I've only been a christian for 15 days now. I need help about Jesus and God. I read many things about them and i went to church but i still don't get it. I want an answer and i mean not just any answer something more. I might have been pushing hard on all this but i just want to know. Please help me.
2006-11-07 13:04:49 · 20 answers · asked by Eragon 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ok so haven't been to specific on what i want to learn. I have been praying, i have been reading the bible, i have been listening but still i have no answer. Please tell me everything or at least what you know about god and jesus. I might have the answer there
2006-11-07 13:12:57 · update #1
Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.
History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”
Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.
Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.
Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.
Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.
Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.
The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.
Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.
Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.
Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.
2006-11-13 08:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you haven't found many answers because you're not quite sure what you're looking for. When I first starting walking with Christ, I went through the same thing.
Here are some basic ideas.
#1) God is loving and kind, all the time, and He always listens to you when you pray.
#2) Jesus is God's son. God the Father is the Father of all creation, and Jesus is His only literal son. The Holy Ghost is the communicator between heaven and earth.
#3) You're born again now, and that's great. But holiness won't just instantaneously happen. Now comes the fun stuff -- the day to day journey of learning ever more. You will mess up, you will make mistakes, and you will have days when you feel like a failure. This is a marathon not a sprint.
2006-11-07 21:10:50 · answer #2 · answered by cirque de lune 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello, and welcome. I'm new to the family as well. I was raised in the church, but fell away for twelve years, and now I'm back. But I'm having to start over again. What questions do you have?
Please specify. I'd be glad to help you if I can.
How long have you been going to church? And what kind of church are you attending? I need to know more. Perhaps you could email me?
What I "know" to be true may be completely wrong, so I'll give you the basics. These are the lyrics from the song "Creed" by Petra. It's a pretty old song, and their music is cheesy, but the message is what matters:
I believe in God the Father - maker of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ His only Son
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the Man of Sorrows bruised for iniquities
I believe in the Lamb who was crucified and hung between two thieves
I believe in the resurrection on the third and glorious day
And I believe in the empty tomb and the stone that the angel rolled away
He descended and set the captives free
And now He sits at God's right hand and prepares a place for me
(Chorus)
This is my creed - the witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted, it will last
And I will hold steadfast to this creed
I believe He sent His Spirit to comfort and to reveal
To lead us into the truth and light, to baptize and to seal
I believe that He will come back the way He went away
And receive us all unto Himself, but no man knows the day
I believe He is the Judge of all men, small and great
The resurrected souls of men receive from Him their fate
Some to death and some to life, some to their reward
Some to sing eternal praise forever to our Lord
So, if you believe all that, you're coming along fine. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. I'll pray for you. I just did.
2006-11-07 21:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, you will find Jesus in the Word (the Bible).
Be patient. It takes time to sweep out many years of living, and replace the old furniture with the new. But it is really worth it! After a while you will come to appreciate how confused the world-media-blah-blah-blah is!
Spend a balanced amount of time with other Christians.
Join a Bible study group with some people of your own age, with a knowledgeable leader.
I personally like the Zondervan Publishers "Life Application Bible" in NIV version, (it has lots of very practical notes explaining applications of verses and concepts).
2006-11-07 21:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy Dean 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the book a course in miracles. It is the true word of Jesus.
Much better than the nonsense in the bible.
Don't let anyone convince you that God is judgmental or would ever allow anyone to be punished. This is a lie about our unconditionally loving source. Read the parable of the prodigal son Luke 15 11-32 This tells us that God does not judge us for any reason.
Love and blessings Don
2006-11-07 21:13:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ. God must punish our sin with death because He is Holy and Just. Being also merciful He sent Jesus to pay the price for His people. Only those born again can come to Him and when they do their sin is forgiven by God because of Jesus sacrifice and they are given Jesus perfect righteousness (He lived His whole life with out sin). So if you truly believe He died for your sin and that you belong to Him and are willing to serve Him as your Lord than you can rejoice because this is a divine work in your heart and you should be very thankful.
2006-11-07 21:14:23 · answer #6 · answered by beek 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know everyone is saying this but if you have any questions you can email me also. I go to a Christian school so I am taught lots of things and I can and will do my best to answer any questions you have.
2006-11-07 22:27:19 · answer #7 · answered by Corey H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WELL THERE AREN'T REALLY MANY STUFF TO KNOW JUST THE BASICS DON'T SIN FOLLOW THE TEN COMMANDMENTS JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS ALSO KNOWN AS GOD HE DIED TO SAVE FORGIVE OUR SINS ALL YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW IS JUST BE A GOOD PERSON IF YOU THINK YOU DID SOMTHING BAD YOU SHOULD HAVE NOT DONE GO TO CHURCH AND ASK THE PRIEST TO FORGIVE YOUR SINS BUT LIKE I SAID OVER ALL BE A GOOD PERSON DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE :]]
P.S: AND THE 12 DISCIPLES
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, & JOHN
2006-11-07 21:16:19 · answer #8 · answered by yum 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about Jesus and God do you need help with?
2006-11-07 21:08:22 · answer #9 · answered by ICUD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Eragon,
I would Love to help with your questions. You are welcome to email me with your questions. I promise to get the very best answers that I can get for you. I have some great resources.
God Bless You! You Have Made The Most Wonderful Choice.
2006-11-07 21:20:50 · answer #10 · answered by kayboff 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋