Lukewarm?

[Alex_Olijar]

I've lived the large majority of my life feeling similarly. I am not one to post a large message or anything (you can PM me if you want) but I think it woudl suffice to say that you have to do. For example, it is psychologically proven that if you attempt to smile more you become happier. Similarly, you become more loving as you do loving acts (even with a bad inward attitude). That's the best I have for you here.

[Prof Underwood]

My life is guided by sin. I really wish it wasn't. I really wish I could just say no to the world. I really wish that I trusted in God for everything. I really wish I could live for my eternal life rather than my present one. But I can't.

It sounds to me like you would really benefit and enjoy being part of an accountability group.  Does your church have these available to join?

But where's the ooey gooey feeling that's supposed to come with that?

Christianity is not about ooey gooey feelings.

I don't know what it looks like for someone to be fully devoted to God, and for His hand to be working directly in their lives.

Then you need to get to know some different people.  Often there are some elderly saints in your church who would be great examples and mentors.  If there aren't any, then you need to find a different church.  Another option is to read some biographies about people who fit your description above.  I would suggest George Mueller, John Wesley, Mother Theresa, and David Livingston.  For a fictional account of what this could look like, I suggest the book called "Into His Steps".  It's an easy read and is really good.

[Daniel TS RED]

I would encourage you to listen to an online message each day.  These do not take place of church, but for a lot of people, church is once a week and then you're kinda out of teaching until the next week.

The thing that gets us from where we are to where we want to be is God's word. Something also that I've failed miserably to do is to focus on the good things you do for God.  Acts of obedience and times when you follow God's commands.  If you're always looking at your sin, it's hard to see the Peace, Forgiveness, and Love that God has given to you. Ask for Forgiveness when you sin and always try to be Christlike, but don't spend a bunch of time focus'n on your sin because that's what the Devil wants you to do.  Ask for Forgiveness and make the right decision the next time.

Try this out:

http://www.calvaryftl.org/AWMedia/archive/index.cfm

Daniel

 

p.s. I'm not sure where you're at in your walk with the Lord, but to ask for Help in becoming closer to God shows you're heading in the right direction.

p.s.s. The first 20 mins of each video is singing and annoucements, so you can skip that if you'd like.  Also Each new weekly video has only audio for a couple days.  So you might want to watch each one a week late, so you can actually watch em and not listen only.

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

BB if you need help/just wanna talk/has been through stuff like this before, feel free to PM me. I will be more than willing to help the best I can. The basics are simple, figuring out how to work them is hard. I really feel for you, its a constant struggle for all believers everyday. I know I'm not super holy myself but I understand what you're going through and really do care for you. It can be so enfuriating.

[uthminister [BR]]

I would love to tell you that it gets easier, but the simple fact is that we are in the middle of a battle. The thing we need to realize is that our battle matters even though the war has already been won. In contradiction to what I have heard so many times in my life, I think that if you are not saved then Satan would not want to make you aware of it, but would rather leave you in a state of false security. Therefore any time I feel as though I have something that needs to move out of the way or go altogether, I generally attribute it to the Holy Spirit. I know that when I read Crazy Love with my High School group, I don't think that anyone walked away thinking they had the Christian walk nailed down. Dude, I would love to have another guy like you in our Discipleship Group who really wants to be a follower of Jesus. Feel free to PM me, but as was so easy to do when I read that book, don't miss the grace. For some reason our holy God involves us even though he knows we are tainted by sin...figure that one out.