Hello From A Struggling Christian

[TheLoveOfGodsAnimals]

Hi all, nice to be here! I lurked for a couple days before signing up, and this looks like a really nice Christian forum. :yes

A quick bit about me: I'm not a very grounded Christian. I grew up with a very weak Christian upbringing, and in a not very Christian household. As I got older, I began going to church on my own, but have never found a church I felt comfortable in. As I got older, I began to get curious about things in the Bible and asked questions. Some felt that I was being 'athiest', and judged me, when I really wasn't. That went on for years, and the more questions I asked, the more I was judged, and the further I fell away from God when I really didn't want to.

So it's been quite a while since I've attended a church. For more than a year now, I've been struggling deeply in my faith. I questioned so many things about the Bible and, more-so, Jesus and the New Testament. I've spent a year or more trying to prove, to myself, that he is the Messiah and our Savior, and the true Son of God. I spend hours a day researching and reading. I've done a lot of praying, and I study my Bible daily. I do not want to question our Lord and Savior, and I am doing my best to hang on and pull myself back up from wherever I am being pulled down into.

I've had my run-in's with many, many judging Christians, and that has made my struggle even harder. I'm looked at as a sinner, and many don't give me the time of day, and instead "wipe the dust from their feet" and move on. I've also had a lot of people tell me that as long as I have lingering doubts, or questions, in my head, that I will never be fully with Christ, and that as a result, he will not help me until I remove all doubts from my head and have 100% faith. I'm trying, but it seems so much easier said than done.

I'm hoping I can mingle with fellow Christians here, as I really do not have any Christian people in my daily life at all, so I am sort of going at this alone.

Thanks all, nice to be here.

 

[JoJo]

So nice to have you join us! :yes

I pray the Lord blesses you with clarity and assurance in His being, His truth and His salvation. The Christian walk does indeed call for faith. I pray you will relinquish all to the Lord and experience His blessings in every way.

 

[Libre]

What kind of questions couldn't you get answered? God says to come, and reason together. I've found that there is no question that can't be asked and no doctrine that can't be challenged. Every time I have done this, I have come out stronger in my beliefs. And have changed my mind more than once, in the 35 years that I have known Jesus. If you feel you can't ask openly, pm someone here. PM more than one, to get a balance. I don't see anything wrong with that.

I know that you are in the palm of His hand, and nothing can take you out of His care. He is faithful and will answer your questions. He isn't afraid of them!

 

[Tubalcain]

Welcome.

Every Christian is a struggling Christian.

 

[silentgallop]

Hello I hope that you do not feel alone in your questions. I believe that it is to be human nature to have curiosity. Your story reminds me of the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32) Everyone has their own paths in life and personal journey's they experience. With God in your heart,though, you will always find your way home. Praying for you ^_^ oh and I love your username, please keep in touch

 

[Nick]

Hello and welcome!

I encourage you to read the book of 1 Peter. :yes

 

[Cornelius]

I've also had a lot of people tell me that as long as I have lingering doubts, or questions, in my head, that I will never be fully with Christ, and that as a result, he will not help me until I remove all doubts from my head and have 100% faith. I'm trying, but it seems so much easier said than done.

You are in a good space ! The Bible tells us to "knock" and it tells us to "seek" and it tells us to "ask"

People who tell you the opposite obviously have never done this. Only after you walk this path personally with the Lord, will He show you the truth. Do not search for religion, search for God.


Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:


Mat 7:8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Every one surely includes you ! )


You have to ask for knowledge as well:
Jam 4:2 ..........; ye have not, because ye ask not.

So those Christians are wrong. We all need to walk this road , asking, seeking and knocking until we understand.

Welcome
Cornelius

 

[glorydaz]

I've also had a lot of people tell me that as long as I have lingering doubts, or questions, in my head, that I will never be fully with Christ, and that as a result, he will not help me until I remove all doubts from my head and have 100% faith. I'm trying, but it seems so much easier said than done.

They're wrong. You won't remove any doubts...the Lord will, and He will increase your faith with each passing day. :angel2

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

 

[TheLoveOfGodsAnimals]

Thanks for such a wonderful, warm welcome guys. I will continue to pray and seek out the Lord. I read my Bible daily, and I am currently halfway through the Gospel of Matthew. I will definitely read 1 Peter tonight as suggested.

 

[glorydaz]

Thanks for such a wonderful, warm welcome guys. I will continue to pray and seek out the Lord. I read my Bible daily, and I am currently halfway through the Gospel of Matthew. I will definitely read 1 Peter tonight as suggested.

Here's something interesting you may not know about the Gospels...
They each portray a different aspect of Jesus. Happy reading.

Matthew shows Jesus as King.
Mark shows Jesus as Servant
Luke shows Jesus as Man.
John shows Jesus as God.

 

[Nick]

Thanks for such a wonderful, warm welcome guys. I will continue to pray and seek out the Lord. I read my Bible daily, and I am currently halfway through the Gospel of Matthew. I will definitely read 1 Peter tonight as suggested.

Here's something interesting you may not know about the Gospels...
They each portray a different aspect of Jesus. Happy reading.

Matthew shows Jesus as King.
Mark shows Jesus as Servant
Luke shows Jesus as Man.
John shows Jesus as God.

Actually...never really thought about that but now that you bring it up...it's true! I would also put my in and say that Matthew also portrays Jesus as teacher. What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[glorydaz]

Thanks for such a wonderful, warm welcome guys. I will continue to pray and seek out the Lord. I read my Bible daily, and I am currently halfway through the Gospel of Matthew. I will definitely read 1 Peter tonight as suggested.

Here's something interesting you may not know about the Gospels...
They each portray a different aspect of Jesus. Happy reading.

Matthew shows Jesus as King.
Mark shows Jesus as Servant
Luke shows Jesus as Man.
John shows Jesus as God.

Actually...never really thought about that but now that you bring it up...it's true! I would also put my in and say that Matthew also portrays Jesus as teacher. What do you think?

Thanks!

Ya know? I'd have to agree.

 

[Carol Lowery]

Honey here you are not alone, we have all had our struggles. This is a place for the broken hearted, or for those who have many, many questions about their faith, or for those who need clarity in their hearts of hearts, or for those who have been hurt by self righteous judgemental picture perfect christians who think they've never sinned, or christians who unknowingly are brow beating bible bashing who've cause others to stumble over their judgements, instead being encouragers of God's Truth without beating the spiritman down into the ditch of despair....when all it would have taken is the display of the Fruits of the Spirits to give one what they require to press on in faith without being discouraged in their struggle. And it's good to test the spirits as Christ directs us in our search for HIS Truth. Don't hesitate to ask our Savior for clear direct answers to your questions of faith.

This is why we are here as brethern at CF.....is to lift up, and speak HIS Truth in HIS love, grab the hand that is reaching out for our help in Jesus name, and stand in the gap with you until you're able to take that next step to higher ground until you're standing on top of the mountain in HIS Victory. So while you're fellowshipping with us, know that we are here for you in our Savior's love. You're not walking alone here, you got brethern who will walk with you. Welcome aboard at CF as you search for a closer relationship with our Loving God, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Read the rules and regulations before entering the forums, this way you know if it's right for you. God Bless you and look forward to getting to know you.

And the responses you've recieved here.....is proof in the pudding in what I've spoken with the loving, helpful brethern here at CF. Enjoy your stay with us, enjoy your walk with Jesus as we are here for you in your quest to know HIM better.

JUST A SUGGESTION...READ THE TESTIMONIES OF YOUR BRETHERN HERE AND SEE WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US......WE'RE MIRACLES OF HIS LOVE/WORKS/POWER/FORGIVENESS!