Kazuhiro

Hello. I know this seems like a gloomy first post but, well, it's why I joined this site. I live in a state that, while beautiful, is filled to the brim with liberal. According to some statistics, Darwinists actually outnumber Christians in this place.

As you might have guessed from the title, the problem is that I feel like I'm starting to lose my faith. Of course I love God, but sometimes I feel trapped. Often, I'm tempted to witness to my godless classmates and teachers, but I always stop myself, realizing that this will only earn me their scorn.

Because of how oppressed Christians are in this place, I feel like I have to hide my love for God, which is terrible. And, worse, I am starting to develop real empathy with the atheist mindset, which is surely proof how how pervasive and destructive atheists can be. Whether it's biology classes (should be called Atheist Indoctrination Class) or a very close friend of mine who it breaks my heart to call "unsaved," I find myself unable to speak out against that which threatens me and my family's way of life.

Worse, a supposedly well-intentioned friend of mine asked me to question my faith, claiming that if it didn't change my mind, then it would strengthen me. They could not have been more wrong-- or was it their intention all along to loosen my resolve? Listening to liberal arguments against God has unnerved me and left me in need of guidance.

Please, help.

smellycat

read Jesus.and ask for help and understanding from the Holy spirit.

__________________

1. GOOD BAD SALVATION

Kazuhiro

People keep saying that, but, it feels like that isn't enough. I just keep feeling more and more remote from God, despite trying to understand why He would test my faith, even when it pits me against the people I love.

smellycat

people get controlled by spirit,sometimes these people will see the light maybe 10yrs time etc.this is a spirit war.i hope you can understand the situation.

__________________

1. GOOD BAD SALVATION

Boanerges

God plus one makes the majority every time. If one is born again then that one has the undeniable presence of the Living God. He is active in our lives and awesome in glory and power- there are quite simply not enough people on this earth to change my mind about that.
As we walk through our daily lives we can be bombarded by unbelief, bad attitudes, etc these are always talking a toll on us. If we do not take the time to go back and be filled by God then we start to stumble, get burned out and feel generally beat up. We were created for fellowship and communion with God and without that we simply will not be able to stand.
Spend time in His Word, spend time in prayer, spend time worshiping and talking to Him. You are in my prayers, your brother Larry.

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

Kazuhiro

"God plus one makes the majority."

I like that, I really do. I should start seeking His support when I feel down.

However, I still have the problem of feeling... oppressed. These are not heathen nonbelievers and hated enemies that I am feeling oppressed by, they are beloved teachers and friends. I empathize strongly with them at almost every term and although I hate the thought of them being unsaved, I also can't witness to them. They are patient, understanding, and even welcoming, and are basically the opposite of the way entities like Fox News paint atheists.

Simply, I'm always encouraged to question my faith, and it's so seductive because it's always a trusted friend who challenges me to do this. I can't take a stand and condemn my friends or their beliefs.

Boanerges

Sure they are nice folks but remember this- one can only yield to one of two masters. Either you are serving God or the god of this world. Began to see them in this light and you will be filled with compassion and drawn to prayer. One must understand that the sum of all human wisdom devoid of God is only foolishness and true wisdom can come only form Him. Without Him you have one lost soul teaching another and something else to consider- the fall was caused by partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil- it was a departure from being dependancy on and led by the Lord Himself and following man's own reasoning. It is no less a tragedy today then it was then.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

Mark_18

Feelings are stupid. XD. Live by the truth. If you believe In God, believe that Jesus is Lord, and that He wants to fill you with His Holy Spirit, and ask Him, then He will. Wait on Him and listen. feelings do a lot of things, they're not to be relied on or stressed about too much.

We "backslide" when we don't have enough of this truth that is Jesus.

__________________
Luke 15:31 - And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

JOKE POLICE

RichardS

Fear is a tool. It can be used for good. To help you recognise danger, and flee. and it can be used for evil, to make you fear to express your faith and devotion to the Lord. Do not let fear guide you on when to witness to others. That was something that was very hard for me to learn, and still is hard to overcome.

When hearing Liberal/scientific/whatever non-God topics discussed and aggreed upon by others, it is easy to get pulled inton their logic. Which is why one must always be on guard with the Full Armor of the Lord. There is a war happening 24/7 all around us, outside us. in our hearts. And we are soldiers on the front lines every day. Read His Word, Pray, and be ready to be taught "logical, reasonable, and scientific" evidences against God. They have them. There's a bunch of holes and twists in them. But that wont stop people form using them against you. It just takes time to learn to recognize them.

I remember when I was new to the faith and heard evidence against God. What I would do was record what I was told. in a little notebook. and remind my self to Look deeper into that argument at a later date. or when I had the resources. but in the meantime NOT focus on it. let it simmer in my mind untill the true answer was given to me.

It will be hard, but as others have pointed out. You have God and his army on your side. You're never alone.

NearertoGod

Kazuhiro (nice name btw) :

Don't worry. I sometimes feel myself stepping back but you know what I do? This may not personally help you but it works great for me - I think about all the GOOD things that God has done, and I tell myself about them.

I know it sounds kind of cliche, but it works, really. Sometimes we're so worried about the bad things, we never think about the good things.

"Life is not measured by how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away."

I have seen the side-effects of people who oppose Christianity. It didn't bother me, what bothered me was the fact at how blinded these people are. That's why I love to tell the truth, because being smarter is better than being sillier.

Hugs,

Near

__________________
As a Helper at CFS I am here to assist the members. I will try to help you as best as possible so please do not hesitate to come to me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Jesus came here not condemn, but to save.

Nature is God's gift to us. He loves it as much as He loves us, and we should give respect to Nature because believe it or not - it takes care of me and you more than you know.