Can you help me find faith?

I think you are going to get some very long answers. I hope they all help you.

The common phrase used for what you are feeling is a "crisis of faith". FYI, both the approved gospels and the non-approved (gnostic) gospels are full of examples of Jesus himself experiencing the same thing.

A similar doubt is often found when inquiring about the state of mind of heroes/soldiers before they embark on their journey/challenge. Rather than being fearless, many recall being very scared and even doubtful.

The thing is, "crisis of faith" is normal and shows a healthy mind. It is certainly not a sin, or a sign that someone is less worthy.

What it often shows is that a person needs to consider further and broader study- to reach out and see the deeper history of their particular religion, rather than the potentially narrower spectrum from which they were raised.

Again, this is the archetypal hero story- leaving, or being banished into the wilderness, to find yourself and what life means to you, to then come back to help save your community.

I think Jesus did that a couple of times (we know about) as well. All the best on your journey.

I was raised in a religion that didn't harmonize with Scripture.

Oh, it claimed to, but ... What I wanted was to know >God's< thoughts on everything, not man's. After asking questions of several people (including ministers) I was finally directed to:

https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.ht...

To Request a Free Home Bible Study

These are a worldwide congregation of ministers.

There is no solicitation. The Bible is the basis of each & every belief. Time, knowledge, and the desire to help you understand is -- in very large part -- what Jehovah's Witnesses are all about.

Two of my favorite Bible-study courses are:

"What Does the Bible Really Teach?" (available in print)

What Does God Require of Us? : How You Can Find Out ...

http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/index.htm

Both of these are full of scriptural references, so it's easy for one to >compare for oneself between what they say & what the Bible says. This is >highly encouraged, in one' >own Bible (Some claim that only the NWT is used, which is >not true.)

You might be asking the question: Jehovah's Witnesses - Who Are They?

This will help answer your questions:

http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm?art...

[Notice the list of subheadings/links on the left of the 1st pages.]

(Some individuals didn't want me to have anything to do with them, my Dad included. But after awhile, he overcame the prejudice, & has come to like us very much! We became closer than before!)

I've found here a >wealth of information about God , the Bible, & its' principles ... & know that you can too! You are to be commended for valueing spiritual things! Not many have, for some time! I hope that you won't let anyone dissuade you from checking this all out! Sincerely, PJ

Personally I think you need to develope your relationship with Heavenly Father. Read up about prayer and seek to find deeper meaning that way. Prayer can open the door for you to a deeper more meaningful relationship with God. Through prayer you can have the answers that you are seeking answered. Listen with your heart. Take time and make sure that when you're finished praying you stay still and listen. All too often we kneel down and pray and then get up and go one with our lives, seldom do we take the time to wait and listen for answers to our prayers.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; an it shall be given him.

You had better ask God first to help you see the lies that have been taught you having grown up Lutheran. I myself know nothing about that religion but if you are sincere about wanting to know the truth, I guaranty that you have been taught lies. If You have not ask to receive the Holy Spirit,you need to do that too, then be willing to keep a pure heart to God and He will be faithful to help you grow in faith.Having questions is a good thing.

Why do you look outside of your own heart to find Christ? Before you can know Christ in the sciptures you must know Christ in your own heart, because it is He who will give you understanding --- and eyes to see.

Christ is the Enlightener; He shines the Light on egos and removes everything in you that is from darkness when you Die on the Cross with Him -- when you die to your worldly egoic and sinful nature.

There is no man anywhere that is closer to knowing Him personally than you are right now. Go within and ask for Light to remove your blinders -- ask to be transformed into someone pure of heart and mind so that you may embody Christ 24/7 -- and do only His work....so that you'll never do the work of darkness again. Ask for the Holy Spirit -- to give you understanding of How to Refuse Eating From the Tree of Death. Eat only from Christ and you will Love as He Loves. He is the Tree of Life; in Him all death and darkness vanishes!

Christ transforms and enlightens. Not religion! Follow Christ and Christ alone.

Blessings

God lives in everyone's heart but we miss him coz we keep chasing him in scriptures, holu verses, chants and religions.

Nothing is gonna give u peace and love except your own inner self. Dont look out with a searchlight- look inside thro meditation

My friend,

If it is freedom from suffering you are looking for then, patience is the answer. Commit all actions with understanding purpose and all your heart(without hesitation), may your mind be as unruffled as the empty space itself, then you are free from suffering.

Hope this helps (although it's just words),

Vinod.

you can find it in your heart. faith is the substance of things hoped for. faith comes from within yourself. the simplicity of faith is confusing to many and as humans we tend to complicate it. faith is a reassurance that sometimes god calms the storm, and sometimes he lets the storm rage, and calms the child. it is knowing that despite what the circumstance looks like, there is one that is large and in charge and he will bring you through. albeit, not always the way we would have it, but in a way that will draw us to him and give him the glory.

Pray to God and wait on Him by meditating the sweet message of the God in the Bible.

I can carry on an iintelligent conversion on the evils of religion. Care to talk?