What are some things a spiritual aspirant could do to strengthen their faith?
Please answer here and there if possible. Use copy and paste if need be. Here is the address for this question that is getting so little response.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlVVkkVbkBOWSb6redsQE.Dsy6IX?qid=20070129234402AAFSiEH
2007-01-31 11:31:00 · 27 answers · asked by devotionalservice 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The term "faith" is often used in reference to a spiritual path or religious belief. That is the definition I am really getting at here. In more detail faith means believing in something or someone even though your knowledge of that person or thing might be limited. Different religious traditions may differ as to how far we can go to understand spirituality, the after-life and God with science and logic. But, even the most scientifically and logically inclined beliefs eventually must reach a point where faith must take over. We can only understand only so much about the higher forces in existence all the way up to spirituality, the afterlife, and God. To encourage our faith it does help to get the association of those who have achieved higher levels of spiritual realization depending on your religious persuasion.
2007-02-05 17:08:38 · update #1
Read Bhagavad Gita As It Is
http://www.asitis.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/god
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegetariancounseling
Higher Taste: Online Vegetarian Cookbook!
http://www.webcom.com/ara/col/books/VEG/ht/
2007-02-05 17:09:03 · update #2
The answer is to seek God in his word an in prayer and in meditation. Know that God does answer prayers and those who seek the truth do find it. Faith is a gift that is given to those who seek the truth and through faith comes revelation.
2007-01-31 11:41:38 · answer #1 · answered by Simon Cyrene 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
One of the sad things about Yahoo answers is that worthy questions are often pushed aside for the questions that really aren't, you know? then questions like yours have an airing time of perhaps 10 minutes. Each faith has different requirements so there really isn't a stock answer for any striving faith quest. If you want to be a better Christ follower, then do the things he tells us to do, like love those who persecute you or help the poor. To be a stronger buddist you would become a monk, disdaining material possessions. Perhaps if you shared which faith you wanted to strengthen, you would get a more focused response, but perhaps this redirecting will achieve your objective best.
2007-01-31 19:47:42 · answer #2 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your faith is lacking because you have doubts about what you perceive to be the truth. Your unsure of yourself. Go to a church, only because it's the quietest place around. Sit down, close your eyes, empty your mind of all thought,relax your entire body completely, just let it go, like your falling but don't resist it. Just relax. Once you are able to accomplish this you can envision anything in your mind. It's like cleaning the chalkboard and adding something fresh. Some people have insecurities about closing their eyes and as a result they are not comfortable and relaxing meditation is impossible. If you can overcame this fear then it's a good start. Trust in yourself, trust your surroundings. If you hear sounds or movement ignore it, block it out and keep your thoughts on what you are trying to accomplish.
Actually, the Old Testament is pretty much obsolete as the New Testament has changed the rules quite significantly. All the Old Testament is now is just a history lesson. You'd be better off reading the New Testament and focus on it. The Old Testament is good to use for reference when in doubt about certain things. The New Testament was written to prepare us for "The End" and has set out simple rules which we still tend to neglect through sin. Mind you, The Ten Commandments still apply. We now need to focus on the Book of Revelations because that hasn't happened yet but is inevitable. So get your affairs in order and prepare for it. And if your a hard core sinner start praying your sorry a** off now because you won't get a second chance.
2007-01-31 20:03:58 · answer #3 · answered by zzap2001 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
That is because there is nothing you can do to strengthen your faith except to act on that which you believe.
Faith does: It doesn't wish, hope, think, wonder, or contemplate. It gets up and does something and asks the Lord for guidance and direction along the way. As you begin to see good things happen in your life, your faith becomes you,
2007-01-31 19:40:27 · answer #4 · answered by Marj 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think many people know what a spitirual aspirant is - I certainly don't.
A person who is merely spiritual without conforming to any particular religion does not really need faith. I am spiritual and I just accept the mysteries of life and death & I know that if I am supposed to know something (e.g. The meaning of life) then it will be revealed to me in time...
2007-01-31 19:41:04 · answer #5 · answered by God Fears Me 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Finding A Church
A TRUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
A truly Christian Church must teach from THE BIBLE and The Bible alone.
Both the Old and the New Testaments must be taught.
2 Timothy: 3:16 says that - ALL scripture (The Bible) is the inspiration of GOD…….
ONLY THE BIBLE - NO EXTRA BOOKS, or Church History or Tradition must add to,
or change those teachings.
THE TEACHING that is most important is in 1Timothy 2:5….
It says that there is ONE GOD and that Jesus Christ (Alone) is THE mediator.
Studying Old as well as New Testament will show that Christianity has
NOT replaced the Jews in the eyes of GOD!
Christians do NOT need to keep the old Levitical Laws!
No Sabbath keeping is necessary, no Tithing, Vegetarianism, etc.
IF ANY CHURCH WANTS TO KEEP ANY OF THE LAWS- THEY MUST THEN KEEP THEM ALL!
Why would any church want to be under the law?
Jesus fulfilled those laws! Read Matthew 5:17!
(IF a Church group say they keep THE LAWS I always ask if their Clergy does too?
If they do, the Church must own their HOMES, CARS, CLOTHING, and BANK ACCOUNTS!)
Christians worship every day but gather to worship on the first day of the week, on SUNDAY.
-- Read 1 Corinthians 16:2. And Acts 20:7. And Hebrews 10:25.
Christians do not gather to observe the Saturday Sabbath.
I Timothy 3:16 gives the TRUTHS of TRUE CHRISTIANITY "in a nutshell"…
READ IT SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY!
Any group or teacher who says we can or must do something to earn or work our way to heaven is teaching falsehood. Isaiah 64:6 ...tells us that…. ALL our works are as filthy rags!
(E-mail me at mailto:ddutkowski@hotmail.com if you can't figure out what that filthy rags means)
Any Church or Teachers who teach other than what is in The Bible….Galatians 1:8,9 says---
"if we or Angels teach another Gospel-let them be cursed"… Very strong words indeed!
Visit a Church and observe; If the members and attendees seem to have an infatuation
or almost worship the Pastor or the Church itself BEWARE, because that is a sign of a CULT.
If a Church or Group claim that they ALONE are THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH ---
run, don't walk, to the nearest exit because that IS A CULT FOR SURE!
If after your second visit you start getting more than one or two telephone calls
from people at the church, and you feel you are being "taken over" by them - beware.
If they want you to abandon friends and family to be with "just them" BEWARE,
another sign, a very strong sign, of a CULT.
Please look up in your own Bible, ALL of the above Scriptures.
Trust no one, including this writer (Matthew 7:20).
Read some ahead of that which was quoted, and after.
That is to make certain that the quote is "in context" and is not used to "prove"
something it is not intended to prove.
If you look for a Church that features miracles and sensationalism you might find a
Church that impresses, entertains, and makes you feel good, but remeber,
the purpose of a Church is to unite worshippers for the purpose of WORSHIPING
The ONE TRUE GOD! NOT to cause you to go in to a "spiritual trance" and
thereby have euphoria and special revelations or "experiences".
This information is supplied by D. F. Dutkowski of Hope Eternal Ministry.
Please feel free to show this to the Pastor where you are visiting.
If he turns "purple with rage" and denial, you are visiting a cult.
~~~
Visit Churches on Sunday. TALK TO THE PASTOR and / or ELDERS.
Ask Questions! Ask what they believe. If it is a "straight and honest"
Christian Family that you should be with, they will be happy to answer!
If you are really confused as to what Church to attend do not hesitate
to send me a list of all the Churches available to you. I will be happy to
"narrow the list" or point out the one or two who are most correct in
teachings.
I have a number of Church Directories that could also be of help.
Before attending any Church or "Religious Group" Meeting be sure to PRAY!
Ask THE HOLY SPIRIT to protect you, and to open your eyes and ears to deception.
YOU and Family must make the final decision - but only after attending for
a comfortable period. Do not rush to become Members. Pray first.
2007-01-31 19:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Read biographies of those who have walked in faith. They will inspire you and strengthen you.
Pray often, even if it's just a short prayer of thanksgiving. You don't have to pray long, complicated prayers. . .just remember to "phone home" as often as you can.
Spend time with other believers and your spiritual director. A friend of mine says, "Iron sharpens iron, and faith sharpens faith."
Set time aside every day just to be silent before God. Try to shut down the constant chatter in your mind and listen to what He has to say to you. It'll be tough at first, but it will become easier.
I've found all these things to be very helpful in my life. I hope they give you ideas of ways to strengthen your faith.
2007-01-31 19:42:44 · answer #7 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Faith, is a complete firm belief without logical proof. It is the outcome of an imaginary subconscious, that presents the false to be true and the true to be false. Faith is the derivation of a hopeful state of mind, that can only be enhanced through the perpetuity of a cataleptic logic.
2007-01-31 19:52:16 · answer #8 · answered by markos m 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It all depends on what you "believe" if you are to strengthen your "faith"
I have no "faith" and no "belief" but I continually strengthen my spirit by experiencing the truth of life. I look inside my mind so that when I look out upon the world I see what I have been missing.
2007-01-31 19:37:49 · answer #9 · answered by James 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pray to God, meditate (for your heart is a mirror of God, if you turn it unto Him), read the scriptures of your faith, and act in a moral manner, according to the dictates of your chosen religion. If your religion says "Thou shalt not lie"... then always tell the truth. Being and doing must go hand in hand. Then you will grow spiritually.
2007-01-31 19:39:40 · answer #10 · answered by darth_maul_8065 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋