| Non-denominational The forum for non-denominational Christians |
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27th October 2009, 02:55 PM
| | Newbie
  
| | Join Date: 18th October 2009
Posts: 16
Blessings: 58,794
Reps: 341,799,696,123 (power: 341,799,699) | | | Works.
I want to live a life worth living, and do good things for people in need. But how do I manage to do good works for the sake of philanthropy with the love of Jesus and not feel like I'm somehow better than the next man/Christian? I want to do good things for people, but I just know that my pride and self-righteousness would start bubbling up. Should I just be praying that God would change my heart attitude before I start doing volunteer work and serving others? That is the point anyway right, to do things for people because you genuinely love them? Specifically, has anyone out there had God change their heart from what I've said mine is like right now to a genuine heart of love, compassion, and empathy for their fellow man? Any success stories or encouragement? I know God has changed so many things in my life over the years, but I really want my heart to change, it's like the final frontier and I feel like I've kinda lost hope...  |
27th October 2009, 03:47 PM
|  | For all you do, His bloods for you Information Management Team
43      
 | | Join Date: 1st November 2004 Location: USA
Posts: 50,618
Blessings: 7,235,232,125 My Mood 
Reps: 932,070,385,434,337,024 (power: 932,070,385,434,395) | | | I would say that I'm a work in progress in this area. Like you, God has changed so many things in my life that I trust that he will continue to work with me and I'll continue to grow. It seems to me that God has placed this desire in your heart and that you should step up and start volunteering. Like you said, you may have pride issues crop up, but this gives God an opportunity to work that in you.
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I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, only to die to find out there is. James 1 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  |
27th October 2009, 05:19 PM
|  | Humbled before GOD
| | Join Date: 30th July 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,033
Blessings: 98,817 My Mood 
Reps: 5,526,338,505,513,380 (power: 5,526,338,505,518) | | Originally Posted by reid.stady  I want to live a life worth living, and do good things for people in need. But how do I manage to do good works for the sake of philanthropy with the love of Jesus and not feel like I'm somehow better than the next man/Christian? I want to do good things for people, but I just know that my pride and self-righteousness would start bubbling up. Should I just be praying that God would change my heart attitude before I start doing volunteer work and serving others? That is the point anyway right, to do things for people because you genuinely love them? Specifically, has anyone out there had God change their heart from what I've said mine is like right now to a genuine heart of love, compassion, and empathy for their fellow man? Any success stories or encouragement? I know God has changed so many things in my life over the years, but I really want my heart to change, it's like the final frontier and I feel like I've kinda lost hope...
I have seen it in my own life and have witnessed it in others. You are trying to work in your own power and not GOD's. We must be willing to sacrifice everything, even our own life for Christ Jesus. Let HIM lead you, let go of what you know must be done (all control) and let HIM do it. Perhaps what I am saying makes no sense to you right now, but what I hear you say, I am certain that I've asked GOD myself. May HE BLESS YOU! as you continue to seek HIM. |
28th October 2009, 06:00 AM
|  | BreathofLife
| | Join Date: 16th September 2005
Posts: 10,235
Blessings: 47,097,057 My Mood 
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,792) | |  reid.stady, welcome to CF. I agree with the other replies. |
28th October 2009, 02:59 PM
|  | Veteran
60 
| | Join Date: 5th October 2004 Location: Auburn , IL.
Posts: 3,101
Blessings: 12,654,958 My Mood 
Reps: 154,708,238,853,052,768 (power: 154,708,238,853,063) | | | James writes our faith, should birth some thing within us.....not what we do, who we are, who we have become....
kind words, unselfish deeds, walking away from bad habits.... see Matthew 25.32-42; 10.28-32 ....Corporal Works of Mercy, Partnering with Minister....
we can still be a little crusty around the corners and shine in one thing....love, forgiveness, faithfulness, giving, visiting hospital, nursing home, jail.... |
28th October 2009, 05:13 PM
| | Newbie
28
| | Join Date: 23rd October 2009
Posts: 148
Blessings: 71,080 My Mood 
Reps: 44,206,530,664,347 (power: 44,206,530,667) | | | I'd say just start the volunteering and you'll see you start loving those people. You will see their struggles and imperfections but they become more personal stories to you. You will see that you will recognise yourself in them. We all have our struggles and imperfections. Let God do his work in you.
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Still happy and excited about being a Christian but shocked by how judgemental people can be on this forum and how topics and messages can be taken out of context. I have decided to leave the forum. Be blessed, everyone.
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28th October 2009, 07:11 PM
|  | Contributor
51
| | Join Date: 4th September 2004 Location: California
Posts: 8,501
Blessings: 5,263 My Mood 
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,792) | | | Start with what's in front of you.
Volunteer at a hospital, soup kitchen, library, school: anywhere that will have you.
Keep it in perspective. I don't recommend more than few hours a week; maybe a couple hours at a time 2 evenings a week, or your day off.
Don't look for "fruit". Help wherever you can because it's the right thing to do.
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“You were made to think. It will do you good to think; to develop your powers by study. God designed that religion should require thought, intense thought, and should thoroughly develop our powers of thought.”
Charles G Finney | |
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