trying to stay positive.

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romans1212

Guest
#1
#1
Hey everyone. I'm just feeling a bit discouraged. A few weeks ago I got one of my friends to agree to go to church with me. He believes in God, but he doesn't really have a relationship with Him. He told me he would go with me when he was done with school (June 10th). So, i've prayed and other people have prayed. Today I thought, Oh why not? And I just decided that I would ask him if he wanted to go this week...even though he isn't done with school yet. Well, he denied. He said he doesn't think he can because he has work and grad parties all weekend. Well, I kind of see this as an excuse. He has a past of 1)telling me what I want to hear and 2)making excuses for things. I'm trying to stay positive about it because if I'm not going to believe in him, who will? (besides God of course). But it's hard, I am unfortunately having my doubts about him actually coming. How can I keep from being discouraged? I want to stay positive and know that there are still plenty of chances. Also, if you guys could pray for him I would appreciate it!
 
S

sportygirl

Guest
#2
#2
Well keep praying only God can soften his heart and God is the one that can bring him in, getting him to church is a huge part though of course. I would say keep your mind on the prize maybe he wont come in your timing. Another suggestion is sometimes churches are an uncomfortable scenario for people and can be awkward when you only know one person and you arent sure where you stand with God. I have experienced this myself and know that it is just an excuse but it can be a hard one to get over. I would say invite him out wiht a group of your Christian friends from church so that he can get to know them in that sense. Or invite him to a youth group something at your church thats more comfortable than a service. And once again keep praying, thats really what you can do the most. :)
 
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romans1212

Guest
#3
#3
Good point. I suppose I need to put myself more in his shoes. I would probably feel really akward walking into a church I've never been before, especially if I didn't really know what to expect! I guess I never really thought about that. But, like you said, I will keep praying!!!! thanks for the advice!
 
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sportygirl

Guest
#4
#4
No problem glad I could help somwhat! I know its a tough situation, alot of my friends are at that point right now, and its tough not to give up, but its all i goods timing. :)
 
J

jimmydiggs

Guest
#5
#5
No one where I live knows I have been walking with Christ. Those that already have been, don't know either. I am discouraged to say anything, and I know I wouldn't fit in with those that already do, and have. So when you invite him, make sure you and the other Christians are welcoming, but don't be too welcoming, as this sometimes can make a shy person want out of the situation. It's all about acting appropriate to the situation.

Also, for someone who has not attended a church in quite some time, especially for the purpose of fellowship, it is very difficult to step inside a church for that purpose. I don't know why, but that has been my experience, and of a few I know. Often, churches are like clans, no one in, no one out. Make sure to be welcoming.
 
E

elite-sky

Guest
#6
#6
jimmydiggs said:
No one where I live knows I have been walking with Christ. Those that already have been, don't know either. I am discouraged to say anything, and I know I wouldn't fit in with those that already do, and have. So when you invite him, make sure you and the other Christians are welcoming, but don't be too welcoming, as this sometimes can make a shy person want out of the situation. It's all about acting appropriate to the situation.

Also, for someone who has not attended a church in quite some time, especially for the purpose of fellowship, it is very difficult to step inside a church for that purpose. I don't know why, but that has been my experience, and of a few I know. Often, churches are like clans, no one in, no one out. Make sure to be welcoming.
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yeah your absolutely right. I am one of thoes people, i havent been to a church for quite sometime and i dont want to because i suffer from anxiety attacks and i know that if i went as soon as i walk in the door i would be bombarded with all these random people introducing themselves etc... its hard so i just stay out of it. but i think that for me the best way for someone to introduce a new person to christiananity is to be suttle about it, not too rush into things because that person will definatly feel uncomfortable :)
 
QuestionTime

QuestionTime

Senior Member
#7
Feb 16, 2010
1,435
20
38
#7
Hey Romans 1212,

I recently replied to a different thread you have created, in which you acknowledged that you live in continual defeat by sin.

If you don't have victory, I don't see how you are going to convert anyone. What do you have to offer that an unbeliever would want? Does an unbeliever want to live in defeat as well?

Unless you have true joy in your walk and continual victory over sin, you'll never truly convert anyone to God. You may succeed at bringing a few people to church and getting them partially converted, to live lives of defeat like you are living, but what good is that?

My suggestion Romans1212, is to first find victory in your own walk, before you try to convert others. I say this with 17 years experience under my belt. Christians don't live in sin, and if they do they aren't fully converted yet. But it's a process, so don't get discouraged.

Let's look quickly for some scripture to back up what I'm saying:

Ezek 36:
20And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

If we claim to be Christians but are living defeated lives, we profane God's holy name. Trust me, I've done more profaning of God's holy name in my 17 years than you want to hear about. But wait, keep reading, because God has a promise for us! He promises that He will "cause us to walk" according to His commandments:

21But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
22Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Does God cause you to walk in obedience Romans1212? No? Then you are still lacking power to do God's work. What then ought you to do in order to receive power?

Luke 24:
49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 Therefore, what we must do, is lock ourselves spiritually into the upper room in Jerusalem, and tarry until we are endued with power. Learn about God. Learn about His goodness and His ways. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added.

What? Wait? Seek first God's righteousness? What does that mean? Does this mean that our efforts at holiness are not God's righteousness? Is God's righteousness a free gift that is given when we stop trying to be righteous ourselves?

Phil 3:
 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

So yes and Amen! God's righteousness is a free gift given to those who tarry for it, and who renounce their own efforts at righteousness.

God bless,

Quest
 
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S

sportygirl

Guest
#8
#8
QuestionTime said:
Hey Romans 1212,

I recently replied to a different thread you have created, in which you acknowledged that you live in continual defeat by sin.

If you don't have victory, I don't see how you are going to convert anyone. What do you have to offer that an unbeliever would want? Does an unbeliever want to live in defeat as well?

Unless you have true joy in your walk and continual victory over sin, you'll never truly convert anyone to God. You may succeed at bringing a few people to church and getting them partially converted, to live lives of defeat like you are living, but what good is that?

My suggestion Romans1212, is to first find victory in your own walk, before you try to convert others. I say this with 17 years experience under my belt. Christians don't live in sin, and if they do they aren't fully converted yet. But it's a process, so don't get discouraged.

Let's look quickly for some scripture to back up what I'm saying:

Ezek 36:
20And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

If we claim to be Christians but are living defeated lives, we profane God's holy name. Trust me, I've done more profaning of God's holy name in my 17 years than you want to hear about. But wait, keep reading, because God has a promise for us! He promises that He will "cause us to walk" according to His commandments:

21But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
22Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Does God cause you to walk in obedience Romans1212? No? Then you are still lacking power to do God's work. What then ought you to do in order to receive power?

Luke 24:
49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Therefore, what we must do, is lock ourselves spiritually into the upper room in Jerusalem, and tarry until we are endued with power. Learn about God. Learn about His goodness and His ways. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added.

What? Wait? Seek first God's righteousness? What does that mean? Does this mean that our efforts at holiness are not God's righteousness? Is God's righteousness a free gift that is given when we stop trying to be righteous ourselves?

Phil 3:
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

So yes and Amen! God's righteousness is a free gift given to those who tarry for it, and who renounce their own efforts at righteousness.

God bless,

Quest
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Defeating sin is important for Christians and an important step especially if it is a sin you continually fall into. But because you sin doesnt mean you cant preach to others (ALL christians sin, and will continue to sin, its how you handle this sin and recognize your sin thats imporant). I think that even knowing you sin and struggle with a particular sin you can still bea light to the world. In fact in a lot ways acknowledging your sin and your faults and how God is working on these in your life and the process he has you through can be extremely compelling. This is what keeps me involved in my youth group, the leaders (including myself now) are all open about their faults and it makes it real and if your strugglign with a sin there is a comfort level knowing your leaders that you arent going to be judged and looked down upon for your struggles but instead you find friends and support that maybe going through the same thing you are.
 
QuestionTime

QuestionTime

Senior Member
#9
Feb 16, 2010
1,435
20
38
#9
sportygirl said:
Defeating sin is important for Christians and an important step especially if it is a sin you continually fall into. But because you sin doesnt mean you cant preach to others (ALL christians sin, and will continue to sin, its how you handle this sin and recognize your sin thats imporant). I think that even knowing you sin and struggle with a particular sin you can still bea light to the world. In fact in a lot ways acknowledging your sin and your faults and how God is working on these in your life and the process he has you through can be extremely compelling. This is what keeps me involved in my youth group, the leaders (including myself now) are all open about their faults and it makes it real and if your strugglign with a sin there is a comfort level knowing your leaders that you arent going to be judged and looked down upon for your struggles but instead you find friends and support that maybe going through the same thing you are.
Click to expand...

 1 John 3:
5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1 John 4:
17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 1:
 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1 John 2:
 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 3:
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1 John 3:
9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Rom 6:1
1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Matt 1:
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matt 5:
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

matt 19:21
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
 
C

Chrissy85

Member
#10
Nov 2, 2009
53
1
8
#10
I recently heard a story on the christian radio station here about a daughter who was praying for her mother to be saved, she was often discouraged and disheartened, and often felt like stopping, but something some how kept her going. It turned out that after 20 (or 25, i can't quite remember) YEARS of prayer, she came to know the Lord. The power of persistant prayer is much. Hope this somehow inspires you like it did me :)
 
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