Why should anyone minister to Christians?

[Bluelion]

Going back a day or two. When you post Psalms 14 1, what is the outcome you rationally expect to achieve?

What will be the direction of the thread after reading this scripture?

And how would you expect the atheist to process the info and proceed with his life choice now that you have shared the love of God with him or her?

I realize it is the Bible and we believe are authorized to share any of God's word. And please don't for one second think I don't hate the threads you mentioned. I've been attacked within 60 seconds of my very first post when joining a new "religion" forum.

Thank you for asking. The Atheist started off off by calling me lazy in attempt to offend me. I study martial arts with a Chinese man and when we did something wrong the way he corrected us was to do it back to us, like being out of line or something, then when we said hey that is not nice he said great now you know how it feels don't do it. So it was my hopes the atheist would be offended and i could say well if you don't like it why did you do it to me. But he just reported me.

Many Atheist like to play a game where Children of God are trying to love them and they use them for a punching bag. I wasn't going to play that game, plus it was a bad day and I had had enough. It didn't really go the way I expect It does not change the truth the person who says there is no God is in fact a fool. and I went further kept repeating the fool part. He was trying to tell me about God when He claims there is no God I said you're a blind man telling a man who sees about the world. Like I said I can jab back. I have always tried explaining God to this group, this time i went a different way. I was hoping he would become jealous and want it for him self.

 

[DLR]

Thank you for asking. The Atheist started off off by calling me lazy in attempt to offend me. I study martial arts with a Chinese man and when we did something wrong the way he corrected us was to do it back to us, like being out of line or something, then when we said hey that is not nice he said great now you know how it feels don't do it. So it was my hopes the atheist would be offended and i could say well if you don't like it why did you do it to me. But he just reported me.

Many Atheist like to play a game where Children of God are trying to love them and they use them for a punching bag. I wasn't going to play that game, plus it was a bad day and I had had enough. It didn't really go the way I expect It does not change the truth the person who says there is no God is in fact a fool. and I went further kept repeating the fool part. He was trying to tell me about God when He claims there is no God I said you're a blind man telling a man who sees about the world. Like I said I can jab back. I have always tried explaining God to this group, this time i went a different way. I was hoping he would become jealous and want it for him self.

Something similar has happened to most of us I am sure. Hopefully you learned from it. They come there for one reason and that is to troll for Christians. They act like a pack of rabid dogs at times, attempting to lure us into a fight. Some of the threads go 1000+ posts and nothing is ever resolved. You'll have your chances to witness. That isn't the place. Better to expend my energy on the Christian threads. I've noticed Catholicism hunting season is always open here. I'll not participate in that either. While I may not agree with everything I read, I do learn about the other denominations, and why they believe their doctrine. I find value in that so I do check out other forums.

As you mentioned before, post like Jesus is looking over your shoulder. If that doesn't work, then find a forum where it does.

 

[Bluelion]

Something similar has happened to most of us I am sure. Hopefully you learned from it. They come there for one reason and that is to troll for Christians. They act like a pack of rabid dogs at times, attempting to lure us into a fight. Some of the threads go 1000+ posts and nothing is ever resolved. You'll have your chances to witness. That isn't the place. Better to expend my energy on the Christian threads. I've noticed Catholicism hunting season is always open here. I'll not participate in that either. While I may not agree with everything I read, I do learn about the other denominations, and why they believe their doctrine. I find value in that so I do check out other forums.

As you mentioned before, post like Jesus is looking over your shoulder. If that doesn't work, then find a forum where it does.

The thing is most people know they would not speak the way they do if Jesus was watching them, yet He is watching. It's open season on just about every faith here, for the baptist section it is the Calvinist which attack everything said even though they are minority in the church. Mostly time after time it is the free will debate, that is important because it is a matter of salvation. Choosing God as opposed to God choosing you before all creation and rejecting this group for hell. It means Jesus died for the elect and not the world as it says. Just some issues.

 

[DLR]

The thing is most people know they would not speak the way they do if Jesus was watching them, yet He is watching. It's open season on just about every faith here, for the baptist section it is the Calvinist which attack everything said even though they are minority in the church. Mostly time after time it is the free will debate, that is important because it is a matter of salvation. Choosing God as opposed to God choosing you before all creation and rejecting this group for hell. It means Jesus died for the elect and not the world as it says. Just some issues.

I guess I don't completely understand. I am an SBC Baptist and that doctrine will have to work. Nobody here is going to steal my peace or harm my faith with a keyboard. I know how to solve that problem quick. I really think you are allowing things to bring you down that you have complete control over. Don't let that happen. Life is too short. This life anyway.

 

[Bluelion]

I guess I don't completely understand. I am an SBC Baptist and that doctrine will have to work. Nobody here is going to steal my peace or harm my faith with a keyboard. I know how to solve that problem quick. I really think you are allowing things to bring you down that you have complete control over. Don't let that happen. Life is too short. This life anyway.

Yeah maybe, I have never found fellowship among people who call them self Christian. Found a little bit in this thread and it is nice, just wish more of the forum could be like that.

 

[Pastor D Dutton]

Bluelion
I have preached in prisons, rescue mission and many other places, I have been
discouraged, hurt and sometimes just ready to quit. In the street no one is pulling any punches
they will let you know how much you our appreciated. Whether your on the Job or where you may go
I pray that God will give me the strength to do what he would have me to do, and that to bring the message
of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. If the truth was really told no one wants to hear about God. Today
we live in a anti-God world but we still have to follow what Jesus Christ commanded in Matthew 28:18-20.
We our saved to be a child of God and as such to keep his commandments. Faith with out works is dead Salvation
is free. God has a purpose for all Born again Christians and that being a Soldier for the lord. As a Christian you our his representative, Bench warmers is not what the lord had in mind, we all have a calling and gift let us use that Gift for the
Glory of our savior

 

[DLR]

.....Bench warmers is not what the lord had in mind, we all have a calling and gift let us use that Gift for the Glory of our savior

Pastor D,

I have a question that relates to your last sentence. Maybe you can shed some experience on it since you have preached in tough environments. I do believe all of us have a duty to witness. I also believe some of us are far more effective at it than others. If that were not true then all pastors would be outstanding at delivering a sermon and inspiring others which is obviously false. It is easy to find the lost on this forum. Do you think it is every Christian's responsibility to jump into a large pack of atheists at every opportunity knowing they are present for no other reason than to bash our faith and prove that we are idiots? I have usually chosen to approach more receptive individuals. I don't seem to have the communication skills to effectively turn those who are willfully defiant of God. I do have other gifts from God that I try to use to help my small church. Those gifts involve using my hands, and the many tools I have been blessed enough to acquire over my life. I'd like to think I am using my gifts, but sometimes feel like I am just rationalizing away my responsibility to do the tasks for God that are personally harder for me to succeed at. I could ask my own pastor but we are good friends and he will tell me what I want to hear. I think scripture tells me I should be willing to jump in front of a truck for Jesus everyday. Just not sure the "suicide mission" yields any fruit.

And obviously this subject relates to the advice I have given Bluelion. I don't know him well of course. But I don't get the impression he is emotionally equipped to jump into the internet fray of evil at this time. And that is why I suggested he avoid it. At least for now.

Thanks

 

[DawnStar]

God has a purpose for all Born again Christians and that being a Soldier for the lord.

Not all soldiers fight on the front line. Many work behind the scenes supporting those on the front.

 

[DLR]

Not all soldiers fight on the front line. Many work behind the scenes supporting those on the front.

I am inclined to agree. The Pastor may have implied otherwise but I wasn't sure. That is why I asked the question.

 

[Bluelion]

Pastor D,

I have a question that relates to your last sentence. Maybe you can shed some experience on it since you have preached in tough environments. I do believe all of us have a duty to witness. I also believe some of us are far more effective at it than others. If that were not true then all pastors would be outstanding at delivering a sermon and inspiring others which is obviously false. It is easy to find the lost on this forum. Do you think it is every Christian's responsibility to jump into a large pack of atheists at every opportunity knowing they are present for no other reason than to bash our faith and prove that we are idiots? I have usually chosen to approach more receptive individuals. I don't seem to have the communication skills to effectively turn those who are willfully defiant of God. I do have other gifts from God that I try to use to help my small church. Those gifts involve using my hands, and the many tools I have been blessed enough to acquire over my life. I'd like to think I am using my gifts, but sometimes feel like I am just rationalizing away my responsibility to do the tasks for God that are personally harder for me to succeed at. I could ask my own pastor but we are good friends and he will tell me what I want to hear. I think scripture tells me I should be willing to jump in front of a truck for Jesus everyday. Just not sure the "suicide mission" yields any fruit.

And obviously this subject relates to the advice I have given Bluelion. I don't know him well of course. But I don't get the impression he is emotionally equipped to jump into the internet fray of evil at this time. And that is why I suggested he avoid it. At least for now.

Thanks

You got to understand I have been in the middle of it for some time now just got burned out. I think that is what the pastor was referring to.

 

[Pastor D Dutton]

Bluelion
I don't want anyone thinking about jumping in front of the bus. I find most people
would be more careful. What I will tell you I was very careful when I first went to preach
in a Maximum security prison. I had to step out by faith, and trust God would protect me.
getting out of my comfort zone was a big step. I do trust the Lord and I know where I'm
going when I die, I found the step help me to grow in faith and more over the lord. I have
found not all people God calls is not going to require them to do that type of ministry.The sad
thing I did find Christians our not willing to find out about the gifts God gave them and by no
means ready to step out by faith, they only want to be bench warmer let someone else do the
Job. The Christians that do the work our tired and burned out from fighting the battles. James
tells us faith without works is dead I wonder what James ment by that verse?

 

[Job8]

You got to understand I have been in the middle of it for some time now just got burned out. I think that is what the pastor was referring to.

You simply need a strategy to avoid getting burned out or taking personal offence.
1. Know the truth and hold fast to it regardless of what anyone else believes.
2. Let Scripture do the talking. That is the seed to be sown.
3. Choose to disengage when a discussion becomes lengthy and unprofitable.
4. Leave the results with the Lord.
5. Take nothing personally. The battle is not yours but the Lord's.

 

[Bluelion]

Bluelion
I don't want anyone thinking about jumping in front of the bus. I find most people
would be more careful. What I will tell you I was very careful when I first went to preach
in a Maximum security prison. I had to step out by faith, and trust God would protect me.
getting out of my comfort zone was a big step. I do trust the Lord and I know where I'm
going when I die, I found the step help me to grow in faith and more over the lord. I have
found not all people God calls is not going to require them to do that type of ministry.The sad
thing I did find Christians our not willing to find out about the gifts God gave them and by no
means ready to step out by faith, they only want to be bench warmer let someone else do the
Job. The Christians that do the work our tired and burned out from fighting the battles. James
tells us faith without works is dead I wonder what James ment by that verse?

I see what your saying, believe me I am going by pure faith. I understand the faith with out works. Many times I do thing I don't want to do, if some one ask I give and I don't ask back what i Lend out as God says so much time i lose that stuff yet i still lend. There are those who will walk by the hungry and sick and cold, as James said they say eat well and stay warm while doing nothing to help. I can not do that, my heart would not let me, yet this people claim to have Jesus and say they are going to Heaven because they go to church. I think James wrote it for people like them and me, me who trys to follow God and feels much of the time Like i am a punching bag for it, and those who do not follow God at all, yet are so Proud they claim they alone will enter heaven. They think they don't have to follow God. I like James he speaks to me offend in his book. Store up your treasures in Heaven right? For where your treasures are so will be your heart.

 

[DLR]

You simply need a strategy to avoid getting burned out or taking personal offence.
1. Know the truth and hold fast to it regardless of what anyone else believes.
2. Let Scripture do the talking. That is the seed to be sown.
3. Choose to disengage when a discussion becomes lengthy and unprofitable.
4. Leave the results with the Lord.
5. Take nothing personally. The battle is not yours but the Lord's.

The problem lies there. Engaging militant atheists on the internet bears no fruit. In my experience it is merely a forum for the Atheist and Christian to battle in a futile attempt to win an argument. Nobody ever concedes, the Atheist is not turned to God, and the Christian ends up not acting like a Christian all too often (battle of EGOs). If you guys are honestly experiencing a different result I am truy pleased to hear that. But I haven't seen it yet and for now I will expend my energy on those who might be open to an honest exchange of ideas. Is there an example in scripture of Jesus spending an enormous effort trying to convince a stubborn non-believer? Or did he just call out the evil and move on if the miracles didn't convince.

My frustration is not directed at you Job8. I just responded to your post due to the bolded part of your quote.

 

[Pastor D Dutton]

DLR
Nobody ever concedes, the Atheist is not turned to God, and the Christian ends up not acting like a Christian all too often (battle of EGOs). I try not to debate atheist very often, these people could care less about God because they don't believe
I find it very counter productive to Engage in conversion especiilly on the internet. If they ask a question I give them the best answer but if it is a ego challenge I cut the conversion. I have had them challenge me in the street again I answer the best of my ability aand leave it at that. I have dealt with muslims, and hindus in the mission and in the prison. I have had some in my Class at the prison see if I practice what I preach. The inmate was a Gangbanger, he ask are you afraid to die. I said no I know
Jesus and if I am afraid than I don't need to be their at the prison.

peace be with you DLR

 

[Bluelion]

The problem lies there. Engaging militant atheists on the internet bears no fruit. In my experience it is merely a forum for the Atheist and Christian to battle in a futile attempt to win an argument. Nobody ever concedes, the Atheist is not turned to God, and the Christian ends up not acting like a Christian all too often (battle of EGOs). If you guys are honestly experiencing a different result I am truy pleased to hear that. But I haven't seen it yet and for now I will expend my energy on those who might be open to an honest exchange of ideas. Is there an example in scripture of Jesus spending an enormous effort trying to convince a stubborn non-believer? Or did he just call out the evil and move on if the miracles didn't convince.

My frustration is not directed at you Job8. I just responded to your post due to the bolded part of your quote.

The atheist was on this forum. I tend to agree with you so I just left it at you sir are a fool i think it fitting. I mean the arrogance of some atheist who claim no God and then they are going to tell me about my God how does that work?

 

[DLR]

DLR
Nobody ever concedes, the Atheist is not turned to God, and the Christian ends up not acting like a Christian all too often (battle of EGOs). I try not to debate atheist very often, these people could care less about God because they don't believe
I find it very counter productive to Engage in conversion especiilly on the internet. If they ask a question I give them the best answer but if it is a ego challenge I cut the conversion. I have had them challenge me in the street again I answer the best of my ability aand leave it at that. I have dealt with muslims, and hindus in the mission and in the prison. I have had some in my Class at the prison see if I practice what I preach. The inmate was a Gangbanger, he ask are you afraid to die. I said no I know
Jesus and if I am afraid than I don't need to be their at the prison.

peace be with you DLR

Thanks for the explanation to my questions Pastor. I have much respect for those who work in prisons. I'm sure that takes a lot of strength, but it does seem like an environment where some would be very receptive to the gospel. Street preachers are very rare around here but I have no doubt that is very challenging at times.

 

[DLR]

The atheist was on this forum. I tend to agree with you so I just left it at you sir are a fool i think it fitting.

The choice of words sounds biblical enough to me. But hopefully it won't take two dozen posts back and forth to reach that conclusion in the future.

I mean the arrogance of some atheist who claim no God and then they are going to tell me about my God how does that work?

It is an interesting concept. There are some atheists who obviously have considerable understanding of the scripture. If they conduct themselves with respect for others, then some of those threads are actually informative. But I know what you mean. An atheist that only knows the top ten verses/storylines necessary for some christian bashing are the ones that can find the end of my tolerance quickly. They have evil intent, and not worth more than a moment of our time IMO. I rarely meet them anywhere but the internet.

 

[Pastor D Dutton]

atheist and Gay Christian Bashing
In many communities with all the degrading of people, and peoples attention on muslums
and Religion. Many our taking a stand of being anti religious, claiming no religion at all. On one hand
claiming ignorance, in the knowledge of religion and than trying to tell you about religion. Flying saucers and alien
beings. they have no real knowledge of God or the Bible just enough to twist the truth up. Satan quoted
scripture to Jesus and the snake in the garden with eve twist the truth into a lie. IMO it is a waste in the street
it get pretty loud sometimes when people disagree and many want to tell you where to go what you can do, but their our souls that need the lord in that same street and you maybe the only hope this person has to hear about Christ. I don't say everybody can do this, I feel that their our people that can but won't step out by faith and that hurts to know souls our dieing going to hell because Christians our to busy saying no that hurts. I had a heart attack and it caused me to have to stop and I tried to get someone to take my place until I see if my health will be good enough to go back to my ministry. No one came, please pray I can get back to bring the gospel

 

[Bluelion]

atheist and Gay Christian Bashing
In many communities with all the degrading of people, and peoples attention on muslums
and Religion. Many our taking a stand of being anti religious, claiming no religion at all. On one hand
claiming ignorance, in the knowledge of religion and than trying to tell you about religion. Flying saucers and alien
beings. they have no real knowledge of God or the Bible just enough to twist the truth up. Satan quoted
scripture to Jesus and the snake in the garden with eve twist the truth into a lie. IMO it is a waste in the street
it get pretty loud sometimes when people disagree and many want to tell you where to go what you can do, but their our souls that need the lord in that same street and you maybe the only hope this person has to hear about Christ. I don't say everybody can do this, I feel that their our people that can but won't step out by faith and that hurts to know souls our dieing going to hell because Christians our to busy saying no that hurts. I had a heart attack and it caused me to have to stop and I tried to get someone to take my place until I see if my health will be good enough to go back to my ministry. No one came, please pray I can get back to bring the gospel

Sorry about your health and of course i will pray, but did you ever think maybe God is leading you other places to preach and not just the street. I must give you credit I have never stood on the street and preached, most the people I preach to claim to have Jesus but don't know anything about Him. I have a gift for seeing into people and being able to see if Jesus is there or not. I do this by comparing what they say to God word, if they preach against God they are not from God. This is what Paul told us to do. While i led my son in steps to salvation and is now saved he turned 8 today. I have never reached anyone else that I am aware of. Most people want to stone me for preaching truth. They get mad when I say they must obey God they can not simply go on sinning. I understand we all sin but we all must do our best to obey God and that means doing many things we do not desire to do. and also denying our desires. I have lost my whole blood family because of God yet they claim to be saved. I was the golden child in the family until i was saved at 6 from then on I was hated and my blood brother has been the golden child. Most friends call me a holly roller and say I am to into God and don't want to speak to me yet they too also claim to be saved. It can be hard when you know all you have to do is give into the world and your life would be easy everyone would love you, but then i would disappoint my God.