Spirit is willing, but flesh is weak?

[linusmom]

I have been feeling led to revert to Catholicism, and at the same time I wonder if I really feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit or if it is for some other reason. I was sitting in church yesterday, looking around at my brothers and sisters and was struck by how much they love the Lord and are striving to serve him, and I began to wonder if it really is God who wants me to leave this. If the church I am has people reading the Scriptures and serving one another, is it really the place where I am not supposed to be? Would God want me to leave a place where I am already very much needed and serving Him to go someplace else? Does He really need me to do that? Please pray for me for discernment.

Incidentally, as I write this, I have been interrupted by a phone call and have had to bring my laptop to the stairway to hide from JW’s at the door. Also, I was going to write essentially this same post on Saturday, but was unable to do so due to interruptions. Would that be the enemy trying to prevent me from finding the Truth? Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

Steph

 

[Hiskid1973]

Lord I lift up sister Steph to You…Lord You know where she will be best used to serve You best…Direct her path and let her be sensitive to Your Spirit…Give her the peace that passes understanding…Bless her and draw here closer to You as we get closer to Your return…Thank you for her testimony and witness to those around her…I ask all in the name of Christ…Amen

I worked with a lady on another forum who did the same thing and came back…She ask me for guidance and encouragement and even called all the way from down under to thank me… She just had things going on that she couldn’t reconcile with…As with a Catholic forum you will receive all pro comments…But if you pm me I can connect her to you to share what she encountered in her journey…Peace to you, beloved of our Lord…Trusting He will direct your path…I’ve seen many in the past make changes in their church family and really bloom and mature in Christ…

I’ve feeling lines being drawn over the years…Churches living or dying…The spirit moving in one and leaving the other…Churches even denying the virgin birth and the authenticity of scripture.

 

[surritter]

On any Sunday, you can walk into a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Assembly of God, etc. church and there will be many people that seriously love the Lord! That’s OK, but realize that not everything that those churches teach can be true since some will contradict others.

It sounds like you may be having second thoughts about taking the step back to Catholicism because of emotional ties. That’s not wrong, but step back and look at the objective logic of what any church teaches. Assess which claims are the TRUTH, and assess the reliability of the vehicle that has transmitted those truths down through the centuries.

And of course pray about it. Don’t drive yourself bonkers looking for signs from heaven, but pray for guidance to discern what is true. God cannot refuse an honest heart.

 

[NPC]

On any Sunday, you can walk into a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Assembly of God, etc. church and there will be many people that seriously love the Lord! That’s OK, but realize that not everything that those churches teach can be true since some will contradict others.

It sounds like you may be having second thoughts about taking the step back to Catholicism because of emotional ties. That’s not wrong, but step back and look at the objective logic of what any church teaches. Assess which claims are the TRUTH, and assess the reliability of the vehicle that has transmitted those truths down through the centuries.

And of course pray about it. Don’t drive yourself bonkers looking for signs from heaven, but pray for guidance to discern what is true. God cannot refuse an honest heart.

I was going to say essentially the same thing. Look at it this way, a circle cannot be a square, no matter how firmly one believes that it can - being sincere about a belief or a set of beliefs cannot make them true. One cannot change what is objectively false. So I would urge you not to let the sincerity of your fellow church-members decide the issue for you - though, obviously their willingness to serve the Lord is laudable.

Maybe you should examine what precisely it is that’s leading you towards the Catholic Church - we’re told that the number one reason why people return to the Church is the Holy Eucharist, for example. If you can pin-point aspects such as these, then perhaps you should endeavour to study the Church’s ancient teachings and find out precisely why it teaches what it does. John Henry Cardinal Newman did not believe that a Protestant could steep themselves in history and remain a Protestant!

Pray - and especially to the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Truth. We will pray for you.

 

[FightingFat]

I have been feeling led to revert to Catholicism, and at the same time I wonder if I really feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit or if it is for some other reason. I was sitting in church yesterday, looking around at my brothers and sisters and was struck by how much they love the Lord and are striving to serve him, and I began to wonder if it really is God who wants me to leave this. If the church I am has people reading the Scriptures and serving one another, is it really the place where I am not supposed to be? Would God want me to leave a place where I am already very much needed and serving Him to go someplace else? Does He really need me to do that? Please pray for me for discernment.

Will pray! I often think that it’s more about the fullness of faith and although all the stuff in your Church is awesome and great, and those lovely people are sincere and loving our God, perhaps you are yearning for a fulfilment one can only find in the Catholic Church?

Incidentally, as I write this, I have been interrupted by a phone call and have had to bring my laptop to the stairway to hide from JW’s at the door. Also, I was going to write essentially this same post on Saturday, but was unable to do so due to interruptions. Would that be the enemy trying to prevent me from finding the Truth?

Crikey! It sure does sound like it Steph! Will be praying for you!!

 

[linusmom]

Thank you all for your responses and prayers. I think part of my problem is the fact that I have failed in this endeavor before and I am afraid of failing again. I also am emotionally attached to my current church. As far as signs from Heaven go, I feel as though I have perhaps ignored a few, but I don’t like trying to discern real signs from random events.

 

[Monica4316]

I have been feeling led to revert to Catholicism, and at the same time I wonder if I really feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit or if it is for some other reason. I was sitting in church yesterday, looking around at my brothers and sisters and was struck by how much they love the Lord and are striving to serve him, and I began to wonder if it really is God who wants me to leave this. If the church I am has people reading the Scriptures and serving one another, is it really the place where I am not supposed to be? Would God want me to leave a place where I am already very much needed and serving Him to go someplace else? Does He really need me to do that? Please pray for me for discernment.

Incidentally, as I write this, I have been interrupted by a phone call and have had to bring my laptop to the stairway to hide from JW’s at the door. Also, I was going to write essentially this same post on Saturday, but was unable to do so due to interruptions. Would that be the enemy trying to prevent me from finding the Truth? Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

Steph

HI Steph, I’m a convert from Protestantism and it was very difficult for me to leave my old church. I saw much good in it too. I eventually realized that becoming Catholic doesn’t involve saying that my old church was horrible… but recognizing the good in it, and then moving to something EVEN better. Ie: the Sacraments. Everything good in your church is from God… but there are things missing, like the Real Presence, some teachings… I didn’t believe it at the time, but when I became Catholic, I realized why God was leading me to the Church so strongly. As a Protestant I always wanted to be closer to Jesus, and when I joined the Catholic Church, I got to experience that in the Eucharist. Trust me the devil would try ANY way to get you away from this. Try to trust God and pray. Go to a Catholic church and pray before the Tabernacle, as God to help you and show you the truth whatever it is. He is faithful. When I was converting, I struggled with soo many doubts, but when I was received into the Church they all faded and I saw where they were really coming from… not from God.

God bless you

 

[Monica4316]

Thank you all for your responses and prayers. I think part of my problem is the fact that I have failed in this endeavor before and I am afraid of failing again. I also am emotionally attached to my current church. As far as signs from Heaven go, I feel as though I have perhaps ignored a few, but I don’t like trying to discern real signs from random events.

Try to surrender all your attachments to God many times what happens is when we hold on to our attachments, we exchange the best for the good. Give it all over to God, because He knows all things.

 

[tampagrl]

I was going to say essentially the same thing. Look at it this way, a circle cannot be a square, no matter how firmly one believes that it can - being sincere about a belief or a set of beliefs cannot make them true. One cannot change what is objectively false. So I would urge you not to let the sincerity of your fellow church-members decide the issue for you - though, obviously their willingness to serve the Lord is laudable.

Maybe you should examine what precisely it is that’s leading you towards the Catholic Church - we’re told that the number one reason why people return to the Church is the Holy Eucharist, for example. If you can pin-point aspects such as these, then perhaps you should endeavour to study the Church’s ancient teachings and find out precisely why it teaches what it does. John Henry Cardinal Newman did not believe that a Protestant could steep themselves in history and remain a Protestant!

Pray - and especially to the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Truth. We will pray for you.

So well said. I could only add that God gave the Church the Sacraments b/c He wanted you to have them. Only one Church can claim to have them and that is the Catholic Church. I’m very familiar with emotional attachments to a Protestant Church so I understand exactly how you feel, but I strongly encourage you to go to a Mass (refraining from Communion at this point), and just let God talk to you. I can remember one of the most humbling things was being on my knees while listening to what the Priest was saying. Even now, I’ll tear up at the “This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world” part…especially b/c our Pastor says it really slowly and deliberatly. Gives me chills. I’ll certainly pray for you.

 

[SC_Peach]

Thank you all for your responses and prayers. I think part of my problem is the fact that I have failed in this endeavor before and I am afraid of failing again. I also am emotionally attached to my current church. As far as signs from Heaven go, I feel as though I have perhaps ignored a few, but I don’t like trying to discern real signs from random events.

I’ve read through all the responses and felt compelled to reply to this one. I’m completely letting the Lord guide my words.

What led me to the Church, was God’s calling. The only church that I’ve been a part of my adult life has been my mother-in-law’s church, only several times a year. I love her church and the people in it, to include family (in-laws). I can understand your emotional ties.

When I least expected it, God spoke two words only to me. Catholic Church. Because He knows me better than I know myself, He knew I would research the Church when I had the chance (I’m a big history buff, and I like to research before I get involved in things). That’s precisely what I did. Everyone is different. My research led me to truth, which was in turn confirmed once I began attending services.

My confirmation was Nov.22 and I haven’t been happier!! I have such peace and my soul is filled.

I felt exactly as you do…why would God lead me here? I have no idea why I would be called to the Catholic Church! I’m still learning and still praying, but I know He has a purpose for me here.

God may be giving you signs. Pray. Ask him for guidance. He will reply. I will keep you in my prayers.

Love in Christ
Kathy