I'm losing my faith and I need your help...

I've been a devout Christian since May 2010. I have never been one to doubt my faith, even though I ask questions that some may never think to ask. I ask, not because I doubt, but to study deeper into the Scriptures to really find what God is saying about the subject of study. But I've hit a really big ditch and I really need your help to get out...

Is God still working miracles through the Church? I mean, honest miracles like the blind seeing, the sick being healed, the lame walking, and the dead rising through the power of God at work through Christians? Not science, not medicine. Simply the power of God?

God is the same he always was, that is my personal conviction and faith. I have not witnessed raising of dead or lame to walk personally, i have witnessed God answer prayer and removed physical suffering in a twinkling of an eye. But we so often count true fith or power of faith to the heroes of hebrews 11, that by faith concered kingdoms, raised the dead etc.... but those that where in the wilderness, naked, hungry and sawn asunder where filled with the same faith as those that raised the dead. When we see this we will no matter the result of our faith have our eyes upon HIM "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" it is he who writes our faith, and we leave the powerful results to him to reveal, wheter it be by death and weakness or through healing of the sick, raising the dead or joining them by martyrdom.

The christian walk for me has been full of ditches, some for a day or two other season of darkness has lasted for months without any end in sight. My experience is God always comes through in the end for those that wait upon Him.

I could share much but other men has said it better, i had once a little booklet written by a man 400 something years ago that helped me very much in a season of darkness. I hope it will help you some also.

http://gracegems.org/Brooks/Mute%20Christian%20QUOTES.html

"Weeping may endure for a night—but
joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

Their mourning shall last but until morning.

God will turn . . .
their winter's night into a summer's day,
their sighing into singing,
their grief into gladness,
their mourning into music,
their bitter into sweet,
their wilderness into a paradise.

The life of a Christian is filled up with interchanges of
sickness and health,
weakness and strength,
want and wealth,
disgrace and honor,
crosses and comforts,
miseries and mercies,
joys and sorrows,
mirth and mourning.

All honey would harm us; all wormwood would undo
us—a composition of both is the best way to keep our
souls in a healthy constitution. It is best and most for
the health of the soul—that the warm south wind of
mercy, and the cold north wind of adversity—do both
blow upon it. And though every wind which blows,
shall blow good to the saints; yet certainly their sins
die most, and their graces thrive best, when they
are under the frigid, drying, nipping north wind of
calamity, as well as under the warm, nourishing south
wind of mercy and prosperity

i felt led to share something more, at one point in my walk some years ago i felt as i can not endure this beyond the moment, either kill me now Lord or i can not be a Christian anymore, that was how i felt and it was a deep deep hurting in my soul.

Somehow i found myself just laying on my bed listening to music as i was skipping forward a T.A Sparks sermon came, as i always was very bad at sorting playlist etc so i just laid there listening. this was the message and in that moment of discouragement beyond possibility to convey with words, this sermon was like a flood wave of light straight from the throne of God, it filled me with new hope, and new power and refreshed my faith. The word of God...

you may be in a different place, different everything, but it may be of some comfort or encouragement, listening to Sparks requires full attention, his style of preaching and accent some have difficulty listening, but those that still do and focus will gain so much. so i strongly recomend this sermon.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=1373&commentView=itemComments

Hello Totality

What I read is this: Your faith in God's power is weakened. You don't see any miracles, so you want to hear testimonies from others who have experienced some. Am I right? Or is it your faith as a whole which is having a tough time?

In my case I have no doubt that God CAN do things, I guess my problem lies whether He WILL.

However, I've seen miracles, but the best one, as a singer named Carman puts it: "is when from sin He sets you free!" Like Ephesians 1 puts it, God's ultimate power shown is in the cross and the ressurection.

But back to healing and the likes. I've been witness to people losing their illness quickly through prayer. I've also got a friend of mine with a great testimony where a deaf man was given his speech back through prayer. That person also wanted to become a follower of Christ afterwards. Other than that I have some stories from people who are quite close to me, one example is a girl that I went to school with. She got her leg healed.

This might make you feel better because you're hearing that God's power is working. It's just too bad you haven't seen it with your own eyes, which I suppose is what you would like.

But having your faith relying on God's power being shown like that can be likened to a big meal instead of many small meals. One big might last for a while, but small meals will get you further and it's more healty.

In other words, try to look at small things which can increase your faith - the complexity and wonders of Creation. The strange inventions that humans which are made in the image of God are able to create. The, in my opinion, logical world view of the Bible. There are plenty in my view. In my case I can think of one important thing which increases my faith: The faithfulness of God. He has always taken care of me. I've always had what I need. And if I've been impatient and wanted things right away, He has shown me it's worth to wait for. (Like my fianceé, which I'm getting married to this summer)

I pray that you'll get out of the ditch in time!
- Svane

I've been a Christian since 1991, and that has been a walk ... a stumble ... a limp, but through all that, I know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

I was delivered from demons, and I have witnessed others being delivered from demons; I have prayed with people and have seen the Lord heal "in-a-heartbeat" and my faith soared. But there have also been times when I too was in the place you are now. I felt it was a terrible "drought" in my life, when all I could do was trust that my God was holding onto me, for my frail faith was not enough to hold onto Him.

When you do not see the miracles, hold on! When you doubt whether Christ is still working today as He did 2,000 years ago - hold on! But more than that - know that He is holding onto you.

Desert times can be wonderful, if we can but look for the beauty in it - because there are no other distractions, but to seek the Lord ... and no other voice but His.

Hold fast!!

Your sister in Christ.

hi, i have been a christian for 48 years and have seen many, many miracles in that time. i have also found that if you are not a believer that you could be five feet away from a great miracle ,watch it happen,hear the testimony and not believe it happened.the greatest miracle is when a sinner like myself is saved and delivered by the power of God. i will tell you of another . a dear friend of mine named gene was a roughneck in the oilfields and was a hard liver and an unbelieverwho was beset with t.b. and had to have a lung removed. the surgeon took 3 ribs out to remove the lung and this operation left a long scar.he then got t.b. in the other lung and was having a hard time breathing and near death. a minister asked him if he believed God could heal him and he replied no but i thought you were the believer and the minister said i am a believer and prayed for gene.gene was slain in the Spirit and when he got up he was breathing better.he went home and when he took off his shirt the scar was gone. the next day he called his doctor(vance byers)and when the doctor exrayed gene he found the ribs replaced and a new lung also the other lung was completely clean.this was investigated by the fbi and was verified.this is one of many.sometimes it is importunity that is lacking. i have also seen people who believed God for the healin of a child watch the child die and lose all faith.one day soon gene is going to die as everyone does but his heart is now in the covenant keeping hands of Jesus and will have eternal life.jimp

Totality:

Do you recall what happened when you became a Christian? Becoming a Christian was not simply a decision of the mind to convert to a different philosophy or a different set of rules to live by. You were forgiven of your sins and regenerated (born again) by the Spirit of God. I remember the sense of being clean, forgiven, and right with God. I knew that I knew that I was right with God. I still know this, not because I wake up with that same feeling every morning. There are days when I fall short or feel down and definitely don't "feel" saved. But my faith does not waver because my faith rests in the truth of the Word of the One who died for me and who gave me this great salvation. Your faith needs to rest, not on miracles or feelings, but on the Word of God. Our walk is one of faith, not one of sight. This is why it is so important that we renew our mind with the Word of God.

In regards to the rest of the question, yes, God has not changed and He is still working miracles. I have seen a sense of smell returned that had been lost for 40 years, an ankle that had been shattered just one week earlier healed immediately so the young man could play a very rough game of basketball within the hour, and a demon cast out. These are the "notable" events. There have been hosts of other sicknesses healed, etc. It is a great boost to my faith to witness these things and to hear of others. But in the end my faith must rest firmly on the foundation of the word wither I see miracles or not.

The answer though is a resounding yes. God is still doing what God has always done.

I don’t know if you are talking about you needing healing or you desiring to see these things but I know that God is still God and God doesn’t ever change! I have seen Him work a couple of things you mentioned and was astonished! I’ve also read that He works more miracles outside of America and one reason is because American has had such good insurance and providers (doctors) and the other countries don’t and can’t run to the emergency room, so they must trust completely in the healing hand of God. (Personally, that’s why I think God is behind the health care industry falling apart in America but that’s just me.)

I do believe and know that “love” and “compassion” to heal the sick moves God’s heart. The majority of the time when Jesus did miracles in the Bible; it says He was moved with “compassion.” So brother, do not lose your faith but pray to be endued with HIS compassion and HIS love for suffering people and to be endued with power from on high!! He is looking for someone to weep between the porch and the altar for those who are in need.

God bless you,
Lisa

QUOTE: "Is God still working miracles through the Church? I mean, honest miracles like the blind seeing, the sick being healed, the lame walking, and the dead rising through the power of God at work through Christians? Not science, not medicine. Simply the power of God?"==TOTALITY

This is what i like, raw honesty! This is the way it should be; people should be able to put what they REALLY think on the table and get some answers or at least HOPE to--without being judged or scorned for asking. People should be encouraged to be honest instead of carrying on a "stained glass masquarade" (spell that please) or a religious front.

Now, to answer your question i must ask one: Are you "losing your faith" as you say because you see no miracles? What is your faith IN? In miracles...or in CHRIST? Cuz from your post it sounds like your faith is in miracles.

When Christ walked the earth in flesh there were times when even He could do no mighty works because of so much unbelief in a given city. If there was unbelief then, surely it cannot compare with the unbelief and hardness of heart in this world and country TODAY! Why would God bother to do miracles here? The Pharisees saw miracles done right in front of their very eyes on a daily basis and still they did not believe! They even murdered Him! So don't think for a minute that miracles would convert everyone. People find excuses and ways to rationalize away all sorts of things.
God is also not a circus performer; He is not on stage waiting to perform for any of us.

You want to see a miracle? How about the miracle that the devil's minions could have had you killed over a hundred times this week (whether while you were driving down the road or in other places) but by the grace of God you are still here because God has a hedge around you or because He says you are not going one minute before He says so.

I have just now looked at the website and saw this posting.

Totality, here is the thought that came to my spirit. What is your experience with God and the reason I say this is because you are the first miracle when God miraculously saved you. Now if you have not the spirit of Christ, then you are not really His yet, but having experienced the miraculous new birth and knowing this without a doubt is where you begin.

For an example when I got truly saved with an spiritual experience of old things passing away and all things becoming new as this will be for anyone who is truly in Christ (2 cor. 5:17), then trials came to try my faith in God. This is normal for all who are in Christ. The trials cause me to seek God for a deeper experience and to grow and get deeper into the Word of God. His grace will enable this as you seek God. We are to humble ourselves and draw nearer to God in faith believing. We are to have bold confidence to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Then this leads me to say this that a few years ago I had been praying and seeking God for more of Him in my life when all of a sudden I had an experience with God that was so awesome that has caused me to believe God can and does do anything He desires to do and that there is nothing to difficult for God. He is a miracle worker and I have seen and experienced miracles but the thing that keeps me going on is the experience I have with Him.

I have an experience with God that I don't never won't to lose so I keep praying and keep on being filled with the Spirit. The experience that I have had and now am presently having at times gives me so much boldness that I feel like I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. I believe that the Spirit can do anything supernatural through me if I walk with God.

Finally, all the experts in the world could come to me and say they have found all these evidences that the bible is not totally true and they could have been at one time preachers of the gospel and I believe I could just fill the Holy Spirit rising up within me. I would probably shout in the Holy Ghost and speak in a heavenly language run all over the place and then come back and pity them. Praise God I'm telling you this thing is real and get a real experience with God and you will never be at the mercy of them with an argument.

Blessings...from brother rbanks

Jesus Christ was risen from the dead. What greater miracle does one need. Especially when one considers that it has been 2000 years since his resurrection, and he continues to live. And my faith rests in that.

And by saying this, I don't take away from the fact I believe God still does heal people. In fact, I believe such is a continued part of the ascension ministry of Christ. Personally speaking, I've seen God touch my physical body. For a long period of time, I had to wear a large medical boot due to a chronic ankle problem I was having due to my ankle not being properly fused together from my birth. For a long period of time, I woke up every morning to a lot of pain. I had to hobble and prop myself up just to get to the bathroom connected to my bedroom. It was a very painful experience. Then I would go to work and work for 8 hours on my feet, and regularly experience pain throughout the day.

To make a long story short: I was at a church service where the pastor said he believed God wanted to touch some people physically. He instructed us to lay our hands on the part of our body that hurt, and to pray. I thought this idea sounded a little goofy. But I did it anyway, because I knew my pastor was a man who isn't given to extremes. And when I woke up the next morning, my ankle ceased to hurt, and I've gotten out of bed every morning since without having to hobble and prop myself up.

It should be noted that whatever grace of God it was that came upon me that day, I can't report that I received a total and complete healing. Should I run hard for a certain length of time, I notice my same ankle starts to hurt a little bit again. But whatever the case, the chronic pain I was experiencing every day almost all day is gone.

I notified my pastor of this happening to me. The next Sunday at church, there were 3 other people in the congregation who reported long term chronic pain vanishing from them.

*edited*

"Those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength! They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 -read from v.25) When we seek to strengthen our faith by seeking MAN's intervention we will only get confusion. Seek God! Seek HIM ALONE - ASK Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, and for the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth through reading and meditating on HIS WORD - not the words of man. That is why today our faith is SO LITTLE! - because we listen too much to man - and too little to God. God will give you revelation, and sight to heal your spiritual blindness, but you MUST SEEK HIM - ALONE! Read Psalm 51, especially v's 10-12........God loves you! He longs for you to come to Him. It is only your relationship with HIM that counts, not the thoughts and opinions of man. He WILL HELP YOU if you seek Him with ALL of your heart, in humility and repentance. Let go anything that pulled you away from Him and seek His face. Peace, be still, and know that He is God!

God knows your need - He waits for you to ask HIM - not me, or Jack or Bill - Him. I lift you to Him in prayer, asking Him to pour out His Spirit on you and fill you full measure, pressed down, shaken together and flowing over! Amen.