Can this make you a failure as a Christian?
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That's awesome man, what I was going to touch on.. Patience.
OP, did the study bible advise you on patience?
I was with a long time old friend last night after a long time of not seeing each other. We sat there for two hours discussing faith and God. I was encouraged and at the same time I feel so impatient for him to find Jesus. I can only be there with him, he a witness. I don't believe in being there with an alternative motive, of course I want him to see Jesus, but I'm there because I love him and I take all the opportunities I get to show him Jesus.
On my way home, I prayed that God would draw him to Himself, open his eyes and give him a desire on his heart to want what I have.
Until then, I will try to keep praying for him and just being his best mate.
Amen bro....and it is an honorable request that fits the will of God desiring all men be saved and come to the truth.....
I believe the statement is correct, if we are not witnessing or bringing people into the kingdom (my paraphrase) we are failures as Christians because we do have a light and a coin, the light is to shine upon a hill and the coin to be invested. Y-shua said to the servant that buried his money and did not even bring back interest, go away I have nothing to do with you. There are only two reasons for Salvation, first, get to heaven yourself, second, take people with you. Y-shua gave so many parables on this the question really should not even have to be asked.
P
pottersclay
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It was the words that were spoken, the love that was expressed, the grace that was shown, the signs that were given, the joy that was seen that made the ministry of Christ so powerful.
So should it be in us. Sharing Christ is far more than scripture quoting and testamony. It's being that Godly man or women, wife or hubby, mom or dad, Samaritan or friend God has called us to be.
Sometimes we are the only Bible others may read. We are to be ready in season and out. To give a answer for the joy within us. There are times the Holy Spirit leads us but not always. In the absence of Jesus we have become the light of the world even though that light is still Christ. So let that light shine on saints. Everyday in every way.
So should it be in us. Sharing Christ is far more than scripture quoting and testamony. It's being that Godly man or women, wife or hubby, mom or dad, Samaritan or friend God has called us to be.
Sometimes we are the only Bible others may read. We are to be ready in season and out. To give a answer for the joy within us. There are times the Holy Spirit leads us but not always. In the absence of Jesus we have become the light of the world even though that light is still Christ. So let that light shine on saints. Everyday in every way.
I admit to having a number of study Bibles, enjoying all of them at various times. At the same time, I have to say that my newest and most prized Bible is the smallest readable one I could find, which has almost no notes. That one is my go-to Bible, while others have their place.
Study Bibles are often great, but I recognize that the added notes simply are not G-D's words -- merely human thought. I think this is the way we have to take them.
As far as the idea of being a failure if I don't specifically see others brought into fellowship with G-D, I agree with those who say that we witness for Him in our words and deeds, and He does the work.
For 40 or so years, I have been an advocate for both the unborn and their parents and for other children. I do what I can, using both words and actions, to bring about their safety. I will not likely see a lot of results for the Kingdom resulting from what I do, but it is enough to know that I am doing it.
Please do as you can -- as you are called presently -- and let G-D be concerned with the rest. He can do that better than we can anyway.
Study Bibles are often great, but I recognize that the added notes simply are not G-D's words -- merely human thought. I think this is the way we have to take them.
As far as the idea of being a failure if I don't specifically see others brought into fellowship with G-D, I agree with those who say that we witness for Him in our words and deeds, and He does the work.
For 40 or so years, I have been an advocate for both the unborn and their parents and for other children. I do what I can, using both words and actions, to bring about their safety. I will not likely see a lot of results for the Kingdom resulting from what I do, but it is enough to know that I am doing it.
Please do as you can -- as you are called presently -- and let G-D be concerned with the rest. He can do that better than we can anyway.
hi Jasslinn, we all come short of the glory of God. Accepting this and admitting to God in prayer, and leaving the care with Him. Then if you want to be perfect, Jesus did tell us to follow Him: 40 days in the wilderness in prayer and fasting to return in the power of the Spirit. The realistic version is the wilderness is where you are and the fast that pleases the Lord, in Isaiah 58 doesn't mention not eating, but to share your food with the hungry, and overcoming being controlled by desires and not speaking our own words, getting past our understanding: Walking in the Spirit, returning to our first Love, when our heart finds delight in God in an inner journey, there will be an outward witness as well, But don't look for the outward rather enter His rest. From a place of rest in God we learn to Love as He Loves and we are all slow learners.
if u cant evangelize in ur current situation dont beat urself up for it. there is a time and a season for everything.
the church at large is definately slacking when it comes to soul-winning. im not fussin at people im including myself. many churches dont even got soul-winning programs these days. its because the devil has convinced them to let the world in the church to attract the lost. instead of going out and soul-winning and then they come to church to be discipled. folks got that backwards.
if ur church doesnt have a soul-winning program i suggest u get likeminded christians and approach the pastor with respect and say u wanna start one.
if he dont wanna start a soul-winning program thats a big red flag right there.
sometimes ur in a bible believing church and the pastor retires and a new one comes in. they say we arent changing but we're changing. first thing to change is usually the music, it gets more on the contemporary side, then they change the bibles, then they change the preaching they dont preach hard anymore. look out for that.
the church at large is definately slacking when it comes to soul-winning. im not fussin at people im including myself. many churches dont even got soul-winning programs these days. its because the devil has convinced them to let the world in the church to attract the lost. instead of going out and soul-winning and then they come to church to be discipled. folks got that backwards.
if ur church doesnt have a soul-winning program i suggest u get likeminded christians and approach the pastor with respect and say u wanna start one.
if he dont wanna start a soul-winning program thats a big red flag right there.
sometimes ur in a bible believing church and the pastor retires and a new one comes in. they say we arent changing but we're changing. first thing to change is usually the music, it gets more on the contemporary side, then they change the bibles, then they change the preaching they dont preach hard anymore. look out for that.
Good morning Jasslinn, After reading again what I shared with you here, realised that I said the part about fasting better than I did in my study, and after copying it there, thought it may be helpful to post the whole paragraph here, as it deals with the question.
There is a motion of sin in us:
"A double minded man is unstable in all His ways."
"This kind does not come out but by prayer and fasting." The disciples did not have power over the divided spirit in a child, as they did not have victory in their own lives. Jesus told us to follow Him; neither could His disciples follow Him in His passion, until empowered by the Spirit as Jesus was when He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness to overcome the evil one. Jesus dealt with our sin nature, and calls us to follow Him "Daily pick up your cross and follow Me." The fast to put away our divided spirit in Isaiah 58, doesn't mention not eating, but to share your food with the hungry, and overcoming being controlled by desires and not speaking our own words; getting past our understanding to Walk in the Spirit: to return to our first Love, when our heart finds delight in God in an inner journey, we will be an outward witness of His Love as well but don't look to be the outward witness rather enter His rest. From a place of rest in God we learn to Love as He Loves, we are all slow learners. To stand alone, cough up to God where nothing else is real in sight of reality in God. The truth sets us free from our illusion of fulfilment in deceitful desires of the flesh, to find reality in God. Mystical theology is a longing for God, to get past distractions of this life that left us in want: we will not be satisfied until we find our rest in God. "Now is the accepted time of renewal." Facing that we are not for real apart from God, our search for truth is elusive and ongoing. No limits can be set on the Journey by a sense of satisfaction of being at home with God. Life in this world is a dream that wakes us up when we lose our life after the Flesh: when we suffer disappointment. Jesus made it possible for us to lose our life of deceitful desires, by the influence of His Spirit. Trouble wakes us up, we find ourselves alone in deep darkness, unprepared to suffer the journey alone with Him and tempted to go back to sleep in the old dream. If we don't know how to interpret we won't enjoy the wonder. What we learn in the waiting between dreams, is more important than what we are waiting for; having left slavery in addiction, to journey through the chaos of wilderness and change by influence of God. To forget what is behind, that we may be purified for spiritual awakening. With renewed strength to get past desires of the flesh that we may enter into His rest. Waiting on the Lord we learn of Him and find sustenance at His table, waking up to see where we stop short of being led by His Spirit in the mystery of God.
There is a motion of sin in us:
"A double minded man is unstable in all His ways."
"This kind does not come out but by prayer and fasting." The disciples did not have power over the divided spirit in a child, as they did not have victory in their own lives. Jesus told us to follow Him; neither could His disciples follow Him in His passion, until empowered by the Spirit as Jesus was when He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness to overcome the evil one. Jesus dealt with our sin nature, and calls us to follow Him "Daily pick up your cross and follow Me." The fast to put away our divided spirit in Isaiah 58, doesn't mention not eating, but to share your food with the hungry, and overcoming being controlled by desires and not speaking our own words; getting past our understanding to Walk in the Spirit: to return to our first Love, when our heart finds delight in God in an inner journey, we will be an outward witness of His Love as well but don't look to be the outward witness rather enter His rest. From a place of rest in God we learn to Love as He Loves, we are all slow learners. To stand alone, cough up to God where nothing else is real in sight of reality in God. The truth sets us free from our illusion of fulfilment in deceitful desires of the flesh, to find reality in God. Mystical theology is a longing for God, to get past distractions of this life that left us in want: we will not be satisfied until we find our rest in God. "Now is the accepted time of renewal." Facing that we are not for real apart from God, our search for truth is elusive and ongoing. No limits can be set on the Journey by a sense of satisfaction of being at home with God. Life in this world is a dream that wakes us up when we lose our life after the Flesh: when we suffer disappointment. Jesus made it possible for us to lose our life of deceitful desires, by the influence of His Spirit. Trouble wakes us up, we find ourselves alone in deep darkness, unprepared to suffer the journey alone with Him and tempted to go back to sleep in the old dream. If we don't know how to interpret we won't enjoy the wonder. What we learn in the waiting between dreams, is more important than what we are waiting for; having left slavery in addiction, to journey through the chaos of wilderness and change by influence of God. To forget what is behind, that we may be purified for spiritual awakening. With renewed strength to get past desires of the flesh that we may enter into His rest. Waiting on the Lord we learn of Him and find sustenance at His table, waking up to see where we stop short of being led by His Spirit in the mystery of God.
the only way you can fail is not have faith. are you a shamed of HIM? are you willing to stand up for your faith?
do you have a relationship with HIM?
if you answered no, yes and Yes . you are on the right Road .
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
This seems to say let them come to you and ask. Those who want to hear ask.
This seems to say let them come to you and ask. Those who want to hear ask.
To clear up the disconnect that appears between our calling to conform to Christ and the fulfilment.
Almost 2 years ago when the church was praying and fasting for direction, I managed to quit smoking pot for 3 ½ days, that was the extent of the fast. The direction the Lord gave me: Do the work of an evangelist, this surprised me. The rest did not surprise me: Fear not I AM with you, and: Pray for the anointing. 2 month's after this I went into a recovery center to quit addiction, that was 21 months ago. Recently heard: Prepare your heart for an inner journey. Until this is accomplished, carried by the Spirit. The prayer for the anointing is not fulfilled, the Holy Spirit bearing witness with us, otherwise we labor in vain. This journey could be 40 days or 40 years, and just happens to be that the first time the Lord spoke to me was 40 years ago. Thankfully it's not about our accomplishments, Christ formed in us, is by His Spirit.
Almost 2 years ago when the church was praying and fasting for direction, I managed to quit smoking pot for 3 ½ days, that was the extent of the fast. The direction the Lord gave me: Do the work of an evangelist, this surprised me. The rest did not surprise me: Fear not I AM with you, and: Pray for the anointing. 2 month's after this I went into a recovery center to quit addiction, that was 21 months ago. Recently heard: Prepare your heart for an inner journey. Until this is accomplished, carried by the Spirit. The prayer for the anointing is not fulfilled, the Holy Spirit bearing witness with us, otherwise we labor in vain. This journey could be 40 days or 40 years, and just happens to be that the first time the Lord spoke to me was 40 years ago. Thankfully it's not about our accomplishments, Christ formed in us, is by His Spirit.
Hi Jazzlyn, Lots of great truths and insights in response to your question. Always use scripture to backup any claims or teachings as accurate. Right now your witness is to your family and those you serve at church. We all have seasons. I like the quote, "Bloom where you are planted." For a time such as this you are shining for Him in ways you may not know to whomever you encounter. We are told to be ready to give an account to whoever asks, so pray for that. I know I have missed opportunities because I had not prayed ahead of time and when the moment came I was caught off guard. Nothing we have done can make God love us less and I cannot do anything to make Him love me more. Amen!
The best way to witness is to follow what you believe. Your testimony is best demonstrated by the life you lead. When I was an unbeliever, I found pushy Christians to be a huge turn off. Telling me about something I didn't believe in or care about was very annoying. What eventually got my attention was the decent/clean life style and meek character of an honest Christian, who never said a word to me about their faith. I was moved by what I saw, not what I heard, so I asked them what church they went to, and the rest is history.
God uses us in a way where He sees it fit. By that I mean that, your talents, gifts, etc, etc, He will direct you to the path where you will save someone, of how He made you, where your talents are good at. He made us all different with different talents and gifts, He will choose your battles, and battlefields, where your talents will come in to play. We are all created with a purpose to serve, but, you have to remember, perhaps your calling is not yours, it could be for another warrior of God. Pray and wait, He will guide you when the time is right.
John the baptist spent a considerable amount of his life in the wilderness...seeking God instead of men... until his time came, THEN he went and interacted with people.
now we live in a modern time, we can go to Muslim discussion site online and witness online.
https://www.islamicity.org/forum
for those who interested to witness to Muslim, this link may help
we can start with question : is Muslim believe that Jesus is God?
from there we can carefully explain why we believe Jesus is God. I hope Holy Spirit help you to talk to them,
for those who interested to witness to Muslim, this link may help
we can start with question : is Muslim believe that Jesus is God?
from there we can carefully explain why we believe Jesus is God. I hope Holy Spirit help you to talk to them,