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Author
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Topic: how do I get back on the "straight & narrow path"?
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upontherock
New Member
Member # 779
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posted
Dear Susan
It can be difficult to plck up courage to return to the Lord, but dear sister if your are having these disires Jesus is calling and waiting with open arms.
You mentioned that it was also difficult to know which fellowship to join, I would agree with this, many groups appear to have lost their direction. I feel a good place to start is with your private time with God. If you have not already done so repent of your sin by telling God you are sorry. Ask him to give you the spirit to direct your path and I am sure when the time is right he will lead you to a place where you can join other believers.
I have set up a support ministry her at Ark Webs and I would be more than willing to help you in anyway I can. I have two discussion groups at topica, if you are interested I would suggest joining group 2. All the details can be found at http://www.arkwebshost.com/churches/upontherock/lINKS/ This group I have set up for this purpose and I would be able to converse with you there. We could also communicate by email if you would prefer.
God blless you sister and welcome back to the fold.
Agnes
Posts: 4 | From: UK | Registered: Dec 2002
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emmaq
New Member
Member # 732
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posted
Susan/fl, I struggled for a long long time, in my attempts to find the right path. I read the Bible, studied it, and attended church in my best `Sunday Go To Meeting Clothes`. Ha! Who was I trying to kid! All I succeeded in doing was to get myself more and more confused. I owe my direction to a wonderful guy, who is now a missionary in Spain. We had a chat one day; we worked in the same place. He had no idea I was a struggling Christian, or even a Christian. But he gave me a copy of John`s gospel. He told me that Jesus was only a prayer away. From that day on I never looked back, confusion in the scriptures left me, and the Word became clearer. I still pray... infact my prayers are more like chats, sometimes in the car, or at work, or when out walking the dog. I don`t mean I walk down the street talking out loud to the sky! I `think` my prayers and they invariably start...``Well, Jesus, this is the way it is today.............`` Sometimes I don`t get an answer straight away...but I always get His answer, and I always find it surprising and enjoyable. He is only a pray away... give Him a chance.
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emmaq
Posts: 3 | From: europe | Registered: Dec 2002
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Hannahgirl
unregistered
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posted
I would say the FIRST STEP is REPENTANCE.....
Then the Holy Spirit will help you with the rest......Welcome back ![[Kiss]](graemlins/Kiss.gif)
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JCisGOD
Community Member
Member # 698
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posted
ASK THE Lord to lead you and believe me he is faithful and he will show you his true way. Prayer and reading the Word and being obedient to the Lord are the most important thing that we can do. Pray and seek from the Lord. Lord bless sis ![[thumbsup]](graemlins/thumbsup2.gif)
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Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
salvation... is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
--2 Timothy 2:10
Posts: 14 | From: GLENDALE,CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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jesusluvsme
Advanced Member
Member # 359
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posted
Hello Susan.
I think that one of the other important things to help you is getting support from a christian friend or someone you trust who is a christian. an example is I live in a student house and we are all christian so it is easy to watch how other people live and gain inspiration from that or to ask one of them to pray for me or to just talk about any concerns. I believe you can do it because you have the desire to get becak on track. Going to a church where you are comfortable and can be yourself can help too. Hope you find the way soon. remember Jesus is the way and the truth.
God Bless. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.
Posts: 66 | Registered: Sep 2002
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njclary
unregistered
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posted
By now you have read many replies and can see how the folks here care. Susan/fl, I was there so many years ago. I for a short while lived in doorways in a drunken stupor. But By God's love and grace I made it out, became, eventually, a professional. It was hard, God never made it easy, there were many lessons to be learned. That was almost 40 years ago. And God has remained faithful. He never let me go. Even as recalcitrant as I could be. I was a true prodigal son both to God and to my parents.
It is so tough, to remain on the Path God has chosen for you, it is hard work, and requires huge amounts of prayer, and Christian Fellowship. A Church that truly cares, and understands. And most important a real relationship with God, Himself. Remove yourself from the temptations that pulled you before and renew a right Spirit with God. Remember I've been there!
God Bless you
Joel
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Lost
Advanced Member
Member # 343
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posted
welcome back to the family!!! ![[Big Clap]](graemlins/clap2.gif) ![[Smile]](graemlins/youpi.gif) read luke 15:11-31. i know it's hard to get back to God when you've been away for a while. been there and done that. what really helped me to grow was to get involved with my church and start going to as many Bible studies as possible. i was going to sunday night then started going to midweek then started going to men's study, and serving and so on and so forth. and it really helps you to grow when you immerse yourself in the Word. romans 10:17 states that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. so surround yourself with the Word as much as possible and pray to God and ask Him for understanding before you read, while you read, and after you read. and if you're still looking for a church, i would recommend http://www.calvarychapel.com/sanford/ i like the calvary chapel system cuz the original model is to just teach the Word of God line upon line and precept upon precept. they focus more on reading through God's Word instead of topical sermons. they like to cover the entire counsel of God. i was really blessed to stumble upon mission valley christian fellowship in san diego. and for kirt, check out www.calvarychapel.com/affiliates to see if there is a calvary chapel near you. if you guys check it out and don't like it then find a church that suits you but make sure that they teach the Word. God bless, and i'll see you in eternity if not in this present life.
lost
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The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. - Rev 22:17
Posts: 115 | From: Los Angeles/San Diego, CA | Registered: Aug 2002
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Miguel
Advanced Member
Member # 47
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posted
HI SUSAN/FL
LET ME GIVE YOU A GOOD ADVICE AND I KNOW THIS WILL WORK IN YOUR HEART.
FIRST - BUY A RADIO WITH A CD PLAYER OR A CASSETTE PLAYER THAT HAVE ALARM ON IT.
SECOND - BUY THE WORD OF GOD IN AUDIO FORM
THIRD - SET YOUR TIMER 1/2 EARLIER THAN YOUR REGULAR WAKE UP TIME
FOURTH - PLAY THE WORD OF GOD WHILE YOU ARE GETTING READY
FIFTH - IF YOU LIKE EARLY NEWS LIVE IT FOR LATTER, FIRST THE WORD OF GOD
SIX - PLAY IT IN YOUR CAR WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING TO WORK OR IF YOU DON'T DRIVE GET SOME HEADPHONES.
SEVENTH - BEFORE YOU END THE DAY AND ARE READY FOR BED PLAY THE WORD OF GOD THAT YOU MIGHT END FALLING ASLEEP HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.
TRY TO BE CONSISTENT ON IT, AND TELL ME LATTER WHAT THE WORD OF GOD HAVE DONE IN YOU LIFE!
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
BRINGING OUT THE BEAUTY STEADFASTLY
Thank You
Love in Christ ![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif)
MAC
Job 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
PS 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
![[Lighthouse]](graemlins/lighthouse.gif)
Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
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Romans 9:11-24
Our Eschatology may vary even our Ecclesiology may be disputed among us but our Soteriology most assume a singularity and exclusivity which in biblical term is known as Quote; "The Narrow Way" and Quote!
Posts: 2792 | From: Stockton,Ca | Registered: Jun 2002
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Kirt
unregistered
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posted
I've also turned back to the Lord just this past week! I did not realise how much I missed Him until I called on Him after several months of "wanderings."
God is SOOOO awesome for all His love!!!
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joseph
Advanced Member
Member # 270
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posted
Dear sister susan,
It is not easy to come back to god,after you have being avay(as satan has a hold over your life).
So you really need to ask god to set you free,and to take up your cross daily for him,and to read his word evry day,and pray for help and understanding,and for his will to be done in your life,from now on.
God really loves you,and want's you back with him,he know our weaknesess,and faults.
Turn away from the past,and look to the future,from now on.
I will pray for you.
god bless you and keep you safe
with love in christ
joseph (england)
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joseph12_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Posts: 47 | From: taunton,somerset | Registered: Aug 2002
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RevGB
Advanced Member
Member # 303
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posted
Susan,
Many wonderful posts above....
Would like to add that the first step is what you have done.
Fellowship is the key to living a life in the Lord. His fellowship, and fellowship of brothers and sister in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We all need mentors, spiritual moms, and dads, and big brothers, and big sisters in Jesus Christ. This is a huge key to ministry of this age. We must help eachother to be discipled, and to grow in the Lord, so that we can move up the ladder, and help others after us.
You are important to Jesus Christ, and Important to me.
As you are my sister. You are a part of a big puzzle, and we need your gifts, your heart, your servanthood in the brother and sister hood of Christ.
Deepest Regards to you.
Besure to ask me if you need help!
God bless
RevG
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Driven: Not by Nails,
But By HIS LOVE
Teens In The Midst Of Jesus
http://www.arkwebshost.com/ministries/revg
Posts: 27 | From: Hawaii | Registered: Aug 2002
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listener
Advanced Member
Member # 338
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posted
I am trying to get on this path for the first time. I have no background or memories of the Christian way to fall back on. I sometimes think it's not as I imagined it would be. I know exactly what you mean though. I used to look around and want a different way of life. I will pray that we both succeed.
God Bless you.
Posts: 119 | Registered: Aug 2002
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becauseHElives
Advanced Member
Member # 87
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posted
susan/fl
You have made the 1st step, all have given you good advice, seek HIM with your whole heart, seek HIM IN HIS HOLY WORD, as you would seek gold or any other treasure. Ask HIM to break up the soil of your heart, that the cares of this life not be able to choke out HIS Holy Spirit. And look at the life of Joseph as an example to strengthen yourself. Do not allow Satan to get you to focus on yourself and what ever you are going thru. Look for others that are hurting around you and begin to minister what ever love GOD has given to you. It is in our giving that GOD is able to give back to us.
LK 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
LK 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
LK 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Joseph could have wallowed in self piety, for all he wrongs that had been done him, he was innocent of all thing done to him. He had done knowing to his brothers to cause them to hate him and Potiphar’s wife lied on him, he had done nothing wrong. But every place god allowed him to be, he only blessed those he came in contact with. He never
complained, or grumbled and told other of his misfortune, but in every circumstance GOD caused him to be the victor.
ROM 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
GOD BLESS you and show you the way to TRUTH.
PS 51:1……Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
PS 51:4 \51:2\Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
PS 51:5 \51:3\For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.
PS 51:6 \51:4\Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.
PS 51:7 \51:5\Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
PS 51:8 \51:6\Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
PS 51:9 \51:7\Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
PS 51:10 \51:8\Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.
PS 51:11 \51:9\Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
PS 51:12 \51:10\Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
PS 51:13 \51:11\Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
PS 51:14 \51:12\Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.
PS 51:15 \51:13\[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
PS 51:16 \51:14\Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
PS 51:17 \51:15\O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
PS 51:18 \51:16\For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
PS 51:19 \51:17\The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalms 51: 17 (Amplified Bible)
My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceceptable] to GOD is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent] such, O GOD, YOU will not despise.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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njclary
unregistered
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posted
Susan/fl; as stated here, You recognize, your condition, First get on your knees and pray, pray, pray, awaken the Holy Spirit within you, He will intercede for you, look in your phone book and find a Gospel preaching Church, whether PCA, Baptist, or whathave you, and visit them,
find out if they have weekly Bible studies in someone's home, this will give you a whole new support base, and lastly stay with us here on this board, we are here for you!
God Bless
Joel
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helpforhomeschoolers
Advanced Member
Member # 15
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posted
I would say that you have taken the first step... recognizing that you have left His presence.
He is still standing where you left Him sister, with open arms; the next step is on your knees.
Then He will guide you in the rest if you allow Him to. Ask Him to make the time for you, he will.
I am a firm believer in imersing ones self in His presence; the best way to do that is worship Him.
You can do that in the car, you can in the shower, you can do that anywhere you choose to set your mind on Him. Your mind is on something every waking hour sister. How many things do you set your mind on in a day that you can change to setting your mind on Him instead?
What kind of friendhip could you have with someone you never spend any time with? The point is He will create the time for you if you will only surrender it to Him when you get it.
I like diaries too. I keep a prayer journal. I also have found it helpful to daily make an addition to a list of things you are thankful to him for.
I will pray for you sister; and by the way... welcome Home.
Posts: 4684 | From: Southern Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2002
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Robby
Advanced Member
Member # 448
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posted
Coming back to God is good first step, now I would say try to take baby steps by giving up your time to God, like 15-20 minutes a day to read your Bible and for prayer... And really, you can pray just about anywhere, anytime. Also, I would suggest, if you can, before you go to bed each night keep a "prayer book".
Just something like a diary that you can tell the Lord a single thought about what's on your mind or jot down a bible verse that you've been thinking about. Something simple, I'm not saying write novel! ![[Big Eyes]](graemlins/darthmavis.gif)
And then as you surrender yourself to God and pray about it, the Lord will help you along the way (i.e.: finding a good church and discovering new friends with which to fellowship.
Posts: 364 | Registered: Sep 2002
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susan/fl
Community Member
Member # 527
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posted
I have been off the path for a long time now. I don't even know how to get back to the glorious life I had with Jesus. I have to work all day and everybody around me at work and home are not Christians. I don't even know what church to go to anymore. ![[help]](graemlins/1zhelp.gif)
I just want to go back to the life I had with Jesus. I'm weary of this life I'm living now.
Posts: 10 | From: sanford,fl | Registered: Oct 2002
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