Hello From Iraq!

[Viper5766]

Hey guys whats going on. I’m Alex, im 20 years old and im currently deployed to Iraq in the army. I believe I found this site because I am lost, and I think I need to change my life. I want to change, and am willing, I just need to be guided. No time for church here really, but I feel like Im missing something in my life and looking back on my life, I know this is it.

I wanna start by saying that nobody in my family has really ever gone to church, or taught me about the bible for that matter, ive had some really bad friends. But also I’ve had some amazing ones too. A few years ago, when I was around 15 or 16 one of my friends took me with her to a weekly youth group for teens who were interested in learning about the bible.. I was instantly hooked. I went on trips with them, learning about god and I couldn’t have been happier. Then when I graduated high school, I turned my life around and joined the Infantry. Now here I am and havent went to church since the last day before I went to boot camp 2 years ago.

Im lost out here guys, I want to find my faith again. What do I do?

 

[Boanerges]

First I would like to welcome you and tell you how grateful I am for your service Alex .
Second I would like to give you some advice right form God's Word which is a love letter to His people:
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
If we draw near to God He will indeed draw near to us. His presence is amazing, His beauty is breathtaking and His love overwhelming. He is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think and it is His great pleasure to bless all who come with an open heart.
I know you said you never spent much time in church and while helpful that us not the real question here.
If I may ask I would like to ask you a couple of questions?
Are you born again? Have you accepted the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross as payment for your personal sin? Have you surrendered your heart and asked Him to be your Lord and Savior?
I want you to know that you are going to be in my prayers Alex and God always answers my prayer.
I am usually here at least once or twice a day and would gladly answer any questions you have and consider it a privilege to be your friend.
May the Lord draw you near to His heart, give you the peace that passes all understanding and bring you safely home.
Many blessings in Jesus Name,
your friend Larry.

 

[beam]

yes hi there Alex and welcome, so glad you found this site, see how the Lord is leading you already.

I can hear such a thirst in you for truth, for God. He will not let you down, He said seek and you WILL find. you are seeking and finding. amen to that brother.

Your most important walk and connection to God is to come into his prescence as often as you can, by simply talkin with Him wherever you are. Praise Him, thank Him, tell Him how much you love Him and how much you desire to get to know Him an He will be as faithful as ever and show Himself to you in marvelous ways.

God is IN you my friend. He promised YOU He will never leave nor forsake you and we all know what a sure thing God's Word is.

Please answer our brothers questions above to you, they are important in leading and guiding you to a deeper intimacy with your maker and the lover of your soul.

May God surround you with warrior and ministering angels and cocoon you with His divine protection in Jesus mighty name. amen

Your sister in Christ
beam

 

[SaviorNChrist]

Hi Alex! So glad you found the site, I'm sure it will be a blessing to you as it's been to everyone here.

Just like you, I know how it is in the military and fighting to keep your faith (I'm in the USAF and in Kuwait right now). As beam says above, your relationship with God is crucial, it is what Christianity is based upon. Take time out of your day to spend with God...just tell him how you feel, what you need help with, give thanks for what you feel led to...just talk with Him. Build upon the foundation of the relationship with God.

I've noticed that the more I speak with Him and read His word, the better walk I lead. However, it I go without His word or a relationship with Him, I tend to feel like I'm missing something and I'm left open to the world.

So in closing, build upon your relationship with Him and get in His word. If you need anything, let me know (PM me and I'll shoot you my email address). I'd be glad to help out another brother-in-arms.

Take care, be safe, and God bless.

 

[Truehearts]

Hi alex! welcome to talkJesus! You came in the right place, Ive always consider TJ as my 'home-away-from-home church', because i meet really good brothers and sisters in Christ here, I learn about God's word, i talk with brethren who shares the same problems, pray and give praises.. And even worship through the player list here.

This is by far the best Christian site, moderated 24/7, dont be shy to ask any question, join the forums or visit the chat sometimes, theres really great fellowship here and you'll find lots of young people too. God bless!

 

[RJ]

Hey guys whats going on. I’m Alex, im 20 years old and im currently deployed to Iraq in the army. I believe I found this site because I am lost, and I think I need to change my life. I want to change, and am willing, I just need to be guided. No time for church here really, but I feel like Im missing something in my life and looking back on my life, I know this is it.

I wanna start by saying that nobody in my family has really ever gone to church, or taught me about the bible for that matter, ive had some really bad friends. But also I’ve had some amazing ones too. A few years ago, when I was around 15 or 16 one of my friends took me with her to a weekly youth group for teens who were interested in learning about the bible.. I was instantly hooked. I went on trips with them, learning about god and I couldn’t have been happier. Then when I graduated high school, I turned my life around and joined the Infantry. Now here I am and havent went to church since the last day before I went to boot camp 2 years ago.

Im lost out here guys, I want to find my faith again. What do I do?

Surely you have a Chaplin assigned to your unit, you need to talk to and confide in him.

God comes to every man and as I look back, I see now where He had knocked on my door many times but, I had to only open it up one time, the last.

There is a very famous picture (painting) of Jesus standing on the outside of a door, knocking (just google it). There is a caption that says" I stand at the door and knock".
This is also from a very famous passage:
Revelation 3:20
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
The unique thing about the picture, is that Jesus does not have a door knob on his side.

There are other verses that refer to this a little different; they say: if you knock on the door, I (Jesus ) will open it and invite you in.

In both situations, you (we) are required to take action, it is a matter of choice! For me, the two different versions are an example of a true Christian, that, we are in him and he is in us at the same time, spiritually. An example of this is:
John 15:5
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

So, we have to insure that you are in him and he is in you. Maybe you have already done this, I have no way of knowing but, if you are not sure, then there is nothing wrong with" doing it again for the first time"!

A prerequisite is that the timing is right and you really want it......the very fact that you are here and talking like you are, I think that God is "drawing you near" and you are ready to make the choice!

There are many ways to do this, this one is as good as any. You can do this on your own, get a fellow Christian that will help or ask the Chaplin. Remember, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit intercedes with God for you, if you feel that you are not saying the right words. Also, don't make this harder than it needs to be. The desire is the hardest part and you certainly have that!

Just go to Romans 10:8-13 and do something similar to to what it says there. In doing this have a repentant heart (for your sinful nature) and remember that you are saying that you believe that Jesus died for your sins (all of them) and was resurrected by God in order to give you Spiritual Life and salvation for eternity!

God bless, thank you for your service to our country and PM me anytime you wish with other questions!

Joe
P.S.:
Again, don't worry about getting this perfect, God knows your heart, so go for it!

 

[Dreamer]

Are you born again, Alex? Would you like to be? It's as simple and profound as that.

If you are not born again, it seems that you will be soon! You are thirsty and God will fill that thirst and hunger.

Welcome to talkJesus!!!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Im lost out here guys, I want to find my faith again. What do I do?

Welcome to TJ, Alex. I'm excited that you've joined us and I think you'll find lots of help here.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[gleonard]

Hi Alex. This is my second post on this site and I was very pleased to read your post and see that you are searching for answers in God.

I was 21 years old (1 year older than you) when I first began to seriously search for God. I had just finished a three year hitch in the US Army. I remember that I had a big hollow spot right in the middle of my chest that was longing for answers to BIG questions that I wasn't capable of answering at the time.

At that time - one day - I asked God's forgivenes of my sinful life and to just help me overcome my shame, emptyness and lose of direction. Well, he answered my request. I was assured of His forgiveness through Jesus Christ (only He can assure us of that) and now after 45 years I can say in all truth that He has never left me (not even 1 day) and He continues to forgive me as I stumble along the path of life day after day and He fills that old emptyness within me with a friendship and love that is uncomparable to any I have ever known.

Give Jesus Christ a chance. Take his hand and ask Jesus to lead your life. He won't foresake you. You'll never regret it.

Oh - and don't forget to keep the conversation going when you let him take the lead in your life. Talk to him constantly whenever it is possible. You'll get to know him better this way and you'll also find that he will respond to you in the deep parts of your heart. You'll know it is him when he is talking to you. And when you get time read about him (Jesus) often. He has the lead role in the Bible. For new Christians as you have become or about to become the best parts about Jesus are found in the first parts of the New Testament (try the book of John for example).

My prayers are with your Alex. If you have any questions post them here. I have a first impression that there are a lot of people here who will be happy to answer you.

George

 

[SingPeace]

Hi Alex.

I am new here - first day. Wow.
God certainly brought you to the right place.

Everyone is speaking so perfectly to you, and I know that you can feel that, too. Instead of my repeating their sentiments (though I do), I feel compelled to share a poem I wrote. Copy it and print it if you like. And if there are any other troops there who would like it in their gear, please be my guest. Thank you for all your service and sacrifice.


I AM COMMITTED

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning,
smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,
cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, position or popularity.
I don’t have to be right. I don’t have to be first.
I don’t have to be recognized. I don’t have to be praised.
I don’t have to be regarded. I don't have to be rewarded.

I am committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I now live by faith. I lean on His presence.
I walk with patience. I live by prayer. I labor in love.
My face is set. My road is narrow. My way is rough.
My companions may be few, but my Guide is reliable.
My mission is clear. I cannot be bought, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,
Negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up,
Paid up, and preached up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
I will go till He comes, give till I drop, and preach till all know.
I will work till He stops me.
When He comes, I want Him to find faith and commitment in my life.
When He comes, He will have no problem recognizing me, in Jesus' name.
Lord, use me. Amen.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Im lost out here guys, I want to find my faith again. What do I do?

Alex, this is my second response to your introductory post. Sorry I didn't think about this resource earlier. Here's a link to an excellent website for young people that can give you lots of help, I think:

Ask Questions about Life and God

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)