Hey .. I'm 13 and am a born again Christian! I have been filled with the holy spirit and would love to be used by God in some way! But my Dad is the vicar at my church but it isn't very lively and the people don't have any fire for God! I would love to see a change in it but how do I speak up !? Can you give me any ideas or encouragement !? I would love to have more gifts from God too!
2007-05-10 05:44:01 · 19 answers · asked by Debbie 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I thank the Lord for your desire to follow Him closer and serve Him more. Your testimony is an answer to my prayers for your generation. "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity" (1st Timothy 4:12). Regarding your church not being on fire for God, pray for your church. "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results" (James 5:16). Certainly don't let the lack of passion in your church quench your fire for God.
I know you may feel very alone as you seek to live for Christ, but every day I receive letters and e-mail from young people just like you, and this gives me great hope. You are never alone when you know Christ, for He is with you.
Do you remember Daniel in the Old Testament? He was probably about your age when he was uprooted from his home and taken captive hundreds of miles away to Babylonia. There he and some of his fellow captives were trained to serve the Babylonian king—a position of great honor and security.
But one day, the king demanded that Daniel's friends bow down and worship an idol the king had erected—and they refused. The king threatened to throw them into a fiery furnace, but they still refused. They replied, "The God we serve is able to save us. ... But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). God honored their faith, and He delivered them.
Ask God to give you this kind of courage. Ask Him also to help you show Christ's love to those around you, and to be a witness for Him. Pray for your fellow students, and ask God to open their hearts to His truth.
As a footnote, check out this FREE Bible training course for youth ages 9-14. It is called "Dare to Be a Daniel." It is a course that trains youth to share their faith in Christ with their peers. I encourage you to send off for the free kit and also log onto the dare to be a daniel site. www.billygraham.org God bless you.
2007-05-11 02:15:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not very big about the "church". Don't get me wrong, I have all my life believed in God and will till the day I die.
Anyway, I really don't know how to answer your particular question regarding getting a fire started under the church goers. Even if you don't get any good ideas to get something started. Don't loose that spark........that spark is with you all the time, every place you go. I kinda believe that those of us even those who haven't been born again, but do believe have a responsibility to speak and to teach others about Him no matter were you are. Don't limit yourself and your faith to just the church. A small example, have you ever looked at some of the questions about faith and the existance of God in just this site alone its overwhelming. I personally can't help but answer these questions. Hoping that what I say may spark a fire in someone to possibly start thinking differently. MLJ
2007-05-10 06:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by MLJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Holy s h i t e you got a bad deal eh ? Go to Glastonbury if in UK, in a few years when you are age of consent by law cos you really need to do so ! You could always "create some fire" for God and set the bleedin' church ablaze ! That will liven up your old man and think what you could do with the insurance money ? Gifts ?. Already there and waiting. Go out young lady, to a good music store and buy some Doors, Dylan, Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Captain Beefheart, John Mayall, Bob Seger, Beatles, Bob Marley, and absorb that till you are 16. Then grow your hair long, learn to play an instrument,camp, live in caves, meet the homeless, BE homeless, roam, wander, do some art, study the cosmos, and then get a nice young lad or two to finally straighten you out altogether. All being well you won't look back to when you were like one of The Waltons !!
2007-05-10 06:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why don't you work with a youth group, if you don't already have one. I'm not familiar with Catholic churches too much (is that what you attend?), so I'm not sure if a youth group is a normal fellowship in that church. But it would be great to have a group of believers in their teens who could study scripture and serve the church and community.
Another great thing to do is just work behind the scenes. Volunteer wherever you can and do anything that needs to be done. Perhaps people will notice you serving for the LORD and be inspired in their own walks.
Most of all, continue to grow in your faith. Pray and read scripture. As you grow and commune with God, you'll find ways to serve Him and to help your church body.
As for gifts from God - the Bible says that we should be eager to get the most important gifts (like prophecy and teaching). Pray about them! And try to identify what gifts you have and use them for His glory.
Its wonderful to hear a young person so on fire for God. Use your passion for God's glory.
God bless!
2007-05-10 06:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by TWWK 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first i wana say thanks 4 encouraging me!! im 15, been saved a year now! but this website is so anti-christian its unbelievable but its gr8 2 c Christians standing out 4 God here =]
maybe u could make some suggestions 2 ur vicar? ur in a pretty good position since ur vicar is ur dad lol. it is really scary speaking up but just remember God will give you the words!! just pray about it, ask God for oppourtunities 2 help ur church and to give you the words 2 say!!
God Bless <><
2007-05-10 09:29:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Debbie, I Praise the Lord that you are born again!! The Lord always says that the truth shall set you free. Talk to your Dad. If your church invites requests for prayer or testimony as most churches do, that is your opportunity to speak your praises for the Lord. Praise is very addictive, and sometimes people need someone to be the first to get things rolling.
As long as your sing God's praises every day, no matter how tiny or large the blessing may be, He will shower you with more and more, and bless you with things you never asked Him for, as well as the ones you did. If He says no to any of your prayers, He's got something better in store for you, and you must fully and completely trust in HIm. This will encrease as your praises, prayers, obedience, and witnessing encreases. God bless you!!
2007-05-10 05:53:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you! Best suggestion I can give you is to take this up in prayer with God. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Another thought is that enthusiasm is very catching. Tell your dad that you want to be used in God's service, that you are willing to take on any task (no matter how mundane) and prove to him by your actions that you are truly "on fire" for God. He may be unwilling (or unable) to make dramatic changes within his church, but sometimes it only needs a few, small changes to start a landslide! God bless you.
2007-05-10 05:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey. I'm 15 and also a born again Christian.
I find it really encouraging to meet up with other young Christians. You get to share your experiences and learn from theirs.
Try and find local youth fellowships in your area.
Just pray to God about your situation and he will help. After all he is in control of everything.
If you need anything else just contact me.
steph_silk@yahoo.co.uk
Hope this helps you!
xx
2007-05-10 06:35:22 · answer #8 · answered by Sarlax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do the 'born agains' keep wanting to change the mainstream churches. The Holy Spirit is active everywhere and goes where it wills. I hope you are 'lively' when you are 60-70 years old. Maybe your father will hold an occasional service of praise, but try not to 'kick the rock'- the established church please.
2007-05-10 06:50:16 · answer #9 · answered by Plato 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Think about how you can light the flame of zeal under other teens. Use your teen/youth ministry to ignite the church. Maybe it won't work on the adults, but work with your peers for the next generation.
Pray and ask Jesus to guide you and the Holy Spirit to give you ideas.
2007-05-10 05:50:22 · answer #10 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋