Where do I even start?

LurkerMcGee89 · 2021-01-02T21:38:16+00:00

I just turned 31, and I found myself at the same crossroads you just described back in the summer time. I have a childhood friend of mine that I hadn’t spoken to in over 10 years. I would just see him post on Facebook occasionally. He’s a seminary student, studying to become a pastor and he has a huge interest in church history and doctrine etc. I felt “this guy can probably at least point me in a direction” so I reached out, in a half drunken message telling him “I want to know Christ. How?”

Him and his wife immediately invited me over for dinner the next night. They shared the gospel with me, and invited me to church. That was in June. I will be Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in 3 weeks time and I’ve never been happier. Christ gave me what the world, and all it’s pleasures and money, could not. My brother, I recommend you find a church or a group with people that can help mentor you or direct you on your path.

s9arthur · 2021-01-02T22:32:20+00:00

You're not alone. I was an atheist for many years, but became a Christian and was baptized on Easter 2019 at a Lutheran (LCMS) church. My conversion began with the discovery of some information that related to an experience I had had many years previously. I attribute my 180 degree turnaround in life to God, but where I started (to answer your question) was by reading the works of Christian apologists like William Lane Craig, Alvin Plantinga, Richard Swinburne, JP Moreland, Gary Habermas...there are many good ones. I wanted to satisfy myself that Christian belief could be justified intellectually, because I needed that at the time to go along with my growing feeling that it was true. I had been reading books about religion written by atheists for atheists for a long time, and didn't realize what a distorted picture they paint of religion in general and Christianity in particular. The truth set me free. And Jesus prayed for all who will believe in Him, so we have a powerful ally on our side indeed - see John 17:20-23.

4skingforafriend1 · 2021-01-03T01:50:58+00:00

Perhaps encouragement but Jesus said it was better to give than receive. As you serve your fellow man, you will find as you run, people will be along side you for true fellowship in the call of what the Bible calls true religion.. (do a quick search)

It might sound odd but (some) friendships can be overrated. The goal is brotherly love even beyond a good friendship. Never stop at good. Pray for the right people to come along but pray as you run (serving others).

This is not about handing notices out at a church service but following the biblical models as you read them.

Praexology · 2021-01-03T06:33:28+00:00

I will spare you all the details.

Details are quintessential to getting valuable advice. When you participate in OYS (which you are now doing) being honest about where you are at is the first step to unscrewing yourself. If you put up guards or try to ego defend, we can see it.

What it comes down to is that I feel I did it all: I tried girls, dating, travelling, I have a job, I am in shape, I went through college, etc. Etc. But everything felt empty to me.

Sounds like you lack a mission. Moreso you lack moving towards that mission.

On top of that I have literally 0 friends now or social circles (my only 2 uni friends - one moved abroad, one got a GF and never see him anymore). I literally do nothing with my life except work, eat, train, sleep.

Get on discord. Mon - Fri morning Bible Studies.

TLDR

• Be honest in your OYS

• Accept that you don't know anything until you actually start to know something.

• Develope and pursue your mission.

• Get on Discord. If you need someone to hold your hand through it PM me.

LilSweetBoi · 2021-01-02T21:19:15+00:00

I would say to continually seek Jesus. You have to love Him more than anything else. Realize that nothing in this world is going to give you wholeness outside of Christ. On the whole no church/community thing, I’m in a similar spot. I would love what others say about this!

Casesteamer · 2021-01-02T21:50:11+00:00

Read the gospel of John. Then read it again. And then again. Read it until it makes sense. Then repeat with the epistle to the Romans. Then Ephesians. Then Ecclesiastes. Then Malachi.

PatchThePiracy · 2021-01-03T00:39:59+00:00

Five words: you must be born again.

It is free, not costing a dime. Pray to God, repent of all of your past sins, and genuinely ask to be born again.

The old man dieth away, and a new, spiritual creation is born!

El0vution · 2021-01-03T02:11:52+00:00

Sounds like need some Jordan Peterson in your life. Also - you’re way young, you have so much time it’s ridiculous

Willow-girl · 2021-01-04T02:33:10+00:00

I wonder everyday why I survived, what is it God wants me to do in this world? Why did God give me this second chance at life?

You need a mission, either to create something of lasting value and/or do good in this world.

I think if you pray and diligently seek opportunities, they will come your way ...

redarcher99 · 2021-01-05T07:16:52+00:00

Sorry to hear that you've had a rough time. It's great to hear that you understand that Jesus died for you though!

John 3:16 tells us that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 10:9 teaches how to accept God's free gift of salvation in Jesus "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "

None of us are worthy of his death and yet he loves us enough to do so. God wants you to love him and love other people (Mark 12:30-31). One way to love him is to grow as a follower (disciple) of him and one way to love others is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Take heart brother. You may feel weak and helpless now but those feelings have helped you see your need for a saviour and that's how we all come to Jesus, not with hands full but with hands empty, knowing we need him. He is able to restore you and grow your faith and do a great work (Philippians 1:6). In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

I'd encourage you to read the Bible daily. This website has a daily Bible reading and explanation that I think you'll find useful. Get plugged into a Bible-believing church (or stream one if you can't attend due to COVID). Tell a Christian if you know one. Talk to God in prayer and thank him for all he's done. This is just the beginning!

HShield · 2021-01-05T15:44:02+00:00

You start by learning about God through systematic theology.

"The knowledge of God is really what life is all about. In his marvelous book Knowing God, J. I. Packer writes the following:

What were we made for? To know God. What aims should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. John 17:3, “This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment than anything else? The knowledge of God."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhqGgPSxm9w&list=PLIpO3BUiq2IFdX50i-DIb6-posLJL7NEz&index=2&t=0s

Charles Spurgeon, in his morning sermon of January 7, 1855, began with these words:

It has been said that ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. . . . No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. . . . But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. . . . Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. . . .

Demser1 · 2021-01-03T08:28:54+00:00

YouTube: Kent Hovind as he is an awesome trainer & weapon against the common evolution theory especially his old stuff. He is known as Dr Dino or take a look at Dr Dino . com just feed & drink from the Sincere Word of Truth (King James Bible) as you grow & be nurtured like a baby in God’s Word whilst God has helped to set your heart on learning & desiring Him & He will eventually allow blinders to fall from your eyes as you walk more & more in Spirit as this is the eternal life or The Holy Spirit that helps to muzzle your mouth, hands & feet to walk accordingly & pleasing in our Father’s sight. Also Ray Comfort (Living Waters Ministries) is another strong & bold evangelist in The Word. God is doing a quick work in these days but as long as your heart is set on God first thing in the morning & always asking Him to direct your steps then He will never cast you out or away from Him & I found The Book of Psalms is powerful in a young man’s life because it show our weakness & the carnal nature always needing to come into submission to God’s way for example like a 5 year old needs to listen to their Father’s instruction & be nurtured in His Love & Trust because obviously only The Father can see the dangers & bad influences so our inner ear becomes more in tune to His Word. I leave you with this: John 10 27)My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Title	Where do I even start?
Author	Alone_Independence95
Upvotes	28
Comments	26
Date	January 2, 2021 8:44 PM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RPChristians
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RPChristians/comments/kp5caf/where_do_i_even_start/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RPChristians/where-do-i-even-start.356319 https://theredarchive.com/post/356319

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