New Christian, big questions for now, still got the training wheels on!

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Oct 30, 2024
13
5
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Australia
#1
Hi, I am a brand new christian and this forum. I feel the need to share my story thus far and how God guided me to Christianity and the Bible, I am starting to read the Bible and feel more understanding and spiritual discipline will come, however felt I needed to ask some big questions that I need to get my perception right (for now).
Questions are-

Does God and Jesus remain with you 24/7, 365 days a year for our entire life or do they come and go?. (When I pray I feel like God and Jesus is elsewhere and I wait for them to come or some sort of message, I look within myself to feel if they are there, and not really feeling it)

Does Satan come and go by a bad choice (I occasionally have slipped back to the booze and start dreaming and or thinking (delusion) about my spirituality I believe this is Satan, in the past I thought it was God. The next day I am overwhelmed with guilt that I got suckered again and stooped again to a bad choice, then pray all day for God and Jesus to help me, then once the emotional pain has gone I tend not to be disciplined in praying when things are good, so silly!.)

Other than this I am a good person, kind to others, and make an effort, thanks for listening.
 
Jul 3, 2015
59,682
29,021
113
#3
I am a brand new christian

^ Gospel of John is often recommended as a great place to start reading the Bible. This movie
is a word-for-Word portrayal of John's gospel. I watched in quite a few times in my early days...


Also, please check out the Alpha Course.




There are 10 videos total. The Alpha Course is a series of sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith.
Typically run at neighbourhood churches around a community dinner over eleven weeks, each session looks
at a different question around faith, and the talks are designed to create conversation in small groups
afterwards. It's totally free, it's run all over the globe, and everyone's welcome.


The Alpha Course is amazing, full of facts, history, information, etc about our faith, interviews, with both popular
and famous apologists and the common person on the street, asking them such questions as, Who do you think
Jesus is? Very informative all round! I was going through the course myself twenty years ago when I realized I had
finally reached that place of needing no more convincing of the Truth of God's revealed written Word. What a relief!
I hope you watch them. They could benefit you greatly
.:)
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
695
386
63
#4
Hope this powerful verse helps.

Here’s Hebrews 10:14 along with its meaning and significance:

Hebrews 10:14 (NKJV)

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

Key Phrases Breakdown

1. “For by one offering”:
• This refers to the singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which is central to Christian theology regarding redemption and atonement.
2. “He has perfected forever”:
• The term “perfected” implies that through Christ’s sacrifice, believers are made complete and are no longer in need of additional sacrifices for sin. This perfection is both positional (in God’s sight) and progressive (in the process of sanctification).
3. “those who are being sanctified”:
• This phrase refers to believers who are in the process of being made holy. While they are already perfected in Christ, they continue to grow in their faith and obedience throughout their lives.

Context

• Addressing the Jewish Audience: The book of Hebrews was written primarily to Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert to the old covenant practices and sacrifices. The author emphasizes the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice over the Levitical system.
• Comparison to Old Testament Sacrifices: Earlier in the chapter, the author discusses how the sacrifices under the Old Covenant could never fully remove sin, highlighting the uniqueness and efficacy of Christ’s offering.

Theological Significance

• Atonement and Salvation: This verse underscores the belief in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for salvation, affirming that believers do not need to continually offer sacrifices for their sins.
• Ongoing Sanctification: While believers are perfected in Christ, there is an ongoing work of sanctification in their lives, signifying that spiritual growth and maturity are part of the Christian journey.

Application

• Security in Christ: Believers can have assurance in their salvation, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice has secured their position before God.
• Motivation for Holiness: Understanding that they are both perfected and in the process of sanctification encourages believers to pursue holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.
 
#6
[Does God and Jesus remain with you 24/7, 365 days a year for our entire life or do they come and go?. (When I pray I feel like God and Jesus is elsewhere and I wait for them to come or some sort of message, I look within myself to feel if they are there, and not really feeling it)]

God indwells a new Believer and will never leave or forsake them; Heb.13
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. By a believer, I mean a born again person.

[Does Satan come and go by a bad choice (I occasionally have slipped back to the booze and start dreaming and or thinking (delusion) about my spirituality I believe this is Satan, in the past I thought it was God. The next day I am overwhelmed with guilt that I got suckered again and stooped again to a bad choice, then pray all day for God and Jesus to help me, then once the emotional pain has gone I tend not to be disciplined in praying when things are good, so silly!.)]

You are responsible for your conduct and cannot use the "devil made me do it" defense. Make it your top priority to get grounded and settled in the scripture. www.sermonaudio.com can help you.

.
 
Feb 22, 2021
3,188
1,597
113
Midwest
#7
Does God and Jesus remain with you 24/7, 365 days a year for our entire life or do they come and go?...I wait for them to come or some sort of message, I look within myself to feel if they are there, and not really feeling it...
Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome To 'Chat'.

The Blessed Holy Spirit, Who Was Sent By Both The Holy Father, And His Wonderful SON
(John 14:26, 15:26 AV), Will Be With us all of this life, and then all of Eternity!:

A) He Either "Dwells In us, Making us alive" or, we are "not His":

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that The Spirit of God Dwell in you.​
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you,​
the body is dead because of sin; but The Spirit is life because of righteousness.​
But if The Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead Dwell in you, He that raised up​
Christ from the dead shall also Quicken you." (Romans 8:9-11 AV)​
B) He Is The New Owner Of "His Own":

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost Which is in you, which​
ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are Bought With A Price: therefore glorify​
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AV)​
C) God's Eternal Guarantee:

"For All The Promises of God in Him are Yea, and in Him Amen, unto The Glory of God by us.​
Now He which Stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also
Sealed us, and Given The Earnest of The Spirit in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 2:20-22 AV)​

This Earnest Is Irrevocable For Eternity!
Note:

Because of This Earnest, we don't look within ourselves "living by our feelings," but:

"Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also hath given​
unto us The Earnest of The Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that,​
whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:​
( For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) [ feelings, experiences, emotions, etc. ]​
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be​
present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:7 AV) With us now, and In Eternity! Amen?​
To help get you started on your Wonderful Journey With Him, please Be Very Richly Encouraged
And Comforted In His Word Of Truth:

God's OPERATION On All New-born babes In Christ!
+ Updates: (of # 11) + (of #14)

Amen.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,255
3,093
113
#8
Hi, I am a brand new christian and this forum. I feel the need to share my story thus far and how God guided me to Christianity and the Bible, I am starting to read the Bible and feel more understanding and spiritual discipline will come, however felt I needed to ask some big questions that I need to get my perception right (for now).
Questions are-

Does God and Jesus remain with you 24/7, 365 days a year for our entire life or do they come and go?. (When I pray I feel like God and Jesus is elsewhere and I wait for them to come or some sort of message, I look within myself to feel if they are there, and not really feeling it)

Does Satan come and go by a bad choice (I occasionally have slipped back to the booze and start dreaming and or thinking (delusion) about my spirituality I believe this is Satan, in the past I thought it was God. The next day I am overwhelmed with guilt that I got suckered again and stooped again to a bad choice, then pray all day for God and Jesus to help me, then once the emotional pain has gone I tend not to be disciplined in praying when things are good, so silly!.)

Other than this I am a good person, kind to others, and make an effort, thanks for listening.
Lord Jesus told us that He is with us always. (Matthew 28:20). God said that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). We need simply to take God at His word. He cannot lie, otherwise He would not be God. Jesus is the Truth.

Never depend upon your feelings. They are utterly unreliable. I felt flat and depressed one morning, many years ago. The Lord reminded me that I'd had nothing to eat for a long time. I ate and immediate felt much better. Saul's son Jonathan testified to this (1 Samuel 14:29). Base your faith (aka confident trust) on what God says, not on what you feel. Satan is a liar and a thief. He cannot stop you being saved, but he can rob you of the joy and power of your salvation. Resist him the way that Jesus did. Speak God's word to the devil.

As you spend time with God, you will find that His word comes alive to you. It's important to know the Bible. It's even more important to know Him who is the Living Word, Jesus. Spend time with Him, even if it feels ridiculous. How many times have you had a conversation with someone that you can't see? If you have a phone, no doubt many times. We can't see Jesus but we can certainly speak to Him. And at times, He will speak to us, often through His word. We have conscience to correct us and intuition to lead us. Learn to walk by them and you will do well.

By the way, you will discover that you are not good in yourself. Even Paul said,

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:18-20)

This is a necessary experience. It is intended for us to despair of ourselves ever changing. But don't stay there. The answer is found in Romans 8. I suggest that you read the whole chapter. it is most encouraging.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,038
10,600
113
#9
Hi Les so happy the Lord led you to CC welcome! We all are sinners and all of us are overcoming the lures of the flesh, don't feel alone on this. The Word tells us to 'give no place to the devil' All fears, lusts darkness, close the door on and read the Bible, watch sermons and give thanks for what God has in store for you. God bless & keep you🙏✝🔯

'For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope' JER 29:11.
 
Oct 1, 2024
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133
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#10
Hi, I am a brand new christian and this forum. I feel the need to share my story thus far and how God guided me to Christianity and the Bible, I am starting to read the Bible and feel more understanding and spiritual discipline will come, however felt I needed to ask some big questions that I need to get my perception right (for now).
Questions are-

Does God and Jesus remain with you 24/7, 365 days a year for our entire life or do they come and go?. (When I pray I feel like God and Jesus is elsewhere and I wait for them to come or some sort of message, I look within myself to feel if they are there, and not really feeling it)
--------------------------------------------
Scripture
Whoever comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

Thoughts
If you have received the Spirit of Christ, He will ever be with you. But keep in mind, He was ever with you before you received the Spirit. It was His Spirit which drew you to Him. As a new born babe with a perfect father, you will be given perfect lessons for your growth. God will test your faith at times by removing His presence. He's still there, but you have to exercise your faith like a muscle. God will continually give you greater understanding through greater and greater trials. Sometimes you will feel more alone than you have ever felt. Do not be fooled when the devil whispers in your ear that Yah has abandoned you. This is actually when He is closer to you than ever. Your obedience will determine your progress. As a perfect Father, He knows you perfectly, and He knows what is best for you, and the best means to get you there.

May I give you a very solemn warning young brother. Do not develops the habit of saying No, to Almighty God. Let your hearts response to God always be Yes Lord.
And never hesitate to do in the moment what you know is His will.
As is the case when learning anything, there must be a process. God usually does not allow us to skip steps.

Scripture

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
--------------------------------------------
Does Satan come and go by a bad choice (I occasionally have slipped back to the booze and start dreaming and or thinking (delusion) about my spirituality I believe this is Satan, in the past I thought it was God. The next day I am overwhelmed with guilt that I got suckered again and stooped again to a bad choice, then pray all day for God and Jesus to help me, then once the emotional pain has gone I tend not to be disciplined in praying when things are good, so silly!.)
-------------------------------------------
Scripture
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Satan is the accuser of the brethren.

Thoughts
Satan no longer has access to the throne as in the days of Job, but to the degree that God allows, He has access to you. And yes, sinful habits thoughts and behaviors do open doorways. But a child of God has no need to fear, God sets the boundaries. All things are now working for your good. The big question and one you need to settle in your heart at the beginning of this journey is; will you submit to your Heavenly Father and work with Him towards that end?
--------------------------------------------
Other than this I am a good person, kind to others, and make an effort, thanks for listening.
-------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for the questions. I hope you got some good answers. Lots of folks here ready and willing to help you on your way. I wasn't sure how to format my response so you will need to expand your quote to see my input, sorry.
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#11
Its not a defence, it happened, I believe th

^ Gospel of John is often recommended as a great place to start reading the Bible. This movie
is a word-for-Word portrayal of John's gospel. I watched in quite a few times in my early days...


Also, please check out the Alpha Course.




There are 10 videos total. The Alpha Course is a series of sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith.
Typically run at neighbourhood churches around a community dinner over eleven weeks, each session looks
at a different question around faith, and the talks are designed to create conversation in small groups
afterwards. It's totally free, it's run all over the globe, and everyone's welcome.


The Alpha Course is amazing, full of facts, history, information, etc about our faith, interviews, with both popular
and famous apologists and the common person on the street, asking them such questions as, Who do you think
Jesus is? Very informative all round! I was going through the course myself twenty years ago when I realized I had
finally reached that place of needing no more convincing of the Truth of God's revealed written Word. What a relief!
I hope you watch them. They could benefit you greatly
.:)
thank you kindly, I wil
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#12
Thank you so much Magenta, Jacko, conoclast, Grace 300, TabinRivCA, and Publican, thank you for the time and effort to read and respond to those questions, so many Bible verses that you have sent relates, thank you, and for the video links, I will take the time to watch them.
One thing in the comments really triggered me which was You are responsible for your conduct and cannot use the "devil made me do it" defense.
that one bit me hard, I know that now as I have learned enough from the Pastor, Bible and my own inner sense, however prior to coming to Christianity I was blind to this. Having no spiritual foundation or laws in my life at the time, and something coming into my life that was not of this world, of course I thought it was God, but over time started doubting where this stuff was coming from as it never led to any eventuality in my life, I feel I started discerning because of this, in my experience I feel good, as I had the courage to discern and question, maybe this isnt God, well I know now it was something mimicking God. The only person that did and could have showed me what I was already starting to discern was a Pastor that spent 5 hours with me as I rattled off all this so called spiritual stuff (thinking he would commend me, but the opposite), and he very humbly showed me through certain verses in the Bible that is was all sin. I believed him, I felt in my heart that what he was saying was true. The next day I felt so incredibly hollow as decades of false journey and clinging on to it was simply thrown in the bin, then I realised who am I without that identity now, that didnt last long as I started feeling relieved and free er. Im in fear now of throwing the baby out with the bath water, Im talking about allowing Jesus and God in. Its all hard to explain, doing my best!

Anyway, that comment that hurt is clearly my ego, whats left of it, and I will pay closer attention to that, thank you!
 
Jul 3, 2015
59,682
29,021
113
#13
I started feeling relieved and free er.

John 8:36 plus Romans 8:2 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
:)
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#16
This was incredibly profound also "WOW"

Base your faith (aka confident trust) on what God says, not on what you feel. Satan is a liar and a thief. He cannot stop you being saved, but he can rob you of the joy and power of your salvation. Resist him the way that Jesus did. Speak God's word to the devil.

Thank you so much for this!
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#17
The most incredible thing just happened as I realized you are all supporting me now as I was feeling I wasn't moving forward (before your wonderful support). As I was writing in response to all your wonderful support and messages, I heard a lot of people talking and laughing out the front of my home, its a very quiet street, never heard such a commotion, when I went to my front balcony too see what was going on, there was a group of happy teenagers all dressed up in fun outfits all fussing over and pushing a lovely young woman in a wheelchair. My jaw dropped as I feel this is what you are all doing to me right now. This has never happened in my street in 8 years Ive been here, . The photo is a bit blurry as they were further up the street when I took the photo, but they stopped in front of my house for a while, even the young Lady pushing the wheelchair is looking back at me in the photo, and they all waved at me, then I noticed the horizon and took this photo that was equally overwhelming, the most beautiful sunset Ive seen. sorry, the photos would not upload, if someone knows how I can get that photo here, please let me know, maybe photos are not allowed on this forum? said file is too large
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#18
hank you so much Gideon 300 for this

As you spend time with God, you will find that His word comes alive to you. It's important to know the Bible. It's even more important to know Him who is the Living Word, Jesus. Spend time with Him, even if it feels ridiculous. How many times have you had a conversation with someone that you can't see? If you have a phone, no doubt many times. We can't see Jesus but we can certainly speak to Him. And at times, He will speak to us, often through His word. We have conscience to correct us and intuition to lead us. Learn to walk by them and you will do well.

By the way, you will discover that you are not good in yourself. Even Paul said,

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:18-20)

This is a necessary experience. It is intended for us to despair of ourselves ever changing. But don't stay there. The answer is found in Romans 8. I suggest that you read the whole chapter. it is most encouraging.
 
Oct 30, 2024
13
5
3
56
Australia
#19
Gobsmacked again, the group of lovely young ladys pushing the young Lady in the wheelchair came back down the street just now without her, I said "you all look like your having fun, where is the lovely young Lady in the wheelchair" they said *we took her where she needed to go, we dropped her off" please tell me this synchronicity is a message from God, or is this not allowed! Not sure if synchronicity is the correct word here, but what are the odds, wow again!