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feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 2:36:52 PM
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Kehi7
Posts: 13
Joined: 6/23/2009
From: St. Louis, Mo
Status: offline
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Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 2:55:44 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5526
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
Status: offline
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Maybe a first step would be to get around some fellow brothers/sisters in Christ.
Maybe check out The Journey - they're in St. Louis.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 3:02:17 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 1273
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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Kevin, whats up brother, how are you?
I have seen many people with similar questions as you have right now, over the past year and a half. I know they will be able to give you some wise counsel.
What I can tell you is that if you focus on your weaknesses, your faults, you will miss out on your strengths. I know I went through a period like this, like I thought I wasn't being good enough. Truth is, we aren't. What we can do, and all that we can do, is give Him our all. You have to make a commitment to always move forward. Forget yesterday, it is gone. You have today, and Lord willing, you will have many more tomorrows to walk towards Him.
You can try setting a schedule for yourself, which includes bible study. That helped for me. You may want to read Job, and glean some wisdom from that book.
The one thing that gets me through is the blessed hope that no one can take away from us. No matter how bad it gets in this life, one day, all this will be over, and the new life will begin. No pain, no struggles, no tears, and forever in the presence of our Lord.
I know it can be difficult, I have been having some hard times lately myself. But we must never forget the treasure we have in the Lord. Seek Him first, and keep moving forward.
Music helps me to focus better on the good things I have, and to forget the things that aren't so good in my life. You may want to just sit back, set up a playlist of your favorite worship tunes, and let er rip. That always gets me back on track.
I will pray for you my friend. Feel free to IM if you want.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
http://followtheleader-mat1624.blogspot.com/
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 3:04:56 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 2186
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kehi7
Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
Yeah, but it will sound crazy: rejoice. Yeah, really. 
Thank Him for saving your soul (a hundred years from now, it will be the only important thing about you. Why not start the party today?) and for being your good and holy God.
Then get your face back into your Bible and start reading and heeding. It's a blessing for you.
God has allowed these circumstances to happen to you; it might be just to get your attention back on Him. Confess any sin, turn away from it, and rejoice that you are forgiven and free.
Then sit down and list your assets and liabilities, decide what you want to do about it, and start moving. Taking a small step will make you feel better. And go get some exercise, as that's a natural mood lifter.
Decide what time a day you'd like to read your Bible so you can do it every day.
And go find someone who is worse off than you, and help them. You'll both feel better!
God bless you, give you a job, lift your spirits in Him, and cause you to rejoice as you realize all the benefits God has given you. I'm praying for you today. (((HUgs)))
P.S. I'm not such a hot Christian myself, but I've learned to keep short accounts: confess the sin and turn away from it as soon as I notice. Or I try to; God is gracious!
_____________________________
"Through Gates of Splendor" by Elizabeth Elliot
"Federal Husband" by Doug Wilson
www.biblegateway.com for online concordance (I use it daily)
"Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot
And I think chickens are really funny
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 3:07:58 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 1273
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deermousie
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kehi7
Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
Yeah, but it will sound crazy: rejoice. Yeah, really.
Thank Him for saving your soul (a hundred years from now, it will be the only important thing about you. Why not start the party today?) and for being your good and holy God.
Then get your face back into your Bible and start reading and heeding. It's a blessing for you.
God has allowed these circumstances to happen to you; it might be just to get your attention back on Him. Confess any sin, turn away from it, and rejoice that you are forgiven and free.
Then sit down and list your assets and liabilities, decide what you want to do about it, and start moving. Taking a small step will make you feel better. And go get some exercise, as that's a natural mood lifter.
Decide what time a day you'd like to read your Bible so you can do it every day.
And go find someone who is worse off than you, and help them. You'll both feel better!
God bless you, give you a job, lift your spirits in Him, and cause you to rejoice as you realize all the benefits God has given you. I'm praying for you today. (((HUgs)))
P.S. I'm not such a hot Christian myself, but I've learned to keep short accounts: confess the sin and turn away from it as soon as I notice. Or I try to; God is gracious!
Amen mousie,
Philippians 4:4 (New King James Version)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
http://followtheleader-mat1624.blogspot.com/
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 3:16:19 PM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1591
Joined: 1/27/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kehi7
Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
There are a lot of pat answers to a question like that. But, they don't really get to the heart of the issue... which is how you currently see Jesus Christ and your Christian walk.
The first thing you need to realize is that if you have truly accepted Christ into your life you DO have the sealing and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Period. He's there. You might not feel that; but, that's OK. He's still there.
Secondly, you need to know that there is nothing you can do to make God love you more and nothing you can do to make God love you less. He simply LOVES you or you would not have been called to be His CHILD.
Thirdly, we lose trust in God when we believe that our relationship with Him is based on His answering our prayers and those prayers aren't answered. But, God is God no matter what our circumstances. He is who He is... or, as He put it... I AM THAT I AM. To restore your faith, your must first have your love for Him restored regardless of your circumstances.
If you are out of work, God still is God and He still deserves your praise. If you are terminally ill, God still is God and He still deserves your praise. And, the way we get to the point where we believe that is twofold. First, asking him to bring us into the very center of His will and, secondly, finding resources that will first change our view of God's role in our lives. First the prayer...
Lord, we ask that you begin moving Kehi7 into the very center of your will for their life. May each and every day they move one step closer to that center where their will and Your will are one and the same. We ask this Lord that Your Glory might be seen in Kehi7's life and that you might be Glorified in Kehi7's walk. Bring Glory to yourself through them.
Please go to www.prayertogo.com and begin praying God glorifying prayers. They have a number of free lessons and if you listen carefully, you will begin to understand the subtle differences between praying our will and His will. May God bless you as you begin this process.
_____________________________
http://focusonliberty.blogspot.com
Is "Left" vs. "Right" really accurate?- Check out the Liberty Dial!
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/1/2009 5:23:28 PM
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jn1010lf
Posts: 519
Joined: 4/20/2005
Status: offline
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Hello Kehi7
You may have put your finger on one problem when you said that none of your friends are Christians. Why is that? Do you attend a Bible believing church that is alive in the Lord?
You do need Christian fellowship, you know. It is vital t living the Christian life.
Now as for Bible study, have you delved into the gospels, Mark, Luke and John? Have you gotten hold of who Jesus Christ is?
As for employment, you are not alone. But God does want you to be productive and will place you into something that suits you.
I't obvious that you've not delved into the Christian life at all. It is the most exciting and fulfilling existence known to man. It does require the willingness to be supernaturally changed, however. It will involve experiencing many times of being overhauled from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. But believe me. He really knows what He is doing.
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/2/2009 7:55:14 AM
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LoveSavesLives
Posts: 22
Joined: 7/2/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kehi7
Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
I feel exactly the same and I can't say I'm not feeling down or disappointed about my current standing in the world. But no one can answer whether or not you should feel a certain way. You are entitled to your feelings. But that doesn't mean you should dwell on them. Instead do something about it. If you attend church, get involved in things like VBS or outreaches. Make some friends at a bible-believing church. Listen to some Christian music, I can give some great recommendations. Listen to Casting Crowns - East to West. It's an amazing song and I'm sure you can relate. Do one thing each day for God, the same thing, everyday, for at least seventeen days. I've heard that at seventeen days it becomes a habit. Not sure how true that is, but it's worth a try. Don't beat yourself up, when you do that you go further and further into a pit. And I can say this because I'm there 95% of the time. Try to look up. Pray and ask God to give you a desire to read the Bible and to help you with your job situation. Be an active participant in the job situation. Start looking and if you feel convicted to work somewhere, do it. Hope this helps!
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/2/2009 2:01:25 PM
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ATtheCROSS923
Posts: 134
Joined: 2/9/2009
Status: offline
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Psalms 46:10 -- Be still and know that I am God.
That is such an awesome piece of scripture. I hold on to that one every day of my life, and when I am feeling down or depressed...I remember it. If you are obedient to the words of Jesus, you have nothing to worry about. You are living in the Kingdom Economy.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, Always. Dont let the world get you sidetracked with: I dont have this, I dont have that. And dont compare yourself to other Humans. Try to be more like Jesus and God will take care of you.
God bless you Brother. I pray that the Holy Spirit leads you to Gods footsteps for your life.
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/2/2009 8:12:21 PM
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RustyCarr
Posts: 972
Joined: 3/11/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ATtheCROSS923
Psalms 46:10 -- Be still and know that I am God.
That is such an awesome piece of scripture. I hold on to that one every day of my life, and when I am feeling down or depressed...I remember it. If you are obedient to the words of Jesus, you have nothing to worry about. You are living in the Kingdom Economy.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, Always. Dont let the world get you sidetracked with: I dont have this, I dont have that. And dont compare yourself to other Humans. Try to be more like Jesus and God will take care of you.
God bless you Brother. I pray that the Holy Spirit leads you to Gods footsteps for your life.
Just to balance out this post let me say this, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." Being still may not be what God is prodding you to do.
And fellowship with Christians is a must, as well. As long as you are seeking first His kingdom... Then WHILE YOU ARE SEEKING, YOU CAN BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.
Rusty
_____________________________
It is better to obey God rather than men. The Truth, God's word, within is the lamp that guides our feet. -For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov. 2:6-
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/2/2009 9:02:06 PM
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makarizo
Posts: 2485
Joined: 4/13/2005
Status: offline
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throwin' in another verse:
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
_____________________________
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/3/2009 12:49:24 AM
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hangininthere
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/1/2009
Status: offline
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You would be amazed how serving others can strengthen your faith and allow you to appreciate God's blessings. While you are waiting for a job to line up, get out of bed and away from the TV and get down to the Gospel Rescue Mission or another charitable organization that needs help. I guarantee that serving others will renew your soul.
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/3/2009 3:45:33 PM
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terryjohn
Posts: 325
Joined: 3/23/2007
Status: offline
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Been there. All I can suggest is that you prepare for war. By taking the sword of faith do all you can do as if there are no tomorrows. If there is anything I have discovered in Christ is that all things are possible if we are only willing. I am not into manufacturing a faith but into seeing the glory and hope of God in action.
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RE: feeling depressed about my faith - 7/3/2009 3:59:04 PM
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delete123
Posts: 592
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kehi7
Hello, I feel like I'm not being a very good Christian. Not praying enough, reading the Bible daily, and none of my friends are Christians, and I feel lost. I'm unemployed, and need to trust God to help me. Do I have a reason to feel down, or what are some ways I can get back on track and trust God?
And who said you were good? We are only good because of Jesus and for no other reason. But we are to make ourselves a living sacrifice to Him.
Therefore it is your responsibility to learn about the God that saved you. If you are asking then you are not lost, you just didn't see the sign in the road that says: I am the Life, the Truth and the Ressurection, so kiss the other road sign good bye, because it is broad road that leads to your destruction.
The Lord gave you the road map known as the Holy Bible, read it and your path will be clear. See Jeremiah 29:11-13
Welcome
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