Going to church for the first time today
🏡 Local WIN 🏘️
Bit nervous, but glad I am honoring this promise I made to God when I needed his help. Dont think I would have ever done this if I never came here, so thank you guys for your consistent outpour of faith.
Good for you! Glad you're taking the step. God loves you more than you can understand (agape love.) I hope you find a church you really love. If it's not this one, keep looking. Not all churches have good, solid, bible based doctrine. Blessings, fren.
Im hoping this one works out because it's literally my neighbor to where I just relocated to. Like, we share a fence lol
I hope so too, fren. I agree with gobby that believing in some basic truths: Scripture is God breathed, God created the world, Man sinned against God, and needs a Redeemer, Jesus is that Redeemer, and gave evidence to it by healing, forgiving sins and rising from the dead.... is essential for a true church. We will pray you find the right place.
Yes. Doctrine is fun and the absolute ultimate white pill in understanding God's good work and promises for us. The Apostles Creed is normally an excellent sign of good theology.
God bless your journey with Jesus OP! Church is for the sick, welcome to the best recovery party of all time.
I'm hoping that was divine intervention!
Haha! Great! Maybe that's why God put you there. I hope so! Anyway, so happy you know God.
He does call us into community! God is good all the time.
Sounds like a perfect place to start! God is already changing your life, fren. 🙏
I hope so too but know infiltration is a thing so it is possible to take a few attempts to get to a good one. God bless!
Nope God guided me where I needed to be. They welcomed me in, I loved the vibe and the people, and it was pretty much strictly either worship music or scripture so just what I was looking for.
God is good!
Congratulations! Keep in mind that the church is flawed. We are not perfect and every congregation is full of unbelievers who clams to have the spirit. Satan walks about as a lion seeking whom he may devour. If the preacher says something that offends you, be slow to anger as this might be Christ himself speaking. If the preacher is talking about health and wealth and how God wants you to enjoy your best life now, get up and run for the door. I said a small prayer for you that Christ would get the glory, that God gets the focus, and that you will be edified! May his will be done and may you draw near to him. Amen! The gospel is not about what he wants for us rather what we should do for him. Make sure Christ is the focus and God Speed!
Excellent counsel!
Remembering that the church is just full of people - and people are flawed - but don't let that turn you away when you encounter that You eventually will.
You're there to worship and know God. God uses people - especially flawed people (look at the Bible!) to reach other people.
Evaluate everything through the lens of the Bible.
I'm so happy for you @jamezelo.
Dear Lord, please bless Jamezelo today as he worships you and hears your Word. Bless the preacher with wisdom & discernment as he speaks to the congregation and let it all be to the glory of your Holy name. Let the salvation available freely to all who will believe be taught and may your Spirit work in those in attendance. If anyone is not baptised, please lead them to baptism. May your grace & mercy abound. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.
Amen!
iron sharpens iron.
Remember, not all churches are good. Be open minded and willing to try several churches if your instincts tell you things are not as they seem.
I know you all have good intentions but I wish more of you chose to just send love instead of warnings
It was a great service, God will direct me where I need to be
If you like maps and history a great book is the rose book of bible charts volume 1. After I got one for myself and my husband I was so impressed that I ordered several more for friends and family. It includes the genealogy of Jesus. Very informative. It also includes what all the different religions believe. I’m glad you liked the service God has already shown you where to be. God bless you.
Praise that Name, shine that light, amen
Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart God hath raised him from the dead and thou shalt be saved.
God bless
Can't updoot this enough! Hallelujah and welcome.
God is talking again. Always was, but I feel he is more vocal. I experienced something about a month ago that changed my entire perspective. I consider myself to be a Christian again. I believe God although forgiving is angry... Like Old Testament angry. I believe God is calling upon those willing to listen for some large event.
People are taking the fingers out of their ears.
Yay I'm so glad your making the step to go be with other believers.
It is all about your relationship to God. Always remember that churches were formed by men. So most of them are gonna have some issues and they are all imperfect. Find one where you can feel comfortable enough to serve and support others and where they can also serve and support you. This is really what churches are for.
I had you in my prayers again last night and today.
Here is one way to find a solid bible teaching church. https://tms.edu/find-a-church/
The churches listed have been checked out and conform to traditional bible based Christian beliefs. The list is not comprehensive. There are many many other churches that meet the criterion, but have not been checked out yet.
Hopefully you can find a church near you.
Blessings to you in your endeavor.
The one I went to works for me, I enjoyed it
Glad to hear it, but the measure of a church is base on how well they adhere to and preach the Word of God. I am assuming this is the first time you been to church. The bigger question is, have you heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and been reborn.
Gospel means Good News, and what is the Good News? The Good News is that Christ the Savior (the Son of God) came into the world and paid the penalty for sin ( the penalty of sin is death, and sin is the breaking of God's law of which every person is guilty). God offers the free gift of eternal life to all who believe (are reborn).
Going to church won't save you. Going to church will teach you God's word, if the Pastor teaches from the Bible.
Excellent link! Expository bible teaching is the best.
It's weird right. I broke down and prayed and asked for a wife. And he answered me a day later. I met my soon to be wife a day or so after my plea. It's all on faith. You reap what you sow. Good luck and good life to you and yours.
Awesome thanks for sharing and for your support ❤
May God bless you with His continued grace and favor!
Make sure the church is legit. My local church organized healing functions after T won in 2020.
Make sure it's not some poz'd shit where they push single Moms on you.
I was raised Catholic and their 'shame' game is good.
Remember, anyone who claims to 'speak for God' should be treat with suspicion.
God speaks to us all if we listen.
You don't need to go to a specific building to be with God (Source). Source is with you - a part of you, in fact - at all times.
Yes, our minds hearts and souls are the true temple... but, I've been isolated for a considerable amount of time where I used to live due to being so rural... the community aspect is important. No man is an island
there is value in group prayer and worship, even imperfect. and important to not be isolated. God meets you wherever you are when you seek Him.
The church I attend believes in fellowshipping and service to others. I find that by practicing this my fellow church members are my family. It's wonderful that you went to church today. Keep it up. I agree with others that it doesn't matter if you are standing in a building or not. Your relationship with the Lord is a personal one. Pray to him and ask him if he will guide you to his true church. And remember not to judge a church by its people. As we all make mistakes but God never makes mistakes
Made a vow to God I would begin attending, so was just keeping my promise. Really enjoyed it though
Prayers to you! Don't be upset if the first church you visit does not feel like the right one. Don't let that thwart you. Ask God for wisdom and guidance to lead you to the right people. That's all churches are - groups of people. Hopefully, in most cases, groups with the majority of people filled with the Holy Spirit. But yet, they are still flawed people. You are looking for a church body led by bold men who are teaching God's Holy Word. They need to understand the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and that it is important for Christians to stand up and lead right now. If you can find this, you will be well fed.
Nope I think this was the right one. They welcomed me right in, I was moved by the service, and yeah I'll be going back for sure
Awesome to hear. I found a church family last year about this time. Got saved and had a river baptism. Best time of my life. Still with my church family. Love that place. The fellowship, I’ve learned, is very important to me. The Lord is amazing. I sometimes still feel I’m not worth it. I am humbled, big time. Really happy for you friend. Best news I’ve heard today.
Yeah I actually brought up baptism and they do offer that, but for now all I gotta show up and listen with my heart
I hope it is a true, Christian church! Our pastor today was preaching on the book of Jude, considered a "doorway" to the book of Revelation. One of the things he mentioned in the sermon was that the Bible warned of churches being infiltrated by essentially "agents of evil", who corrupt the word of God, and try to convince people that all sorts of sin are o.k. to continue doing if you are a Christian. The first thing Jesus told people he encountered was repent. Although sins are forgiven, unless a person repents of that sinful nature/lifestyle/habit, their salvation is seriously in doubt.
Just remember, each church is different. Some are boring, sine are mean, some are wholesome, some are shallow. Just shop around, attend one for a few times and then another.
Read the book of John, then Matthew. Do what Jesus teaches. God loves you...prayers...
I'm actually reading the entire thing, it was a vow I made to God in jail last week (going to church was another one)
I'm about 500 pages in, right past Chronicles
When I started my family on the Scriptures they soon gave up. Later I learned that its easier to comprehend if you read the New Testament first then go back and start with Genesis to Revelations. You will find some verses in the OT become clearer and you can 'connect the dots' with an ah-ha moment. As you question a verse just jot it down, when you go through the Bible your question will be answered.
Keep in mind, too, that there will be verses that strike you in the heart. Thats the Holy Spirit telling you to pay attention to that verse.
Little late for that, one of my vows I made to God and myself (attending church also being one) was that I was going to read the entire Bible front to back. I'm already about 500 pages in lol (right after Chronicles)
Just remember, when things get tough, God never promised a perfect pain free life, but eternity of it. I keep that in mind when life starts to suck and make zero sense. All the agony in the world, is taken care of in that one statement. There’s an enemy that seems to be ignored when bad things happen. And that enemy has clawed its own eyes out knowing you walked into that Church. They will claw at nothing to stop anyone from being saved. And they’ll tell you there’s time…there is not. Christ enters, evil leaves. For good.
I came to God and he welcomed me in during what's probably gonna be the hardest month of my life...
Spent some time in jail from alcohol, and my grandfather I took care of for 12 years is most likely on his final days. If I didn't embrace God there's a high chance I wouldn't have survived whats coming. I'm prepared for the toughest battle I've had to find, cause I have his armor now.
So happy for you! Glad it worked out. I am trying to get up the gumption to go back. I miss the community. And I miss the music. (Obviously I'm seeking The Message as well. But I find the company and the music draw me to the message, so Rock Band service haters leave me be. I like them!)
Yeah it was heavily musical which is a huge plus for me
Pick a church that uses the King James version of the Bible - otherwise you'll be studying from a perverted translation. See my document for details on the New age Bible translations.
Thank you for the resource.
Excellent stuff. This needs to be its own post.
Post it, and I will sticky. Just make sure you request the sticky:
https://greatawakening.win/p/15Hv71ISl6/x/c/4OYXWkEhuGg
There are a lot of churches. The small ones usually have the more wealthy people if you look in the wealthy areas.
I was probably the brokest one in the room both spiritually and financially, but they welcomed me with open arms
Lots of great advice being given. Not sure where you are on your walk with God, but whether you’re a newbie or not, here’s a source that I’ve turned to find strength and truth — ttb.org. Thru the Bible — it’s an every day walk.
Praying for you that your experience will be as wonderful as ours....we went at least 4 years not stepping inside a church....we stepped into the right one...knew right away it was the right one...We couldn't be happier.
Incredible!
Godspeed anon!
PRAISE THE LORD. please come back and share your testimony. God bless u. Love u fren
I actually did post my thoughts about it. Long story short is I loved it
This is the real win right here. Need more of this.
Thats great but keep in mind Mathew 18:20 For where 2 or 3 Gather in my name, there i am among them.
I needed church in my life though. Spent many many years living rural so I needed that sense of community
Completely understandable, glad it has provided you with a sense of Community. But for those that are rural even this forum would be considered a church.
I’ve been going to my local church for the first time in 25 years.
I don’t attend service, I go on a Sunday afternoon or evening and sit and pray.
It’s a beautiful 9th century Saxon church, but unfortunately the local parish is CofE and a bit globo-homo, hence the service avoidance..