It breaks my heart ..

[amandatea]

Okay, I'm not really certain that this pertains particularly to Adventists, but I just wanted to see whether or not I'm alone in this..

As I've gotten to know and love Jesus more over these past months, I've also grown to love people more. This is absolutely not *me* who fuels this, obviously, but the Holy Spirit. But lately, it really saddens me to see people, especially friends and family, doing things that are harmful to them - in any way - because it feels good, is fun, is "the thing to do".

I absolutely do not think I'm any better than anybody else, but as I've gotten to know Jesus, I've gained this absolute peace, hope and love that I've never had before in my entire life. I really wish this for everyone and I wish people could know what they're missing out on when they choose, instead, to follow after these temporal enjoyments. I really wish people could understand that all of God's laws are there for our own protection and when we live by them with joy, that's when true joy will become real in our lives. I wish people realized that serving God first, others second and ourselves last is what makes us truly happy, and not just living for our own moment to moment pleasure.

Sometimes I think about these things, when it's quiet, and I just feel horrible, in a way, because I wish I could just give Jesus to them and have them understand all that I've learned over time, about how amazing and faithful and real He is. Obviously I can't do that, I realize.

I guess this is my question; is it normal to have your heart break for others, and also feel joy because of knowing Jesus? Sometimes it's really difficult to handle.

This post isn't an agenda: it is really how I am feeling at the moment.

 

[Gracelands]

Thanks for posting actually. Its important to remember to serve God then others then yourself. Important for me to remember anyway. And you're right that is the way to Joy.

 

[reddogs]

Okay, I'm not really certain that this pertains particularly to Adventists, but I just wanted to see whether or not I'm alone in this..

As I've gotten to know and love Jesus more over these past months, I've also grown to love people more. This is absolutely not *me* who fuels this, obviously, but the Holy Spirit. But lately, it really saddens me to see people, especially friends and family, doing things that are harmful to them - in any way - because it feels good, is fun, is "the thing to do".

I absolutely do not think I'm any better than anybody else, but as I've gotten to know Jesus, I've gained this absolute peace, hope and love that I've never had before in my entire life. I really wish this for everyone and I wish people could know what they're missing out on when they choose, instead, to follow after these temporal enjoyments. I really wish people could understand that all of God's laws are there for our own protection and when we live by them with joy, that's when true joy will become real in our lives. I wish people realized that serving God first, others second and ourselves last is what makes us truly happy, and not just living for our own moment to moment pleasure.

Sometimes I think about these things, when it's quiet, and I just feel horrible, in a way, because I wish I could just give Jesus to them and have them understand all that I've learned over time, about how amazing and faithful and real He is. Obviously I can't do that, I realize.

I guess this is my question; is it normal to have your heart break for others, and also feel joy because of knowing Jesus? Sometimes it's really difficult to handle.

This post isn't an agenda: it is really how I am feeling at the moment.

To see those you care about and love using tobacco or stronger things which harm their bodies or engaging in other behaviors which is harmful is a difficult thing, we just have to take it to Christ and He will give you what you need to handle it and to help others with a attitude of love.

 

[ace4]

I'll pray for you dear amandatea
I hope things go your way!

 

[Castaway57]

Okay, I'm not really certain that this pertains particularly to Adventists, but I just wanted to see whether or not I'm alone in this..

As I've gotten to know and love Jesus more over these past months, I've also grown to love people more. This is absolutely not *me* who fuels this, obviously, but the Holy Spirit. But lately, it really saddens me to see people, especially friends and family, doing things that are harmful to them - in any way - because it feels good, is fun, is "the thing to do".

I absolutely do not think I'm any better than anybody else, but as I've gotten to know Jesus, I've gained this absolute peace, hope and love that I've never had before in my entire life. I really wish this for everyone and I wish people could know what they're missing out on when they choose, instead, to follow after these temporal enjoyments. I really wish people could understand that all of God's laws are there for our own protection and when we live by them with joy, that's when true joy will become real in our lives. I wish people realized that serving God first, others second and ourselves last is what makes us truly happy, and not just living for our own moment to moment pleasure.

Sometimes I think about these things, when it's quiet, and I just feel horrible, in a way, because I wish I could just give Jesus to them and have them understand all that I've learned over time, about how amazing and faithful and real He is. Obviously I can't do that, I realize.

I guess this is my question; is it normal to have your heart break for others, and also feel joy because of knowing Jesus? Sometimes it's really difficult to handle.

This post isn't an agenda: it is really how I am feeling at the moment.

hey amandatea; this is an excellent post, and accurately describes the experience of many who commit themselves to christ. before you committed, you had no way to notice these things because you were also like that in some ways atleast. noticing these things gives you specific things to pray about, so it can be an opportunity in work clothes for you.

according to 1john 1:1-3 we should always have past and current testimonies about what god has done in us or for us, and in addition to praying we can share our personal stories of victory in jesus. this can really inspire people to change.

so pray lots, work towards what you pray for, and always have your own personal experience and testimony to help inspire fellow travellers along the road of life.

do you by chance have the book ministry of healing? i am going to start a thread about this book and how it may be able to give you some sound biblical counsel on your questions here.

sorry for the weird typing. i am down to one finger typing - had a bad accident and some major surgery to put me together again so making upper case is really hard for me now. but hopefully you get the general idea lol

- BTW, i love the you tube video in your signature. thats certainly a rousing rendition of amazing grace in that first few min

Please ask more questions if you want ANYTIME.
​

 

[amandatea]

hey amandatea; this is an excellent post, and accurately describes the experience of many who commit themselves to christ. before you committed, you had no way to notice these things because you were also like that in some ways atleast. noticing these things gives you specific things to pray about, so it can be an opportunity in work clothes for you.

according to 1john 1:1-3 we should always have past and current testimonies about what god has done in us or for us, and in addition to praying we can share our personal stories of victory in jesus. this can really inspire people to change.

so pray lots, work towards what you pray for, and always have your own personal experience and testimony to help inspire fellow travellers along the road of life.

do you by chance have the book ministry of healing? i am going to start a thread about this book and how it may be able to give you some sound biblical counsel on your questions here.

sorry for the weird typing. i am down to one finger typing - had a bad accident and some major surgery to put me together again so making upper case is really hard for me now. but hopefully you get the general idea lol



- BTW, i love the you tube video in your signature. thats certainly a rousing rendition of amazing grace in that first few min

Please ask more questions if you want ANYTIME.

Thank you, Castaway

Yes, I agree that we should have a past an ongoing testimony. The Holy Spirit has been working a lot on my life and in my heart. I suppose that is exactly why I have the concerns that I do.

I am still learning to pray, as an automatic reflex, also. This it's something I didn't grow up with so it takes some getting used to But you are correct, that these concerns give me a motivation, besides the default reasons, to seek Jesus in prayer and also a way to serve others.
I have started going for long walks around my city, and praying for those in the houses, buildings, churches, etc, that I pass. It is a way to learn to have constant contact with the Lord, in my heart and mind. I have a lot to be thankful for and my greatest wish, besides to be Home, is for as many as possible to know the love and joy I've found in knowing Jesus.

I don't have net at home right now but I'll check the book out when I can

 

[Castaway57]

I don't have net at home right now but I'll check the book out when I can

I'll start the thread later tonight, and show you where to download it for free when u are able.

 

[Castaway57]

I am still learning to pray, as an automatic reflex, also. This it's something I didn't grow up with so it takes some getting used to But you are correct, that these concerns give me a motivation, besides the default reasons, to seek Jesus in prayer and also a way to serve others.

I don't have net at home right now but I'll check the book out when I can

I love to see this idea of serving others in the hearts of our young people, and as promised, here is where I have started the topic for you re Ministry Of Healing. I have lots more to say there, but am still in bad shape from the accident so I will get back to it asap. May God bless you as you seek ways to serve Him and to help others.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7775580/#post64184156

 

[Castaway57]

hey amandatea; I wonder, have you thought some more about learning to pray? In a post above you mentioned having some struggle with doing it "automatically;" and I was wondering how you are doing? Have you had any new thoughts or experiences with the above struggle/questions that you posed? I had some thoughts which I will share soon as you reply.

 

[Castaway57]

Okay, I'm not really certain that this pertains particularly to Adventists, but I just wanted to see whether or not I'm alone in this..

I absolutely do not think I'm any better than anybody else, but as I've gotten to know Jesus, I've gained this absolute peace, hope and love that I've never had before in my entire life.

This post isn't an agenda: it is really how I am feeling at the moment.

This subject is MOST DEFINITELY for Adventists! Not too many Adventists who have been in the church - even for decades, have such a solid testimony!

Ask me why I outlined it in red!

 

[amandatea]

This subject is MOST DEFINITELY for Adventists! Not too many Adventists who have been in the church - even for decades, have such a solid testimony!

Ask me why I outlined it in red!

Okay, I have been slow in responding. Life is busy lately.

To answer your other post, I have been learning more about prayer. I REALLY want to pray more, and more efficiently/affectionately. I tend to just think about Jesus/talk to Him throughout the day, which is good. But I am still not where I want to be in my prayer life. I'm still working on it. I've started to write my prayers down in a journal, at times. I tend to text my friends/family a lot and one night, I wished "I wish I could just text Jesus and he would answer me." So that gave me the idea to journal my prayers. So that will be one method I use.


I don't think being a follower of Christ has much to do with being an Adventist or not. No offense intended here. I just think it's a personal thing. I think a lot of people tend to decide that they're part of this group or that group and start to mistakenly believe that being part of the group will save them. It won't. Obviously, it's a personal issue and it's something we have to decide to do everyday. I still screw up (a lot!) and some days I'm ashamed of how selfish I behave. By that, I mean, instead of read my Bible or pray, I choose to go shopping for things I don't really need, or instead of pray, I choose to watch tv shows on netflix. I am still learning discipline, I suppose. And I don't want this to be a issue of drudgery. It has to be a change of heart. I need to RATHER talk to Jesus than do other selfish, wordly things. Anyway, I'm rambling

I guess what I'm trying to say is, even though I love Jesus and I'm trying to learn more each day, I'm still a screw up and I still stumble daily!


Okay, why did you outline it in red?

 

[Castaway57]

Okay, I have been slow in responding. Life is busy lately.

To answer your other post, I have been learning more about prayer. I REALLY want to pray more, and more efficiently/affectionately. I tend to just think about Jesus/talk to Him throughout the day, which is good. But I am still not where I want to be in my prayer life. I'm still working on it. I've started to write my prayers down in a journal, at times. I tend to text my friends/family a lot and one night, I wished "I wish I could just text Jesus and he would answer me." So that gave me the idea to journal my prayers. So that will be one method I use.


I don't think being a follower of Christ has much to do with being an Adventist or not. No offense intended here. I just think it's a personal thing. I think a lot of people tend to decide that they're part of this group or that group and start to mistakenly believe that being part of the group will save them. It won't. Obviously, it's a personal issue and it's something we have to decide to do everyday. I still screw up (a lot!) and some days I'm ashamed of how selfish I behave. By that, I mean, instead of read my Bible or pray, I choose to go shopping for things I don't really need, or instead of pray, I choose to watch tv shows on netflix. I am still learning discipline, I suppose. And I don't want this to be a issue of drudgery. It has to be a change of heart. I need to RATHER talk to Jesus than do other selfish, wordly things. Anyway, I'm rambling

I guess what I'm trying to say is, even though I love Jesus and I'm trying to learn more each day, I'm still a screw up and I still stumble daily!


Okay, why did you outline it in red?

I outlined it in red because red emphasizes the whole reason you have such a testimony to encourage others is the blood of Christ and your personal experience with Him...Rev 12:11

BTW; you are welcome to "ramble" any time.

 

[Gracelands]

ramble on yep with hope...

 

[Castaway57]

I don't think being a follower of Christ has much to do with being an Adventist or not. No offense intended here. I just think it's a personal thing. I think a lot of people tend to decide that they're part of this group or that group and start to mistakenly believe that being part of the group will save them. It won't.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, even though I love Jesus and I'm trying to learn more each day, I'm still a screw up and I still stumble daily!

I agree; and when you look at them closely; this is reflected in our official beliefs.

​

 

[rainbowinthesky]

I have been learning more about prayer. I REALLY want to pray more, and more efficiently/affectionately. I tend to just think about Jesus/talk to Him throughout the day, which is good. But I am still not where I want to be in my prayer life. I'm still working on it.

Amanda
___________


Amanda, thank you for sharing your thoughts. See how simple it is what we must do in order for our prayers to be acceptable to God and bring the results we so desire:

"Habitually dwelling upon Christ and His all-sufficient merits increases faith, quickens the power of spiritual discernment, strengthens the desire to be like Him, and brings an earnestness into prayer that makes it efficacious." Gospel Worker, 166.

All this will take place simply as we habitually dwell upon Him and His all-sufficient merits, the merits of His sufferings, the merits of His infinite humiliation, the merits of His infinite sacrifice, the merits of His shed blood, the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour.

Not only are we to dwell upon Him and His all-sufficient merits, it is our privilege to claim them.

"Unless he makes it his life business to behold the uplifted Saviour and to accept His merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus." T.M.93.

This is what it means to look and live! By beholding we become changed because we are trusting wholly in the merits of our precious Redeemer.

This message is clear and distinct: Unless we daily come to God just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent, and accept and claim the merits of our Redeemer, we cannot be saved, we cannot be justified or sanctified.

This is the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.

Romans 3:25; 1 Cor.1:30; Phil.2:13; 3:9.

"Believe it because it is the truth, because God says it, and lay hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour." F.W.76.

sky

"The merits of Christ's sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36. "Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Testimonies, vol.5, 744.