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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 9:43:48 AM
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RamiRedeemed
Posts: 2312
Joined: 10/13/2008
Status: online
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For some people, myself included, the trials are just too much. Yeah, I know some people would say that God never gives us more than we can handle but I know that to be untrue. It's not that the original faith wasn't genuine or that the walk in itself was fake as some might suggest. It's frustrating when you don't understand why certain things are happening and you don't know how to make them better, grasping at straws with whatever hope you have left just to be let down again. Combined with a God who no longer talks and doesn't let His presence be known, well it's devestating. That tends to make a person cold. A seasoned believer might grow through the struggle but for a new believer I don't think it's that easy. It would take hours for me to post my story so I won't, but I will say that I've been a Christian for 9 months and it's been the worst 9 months of my life. I no more than said an 'amen' to the end of the prayer of salvation when absolutely everything I believed was challenged. It never stopped, I'm still waiting. And through the process I've lost my faith, my hope and for the most part I've lost who I am.
Hope that shed some light on your question :)
_____________________________
Some people talk because they have something to say.
Others talk because they have to say something.
-------------------------------
ramireconciled.blogspot.com
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 12:09:51 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
People behave differently depending on the strength of their Faith. True, some can go through terrible times and suffering and their Faith grows and they are an example to others.
Other people soon crumble and get angry with God when things go wrong. But God can take our anger - after all, He took our anger when on the Cross did He not?
I suppose our role when we meet those people who crumble easily is to get closer to them and help strengthen their Faith. It is not always easy, and sometimes our efforts may even drive them further away from God; but we shouldn't be discouraged. Keep our distance if that helps the situation, and most of all pray for them silently. Their Faith may be weak right now, but our Faith will suffice to help them through their situation.
The best prayers are those said for other people. So when we meet the "crumlers" our job is to pray for them so that He may restore their Faith.
mvic
Without me even reading any further, u said this very well, and I can relate to everything u have said. When I began going through what I have recently, I began to question my faith, I even got to the point that I was a bit angry with God, and thats hard for me to admit here, because I love Him with all my heart, and would never turn my back on Him, but He understands me better than I understand me, and He walked me through it, and today, He is still helping me to understand, He is giving me a deeper faith, my faith is growing, because without trials and tribulations, our faith would have no room to grow, and He is also teaching me how to trust Him with everything!! Its a process that only He can take us through, but yes, we should be there for those who feel like they cant go on, alot of u dont know this, but God has used many of u here, to strengthen me, He is so amazing!!
I use to wonder, God, u tell me to praise u in the good and in the bad, but thats hard for me, but Im going to do it anyway, and then one day as I was listening to a song, it was like He spoke to me, Misty, its during these times, during these trials, that u truly discover my love, its during these trials, that He is making and molding us into the people He has intended for us to be. And its at that very moment, that I feel so bad for feeling angry with Him, but He knows my heart, and deep down I reallt dont think I was angry with Him, I think it was more with myself for not understanding and having answers to what was going on with me, but thats why He says, we cant live by what we feel, and we sure dont lean on our own understanding.
And I think so often, we make our problems bigger than the God we serve.
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 12:16:22 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RamiRedeemed
For some people, myself included, the trials are just too much. Yeah, I know some people would say that God never gives us more than we can handle but I know that to be untrue. It's not that the original faith wasn't genuine or that the walk in itself was fake as some might suggest. It's frustrating when you don't understand why certain things are happening and you don't know how to make them better, grasping at straws with whatever hope you have left just to be let down again. Combined with a God who no longer talks and doesn't let His presence be known, well it's devestating. That tends to make a person cold. A seasoned believer might grow through the struggle but for a new believer I don't think it's that easy. It would take hours for me to post my story so I won't, but I will say that I've been a Christian for 9 months and it's been the worst 9 months of my life. I no more than said an 'amen' to the end of the prayer of salvation when absolutely everything I believed was challenged. It never stopped, I'm still waiting. And through the process I've lost my faith, my hope and for the most part I've lost who I am.
Hope that shed some light on your question :)
Can I just ask you a question, what is faith to you? Because I have a long story as well, Im sure we all do. And know this, when you give something to God, you dont have to have the answers, you trust in Him to handle it. And know that faith, is not expecting God to answer a prayer the way you want Him to. Most of the times, He will answer in a way that you never expected. Its called trusting in Him to handle the situation for your good and for His glory. There comes a time, when you just have to totally surrender everything to Him, and say I trust you with this. Its not easy, Ill be the first to say that, but faith is trusting in Him. We dont pray that our Will be done, we pray that His Will be done. And know, that trials that we are faced with, will make our faith grow. We should be moving from Glory to Glory, from Victory to Victory with our Lord Jesus Christ.
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 12:25:19 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Thanks mvic and Liveloved.
Perhaps I am asking for more than I am meant to understand.
It just seems to me lost faith/no faith is such a lonely, scary, hopless place to be. I say this humbly.
I know exactly what you mean sparkleingsnow, the enemy has really made me question my faith here lately, but I know without a doubt, we go through things for a reason, there is a purpose behind all of it, if we can just trust God with all of it. Yesterday was pretty hard for me, but when I woke up this morning, it was like the Lord was waiting for me, THANK YOU JESUS! I spent about an hour an a half with Him this morning, just talking to Him, and He always brings me back where I need to be with Him. His peace and strength, that surpasses all understanding 
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 1:46:20 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 394
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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God's purpose is that we should have the fruit of the spirit. How does God produce the fruit of the spirit. By putting us into situations where our desire is to to the exact opposite. It is the difficult times that truly test us, for it is those times that we are more likely to choose wrong. As you state, it is the time of spiritual growth, where we look to Him more and more, and rely on Him to comfort us and help us through those times.
quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Why is it that trials and difficult times cause some to draw closer to the Lord, growing into an even stronger faith, while others facing the same difficulty get angery with God, doubt Him, and say they have lost they're faith?
As for me, some of my darkest times have lead to spirital growth. If satan is attacking, or bad things are happening and I have no control, the more I need Him. The closer I draw. And I think thats a lot of what the book of Job is about. Unless the seeds are planted on rocky soil with no root, I just don't understand people turning they're backs on God just because things don't go the way we want them to.
Thoughts?
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/15/2008 2:36:16 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 394
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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RamiRedeemed:
When God saves us, it is with a little seed of faith. We have to tend to that faith, and feed that faith with His word and with prayer so that it will grow. We do not make it grow, God does, through His Holy Spirit. Read the gospel of John, chapters 14-17. It teaches us to abide in Him, and He will abide in us. The first epistle of John also is themed around abiding in Him. If you wonder how we can abide in Him, John chapter one calls Jesus the word of God. Therefore abide in His word; don't just read it, study it. It is the milk for young believers, and the meat for mature believers. A believer cannot survive without it. You must spend time in His word, reflect on His word, and meditate on His word. If you have only been saved for 9 months, then you are just a baby in Christ. Your spirit is still young and immature, and just like a baby, you must nurture it, feed it, and care for it. A good bible believing church can also be very important, because the church is supposed to help you learn how to apply God's word.
I don't want you to think that I am talking down to you. I've only been a christian for almost 5 years now, and I was in the same place you are right now. I struggled because I wasn't changing. It was only by reading and studying God's word that I started to grow. You might also try out a couple of books that helped me to understand the bible teachings about the Holy Spirit and the Spiritual battle that you are facing. One is the "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Mayer, who has a ministry on television called "Enjoying Everday Life". The other book that I read was "The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life" by Charles Stanley. It has teachings about abiding in Christ, the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the spirit. The teaching in the bible about the Holy Spirit is essential to learning to walk the christian walk. It is not by your strength, not by your might, but by My Spirit says the Lord. Growth comes not from what we do, but by what God is doing in us and through us. A lot what you are going through is that you are being broken. I'm not sure that process will ever end. I know it hasn't for me. Another thing is that you are no longer easy prey for Satan. You went against Him when you got saved. Now, he wants to attack you and get you to fall away from your faith. The Battlefield of the Mind will help you to understand the spiritual battle you are in, and how to have the victory. I will pray for you that you don't give up or give in, because as difficult as the christian life can be, there is nothing that even comes close to being more rewarding.
Another thing that you must learn is that God's presence is always with you, no matter what. In order to feel His presence, you must learn to practice His presence. You do this through prayer and meditation, bible study, being involved in church. Just contemplate His presence, trust that He is with you even if you cannot feel His presence. He loves you more than you can fathom or understand, and will never leave you to your own devices. Trusting Him at His word for salvation is only the beginning. The bible teaches that we live from faith to faith, so it an ongoing process. Next, you must find out who you are in Christ, and believe it. When you are saved, you become a new creature in Christ, and we are able to overcome all things. We are victors in Christ, for He has not given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love and power and a sound mind. He has given us the very same spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and because we have that spirit we are able to live a new life. But yet, it's not really us who lives at all, but Christ who lives in us.
It is my sincere hope that you will continue to come to these threads and ask questions. It gives us a chance to teach you and help you in your walk. I myself will keep an eye out for you on posts to help you where I can. I know that some of what I have written here may still be a little above your grasp to understand. But I want to help you in any way that I can.
quote:
ORIGINAL: RamiRedeemed
For some people, myself included, the trials are just too much. Yeah, I know some people would say that God never gives us more than we can handle but I know that to be untrue. It's not that the original faith wasn't genuine or that the walk in itself was fake as some might suggest. It's frustrating when you don't understand why certain things are happening and you don't know how to make them better, grasping at straws with whatever hope you have left just to be let down again. Combined with a God who no longer talks and doesn't let His presence be known, well it's devestating. That tends to make a person cold. A seasoned believer might grow through the struggle but for a new believer I don't think it's that easy. It would take hours for me to post my story so I won't, but I will say that I've been a Christian for 9 months and it's been the worst 9 months of my life. I no more than said an 'amen' to the end of the prayer of salvation when absolutely everything I believed was challenged. It never stopped, I'm still waiting. And through the process I've lost my faith, my hope and for the most part I've lost who I am.
Hope that shed some light on your question :)
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/16/2008 7:33:48 AM
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Naitron
Posts: 2
Joined: 6/29/2005
Status: offline
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People have their convictions in God reinforced after going through hardships that why they are so much closer to God and devoted. Those people give it up to God and let God's will be done because it will be for the better.
People who turn away don't necessarily lost their Faith. They just choose not to obey God's will. They may seem spiteful because there is guilt in their hearts for fighting God. They can tell themselves lies and trick their mind by repeating it.
One thing I never understood was how some Christians can "lose" their faith so easily because of some questions they have in God. I have seen this to be a very common trend amongst kids raised Christian. As far as I'm concerned if you have ever known God truly by accepting his son Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior than it's impossible to lose your faith in him. It's like opening your eyes and seeing the sky but refusing to believe the sky exists later. To me when children are forced to believe in Christ they are not truly Christian. For they do not know what they say. Free will is the ultimate gift God ever gave us and we all have to make the choice to accept Christ ourselves. There are many empty words spoken in the times we live.
I don't mean to sound rude but I have known many Christians cry wolf too much. I believe evil exists myself because I have felt the cold contaminating touch of evil. However I am still rather disappointed when people blame everything on the devil. I have seen many in the Church quickly blame the devil for all follies that befall them. As if anything not to their liking is the devils work. We've made the devil into a punching bag that he is not. The idea that God is good and the devil is bad is false, there is no ying and yang. God is all and the devil is nothing. I guess what i just want to say is sometimes you gotta just stop and look at yourself and your life. Blaming it on the devil maybe what he wants. He is a great deceiver. I just believe the future of Christianity is not just thinking better but thinking beyond.
This might sound weird but I am not 100% stuck on the things I've said so far. I believe in always learning with God. I was not trying to attack you sparkleingsnow just in case to take offense. Your comment just reminded me of my thoughts on that topic.
quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Why is it that trials and difficult times cause some to draw closer to the Lord, growing into an even stronger faith, while others facing the same difficulty get angery with God, doubt Him, and say they have lost they're faith?
As for me, some of my darkest times have lead to spirital growth. If satan is attacking, or bad things are happening and I have no control, the more I need Him. The closer I draw. And I think thats a lot of what the book of Job is about. Unless the seeds are planted on rocky soil with no root, I just don't understand people turning they're backs on God just because things don't go the way we want them to.
Thoughts?
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/16/2008 5:39:06 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 394
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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Hey Naitron:
While I agree that some may tend to blame more on the devil than is his due, because I do believe that we are tempted from our own heart. But He does send thoughts that can detract us from God or deceive us into sinning by telling us things like it's okay, or it's no big deal, when in fact it can be a big deal. He also likes to steal hope from us by telling us things that produce doubts in our mind. That is why we must be vigilant and aware of his means of attack. It may be better to be overly vigilant, than under vigilant. However, he is not responsible for how we react to his lies. We have the ability to see through his lies and deceptions. It was God who made this possible by sending His Holy Spirit to help us stay vigilant.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Naitron
People have their convictions in God reinforced after going through hardships that why they are so much closer to God and devoted. Those people give it up to God and let God's will be done because it will be for the better.
People who turn away don't necessarily lost their Faith. They just choose not to obey God's will. They may seem spiteful because there is guilt in their hearts for fighting God. They can tell themselves lies and trick their mind by repeating it.
One thing I never understood was how some Christians can "lose" their faith so easily because of some questions they have in God. I have seen this to be a very common trend amongst kids raised Christian. As far as I'm concerned if you have ever known God truly by accepting his son Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior than it's impossible to lose your faith in him. It's like opening your eyes and seeing the sky but refusing to believe the sky exists later. To me when children are forced to believe in Christ they are not truly Christian. For they do not know what they say. Free will is the ultimate gift God ever gave us and we all have to make the choice to accept Christ ourselves. There are many empty words spoken in the times we live.
I don't mean to sound rude but I have known many Christians cry wolf too much. I believe evil exists myself because I have felt the cold contaminating touch of evil. However I am still rather disappointed when people blame everything on the devil. I have seen many in the Church quickly blame the devil for all follies that befall them. As if anything not to their liking is the devils work. We've made the devil into a punching bag that he is not. The idea that God is good and the devil is bad is false, there is no ying and yang. God is all and the devil is nothing. I guess what i just want to say is sometimes you gotta just stop and look at yourself and your life. Blaming it on the devil maybe what he wants. He is a great deceiver. I just believe the future of Christianity is not just thinking better but thinking beyond.
This might sound weird but I am not 100% stuck on the things I've said so far. I believe in always learning with God. I was not trying to attack you sparkleingsnow just in case to take offense. Your comment just reminded me of my thoughts on that topic.
quote:
ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow
Why is it that trials and difficult times cause some to draw closer to the Lord, growing into an even stronger faith, while others facing the same difficulty get angery with God, doubt Him, and say they have lost they're faith?
As for me, some of my darkest times have lead to spirital growth. If satan is attacking, or bad things are happening and I have no control, the more I need Him. The closer I draw. And I think thats a lot of what the book of Job is about. Unless the seeds are planted on rocky soil with no root, I just don't understand people turning they're backs on God just because things don't go the way we want them to.
Thoughts?
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: Growing Faith vs. Loosing Faith - 10/17/2008 11:19:01 AM
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nettiel
Posts: 184
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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i know alot of people that blame god and thats wrong for them to do. we are not to judge god. we are suppost to depend on him to see us through the dark times.
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