Well, I think everyone feels divinity in a different way. And I know I will upset many people by saying that, but following a doctrine won't get you anywhere, it matters if you truly believe in it and that your actions have sense

Hello Heart2write,
Welcome to Talk Jesus an online community of Jesus Christ believers.
I hope you will find fellowship and growth in God's Word, while you are here.

Thank-you for sharing of your walk with Christ and where you find yourself now.
We all have been in the desert, at least that's how it feels anyway. Just remember it's not about what others have as you see it, but what you have in life with Christ Jesus. Gosh, as humans we are always comparing ourselves to others, in order to gauge how we are doing in the faith. Not too bad if we're using it as an impetus to doing better. Hopefully, if that is the case, what it will do is move us to getting closer to our Lord and Savior, in the things that strengthen us in our faith. Those being, prayer, reading the Bible (God's Word), fellowship with other believers, and spreading the Gospel. Even works to the Glory of God, are beneficial when we are able to do them. Yet, like I said before, don't look at what you do by comparing against what others do. (Isaiah 64:6)

I don't know of a Christian that hasn't been where you have been at some time in their life and their walk with the Lord. Never an easy time, but its times like this which allows us the perfect time to take stock of where we are in the faith. Which it appears is what you are doing here!

So, don't think you are alone. If you didn't care, you'd just keep going without conscious thought of it, so that you'd just be going through the motions and not feeling that fire you had when you first came to Christ Jesus. Not everyone has that burning fire 24/7, 365 days a year. If you notice by the life of Jesus, He even took time to get away! Mostly, in prayer of course. Which is not a bad thing to do, and something that should be part of your life anyway! You have a resource through the Holy Spirit, to the Most Awesome God as help and a guide. So, use it!

Anyway, I'm glad you have joined us here. God bless you, and yours, in Christ Jesus.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
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Heart2write said:

I'm new on here and I have questions about some recent struggles I've had.
For the first, I'd say 25-30 years of my life I was very much a Christian. From the ages of 8-18 I went to a Christian summer camp for a week and very much felt a connection with God. I also helped with the Children's Christmas services for about 5 years after my confirmation, even though I wasn't going to church on a regular basis anymore (that's a story for a different time). I went to a Lutheran college and was fairly active the first few years at my most recent church around 2010-2012.

I'm not sure when exactly my faith started to lapse. Pre-pandemic, I think. A few years back, I started getting a ride to church every week with a very nice couple (I don't have a car) and I've gone as recently as May of this year. It's just...I don't feel anything other than feeling like a fake. I'm going through the motions but nothing is clicking. I hear about people who have such a great connection with God (friends and family among them, of course) and I don't anymore.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong or what I should be doing. I have the Bible, other books and devotionals (mostly by Lysa Terkeurst) but I can't seem to bring myself to read them. I think deep down, I'm afraid I'll read them and still not feel anything other than being even faker than I want to admit to. I don't know what to do to fix my connection to God.

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Welcome welcome, hope you have a good stay here!!

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When you are a 'doer' of the word James 1:22, God draws near to you and you will never feel alone or lack faith! God is impartial Acts 10:34, the criteria to have Him draw near to you is the same as it is for everyone.

Step 1 - Make sure you are a Christian.

God draws near to those who repent of their sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour James 4:8, Luke 5:32, Rom 10:9.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Step 2 - Serve God

God speaks to those who serve Him. Be a good ambassador for Jesus 2 Cor 5:20 and preach the gospel of Jesus to all you can Mark 16:15.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Noteworthy mention:

Matt 10:39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.