right as God wants it but I feel I have fallen behind as you could see by a few of my other quesitons. :( I just wonder if it has to do with not going to an actual church. I need to quit these thoughts I have and get back to where I used to be. Any suggestions?
2007-07-14 15:13:53 · 17 answers · asked by babygirl 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, In my opinion if you read the Bible daily, I read at the most a chapter a day and try hard to meditate on it day and night. And throughout the day I just take a little while out to fellowship with God just to thank Him for what He has already done and worship Him for the Extremely Awesome creator He truly is.
And I try to hang around with other people trying to get closer to God if at all possible. God would prefer you to be spiritual than religious any day of the week. Take care and may God bless you spiritually.
2007-07-14 15:41:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From personal experience, go to church. It holds you accountable. We are not Lone Rangers. One person does not make a church. Your statement about falling behind makes sense if you do not meet with like minded people. Jesus came to establish the church. The New Testament is about the church. The OT too. Now finding one where you can grow spiritually is important. You might as well not go if you only sit in a seat for a hour and get or give nothing. There are lots of good Bible believing churches around that you can go to. It'll make a difference in your spiritual life.
2007-07-14 22:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by JohnFromNC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First question: Do you understand that you are a sinner?
Second question: Have you asked for forgiveness and are you willing to accept the sacrificial death of Jesus as payment for your sins?
Third question: Will you let God change you from the inside out? (If you are living with some kind of obvious sin are you willing to stop it?)
If you understand and have done these things then you are a Christian whether you attend a church or not. Church can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on where you go and what that church teaches. Find a good Bible teaching church and read the book for yourself. Pray and find other people who believe as you do.
2007-07-14 22:23:20 · answer #3 · answered by CaTcHmEiFuCaN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You sound sweet....Im glad you are asking such a good question. I think we need to fellowship with other believers. The bible talks about not foresaking the meeting of believers. If you are not ready or dont have a place to go right now, its ok...read some bible often (Start with the book of John) and pray and follow the teachings of Jesus and pray that God will lead you into a wonderful fellowship with other people. Even one other believer would be good for you to get together with.
There is a wonderful book you should get that talks about these things ... The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren....its a good book for people who are searching for God and dont go to church or read the bible much yet and want to know how to get into it in an simplified way and know Jesus....I would go and get a good study bible or one for seekers or for women (I have a pretty purple one)...if KJV is too difficult to read, try NKJV, NASB or NIV (These are conservative and easy to get bibles) . God bless you and let me know if I can be of any help.
2007-07-14 22:29:16 · answer #4 · answered by Ms DeeAnn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I tried it and I didn't grow spiritually because I wasn't getting to apply the teachings in a way I could understand them as I would have if I had been attending church.I ended up lonely, lost and pregnant and went back.They accepted me , no questions asked and loved me when I didn't think I should be. The baby's father walked out on me early in the pregnancy so I felt all alone. But not for long. I joined a Single parenting group at church that was my lifeline during the emotional healing process and the pregnancy,, and being a mom. This church IS my family.All of my relatives are out of state and are very judgemental. It is hard to move on and grow when you are being judged all the time.My church never did.
Remember this scripture..." As iron sharpens iron, so does one man for another". We sharpen one another's faith and desire to stay honorable to the Lord, and by doing so, we keep one another from giving in to temptation I find that the fellowship is priceless. Who knows (but God), God may want you to be there for someone else other than yourself.That is what happened to me. A woman needed prayer in an area of her life that no one else around us could relate to, but me. Her and I became fast friends and prayer partners for one another.We have been best friends for over 10 years now and have supported one another through everything you could imagine. God cannot feed your spirit unless you come to His table. He does that through others that He places on your life also. It is an act of surrendering your will to Him. You won't regret it. It will bring you back where you want to be.
2007-07-14 22:34:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even in the early beginnings of the church, we were told not to forsake the gathering together on believers, so it seems to me that you would have a rough time keeping your eyes and ears on following Jesus CHrist.
I know I need my sisters and brothers in Christ. They are my friends, my true family, my entertainment, and me theirs.
When I walk into my church building, its like walking into a large family room. Some of my family, I see there all the time, others in my family, I only see on special occasions.
My suggestion would be to find a church family that accepts you and loves you from day one. Keep going back, and learning and growing. If you feel like an outsider or a body that fills up space or collection plates, keep looking until you feel like you just found your long lost "real" relatives.
You will find some of them a bit kookie,and some of them will find you a bit kookie, but you will all know that you are family and Love one another.
2007-07-14 22:23:16 · answer #6 · answered by cindy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In Ephesians Paul tells us of how the Church is the Body of Christ, indeed it is His fullness, and John tells us that we deceive ourselves if we say we love God but don't love Gods children, so although its not impossible, its unlikely that under normal circumstances one would disobey the command of God to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together and be a real Christian.
2007-07-14 22:22:15 · answer #7 · answered by beek 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
From my days of studying at a Christian College (even though I wasn't a Christian), I offer this quote from the book of Micah:
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Doesn't say anything about going to church.
2007-07-14 22:19:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, if you worship Him, pray, fast and be very close to Him. But, I think it's better to go to church where someone can share the word of God.
2007-07-14 23:48:29 · answer #9 · answered by Jade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God commands us to go to church and staying away from church will not keep a person from heaven, but will seriously hinder their growth in spirituality.
2007-07-14 22:24:20 · answer #10 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋