Okay, please don't bash me for asking this because I know it will probably sound obsurd. The problem is, I am trying to get my spiritual life straightened out and get back on track with God. However, I am completely surrounded by bad influences and non-believers, so it's making it impossible for me to completely focus on the Lord. I don't have any Christian friends/relatives. I want my son to grow up knowing the Lord, but without me taking a stand, that's not going to happen.

So I've been thinking...maybe I should just move away from this area and establish myself elsewhere. Then I wont have all these negative people around me. Does this even sound reasonable or just completely pointless?? Has anyone else tried this and did it work?? I'm just desperate for some advice. I pray alot and I've even tried reading my Bible, but it seems that nothing is working.

Thanks in Advance,
Amy

Hi Amy! No, I don't think it is an absurd idea, as when we are on a slippery slope, it is much easier to slide down, than to turn and crawl back up. You wouldn't suggest that a former drug user remain friends, and in the company, of those still using, correct? So it goes with believers. HOWEVER...I strongly advise against just packing up and moving arbitrarily...you need to go to G-d in prayer, and ask for direction of HIS will. His will may require you to remain in the midst of unbelievers, in order to further His truth. Perhaps someone close to you is searching (unbeknownst to those in their midst), and you will be the flame that ignites that fire. While it is surely a difficult place to be where you currently are, go to Him, and ask Him for direction, before you make any decisions about moving.

HTH!

I agree, with PY here, Amy. You need to be in an environment that can you can grow in your faith. You are the example to your son. I certainly will be praying that the LORD move you to a place that you both can grow in HIM. Until then, trust in the LORD and read the WORD in front of your son. Pray with him, and teach him about JESUS.

agc83,

Psalm 10:17
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Psalm 21:2
Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.

Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Leviticus 11:44
For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy:
neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth


PRAY OVER IT.................. God may want you to do just that..........


God Bless...........

Hey Amy,

You are not alone. I have the same problem like you. Thought i have christian friends they dont seem to helping me. Through iam adjusting myself from the environment. Iam having tough battle both spiritual and earth battle.



BTW:- To all i know. See you. I wont be back in few months.

Hi!! Amy!!

Are you going to Church somewhere? You need a good support group of friends.

May God Blss You in your wlk with him.

Hi, I will pray for you. God will show you the way.
I have had to remove myself from negative people and influences.

They now see how I live and perhaps actions speak louder than words
and some are coming around. Especially in these days they wonder what
is going on and now I don't look like such a nut to them for believing in
only one Superpower our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I am now stronger in my faith and can go places where I never thought I could
and let God's light shine. At one time I was weaker to do this and I did not
want to follow them, so I had to remove myself. All in God's timing.

I will keep you in my prayers.
God bless you for wanting to be close to God and showing God to your son.
You are blessed!

love,
rosie

WhiteKnight, I will miss you.
I pray all the best things for you and that you stay safe.

love,
your sister in Christ and singing buddy,
rosie

Amy, my sister in the Lord Jesus Christ:
We all need a strong foundation (Matthew 7:24-25) so that in difficulties and trials we will not waver and fall as a foundation built on sand. All true strength comes from God and true strength comes from the Holy Spirit. God will give us a strong foundation through the Blood, Water and Holy Spirit baptisms, the three witnesses Who are One in Christ. I know you have done this but daily we must ask in prayer and confess our sins humbly before God through the Lord Jesus Christ so we may be filled with the Holy Spirit at all times. After you confess (and do this with your son present with you), ask God in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Holy Spirit and then begin to speak in tongues by moving your tongue saying "da da da da da dee dee dee... "(sounding like a baby learning to talk). This is praying in Spirit which no one but God and the Holy Spirit understand because it is prayer to God. "We must pray in the spirit and in the understanding also" (I Corinthians 14:15). When God, the Father sees your humble heart, He will give you power to overcome the world and the devil who is responsible for your weakness. We also must be fully immersed in water during water baptism.
We must work with the unbelievers but we don't act, dress or talk like them. Put on Christ every day. I pray God add you faith and wisdom through Jesus Christ.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I did it. When there's a will there's a way (God's will)

My son is headed to Seminary. He's a Godly man.

Satan said you can't but he's a liar.

When you stand and stay many will see the witness in time.

There's a time for every purpose under heaven.

You must worship God in Spirit and in Truth! The flesh profiits nothing. Every one of the people around you have a spirit and every one of those spirits contacts your spirit. Do not question your placement in the body.

I pray alot and I've even tried reading my Bible, but it seems that nothing is working.

Believe me, that works. Keep you face turned toward Jerusalem!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Temptation and evil are everywhere. I really don't think you should get yourself into the habit of physically moving to avoid evil. You will find it wherever you move. But I guess it really depends on the situation and how bad it is. Yes, you should try to surround yourself with those who truly love the Lord.

Oh, about your son, nobody around you is going to teach your son but you on how he should be in the world. Raise your son in the way he should go.

God ALWAYS induces you to grow where you are planted. Part of the process is so neglected by the body...

Jam 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. Jam 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jam 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jam 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

You are seed to God and He has you planted where He sowed you by circumstances and/or birth.

Opinions are like armpits.




"For Pete's sake," keep your face turned towards Jesus.

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Here is what works. Start talking to the Lord in private. Ask Him for His Holy Spirit to come into you and replace your spirit, keep asking and talking to the Lord as often as you can. While you are waiting for your request to the Lord to be granted get into reading your bible and learning the words of Christ. Start speaking these words to those around you, reguardles of who they are. Those who hate God will leave you and leave you alone and you won't have to move anywhere. The truth will set you free.



Charlie

It makes perfect sense to me. If ever it is possible. If it is not, just don't discuss with them Bible things.
I know it's hard, I've told myself this a thousand times, but I still do it again with my husband (an unbeliever).

If these are your friends, just move gently away from them, not shying of telling them why you wish to distance yourself from them; tell them you are a born again christian, tell them about your beliefs, tell them that you still love them, that this has nothing to do with your love for them; that you need to take some distance. Chose born again friends; the church is a good start, or any one who is questioning the world we live in.

I know I lost some friends after I was blunt enough to tell them I was born again and that I was a believer of Jesus. If they don't like your new nature, they can only blame themselves if they are the ones that leave you. Some still talk to me, some not. Anyway, they ALL know about my new nature.

I don't understand why anyone would tell you to stop hanging out with your non-Christian friends. Afterall, our Savior hung out with sinners. He had lunch with sinners. He visited sinners' houses... so I really don't understand why anyone would advise you to move away.

We are commanded to go out into the world and spread God's word. What message will you send to your non-Christian friends if you just up and move out of their lives... simply because they're not Christians?

I'm sure that the sinners who turned to Christ for their salvation were extremely thankful that Christ was willing to hang out with them.

I say grow where you are planted. Be salt and light. Read your bible and don't be too hard on yourself. God knows you are flesh and He loves you all the more. He will provide the manna you need.

well why should you let other people control, you live in a place full of negativity so what, are you gonna let that get you from doing what you love? you have control over your life if anybody say its weird just dont mind them they are not living your life, you are living your life

if you feel like moving then move, its not pointless well if you feel safer from moving away from then move just remember no matter where you go there will always be something that would stop you from doing waht you want and its up to you whether it would let it affect you or not

Hi Amy:



I must prepare this reply without knowledge of the details of your current situation. If you live in a city with hundreds of churches, then there is no reason to relocate into another city where the environment will be much the same. However, if you live in a one church town carrying around a bad reputation, then perhaps starting over someplace else is the only avenue. The typical person in your situation located in a moderately sized metropolitan area need only change their church and find new friends to start the ball rolling in the right direction. You might find that feeding the good relationships and allowing the bad ones to die from separating yourself is the best line of action. We should treat our negative thoughts and our negative acquaintances like strangers, while encouraging the good thoughts and good friends to enter in and sup with us regularly. The Holy Spirit can sanctify (separate) us from the world, but we must help in the process by walking down the right paths in the right direction. We do this everyday by picking up the Bible for spiritual nourishment of our ‘inner man’ (Romans 7:22, 2Cor. 4:16, Eph. 3:16) rather than picking up fleshy magazines of this world. Your children will establish their own series of behavior patterns by watching how you make these kinds of decisions in their presence. They will be moved 100 times more by ‘what’ you do and ‘how’ you do those things, than by what you ‘tell’ them while doing quite the opposite.



That really depends, Amy. There are three kinds of people walking around: Those who make things happen, those who let things happen and those who say “What happened?!”. If you are the third kind of person who will allow their environment to dictate and orchestrate a particular outcome, then moving a thousand times will help nothing. The best laid plans are useless apart from the conviction to follow those plans precisely towards a predetermined conclusion. Starting things in the right direction can be as easy as accepting an offer from a ‘true’ friend to attend a church service among people you have never seen before in your life. God might have already placed the right variables in your life, but you still need to make the right ‘choices’ and follow the Spirit and not the flesh (Gal. 5:16-18). Everyone here has experienced repetitive sin cycles of our youth, which Paul identifies as his “thorn of the flesh.” 2Cor. 12:7. However, our decisions to feed the spirit side and ignore the fleshy side is what separates the ‘mature’ (1Cor. 2:6) from the fleshy (1Cor. 3:1-3) carnal side within all of us. My advice is for you to read at least two chapters from the Apostle Paul every day and allow your children to see you with your nose between the pages of His Living Word. Share your ponderings upon God’s Word with your children, so they build the kinds of positive mental images conducive to positive growth in the Spiritual things of God. This will assist the spiritual nature in them to choose the right kinds of friends who share the interests learned from you, as your entire family learns the valuable lessons of walking by faith in His Word and not by sight (2Cor. 5:7).



When you say “nothing is working,” that is a sign of a ‘pattern’ of events that ‘you’ consider to be detrimental to the overall goal of straightening out your ‘spiritual life.’ Your statement above was, “I am completely surrounded by bad influences and non-believers.” Those are the things within your perceived environment that you ‘can’ see, which you are connecting to the problem at hand. Walking by faith and not by sight is having the willingness to jump out onto nothing, so God can present to you that ‘something’ placed there especially for you. My best guess is that God has already made the provision in your life that solves all of these seeming contradictions, but you have yet to make the right choices. We break the current cycle leading to failure by making the decision for something else; by accepting that invitation to join the local home bible study or the something that breaks the current pattern of doom. Without knowing you personally and in your own environment, specific advice is very difficult to give; but in the end the change must come from within ourselves and our decisions about making the right choices for ourselves and our posterity. GL reaching your goal.

In Christ Jesus,

Terral