I need help

[wiggins]

Hi guys.
I have a problem (or at least I think and feel that I do). I’m not sure if it’s something missing or something wrong or me not doing something or something else entirely. I look at many people in the CAA, like True_noir_chloe, Eirewolf, Ashlaey, Inkahana, PsychoAnn, Reverie, Rev_doc, and Simon, and you all seem to have something in your Christianity and Faith that I don’t… I don’t know what it is or if it is even existent. I accepted Jesus in my life, and believe that He is God’s Son, died on the cross to save me and everyone else from our sins, and lives and reigns in me, but of late I find myself wondering, if Jesus still lives in me. I sin a lot, but doesn’t everyone? I don’t know how to express this well. Maybe I don’t have enough faith, but if what I lack is faith, how do I get more. In Valerie’s Open Letter, she said we have to get to know Jesus. How do you do that and will I know if I know Jesus? Maybe it’s my relationship with Jesus and God… I just don’t know. I’m confused. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I do know I want to be able to have the faith and experience Christianity and Jesus, live my life, and walk the Christian Walk, the same way Valerie does, or True_noir_chloe, or Reverie, or Rev_doc, or Ashley, or PsychoAnn, etc. do. Please pray for me and tell me whatever God places on your hearts to tell me. I even wonder if I really accepted Jesus and became saved. Any my mom going into fits of rage and calling me the devil's son doesn't help either, but I am God's child right, one of the sons of the Almighty, and priveleged to be part of Jesus' family, right? Thank you. I’m so confused. Thanks again!
Wiggins

[Spiritsword]

Wiggins, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you are saved, and nothing will ever take you away from Him. So don't worry about that. God is with you and won't let you get away from Him. It's in His hands, trust in Him. That usually gives me comfort--I may not be strong enough to stay with God, but He is more than strong enough to keep me with Him.

Now, your spiritual maturity and growth are a slightly different issue. Others could probably address this better than me, because I'm still well short of real spiritual maturity. But one thing--I accepted Jesus back into my life as my Savior about 3 years ago, and the only way I notice real growth is to compare where I am now to where I was. In other words, it has been a slow, gradual process. I know you probably hear stories of people not having Jesus in their lives, going to a Christian retreat, then suddenly being full of passion for the Lord overnight. That can certainly happen, but it is most certainly not what always happens. It took me awhile to even notice any changes in myself after being back with the Lord, even minor changes. Different people grow and mature spiritually in different ways and on different timetables, and the Lord knows what pace and way is right for each individual (because He knows each one of us intimately). As long as you trust in His plan for your life know that He will bring you along in your faith and bring you closer in your relationship with Him. And one day you'll look back and be amazed at how far you've come, how far He's brought you.

Bottom line is, as long as you know you're saved, just be at peace and trust in God to bring you closer to Him. Prayer helps too--pray about anything and everything, pray with your voice, from your heart, in your mind.

Hope this helped! I will pray for you.

[Rogie]

Amen, Spiritsword, I think you hit the nail on the head. As for me, I was saved when I was 7, but I didn't really fully accept Jesus into my heart until I was 18, when the Lord spoke to my heart and I finally felt like I was truly one of His children. I'm not saying I wasn't a Christian from the age of 7 up until 18, it's just that God makes us closer to Him when He sees that we are ready.

And I'm still growing (I'll be 21 in June), and when I think about when I fully accepted Christ at 18, I think of that time now as if I were an extremely weak person. I'm sure that in another 3 years, I'll look back and once again be amazed at how much God has "refined" me and made me closer to Him.

The important word is "patience," which is perhaps one of the most difficult things to master. I'm a very impatient person, but I know that God will help me with it as long as I trust in Him. And I know that He will help you be patient, Wiggins, as long as you continue to trust in Him.

And you've already done a very important thing: you've asked questions about your growth and relationship to Christ. Our jobs as Christians are to not only witness to the lost, but to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ through advice and encouragement. Believe me, I need to depend on my "elder" Christians for many things, which can only mean a more loving and personal relationship with the Lord Almighty. I'll pray for you, Wiggins.

[Rev. Doc]

Hang in there wiggins my friend. You should never compare yourself to other believes. As Spiritsword has so wonderfully expressed, we are all at different places in our spiritual walk and growth. Each and every one of the people you named no doubt would confess that there are others that they could look to that have come much father maturing in the Lord than they themselves have.

Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts: Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.

The important thing is to focus upon your relationship with the Lord not the relationship others have with Him. Allow the Lord to teach you something new each day, step by step. It is how each of us have grown closer to Him.

[zoupzuop2]

I have a similar problem...
My mother is very much so in touch with God. She seems happy... but I don't know how to see that happiness out of Jesus. Then I see so many christians here that are so much more in-touch with God and... I'm a little... uh... OKay. I'm jealous.
I want this feeling everyone seems to be getting out of God. What is it that I must do or realize? I've given my life to God... but it doesn't feel like it

[wiggins]

Thanks guys.

To Spiritsword: I will try to have more peace

To rogie_san: I will try.

Hang in there wiggins my friend. You should never compare yourself to other believes. As Spiritsword has so wonderfully expressed, we are all at different places in our spiritual walk and growth. Each and every one of the people you named no doubt would confess that there are others that they could look to that have come much father maturing in the Lord than they themselves have.

Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts: Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.

The important thing is to focus upon your relationship with the Lord not the relationship others have with Him. Allow the Lord to teach you something new each day, step by step. It is how each of us have grown closer to Him.

I have two questions in response to what you said Rev. Doc:

1) What little bits of will, denials of self and inwarrd victories and little steps by faithfulness can be made?

2) Please explain this:

Allow the Lord to teach you something new each day, step by step. It is how each of us have grown closer to Him.

Allow? And... how do I know when and what the Lords is trying to teach me?

To zoupzoup2: Well, hope this thread helps you as well.