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Do you ever doubt the existence of God ?

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Posted by: Frederik

Do you ever have moments where nothing seems to make sense and where God seems to be doing nothing in your life and then you ask yourself "why" and then you think that maybe there is no god at all ?
What is worse in God's eyes nopt believing his word or not believing in him ? I mean I do believe his word, but when you're scared that he doesn't exist then his word doesn't help you much.
What if my faith simply sucks and this is why God isn't close to me ?


Posted by: pickone

Yes, I've felt that way before. When I first began to believe that He might exist. Then life became more complicated for me. Then things began to look hopeless. Then I asked God for a little taste of heaven ahead of time. He granted this request. I didn't even know I liked living in the country. I always felt sorry for people who lived way out there because it looked so boring. Well it wasn't boring. Living in the city is boring.

Then, another time came. I decided that God would have to proove Himself to me, to show me He really exists because I had children then, and no extra time. I picked up the Bible and He directed my eyes to Malachi, Chapter 3, beginning in verse 8. If all the money I had was a coin, I gave one tenth of it to the church. My pastor didn't even know that I was tithing, we were so poor.

My husband back then (I divorced and remarried since.) took a job in another town, but couldn't afford to move us with him, so we stayed behind in a mobile home until he could make enough to come get us. We ran out of money, we ran out of groceries, and God sent the pastor from our church with a trunkload of groceries for me and my sons. He was upset because he didn't know we were going without. I asked him who told him and he said the person who sent the groceries wanted to remain anonymous.

I believed at that time. I witnessed and taught children at church school and gave my testimony to anyone who would stand still long enough to hear. I bought Bibles and gave them away.....etc., etc. Do you hear what I am saying? Too many "I's". I still needed that Word to be alive in me and me in Him.

I really believe there is a time, a place and a way for each one of us to receive His Holy Spirit. We can all guess about how it will be done, but God has chosen many ways to touch His children. He will send someone to touch them with His presence, He will knock them down off their horse and blind them with His light. He will set a bush on fire, then speak out of it. He will make a whale swallow them. He will get their friends to lower them through the roof. I think God's imagination is so much greater than ours....it is exciting to look forward to the next testimony.

Anyway, after He puts His Spirit on You, hang on! You are going to love it! It is not an experience! It is a new life! God's breath is going in and out of your body! In obedience, He will use you to build His kingdom and it will be fun with Him! You will want to get up in the mornings! You won't care what other people think about you anymore! God almighty is living inside of you!


Posted by: Frederik

So how does heaven taste ?


Posted by: pickone

Sweet.


Posted by: StarChilde

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederik
Do you ever have moments where nothing seems to make sense and where God seems to be doing nothing in your life and then you ask yourself "why" and then you think that maybe there is no god at all ?
What is worse in God's eyes nopt believing his word or not believing in him ? I mean I do believe his word, but when you're scared that he doesn't exist then his word doesn't help you much.
What if my faith simply sucks and this is why God isn't close to me ?

There's been times in my life where nothing seemed to make sense... but it was not because God was not there... it was because I was not there for God!
I have NEVER in my life doubted that God existed..even w/ all the trauma I went through...He is the only reason I am still here.
You want God..but you are scared He doesn't exist...this my friend, is double-mindedness

James 1:5-8, 5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

From THE MESSAGE:
Jam 1:5 If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
Jam 1:6 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.
Jam 1:7 Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way,
Jam 1:8 adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

and then
James 4:7-10, 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up
THE MESSAGE:
Jam 4:7 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.
Jam 4:8 Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.
Jam 4:9 Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.
Jam 4:10 Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

You are still looking for the BIG BOOMING VOICE ....He can be found in the still...small quiet voice also
He also speaks to us by way of OTHER PEOPLE *AHEMMMMMM*


Posted by: Frederik

No, I just want what all the others have, too.
I saw the video with Jerry where he touched all the kids and they all fell down and Jerry said God would reveal himself to them. These kids all have been closer to God than I ever have, this upsets me.


Posted by: Frederik

Quote:
Originally Posted by StarChilde
You want God..but you are scared He doesn't exist...this my friend, is double-mindedness...



What can I do against it ? Sometimes I am simply scared that somebody as great as Jesus doesn't exist.


Posted by: Agent

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederik
What can I do against it ? Sometimes I am simply scared that somebody as great as Jesus doesn't exist.

Unfortunatly, I sometimes struggle with this as well. Ill keep you in my prayers. Oh and StarChilde, you posted why doublemindedness is bad, but you didnt post how we could overcome it. Does anyone have any sources/scriptures that deal with overcoming double mindedness?


Posted by: goabcmissiontravel

I now know without any shadow of a doubt that My Lord exsist .
But how do you handle those doubters ?

http://www.**************************
CRUISE PACKAGES TO FIT ALL BUDGETS


Posted by: forgiven one

Frederik,

I cant help but wonder if all the people here were to give you one day of no response, one day for you to stop looking to others for your answers, ONE DAY for you to fall to your face and talk to Jesus, what would you do?

Would you seek HIM while he can be found? Would you Knock and believe He would open the door to your heart for you? Or would you really be angry because you had no one online for you to chatter away with?
I think you would not take ONE minute to pray and believe and rest in the LORD. In fact I believe you will just continue to ask question after question the rest of your life, never getting to know God because all the attention you get on this board is really all you really want. How's that for tough LOVE??? Sorry folks if this offends you. I too believe I hear from the Lord on this one.

I love you enough Frederik to cover you with the mighty blood of Jesus, and commit you to HIS capable hands. Just as a parent who has a rebelious child has to at one point in life take their protective hands off that child so that child will finally learn one way or the other.

Frederik, you want a word of prophesy,(and God has gifted me with this, which you probably will doubt) how's this. Reality my brother, you who are such a doubting Thomas if only you would believe and receive all my Father has in store for you will be used mightily for the kingdom of God. But on the other hand if you choose to walk in doubt and constant discord with the Word of God and your brothers and sisters in Christ you shall be left behind. The Lord God cannot be mocked. The Lord is patient and loving and full of mercy and grace but He will not be irreverenced for ever. Stand up this day, take the Word, eat it as food, believe in Me and MY promises and see what I will do in your life. Do you know why others receive and you dont? They believe as a child. Now, stand I say, stand and crawl no more on your hands and knees as a babe does, but walk and be strong in ME. this says the Lord your God.


Posted by: Frederik

Quote:
Originally Posted by forgiven one
Reality my brother, you who are such a doubting Thomas if only you would believe and receive all my Father has in store for you will be used mightily for the kingdom of God. But on the other hand if you choose to walk in doubt and constant discord with the Word of God and your brothers and sisters in Christ you shall be left behind. The Lord God cannot be mocked. The Lord is patient and loving and full of mercy and grace but He will not be irreverenced for ever. Stand up this day, take the Word, eat it as food, believe in Me and MY promises and see what I will do in your life. Do you know why others receive and you dont? They believe as a child. Now, stand I say, stand and crawl no more on your hands and knees as a babe does, but walk and be strong in ME. this says the Lord your God.


So you wanna tell me that this is what God said to you about me ?
Why didn't he tell you something about me which only he's able to know ? If I was God then I'd do that, just to make it clear that it's me whose speaking.You know, what you tell me is VERY abstract, it applies to many people. I want something which applies 100% to me and I want to see that it's real.


Posted by: Frederik

How can the bible promise that my whole family will be saved when I know at the same time that God doesn't change persons against their will ? This is only 1 controversy, I could go on with this forever.
This are simply things which I don't understand and when I don't understand it then I also cannot pray effectively, this is how it is. I am pedantic and I have to know every detail cause I think about everything and then I have many questions.
And how do I pray according to God's will ? Therefor you need to be connected to the Holy Spirit and therefor you need to hear God's voice, I don't hear no still small voice. Problem no.2.
I tell you I could go on with naming problems forever.
And when you pray you can make 100000000000 mistakes. Tell me how do you pray with a broken heart ? I mean what is a broken heart I don't even know how to define it. And what about demons stealing your prayers ? All these things cause me to think that actually getting a prayer through to God is as good as impossible.


Posted by: Agent

Hey Fred, check this site out. It is about double mindedness. Also, look for the rest of the "Be ye transformed" series, which speaks about renewing of the mind. This site has helped me and it should help you if you just stop questioning. It talks about taking thoughts captive to Christ. When ever one of your questions or doubts comes into your mind repeat audiably if possible "I take that thought captive to the obedience of Jesus and I bind that thought from corrupting my mind in any way, in Jesus' name."(porn-free*****) Assuming you are saved, this should work.


Posted by: StarChilde

Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent
Unfortunatly, I sometimes struggle with this as well. Ill keep you in my prayers. Oh and StarChilde, you posted why doublemindedness is bad, but you didnt post how we could overcome it. Does anyone have any sources/scriptures that deal with overcoming double mindedness?

Agent, sorry about that~ and today, it is almost 5 p.m. here, and I am getting to the end of all the emails that were posted,that I am subscribed to,Some days here at home, are busy like that~ but it doesn't mean I am not praying...
I did look at that site, and the verses about the renewal of the mind through Christ Jesus and taking thoughts captive, are the verses that come to mind when I seen this post reply in my emails!
I appreciate someone who has the faith and fortitude to examine Scriptures for themselves, and do searches...
And Frederik..you say you do not read the Bible, because you HATE to read... YET how many HOURS do you sit in front of a computer reading what is on that screen? hmmmm.... God KNOWS!


Posted by: Donm

Frederik -

Once again, you said...

>>So you wanna tell me that this is what God said to you about me ?
Why didn't he tell you something about me which only he's able to know ? If I was God then I'd do that, just to make it clear that it's me whose speaking.You know, what you tell me is VERY abstract, it applies to many people. I want something which applies 100% to me and I want to see that it's real.<<

See, again why would God send or give you a prophecy if you are only going to doubt it's authenticity? Why would God send you a prophecy when you will not even believe His Word that has been written and given to us in the form of the Bible? Not only will not believe it, you won't even read it.

You said...
>>And how do I pray according to God's will ?<<

First you must know His will - it's called the Old and New Testament. You know like "Last Will and Testament" a persons WILL.

But you don't know His will because you will not read it - you want God to speak to you... He has already not only spoken to you - but everyone in the world through His written Word... it's His Last Will and Testament.

Frederik - I have been at this for quite awhile, but yet there are still days when I feel like I am just a babe in Christ, because I am constantly learning... sometimes through His Word, through a word that is posted here, through something that someone says to me, and sometimes by hearing from Him.

But even though I have been walking with Jesus for a number of years... there are still days when the enemy tries to get me to doubt the existance of God. However, I have learned to trust God as a child. I have raised two daughters and I remember as they were growing up... what ever I said to them... they believed it - no questions. That's childlike faith... so I made sure never to disrespect their trust and tell them something that was not true. To this day... my daughters still have that same level of trust, when I say something to them... there is no question in their minds... they know that what I am telling them is the truth.

I have prayed most of the day for you... and this is why I am so late responding to any of the posts on the board today... however, I feel that most of your doubting has come as a result of your relationship with your own earthly father. Your father has promised you things perhaps that you trusted and then he never followed through with those promises and now after years of abusing your trust... you find it now hard to believe and you are now questioning and doubting everything that has been promised to you.

You said...
>>I am pedantic and I have to know every detail cause I think about everything and then I have many questions.<<

Knowing every detail is not faith... there has to be a level of faith and trust.

I really feel for you Frederik and I have said some strong things to you - not because I am angry with you... but because this is how God has instructed me to handle this...He and I both care about the condition that you are in and are trying very hard to help you...

You may say... Well, why doesn't He just snap His fingers and do it for me?

Well, because He wants you to walk away from this with more than you walked in with. He wants you to walk away with a better understanding of who He is and who you are. He wants you to come out of this better... not bitter. He wants you to learn from this experience so that you in the future will be able to lead someone else out of this same experience - because you have been there.

It's painful because He wants you to grow from this.

I hope that you understand Frederik, that all here, including God has nothing but good in mind for you.

Father, again I ask that you will continue to increase Frederik's faith.


Posted by: Frederik

Quote:
Originally Posted by Donm
I feel that most of your doubting has come as a result of your relationship with your own earthly father. Your father has promised you things perhaps that you trusted and then he never followed through with those promises and now after years of abusing your trust... you find it now hard to believe and you are now questioning and doubting everything that has been promised to you.


No, that's really not the reason.

I have already read a lot in the bible, I mean I have read huge parts of the NT and also the OT but I just cannot keep things in my head.
Also it's not about reading the bible thru as fast as possible, it's better to read only 1 page and get something from it then to read 100 pages and not get anything from it.


Posted by: Agent

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederik
No, that's really not the reason.

I have already read a lot in the bible, I mean I have read huge parts of the NT and also the OT but I just cannot keep things in my head.
Also it's not about reading the bible thru as fast as possible, it's better to read only 1 page and get something from it then to read 100 pages and not get anything from it.

Your situation sounds alot like mine was, and sometimes is. Ill keep you in my prayers. A book that has helped me alot is Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. If you havent told anyone you know in real life, like your mom or dad, then I suggest you do. Ask them to pray for you and you will see a change. I take it you are a Christian, or have at sometime in the past accepted Jesus into your heart. He will help you through if you have accepted Him at one time or another. I am alot like you in a since that I like to have all the details. God knows your problem and I KNOW that if you have just a little faith, He will help. Just remember that Jesus said If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain May God cast you into the sea! And it will be done. It is hard and I struggle daily with backsliding and double mindedness. Ill keep you in my prayers. If you wanna talk, just PM me!
Ian


Posted by: Frederik

My parents are not believers, they won't pray for me.
I have many books at home, books by Billy Graham and others and I never read them, cause I hate reading.


Posted by: Agent

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederik
My parents are not believers, they won't pray for me.
I have many books at home, books by Billy Graham and others and I never read them, cause I hate reading.

Oh, that must be hard . I wish we lived closer, then we could meet up. You live like an hour and a half away from me. It would be cool if you could come to my church or something. If you want help, just TRY to read a little. You dont have to read much at once, mabey a couple pages and hour, but trust me, I have been there and just TRY!


Posted by: Donm

Frederik,

OK time for tough love number 2...

You seem to be wanting a religion or God where there is NO effort on your part. Just gimme, gimme, gimme what I want, when I want, and how I want. It seems that what you are looking for is what we call here in the states a "sugar daddy". Well, my friend God never has been nor will He ever be anyones "sugar daddy".

God is neither a "Yes" man. That answers "Yes" to everything we ask of Him. God is a "righteious" God... He knows what is best for us... and sometimes He answers with a loud "NO". Are you listening? Probably not... because it isn't what you want to hear.

This walk with God requires "effort" on our part....

Joshua 23:8 - "But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day."

YOU must cleave (hold onto, do not turn loose).

Job 11:14-15 - "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

YOU must put away sin and wickedness.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

YOU must be stedfast, unmoveable, and abounding in your beliefs. And don't tell me that you can't because you already are... except you are stedfast, unmoveable, and abounding in DOUBT.

Galatians 5:1 - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

YOU must stand fast (do not allow the enemy to move you or your thoughts against the will of Christ for your life). YOU must not allow yourself to think thoughts that would take your mind and beliefs captive and cause you to doubt God's Word and will for your life.

1 Peter 5:9 - "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

YOU must do the resisting - and YOU must resist everyday (stedfast) and continue to resist for the rest of YOUR life.

2 Peter 3:17-18 - "YOU therefore, beloved, seeing YOU know these things before, beware lest YOU also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from YOUR own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Now if you want help... YOU are going to have to make an effort. YOU can sit there and wallow around in YOUR self pity because things aren't going YOUR way. But YOU are going to have to stand up and become a man and quit being a spoiled, rebellious, child. Quit expecting God to do everything for YOU.

God will help YOU when you can't help yourself... however, He knows when YOU can't help yourself - and He will not step in to help until He knows that you have reached that place - and it won't be when YOU have decided that YOU can't go any further. He wants you to see and understand that YOU can.

It's like teaching a new child to walk... We help them to get on their feet... but then we turn them loose... they take few steps... fall ... and we as parents let them fall... but we pick them back up and start over again. They begin to take a few more steps... stop and look back at us... begin to cry to tell us they can't go any further... but instead of us coming to them to help them ... we stand there... and cheer them on... come on, a few more steps... they continue to cry... but we dare not come to their aid... because in coming to their aid every time they cry, we actually hinder their progress in learning to walk.

Come on Frederik - Get up, begin to walk in faith... I know it's in YOU.

Father, continue to increase Frederik's faith each day. Father, I also pray that you would send someone near Frederik that would to encourage, and strengthen his faith - send someone that would be a friend to him, and teach him to take steps of faith each day causing his faith to soar. Grant it Lord I pray - Amen.

Now "tough love" 3.... Frederik, if you continue to not receive the instruction that God is giving you through myself and others here on this board... God's Word says in:

Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

Mark 6:11 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Luke 9:5 "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

In other words, I for one will have to stop responding and giving instruction at all to you, thus ... shaking the dust from my feet. I also would encourage others to follow the Words of the Lord. God's Spirit will not always strive with man. There comes a time when we must let go and allow God to do His work... and allow this person to be alone with their thoughts and actions.

I pray that the Lord would be with you my friend and that you would heed God's Word.


Posted by: Frederik

Man, this isn't true !
I am not dumb, I also know that God will not give me everything without me doing anything, but I need a sense of achievement or a positive feedback. I have been a christian for 2,5 years now and I haven't reached much, I also didn't know much in the beginning, I had to learn a lot first.

I don't know if this board is good for me, some people here have really distorted views. Anointed Warrior wanted to make me believe that I am obsessed, what a nonsense !


Posted by: Donm

Frederik -

>>I am not dumb<<

No one said that you were "dumb" - what was said (by your own admission), was that you are LAZY.

>>I need a sense of achievement or a positive feedback. I have been a christian for 2,5 years now and I haven't reached much, I also didn't know much in the beginning, I had to learn a lot first.<<

Are you where you were 2.5 years ago? No. Are you were you want to be? Absolutely Not. But don't go backwards friend. Keep moving forward. The enemy wants to deceive you into thinking you haven't progressed at all... he knows its a lie. And everytime you buy into it... doubt comes in and you take steps backward instead of forward.

I know that you can do it... you just aren't. I know it's in you Frederik. Come on ... start taking the steps ...

This will be my last post concerning this, through these posts you now know what you need to do... you just have to do it... there is nothing more that I can do except pray over the seeds that have been planted ( the Word is the seed. Luke 8:11)

I'll be praying...


Posted by: Agent

Quote:
Originally Posted by Donm
Are you where you were 2.5 years ago? No. Are you were you want to be? Absolutely Not. But don't go backwards friend. Keep moving forward. The enemy wants to deceive you into thinking you haven't progressed at all... he knows its a lie. And everytime you buy into it... doubt comes in and you take steps backward instead of forward.

I know that you can do it... you just aren't. I know it's in you Frederik. Come on ... start taking the steps ...
I'll be praying...

Don is right! Reject satan and his lies! Tell him out loud to GET LOST and that you are sick of his lies! Dont listen! Tell him that you arent going to listen and PRAY! Even if it seems your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, THEY ARENT!! I have felt like this before and the best thing to do is to TELL satan to stop and to ask God for help! It may not come when you want or when you expect it to, but let me tell you, it will come! Just believe!!