CHRISSYBOY

Hi all new to the forum and am here seeking some help and advice, began reading the bible for the first time back around 2003 at this point i lived a fairly clean life and believe that i received the holy spirit some time after this for the next year i lived a wonderful fulfilling life but as time went by i stupidly found myself starting to drink alcohol and smoke. Alcohol just a weekend problem but the smoking has a real grip on me basically living the way of any normal 25 year old at the moment feel a bit disgraced as i feel that i should know better. Read the bible loads around 2 1/2 hours a day trying to get the holy spirit back i realise that this cannot be attained by myself without the help of the Lord Jesus, the reading helps me relax and feel its become a bit of an addiction also feel i m not really taken in the knowledge of the book. Tryed to stop smoking more times than i can remember have tryed everything patches, hypnotism, willpower but all to no avail. Not sure if this is my problem to stop or if its to be given to the Lord but have also tryed this many times and am still smoking feel like God is far away from me and am desperate to get him back into my life. Last week or so cut back on the bible reading and finding i m taking in a little more but flesh seems to be controlling me more than when i m reading for longer but taken less in. Getting a little discouraged and frustrated as i realise how great and amazing God is but cant seem to get near to him feels like i m being rejected by him due to my sins. Any advice would be greatly appreciated sorry if the post got a little long and boring. I ve got a feeling people will say ask the Lord for help but have tried many times with no real success

violet

mythsciencereligiontruth1

This sounds very familiar. I was like this. When I accepted the Lord I was extatic, however, after a few years the temptation grew stronger and eventually I sunk - low.

I never felt like God abandoned me as he will never abandon those who trust him.

I was like Israel during the time of the judges in a cycle of repentance and falling back into sin.

Until I reflected on a parable in the New Testament:

Matthew 13:3-23

3"And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

"Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."


The parable of the sower. I realised I was like the second type of soil, the stony ground and that my faith couldn't sufficiently grow because the roots had not sunk deep enough.

That is when I made the decision to truly live my life according to the word of God. I went back to church, spent time in prayer, meditated on the words of the bible and saught after His will, not my own.

Best of luck in finding your way.

May the Lord guide you and protect you always.

God bless.

adonaicole

Welcome Chris,

I am praying for you also. Don't rely on your strength but on God's. I agree with Violet, humbling yourself before God in prayer is the most effective remedy for all that troubles you. I am praying for you to have the peace of God and for understanding. Remember, God loves you and blesses those who seek him.

__________________
Love one another, for that is pure, undefiled religion.

Don

Boanerges

God is never far away but an unclear conscience can make Him seem that way- forgive yourself He has. Spend a hour or so in worship, don't just sing but pour your heart out to Him and a you will come away free. Blessings on your day- Larry

CHRISSYBOY

Thank you all so much for your replies so happy to have found this forum and seems to be a really welcoming and friendly place will be following all your advice and will let you know how i get on thanks

Chris

smellycat

smoking is only a time pleasing event.very low on the grand scale also is beer,faith and being a good person through the commandments of God,big scale.tithing ,small scale.some people try to make the little things into a big deal,and others try to make the big things into a little deal......sorry about the deal bit because i don,y do blackmail.the holy spirit will keep you from big ,no no.don,t worry have faith and go in straight roads.

Boanerges

By the way Chris welcome to the CFS family!

Dusty

Chris, first of all welcome to this wonderful family of God on CFS.

I would like to ask you if you are attending a Bible believing church and fellowshipping with the believers there because as you do this you will find some supportive people who will pray for you and with you and help you in your struggles.

You are doing well by the reading of the Word but like others have said prayer is the key and putting on praise and worship music at home and in your car helps as well. Because if you saturate yourself with God's Love , He is gracious and mercyful and will help you in this time of need. If you can find all the verses that tell you of God's love and put them ionto your heart and memorize scripture the Lord will give you the victory as He said in His Word that this temptation will leave you as you seek His face and humble yourself and pray.

God Bless you Chris and I am praying for you. He will never leave you nor forsake.you

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RichardS

I agree with many people here. Keep reading and studying the Bible, But do not try and force it down. Keep praying. God will always be with you and answer your Prayers.
Also: Do not listen to that voice that tells you God is leaving you. Deny it in the Lords' name and remember, God will never leave those who follow him.