At an early age my parents always told us to go to church, when I moved out of my house at 18 things changed. It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University. When Sunday rolled around I made up some sort of excuse not to go, but now I have no excuse and I feel that I need to go. The only problem is for the last 2 years any time I ever prayed or thought of god something would go wrong in my personal life. Let me explain I have prayed about things and then they have gone completely the other way, I am just scared that if I pray today about something it all go wrong. I need some prayers answered or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.

What is your faith?

If you are Catholic and Christian, God will welcome you home as was the Prodigal Son was welcomed home!

What is your faith?

If you are Catholic and Christian, God will welcome you home as was the Prodigal Son was welcomed home!


My faith is Christian

At an early age my parents always told us to go to church, when I moved out of my house at 18 things changed. It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University. When Sunday rolled around I made up some sort of excuse not to go, but now I have no excuse and I feel that I need to go. The only problem is for the last 2 years any time I ever prayed or thought of god something would go wrong in my personal life. Let me explain I have prayed about things and then they have gone completely the other way, I am just scared that if I pray today about something it all go wrong. I need some prayers answered or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.

You must persevere in faith. What do you expect? If someone claimed he held you in high esteem in order to mooch off you until you got tired of being used like a dish rag what would you do? After a while you'd stop listening to the guy and ignore him, right?

If he came back again and claimed he was your friend, how could he prove it? Obviously his words would be empty gongs and cymbals to you wouldn't they?

1 Corinthians 13 1 If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

That is how you sound to God. You must prove your faith by your works:

Acts Of Apostles 26 20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.

So, don't expect your prayers answered until you go to Church, ask forgiveness, turn your life around and begin doing the will of God:

Ephesians 2 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Well first prayer is not a wish list we give to God for what we want, in prayer we are first and above all things ask. And we have to remember that pray is also not answered the way we want it to be.

So we don't pray to God to get things we pray to God to thank him for what we do have and to praise him for being the Lord of our life.
But after being gone for the time, just go back. You wll be welcome

Prayer is a communication between ourselves and God. Prayer if you will is like a dialogue between two. Having faith is important. Just because you think every time you pray that something goes wrong? Maybe something is going right every single time. You just looking at it differently. As far as church, is there any specific denomination your looking at? It always helps if you have a friend or somebody else that will go with you. Just to start you off at attending church. You are feeling this will help your spirit. Remember to serve others, and help others the best way you know how. Keep faith in everything, and let the guidance of Gods spirit be your light. Continue to pray, but pray according to Gods will. Prayer is communicating, prayer is excepting yes and no answers. Prayer is a lifelong endouver.

There are so many aspects of living a Christian life and prayer is important. To yourselves and to others. Come to gether and gather among other Christians and your outlook of prayer will change your life. Remember that trials, obstacles and everything else in our lives are their to humble us and teach us to grow stronger. In spirit, and faith.

It sounds to me like you need input from respected adults so you can get perspective on how to deal with your problem, whatever it is. If you are at college now, there are plenty of people you can talk to who will maintain confidentiality!!

Meanwhile, go back to church if you wish!. if your problem is fear you're a homosexual, I would suggest that you not go to church until you work out what's going on in your mind. The last thing confused people need is to be condemned for who they are.

You should be able to work this out relatively soon and get back to church asap.

Best wishes,

Choux, where did that come from??

It's always about sex of one sort or another, isn't it? :)

Not really, not to me anyway.

I was trying to help by giving a specific example... for young people, they are reticient about talking about sex to adults. :)

At an early age my parents always told us to go to church, when I moved out of my house at 18 things changed. It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University. When Sunday rolled around I made up some sort of excuse not to go, but now I have no excuse and I feel that I need to go.

Then that is God telling your soul of your need to return to church.

The only problem is for the last 2 years any time I ever prayed or thought of god something would go wrong in my personal life. Let me explain I have prayed about things and then they have gone completely the other way, I am just scared that if I pray today about something it all go wrong. I need some prayers answered or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.

Know that the spirit of anti-Christ is strong in this world and being the liar and cheat that he is will try to make you believe that the harder you pray to God the harder things will become for you and actually go the other way. It won't! What has happened here is that the first time things went wrong for you and went the opposite way, you embraced the fact that you were praying about it. But know and understand that PRAYER to God is very SACRED! When you pray for something one of three things will usually happen. God will grant your request; God will not grant it; or He will allow what you are praying for to continue in His Love for you in order that you learn a lesson that needs to be learned that could not be without the impediment of the moment. Negative things that happen in life should always be understood to be directives for one to reach out to God and re-align with Him once again. This helps to restore their Faith in Him.

You must never be afraid to pray! That is one of satan's greatest lies to make people believe that their prayers will not be heard and that something bad will come of it. God in all of His omniscience already knows how He will respond to your request(s). Simply allow Him to take control of the situation. Leave it to God! Do not fall prey to the devil's fear that he would like to instill in you. Again, he is a liar! His words should mean literally nothing to a good Christian. But don't you see what is actually going on? Satan has seen that you want to return to church and since the church is his enemy, he has started his demonic propaganda to try to scare you and sway your faith. But be Strong! Because God is testing your faith and your strength too, you know! Who do you owe your allegiance to -- the demonic monstrosity // or Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You already know the answer to that. Now you must lose your fear of praying and of going to church.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND." -- 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (KJV)

The only way to lose that fear is to continue to pray To the FATHER In the Name of Jesus for liberation from that unfounded fear. As I said before, God is not sending you the opposite of what you pray for, rather it is the spirit of the anti-Christ who is actually doing that. Stand Up For God!! Lose that fear and become the Christian person you were always meant to be! You CAN do it but it all starts with YOU. I shall be glad to offer prayer in this situation and hope to know that you have returned to this very forum to let us know how you have continued praying and God is now helping you in your life in a very Positive and Loving way! Because, you know what, He will if you only have FAITH in Him!

"And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb," -- REVELATION 12:11 (KJV)

These Scriptures are likewise very powerful when faced with temptations and attacks from the anti-Christ:

"If I walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, I have fellowship as one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth me from all sin." -- 1 JOHN 1:7 (KJV)

"Much more then, being justified by His blood, I shall be Saved from wrath through Him." -- ROMANS 5:9 (KJV)

May the Peace of God Be Always With You and With Your Spirit! Go with God.

1 Corinthians 13 1 If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Charity means love. Verse 1 The languages (tongues) of people would be foreign languages. But the language of angels can only mean speech that people cannot understand. The Christians at Corinth were not using this gift in the right way. Without love, their speech would be only a noise. Their speech would also be like a musical instrument that produces a loud crash, but no harmony.
Verse to the Christians at Corinth also emphasized 'knowledge'. But the person with the deepest knowledge and the greatest faith is worth nothing without love.
Paul was teaching love as a way of life. Not about doing the rights things to have your prayers answered.


So, don't expect your prayers answered until you go to Church, ask forgiveness, turn your life around and begin doing the will of God:

I would like to politely disagree here. You don't have to prove yourself for God to answer prayers. God answers the prayers even of those who have not accepted Him. When the alcoholic has hit the bottom of the bottle and cries up "Ok God if you are really up there, save me!" God does! Prayer is communication with God. It is not a list of things for God to do. Though, we can make our requests for things to God. When we pray for something that is in line with God's will for our lives, He is happy to do it. And sometimes He knows better for our lives and doesn't. But I don't believe that God ever hears a prayer and says "Nah I am going to make it worse for you instead".

What is more likely happening is that satan is very capable and does interfere in our lives especially when we pray. Especially when you are a "baby" Christian. Pray for something, watch things go wrong, and blame God... that is satan's motive. So, he can say "see God won't take care of you, He's turned His back", or "see He can't help you" and hope that you will turn your back on God. People who pray are often attacked. Don't be deceived! Being a Christian isn't always easy. But prayer is answered... sometimes we do not hear, sometimes the answer is no, sometimes not right now and sometimes yes. But you don't ever have to be "good enough" or "prove yourself", you will never accomplish either, for God to listen to you.

Charity means love.

True.


Verse 1 The languages (tongues) of people would be foreign languages. But the language of angels can only mean speech that people cannot understand.

It could also mean beautiful speech that anyone can understand.


The Christians at Corinth were not using this gift in the right way.

If you read the previous chapter, you will find that St. Paul is describing the various Spiritual Gifts and telling them that they should pray and desire these Spiritual Gifts for the benefit of their brethren.


Without love, their speech would be only a noise. Their speech would also be like a musical instrument that produces a loud crash, but no harmony.

That is exactly my point. If one does not persevere in loving God, God will not hear his prayer. That is why the Scripture says:

James 5 16 Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.


Verse to the Christians at Corinth also emphasized ‘knowledge’. But the person with the deepest knowledge and the greatest faith is worth nothing without love.
Paul was teaching love as a way of life.

That is true. But I fail to see how that opposes what I said. Remember, Scripture is one whole. There is not one message here and an opposing message there. If one must have love in order to communicate and relate to other people, one must surely have love to communicate in prayer to God. That is why it is the First Commandment:

Deuteronomy 6 5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.

And why Scripture also says:

John 14 23 Jesus answered, and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him.

1 Cor 13 4 Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up; 5 Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never falleth away:

Faith and love are not things which we just mouth with our lips. They are things which we prove with our actions. That is why Scripture also says:

Acts Of Apostles 26 20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.


Not about doing the rights things to have your prayers answered.

Doing the right things is precisely what the Gospel is about:

Matthew 25 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:


I would like to politely disagree here.

Certainly. We are free to disagree with each other.


You don't have to prove yourself for God to answer prayers.

Certainly, you do.

Proverbs 17 3 As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

Do you not know that it is impossible to please God without faith?

Hebrews 11 6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.

And how do you prove your faith in God? Is it simply by saying, "I believe"? No.

7 By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith. 8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. 10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.

By faith we obey the Word of God. Without faith, we don't.

Ecclesiasticus 15
21 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin: 22 For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.



God answers the prayers even of those who have not accepted Him.

Not so. Otherwise the words, "without faith it is impossible to please God", would be meaningless.


When the alcoholic has hit the bottom of the bottle and cries up "Ok God if you are really up there, save me!" God does!

Not so. If God has saved such a person it is probably because of the prayers of others on his behalf.

Luke 5
18 And behold, men brought in a bed a man, who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof, and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus. 20 Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

But it is when that alcoholic says, "God, now I know that you are really up there!!! Please save me!"

Mark 9
16 And one of the multitude, answering, said: Master, I have brought my son to thee, having a dumb spirit. 17 Who, wheresoever he taketh him, dasheth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth with the teeth, and pineth away; and I spoke to thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. 18 Who answering them, said: O incredulous generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me. 19 And they brought him. And when he had seen him, immediately the spirit troubled him; and being thrown down upon the ground, he rolled about foaming. 20 And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said: From his infancy:

21 And oftentimes hath he cast him into the fire and into waters to destroy him. But if thou canst do any thing, help us, having compassion on us. 22 And Jesus saith to him: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 23 And immediately the father of the boy crying out, with tears said: I do believe, Lord: help my unbelief.


Prayer is communication with God.

Yes, but a double minded prayer which says, "God, IF you are up there, help me!" is odious to the ears of God:

James 1 8 A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

Apocalypse 3 16 But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.


It is not a list of things for God to do.

It may or may not be. If you have a list of things you want from God and you have the faith and confidence in Him to ask Him for them, by all means, do so. Is that not what we do with our earthly fathers? And is not our heavenly Father much greater than they?


Though, we can make our requests for things to God. When we pray for something that is in line with God's will for our lives, He is happy to do it. And sometimes He knows

And SOMETIMES He knows??

God always knows!


better for our lives and doesn't. But I don't believe that God ever hears a prayer and says "Nah I am going to make it worse for you instead".

But God frequently hears a prayer and says "no".

Job 42 8 Take unto you therefore seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath.

Do you see how God would only accept Job's prayers?


What is more likely happening is that satan is very capable and does interfere in our lives especially when we pray. Especially when you are a "baby" Christian. Pray for something, watch things go wrong, and blame God... that is satan's motive. So, he can say "see God won't take care of you, He's turned His back", or "see He can't help you" and hope that you will turn your back on God. People who pray are often attacked. Don't be deceived! Being a Christian isn't always easy. But prayer is answered... sometimes we do not hear, sometimes the answer is no, sometimes not right now and sometimes yes. But you don't ever have to be "good enough" or "prove yourself", you will never accomplish either, for God to listen to you.

I respectfully disagree. For if you have not faith, God will not listen to you.

Romans 4 19 And he was not weak in faith; neither did he consider his own body now dead, whereas he was almost an hundred years old, nor the dead womb of Sara. 20 In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust; but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God:

Sincerely,

De Maria

Ok De Maria I only have a few things to say. If what you say is true then the testimony of thousands that were once not saved and give God the glory for answering their prayer has just been annihilated. God does hear the unsaved, or no one could obtain salvation. If God doesn't hear you until after you are saved then He won't hear you to save you. That just isn't biblical.

Second, you can't pick out individual scripture, take them out of context and use them to try to show whatever you want. It simply does not work that way.

Thirdly, I did not only say "God knows sometimes", there is no comma after that. The whole statement is that sometimes God knows better for our lives and doesn't do what we want. Since that is not every single time, it is sometimes. SO, SOMETIMES the answer is no.

We do not live under the law anymore. Once you have accepted salvation there are no conditions on our salvation or God listening to us. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. He does bless the unsaved just as He blesses the saved. God is a God of great mercy and grace.

Tell a believer that your prayers are not being listened to because you are not doing this or that is legalism. It will invoke fear in a person, and fear is of satan, not God. Fear separates us from God, God wants us closer not farther away from Him. God is a God of relationship, the new testament is all about our relationship with God not living under the law. If we were only good enough by our "works", i.e. going to church, we would never be good enough to be heard and the new testament would be void.

Dave, God will not stop listening to you because you do not go to church. God instructs us to go to church to fellowship and learn. Through Christ you have authority over satan. Use it and pray through the attacks being brought against you by satan, rebuke him. IF God has convicted you to go back to church it is only because God wants you closer to Him. He will not punish you and give you great fear of the thing that will deepen your relationship with Him. Only satan will do that.

Man I really don't mean to sound rude but some of these answers are really poor advice, some of them. I know how hard it is to leave a church and then go back again, and you are truly returning like the prodigal son which is great, that is exactly what god wants. Now you need to know that god loves the sinner but hates the sin, but he will not ever punish you while you are here on earth that judgment and punishment is in your after life so never ever think that bad things are happening to you because of god. What's happening is, weather you believe that there is a devil or not doesn't matter because there is one, there is always good and evil light and dark right and wrong so you can be sure that there is a devil and what's happening is that (NOT the devil directly) but through his works he is trying to keep you as far from god as possible to take your soul later on, its all a game of souls in his wickedness. Hes making you despair, one of mans worst sins. What you need to do is definitely attend church, more than once a week if you can for a month or so, pray daily (humbly, humility is like mans atomic bomb to fight with in all corners of your life) to god and most definitely to saint Michael highest of the arch angels the angel that cast Satan into hell when he rejected gods plan, saint Michael will protect you and help you to restore your life. Remember that things may (or may not) get worse before they get better, look at other instances in your life when this fact has held true. But try what I've said, hey what do you have to lose. Good luck.

Let me also say that you CAN NOT read the bible in a vacuum, because it wasen't written in one. You need to take into account the life and times in which it was written. Also remember, and this is huge, you need to get and or read a bible with the absolute best translation you can get because there are tons of people in the world arguing over passeges that they think are right but have been very poorly translated or twisted around by "scollars".

Well I think the only thing that's wrong is you don't have faith that things will go well and that gives the devil a foothole and he'll make that hole bigger and turn it into fear. Without God people are nothing, And when Jesus paid the price for us all and died on the cross he was afraid, I mean think about it.. all of these strange people who think he is full of lies when he said he was the son of God want to suddenly kill him. How would you feel?. Thats right afraid. But Jesus took that fear and prayed to God and asked him for the help and Faith he needed to go through with this so we all could be free. It hurt getting beat up and hung from a cross to die, I bet it hurt a lot.. but it hurt him more to see us suffer from sin. Sin is still around though, because people have doubts and lose their faith a lot. Just believe that the best will happen and trust that God is there... he will help you if you let him and believe that he can do anything, even what seems the impossible. Talk to a friend or amily member that believes in God and get them to go to church with you so you don't feel alone. Get prayer to get closer to God, and accept him back into your life and dedicate your heart to be owned by him, and when you wake up or go to bed pray for the blood of protection to keep all bad things away from you and to protect you and the ones ou love from evil. Look to the Lord for everything. If you ask it shall be given. Believe, that's the key. You got to have faith.

Thank you for all your answers I have taken ever single answer and have processed it. I know where I stand, I have gotten a little closer to my conclusion that I have known. Some of you have understood my view and concern better then the others, unfortunately some of you missed the point of my concern which is completely understandable. Thank you again for all your help.

Ok De Maria I only have a few things to say. If what you say is true then the testimony of thousands that were once not saved and give God the glory for answering their prayer has just been annihilated. God does hear the unsaved, or no one could obtain salvation. If God doesn't hear you until after you are saved then He won't hear you to save you. That just isn't biblical.

I thought I supported each of my arguments with Scripture.


Second, you can't pick out individual scripture, take them out of context and use them to try to show whatever you want. It simply does not work that way.

I don't believe I took any of my verses out of context.

However, if you can provide a Scripture that says that God listens to the unfaithful or to the unbeliever, then I will reconsider what I've said.


Thirdly, I did not only say "God knows sometimes", there is no comma after that. The whole statement is that sometimes God knows better for our lives and doesn't do what we want. Since that is not every single time, it is sometimes. SO, SOMETIMES the answer is no.

I agree. So we can put that to bed.


We do not live under the law anymore. Once you have accepted salvation there are no conditions on our salvation or God listening to us. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. He does bless the unsaved just as He blesses the saved. God is a God of great mercy and grace.

Are you saying that the unjust and the unsaved go to heaven?


Tell a believer that your prayers are not being listened to because you are not doing this or that is legalism.

You have a different definition of believer than I do.

A believer is someone who acts upon his beliefs. Not someone who merely mouths the words.

Its like the great acrobat who crossed the Grand Canyon riding a bicycle balanced on a wire. When he came back he asked, "For my next trick, I will cross the canyon with a man riding on my back. Do you believe I can do it?" Everyone clapped and said yes, of course!!

Then he asked for a volunteer.


It will invoke fear in a person, and fear is of satan, not God.

Not so.

Ecclesiasticus 21 13 The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.


Fear of the world is not from God:

2 Timothy 1 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety.


Fear separates us from God, God wants us closer not farther away from Him. God is a God of relationship, the new testament is all about our relationship with God not living under the law. If we were only good enough by our "works", i.e. going to church, we would never be good enough to be heard and the new testament would be void.

That is not Biblical:

There are works of the flesh which we must avoid doing.

Galatians 5

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,20 Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, 21 Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.

Now, if we must not do those things, which if you examine them, are all forbidden by the Law of Moses, then we must do other things.

Oh, yeah, St. Paul lists those as well:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, 23 Mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying on another.

Chapter 6 continues:

1 Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens; and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. 5 For every one shall bear his own burden.

So, we must do something. We must bear fruit. And the things we do are all in accordance with the Law of Moses:

Romans 3 31 Do we, then, destroy the law through faith? God forbid: but we establish the law.

1 John 2 3 And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments.

Romans 2 13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

So, please provide the support for your contention that God we don't have to keep the law or do the works of God and the Scripture which says that God listens to the faithless and the unbelieving.


Dave, God will not stop listening to you because you do not go to church.

Dave, I'd love to preach to you a Gospel of milk and honey, but I have to be realistic. Here is what Scripture says about missing the Mass:

Hebrews 10 25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries. 28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace?

Not forsaking the Assembly means not missing the Mass. Notice that if anyone does miss the Mass, they "trod under foot the Son of God". That is because Communion consists of the Body of Christ.

Notice that if anyone misses the Mass they also, " hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified,". That is because Communion also consists of the Blood of Christ.

And finally, by missing the Mass, they have insulted the Spirit of grace, which is the Holy Spirit.

So, unless Tawny can produce a Scripture which says, "by all means, miss the Assembly whenever you like." I suggest you stick to believing Scripture and the Church.


God instructs us to go to church to fellowship and learn.

And to unite ourselves with Him:

1 Corinthians 10 17 For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.


Through Christ you have authority over satan.

Through a true faith in Christ.


Use it and pray through the attacks being brought against you by satan, rebuke him. IF God has convicted you to go back to church it is only because God wants you closer to Him. He will not punish you and give you great fear of the thing that will deepen your relationship with Him. Only satan will do that.

I agree with that. In fact it ties in very well with what I suggested earlier:


So, don't expect your prayers answered until you go to Church, ask forgiveness, turn your life around and begin doing the will of God:

So, persevere in your faith and love of God. Pray continually.

May God bless you both (Tawny and Dave) and your families.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Well I think the only thing that's wrong is you don't have faith that things will go well and that gives the devil a foothole and he'll make that hole bigger and turn it into fear. Without God people are nothing, And when Jesus paid the price for us all and died on the cross he was afraid, I mean think about it.. all of these strange people who think he is full of lies when he said he was the son of God want to suddenly kill him. How would you feel?. Thats right afraid. But Jesus took that fear and prayed to God and asked him for the help and Faith he needed to go through with this so we all could be free. It hurt getting beat up and hung from a cross to die, I bet it hurt a lot.. but it hurt him more to see us suffer from sin. Sin is still around though, because people have doubts and lose their faith a lot. Just believe that the best will happen and trust that God is there... he will help you if you let him and believe that he can do anything, even what seems the impossible. Talk to a friend or amily member that believes in God and get them to go to church with you so you don't feel alone. Get prayer to get closer to God, and accept him back into your life and dedicate your heart to be owned by him, and when you wake up or go to bed pray for the blood of protection to keep all bad things away from you and to protect you and the ones ou love from evil. Look to the Lord for everything. If you ask it shall be given. Believe, that's the key. You got to have faith.

De Maria this is not an argument page please stop.

There is no correlation between your fear and whether to go to church.. (I am not a church fan though)... It is up to you to know what is best for you. Concerning what happens... I agree with some answers saying.. you may not expect to have all your wishes (prayers) come true...
What happens has to do with destiny.. i.e God's will may not necessarily be exactly as you like !

Just because I feel it is important for people to know:
Acts 9 Saul - unsaved- persecuted followers of Christ - persecuted Christ
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Yes, there are also examples of when God has chosen not to listen. God makes up His own mind about whose prayers He will answer.

Just because I feel it is important for people to know:
Acts 9 Saul - unsaved- persecuted followers of Christ - persecuted Christ
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Yes, there are also examples of when God has chosen not to listen. God makes up His own mind about whose prayers He will answer.

I don't see the connection. I asked you to provide examples of God listening to unbelievers and unfaithful.

In this case, Saul, although you classify him as unsaved, but he can hardly be considered an unbeliever or unfaithful. By his own admission, he is a Pharisee born of Pharisees,

Acts Of Apostles 23 6 And Paul knowing that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

And he studied under the great Gamaliel.

Acts Of Apostles 22

3 And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:

In other words, he was a faithful Jew.

John 4 22 You adore that which you know not: we adore that which we know; for salvation is of the Jews.

And Scripture has tons of examples of God answering the prayers of faithful Jews.

But I don't know of any example of God answering the prayers of the unfaithful, Jewish or not. And that is what I'm asking you to provide in order for me to take seriously what you are saying.

I mean, if you are going to say that my statements are unbiblical, shouldn't you provide Biblical support for the argument you are presenting against mine?

Sincerely,

De Maria

De Maria this is not an argument page please stop.

Jesushelper76 agrees: Exactly.

Me? Argument? You mean, debate?

But I only addressed the OP with my opinion and Tawny disagreed with my opinion. And I have nothing against that. I enjoy debates and discussions of differences especially when I'm learning or teaching about the faith.

So, as far as I can see, Tawny and I are having a polite disagreement. I could see your asking me/us to stop if we were insulting each other, using vulgar language or something, but we aren't.

So what's the problem?

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

A faithful jew does not commit murder.

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

A faithful jew does not commit murder.

That's true. But the faithful Jews of Jesus' time who were persecuting the Christians did not believe they were committing murder. They believed they were obeying God's injunction against blasphemy and apostasy.

And the Lord Jesus had predicted that would happen:
John 16
2 They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God.


And Saul, being a faithful Jew, obeyed God's law:
Hebrews 10
28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses:

Acts Of Apostles 7
57 And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. 58 And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 59 And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

Remember, Saul got permission from his superiors in order to pursue Christians wherever he might find them.

Acts 10
1 And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

So, that isn't exactly what we classify as murder. Its more like a legal execution.

Sincerely,

De Maria

He said it would happen, He did not say it was right.
John 16:1-4

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them."

That's right they did believe that, however, that's the problem with that. THEY believed, God did not tell them to do this. They BELIEVED the wrong person.

Yes, He did predict it. And you only gave part of the context. Jesus said they would do this because they did not know the Father nor Him.

Jesus went to Saul and stopped him.
Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Jesus did not thank him for killing His people, He showed mercy and grace. That is what made Saul's testimony even greater.

He said it would happen, He did not say it was right.
John 16:1-4

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them."

That's right they did believe that, however, that's the problem with that. THEY believed, God did not tell them to do this. They BELIEVED the wrong person.

Yes, He did predict it. And you only gave part of the context. Jesus said they would do this because they did not know the Father nor Him.

Jesus went to Saul and stopped him.
Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Jesus did not thank him for killing His people, He showed mercy and grace. That is what made Saul's testimony even greater.

But how does any of this relate to a Scripture which says that God listens to unbelievers and unfaithful?

Saul was not a faithful Jew (or otherwise) and God knew what he was doing, came to him and heard him praying.

All evident in Acts 9.
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
God came to Saul

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
He knew what Saul was doing and questioned him.

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
He had to tell Saul who He was because Saul was so far from God that he did not recognize Him.

11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
God told Ananias that He heard Saul praying.

Saul was not saved at this point. He did not become saved for three days after. Not only was he not saved, he was not faithful at the very least by being a murderer.

Yet, God knew Saul was a murderer, heard that he was praying, answered his prayer, and chose him to spread the message of God to the Gentiles, kings and children of Israel.

This is all after the death and resurrection of Christ. So, to say you "know" the Father could only be after you have accepted salvation at this point in the bible, which Saul had not when God came to him and heard his prayer.

That's your interpretation of the events. I'll add mine.


Saul was not a faithful Jew (or otherwise)

Saul's faith is never in question. Saul was a Pharisee born of Pharisees and he was taught by Gamaliel. That means that Saul was steeped in Scripture and that he loved the word of God:

Galatians 1 14 And I made progress in the Jews' religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.


and God knew what he was doing, came to him and heard him praying.

I would say that God saw his misplaced zeal and decided to use him to spread the faith of Christ.


All evident in Acts 9.

I agree.


3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
God came to Saul

Correct.


4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
He knew what Saul was doing and questioned him.

That is also true. But note that Saul was not persecuting Jesus Christ, but the Church of Jesus Christ. Yet Jesus says, "thou persecutest me". This shows that Jesus Christ so identifies the Church with Himself that He does not distinguish between the two, we are one with Him.


5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
He had to tell Saul who He was because Saul was so far from God that he did not recognize Him.

I disagree. Saul was very close to God. That is why God chose him as his instrument with the Gentiles. But God did not want him to preach Judaism, but Christ crucified.


11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
God told Ananias that He heard Saul praying.

Correct. But notice, Scripture has never characterized Saul as unfaithful or unbelieving. That is something which you have read into Scripture but which Scripture does not teach.

And here God says, "for behold, he prayeth." This is not an indicator that Saul has prayed one time or just a little bit. This is an indicator that Saul is steeped in prayer. Probably for the three days that he has traveled to the city.

And that brings us back to my original point. You must be faithful and you must be constant in prayer for God to answer your prayers:

James 5 16 Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.


Saul was not saved at this point.

Does Scripture say so? Where?


He did not become saved for three days after. Not only was he not saved, he was not faithful at the very least by being a murderer.

Again, you are reading that into Scripture. Saul definitely was faithful. He was raised in the Jewish faith and by his own account, he outstripped his comrades in zeal for his faith.


Yet, God knew Saul was a murderer, heard that he was praying, answered his prayer, and chose him to spread the message of God to the Gentiles, kings and children of Israel.

That is all true. But you have put your "spin" on it, so to speak.

I would say, that God knew that Saul had killed some Christian in his misplaced zeal for God, and God knew that Saul was a faithful, prayerful and zealous Jew, therefore he chose him for one of His instrument amongst the Gentiles, kings and children of Israel.


This is all after the death and resurrection of Christ.

Correct.


So, to say you "know" the Father could only be after you have accepted salvation at this point in the bible, which Saul had not when God came to him and heard his prayer.

I don't understand your last sentence.

I said that Scripture shows that God does not answer the prayers of the unfaithful or unbelieving. If you want me to believe that God answers the prayers of the unfaithful or unbelieving, please show me where he does that from Scripture. Saul is not an example of such.

Now, if you are saying Saul was unfaithful and unbelieving, then I simply disagree. I think you've read that into Scripture. Its obvious that Saul was very faithful to God through the Mosaic Covenant but had not heard or believed the message of Jesus Christ.

Saul's faith is not in question. It is his judgement which was wrong.

So, if Saul is the only example of unfaithfulness which you've got from Scripture, that isn't convincing to me.

Sincerely,

De Maria

It just occurred to me that you are Catholic. Am I correct? If so, I understand better now.
Correct me if I am wrong but don't Catholics believe baptism is necessary for salvation? In other words that you are not saved until you are baptized?

It just occurred to me that you are Catholic. Am I correct?

Yes.


If so, I understand better now. Correct me if I am wrong but don't Catholics believe baptism is necessary for salvation?

Yes, Scripture says:

Mark 16

16 He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.

And also:

1 Peter 3

21 Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


In other words that you are not saved until you are baptized?

Close, but not quite.

We believe we are not saved unless we are baptized, but being baptized does not guarantee our salvation:

Philippians 2

12 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.

Sincerely,

De Maria

There is a big difference between being baptised with water, and being baptised with the spirit.

Jesus died, his spirit is within each of us. We are all baptised within. In the bible most adults got baptised.

It is a ceremony of welcoming in the church and the people within the church. To show the community that we belong to christ.

It is not needed for salvation because we are all born with Gods spirit within us.

(LETS ALL GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL OP'S QUESTION AND STOP DEBATING)

Start with the nature of God. The scriptures clearly tell he that he is love, Spirit, life and even truth itself, and that we are his children, as we read in I John 3: "Beloved, now are we the sons (and daughters, I dare add) of God...") When a son asks for bread, a father does not give him a stone! God bestows all good and is of purer eyes that even to behold evil, much less send it as an answer to fervent prayer, yours or others. Fr_Chuck had the straight of it as I see it: Count your blessings, give thanks for the good received no matter how trivial. Then search for a church with the ideal of God that you hold close to your heart and understanding. Turn to the Bible, that's what it's there for. Quiet listening and prayer will help with that search as the right path will unfold - with blessings, not a curse!
God bless!

There is a big difference between being baptised with water, and being baptised with the spirit.

Jesus died, his spirit is within each of us. We are all baptised within. In the bible most adults got baptised.

It is a ceremony of welcoming in the church and the people within the church. To show the community that we belong to christ.

It is not needed for salvation because we are all born with Gods spirit within us.

(LETS ALL GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL OP'S QUESTION AND STOP DEBATING)

I'm not objecting, just asking. Are we going in a new direction?

When I first started posting on this site, I assumed it was strictly question and answer. My intent was to answer religious questions about Christianity and Catholicism. Then I answered a question and I was besieged by debaters, mostly atheists, from all sides. Thank God that I'm very well suited to debate and argument, because no moderators intervened.

Anyway, I've recently been asked to stop debating, twice. Once in what I consider a polite discussion on this thread and again in a good discussion gone bad on another thread.

So, I have to ask, is this a new rule put in place? Or is an old rule now being enforced?

For further clarification, does this mean that we must now only address the OP and no one else?

Sincerely,

De Maria

At an early age my parents always told us to go to church, when I moved out of my house at 18 things changed. It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University. When Sunday rolled around I made up some sort of excuse not to go, but now I have no excuse and I feel that I need to go. The only problem is for the last 2 years any time I ever prayed or thought of god something would go wrong in my personal life. Let me explain I have prayed about things and then they have gone completely the other way, I am just scared that if I pray today about something it all go wrong. I need some prayers answered or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.

Hello davejag,

I hope that your doing well. I hope that everything is fine with you. Have you started searching out churches in your local area? Never hurt to check a few out. Are you getting any kind of support about a personal issue yet? Sometimes it takes seeking it out from many different sources. Take care,

Since Saul was not baptized until Acts 9:18 which is clearly after Jesus came to him, he prayed, Jesus heard him and Jesus healed him, I believe that is how you know Saul was not saved when those things occurred.

If what De Maria says is believed by the OP and she accepts God does not listen to her prayers because she is unfaithful then I offer the following to her: if Saul was faithful by obeying God law's given to the Jews then he would not have gone against God and listened to the Pharisees and broke the first commandment given to the Jews and committed murder. The Pharisees "thought" they were doing a service to God so De Maria says he "would say that God saw his misplaced zeal"... Hitler felt killing Jews was right. He was wrong. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful and untrustworthy (Jer. 17:9). If you could come to know truth by what you felt, then the Bible, which is the revelation of God, didn't need to be written. But it has been written, and it has revealed that only God is the Source of truth, not your feelings. So, my stance is not that God listened to Saul because he was faithful but rather it is evident in the scripture that he was not faithful and God listened to him and answered him anyway. God saw a usable heart in Saul and showed him great mercy and grace knowing that He could use Saul to do great things for God.

JesusHelper, I sincerely appreciate your objection to our debate with the belief that it is not directly helping the OP. I hope maybe the following will allow you to see my reason for continuing the debate in an effort to help the OP.

It has been said “So, don't expect your prayers answered until you go to Church, ask forgiveness, turn your life around and begin doing the will of God”

I have said “You don't have to prove yourself for God to answer prayers. God answers the prayers even of those who have not accepted Him. When the alcoholic has hit the bottom of the bottle and cries up "Ok God if you are really up there, save me!" God does!”

The OP stated, “It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University.”

Giving the OP the benefit of the doubt when she said she believed, for the purpose of answering her, I took the stance that she has accepted Christ and salvation. So, I addressed her as a saved person when I gave my opinion. My point in saying that God hears even an unsaved person was to show that He would certainly hear her, being righteous through Christ. That her salvation is not conditional upon works, therefore God listening to her would also not be conditional upon her works.

My belief, unlike De Maria's, is that once we accept Christ we are covered by His blood and thereby already forgiven for all the sins we have committed and the sins we will commit, unconditionally. Therefore, her not going to church would not cause God to stop listening to her. De Maria's difference of belief seems to be in that he believes that you must prove your faith by your works and my belief is that through your faith your works will automatically be evident in your life because Christ resides in you. I believe that if Christ lives in you your life can not remain unchanged. So you will “have done works” pleasing to God. But there are areas in all of us that will continually need improvement to become more Christlike. And my point was maybe going to church was one of those areas for Davejag, that maybe God has been working on other areas of her life and now He was tugging on her heart and letting her know He wants her to work on that issue. I believe God moves us into compliance with His laws by convicting us to obey a little more all the time. Therefore, not ignoring her prayers for “her rebellion of not going to church” but rather that 2 possible things are happening. Satan was doing what he does best and sending his kingdom of minion to attack her. And, God was answering her but because God gives three answers to prayer, yes, no and wait, that since things seem to get worse for her the answer was not yes right now, that the only answers left would be no or not yet. I don't presume to know which one of those God was telling her. Davejag- It is possible that God, knowing your heart and that you have faith, is just pulling you in line with His will for your life by wanting you to re associate with other believers by going to church and may find through that, help with your personal issues. But my point was that God does hear her and answer her. I was allowing our debate to show the reasons of both sides between my beliefs and De Maria's to give the OP as much information as necessary to decide what she believes. De Maria was saying that the OP is unfaithful therefore being unheard by God, it is his opinion “that Scripture shows that God does not answer the prayers of the unfaithful or unbelieving” and he has stated why he believes that. I don't believe that she is unfaithful and wanted to show her the reasons I believe the way I do. So, if she believes what De Maria says and that God has not been listening to her because she is unfaithful she has his supporting reasons for that. And if she chooses to believe that she is not unfaithful then she has the reasons to believe that and possible explanations for what is happening with her. What she decides to believe will be between her and God.

I am truly not trying to convince De Maria of my beliefs through this debate. I believe it is quite clear De Maria is convinced what he believes is true. I respect that. Only God can make Him see different. (I have learned a bit more about Catholicism through De Maria, and I thank you for that.) But through this debate the OP can possibly better see the reasons, evidence to believe something said here if she chooses to believe any of it.

I hope I have explained why I feel this debate, although lengthy and seemingly off track, does in fact apply to the OP's question and situation. And is important to the subject at hand for anyone reading who may be in the same position as the OP. At least in my opinion. I believe I have said all that needs to be said though, so, I respectfully end my participation in the "debate" and offer only one more thing to the OP...

My advice is not to be hindered by condemnation and fear from satan but obey God and move closer to Him and seek out a good church and to not be afraid to pray, God is listening to you. Have faith that God's will is best for you even if it seems to be getting worse, He has a great plan and knows what is best for you. Our salvation is evident to God through our Hearts, our salvation is evident to others through our "works". Our salvation is a free gift from God and will be evident by our works it we truly have accepted His gift.

Ephesians 2:4-10
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9not by works, so that no one can boast.
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Since Saul was not baptized until Acts 9:18 which is clearly after Jesus came to him, he prayed, Jesus heard him and Jesus healed him, I believe that is how you know Saul was not saved when those things occurred.

There is another Saul which we can consider which illustrates what I'm talking about:

Now, if you know Scripture, you know that Saul was once faithful and God heard his voice:

1 Kings 10
6 And the spirit of the Lord shall come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be changed into another man. 7 When therefore these signs shall happen to thee, do whatsoever thy hand shall find, for the Lord is with thee.

But power went to Saul's head and he became unfaithful to the point that God departed from him and would no longer answer his prayers. And Saul had to resort to sorcery:

1 Kings 28
15 And Samuel said to Saul: Why hast thou disturbed my rest, that I should be brought up? And Saul said, I am in great distress: for the Philistines fight against me, and God is departed from me, and would not hear me, neither by the hand of prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest show me what I shall do.

Note that even though Saul believes in God, he is not being faithful to God and God has departed from him.


If what De Maria says is believed by the OP and she accepts God does not listen to her prayers because she is unfaithful then I offer the following to her: if Saul was faithful by obeying God law’s given to the Jews then he would not have gone against God and listened to the Pharisees and broke the first commandment given to the Jews and committed murder. The Pharisees "thought" they were doing a service to God so De Maria says he "would say that God saw his misplaced zeal"... Hitler felt killing Jews was right.

Huh? Where did that come from?

That comparison is completely invalid and I beieve, unfair. Hitler did not believe in God. If you have studied his entire story you will find that Hitler pretended faith in God in order to lull believers into a state of confidence which would make them easier to dispose of.

To compare the devout and overzealous Jews of Jesus' time to Hiter is completely off base. I know you have bowed out of this debate, and I respect you for that, but you might want to qualify that statement.


He was wrong. The Bible says that the heart is deceitful and untrustworthy (Jer. 17:9). If you could come to know truth by what you felt, then the Bible, which is the revelation of God, didn't need to be written. But it has been written, and it has revealed that only God is the Source of truth, not your feelings. So, my stance is not that God listened to Saul because he was faithful but rather it is evident in the scripture that he was not faithful and God listened to him and answered him anyway. God saw a usable heart in Saul and showed him great mercy and grace knowing that He could use Saul to do great things for God.

Actually, the Bible kind of tells you whom you should turn tu:

1 Timothy 3 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Matthew 18 17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

That is why separating yourself from the Church is the same as separating yourself from Christ.

Ephesians 5 23 Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body.


JesusHelper, I sincerely appreciate your objection to our debate with the belief that it is not directly helping the OP. I hope maybe the following will allow you to see my reason for continuing the debate in an effort to help the OP.

I feel the same for the opposite reason of course.


It has been said “So, don't expect your prayers answered until you go to Church, ask forgiveness, turn your life around and begin doing the will of God”

Correct.


I have said “You don't have to prove yourself for God to answer prayers. God answers the prayers even of those who have not accepted Him. When the alcoholic has hit the bottom of the bottle and cries up "Ok God if you are really up there, save me!" God does!”

The OP stated, “It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University.”

Giving the OP the benefit of the doubt when she said she believed, for the purpose of answering her, I took the stance that she has accepted Christ and salvation. So, I addressed her as a saved person when I gave my opinion. My point in saying that God hears even an unsaved person was to show that He would certainly hear her, being righteous through Christ. That her salvation is not conditional upon works, therefore God listening to her would also not be conditional upon her works.

However, this is an unscriptural stance, Scripture is clear that faith is expressed in works and without works of faith we are not justified:

James 2 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar?


My belief, unlike De Maria’s, is that once we accept Christ we are covered by His blood and thereby already forgiven for all the sins we have committed and the sins we will commit, unconditionally.

That remains an unscriptural stance. Yes we are cleansed by the blood of Christ, but we must persevere to the end. We don't just say, I believe and get into heaven no matter what we do thereafter. Scripture is clear:

Romans 6 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. For we that are dead to sin, how shall we live any longer therein?

Matthew 7 21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Therefore, her not going to church would not cause God to stop listening to her.

Not only that but worse.

Hebrews 10 25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries. 28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Missing the Mass is a mortal sin. Why? Because if we don't accept the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross, if we don't value His Body and Blood and long to be united to Him at least every seven days, then we have insulted the Spirit of Grace.


De Maria’s difference of belief seems to be in that he believes that you must prove your faith by your works and my belief is that through your faith your works will automatically be evident in your life because Christ resides in you.

Except it doesn't work that way in real life. How many people do we all know who claim to be faithful yet engage in all types of sinful behaviour. And they don't intend to stop.

Works of faith are transformative. The more you do them the more you love God and the more you love God the more you want to please Him by doing His works. That is why works are so imporant. And a person who lets his faith show forth in his works is more trustworthy than one who simply claims to be faithful but produces no fruit:

John 15 2 Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit.


I believe that if Christ lives in you your life can not remain unchanged. So you will “have done works” pleasing to God. But there are areas in all of us that will continually need improvement to become more Christlike. And my point was maybe going to church was one of those areas for Davejag, that maybe God has been working on other areas of her life and now He was tugging on her heart and letting her know He wants her to work on that issue. I believe God moves us into compliance with His laws by convicting us to obey a little more all the time.

I agree. But this is not the same as answering prayer.


Therefore, not ignoring her prayers for “her rebellion of not going to church” but rather that 2 possible things are happening. Satan was doing what he does best and sending his kingdom of minion to attack her. And, God was answering her but because God gives three answers to prayer, yes, no and wait, that since things seem to get worse for her the answer was not yes right now, that the only answers left would be no or not yet. I don’t presume to know which one of those God was telling her. Davejag- It is possible that God, knowing your heart and that you have faith, is just pulling you in line with His will for your life by wanting you to re associate with other believers by going to church and may find through that, help with your personal issues. But my point was that God does hear her and answer her. I was allowing our debate to show the reasons of both sides between my beliefs and De Maria’s to give the OP as much information as necessary to decide what she believes. De Maria was saying that the OP is unfaithful therefore being unheard by God, it is his opinion “that Scripture shows that God does not answer the prayers of the unfaithful or unbelieving” and he has stated why he believes that. I don’t believe that she is unfaithful and wanted to show her the reasons I believe the way I do. So, if she believes what De Maria says and that God has not been listening to her because she is unfaithful she has his supporting reasons for that. And if she chooses to believe that she is not unfaithful then she has the reasons to believe that and possible explanations for what is happening with her. What she decides to believe will be between her and God.

I am truly not trying to convince De Maria of my beliefs through this debate. I believe it is quite clear De Maria is convinced what he believes is true. I respect that.

Amen! I feel the same way in regards to you.


Only God can make Him see different. (I have learned a bit more about Catholicism through De Maria, and I thank you for that.) But through this debate the OP can possibly better see the reasons, evidence to believe something said here if she chooses to believe any of it.

Exactly.


I hope I have explained why I feel this debate, although lengthy and seemingly off track, does in fact apply to the OP’s question and situation. And is important to the subject at hand for anyone reading who may be in the same position as the OP. At least in my opinion. I believe I have said all that needs to be said though, so, I respectfully end my participation in the "debate" and offer only one more thing to the OP...

My advice is not to be hindered by condemnation and fear from satan but obey God and move closer to Him and seek out a good church and to not be afraid to pray, God is listening to you. Have faith that God's will is best for you even if it seems to be getting worse, He has a great plan and knows what is best for you. Our salvation is evident to God through our Hearts, our salvation is evident to others through our "works". Our salvation is a free gift from God and will be evident by our works it we truly have accepted His gift.

Ephesians 2:4-10
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9not by works, so that no one can boast.
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I agree with the end of your message. I also bow out at this time.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Thank you for all your answers I have taken ever single answer and have processed it. I know where I stand, I have gotten a little closer to my conclusion that I have known. Some of you have understood my view and concern better then the others, unfortunately some of you missed the point of my concern which is completely understandable. Thank you again for all your help.
God is not the only one listening. Satan also listens and then tries to keep us from believing God will answer.

There is a story in Joshua about how he had prayed and the Angel of the LORD was dispatched, but fought for days before reaching Joshua to help him!

The LORD hears you and is answering you. The devil is trying to destroy your faith.

Our choice is to either believe the promise of God, that He will never leave us or forsake us, or to reject the Word of God and look at our circumstances.

Which is greater? God or circumstances? I choose to believe my God is Greater!

Hello davejag,

I hope that your doing well. I hope that everything is fine with you. Have you started searching out churches in your local area? Never hurt to check a few out. Are you getting any kind of support about a personal issue yet? Sometimes it takes seeking it out from many different sources. Take care,

I am doing a little better this week, I am going to church this morning for the first time I am bit scared and worried but I have to get over that. I hope I chose a good church we have 10 churches in the city, my husband is not going of course but I am sure I can do this on my own.

I am doing a little better this week, I am going to church this morning for the first time I am bit scared and worried but I have to get over that. I hope I chose a good church we have 10 churches in the city, my husband is not going of course but I am sure I can do this on my own.
I am glad that God has given you the Courage to go to church. Do not worry about being scared as that is not coming from God. The adversary will present problems before you to try to sway your good thinking of doing that which is right. But do not listen! We all know that he is a liar and will often use some of his human followers to lie to us as well. But know that God is with you and sees your effort in going to church and will surely help you. Just reach out to Him as He is there for you!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." -- PSALM 46:1 (KJV)

And you do not need anyone else to go with you to church. You are solely responsible for your own spiritual growth. No one else can do that for you so please remember that.

When fleeting thoughts come your way that would want to cause you to have fears and doubts, remember this Scripture that God has chosen for you.

"He giveth Power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth Strength." -- ISAIAH 40:29 (KJV)

May God Bless You in your efforts to go to church even if alone. Remember this wonderful Scripture when you go again.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the viles of the devil." -- EPHESIANS 6:11 (KJV)

At an early age my parents always told us to go to church, when I moved out of my house at 18 things changed. It's not that I didn't believe in God I just stopped going to church when I entered University. When Sunday rolled around I made up some sort of excuse not to go, but now I have no excuse and I feel that I need to go. The only problem is for the last 2 years any time I ever prayed or thought of god something would go wrong in my personal life. Let me explain I have prayed about things and then they have gone completely the other way, I am just scared that if I pray today about something it all go wrong. I need some prayers answered or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.
After reading your posts I can see that there is a certain amount of fear for whatever reason. All I know for sure is that we are not given a "spirit" of fear but of LOVE, POWER, and a SOUND MIND. I heard Joyce Meyer say before that FEAR is F - false, E- evidence, A-appearing, R- real. Skygem left some really great verses for you... read them and I would also like to add that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!

I trust God's Word is enough said for most answers.
Romans 8:15-16 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
*Christ Speaking
*John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
* John 16:26-27 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Please note: there are several other refer point in God's Word which state the same truth. ASK IN JESUS NAME for it is the power of strength and truth.

You shouldn't be... Our God is a very merciful and forgiving God. Whatever guilt feelings you have should be set aside because our God is a loving and faithful God. All you need to do is GO TO HIM by going to Church.

Dave: How did it go?

It went really well I thought, I didn't feel as scared and this week feels much better. I am not as stressed out I feel great even with my horoscope reading that my week is horrible, I don't really care. Since Sunday morning I feel a different, happier content. I know my next few weeks are going to be really stressful but I am hoping things will go a bit better. I am going to try to be back next Sunday at church the only thing is I might be in labour by then.

You caught me off guard with saying you might be in labor, lol. I just assumed davejag was more of a guys name :)

I'm glad things went well for you. I'm not really a believer myself, but it's good to see that having faith can help so much in your daily life. You don't have to be a Christian to see that the bible teaches good. Just keep doing what you know is right.

I know my husband started to go onto this site when I got pregnant ( we had a lot of complications with this pregnancy). So when I found out about this site I just used his name, so that's why I am pregnant not my husband lol. I don't think I am a full christian either I do have sins and I am not perfect by far, but I am trying I really am. I don't seem to pray everyday I do have to try to do that more.

Dear... why do you say you don't think you are a "full Christian"?

whoa whoa whoa... you think that christians aren't sinners? We are all sinners!
if we were perfect, we would not need jesus. No one, not even chrisitians, deserve to go to heaven. We all go to hell by default, because we sin at least once in our lives. But god, because he loves us, sent jesus to take out place. A popular way of describing it is this - say that you have committed a crime, you have been convicted guilty, but then, after the judge sentences you, someone walks in and says "i will take their punishment", and that person goes to jail for you. Jesus didn't just agonise on the cross, he went to hell, and he defeated the devil. If you believe in jesus, and accept his sacrifice, and embrace him, you are just as much of a christian as the pastor. No one is more loved than another in gods eyes.

You have had some awesome posts here.

As far as your horoscope, it is better to rely and trust God on your daily life. Not a horoscope.

Before in fun, used to read them but I just stay away from them now.

Good that church is well. Your not as scared. You believe in God, you believe in Jesus. You're a Christian, whether you go to church or not. Church is there to help you grow in your relationship with God and find fellowship with others.

Take care, and God bless.

Joe

or some sort of support about a personal issue but I am just to scared to pray about it or to go to church. Please someone help.

There are christians of all denominations on here. If you ask a question on here you are anomynous... so why not ask for support on here? What is your problem? I am sure people will try to help.

As for going to church, either god is what the Christians say in which case he will accept you with open arms, or he is not, in which case there is not much point going to a christian church anyway.

I am scared to go to Church

Happy to read the out come davejag.. Because we christians are all targets for satan and his goal, we need to remember God's promises. The Truth and the Light has us protected. And prayer in Jesus Name will be answered in His glory. All power has been given to us over our enemy. Luke 10:19

Allow God to send His holy angels to watch over you as you put your life in His Will to be done.

Sweetheart,

Never be afraid to turn to God's loving arms. He will keep you safe and protect you. God indeed answers prayers, but what we think is what we want, or is good for us, may truly not be.

Trust in Him, that He loves you and will always do what is best for you. Even during moments of great despair, the situation may not change, but I promise you, He will lift you from the despair and help you deal with the situtation.

God never promised us an easy road, but He did promise to always be by our side, when that road gets rocky. As long as we always turn to His loving arms.

Thanks tawnykids :)

I am so sorry - I hope I did not give Davejag the imression that I thought she was afriad of God. I was just reminding her, of what she already knew and just trying to give her a little love and support. :)

The problem is that won't answer you because you left god for 2 years. He tells you to do things but you ignore them the only way god will listen to you again is if you prey for forgiveness. And really mean. And when you asked 4 something remember to have patience because sometimes you won't get this thing that you need for years. But god will give you anything that you need just have patience and prey for forgiveness and god shall forgive u.

The problem is that won't answer you because you left god for 2 years. He tells you to do things but you ignore them the only way god will listen to you again is if you prey for forgiveness. And really mean. And when you asked 4 something remember to have patience because sometimes you won't get this thing that you need for years. But god will give you anything that you need just have patience and prey for forgiveness and god shall forgive u.

The problem is that won't answer you because you left god for 2 years. He tells you to do things but you ignore them the only way god will listen to you again is if you prey for forgiveness. And really mean. And when you asked 4 something remember to have patience because sometimes you won't get this thing that you need for years. But god will give you anything that you need just have patience and prey for forgiveness and god shall forgive u.