Finding the right way?

Finding the right way? (Full Version)

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NewYork74 -> Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 11:48:30 AM)
I dont want to turn this into a confessional, I do need to say that Ive done some very bad things in my life. The worst to me, was being a cocaine dealer. I was also emerged in a world of violence and and selfishness. I was arrested a few times, and even convicted for a crime. I even ended up in a coma in the hospital. I was in and out of it for a few days, and I saw some things when I was laying in that bed in ICU. I mean I saw them in my head. I could have been hallucinating, but maybe there was something else to it? I did see, or at least what my idea was, of heaven and hell. Ive always been casually a believer in God, but that experience really made me question myself. I dont sell drugs anymore. I think Im doing much better in terms of leading a moral life. I try to be unselfish as often as I can, and not hurt people. I do feel like its not enough, though. Im a much stronger believer in God, but I need to make a better connection. I still feel like a sinner, and like I am not doing enough good in this world. I am seeing a woman, whom I dont love, and we have a carnal relationship. I fell very bad about that. It seems so tough to do all the right things, to become at peace with myself, and feel like a man whose worthy of God.

earthless -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 12:08:30 PM)
Welcome to the boards and as someone that was born and raised in the inner city and is now in a career that deals with those in it, I can relate to your accounts and struggle. After reading your post, two things immediately rushed to my mind: 1) We can never be "good enough" to God. The Bible says that all of our good works are like filthy rags unto God. Only Jesus Christ was good and only He paid the price for our sin. 2) Have you acknowledged your sin to God, repented of it, know what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross? Have you accepted Jesus Christ' sacrifice and how He took your place on that cross to bear the punishment of your sin?

jfaye -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 12:46:28 PM)
A good response, already, 'earthless' and I would add, that when you come to recognize your sin is fully forgiven, and the price was enough to cover your sins, you will be as the woman in this passage is revealed and the result of your realized salvation will also be as described by Jesus, in Luke 7: "A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." If you have obviously recognized your sin, and I would think in having done that, you have asked for His forgiveness, trusting that He has paid the price in full for your sins, then you, too, can trust: "Your faith has saved you; (and you can) go in peace." [emphasis mine]

deermousie -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 12:51:27 PM)
Wow, NY - God bless you! Thank you for not soft pedalling your life but for telling the truth about it. Many of us come from horrible backgrounds of one sort or another. See what God inspired the Apostle Paul to say: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 That's what we all were. And God has drawn us to Himself and saved us and is changing us to be like Him (Romans 8:28,29). Who knows about the hallucinations? It could have been a chemical reaction to drugs or it could have God or it could have been a chemical reaction to the drugs God allowed to help bring you closer to Himself. When you get to heaven, you can ask Him. [:D] Meanwhile, thank Him that He did get your attention and start moving you towards Him and all the good things that means. Any Christian's job is to get into the Bible every day - Jesus said for us to live/dwell/abide there: John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. God bless you for following after God! It's obvious to me He is working in you! Yay! All of us have more to learn and do in life, since we're never perfect here, but God grows us up step by step. It's clear what your next step needs to be: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5: 18-21 Fornication is the old word that means having sex before marriage. God says this is something people going to hell are doing. It is sin against God, who made sex as a blessing for married people, and even says that married people aren't supposed to stop having sex! (1 Corinthians 7:5). God says for Christians to marry only other Christians (2 Cor. 6:14); you can decide to break up with your gal or marry her if she's a Christian, too. I am so excited for you, NY! God bless you, man, as you grow in God and learn more about Him and are blessed by Him as you seek His ways, which are good and satisfying (sometimes it takes a while to see that, and suddenly you look back to see how far you've come and how good it's gotten to be). Keep reading your Bible, keep thanking God for saving you and changing your life little by little as you do what He calls you to do. When you discover sin in your life, confess it (God says it is sin, so you say so, too) and repent it (turn around and go the other way), and thank Him for His forgiveness so freely given (1 John 1:8,9). We are not worthy but God loves us anyway. Find a good Bible believing church and enjoy the teaching and fellowship. That pastor is God's appointed Undershepherd, and it's his job to help his flock, so go talk to him. [:)] God has blessed you with salvation - I'll meet you in heaven someday and we'll hug and excitedly tell each other our cool stories how God did things in our life. Meanwhile, be blessed by God, and I give you my blessing, too.

NoDumbBlonde -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 2:23:14 PM)
Hey New York, welcome to the boards. Here you'll find a lot of wonderful people that have all had a vast array of experiences and testimonies. Chances are you are not alone here with much of yours. We all have things in our pasts that are sinful but to God no sin is greater than any other with the exception of rejecting the Holy Spirit. Basically, telling Jesus to bug off. We, as Christians are also taught to forgive others as we ask for forgiveness from God. This also includes forgiving ourselves. We must also understand the difference between guilt and conviction. Only satan uses guilt. When we ask for God's forgiveness He gives it. We must learn from our mistakes and vow never to repeat them. As Jesus told the woman at the well, "Go and sin no more. We can be forgiven. Our salvation is a free gift from God, one we cannot earn or purchase. When we accept that gift we are set free. We must learn to forgive ourselves and move forward in a new walk with Christ as our Lord and Savior. I have felt that sometimes I'm not doing enough. Whether or not this is something from God that says I need to put my focus on Him and not myself or merely the enemy trying to make me feel unworthy of God's love I don't know. What I suggest is to really seek Him. Delve into His word and ask God to really reveal Himself to you. Your spiritual walk is a lifetime journey and not a quick destination so enjoy the road. It's not always easy but be strong and stay focused on living a life as Christ would live it. Never compromise! I suggest getting involved in a Bible teaching church and developing some spiritually mature friends that can mentor you on your journey. They can lead you to a deeper relationship with Christ and help you when you begin to stumble. Congrats on your transformation! I imagine God has some magnificient plans in store for you. Seek Him and He will use you in a mighty way! Only He can turn our messed up lives into something remarkable. [:)] Blessings!

MickinEngland -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 3:02:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NewYork74 I was..a cocaine dealer. I was also emerged in a world of violence and and selfishness. I was arrested a few times, The key word is WAS, that's 3 strikes against your old self so well done..:)

NewYork74 -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 3:49:24 PM)
Wow, thank you everyone for the great support! Yes, I do feel happy that I conquered the worst in me. The issue of selling drugs and being involved in violence were so obviously bad, and I feel confident I have them under control. Actually now that Im doing better, things are getting harder, because I still feel there is the "smaller" stuff I need to take care of. I am having a real struggle with the sex out of wedlock, and I also try to be a decent human being, not to be selfish, proud, greedy, etc in my everyday behavior. I am still getting the hang of praying and addressing God, I dont have a regular Church I go to. My parents are immigrants from Eastern Europe and they are very nice Church going Orthodox people. They are the ones who have kept Church in my life and our priest there is a very nice man. The thing is, I would never be able to talk candidly like this to our priest from there because I have an issue about embarrassing my family in front of him, so I could never discuss some things. So I am pretty much figuring out a lot of things on my own, when in comes to my life and its relationship with God. GOD BLESS EVERYONE...

earthless -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 3:56:12 PM)
Newyork, If you ever have any questions or want to talk about something - just post it and know there is a large and warm community here that would love to wrestle them out with you. [:)]

elastic -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 4:12:43 PM)
quote: I am having a real struggle with the sex out of wedlock, i know this is something that is not easy for you, but you can't wean yourself off of it, you just have to stop that behaviour. one way to do that is to take your girlfriend out to public places. Do not let yourselves be alone in your apartment or her apartment. make the committment that the date stops at the doorstep. if she is not a christian, then try explaining why you are making the change, that it has nothing to do with her, but that it's a change you are making to bring yourself back into alignment with what you believe is God's best for you. His best is not sex outside of marriage. i know that won't be an easy conversation to have at all. also, what part of new york are you in? there are some wonderful churches that you might try attending, I'm sure someone on here can suggest a local church that would help you.

stellaluna -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/5/2008 4:41:59 PM)
If you need some inspiration, read about Paul. That guy was a bad dude...killing all kinds of people...but he was transformed by a relationship with Jesus and so can you be. You've already made some awesome changes, but you can't do it alone. Don't worry, though. God will meet you wherever you are. He's good like that.

McKate -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 9:50:01 AM)
Like you, I once sold coke. At the time, I thought of it as a survival tactic. Jobs were hard to come by at the time and I needed to support myself. Over time, I began to use more of the product than I was selling. I, too, ended up in the hospital several times with paranoid drug-induced psychosis. It just wasn't a good scene. I lost my car, my apartment, and my cell phone because...well you know, coke is a nice way to flush your money away. After that, I no longer had the means to sell and I was able to kick my habit without any sort of rehab. Looking back on it, I realized that I had not only inflicted emotional and physical pain on myself, but others as well. I used to go to a city called Camden and buy my supply...usually it was from men outside corner markets with their children close by and tugging at their pantlegs. It still bothers me that I contributed to the endangerment of children and whole neighborhoods who survive on drug trade. Now, I'm in a better situation. I'm paying off my debt and I now feel that it is necessary to do something positive for the community that I negatively impacted (no matter how small that impact was). Instead of buying coke, I donate clothes and canned goods to the Camden Diocese. One of these days, I'd love to work in urban development...and I attribute all of that to my long-standing guilt trip. There's always a way to change things around.

Pauley464 -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 11:25:33 AM)
quote: So I am pretty much figuring out a lot of things on my own, when in comes to my life and its relationship with God. You don't have to do it alone. There are way too many people who have been where you have and are now in great relationships with God to fail to take advantage of their support. Don't go it alone. Keep going to God on your knees in prayer and find a church where you can get support from other godly people. (And keep coming here.) I would also sound out the priest at your parents church. You will probably find that he's heard it all before and if he's genuinely a man of God, he'll keep it to himself so no embarassment will occur. Congrats on how far you've made it.

terryjohn -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 12:19:56 PM)
Wow, get all excited for Christ can take you a milion miles from where you are at now, if you are but willing to follow Him. Now it is not just about being good for it is more about falling in love with Christ. Yeah I know I know it is hard to be good but even harder to love. The thing then that makes the differences is not the feeling sorry about past sins but about the joy of the potential we have in Christ every day of our lives. I guess we all come to Christ for what He can give us but to those who truely fall in love with Him forsake all that would come between Him and our love for Him. Personally making a decision for Christ was for me a fearful thing for it involved giving up so much in the way of my own pride and involved a real fear of the unknown. Amasingly as I as I let go Christ came in and took me places I had never imagined and taught me things I had never known. Many stand at the door to which Christ knocks and I would say kick it down.

Lurker -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 1:21:30 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NewYork74 Wow, thank you everyone for the great support! Yes, I do feel happy that I conquered the worst in me. The issue of selling drugs and being involved in violence were so obviously bad, and I feel confident I have them under control. Actually now that Im doing better, things are getting harder, because I still feel there is the "smaller" stuff I need to take care of. I am having a real struggle with the sex out of wedlock, and I also try to be a decent human being, not to be selfish, proud, greedy, etc in my everyday behavior. I am still getting the hang of praying and addressing God, I dont have a regular Church I go to. My parents are immigrants from Eastern Europe and they are very nice Church going Orthodox people. They are the ones who have kept Church in my life and our priest there is a very nice man. The thing is, I would never be able to talk candidly like this to our priest from there because I have an issue about embarrassing my family in front of him, so I could never discuss some things. So I am pretty much figuring out a lot of things on my own, when in comes to my life and its relationship with God. GOD BLESS EVERYONE... If you're worried about talking to a priest face to face, you can always find a different parish. But I honestly think that talking to your regular priest will be fine. I can understand your reluctance, but remember that there's nothing the priest can't likely have heard before. As far as praying goes, you can start simple. I like the Jesus prayer because it's short, yet sincere. It goes like this: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Sometimes I have a hard time praying so I end up just making the sign of the Cross and saying the Jesus prayer asking for mercy. And you know what, it works. :)

Lurker -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 1:25:20 PM)
One quote that has helped me when I fall into sin is this: Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience. St. John of the Ladder

jn1010lf -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/7/2008 5:14:12 PM)
Hello NewYork74 You need to get real with the Lord. Start studying the Bible and get to know the author. When He becomes real then give your heart to Him. Then give Him permission to work in your life.

NewYork74 -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/27/2008 5:06:48 AM)
I screwed up. I might be going back to prison. I got into an altercation with the police and now I may lose my job if convicted. I am very depressed. I need help.

jfaye -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/27/2008 2:09:15 PM)
quote: I screwed up. I might be going back to prison. I got into an altercation with the police and now I may lose my job if convicted. I am very depressed. I need help. Oh no, NY! My heart goes out to you! But, even if you wind up in prison, don't waste time there! It may well be, that the 'good' that God makes of your life will come to light in prison. You may be on the 'field' that is 'white to harvest', needing more harvesters, and more seed planters. In some ways, this would give you time in the word that you may never have had otherwise. It may also help you deal with some of the addictions, you have not been able to give up, not talking just drugs, but there are many sins we find it very difficult to walk away from and the Lord knows that and will often use our own 'failures' as the means to help us be able to be far from them, to grow in strength to stay away from them! All in all--this is not the last day of your life. Your story is not complete and there is work to be done in you and by you. Consider, the time you are 'set apart' from the rest of society to bone up on your homework, time with the Lord and put what you learn of Him to good use in the place you find yourself planted! Please, keep us updated as you can. I will pray for you and will pray you come to mind often!!!! Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, (nor prison) nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

smiths4jesus -> RE: Finding the right way? (3/27/2008 10:55:58 PM)
Hi New York! I'm originally from New York. We are all born sinners. That's because Adam sinned and died spiritually so all of his offspring are born spiritually dead. That's all of us. That's the bad news. The good news is that we can never change that but Jesus can! He came to pay the penalty we could never pay. We can't live a sinless life on our own. We are sinners by nature, but if we are willing to repent (willing to follow Jesus and allow Him to change us) and receive His payment and ask Him into our hearts, Jesus makes us spiritually alive and changes our desire to do right. We become born again! See John 3:16. It's really quite simple. I prayed this prayer and it changed my life. Pray this to the Father, Father, I admit I am a sinner. I am willing to change. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I now choose to ask Him to come and live in my heart, seal me with the Holy Spirit and save me. I will do my best to follow Him the rest of my life, and when I make a mistake and ask forgiveness You will forgive me. In Jesus name, amen. God bless. http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2713811/

NewYork74 -> RE: Finding the right way? (5/2/2008 3:13:56 AM)
Id like to thank everyone that helped me thruout these hard times. I was able to get my charges dropped, and I have been reading the Bible almost every day now. I feel a lot better and stronger. Ive even managed to stop fornicating for awhile. I have also signed up to take more courses in college to further my education[;)]

BibleL7 -> RE: Finding the right way? (5/2/2008 5:19:50 AM)
One thing I would suggest, accept the free gift of Salvation that Jesus gives us. Let Him go through this with you and help you through it. Doing things on your own may seem good but then when we realize that we need help and trust the Lord to help us then we will find we give Him the Glory for what happens in our lives. If you really want to turn your life around with success then you need to turn from your sin and turn to Jesus. I am not saying that if you turn to Him that your life will automatically become easy but He will help you deal with it. Believe me having Him in your life and praising and worshiping Him and giving Him glory and trusting in Him and not your own strength; this is what can give you peace of mind, love, and joy which is much better than happiness. See the Right way is as the Bible tells us Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. He that has Jesus has life he that does not have the Son of God does not have life. It aint necessarily easy but it is amazing.

kingdust -> RE: Finding the right way? (5/2/2008 7:43:27 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Pauley464 quote: So I am pretty much figuring out a lot of things on my own, when in comes to my life and its relationship with God. You don't have to do it alone. There are way too many people who have been where you have and are now in great relationships with God to fail to take advantage of their support. Don't go it alone. Keep going to God on your knees in prayer and find a church where you can get support from other godly people. (And keep coming here.) I would also sound out the priest at your parents church. You will probably find that he's heard it all before and if he's genuinely a man of God, he'll keep it to himself so no embarassment will occur. Congrats on how far you've made it. 'Alone with God' should be enough, logically thinking, because God is more than enough for us all. But, if God Himself is not alone, that is not oneness but triune, your dealing with God the father alone is not enough, again logically thinking. What I am trying to say is that you need to ask God the Son to come into your life and RECEIVE God the Spirit. Most believers come easily to acknowledge God the Father and God the Son, but not God the Spirit, because 'my goodwill spirit' can play His role, or 'impersonate' if you will. Without receiving the Spirit, you can't be born again to begin with, to start the life of Christ in us. With our goodwill spirit, we can clean our behavior to be a good person up to so far but no further and not far enough to reach heaven. When it comes to God the Son, you will see that He is not alone either- He is with people who are connected by His Spirit as one. Again, what I am trying to say is that you need to accept and relate to friends of Jesus, who work as His eyes, mouth, hands, or feet. The body of Christ consists of all kinds of people, like the temple of God is made of living stones which is living because of the indwelling Spirit of God. Going to a church is nothing more than a body functioning as a whole body without missing any parts. Some churches are dysfunctional because of the missing body parts, like racially motivated churches or even the headless churches. If you haven't found a church to go regularly, you can visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in Brooklyn, located at 17 Smith street between Fulton and Livingston st. not too far from the Borough Hall. It is nondenominational, Bible believing and spirit filled melting pot church. At least, you can be blessed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Web address; www.brooklyntabernacle.org Again, going alone with God is not enough because God is not alone.

Ignited-Faith -> RE: Finding the right way? (5/2/2008 8:59:05 AM)
NewYork 74, quote: It seems so tough to do all the right things, to become at peace with myself, and feel like a man whose worthy of God. Your words speak volumes! That's because without the Lord, all our trying adds up to nothing. We never can do all the right things! "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23 All that is, except Jesus. He never sinned. Yes, God knows about all of our sins. Our whole self is laid out bare before Him. Yet, He loves us. That is why Jesus died on the cross. (He took our place, yours and mine and everyone in the whole world.) He took the sins of the World, upon Himself, as He was cruscified, and died on the cross. Then 3 days later, Jesus rose from the dead! "by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14 The cross proves how much God really loves us/ and how much sin really matter to God. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Confess your sins to God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 Then the next step that will turn your world 'rightside up' is simply, 'go and sin no more, and follow Jesus!' Please read the chapter of John in the Bible! God bless you, and may you see God do amazing things in your life!

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