Ask Me Help Desk - Hope in the Future

If my choices are only my own, and God doesn't influence me,. Then what is the point? I am still making bad choices, even though I am more aware and am trying not to. But, I can't change overnight.. I thought God helped us more. I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.
I'll be honest. I started looking at religion because I was desperate. I couldn't do it anymore on my own. Now people tell me that I am still on my own.That my choices are mine, and God watches.
I feel like giving up... I am so tired. I need God's help. Is He there... will he help ME? I feel tired of trying anymore because I don't trust myself. I have screwed everything up , That isn't changed.
Sorry to be a BABY... I know I am... How do I get this... How do I get on the wagon with you guys... Every post I read everyone seems so calm and cool and together. Did anyone struggle or fear llike this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizhuie

If my choices are only my own, and God doesn't influence me,..............Then what is the point? I am still making bad choices, even though I am more aware and am trying not to. But, I can't change overnight.. I thought God helped us more. I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.
I'll be honest. I started looking at religion because I was desperate. I couldn't do it anymore on my own. Now people tell me that I am still on my own.That my choices are mine, and God watches.
I feel like giving up.......I am so tired. I need God's help. Is He there..... will he help ME? I feel tired of trying anymore because I don't trust myself. I have screwed everything up , That isn't changed.
Sorry to be a BABY... I know I am ...How do I get this ...How do I get on the wagon with you guys.....Every post I read everyone seems so calm and cool and together. Did anyone struggle or fear llike this.

You have posted that you are new to Christianity - what religion did you follow before?

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizhuie

If my choices are only my own, and God doesn't influence me,..............Then what is the point? I am still making bad choices, even though I am more aware and am trying not to. But, I can't change overnight.. I thought God helped us more. I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.
I'll be honest. I started looking at religion because I was desperate. I couldn't do it anymore on my own. Now people tell me that I am still on my own.That my choices are mine, and God watches.
I feel like giving up.......I am so tired. I need God's help. Is He there..... will he help ME? I feel tired of trying anymore because I don't trust myself. I have screwed everything up , That isn't changed.
Sorry to be a BABY... I know I am ...How do I get this ...How do I get on the wagon with you guys.....Every post I read everyone seems so calm and cool and together. Did anyone struggle or fear llike this.

God speaks to us in a small voice. Many times we are caught up in our own lives and do not listen. Other times we simply refuse to listen to him speaking to us about what we are doing. God does not scream at me, It is usually in the small things that I do when he speaks the loudest. Remember this simple adage, If you have doubts about God and your Christianity, then seek the truth in His Word and doubt the doubts.
You need to get into the word and that is were most people will tell you that God speaks the loudest to them. If you are not listening and talking to the Lord how can he talk to you.
So, your plan is this,
1) start reading the word of God. Pick a bible that is easy for you to understand and read it a lot.
2) Find a church body that fits you and get involved. If you are young find a church that has a lot of young people in it or one that has a really strong youth group and get involved with them. You will be surprised how many Christians you will find with similar interests that will be totally open and willing to help you along this path.
3) if you are still associating yourself with people that are not Christians, then you need to separate yourself from them. Non Christian friends will always try and drag you back to your old lifestyle.
4) If you are struggling with issues in your past, speak to a pastor and get help.

Too many people expect God to shout at 'em, kick 'em in the butt, jerk 'em up by their collar, or speak with signs of lightening and the sound of thunder. No, as "450doon" pointed out God speaks in a quiet voice. Sometimes, it's not even a voice, you may just feel the urge to go online and find yourself posting a question. Suddenly you're getting answers that will answer something in you (hopefully).

The best way to know who God is and what He wants is to read the Bible. I can guarantee that as you sincerely read, God will "speak" to you through the Word. He has to, you see God and the Word are one and the same ("in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God"). When God dictated the words of the scriptures both old and new Testatment, He was giving Himself so He could be known by anyone who wanted to know Him.

I promise as you get into the Word, even if you only start by reading a chapter from Proverbs every day (there are 31, so you could easily read one each day of the month), God will reveal Himself, His Truth and the direction He wants you to take.

God bless,

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450donn

God speaks to us in a small voice. Many times we are caught up in our own lives and do not listen. Other times we simply refuse to listen to him speaking to us about what we are doing. God does not scream at me, It is usually in the small things that I do when he speaks the loudest. Remember this simple adage, If you have doubts about God and your Christianity, then seek the truth in His Word and doubt the doubts.

My Grandmother always answers in one of three ways: Yes, No or I'll get back to you.

No prayer goes unanswered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizhuie

If my choices are only my own, and God doesn't influence me,..............Then what is the point? I am still making bad choices, even though I am more aware and am trying not to. But, I can't change overnight.. I thought God helped us more. I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.
I'll be honest. I started looking at religion because I was desperate. I couldn't do it anymore on my own. Now people tell me that I am still on my own.That my choices are mine, and God watches.
I feel like giving up.......I am so tired. I need God's help. Is He there..... will he help ME? I feel tired of trying anymore because I don't trust myself. I have screwed everything up , That isn't changed.
Sorry to be a BABY... I know I am ...How do I get this ...How do I get on the wagon with you guys.....Every post I read everyone seems so calm and cool and together. Did anyone struggle or fear llike this.

Relax, God loves you... you're his kid. He may be disapppointed in some of our choices, but it will all work out.. . I still keep screwing up and I guess always will. Romans 7 is so right on the button about human nature... Remember that He does not expect perfection but a relationship with and trust in Him... Look at King David adulterer and murderer, still one of God's all time followers... Psalm 51.

g&p

No matter what those bad choices were, ask for forgiveness, and then forgive yourself.

Fear, and guilt, makes us desperate, but hope makes us love ourselves enough to do the right things for ourselves.

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizhuie

If my choices are only my own, and God doesn't influence me,. Then what is the point?

Hi, I was one of those who answered your previous question. If that is what you got out of my response, you didn't understand what I said. Or perhaps I wasn't clear.

I'll summarize. God doesn't cause you to sin. God influences you for the good.

Quote:

I am still making bad choices, even though I am more aware and am trying not to.

This bodes well for you. You sound just like Saint Paul!

Romans 7 18 For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good. For to will, is present with me; but to accomplish that which is good, I find not. 19 For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me in the law of sin, that is in my members. 24 Unhappy man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with the mind serve the law of God; but with the flesh, the law of sin.

Quote:

But, I can't change overnight.. I thought God helped us more. I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.

He does help you. He gives you the opportunity to practice your faith.

Quote:

I'll be honest. I started looking at religion because I was desperate. I couldn't do it anymore on my own. Now people tell me that I am still on my own.That my choices are mine, and God watches.
I feel like giving up... I am so tired. I need God's help. Is He there... will he help ME? I feel tired of trying anymore because I don't trust myself. I have screwed everything up , That isn't changed.
Sorry to be a BABY... I know I am... How do I get this... How do I get on the wagon with you guys... Every post I read everyone seems so calm and cool and together. Did anyone struggle or fear llike this.

No, that is not what we said. And no, you are not being a baby.

Hold your head high and fight the good fight!

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

Hang in there!

May God bless you and bring to fruition the good He has begun in you.

Sincerely,

De Maria

You have made the big choice: you want God to help you get on a better track.

The next choice which you may, or may not have made is to give your life (which you don't like anyway) over to God. This usually happens when a person is sick of being enslaved to bad behavior. Then you go on to learn and believe that God has enough love to forget your past and forgive all you sins through the sacrifice of His Son.

If you have gotten that far, then it's a matter on continuing to trust God as He cleans away the old "desires" and habits of your human nature. Nobody likes this and many balk enough to just wish God would make them better... but not change anything in their lives.
However, God says that your human nature is NOT going to be converted and will fight you to have its way for the rest of your life on earth. It will be like a spoiled child (a child that you chose to spoil when it wanted its way) that will scream and cry whenever you decide to not even think about doing the things that got you into this mess.

Yes, God helps. And He is powerful. He will guide you to good teachers. He will discipline you when you keep going back to the old ways that you now hate. These old ways will stink in your nostrils every time you do return to any one of them.

BUT: God won't hate you. He is determined to be with you every day and help you on a path that is going to (eventually) make even you happy.

All it takes is trust in God:
Trust He loves you.
Trust He has cleansed you of the punishment for your sins.
Trust that He is powerful enough to change you... but only at the pace you are willing give up you old life and willing to take up the new life He will be setting before you.

We "calm" guys face these changes in our lives every day. And that's why we agree with St. Paul:

Phil 3:8-16
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect ; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
RSV

Keep writing. Tells us of you progress or pains. We've not only "been there", we are to a great extent "still there" and will mature with you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizhuie

I hoped that God would start showing me a better way.

I know how to find that better way. Sign up to volunteer somewhere--at an animal shelter, horse rescue farm, food pantry, men's or women's shelter, public library, nursing home. Two to four hours a week is all it will take. Do that for at least three months. In March let us know what that still, small voice of God has told you, because you will be hearing it.

yep I struggled and still do some times. In revelations Satan is referred to as the accuser of the brethren . His thing is he likes to tempt people away from god. He tried to tempt Christ in the desert to worship him. Ive heard it said when your really doubting god it just might be the accuser of the brethren whispering in your ear . As angry and lost as you sound I might be right.

Let me give you an example. I once was fishing on a heavily traffic bridge .and I started to go off
to the other side and fish. But a thought poped in my head the shoulder of the bridge on the other side was much smaller. And I could get hit. So better not risk it... so I contiuned fishn on the same side I was on through out my lure reeled it in. through it out a second time. And just as I did a car hit the other side of the bridge exactly where I was going to stand and fish at... it hit it hard... then another car rear ended the first car

I was shaking a little after that. Then I gathered my stuff and left...
And I thought about this after words. There was actually a wreck on the other side of the bridge exactly where I was going to stand at and fish. And if I had tried to fish there. I would be dead right now. It had to have been god that let this thought pop in my head or an angel that perhaps whispered in my ear. You ll get hit if u go over there...

I had another incident where I was fishing off a bridge. No traffic. It was in the middle of no where . And I was siting off the side of it. And all of a sudden I had this bad feeling come over me. Like I should get up and move now . So I did I moved down a bit and soon as I set down. Were I exactly was siting before I got up a huge cotton mouth came crawling over the bridge. Right where I was siting at...

I think god takes care of us and has our backs. I say when its time to die your times up. But not before...

So if god does things like this. And the devil has the name accuser of the brethren I'm sure he does things to. A whisper in your ear that makes u think. God doesn't love me he will just turn his back on me like the rest. Or a thought of if he loved me why can't I feel it. Just know this the devil loves getn people away from god. Look at the snake in the garden Adam and Eve . And how he also tried to turn Christ away from god in the desert .

we are being tested all the time. Its easy to praise god when things are good. But what about when tiimes are down and that check in the mail is half of what you thought it would be. Or when you lose your job are you going to stay with god or say forget you god I lost my job isn't got any more time for u and the church anymore.

This whole thing on the earth is a test my friend . Just like a test in school and your being graded on it. Jesus says and I will give every man according to there works

But don't feel bad you got some gold in you if you would notice it .

revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

you got some gold in you but Jesus is saying its got some impurities in it . And that holy spirit is what's going to help you its going to help you burn those impurities out. And anoint your eyes with eyesalve. When we are trapped in sin you can't see so well . Until you come to the light of the truth. The holy spirit is going to anoint your eyes so you can see what the wicked can't see . When a person gets saved and they get that feeling of I just can't watch those dirty movies anymore and it really gets to them brings a tear to there eyes cause it just comes across is evil feeling the movies. Or they can't listen to that explicit rap anymore.
There was a story one woman said her husband was in a metal band and he had been saved and about a month later he busted into tears and she asked him honey what's wrong and he said I just can't do it anymore I can't be in that band anymore it isn't right. It wasn't his actions it was the goodness of the holy spirit burning that impure that sin out of him. That's why saved people quit doing the sin. The holy psirit is on them driven out the wickedness .

jesus says

revelation
3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

those he loves he chasten he purifies .

revelation
3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

jesus stands at the door knocking. Like a gentleman he knocks. He won't force his way in , or bash the door open with a chair. Or force it open with his mighty powers. If he wanted to he could send you crashing to your knees in 5 splits... but he won't cause that would be outa fear not outa love. He's saying I'm knocking if any man hear me and invite me in I'll come in and me and you can have fellowship together . He won't ever turn his back on you. Hes swore to this. He said no man can take you outa my hands. But a man himself can chose to leave jesus .

we all have a choice in life. Make the right choice in life. Don't let your head or anyone else tell u other wise. Those that hold fast and stay with jesus shall have eternal life and shall get to walk with the creator for ever. You'll be able to know it all even how he created the universe . Not only that christ is going to give people new bodys christ like bodys made of bone and flesh and spirit. No blood. In the new bodys sin will be gone forever and thank god for that . You won't ever feel the anger or saddness that you feel now. It will be gone forever