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What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 5:08:03 PM
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walkbygrace
Posts: 16
Joined: 11/6/2009
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Can anyone advise me please? I am a deacon in a small non-denominational church. It has a very small congregation (25 people). It was just formed a few months ago and we (the Pastor, one elder and myself) have been trying to reach out to the lost to introduce them to Jesus is and what a life of faith would be like. There is one person though that bothers me sometimes. He is proud of the fact that he is a pagan. He laughs when he catches me talking to someone about the Scriptures. The Pastor has instructed me that I should continue to speak with him about the Scriptures as the opportunity presents itself and continue to pray for him. This I have done and continue to do. He has come to chapel about three times in the last couple of months and he accepted a Bible I gave to him. He has begun to read the Bible every now and again. He doesn't read it on a daily basis or even a weekly basis, but he does read it every now and again. Now, my understanding is that we can only deliver the message of Jesus and it is up to the Holy Spirit to work within him to reveal the truth of God. But he still annoys me when he refers to the Bible as "a collection of really good stories" and when he reminds me that he is a pagan. How should I be responding to this? Am I just being a little impatient? Is anyone able to advise me concerning this issue?
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 6:24:03 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1822
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quote:
ORIGINAL: walkbygrace
Can anyone advise me please? I am a deacon in a small non-denominational church. It has a very small congregation (25 people). It was just formed a few months ago and we (the Pastor, one elder and myself) have been trying to reach out to the lost to introduce them to Jesus is and what a life of faith would be like. There is one person though that bothers me sometimes. He is proud of the fact that he is a pagan. He laughs when he catches me talking to someone about the Scriptures. The Pastor has instructed me that I should continue to speak with him about the Scriptures as the opportunity presents itself and continue to pray for him. This I have done and continue to do. He has come to chapel about three times in the last couple of months and he accepted a Bible I gave to him. He has begun to read the Bible every now and again. He doesn't read it on a daily basis or even a weekly basis, but he does read it every now and again. Now, my understanding is that we can only deliver the message of Jesus and it is up to the Holy Spirit to work within him to reveal the truth of God. But he still annoys me when he refers to the Bible as "a collection of really good stories" and when he reminds me that he is a pagan. How should I be responding to this? Am I just being a little impatient? Is anyone able to advise me concerning this issue?
Perhaps this man has more to do with your sanctification than you'd like to believe. If he annoys you, your attitude is wrong. And I can identify with you. I can get 'annoyed' with people too. And then the Lord reminds me that He loves me. . . and I 'could' be annoying to Him but I am not because He is love. So my annoyance with others is sin.
Now that's annoying, isn't it?!?  To be shown by an unbeliever that I am sinful!
Anyway, bless you for your truthfulness. The Lord loves it when we are truthful! That is His desire for us. But you need to see your attitude as sin.
Yes, this man is an unbeliever. He needs your love and your prayer. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you if there is anything, any way you can connect with this man that you have not been ready or willing to see. Perhaps confessing your sin of 'being annoyed' is what the Lord would have you do. I don't know. But I do know the Lord put this man in your life for your good. He is showing you yourself.
Pray and listen to the Lord and then follow His lead. Bless you, LL
_____________________________
Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 7:45:07 PM
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herestoresmysoul
Posts: 1458
Joined: 3/13/2009
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I would be praising God that this man comes along sometimes to church, and has accepted a Bible, and is actually reading it. That is amazing.
Pray and leave the rest to God.It may take a long time but what he is reading and what he is hearing will have an affect.
God Bless
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 8:40:16 PM
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walkbygrace
Posts: 16
Joined: 11/6/2009
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ok, this is good Lifeloved. I didn't really want to hear this, but maybe it's what I needed to hear(or read?). And yes, how annoying is that? To be shown our own sin by an unbeliever. Now if that don't beat all. Kind of reminds me of the lesson of pointing one finger at someone while at the same time we have three fingers pointing directly back at ourselves. Ok, good point. I never professed to be perfect...just a work in progress. Thank you for your comments. Whew! This is hard work sometimes, ya know? And herestoresmysoul...thank you for your encourgement as well. Yes, this is amazing that he came even this far. I have to keep reminding myself of another lesson that a different non-believer pointed out to me years ago in not such a polite way..."You're not the Saviour!" Yeah, yeah...I know. Sometimes I still silently repeat this to myself. Thanks for the feedback.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 9:56:14 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1822
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quote:
ORIGINAL: walkbygrace
ok, this is good Lifeloved. I didn't really want to hear this, but maybe it's what I needed to hear(or read?). And yes, how annoying is that? To be shown our own sin by an unbeliever. Now if that don't beat all. Kind of reminds me of the lesson of pointing one finger at someone while at the same time we have three fingers pointing directly back at ourselves. Ok, good point. I never professed to be perfect...just a work in progress. Thank you for your comments. Whew! This is hard work sometimes, ya know? And herestoresmysoul...thank you for your encourgement as well. Yes, this is amazing that he came even this far. I have to keep reminding myself of another lesson that a different non-believer pointed out to me years ago in not such a polite way..."You're not the Saviour!" Yeah, yeah...I know. Sometimes I still silently repeat this to myself. Thanks for the feedback.
Glad you're listening, friend. No, we're not perfect but the Lord loves it when we're honest and humble. And it takes humility to be willing to see ourselves and confess our sin.
This might be a 'breaking point' in your being able to reach this man with the gospel. God works in amazing ways. Keep us updated! LL
_____________________________
Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/17/2009 10:57:58 PM
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Robin-again
Posts: 243
Joined: 8/2/2009
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wow...what a Blessing it was to come into here!!
Walkbygrace, I am now experiencing pretty much the same sort of thing that you're needing advice with.
There is sooooo much powerful Spiritual Food in this thread to help us grow toward our Father in Heaven. Awesome.
...and I also needed to hear the responces that was being given to you.
wow...what wonderful responses...a lot like dessert that is sooooo delicious.
I haven't gotten annoyed because I won't give Satan the privelege.
...and everytime I get a little flustered, I calm down because I feel Jesus with me.
I sorry I could not be of any help to help you.
< Message edited by Robin-again -- 11/18/2009 12:14:11 AM >
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If we don't feel close to Him we are the ones that walked away. He is still right beside us.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/18/2009 12:08:23 AM
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walkbygrace
Posts: 16
Joined: 11/6/2009
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Well people...I just got done a little while ago with my evening prayers and Bible reading/studying. I did take the advice I was given and asked the Lord to forgive me for my hard heart and asked if He would show me how to proceed. Well...we both like computers and he knows more about computers and such than I do. Maybe that might be a bridge in some way. And you did help me in a way Robin-again...simply by letting me know that I'm not the only one who has had this stumbling block. Also, it helps me to remember (when I get flustered) "Satan divides; God unites." Sometimes I take for granted what I have been blessed with being able to understand. I explain this or that and I leave them to think about it. But after explaining three or four times I think "why are you not getting this?" Patience, patience. I am sure the Lord perhaps has thought the same thing about me before now. Then we get into the whole thing about saving faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Ok...deep breath...let's try again.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/18/2009 12:25:10 AM
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agapist
Posts: 659
Joined: 6/13/2009
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How utterly beautiful! This thread is what I imagined Christain forums to be like: principled, honest, and caring. All of you that shared will never know how much you have uplifted my spirit. Thank you.
It has been a spiritual axiom of mine, as liveloved eloquently defined, that anytime I am annoyed, the problem is in me. This one understanding has been invaluable to my walk. It puts the onus back on myself, frees me of being a victim or judging.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/22/2009 6:21:51 PM
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walkbygrace
Posts: 16
Joined: 11/6/2009
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Hey Lifeloved! I hope you come by here and see this post. Remember that guy I was telling you about who irritated me? Well, I have been praying for him and for myself as well. I prayed to the Lord for guidance and asked for forgiveness for my arrogance. This guy and I got to talking and apparently he has been divorced 3 times and has some bitterness in him over these divorces. Just recently, he was able to see his son and his new grandchild. Then, we got to talking about computers and computer programs. He gave me a disk he had for e-sword. I'm sure you know what this is so I won't explain. This is really cool and I have been spending a lot of time playing withmy new e-sword program. Meanwhile, this guy has not even so much as mentioned anything about him being a pagan. I don't have to try and convince him to come to chapel...he comes on his own. And he went out and bought himself his own Bible that he likes. Can you believe this?! Score one more for the Kingdom! Of course, this was the Lord"s Hand in this. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and the Lord allowed me to help...that is all. And this is very cool too.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/22/2009 7:09:19 PM
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IwillseekHim
Posts: 1778
Joined: 5/17/2009
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Awesome testimony, awesome God! Thanks for sharing and please keep us posted.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/22/2009 7:33:58 PM
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jn1010lf
Posts: 497
Joined: 4/20/2005
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Hello Leemariefink
You might delve into this man's past spiritual life. He may have practiced some pagan religion. Or, he may have been hurt so badly in the past that he recoils against the fact that anyone would love him. But suffice it to say, he does appear to have some kind of stronghold against the Lord.
You might try stressing how much God loves us. God is a Father and many times if a person's earthly father wasn't loving, it produces a barior in accepting God. Even many Christians have a hang up there.
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RE: What would you do? (What would Jesus do) - 11/22/2009 8:53:19 PM
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walkbygrace
Posts: 16
Joined: 11/6/2009
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Good points to ponder jn1010lf. But with this guy in particular I think it is more of an attitude of "I'm a rebel. I'll do whatever I want." I use to think that way too before I became a christian. But I soon found out "I'll never get through this life on my own. I need some help and advice along the way." And yes, there are some people (christians too) who come from troubled families or uncaring families. This often makes me sad because I was blessed with a very good childhood and parents who really did care for me. After talking to this guy some it seems he has the attitude of "no matter what I do I will fail so why even try." Or perhaps, as you say, he might have had a very harsh father which turns him off to the term "Father." I admit, at first, I took the wrong approach with this particular guy. I "assumed" certain things because he didn't respond as I thought he should have responded. Someone...actually a couple of someone's from this board helped me to see this in myself so of course I am grateful to them. Thanks for your comments jn1010lf.
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