Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

We must purpose in our heart to seek him- for he does say those who seek him shall find him- his is faithful-if he said it in his word-expect it-he can't lie. Take him at his word.

Regardless of whether we feel him or not- we must walk by faith and not by sight. He doesn't manifest the same way everytime.

Do you know your identity in Christ? An excellent website: The Freedom in Christ Ministry-Homepage- Under-who I am in Christ- has a wonderful list of scriptures of who the Lord says we are. These are excellent to meditate on. When we know who we are-then we are not as concerned about what we do or donot feel.

Purpose in your heart to not give up, and do not be discouraged that others have treated you the way you have been treated- you are a part of the Body of Christ and your brothers and sisters need you- how can a natural body operate without a part-We need you.

Recently when I went through a massive trial- I vowed to God-it doesn't matter how hard it gets I will continue to serve you Lord. The devil wanted me to give up-the Lord told me to stand. It was the hardest thing I went through-but the experience drew me closer to him and I wouldn't have traded that for nothing. he is so Good!! I've given up under some trials and look back and say- man I could have learned something from that- now I'm more watchful of the enemy and as this last time-listen to the Lord's warnings.

Purpose also to never allow people to take you off this Journey-Those who hurt christians will face God- I've seen it in my own life-thats why we must pray for our enemies!!! always Keep your eyes of Jesus.

God Loves You and that hasn't changed-he is still in heaven and his ears are still open- and his arms have not been shortened and they are wide open for you- so come. He loves to be pursued- He has never given up on you-he's been waiting.

It is evident that the Holy Spirit has recently been drawing you-from your post.

I'm so happy your back with JESUS!!!!!!

[Guest jckduboise]

Hello Wayne B,

thank you for your kind response. Something I don't understand the 'church', which is made up of people and Pastors etc., are the "body of Christ" and represent him upon the Earth and yet many of them behave in such an ungodly and unloving way. So naturally people (like myself) become disheartened. We can't see God but we can see his people.

Warm regards Mal54

God Bless you.

Welcome to Worthy Boards.

I moved your thread here and hope you don't mind. My hope is that it will be more visible to your brethren in Christ and that you will receive encouragement and feel God's perfect love.

May I offer one observation?

Don't seek God in church. Seek HIM through HIS Word and prayer.

IF you place your hope in a pastor or a friend or a church, you will be disappointed and lose faith. Rather, place your FAITH in Jesus Christ ONLY and you will NEVER be disappointed.

One thing you will learn is that in ALL things God does good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Yes..in ALL things. Even in sickness and death...even in my adult son's rare brain disease and the death of my close friend's grandson. Yes, in ALL things God does good!

When we come into HIS sanctuary (presence), we begin redefining "good" and realize that what matters most is that we are promised eternal life with HIM. We may suffer in the flesh but our spirits will one day return to be with the Father. What more do we need or should we want?

May the Lord Bless you richly,

Wayne

Wayne,

It is easy to become discouraged when we are dealing with human beings. They disapoint us because they are human. No matter how much someone may love the Lord they are still prone to disapointing others because of our imperfection. And I am glad to see that you are seeking the Lord on your own through reading His word and prayer. Our Father will always hear you because we have a mediator in Jesus. Just keep talking. Jesus IS the way, the truth and the light. Through Him you will reach the Heavens. Don't give up brother, the Lord never leaves a good work unfinished. And right now you are a fresh baby who has a lot of growth and knowledge to obtain. Be patient in the Lord for He has already written the Truth in your heart, you just need to continue to seek Him and He will reveal Himself to you.

Something that may help in your communication with Him is to ask Him to reveal the hidden secrets in your heart. Then you can go to Him clean.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and these things will be added unto you.

[tah]

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

This can be said of every one of us...

He needed his fellow Christians to forgive him ...

I have to be willing to forgive others and I have to be willing to forgive myself...

I cannot blame or point the finger at anyone and say "because of you my walk is.."

Our Father is God and it is to Him we must explain ourselves...

There is no way I can go to him and say but "so and so isn't doing right so that is my excuse for not doing right"

Will not fly...tried it..nope did not fly..

God gives us some very clear outlines for living a Christian life..Love Him..do not practice sin..love others....forgive..

Find out what He wants You to do and go do it to the best of your ability...

That is all any of us can do..

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom 14:19

All things do work for good ...I believe it...

I believe it for me and I believe it for you and I believe it for everyone who is the Lord's.

A lot of us are working our way to where the Lord wants us as far as fellowship is concerned..

I pray you find your place and start to give and forgive and let God do a good work in you and all who you come in contact with..

Blessing...