Question:
I have no idea how to start this, but here goes. Recently I've been engaged in a passionate relationship with a girl I care deeply about. She goes to church regularly, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't curse. I am nearly her opposite in those respects. I haven't talked at length with her about this, but according to her, she used to be wiccan, and hated god. She's had a difficult life, but has come through on top, and I admire her so much for it. Again, I am nearly the opposite, raised in a Christian home, know so much about Christianity and stories in the Bible, but I've strayed so far. She convinced me to attend church twice so far, and I'm liking it.
I feel like a hole is about to be filled, but I don't really know how to welcome god back into my life. I'm not sure he was ever truly a part of me. I want this, and at the same time, I feel guilty and out of place in church. I don't know where to start, don't know what to say, and feel very uncomfortable laying all I have in God's hands. I don't know why I even came here after so long and wrote this. I feel very happy overall, but whenever religion gets brought up I feel very uncomfortable. I just want to do the right thing.
Answer:
Maybe start by just reading through the Bible and see where that leads you.
Answer:
Say what is on your heart. The bible will help you a lot too.
Answer:
Don't try to find something you can do, say or read that will immediately put God back in your life and set everything straight. You'll never find it (or rather, it's not the norm by any means). Religion (and a relationship) is built through devotion. That devotion includes attending church, praying and reading the Bible. It also includes striving to live a Christ-like life. It also includes thinking good thoughts (Phillipians 4:8). I think it also involves a sort of surrender, a surrender to living for God, serving Him, and loving Him. Think about the idea of "childlike faith." Don't worry about figuring it all out or getting theology in line or anything like that. Just love and serve God simply, like a child would.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of
you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Answer:
I'm not sure he was ever truly a part of me. I want this, and at the same time, I feel guilty and out of place in church.
Di dyou ever at one time accept the death and resurrection of Jesus for your sins?? Di dyou ever ask Christ to comoe in and save you on the basis fo his death?? If you have then the feelings of guilt are demonic and jsut trying to keep you from getting back.
If you never did get "saved"--Like the Nike commercial---Just do it!
Sounds like God is warming you heart--He never left even if you felt like you did--He never leaces us.
Prayer, fellowhip and the Word = overcoming life.
Answer:
I was feeling this way after being raised in a christian family and going to church every sunday and wednesday when I was younger, I went my own way for a long time and I felt like I had betrayed God to the point where I was ashamed to come to him, I was ashamed to ask for forgiveness, I thought that God wouldnt accept me. Well, I went to church and went to the front after service to speak to the pastor cause it was eating me up inside.
The pastor told me of the prodical son how he went out and lost all he had and how he came home to his father and his father rejoiced and threw a party, killing the fastest calf and puting a rob on him and as he told me the story I broke into to tears and gave my life back to God.
If you would like to read about this in detail its in, Luke 15 verses 11-24
Also, the story of the lost sheep, Luke 15 verses 4-7
What man of you, having 100 sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the 99 and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he found it, he layeth on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together hid friends and neighbors, sayingunto them, Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I hope these verses help you like they did me. God bless
Answer:
***DISCLAIMER***
I'm NOT making an accusation with the following post.
***DISCLAIMER***
Originally Posted by outlawnemesis I feel guilty and out of place in church.
Do you feel guilty because you're there for the girl? Or do you sincerely feel guilty for your sins. Take time and really think about that before you answer.
Answer:
Well.... one simple advice:
Let the past be past.
God doesn't care about what you've done in the past, how far you've strayed and all that. What he's concerned is the condition of your heart NOW. And as Jesus adequately put it, that God is like a shepherd who'd go all the way out to find that one sheep that's gone astray, leaving the other 99 behind. Be convinced that that's how much God loves you, and is always waiting for you to come home.
On the other hand, there's also one person who wouldn't be too happy with you going back: the devil. And hence the thoughts of doubts and fear of not being accepted. Maybe just take time alone to just seek God and from your heart just pour out everything to Him and give it all to Him.
But in the end just set your conscience clear; that you want God back because you know that you need Him, and not for any other reasons.
Cheers.