Question

[angelgirl]

Hi there. I believe in god, I trust,and I have asked him into my heart. I have been reading the bible.
I have a question I'd like to throw out to you, and see what you think. I have not yet been baptised. I haven't found a regular church to attend. I have attended a church a few times, and I am continuing to search. I have been praying for an answer on which church to attend. I believe it's the church you choose to attend is important.
Because I have not been baptised, and I don't have a church yet, I was told I am not a true believer. I have also been told that Jesus states in the bible that he does not answer the prayers of any non believers. My understanding, or what i have been told is, Jesus listens, but he does not answer, and because I have not been baptised as an adult, I am not a true believer and he will not answer my prayers.
I am really bothered by this?? I was wondering if I could get some views on this?? Thanks, Love, Becky

[angelgirl]

I hope I posted this in the right place, if not you can move it... Thanks, Becky

[best]

Originally Posted by angelgirl

Hi there. I believe in god, I trust,and I have asked him into my heart.

What is a baptisim?

An outward sign we show the world what is in our hearts and mind.
Your statement above does the same.
What about the thief on the cross? Did he get baptised?
Jesus said to him... "Today you will be with me in paridise"
Did Jesus hear his prayer? Did Jesus act on his prayer?

We are to proclaim the good news to all.
We are told to be in fellowship with others.
The batisim with water is something we are told to do but it isn't something needed for salvation. It is an outward sign but so are your words posted above.
The water will wait and be there when the Holy Spirit answers your prayers and guides you to a proper place of fellowship. A bible believing, bible teaching church.

[Dawn10]

Angel,
I am not an expert, but I do know that God hears all prayers and answers them. Baptism is not the way to heaven, but it is a symbolic act of faithfulness to Christ --to be made new in the cleansing of the spirit through the act of baptism either by immersion or sprinkling. ( that debate is a whole other post!!)
If you have accepted that Jesus is the son of God, and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior and recognize that He is the only way to salvation. Then you are saved. The end. Period.
That said, you are not done there. The rest of your life is a growing experience, of a life in grace. Grace is the ultimate gift Jesus gave us....he died so we would not experience eternal death. WE should ultimately strive to live the life of Grace that Jesus did. We can do that by joining other believers in the journey. The best way is to find a Body of Christ, a church, that meets you at the point of your need. If you are more comfortable with a traditional liturgical style, find a church that has a set liturgy, hymns, etc.
If you are more of a free spirit, enjoy worshiping in and showing your joy, a contemporary setting would be more up your alley. In your area I am sure there are many denominations and even non-denominational churches that you can choose from. Do you have any friends that are active in their church? Visit with them. You will know it when you have found the right church.
Read John 14: 6-14. I think your questions will be answered.
Stay on the journey.
Peace
:xmasu

[doorknob]

Originally Posted by Dawn10

I am not an expert, but I do know that God hears all prayers and answers them.

How can one empirically know this? Or is it something that you feel? Or is it something you believe because it was taught to you while you were growing up and it's just part of who you are?

Doorknob

[best]

Originally Posted by doorknob

How can one empirically know this? Or is it something that you feel? Or is it something you believe because it was taught to you while you were growing up and it's just part of who you are?

Doorknob

"A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence" - David Hume

Till you seek and accept the evidence, you will never know.

The evidence is there but not many see it or accept it and thus they remain as they were... nothing changed where nothing is seen.

[Dawn10]

Doorknob,
In John 14:12-14 Jesus tells us that " Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. .....And I will do whatever you ask in my Name, so that the son may bring Glory to His Father. You may ask me anything in my name and I will do it."
I can hear the next question--"why aren't I healed of cancer" or whatever.
God's timing is not this world's timing. I pray for His will to be done. His will may that I have cancer so that I can be a witness to others and draw them to Him. I know that my trials can be used to facilitate others to a relationship with Him.
Yes, much of this is faith and faith is a gift that we are given. I have faith that God hears EVERYTHING I bring before Him. He may say yes, he may say no, he may say not yet!

[angelgirl]

Hi there, thanks so much for your replies. I appreciate them very much. I agree also. I believe god is listening. I believe god knows what he's doing, and has a plan for each of us. I think it's easy to struggle with that fact, that we have really no control. I know I like to have control, but I am finding more and more, thant I want god to have control.
This is what i believe, I wanted to hear others views. I was upset when I was told that, basically my dad was telling me that god does not hear me, at least that is what his church believes. He will not answer my prayers, something like I'm not good enough. But that's ok, I am learning differently.
My father has always, always found a way to say I am not good enough. Thaat is my dad. But like I said, I am learning differently.
Thanks again. Lots of love, Becky

[Dawn10]

Becky,
God loves you UNCONDITIONALLY!!
He loves all of us equally and fiercly. That is why he sent His son to die for our sins so that we could live with him in heaven. None of us deserve that love, but He loves us just the same.
I am sorry your earthly father gives you the signals he does. Just know that he is only human and does the best he can.

[Cap3]

Hey Angelgirl,you say,that basically my dad was telling me that God does not hear me,at least that is what his church believes.
You also say,that,I believe its the church you choose to attend is important.Yes it is important,on what church you attend,and what they are following,and believes.Very important.There are a host of beliefs out there .As there are folks that follow them.Our church believes,that no one can enter heaven,without recieving the sacrament of baptism....Keep searching,praying for guidence,and you will know where/which church to go to.Let God guide you,in a room where no one is,quietly,.
There is a host of beliefs.To each their own.I don't for example believe that a loving,caring,God,has given me a disease,such as cancer.I learned this from an auther,who i agree with,that God gets a bad rap...lol.Also,When bad things happen to good people..Whether i live or die today is a non issue,for me.thank God.How can i serve Thee,is where my focus is on.,through many prayers,and Grace.God certainlly doesn't need ..me....as a witness.,for others.He is capable of bringing His people to Him,even when im gone from this earth.,and before i ever came here on earth.If folks are using my cancer,and i die,from it,they may be mad at God.Some will.Some won't.And here is where confusion sets in.For folks have kept their focus on me,instead of God...Ive had folks who want to hang onto me,like their life depends on me.,because of the miracle that im living today.,through God,s Grace only....Being phyically sick,does have its problems with other folks,,lol...Get your relationship with God.!!!.God works His miracles within the folks,has nothing to do with me.Im just not that important.....I am important to Him...And thats where its all at.What you believe in.Many paths,many beliefs.Take your time,Angelgirl.

[angelgirl]

Thanks for your view See this is where I get confused, becuase I was also taught if you go to the wrong church, and learn the wrong things, you may go to hell, no matter what you do at that church. Oh, I don't know, what's wrong with me, I know I sound like I am not trusting in god to tell me, I am just so afraid. Which means I am not praying hard enough? Or reading the bible enough? I just am confused. I just am not doing something right, but I will continue to pray and seek. Thanks, Love, Becky

[Cap3]

Hey again,Angelgirl,its ok to be confused.All is well,even though it may not look like it,or even feel like it at this time in your life.Your answers will come in God,s Time. I use to, get lost in my struggling,and this is all i ,can,think of.,focus on....Once i let go,of the struggle,remain open,i become more clear.,to recieve.Seek and you shall find.Keep the faith...
Sending prayers your way,God Bless,

[kweather99]

Angelgirl,
Kind of highlights the difference between religion and spirituality, in my mind. I condemn no one's religion or church, however in my mind religion is man made and is therefore imperfect and suspect. This does not include the Bible, which to me is vastly different from organized religion. However i do believe the Bible is frequently misused by people (who by nature are imperfect, even though they may be trying their best). I need no one to tell me what to believe, how to believe, or how to practice my faith and spirituality. That is between me and my God and is no one else's business. Judge not.

My God is an all-knowing, loving, forgiving, compassionate, kind spiritual entity who knows my every thought and feeling before I have it. He does not need to see me dunked in water to know that I love Him and seek His will.

[melissaealy]

Originally Posted by angelgirl

I hope I posted this in the right place, if not you can move it... Thanks, Becky

I thought the same thing not that long ago and someone here told me about the theif and then in the same day i read it on another site.I believe its ture.God hears everyone