When I was younger I was really involved in my church. My family went through some really rough times, though, and in the end I stopped believing in God and started drinking, doing drugs, having sex...but I'm at a point in my life where I want to believe again. I'm trying to clean myself up, but how do I do this? I'm not really sure where to start.
2007-08-01
20:40:03
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28 answers
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asked by
a_jenn712
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in
Society & Culture
➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've been clean for about a year now. I just want to know where to start with religion, and not just the obvious "go to church." I'm not a huge fan of churches...the people at my last church were some of the biggest hypocrites I've ever met.
2007-08-01
20:47:17 ·
update #1
I have never been arrested or been caught drinking or on drugs. Many of my friends don't even know that I've ever had addiction problems.
As for doing something worthwhile? I volunteer at the hospital and at HOBY programs, attend school full-time with decent grades, am involved in Student Government, and work on my school's newspaper.
I've been reading my bible...been looking things up on sites online...but I just can't seem to find faith in anything. All I want is the faith I used to have back..
2007-08-01
21:02:19 ·
update #2
stop drinking, stop doing drugs, stop having sex that often and get baptised
Remember to pray!!:D
Good Luck
2007-08-01 20:43:17
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answer #1
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answered by Charkal :D 4
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You are at the right point in your life. You have seen the error of your ways and know in your heart that God is the only one who can cleanse you from within and give you peace.I once was a drug addict and a drunk,looking for women to fill a place in my life. But nothing in this life can give you fulfillment like God can. Everything else can't compare.
I got to the point where I knew I had no hope, that's when I remembered hearing a preacher when I was a kid tell of Christ' sacrifice to give us everlasting life. I knew then that was what I wanted. I went and got down on my knees and prayed to God confessing my sins and asking His forgiveness. Then I asked Jesus to come into my heart and show me what He would have me to do for Him. My prayer was answered that day and I found the peace inside that I always had longed to know. I pray for you now to take that step of faith and ask God to forgive you and to fill you with His Holy Spirit and teach you His ways. Start reading your Bible and praying to God for wisdom to guide you through your days. Jesus will be there with you everyday and help you walk in His way. Don't give up friend, just go forward.
You say you just need the faith that you once had. The One you once had faith in is still the same loving, merciful God. Just put your trust in Him and believe in your heart. God won't let you down.
2007-08-02 04:14:46
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answer #2
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answered by David R 2
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You have already done what needs to be done, in that you have repented of your sins and have turned back to God.
Don't base your faith and salvation on emotions, as they are like the weather forecasts: unreliable, and many times wrong. Faith and emotions are two different subjects!
We walk by faith, not by sight, so if you believe in Jesus Christ again, and are reading your Bible, praying to know His will for you, you are again a child of the King.
I also was a firm Bible-believing Christian, then I fell away and became a Satanist to the point of where I was deeply demon-possessed.
But God had mercy on me, and I am again a Christian. Keep in the faith, and keep in the Word and you'll be fine.
2007-08-02 09:50:25
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answer #3
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answered by Foxfire 4
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I was in the same place you were a couple years ago. My advice to you? READ. Not just the Bible, but read about other religions, understand them, read apologetics books (Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, Ralph Muncaster, John P. Ashton...), and most of all, PRAY! Take it to God. He understands, really.
And you don't have to clean up your life before finding faith again. We don't HAVE to change for God. He takes us just as we are, forgives us, loves us...but only if we ask Him to. And THEN, once we're forgiven, we WANT to live righteous lives, and we WANT to love God. Not only that, but in being forgiven for our sins, and coming to know God, we're better able to understand the Bible.
I also understand where you're coming from on church. The church I attended for most of my life was FULL of hypocrites and judgemental people. I would recommend that you try other churches. But if you go, expecting to find perfect people, it's not going to happen. Go for God. It's when you go to church with a mind of worship that you'll find a good church family.
2007-08-02 07:04:40
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answer #4
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answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7
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if you are catholic go to confession and start going to church
if other denomination just start going to church, if you get the chance to then talk the pastor about whatever you are willing to talk about. soon you will be able to rectify your life, don't keep waiting and waiting get up and act on what you know is right. pick up your bible and look for words of encouragement and know that god loves you no matter what wrongs you have done, it is people like you and i that the lord jesus came for.
the process will take time and effort,prayer and sacrafice so just try do your best, the lord knows your heart and will surely help you. what you did when you were active in church life is simply what you must try find and bring back in your life. don't be discouraged by past deeds or other parishioners,what you do is for the lord and yourself.
2007-08-02 03:50:37
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answer #5
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answered by fenian1916 5
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ey there, don't be so hard on yourself because God is all about taking you back no matter what you've done, whether you've cleaned yourself up or not. He's welcomed you back already.. just as you are. and i think that He sees your heart to go back. So really, keep doing what you're doing. Stick to the Word that you know gave you your faith and life in the first place. i believe God will speak to you and restore all that you lost and more. hang in there... you are more Christian than ever right now. :-)
2007-08-02 07:52:07
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answer #6
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answered by L-asia 1
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You do not need to 'clean yourself up.' You just need to go to Jesus and confess you've been doing things your own way, ask Him to forgive you and begin again. Simple as that. God has been waiting for you with open arms. Read the book of John in the New Testament...it will help you. Try an easy to understand translation like "the Message." GBU!
2007-08-02 03:47:37
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answer #7
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answered by Deb 5
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drew yew dont afto go into church to believe in god for did not the churches etc have religues an having holy battles+crucaids in the name of god but where in the bible doese it say that to be a believer in him you afto go out an fight for to prove unto that your a christian etc as far as i know it doesent you can be a silent believer you can even still be a christen of any faith for dont it say that he created everything on earth an in the universe think of this and to get innerpease just look arround you an dont just see the bad or ugly things see the things off buety that are arround you an feel unto yourself happienes an believe in yourself more dont just help humons help otherthings like nature,animals, an when you pray dont pray for yourself but instead pray for everyone an everything else like i will pray for you tonight hoping you find your true happieness
2007-08-02 10:37:04
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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It sounds to me as if you never really stopped being a Christian...you just wandered off for a bit.
I don't really like churches either. Organized religion seem to have done some wandering, as well, I think.
However, it is true that if you let a hypocrit get between you and God, he has to be closer to God than you are....
Think about it.
2007-08-02 04:02:39
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Just because you go through some dark times doesn't mean you are not a christian. If you believe and continue to believe even through the darkness just simply ask for forgiveness of your sins and move on. There's not much more than that to it.
2007-08-02 06:58:53
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answer #10
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answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5
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The Bible says in Acts 16 verse 31, "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
You have to truly believe in Jesus to be saved. If you have a Bible, Start reading it! If you don't have one, Get one and then start reading it. Find a church near you that you like and start attending.
Find some strong christian friends that will help you. :-)
I will pray for you!
Hope this helps!
2007-08-02 03:54:28
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answer #11
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answered by Anonymous
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