How do you know?

[kittiara]

As I have mentioned in another post, I do believe in God and in Jesus (though sometimes it is difficult and I have so many questions and likely do a lot of stuff wrong).

But how do you know when your prayer is received? Some people seem so certain. Some people seem to be able to tell God is guiding them and what He wants from them. I don't. Am I doing something wrong?

My knowledge of the Christian faith and of the bible is very limited. I have always had my doubts about the bible (sorry, but I am of the wondering kind). I have always thought that if you try to live your life the best way possible and be kind to others and helpful and such, that that is the right way to go. But I am not sure.

The people here seem to nice, as I am reading through the forum. When asking other people I always get the sense that so much seems to be based on sin and fear of God, rather than His love. I guess that that is why I don't attend a church, because living a life based on fear does not seem a very good life to me. I rather thank God for His love for us all, if that makes any sense. Finding the right church for the individual can be difficult.

I am not sure how to pray correctly. I am not sure if I am listening correctly.

So how do you know? How do you know if you have truely been accepted as a child of God?

[ajjessadams]

 8)Well that's easy.  You see you cut the coupon out of the comic book like we did as kids when we saw the 'Mickey Mouse Club' and send it in with your check for £9.95, and in a couple weeks you get your 'God Fan club' membership card, and your secret decoder ring that helps you find the hidden messages in the bible...

OK, just being cute, sorry if it offended you.

I believe that it affects people differently.  For me, it was the realisation that the world didn't revolve around me and my petty problems.  That there is a grand purpose for me in God's plan for the world.  What it is, is hard to say.  It may be someting I'm suposed to do in the future, or maybe I already did it and won't see the fruits of it for years to come.

Your knowledge of the bible doesn't matter.  There is more to being a good Christian than being able to quote scripture at the drop of a hat.  It's can you take the words and put them into practice.  I have one sister-in-law, who I respect very much.  She is a poor woman with 3 children, one who is mentaly challanged.  But she has such a love for the lord and a love to do good things every day that is just so amazing.  Since her conversion, she just lights up the room when she walks in, and it's amazing to watch.

How does God answer your prayers?  The best thing I can recomend is to rent the DVD of 'Bruce Almighty' and look at the deleted scenes.  There is one of Morgan Freeman and Bruce talking and he is critiquing what Bruce did with the power.  He shows that he had let one poor woman win the lotto, and now she was on the beach living the high life, but God's plan was for her to stay poor, and rejoin with her sister that she hadn't spoken to for years.  We may not know what prayers God answeres for us, and we may not like his answer either, but God has our best interest in mind when he performs them, weither we know it or not.

How do you pray corectly?  That's easy, just pray from the heart, feel what you pray.  Find a good church in your area, and go to just the bible study groups in the morning, until you feel ready to go into the mass.  You will meet wonderful people who are just as scared as you, who want to learn more about the Lord, and also want to share their faith with you.

Feel free to send me an email if you like.  I may not be the best biblical quoter, but I would be willing to try and help you.

[kittiara]

  I am not easily offended. Would be nice if it were so easy, though! But things worthwhile are almost never easy.

Thank you for your response, it did help. I often wonder what God wants for me to do, and if I am doing the right things. And how I may serve him better. If I do have some purpose, and what it will be.

I know of people like your sister-in-law. It would be so nice to have that kind of faith, and to be such a nice presence that would put people at ease. To be comforting and helpful to people. She must be an amazing woman.

Finding a good church is the hard bit. I don't mean that as the churches in my area not being good, I just do not know all the different faiths, what they stand for and what they are like. I do not think I would fit into one of the ones that preach so much about sin and hell. I have spoken to people sometimes whose whole faith seems to be based around that. My mind can be dark enough as it is, lately. I would love to go to a place that is more inspiring and uplifting. More positive. I hope that I am expressing myself in a way that does not offend anyone.

I do want to learn more, know more about what God wants from us, what is the right way to live. So many questions, so little knowledge  .

I am grateful for your offer, that is very kind and caring of you. I am certain that I will email, thank you  

Kit

[ajjessadams]

Anytime, We are all here to help.

As far as which christian faith to choose, well I look at them all as just different roads all going to the same place.  Heaven.  Now, which path you choose, Catholic, Baptist, Episciapalian, Mormon, ect is up to you.  My sister in law as was my wife, raised Catholic.  She changed to Pentacostal, and my wife and I are Baptists.  We each choose the path to heaven that we most enjoyed.  I would sugest going to a couple different churches in your area, and talking to the priest/ pastor, and just talk to them.  Ask questions and see if the spirit moves you to that church or not.

[kittiara]

What you say makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much, again.

I will have a look around and talk to the priest/pastors, and see what makes me feel at home. I think it would be nice, and good for me, to be amongst other Christians. The people around me now, none of them are religious at all.

When I was in Holland I went to a church for a while. It was a really cheerful place, lots of singing and music, we had a visiting gospel choir once, that was great. But I left after a while because there was quite a bit of inner conflict there, which was a real shame.

My grandmother, and her sister (who sadly is in heaven now), and her sisters husband all went to the Salvation Army, so as a kid I used to go there for Christmas.

So I have had a bit of a taste of how nice and inspiring it can be. It always was so uplifting, made me feel so good.

I guess that I have just been postponing finding a church because of indeed not knowing what the churches are like. Guess it is time to find out  

[cris]

What you say makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much, again.

I will have a look around and talk to the priest/pastors, and see what makes me feel at home. I think it would be nice, and good for me, to be amongst other Christians. The people around me now, none of them are religious at all.

When I was in Holland I went to a church for a while. It was a really cheerful place, lots of singing and music, we had a visiting gospel choir once, that was great. But I left after a while because there was quite a bit of inner conflict there, which was a real shame.

My grandmother, and her sister (who sadly is in heaven now), and her sisters husband all went to the Salvation Army, so as a kid I used to go there for Christmas.

So I have had a bit of a taste of how nice and inspiring it can be. It always was so uplifting, made me feel so good.

I guess that I have just been postponing finding a church because of indeed not knowing what the churches are like. Guess it is time to find out  

Don't go looking for the perfect church.  You'll be disappointed because there are none.  People come for awhile and then leave for whatever reason.  There will always be disagreements.  My suggestion is for you to go to a church where you feel they are truely worshipping God.  Don't go looking to get something out of it, but rather, to give your all to God.  The rest will eventually follow.  Catholic services are purely WORSHIP, no fellowshipping.  I think they have groups, apart from Sunday Mass, where you can have fellowship, though.  There are just SO very many denominations.  I don't know anything about the Salvation Army but I've always admired them.  Just the name, Salvation Army, I rather like.  The kettles at Christmastime---------forever reminding one to feed the needy.

cris

[kittiara]

Hi Cris,

Aye, I agree. The perfect church will be hard to find as we are all humans. I hope to find one that will feel right for me. One where I feel comfortable and where I feel that they are truely worshipping God, as you say.

I have always liked the Salvation Army as well. I would likely pay them a visit if they had a place a bit closer. Something to look in to, but I think that as it stands it is an hour and a half by bus from here, which would be difficult for me at the moment.

They do do good work. I remember in Holland the Christmas parcels they gave out to people in need, as well as to the police and the firemen on duty on Christmas. Very kind.

Thank you again,

Kit

[Evangelist]

Hi Cris,

Aye, I agree. The perfect church will be hard to find as we are all humans. I hope to find one that will feel right for me. One where I feel comfortable and where I feel that they are truely worshipping God, as you say.

I have always liked the Salvation Army as well. I would likely pay them a visit if they had a place a bit closer. Something to look in to, but I think that as it stands it is an hour and a half by bus from here, which would be difficult for me at the moment.

They do do good work. I remember in Holland the Christmas parcels they gave out to people in need, as well as to the police and the firemen on duty on Christmas. Very kind.

Thank you again,

Kit

Two things, Kit. First, is that the best way to know if you are hearing God, or being obedient, is to read His Word, the Bible. Don't worry if you don't understand something, just read. And after reading it through, start over.  Probably the best place to start is in the book of John, because of how it presents Jesus to us.

Second, as to a church....don't worry. Visit around, and keep in mind that the Holy Spirit will place us where HE wants us, and He'll let you know where that is...and for how long, and what to do.

1Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many

[kittiara]

Thank you for your response Evangelist  

Your kind words mean a lot to me. I have just been given a Bible and will be reading in it and learning. Thank you as well for your advice on where to start!

And yes, I shall trust God to plaxce me where He wishes me  

Thank you so much again,

Kit

[ajjessadams]

Kitara,
How is your search for a church going?  I wanted to give my church an update this last Sunday, but I hadn't heard of anything new.  Please keep us posted as we are all praying for you.