Someone please help me with this debate I'm in with these atheist fools
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I would love to share what God has done for my life. Unfortunately at the moment, God has not made much changes to my life at all. All I can really say is that he keeps me safe through certain problems I deal with (which I'm not comfortable sharing) and that he has given me a reason to not kill myself.
You don't! This is a difficult topic, but the purpose of knowing God, is, well, to know him! It is NOT about us!
So reading the Bible will help you get to know what God has done in the past, how he is helping you know, and what the future holds. That has to be the foundation for anything a Christian does. Read 3 chapters of the Old Testament a day and 1 chapter of the New Testament a day will get you through the Bible in a year.
Second is prayer. Walk with the Holy Spirit. Listen for his voice, especially when you are reading the Bible. Then, ask him questions. Tell him your problems. Pray for the lost, pray to know God better. A good book to read is "Knowing God" by JI Packer. Just a good basic introduction to this topic.
But God never promises us a perfect life. He only says he will supply our needs not our wants. What God really wants, is for us to work with him so our character changes, and becomes more Christ like.
"More than that, we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
The whole journey, from the time we are saved, or justified is called "sanctification." God is making us more holy. It is an incredible journey. And God really will use everything for that purpose.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are callled according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Further, make sure you find a good Bible believing church. Look for good fellowship, and good Biblical preaching. If the pastor is more interested in worldly books, or ideas, that is not a good church for year. A sermon should be based on a passage of Scripture, although occasionally topical preaching will do, if a lot of in context Bible verses are being used. Do the people have an on-going hunger for God? Or are they just going through the motions?
Finally, there is no perfection, and just because you have a problem, doesn't mean God is just going to solve it immediately. You might want to read the book of Job, because sometimes God allows us to go through a lot! But he has his reasons.
Finally, we will either die, or Jesus will return. That is called "glorification!" That is the day we will receive our glorified bodies, and there will be an end to crying, pain, and troubles. But not till we see Jesus face to face!
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Cor. 13:12
You are only at the start of a wonderful journey with the Creator of the universe and Saviour of our souls! You have a passion to serve God. You have a hunger to know him better. Just stay on the narrow road, and you are sure to get to know God better.
In time, you will learn to be content with what you have, like Paul.
"I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phil. 4:12-13
And if those "problems" continue to bother you, talk to your pastor and get some Biblical counseling. If you are not comfortable about doing that, there are many men here who would love to share the love of God and mentor you. I could mention a few, but I am sure they will become obvious after a while.
And for a project, try memorizing Psalm 23. It has given great comfort to Christians for centuries! And it has helped me through many a trying time.
Oh! I just saw this! God will help you through major depression. He will give you a new joy. But, you may have to stay on antidepressants. And you should keep seeing your doctor or therapist.
If you want to talk to me, I have a lot of background in helping people with mental illness. I run a bipolar disorder group, and I have also studied about both counselling and the different facets of these illnesses.
I will pray for you. And always remember "a process and a journey." Yes, God could totally heal you, but more likely, he will take you through this deep valley, and use it for both his glory, and so that you will be able to help others.
"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Cor. 1:3-4
South, As humans we seem to have many problems in life(some more than others) and I don't want to appear to diminish the importance of getting a problem solved. I just want to stress that the real problem of humans is that when we die we enter the place of the damned where pleasure does not exist and there is only pain. When you committed to God and asked Jesus to be your Savior then you escaped from ever having to go into the place of the damned and God has a place in Heaven for you. To think that Jesus died to save you from that horrible place and has given you a home in Heaven is something to think about when you feel overwhelmed by this world.
Angela you're an amazing person. I will talk to you about my problems if I need counseling, for sure. As of right now I'm very introvert about the problems I face. God knows about them and he has sustained me emotionally and I'm learning how to cope with hardship, which is something I've never really done before. At the moment I feel better than I did 2 weeks ago and I'm gonna start skateboarding again which is something that makes me VERY happy.
My personality did change a bit to where I'm starting to care less about what people think of me, I'm nicer to my family and friends, I'm learning how to forgive others and I don't use curse words every other sentence. I'm still fearful about things and it still manages to bring me down but God brings me back up.
I know it is difficult but take it from me, walk away. It was hard for me to accept and I was under the impression with knowledge I could change them. They will not change and they will not accept facts. People don't want to admit they might have made a mistake, especially about religion.
Even on this website it is clear to see. Just visit the Bible discussion forum
Even on this website it is clear to see. Just visit the Bible discussion forum
I know it is difficult but take it from me, walk away. It was hard for me to accept and I was under the impression with knowledge I could change them. They will not change and they will not accept facts. People don't want to admit they might have made a mistake, especially about religion.
Even on this website it is clear to see. Just visit the Bible discussion forum
Even on this website it is clear to see. Just visit the Bible discussion forum
Getting the last word doesn't mean you won, it just means you spoke last.
If you've already put in some quality words, you can let it go. "Shake the dust" type thing. And then continue praying for them. But you're not obligated to continue engaging with them. There's something to be said for knowing when to stop.
If you've already put in some quality words, you can let it go. "Shake the dust" type thing. And then continue praying for them. But you're not obligated to continue engaging with them. There's something to be said for knowing when to stop.