i need a church!!

[Donovb]

Hello Brothers and Sisters
I've decided to finally goto a church, I truly believe Im a Christian but I do slip up sometimes. I feel like there's something missing in my walk with Jesus as maybe attending a church will help complete that. I have a hard time with any religion and their rituals I just want to study scripture without any preconceived beliefs. My wife and kids go to a Catholic Church and I just dont believe in her religion and alot of their beliefs and sometimes it puts a strain on our relationship. We cant even talk religion without her going off the deepend on me. I pray all the time that she will come around and start listening but I dunno, she believes in God but is clueless with current events nor does she even care. Is there anything you all do that do not attend church but are a Christian to study the Bible? Literally everyone that I know are Catholic and they think I'm crazy for my beliefs. But my spirit or internal instinct tell me something is off with her religion and I shouldn't goto her church. I think the Catholic religion is even in Revelation the woman that fornicates with Scarlet color clothing if i read it right. Should i even worry about going to a church? Thx for taking the time out to respond and sorry for typos i typed this on my phone. I feel im just not apart of my own family and I just to make sure we all goto heaven, just looking out for my wife and kids. God Bless

 

[reba]

Fellowshiping with other Christians is a good thing and should be done. If at all possible find a home church...Dont expect them to be perfect... I miss 'going to church' . If things work out in the next year i will be finding a church...
Harping at her will keep her defenses up..

 

[Blake]

I don't think Catholicism is the Harlot, but that's neither here nor there. If you aren't growing, you're dying, and we need to be planted somewhere which challenges us and helps us to push through the dirt! No doubt about it. I believe that for some Christians, a liturgical type of worship (which may seem very mechanical and dead to others) is very invigorating to them, they find the ancient expression of worship very pure and other-worldly. Liturgical worship becomes very familiar, it engages all of the senses -- the smells, the sights, the tastes, the sounds, every sense is engaged in worship and the focus on the body and blood of Jesus Christ becomes dominant in our minds. Granted I am not a Catholic, but I have some experience with Orthodox liturgical worship.

Yes, I do think you should worry about going to church. The idea of whether or not we should go to church is a very modern type of thing and I think we need to nip it in the bud and submit ourselves to a gathering of the saints. The grace and mercy and power we receive from that sacrifice of time to worship the Lord is absolutely necessary as far as I'm concerned.

Where do you see yourself? Have you given it much thought? God in His mercy has given us a lot to choose from, not every personality is the same and what might be good for one person might not be good for another... a Catholic might be uncomfortable in a Pentecostal Holiness setting, or then again might not, all depends on the person and the need lol.

Pray about it. Talk to your wife about the idea of visiting other churches together just to get a feel for them. Look into local area churches and get a feel for them, most churches nowadays have social networking pages you can look into.

Another thought is to go through the Catholic RCIA program and truly learn the faith. Get in touch with the priest and see if that is a possibility for you. Catholicism might take on a whole new light for you once you get past the initial misunderstandings and learn the rich history of the church. Or maybe not. Like I said, just a thought.

As for your wife, you can't control where she goes, and you will unlikely be able to change her mind on where she goes. I know from experience. This isn't your battle, it is the Lord's. He is doing His work in her, you have to trust in Him to guide her in spirit and truth... the absolute best possible thing you can do for your wife and kids if you are concerned about their spirituality is to cover them constantly in private prayer. Ask God to lead them in spirit and in truth, ask God to make you both receptive and attentive to His will for you both. He will answer.

 

[Cturtle]

I personally do not go to a physical church, but i do via the internet, and lots of dvd's and mp3's. I have found some preachers that i like, and i believer that God has led me to. They cause me to grow spiritually and in knowledge.

For you to be concerned about your wife and children shows that you are trying to be the husband that God wants you to be. My suggestion is to seek God for the answers. Ask Him where He wants you to attend and then ask Him to encourage your wife to join you. And let God work things out with her. As you grow and get to where God wants you to be, she will see a difference in you, and will desire to be where you are.

Blessing my friend!

 

[dianegcook]

Hello Brothers and Sisters
I've decided to finally goto a church, I truly believe Im a Christian but I do slip up sometimes. I feel like there's something missing in my walk with Jesus as maybe attending a church will help complete that. I have a hard time with any religion and their rituals I just want to study scripture without any preconceived beliefs. My wife and kids go to a Catholic Church and I just dont believe in her religion and alot of their beliefs and sometimes it puts a strain on our relationship. We cant even talk religion without her going off the deepend on me. I pray all the time that she will come around and start listening but I dunno, she believes in God but is clueless with current events nor does she even care. Is there anything you all do that do not attend church but are a Christian to study the Bible? Literally everyone that I know are Catholic and they think I'm crazy for my beliefs. But my spirit or internal instinct tell me something is off with her religion and I shouldn't goto her church. I think the Catholic religion is even in Revelation the woman that fornicates with Scarlet color clothing if i read it right. Should i even worry about going to a church? Thx for taking the time out to respond and sorry for typos i typed this on my phone. I feel im just not apart of my own family and I just to make sure we all goto heaven, just looking out for my wife and kids. God Bless

Are we not at church now? Lol
Matt.18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.

All the posts above this one has given good advice.

Just remember,
1Cor.3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 

[reba]

It is way to easy to go off the deep end when we dont have the authority, as God set it up, over us.
God has shown us order in the Scriptures...

 

[Blake]

It is way to easy to go off the deep end when we dont have the authority, as God set it up, over us.
God has shown us order in the Scriptures...

That's wisdom Reba.

 

[WIP]

Hello Brothers and Sisters
I've decided to finally goto a church, I truly believe Im a Christian but I do slip up sometimes. I feel like there's something missing in my walk with Jesus as maybe attending a church will help complete that. I have a hard time with any religion and their rituals I just want to study scripture without any preconceived beliefs. My wife and kids go to a Catholic Church and I just dont believe in her religion and alot of their beliefs and sometimes it puts a strain on our relationship. We cant even talk religion without her going off the deepend on me. I pray all the time that she will come around and start listening but I dunno, she believes in God but is clueless with current events nor does she even care. Is there anything you all do that do not attend church but are a Christian to study the Bible? Literally everyone that I know are Catholic and they think I'm crazy for my beliefs. But my spirit or internal instinct tell me something is off with her religion and I shouldn't goto her church. I think the Catholic religion is even in Revelation the woman that fornicates with Scarlet color clothing if i read it right. Should i even worry about going to a church? Thx for taking the time out to respond and sorry for typos i typed this on my phone. I feel im just not apart of my own family and I just to make sure we all goto heaven, just looking out for my wife and kids. God Bless

I would advise a word of caution. Don't choose a church or denomination just because it's service is appealing or the teaching makes you feel good. Judge a church against the truth of scripture and nothing more or less.

Catholicism in my opinion (former Catholic) is off the mark primarily because the teaching leans too heavily on "works" and intercessory prayer (i.e., praying to certain saints or the virgin mother) among other things that I have come to disagree with. But, this does not mean that although they may be misguided not all those that belong are non-Christian. I don't think you can find a perfect denomination or church of human origin. We have corrupted the church over the years and it began early as we can read about it in Paul's letters to the various churches.

So, in a nutshell, pray to God and seek His guidance in your choice and trust Him to lead you along the straight path. Going it alone is not the best option either. Fellowship with other Christians is important for your overall Christian support. Spend time in scripture, meditate, a prayer.

 

[Knotical]

Early reformers were looked at the same way you are now, by catholics at the time. Though, in some cases much more violent reactions occurred.

The best way to flesh out what God truly wants us to know is to study the bible together and try to unpack what God is saying in the passages you study. This is not to say you should through scripture in her face, but to find a time where you both can look through the same passage and try to understand the context in which it was written and go from there.

Many catholics just take for granted that what they are being "taught" during mass is what they should believe. There is so much they are missing by not studying the bible for themselves and opening themselves up to God's truth.

 

[Donovb]

I personally do not go to a physical church, but i do via the internet, and lots of dvd's and mp3's. I have found some preachers that i like, and i believer that God has led me to. They cause me to grow spiritually and in knowledge.

For you to be concerned about your wife and children shows that you are trying to be the husband that God wants you to be. My suggestion is to seek God for the answers. Ask Him where He wants you to attend and then ask Him to encourage your wife to join you. And let God work things out with her. As you grow and get to where God wants you to be, she will see a difference in you, and will desire to be where you are.

Blessing my friend!

That's all Im doing right now is doing the internet church. Paul Begley, Anita Fuentes, and Darryl Myatt is who I mostly listen too, keeping me up with current events. Paul is a pre-trib guy and I don't believe in pre-trib but we all interpret things our own ways in the Bible. Ya im just having a hard time getting my wife to even talk religion with me, she just gets mad and walks off and refuses to even have a conversation. I just believe in my heart we are in the last of the last days, and I just hope she doesn't become lost as well add my kids. Heck my kids even argue with me, their taught purgatory, going through the church father to get saved, praying to Mary, the list goes on. I had a conversation with a family member who is also Catholic and she believes most people will goto heaven because of what Jesus did on the Cross including Hindus Muslims Buddah etc. How can they realisticly? She believes the work on the cross saved everyone unless you are just a very bad person. She believes you can't goto Heaven with sin, and that's why there's purgatory, but Jesus says were all sinners. Do you all repent of your sins every night? I know when I accidently curse or do something that is sinful and I feel bag for it after I do i pray to Jesus tip forgive me of my sins that I commited that day. I have a bad conscious with sin and I feel bad when i do sin, but is it really necessary to repent of your sins everyday when Jesus has already paid for your sins on the cross? Thx for the feedback. I'm still a new Christian so please forgive me with all of my questions.

 

[Knotical]

That's all Im doing right now is doing the internet church. Paul Begley, Anita Fuentes, and Darryl Myatt is who I mostly listen too, keeping me up with current events. Paul is a pre-trib guy and I don't believe in pre-trib but we all interpret things our own ways in the Bible. Ya im just having a hard time getting my wife to even talk religion with me, she just gets mad and walks off and refuses to even have a conversation. I just believe in my heart we are in the last of the last days, and I just hope she doesn't become lost as well add my kids. Heck my kids even argue with me, their taught purgatory, going through the church father to get saved, praying to Mary, the list goes on. I had a conversation with a family member who is also Catholic and she believes most people will goto heaven because of what Jesus did on the Cross including Hindus Muslims Buddah etc. How can they realisticly? She believes the work on the cross saved everyone unless you are just a very bad person. She believes you can't goto Heaven with sin, and that's why there's purgatory, but Jesus says were all sinners. Do you all repent of your sins every night? I know when I accidently curse or do something that is sinful and I feel bag for it after I do i pray to Jesus tip forgive me of my sins that I commited that day. I have a bad conscious with sin and I feel bad when i do sin, but is it really necessary to repent of your sins everyday when Jesus has already paid for your sins on the cross? Thx for the feedback. I'm still a new Christian so please forgive me with all of my questions.

This is why the most powerful way to get across to them that what they are learning is wrong is to engage in bible study together. You can show them, using scripture, what is true and what is not.

 

[Cturtle]

That's all Im doing right now is doing the internet church. Paul Begley, Anita Fuentes, and Darryl Myatt is who I mostly listen too, keeping me up with current events. Paul is a pre-trib guy and I don't believe in pre-trib but we all interpret things our own ways in the Bible. Ya im just having a hard time getting my wife to even talk religion with me, she just gets mad and walks off and refuses to even have a conversation. I just believe in my heart we are in the last of the last days, and I just hope she doesn't become lost as well add my kids. Heck my kids even argue with me, their taught purgatory, going through the church father to get saved, praying to Mary, the list goes on. I had a conversation with a family member who is also Catholic and she believes most people will goto heaven because of what Jesus did on the Cross including Hindus Muslims Buddah etc. How can they realisticly? She believes the work on the cross saved everyone unless you are just a very bad person. She believes you can't goto Heaven with sin, and that's why there's purgatory, but Jesus says were all sinners. Do you all repent of your sins every night? I know when I accidently curse or do something that is sinful and I feel bag for it after I do i pray to Jesus tip forgive me of my sins that I commited that day. I have a bad conscious with sin and I feel bad when i do sin, but is it really necessary to repent of your sins everyday when Jesus has already paid for your sins on the cross? Thx for the feedback. I'm still a new Christian so please forgive me with all of my questions.

Donovb,
I know that you are a new Christian, and are facing the challenges of the differences of beliefs in your home. It's tough. This is the time for you to grow in your relationship with the Lord. As you read the Bible and thank God for your family, and their salvation, ask God to give you some scriptures to pray over your wife and children. And just love them.

From what you are saying bringing up any talk of God's Word is causing tension. And i can tell you that with the tension that your wife is feeling, she is not even open to receiving what God has to say to her. So in my opinion, love her according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Ephesians 5:21-33 and then keep going before the Lord thanking Him for the salvation of your family.

Read 1 Peter 3:7 Hebrews 12:2-3,14,24 and chapter 11 of Hebrews might give you some strength for faith. Because right now is when your faith is going to built up. It will be really important to pray that God, who is the Lord of the harvest (matthew 9:38), will get laborers across their path with His Word. Someone they will listen to. And then bind the strongman (luke 11:21-22) from their minds, so that the devil cannot block them from hearing what is being said. And pray Ephesians 1:16-23 and 3:14-20 over them as well. God loves you all so much and you are going to have to trust Him that as you obey what His Word says, and what He is asking you to do then, He will grant you the desires of your heart to have them accepting Jesus into their hearts, and you all residing in church together. God gave me these verses regarding my children, and i believe He would have you stand on them too (Jeremiah 31:16-17).

Regarding repentance, i repent every time i sin, according to 1 John 1:9. I believe that as we repent, it breaks the hold that sin has over our lives (even if you have to do it 100 times a day). The hard part is not to hold onto the fact that you have made a mistake. Always keep your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. And please don't be concerned with the questions. Any question that is dumb is one that is not asked.

I am not familiar with the preachers that you listen to...i listen to Kenneth Copeland, and a few others. But as long as you feel fed spiritually with whom you are listening to, then just keep on moving forward. If you have doubts, then ask God to direct you to whom He would have you to listen to. I do however agree with the others that say that you need some kind of interaction (like this forum) with other believers. One has to not forsake the assembling of the brethren together. Basically you need other believers to encourage you and be encouraged by you. The Word says to encourage each other with Hymns and spiritual songs. Basically with the Word of God. And if you are going to grow ask lots of questions, and get into the Word (Romans 12:2) and allow it to transform you by meditating on it (Joshua 1:8). As you grow and change your wife and children will begin to see God's fingerprints on and in your life. They will notice a difference and want to know why.

Father i thank You for donovb, and his family! I thank You for binding the strongman from the minds of his wife and children, and thank You for getting laborers across their paths with Your Word, someone they can listen to. I pray a hedge of protection around this family and pray ps 91 over them as well. Thank You Father for bringing this young man into the knowledge of You and i thank You for surrounding him with Your presence, and for showering him with Your Wisdom according to James 1 and with granting him revelation knowledge in all things. Thank You Father for granting him the desires of his heart to see his family saved, and for granting his family the gift of repentance. We just praise You Father for what You are doing and for the richness of Your peace in their lives. IN Jesus Name, i pray, Amen!

 

[Donovb]

This is why the most powerful way to get across to them that what they are learning is wrong is to engage in bible study together. You can show them, using scripture, what is true and w

 

[Donovb]

Thx for the advice all. Ill take it and run with it. CTurtle, your advice touched me especially when you prayed for me and my family, that meant alot to me. Thx man. God Bless