Ask Betty
Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? Do you ponder your purpose in life? Do you need specific answers for situations in your life? Maybe you just want the scriptures to correspond with what you already know.
FOR INSTANCE:
1. "I am having trouble staying close to God and walking the walk. How do I get started and keep going?"
It is very hard to do it by yourself. In Hebrews 10:25, it says, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." You have to be around other Christians who are walking with the Lord too. They will encourage you. Spend a little time each day, maybe even five minutes at first, reading the Bible. Ask God to show you where to read and then ask him to speak to you when you read. Also, learn to pray about everything, big and small. A little guideline: If it is important to you, it is important to God. He is never too busy to help you with it.
2. "What kind of Bible should I read?"
There are many translations available, even online translations. Get one that really speaks to you, preferably a modern translation like the New Living Translation, the New International Version, or the Message Bible. www.biblegateway.com can help you find one you like.
3. "What do I do about fear and anxiety?"
We all have it from time to time, depending on what is going on in our lives. Learning to trust God like a little child would trust and asking to have childlike faith has helped me a lot. Also, learn Bible verses on fear and speak them out loud to yourself. Some good ones I like are: II Samuel 22:31, Psalms 7:1, Psalms 9:9, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 118:8, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs29:25, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 30:15, Isaiah 51:12-13, Jeremiah 39:18, Nahum 1:7, Matthew 21:21-22, Romans 4:20, Romans 15:13, Ephesians 6:16, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 13:5
4. "Why is it so hard to stop sinning?"
Maybe because you are still running around with people who don't love God, maybe you haven't made up your mind to really serve Jesus, maybe you have not totally turned all your life over to the Holy Spirit and asked him to fill you up completely. Consider giving God a blank piece of paper, telling him to fill it out and you will do whatever is on it. You will discover you suddenly hate to do what you once loved and vice versa. Sin ruins your life.
5. "What do I do when I sin?"
We all sin everyday. Sin is missing the mark of God's holiness. Jesus made provision for it. I John 1:9 says to confess (agree with God) your sins and you will be cleansed. Ask to be filled again with the Holy Spirit each time. You may have to do it many times in one day in the beginning. Be specific, not general, about the sin--name the baby!
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