How can I know God is there? I've gone to Church for years and believed in Christ. Is this a Natural low? or

Question

have I woken up?
I freely admit that I want to believe in God and Jesus' salvation as I'm afraid of death. I look at my son and I despair at the thought of his death being the end for him.
I've saw things I've called Miracles, I've experienced things I've called miracles, but as time goes by I begin to rationalise those things to myself and find that I write them off. "I was too emotional at the time" or, "I'm open to be persuaded and have let myself be fooled."
I've even spoken in tongues and can honestly say I don't know if it's a spiritual language or manifest nonsense.
I definitely do not subscribe to the belief that all faith is sinister and that Christianity is the bogey man in the shadows. This is because the people I've met who move in those circles genuinely want to server others. They feed and clothe the poor, they speak out for those who have no voice. However, is Christianity a forum for those with 'modern guilt' exorcising their own personal demons? I want to believe.

Answer 1

I can honestly say that I never knew all that Jesus was about until I forgot about 'church' and started reading the bible and hanging out with people who I could discuss it with and who acted like they spoke...

God wants us to never be content where we are at, but to continue seeking deeper relationship with Him... seek, knock, find.... dig into the word more.... Romans is a good place... Acts too... of course, John (my fav of the 4 gospels)

I went to church for over 30 years and never heard the salvation message in the churches I attended! ever.... they are christian churches but never tell the 'whole' message on how truly simple it is to have Christ as center of our lives! only when i stopped following a 'denomination' and sought to know Jesus more did i find Him... and the changes He made in me at that moment of surrender are so amazing, i cannot describe it!

Answer 2

you are going to be non secular everywhere. you do no longer choose for a handbook or a posh development. in case you elect for to be nicer, you may question your self and notice what's bothering you. Make small steps: like initiate off with attempt to cut back down on the cussing. whilst that gets extra suitable, try something else. I''m an atheist so i won't be able to permit you recognize that god approves or disapproves of something you do reason i've got not got faith in god. i know you could be a exceptionally good individual via reaching out and helping others, according to hazard volunteering, smiling at strangers, and so on. it isn't the vast stuff that concerns. that is have been you a great individual? all of us cuss; in specific cases we realize it is not good for us and we attempt to scale back it. substitute some little ingredient approximately your self the next day and notice what takes place. And once you're an adolescent, merely carry in there. that is going to be tough and then abruptly, issues will merely look lots much less stressful. HUGS

Answer 3

That sounds very sincere. I'm sure you can give yourself the answers, you'll get lots of judgemental stuff on this forum, from both christians and atheists. I know plenty of unsinister christians, as well as having encountered the sinister ones.
Yes good christians do lots of good work, but equally atheists and agnostics do so, and not for a reward in heaven.
I have exposed myself to strong influence to become a christian, and tried to with an open mind, wouldn't it be great to know there was a purpose, and even if you messed up, if you praised God it would be alright in the end? I couldn't even get near, but do appreciate the teachings ascribed to Jesus.
But I don't quite get your question at the end, what is "modern guilt"? is it Christians who question their faith in the light of modern/scientific influence? or have I not understood?

Answer 4

Spend all the time you can with God. Read His Word, study His Word. Spend all the time you can in prayer. God will make Himself known to you. Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened.
Let no man deceive you. Just because a church teaches something using scripture doesn't mean it's truth. It's so easy to twist scripture.
As for guilt, that is lifted when you are born again. The tongue thing I personally think is of the devil. The Bible says that if you speak in tongues pray that you would also have the interpretation. Penticost, they heard them speak in their own language.(tongues)

Answer 5

I think we all get a little dry at times,and we question,this is good,most likely you are going to be much stronger in your faith after.Just keep seeking Abba,he so understands you.Often when I pray in tongues I feel the same way,but I do it anyway,because lately I do not know how to pray especially when I'm in emotional turmoil.I have a hard time with church lately as I feel its too much of a show,then I'm reminded of the scripture that says do not forsake the gathering of my people.I'm in a place of being stretched,very much out of my comfort zone,I come from a church that was truly free in the Spirit.I find the new one I'm in squelches the freedom I once knew.I am there as pure obedience to God.This has been my husbands church for about 6 years,so I go,and really have to cry out to God the entire time.So its good,we get uncomfortable,God will meet you right where you are.Just keep seeking.

Answer 6

Very educated question (star for you, and that really doesn't happen very often), but I'm sorry I don't have an answer your personal question or give you a solution, just a suggestion. Ask God what He wants you to do. I hope you find out what you want to find out. Do what you believe would be best for you! God Bless!

Question that I can answer:
I don't believe that all Christians are exercising their own personal demons. Many of them do if for their love for God and Jesus. However some...well many are.

Answer 7

Wanting to have a spiritual belief is not the same as wanting to be a Christian. And even within Christianity there many different ways and things to believe.

You may need to take a good look at what you actually DO believe and what you only WANT to believe, and why it is you want to believe it.

Being afraid of death isn't enough to make you a Christian, or believer of any other religion. And just because you can explain something scientifically doesn't make it any less incredible, or any less a blessing.

You want to believe, but why do you want to believe in Christianity as opposed to Islam or Judaism. Perhaps you need to explore other faiths, if only to clarify what you truly believe about your own.

Answer 8

friend.
I have been through a similar thing. IT's called a "Shaking" Im going through it right now and as yet it's a long process It's when you start questioning what you believe in. That is normal-It's God's way of telling you to forget all the superficial trappings of the Physical/organized Christianity and go back to the Bible.
Just the Word and you.
The essence of God's Word is His desire to bring us back to HIm so that where he is we will be also. Through the generations, he uses different 'types' to help us get it. (he gave kings,prophets,heroes,judges. then finally he gave Jesus Christ. Now, download a copy of the apostles creed. understand it then decide if you're comfortable with it.
Now let's move on.
I assume that you believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God; that all of it is God -Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuke, correcting and training in righteousness... (2nd Timothy 3:16) If not, then you don't have a problem leaving it alone.
Just walk away.
Otherwise, lets move on and sift through the shaking. remember the reason for redemption? We were justified by faith, we were separated from God because of sin. But Jesus, had compassion on us and seeing us unable to reach back to God, gave his life for us. That's the only message I needed.
perhaps we move in those circles because i'm slowly, bit by bit understanding this fact that we serve, the clothe the poor, stand up for people's rights not because we need to exorcise our demons and because of modern guilt.
My friend, its about gratitude for someone who has given us unmerited favor, Grace that we do not deserve. We do it because of Gratitude to a 'friend' who loved us who; even though we were sinners gave his life so that we may live life to the fullest, death and immortality becomes a 'bonus'.

avoid arguments at this point. The last thing you need is a Philosphical discourse with someone else' collective knowledge from books, that have polarising points of view.
forget about trying to speak in tongues, don't sweat it. It will come to you in the most appropriate time, by then you will know that it's genuine, without a doubt.

Read the Bible my friend, seek with all your heart, later on, talk to someone who doesnt know Jesus, -"He who comes to God must believe that He is, and he rewards those who seek Him." study with that someone, -remember, "Iron Sharpens Iron."
This is what Im doing lately, come, lets walk with Jesus.

Answer 9

I think you're having a sort of awakening that is hard for most who experience it. I have experienced it myself. It's realizing that there may not be a God (I'm agnostic). It's hard at first, because you've been taught your whole life that God is the reason for purpose, and that life after death is important.

But once you get past that, you realize that morality is NOT religion. You realize that the beauty of everyone and everything around you is the real gift. You realize that love and hope are the most important things. You realize that life happens only once, and that's what makes it precious - what's precious about lasting forever?

It's a hard transition to make, but I think it's well worth it to seek truth over a childish comfort. I also think that being good for its own sake (rather than worrying about punishment) is the best thing there is.

Answer 10

Sounds to me like you just need some one-on-one time with God. Go into a quiet place and start reading God's Word and ask Him to speak to you. This would be a better question to ask God in prayer rather than typed here on Yahoo.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
...seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you...

Answer 11

If you have an inert belief that there is a creator, then believe it! Maybe you are waking up to the possibilities that there is "more" to creation than what you've heard from others around you. Read and study about pre-Christian religions and belief systems, read and study more indepth than what you hear about Christianity. When it all clicks together after a while, it's curious how you feel. And yet, nothing is answered. Good luck with your quest.