Hey everyone!

[Melvs92]

Hi, my name is Ryan and I just turned 20. I've grown up in a Christian family and gone to church most of my life. I always believed in God and most of my friends did, but about 4 years ago I started drinking and smoking and at that point I kinda lost faith. I'm guessing this was just because all my friends were either atheist or didn't believe in anything, and this rubbed off on me (not saying I've ever been atheist).

Anyway, I stopped doing all that recently and I've been trying to believe in God but nothing is working. I started going to church again, only hang out with my friends that are Christian, and always pray about getting faith but I always have doubt. I'm kinda lost and really want to believe but for some reason no matter how much I read about Jesus and God I'm not convinced. I'm not getting any feelings or assurance like I used to. I always just think 'how could he really be there?' and can never convince myself that He actually is. But when I talk to my Christian friends about it I can tell they are positive He is up there and then I think 'how could he not be there if so many people have devoted their lives to Him?' I know Christianity is based almost entirely on faith and that's just my biggest problem right now, I don't have any.
Thanks a lot for any help!
-Ryan

 

[God's_gift]

Hi Ryan, welcome to CF.net, by faith God brought you here so stick around and enjoy

 

[God's_gift]

Hi, my name is Ryan and I just turned 20. I've grown up in a Christian family and gone to church most of my life. I always believed in God and most of my friends did, but about 4 years ago I started drinking and smoking and at that point I kinda lost faith. I'm guessing this was just because all my friends were either atheist or didn't believe in anything, and this rubbed off on me (not saying I've ever been atheist).

Anyway, I stopped doing all that recently and I've been trying to believe in God but nothing is working. I started going to church again, only hang out with my friends that are Christian, and always pray about getting faith but I always have doubt. I'm kinda lost and really want to believe but for some reason no matter how much I read about Jesus and God I'm not convinced. I'm not getting any feelings or assurance like I used to. I always just think 'how could he really be there?' and can never convince myself that He actually is. But when I talk to my Christian friends about it I can tell they are positive He is up there and then I think 'how could he not be there if so many people have devoted their lives to Him?' I know Christianity is based almost entirely on faith and that's just my biggest problem right now, I don't have any.
Thanks a lot for any help!
-Ryan

Ryan , i want to share to you " Your love is a Mystery" by Hawk Nelson


God I messed it up again, I seem to do this all the time
Can You forgive me once again, or have I finally crossed the line
They say Your grace is always with me and You're near me all the time
If that's the case, I pray sincerely that Your love is truly blind

The people on the outside watching me follow the crowd, find a way out
You know something on the inside's pushing me without a doubt
So I'm letting it go

I'm never always right and it's plain to see
You love me Jesus, it's a mystery
You know my faults, you know my wrongs
And You still love me

God I know that You exist, I've been told a thousand times
But my friends they all insist that the truth is just a lie
You see the lives that they all live seems like a party all the time
The temptations I resist, because it's You I glorify

The people on the outside watching me follow the crowd, find a way out
You know something on the inside's pushing me without a doubt
So I'm letting it go

I'm never always right and it's plain to see
You love me Jesus, it's a mystery
You know my faults, you know my wrongs
And You still love me

Let everything that I do or say reflect You in every way Your way
I'm never always right and it's plain to see
You love me Jesus, it's a mystery
You know my faults, you know my wrongs
And You still love me

I'm never always right, it's plain to see
You love me Jesus, it's a mystery
You know my faults, you know my wrongs
And You still love me

 

[Ambrose]

I see your issue, I have had my doubts in the past. They can be quite strong cant they? But the more faith you build the easier it will be to build more. Anyways, Besides for thinking of a reason for why God cant exist try thinking of a reason why God must exist! Compare the modern world with the things the scripture says is bound to happen. Try realizing how completely true the wisdom of the scripture is. Pray and let the holy spirit fill you. Allow the Holy spirit to overtake you. Continue praying

 

[Jman96]

Hi Ryan, glad your here. It's always nice to meet new people, it's kinda like school, everyone want to know the new cool kid and you hope he becomes friends with you.

I'm Justin and I hope we become friends lol. I hope that here your beliefs are challenged and you are able to understand the truth, and the way to come closer to god.

As it is hard once you've lost that connection as humans we do not understand that he always loves us. But as God, nothing's impossible and he loves you more than anyone ever could.

Please know that as you question the whole story and what you've been taught that God will show you in ways you'll never think of.

With me, I had a time of questioning and I was still part of my church, at an event where hundreds and maybe thousands of people stood in worship I felt his presence, it is a faith thing.

There are times where you will make mistakes, I still am going through that, more now than ever! But I pray every night that he forgive me for my sins and he shows me how to be stronger. As humans he knows we will mess up, and still to this day I wait for the day that He wrecks me completely.

We are all human and know hopefully He will show you soon. But through Christ all things are possible, and I have faith that God will show you his ways.

 

[farouk]

Hi Ryan! Good to see you here.

A good start would be, quit thinking so much about your feelings (I got lots of feelings, too) and start reading God's Word everyday, to find out what God thinks of us, and who the Lord Jesus is. This would be a really good start. God bless your Bible reading.

 

[Mike]

Welcome to CFnet, Ryan!

At your point in your faith, one of the best books (besides the Bible) to read is "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. He breaks down the fundamental beliefs of Christianity from this perspective: The world is always pushing doubt on what we believe. There are many logical reasons to believe, so why NOT what we believe? Try to open your mind to the possibility that what scripture says is true, and walk through this book point by point with Lewis.

And remember this... God sees into your heart and knows you want to believe. I believe you are in store for something amazing, because those who want desperately to encounter Him such as yourself, bring joy to the creator of the universe. Scripture says there is a celebration in Heaven when one person is brought to faith. Heaven is putting up the decorations for a party in your name! :yes

 

[Melvs92]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, I'm definitely gonna pray a lot more and keep reading scripture. I hope to meet lots of new friends!

 

[God's_gift]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, I'm definitely gonna pray a lot more and keep reading scripture. I hope to meet lots of new friends!

yeah sure Ryan, don't hesitate to ask or share a topic .

 

[eddif]

It gets tough at times.

Read and re-read Phillipians 3. Look at the merging of the law and faith. Especially see verses 12-15

eddif