I grew up in a christian family. I;ve attented services in church that taught me about JESUS and how HE saved me. but as i grew to become a lady, i seem to fall apart. i don't understand why, but im not that eager anymore. not that excited. why? but i really want to. i try so hard. and yet i struggle.
i hear testimonies of people even young ones how GOD made changes in their lives, how they met GOD. how awesome it was. and i feel like i don;t have my own experience to share sometimes i feel like crying out because i know it's what i lack. that im going far from Him. (
im doubting my faith now. i dont even know how thats possible

__________________
property.of.JESUS <3

We are to believe and trust God more than our own faith.

(Btw, this is in the recipe section).

__________________
Prov.1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Ps.139:21-22 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

To God alone be the glory.

my sister said i could get over this through prayer. but it seems like my prayer is stuck in the roof

__________________
property.of.JESUS <3

hi valerie
Like to make a suggestion. You have posted this in the section of the forums thats about FOOD. Sharing recipes. Things like that. So you may not get much of a response. I suggest you post under either 'Young Adults' or 'Prayer' forums for better responses.

__________________

Valerie, first of all, you are not alone in this. There are many people who feel the way you do. A lot of this is because we believe that our Salvation is based upon experience, when in fact, it's based upon Faith in Christ. Christ and Christ alone is our Savior, not our experiences. To be honest, you may have a greater testimony and impact than many of your friends do, because you may not have to learn the lesson the hard way. Many people have testimonies of how God got them off of drugs. Or how God freed them from sexual addiction, pornography, etc. And yes, those are powerful testimonies. But in this day and age, I personally believe that a person who can say, "I've never done drugs, or slept with another person outside of marriage" has an even greater testimony. Because Valerie, you are surrounded by your friends, by the media, by the World itself. There are so many pressures placed upon you to go and do what is against God. But when you can say, "God has helped me to avoid these pitfalls," people are more likely going to look to you and say, that is a person who truly lives what they believe.
Keep your chin up and keep striving, even if it seems like everyone else around you has more exciting stories to tell then you. It's more important to strive to do what's right, then to have a story of deliverance from sin.

__________________
I see you!!

I moved this from the recipe section, to prayer requests....Praying for you Valerie

Valerie I agree that the struggles of this world... in our teen years, make it hard for us to see and feel what God wants us to be doing.
Stay strong, you will be rewarded by God for fighting the good fight! The temptations of this world might seem rewarding at the time,
but the price you will pay is not worth it. Think about this...would you want your future kids or grandkids to act that way or do those things.
What kind of future you wish for them, give it to yourself first. I will pray for you, take care and God bless

__________________
Psalm 126:5,6
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Valerie, I believe your struggle right now is because Jesus is bringing in you a more real and living faith.
Do not dispair, for though the mountain may be hard to climb, the summit is awesome!
keep in heart, that it is in our weakness, that God's poer is made perfect, glorious!
You are in my prayers in Jesus's name.

God bless
pickles

__________________
It is in our weakness that God's power is made perfect!

I think you just got to cry out to Jesus for more of Him in you. Fast if you have to. Sometimes we just need to lay down all we have and seek Him. Draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you. God bless

__________________
Everything you are to me, is everything I'll ever need!

Hi, Valerie, there's nothing wrong doubting your faith, it's quite normal. First, ask Jesus to make Himself more real to you, to increase your faith. Faith is a gift of The Spirit, and God will give you more, if you ask Him to .

Also, you can ask God to fill you with The Holy Spirit (Jesus called Him "The Comforter"), because He will strengthen your walk. Luke 11: 11-13 Is a good passage to read........."How much more shall your Heavenly Father give The Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"............ God bless.

__________________
Snackers looooooves the like button!!!!!!!!

I've read your post several times and the same question kept coming up in my mind.
And that is, "are you saved?" I read the words, "I was taught". You sound like a person
on the outside, looking in. I can tell you what can help you, if you are saved. But it wont do
you any good if you aren't. But, to be honest, when I read words such as "grew up in", "was
taught", "try so hard", and "hear of others that met God", all in the same post, I wonder if the
individual is playing religion, rather than having a relationship with Jesus. You said you were taught
about Jesus and how He saved you, but have you accepted Him as Lord? That is the one thing
that seems to be missing in your post. I'm not saying you are or aren't saved, that's why I'm
asking, before going to the next step. I have read many posts over the past 20 years.
People usually say, "I was saved..." or "I accepted Jesus...." That is something I'm not seeing
in your post. Your comments seem religion based, rather than relationship based. Help me
out here. Tell me about when you got saved. You would be surprised at the number of
people who go to church and do all the right things, yet be unhappy, because they were
never saved, they never accepted Jesus, they just played religion. I don't want to jump to
conclusions on one post and say "this is the problem."

She is right, that's jut what I was going to post. I don't know what your prayers are like, but make sure to be genuine and pour it all out to him. Listen to what Psalm 62:8 says: "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah"

Remember to be introspective; confess in prayer your doubts, and ask for God to fill you with His presence and to help you to hear His voice. Ask Him for a burning desire to serve Him, pray that God Himself will GIVE you faith. Then read your Bible. When you go to church, pray first; that He will fill you with praise. When it comes time to worship, give yourself over, and see what happens. God bless.

Part of that I can relate to. But the thing is it's like this, it's not about what you can get out of the deal. What you get is your sins forgiven, and yoru name writen in the lambs book of life, so that when you die you get to go to heaven and not go to hell. That's the bottom line. Any uphoric experience on earth you're hoping for, or any huge changes to your life, your relationships ect may or may not appear. My belief is they will appear as God's word tells us that he blesses his people. But again, the thing is this, when you wake up in the morning, just say to God, "I don't expect anything, I don't ask for anything, the only think I ask for is how may I serve you today?" Show me what to do. And that will shift your focus from getting anything to giving. So you'll see someone who's struggling or needs help here or there and you'll be given an opportunity to exercise your christian walk. Helping them, and then just saying something like God loves you. Or whatever you're able to do. That will help make real your christian walk. It will automatically demonstrate to yourself, that "wow this is real" I'm making a difference as Christ works threw me to help others in the world and to tell others about Christianity. What I use to do at one time is Get little christian brouchures and pamphets and leave them on the bus and things like that for others to read. But again don't worry about what you can get. Don't worry about not having much energy. I feel like that all the time. But when your struggling just tell Jesus about how you're struggling. And he will help you. And don't worry he's in total control. When you stumble he will carry you. Again just ask him daily "show me how I may serve." But don't doubt, the very fact that you have life, and you see life all around you is evidence that all the life and perfectly designed universe had to have come from somewhere. It's a miracle! Dear lord please help this individual to gain true passion in her spiritual walk with you. In Jesus name I pray amen.

I think it's normal for your enthusiasm to wax an wane. The things I find that inspire me the most are worship and fellowship. But it's difficult to be encouraged when your enthusiasm has run dry.

Consider finding a new way to serve others, something you haven't tried before.