Introductions and figuring life out

[JoshTraceur1992]

Hello everyone! My name is Josh and I am 17 years old! I have been an Agnostic/Atheist all of my life but this Easter Sunday (in church) I actually turned my life over to Jesus and am now a Christian! It's really great so far, but at the same time, very different. I feel "reborn" and that's great but I feel like I am leaving my old self behind and I still feel a bit foreign at church and even when I say the word "God" or "Jesus". When you feel like you've been so far gone and never could turn to the light, and then you DO turn to the light, things get a lot more clear, but you start recognizing the darkness as well.

If you want, you can head over to the first topic I have ever made a while back viewtopic.php?f=54&t=45278 and check out what it was like for me to be Agnostic/Atheist, and a few things about my past.

I just have a couple of questions in my mind, two in particular that I can think of at the moment.

1.) Is there anyone out there who was NOT raised in a Christian home or still lives in a non-Christian home? I don't particular mind this, but I have not even told my mom I have been saved or that I am getting baptized this upcoming Sunday and have no intentions to.

2.) What are you guys planning on doing after High School? I was accepted into a community college and I am heading there for pre-pharmacy! I think it's silly because I am terrible at Math. English, Writing, and Reading in general are my strong points (despite the many grammar errors you may or may not have encountered in this thread). Unfortunately, my mom decided it would be best to leave this state and ditch me behind. I am fine with it though, because I will be living with one of my best friends and will be living a way more comfortable life-style so I am ready for it!

3.) Has anyone been in the same deal I am in religion-wise? I still feel doubts, which I believe is natural, but at the same time I am not even sure of who I am anymore. I have dropped a lot of habits like cussing and stealing, but I feel like I am obligated to do these things instead of them being natural like they are supposed to.

Well that's about it you guys! I get baptized this upcoming Sunday and I am pretty nervous about it to be honest! I am naturally a very nervous person though so I will keep you guys updated if you're up for it!

-Take care!

 

[Nick]

Hi Josh!

I read your testemony on that other thread, and I am sooooooo glad! God and His angels are rejocing in heaven right now!

It's always wonderful to hear that another person has might the right choice!

God changes people's hearts and habits, so it's natural to feel what your feeling about cussing, stealing etc. Give time and God will change you, and pray to Him about it.

I think it's natural to have doubts. Go and find answers for those doubts. Pray to God about it. I have been raised in a Christian home all my life and I still have doubts.

For me there was never a 'time' like this when I came to God, nor was there I time I never disbelieved in God. I have known HIm all my life at church, and gradually somewhere along the line probably six or seven years ago I really understood what being a follower of Jesus meant. So I can't answer all your questions.

I would tell your mum if I was you. It may be hard, but is there any reason not to?

Thanks again Josh for this great news! God bless you and hopefully you get the support you need, and good luck on your upcoming baptism!

 

[JoshTraceur1992]

Hi Josh!

I read your testemony on that other thread, and I am sooooooo glad! God and His angels are rejocing in heaven right now!

It's always wonderful to hear that another person has might the right choice!

God changes people's hearts and habits, so it's natural to feel what your feeling about cussing, stealing etc. Give time and God will change you, and pray to Him about it.

I think it's natural to have doubts. Go and find answers for those doubts. Pray to God about it. I have been raised in a Christian home all my life and I still have doubts.

For me there was never a 'time' like this when I came to God, nor was there I time I never disbelieved in God. I have known HIm all my life at church, and gradually somewhere along the line probably six or seven years ago I really understood what being a follower of Jesus meant. So I can't answer all your questions.

I would tell your mum if I was you. It may be hard, but is there any reason not to?

Thanks again Josh for this great news! God bless you and hopefully you get the support you need, and good luck on your upcoming baptism!

I was really waiting for another reply but it seems like you are the only one out here, Nick! :yes

But thanks, Nick! I hope the angels sure are rejoicing !

My doubts... are controlling me a lot. I question if I have really been saved or if I reacted out of fear. It really felt like I was hurting and like something was ripping at my heart that day though. I couldn't see straight, it hurt to stand... I can't really explain it

I am not really sure why I don't want to tell my mom. I feel selfish about it but I just don't feel like I can get close to her or anything I guess!

Thanks for the support, Nick! I am kinda looking forward to my baptism now!

 

[bigllama]

Hi Josh!!

Just read your testimony, its great to see what God has done in your life!! I think your doubts will diminish with time, but rest assured that you really have been been saved. Congrats on being baptized soon!! :D

 

[Former Saul]

God changes people's hearts and habits, so it's natural to feel what your feeling about cussing, stealing etc. Give time and God will change you, and pray to Him about it.

I think it's natural to have doubts. Go and find answers for those doubts. Pray to God about it. I have been raised in a Christian home all my life and I still have doubts.

I agree with Nick's first point. Also, as you pour your heart into your relationship with Him and grow to love Him more, He will pour His Spirit into you- and the Bible tells us that if a man has the Spirt working in him and he is in step with God, it will be easy for him to not sin. It will come naturally, because those evil things will seem as detestable to you as they are to the Spirit of God that is within you, and He will always provide a way out of compromising situations.

As for doubts... Don't we all? An important thing to realize is that when you feel doubt growing in you, it's because Satan planted the seed- and Jesus defeated Satan when He died and rose again three days later. All you have to do to feel that conquering power in your heart is to get on your knees and ask God for it. Another sure-fire way to clear your head of confusion is to a) immerse yourself in the Word, and b) spend time in fellowship with other believers as often as you can. For me, I read the Bible for ten minutes every morning when I wake up, and I'm involved in a Christian club at my school that keeps me strong during the school day.

My doubts... are controlling me a lot. I question if I have really been saved or if I reacted out of fear. It really felt like I was hurting and like something was ripping at my heart that day though. I couldn't see straight, it hurt to stand... I can't really explain it

I am not really sure why I don't want to tell my mom. I feel selfish about it but I just don't feel like I can get close to her or anything I guess!

Thanks for the support, Nick! I am kinda looking forward to my baptism now!

Again- don't let Satan control you with the doubt. He has no place and no power in your life. The Bible tells us that all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved, and this applies to every person, in every situation.

As for reacting out of fear- as it says in Proverbs, "fear is the beginning of wisdom." It's natural to fear God. In fact, it's the most appropriate response for us, as humans, when we consider an all-powerful, all-knowing God who can take away our life at any moment. Fear of the Lord is a good thing because it will keep you grounded; it will force you to understand just how awesome, holy, and simply greater He is. But you must understand that this same awesome, fearsome, fierce God is also the God who loves us. Think of Him as a good father- He fights fiercely to protect His land and His children; the same strong hands that crush His enemies cradle and protect us from evil. Read the Old Testament and you'll see example after example of His fearsomeness and His love for His children.

My post is starting to get rather long, and I have homework to do- but I want to tell you that I'm in the same situation you're in- I'm a Christian in an unsaved family. I, too, often wonder how I could possibly share the love of my Lord and Savior with my parents and sisters. Being the youngest of three children, I feel like it's just not my place. I want to talk to you more, Josh, because I wasn't able to tell you everything that's on my heart in this one post. We can keep talking on this thread, or you can PM me.

- Former Saul