When nothing seems enough... do I give up?

[ArcticFox]

Long suffering and patient.. God will answer in His time... Be still and know He is God... Praying for you.

I appreciate the prayers. I am waiting.

I'm going to see what happens. I have a feeling that no matter what, I won't be able to just continue on as I have; something has to change.

 

[BigNorsk]

Reading through the answers I wondered something. When you walk down the street and you see someone in need, what do you do? Do you respond to your desire to help them by helping them?

See I don't know, I honestly don't, but it almost sounds like when you try, it's by doing a bunch of church things. And I'm not sure that's your calling.

People have done that sort of thing for a long time. God says go and make disciples, and they lock themselves up and sit and pray because they decided that's more holy.

You're in a place that needs a lot of evangelism, a real tough nut to crack. Maybe you aren't there to read the Bible again in a year, and go to retreats?

Is there something you see as a need there? Not something you need but something you see others needing?

 

[ArcticFox]

You're in a place that needs a lot of evangelism, a real tough nut to crack. Maybe you aren't there to read the Bible again in a year, and go to retreats?

Is there something you see as a need there? Not something you need but something you see others needing?

I've tried a variety of activities, such as talking to random people (VERY uncomfortable, strange, and without any result), handing out tracts (felt very fake to me, no results), and praying for the community.

There is little financial/material need here, and most people have no interest in any sort of religion. I can't help but feel phony when I try to "force" an evangelistic moment into a conversation where it clearly doesn't fit.

The pastor at my current church said something interesting... he said that he knows a lot of people who ask him things like, "What should I do as a Christian, in this circumstance?" or "When I go to the city, I want to behave in a Christian manner... what should I do?"

He responds, "Are you a man (woman)? If so, do you ask yourself how you can behave like a man when you go to the city? Do you think about how to present yourself like a man so that other people will know that you're a man?"

He has an interesting point. If we are a Christian, we shouldn't have to think about how to look like one, or how to act like one, or what a "Christian would do" in a certain situation; we should just do it because it's naturally part of who we are.

I've eagerly waited many times for a decent opportunity to share the gospel, but I've found that any attempt I've ever made has always been forced, and resulted in a damaged relationship (or failure with a stranger).

Of course we often say "don't worry, you are planting seeds." It's our way to reassure ourselves that we didn't really fail, despite the fact that nothing at all happened.

Christianese. Ways we try to assure ourselves of what we know isn't true.

 

[iRobert]

I share lot of the struggles you have dealt with... and many times I have tried to give up, because I simply realize I do not have the power to be like Christ. I see my stumblings day to day and the unspeakable evil that is present in me... I often think that Paul was able to say that he is the chief sinner, because I wasn't born yet... Oh, how I wait for the redemption of my soul from this wretched body... But there are the moments also when I feel very close to God... these moments vanish quikly, and while they last I often times wish God would just take me at that moment so that I will not be ashamed before him.

"But God" - as often scripture points out - is faithful... Every day is a new hope, a new opportunity to walk with him. And even if I want to turn away from him, I quickly realize I have nowhere to go.. ("Where can I flee from your presence.."). On top of that His word is with me, and guides me back to the truth. And if not.. He puts things in front of me, special things that do not occur other times.. to show His love. And I say... ok God, you win. And He usually does this through other Christians around me or I may find something in his word that I never saw before.. So then, I again, with newness of hope try to walk in faith... and ask God to give me another chance... to be conformed into his Son's likeness.

One of the interesting things you mentioned is that you feel empty while serving/reading bible, praying etc... This might sound fake to you but, "acting" as a Christian is actually biblical. There are several places in the bible where the Spirit commands to Do that which is good - and you shall receive praise, peace etc... there is also blessing in charity... and I am not talking about money at all... If we are part of the body of Christ, and believe that the choices with our members effect the whole... then everything counts.

Since you are here on this forum, and have the desire of a lost sheep to return to the flock has been an encourage to me personaly. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

 

[razzelflabben]

I've tried a variety of activities, such as talking to random people (VERY uncomfortable, strange, and without any result), handing out tracts (felt very fake to me, no results), and praying for the community.

There is little financial/material need here, and most people have no interest in any sort of religion. I can't help but feel phony when I try to "force" an evangelistic moment into a conversation where it clearly doesn't fit.

The pastor at my current church said something interesting... he said that he knows a lot of people who ask him things like, "What should I do as a Christian, in this circumstance?" or "When I go to the city, I want to behave in a Christian manner... what should I do?"

He responds, "Are you a man (woman)? If so, do you ask yourself how you can behave like a man when you go to the city? Do you think about how to present yourself like a man so that other people will know that you're a man?"

He has an interesting point. If we are a Christian, we shouldn't have to think about how to look like one, or how to act like one, or what a "Christian would do" in a certain situation; we should just do it because it's naturally part of who we are.

I've eagerly waited many times for a decent opportunity to share the gospel, but I've found that any attempt I've ever made has always been forced, and resulted in a damaged relationship (or failure with a stranger).

Of course we often say "don't worry, you are planting seeds." It's our way to reassure ourselves that we didn't really fail, despite the fact that nothing at all happened.

Christianese. Ways we try to assure ourselves of what we know isn't true.

Our daily lives are our testimony to the living God living in us...I know in my own life, I have had people tell me that I led them to Christ, that I was the one who spoke truth to them and they listened, and I am always amazed at that, because I did nothing but simply live what I believe. I felt no different, no huge change, and yet people saw something different in the way I lived. It is a mystery as best I can tell, a mystery that testifies to the living God's presences within.

 

[BigNorsk]

I've tried a variety of activities, such as talking to random people (VERY uncomfortable, strange, and without any result), handing out tracts (felt very fake to me, no results), and praying for the community.

There is little financial/material need here, and most people have no interest in any sort of religion. I can't help but feel phony when I try to "force" an evangelistic moment into a conversation where it clearly doesn't fit.

The pastor at my current church said something interesting... he said that he knows a lot of people who ask him things like, "What should I do as a Christian, in this circumstance?" or "When I go to the city, I want to behave in a Christian manner... what should I do?"

He responds, "Are you a man (woman)? If so, do you ask yourself how you can behave like a man when you go to the city? Do you think about how to present yourself like a man so that other people will know that you're a man?"

He has an interesting point. If we are a Christian, we shouldn't have to think about how to look like one, or how to act like one, or what a "Christian would do" in a certain situation; we should just do it because it's naturally part of who we are.

I've eagerly waited many times for a decent opportunity to share the gospel, but I've found that any attempt I've ever made has always been forced, and resulted in a damaged relationship (or failure with a stranger).

Of course we often say "don't worry, you are planting seeds." It's our way to reassure ourselves that we didn't really fail, despite the fact that nothing at all happened.

Christianese. Ways we try to assure ourselves of what we know isn't true.

Well yes, that's very much what I've been trying to say, see it seems you think about it and try to force it. True good works are those that the Holy Spirit moves us to do. And what you have said are those things you do don't sound like they come about through the Holy Spirit moving you but rather because you in all sincerity do them because you think you should.

When you are walking and you see a lost child, you stop and comfort the child and find the parent, often using a police officer or a store clerk.

You see an elderly person and you help them with the door or their package they are carrying.

Things happen because you believe, it does change one. I'm not so sure those things people do because they think they should are often all that helpful. It's like the believer who goes into ministry because he thinks he should, but he wasn't called to ministry.

I think people set up this artificial criteria, then they look and they don't measure up to their own creation and they are thereby discouraged when they really have nothing to be discouraged about.

When I say to be open and looking for ministry, I'm not saying at all the you decide and go force the issue type of thing, instead I'm very much saying it's those things of how can it not show.

If the yoke is not easy, it's your yoke, or the yoke someone else puts on you, it's not Jesus' yoke. Note of course that yoke may not look easy to the world. Paul's yoke was easy, Peter's yoke was easy, but to the world it looks like a huge yoke. It wasn't because they relied on God.

If what you are doing is a heavy yoke, then give it up. And don't feel guilty or let others manipulate you about it. Those are not your place in the body of Christ.

Marv

 

[Zeena]

If what you are doing is a heavy yoke, then give it up. And don't feel guilty or let others manipulate you about it. Those are not your place in the body of Christ.

Marv

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart.

 

[visionary]

Our daily lives are our testimony to the living God living in us...I know in my own life, I have had people tell me that I led them to Christ, that I was the one who spoke truth to them and they listened, and I am always amazed at that, because I did nothing but simply live what I believe. I felt no different, no huge change, and yet people saw something different in the way I lived. It is a mystery as best I can tell, a mystery that testifies to the living God's presences within.

I wait for the Lord to stir me to speak... and have had some very interesting conversations in which.. on one occassion actually seen the man's head glow like Moses on Mount Sinai as the Lord spoke to him through me. I was just as fascinated at the conversation that the Lord was having with this man, for it inspired me to... I know that may sound strange but while the Lord may have urged me to speak about the subject to start with... he took over and the words were coming out of my mouth that was not me but him and we were both blessed. This type of communication has happened on a couple of occassions and we can only give the Lord credit .. because we know it wasn't in us. ..

I can relate to the "phony" not real because I have belonged to churches which expected you to work in their fields their prescrobed way and saying their scripts of invitations to salvation. I felt as if I did the Lord a diservice as it was apparent to all involved that this was not blessed with the Lord's presence.

Once you have experienced the difference you can not go back to the forced/faked.. and so since you can tell the difference it can only mean you have experienced the real thing and know that which is God ordained and that which is man nipulated.

 

[razzelflabben]

I wait for the Lord to stir me to speak... and have had some very interesting conversations in which.. on one occassion actually seen the man's head glow like Moses on Mount Sinai as the Lord spoke to him through me. I was just as fascinated at the conversation that the Lord was having with this man, for it inspired me to... I know that may sound strange but while the Lord may have urged me to speak about the subject to start with... he took over and the words were coming out of my mouth that was not me but him and we were both blessed. This type of communication has happened on a couple of occassions and we can only give the Lord credit .. because we know it wasn't in us. ..

I can relate to the "phony" not real because I have belonged to churches which expected you to work in their fields their prescrobed way and saying their scripts of invitations to salvation. I felt as if I did the Lord a diservice as it was apparent to all involved that this was not blessed with the Lord's presence.

Once you have experienced the difference you can not go back to the forced/faked.. and so since you can tell the difference it can only mean you have experienced the real thing and know that which is God ordained and that which is man nipulated.

what a beautiful mystery of God, that we are the same person, and yet different, we are still who we are, but restored to the original creation God had in mind when He created us, or at least closer, I don't think we will be fully restored until our resurrection, but that is another discussion.

 

[Thekla]

Hi, ArcticFox -

maybe consider what you have done for God ?
Perhaps, for "Jesus" who is in prison, or in a hospital ?
I've read that in Japan, the name for schizophrenia has been changed in an effort to reduce the effect of stigma. Maybe someone is needful of a visit and a board game; a little laughter, a "breath of fresh air" ?

 

[Zeena]

what a beautiful mystery of God, that we are the same person, and yet different, we are still who we are, but restored to the original creation God had in mind when He created us, or at least closer, I don't think we will be fully restored until our resurrection, but that is another discussion.

BETTER!

He gave us of Himself in ther Person of Jesus!

Adam never had it so good!

He MORE than restored us to our old selves, He restored us to HIMSELF!

2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 

[razzelflabben]

BETTER!

He gave us of Himself in ther Person of Jesus!

Adam never had it so good!

He MORE than restored us to our old selves, He restored us to HIMSELF!

2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

amen, just not sure what your intentions are in relation to my post....

 

[Zeena]

amen, just not sure what your intentions are in relation to my post....

Just using my gifts as the Lord has proportioned unto me

 

[Johnnz]

You both have valid insights. But we should see that Jesus as the Son of Man have us the one true example of perfected humanity. Our humanity is important, which is why we get resurrected bodies, so we can be the people God always intended us to be.

John
NZ

 

[andreha]

I am meditating on your situation right now. I am waiting for an answer. For some inspirition from the Great I Am. Here's what comes to me.

It's been such a long painful walk for you. You go from church to church. Yet the poeple don't seem to show you sufficient love to heal your heart. Your heart needs love. The Bible says that Love is the greatest commandment. It's also the gretest thing church attendants struggle with. The Lord said harsh things to the scribes, who knew a lot about the bible, but practiced no love at all. What you feel is not your fault, you just need to be around loving, kind gentle people regularly. Too many church goers snap at you and judge you for admitting trivialities, instead of offering kindness.
PM me if you'd like to chat. I won't judge you, or try to scrath your eyes out with sharp claws. I know what it feels like. It hurts. The Lord doesn't require you or me to be perfect. That's what the Holy Spirit is there for.

Just this morning, the Lord compelled me to send an inspiring message to someone before checking it. After sending, I saw various typos and felt like an idiot. Then, He showed me that it was to show the recipient that I'm also imperfect. Not like a balloon full of hot air that has any right to judge. That was awesome. So yeah, PM me if you'd like to chat.

 

[jacksonzachary]

The Dandridge Firm, PLC will assist business owners and individuals nationwide in protecting their valuable ideas in the form of insignia, logos, slogans and other written or performance work

 

[razzelflabben]

Just using my gifts as the Lord has proportioned unto me

cool, just was afraid I missed something....

 

[razzelflabben]

You both have valid insights. But we should see that Jesus as the Son of Man have us the one true example of perfected humanity. Our humanity is important, which is why we get resurrected bodies, so we can be the people God always intended us to be.

John
NZ

that is why I love this passage so much
Ephesians 2:14-18 (New International Version)


14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 

[OutOfTheClay]

Arctic,

This is my first post here... please allow me to do my best to illustrate a way to the abundant life/victorious living.

First - the difference between sins and sin. Sins are the acts that we have committed/will commit. All of these have been covered and atoned for by The Blood of Christ. Period. When God sees us - he sees The Blood. Nothing that we do or don't do can increase or decrease God's love and acceptance of us once we have accepted His Son. According to Romans (ch. 5 - I think) - we commit sins because we are born sinful ... thanks, Adam. Which brings me to the point of sin.

Sin, on the other hand, is our sinful nature. We are sinful by nature because of Adam. From the moment that we are born until the moment that we accept Christ - our mind (thoughts), will (choices), and emotions (feelings) (or altogether, our soul) are yielded to a sinful, fleshly center. Once we accept Christ and our spirit comes alive, our soul (mind, will, and emotions) is still yielded to our fleshly center. It's like the 'Old Man' is dead .. but, his clothes are still hanging in the closet! And most Christians, although they are spiritually alive and saved, have yet to experience re-birth in their souls (mind, will, and emotions).

In order for that to happen - The Holy Spirit must illuminate the spiritual truths of Romans 6,7,8 and Galatians 2:20.

Romans 6:
a) KNOW the truth ... (Read Romans 6:3 - 7). You must KNOW that you have been crucified. Not because of what YOU do but because of what HE has already done.

b) RECKON the truth...(Read Romans 6:11) You must now, by faith, make this truth a reality in your life ... through reading about your soulical death (mind, will, and emotions) and your new life.

c) YIELD to the truth ... (Read Romans 6:12 - 14) and instead of just the word 'sin' ... use the word 'self'. Because, remember, your old self is dead. God's grace frees you from the penalty of sin and self but also from the power of sin and self.

When you know, reckon, and yield to these truths and by faith make them real in your experience then you will come to true experiential knowledge of Galatians 2:20 ... 'I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who life but Christ who lives in me, and this life that I now live in the flesh, I live by trusting in The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me'

These scriptures and thoughts are the nuts and bolts of living the abundant life. So many people TRY so hard to live and experience God at the fullest and all we really need to do is die and quit trying! All has already been accomplished ... our job is rest in Him (read John 15) ... as we abide in Him, He will abide in us!

Every moment, all day long, I reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus ... it is by faith in this fact that I have spiritual fruit in my life ... always carrying about in my body the dying of the Lord Jesus ... I can share in His sufferings because I was placed in Him at His death, burial, and resurrection so that I may now walk in newness of life - resurrection life!

Anyways - I haphazardly came across this post and had to pass on what God has shown me the last 6 months ... He has freed me from self and all of the manifestations thereof including addiction to internet porn, lust, greed, selfishness, etc ... His love truly is amazing!

We're saved from our SINS by The Blood.

We're saved from our SELF by The Cross.