How do I back on route with God? A plea for good Christian advice

[Sunniesttime]

Hi, I used to go to Church, pray take an active part in the life of the Church. I won't say that I blame the Church.. for my falling away, the Church is a group of people who love the Lord I know. Full of imperfections..just like the individual. Just like me. As a single parent it was a struggle. I longed for a husband yet became quite content in my single ness. I can't really recall how it began..slipping away. I began to feel that I did not fit in.. leading to the odd time missing church which developed into a regular occurance. No one called or bothered that I was not going so it was easy. Then I began to go out with friends, who did not love Jesus. I met a man, a wonderful man and eventually we got married. He was not a christian... well actually he has asked Jesus into his life but he nor I go to church. |He is amazing and i feel very blessed. Yet I know that people, probably like yourselves reading this, would tellme that I should have not yolked mysefl to an unbeliever and should have trusted in God and waited. Husband or not for God's plan for me to unfold. Please Please don't condemn me. I have been so afraid to go back to church for fear of that.

I am backslidden in the churches eyes. Yet...through all this time I think and believe i hear God's voice. Telling me he still loves me, I have wept because I long for that intimacy yet don't know my way back.. how to get back there. How will God see my marriage to this man? How do I get back on track if this was not his plan for my life?

I have said 'sorry' for going the way that was not his plan...but what do I do now? But I am still here feeling no closer from God. I don't believe that he has cast me for ever from his side. Because God would not do that.. from what I know. Has anyone got any advice?

Thank you,

Sunniest time....

[ladypeartree]

Yes ...first stop beating yourself up ...the world will do that enough for you

God loves us ...you and me and He continues to love us no matter how we feel about it and He continues to love us if we go to a "church " or not ...that was meant for us to gain support and to learn for one another not as some sort of test to see if we are worthy of His love.

You say your husband has asked Jesus into his life ? well hooray so how does not going to "church" make him less of a Christian or less saved

Let me say welcome to worthy and please stick around and get to know us

[Trusting Jesus]

Welcome to Worthy....I'm glady you are here.

If we had to rely on our own perfection to get to Heaven, none of us would make it. That's why Jesus entered His creation. He loves you, your husband, your next door neighbor....all of us. And you know what? He even knew you would backslide! Your story sounds similar to mine. My slipping away began when I got mad at God (pretty arrogant of me) and decided that He really didn't care about me. Well, like you, I stopped going to church....started hanging out with worldly friends.....started doing worldly things. None of this brought joy or happiness to me. Finally I met a man who loved me and who I loved. We were married --- I still considered myself a Christian although I knew I was very far from God's will. My husband thought he was a Christian, but had no idea what that meant. After we were married for a few years I knew that I had to get right with God. I told my husband I needed to go to church. He said he would go with me the first Sunday, but probably wouldn't go after that. Well, he did go that first Sunday....then the next......then the next. He fell in love with Jesus! It has been about 13 years now and my husband has totally surrendered to Jesus, our daughter is 17 now and loves our Lord, and I have repented of my sins and am right with Jesus now.

First I would say to begin studying your Bible (not just reading, but studying). Start with the Gospel of John. You'll find that Jesus still loves you. Then find a Christ centered, Bible believing church. Don't beat yourself up for what you have done. Repent and go forward. The church is made up of sinners -- sinners saved by Grace.

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, [i say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26

Jesus loves you.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[Sunniesttime]

Thanks for your replies. Nathale I was very encouraged to read your story. It sounds so similar to mine!!! I know that going to Church does not make you a Christian but I do think that it strengthens you and you can support others too. It is like a family.

What you say is so so true. I was thinking about some of the families I know at church. Or at least did know. They have grown up and all served the Lord, no backsliding, and all their lives seem perfect. Of course I know that they are not and will have had their own struggles.

I guess one of the things that tortured me... when I realised how much I missed the intimacy with God. Was that as I had strayed from the Path i had blown it some how. Also knowing this made no sense because the Bible talks of many instances of forgiveness including the story of the lost coin and the prodigal son, which both are pertaining to me really lol.

My husband says that he will come to church so that is a bonus. I want to find a family of God who will embrace us and not condemn me. If God tells me to go back to my old church I don't know what I will do lol. I will go though but I will be scared of the pointing finger of the backslidden now returning.. or maybe they will rejoice???

I don't know why I rebelled, there I said it, I am now being honest, it was rebellion really. It strange to think, like you say that he knew I would do this.. what a concept!!!

Nathale, what also worries me is punishment, will God punish me for this.

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. I am from the UK by the way

Sunniest x

[Sunniesttime]

and you both talk of beating myself up...or not as the case may be. This is super advice because I would be quite likely to do that...at length....but I will persevere in NOT doing that LOL

[ladypeartree]

There are quite a few of us here at worthy from the Uk ...once you have 10 posts you can pm and recieve pms so we can possibly find someone who lives near you that may have an idea of the church situation near you

[Trusting Jesus]

If you have repented of your sins, God does not remember them! Isn't that wonderful!!! It is just Satan trying to make you think that you aren't good enough. Well, none of us are good enough. There is a bumper sticker I used to see quite often "I'm not perfect, just forgiven", and that is the way it is with each of us....not perfect, just forgiven. Praise the Lord.

I would encourage you not to go to a church you would feel uncomfortable attending. The main thing is that the one you choose upholds the authority of Scripture. If you were in America I would suggest you find a Calvary Chapel. There may be one in England, I'm not sure. Just remember that every person sitting in the pews are struggling with one sin or another. Some people just hide their sins better!

You're going to be just fine. God loves you. God forgives you. Now forgive yourself.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[Guest man]

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31,32

This man walked and talked with Christ on a daily basis. He witnessed the wonders of Christ...and he still stumbled.

Take what you learned from your fall and teach others.

You are not unlike any one of us. Everybody struggles...some more then others.

You're among friends.

Keep up the faith.

Peace.

[Sunniesttime]

Hia Thank you,

I will be thinking about all you have kindly written and will reply tomorrow...as for now it is nearly midnight here and I should get some sleep.

I am very glad I came...it's like the first steps back....encouraging and uplifting

Sunniest

[Guest]

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him" Psalms 28:7

Has anyone got any advice?

Congratulations On Your Marriage - Love And Respect That Guy

(I Too Have Received A Gift From God Through The Love Of My Darling Carol - Wife Of 38+ Years )

What To Do, What To Do

Rejoice

"Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20

Hide

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" Psalms 119:11

Abide

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" John 15:9-12

The LORD Will Move You Two As You Seek Him

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah" Psalms 62:8

And Be Blessed Beloved Daughter Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe