-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Do you remember doubting Thomas?
Read John 20:24-29. After His death, Jesus appeared to 10 of the disciples, but Thomas was not with them so He didn't believe that the risen Lord had appeared to them. He said that unless he could see and touch where the nails had been and touched his side where he was speared, he wouldn't believe.
We all have moments of doubt. And that doesn't mean we're not saved. Jesus said that those who have not seen and yet believe without seeing are blessed.
One thing we have now that the original disciples didn't have before Jesus' death was the Holy Spirit. Once you believe, the Holy Spirit seals you.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13,14
And now that we have the Holy Spirit, He leads us and guides us into all truth and reminds us of all the things Jesus has taught. So as we read God's word and plant those words in our soul, the Holy Spirit brings them to remembrance as we need them.
As far as reading God's word, you can begin reading anywhere in the bible you'd like, but I'd like to recommend you begin with Matthew.
Jesus speaks of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God throughout Matthew. I think it's important to get a grasp of the Kingdom and what it looks like and how it's begun within our hearts already when we're born again.
As you begin to read God's word, you may want to ask questions and you can continue to post them here, or you can even begin a new post if you'd rather. Let me now what you decide you're going to read and I'll read it along with you. That way if you have questions, I'll have read it and have it fresh in my mind.
I think it's important that you realize it's normal to have all those questions. There were people in a bible study that probably said, oh no, here she comes again with her long list of questions!
I had so many things I wanted to know when I first was born again. So many!!! But that's good. The leaders of the bible study said that I was a breath of fresh air.
I guess because of my youth at the time, but also because I made them dig for answers in God's word and they appreciated the fact that they had to really search and do their homework. hah!
The minute you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, there's a change within you. You may not see it, but God does.
So have you prayed to the Lord and asked Him to come into your life? Have you repented of your old way of life? Have you confessed your sins?
Consider that when a husband and wife conceive a child within the womb, they can't see the new life within them can they. It's invisible at first. But after a while the mother begins to see change within her body. There are signs that begin to appear that she really is pregnant. That's when she goes to the doctor to confirm she's conceived.
So what I see in you is your desire to know God. The fact that you're even here on a Christian forum tells me that you're serious about that desire.
You're seeking God!!! You're serious about finding Him.
“ Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking. We're here for you and will help you along the way. And God is already at work in you, in your heart your soul and in your mind.
C
Hello, am also new to this and i hope you understand my english since am not that good because of the place i grew up from (South Africa) just that i cant keep quiet and not spread the Good news about Jesus.God loved you from before He made you,you are unique you are special and important.I thank God that you didnt go and look for help at wrong places that will bring more deppression into your life.Just wanted to remind you that anything that it is good it comes from God and anything that is not good it can never come from God.It is obvious that the Enemy is attacking your mind so that he can win you soul.But that will never come to pass in the Name of Jesus.There is no hope to people that passed away or passed on,but you are still breathing and kicking because there is still hope.People who dont believe they not even interested to talk about Jesus at all because the Enemy had hardened their hearts not to focus on Jesus but on the things of the world so they can end up becoming friends with the world.Thats why Paul said for when am weak i am strong.Why?Because when you are weak it is when you see the interventions and miracles of God as long as you remain with God.Focus on the word of God than in the matters of the world so that your mind can be renewed and see nothing but Jesus.He is your author and the Finisher of your faith,there is nothing you can do than just to rest and receive Him as your God and be happy and he will feel you with peace and joy you need.I hope u get or understand what i said to you,i pray that Lord will reveal Himself to you and bless you.What is your name wanna include you in my prayers if thats ohk with you.Amen
I
Hello. I can understand where you're coming from. Its easy for someone to comment on things they have never been through and for me its getting easier to tell even though they may have meant well. Having that go-to person in your life who's been through and made it can help you. When you learn a new subject,most times, someone teaches it to you. When you go to church there are older saints that can guide you and help you in those times you don't know what to do because they have a heart for God. When you start a new job someone will train you because they know what the company requires and the standards set. Anything that is beyond where you are can be eased with God and the right support. He sent people out two by two to be strength when the other is weak and so on. You should have someone in your corner as well. I'm still on the journey so what I know is limited but God uses people all the time that can bless your life. BE ENCOURAGED! Pray on it and keep seeking. I'm here for you also. Chat me up anytime..lol even if u just talk about the weather..I'm listening God bless you.
R
Hi Lostandwanttobefound,
I hope you're encouraged by these verses from 1 Peter 1:
"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
I'm sorry that you haven't found a mentor and I can relate to this. People live busy lives these days. God loves you and sent Jesus to die for you. Pray and listen for Him. He will always be with you on your Christian journey. God is everywhere and sees everything; He knows everything including every heart and thought. He will never leave you or abandon you (see Hebrews 13:5).
I've compared my life very unfavorably with other people's lives but Jesus and his disciples suffered on earth. God is always working in us through difficult times that are like fire that purifies our precious faith. Our faith is worth much more than gold that perishes. I've often asked God why my life seems empty and why I keep waiting. Perhaps I wasn't listening to Him enough but there are times of waiting. The stories of many Old Testament characters include long periods of waiting, including Sarah who didn't have a baby until she was 90 years old.
God does love us and He does exist. I encourage you to read the Bible and pray often. God wants you to pray to Him about your struggles because He loves you.
"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
I hope you're encouraged by these verses from 1 Peter 1:
"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
I'm sorry that you haven't found a mentor and I can relate to this. People live busy lives these days. God loves you and sent Jesus to die for you. Pray and listen for Him. He will always be with you on your Christian journey. God is everywhere and sees everything; He knows everything including every heart and thought. He will never leave you or abandon you (see Hebrews 13:5).
I've compared my life very unfavorably with other people's lives but Jesus and his disciples suffered on earth. God is always working in us through difficult times that are like fire that purifies our precious faith. Our faith is worth much more than gold that perishes. I've often asked God why my life seems empty and why I keep waiting. Perhaps I wasn't listening to Him enough but there are times of waiting. The stories of many Old Testament characters include long periods of waiting, including Sarah who didn't have a baby until she was 90 years old.
God does love us and He does exist. I encourage you to read the Bible and pray often. God wants you to pray to Him about your struggles because He loves you.
"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
Faith is hard to describe, but we can see the results of faith, just not faith itself. Like the wind, we can't see it, but we can see the results of the wind moving through the trees, because the branches move. Holding onto faith can be so hard when you can't see the results, but God is always there, His plan just may not be yours.
Hi Lostandwanttobefound
You are actually in a very blessed place...what a joy... if you feel that no-one quite gets it nor understands what you need, then look at this promise from God Himself TO YOU. What a promise, what a faith builder HE WILL GIVE YOU WATER
"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself. Isaiah 41:17a
You are actually in a very blessed place...what a joy... if you feel that no-one quite gets it nor understands what you need, then look at this promise from God Himself TO YOU. What a promise, what a faith builder HE WILL GIVE YOU WATER
"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself. Isaiah 41:17a