Need Encouragement?

Replies: (page   1   2)
Ray 01/22/2011 20:49
Sure. And it is really good and wise that you recognize the threat to the old life patterns on the horizon.

God might be saying to you that you have to cut the cord, that these people will drag you back into a pit. Is He saying that? Only you know the answer. If He is, then obey Him, even if it is hard. The primary thing for you to do is ask which it is. Ask God what he wants. He is faithful to answer. It is a good thing for you to practice this as you go forward. http://www.myutmost.org/01/0122.html

If they are loyal, their loyalty will see them through this hard time of change, and may even get them to see light (Jesus in you).

If their loyalty does not see them through your changes and you loose them, what have you lost? Dead things, time at bars and empty efforts to fill the void in your heart. Sometimes it takes hard things like loss for people to see something needs to change. Loss of you may cause them to search their own hearts. I recognize this is a hard word. But if you loose them over something that is life giving to you, then you need to open your hand and let them go. Sorry. Matt 8:18-22. Jesus knows it is hard to follow him. He's worth it.

I guess I see it maybe a little different than most. Some people look at the faith as do's and don't. When you are young in the faith, maybe it's not such a bad idea to not go to a bar. There may be old patterns of life for you need to overcome yet. Alcohol is a real troublesome thing for many. But what's that about? Why is this drug or that drug a bad thing? Because it causes you to take you eye off the Lord.

I never had much trouble with alcohol, because it just didn't work for me when I tried it. In general, things that were not healthy made me ill and so I was repulsed by them. God probably knew I couldn't handle it if it got it's claws in me, so He spared me. So, I don't have a problem going to a bar to spend time with people and have fun, watch a game, laugh, tell stories, or whatever. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!" Gal 5;1. His freedom is something to be celebrated and others should be able to see the joy of that freedom in you.

The only catch for me used to be second hand smoke. That makes me want to barf. They made that illegal awhile back around here, so that problem was solved, also. Jesus (you may be the only Jesus these people ever see) wants you to follow Him. The sick need a doctor. Your friends are sick. They need you to show them the Lord.

Don't get me wrong, I don't go to bars as a rule, but if someone asks me to go with them and I feel like the Lord wants me to fellowship with them, I follow His lead. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Sick people need you to show them how wonderful Jesus is. Your youthful exuberance is priceless. Run with it!

What I think really divides people is time. You won't feel comfortable in fellowship with these friends in the old patterns of behavior. That is only reasonable. If you love them, find other ways. If they care about you they will give up some of their time in the bar to be with you on your boat, ski trip, or service project, or whatever Jesus calls you to do with your time.

Here's a idea. Act like me. Tell them that you don't feel good with the old ways (not a lie) and you want to improve your health and that is why you are not consuming alcohol and doing the night life thing. Alcohol is very bad for you and full of empty calories. Ask them to go for a run with you in the morning instead. You get the idea. Give them your time, so you will be able to pray effectively for them. If they are stuck in the old patterns, you don't need to kill yourself with them. It won't help anyone and it will draw away from the one that loved you from the dawn of time.

By the way, the enemy want you to think that loosing things (that distracted you from your true love) is bad and therefore Jesus is not fun. It's a lie and he is the father of lies. Jesus has big, big things for you. Go with Him!
Calico 01/22/2011 21:04
Hey, Jim,

I think I just missed you in the chat the other day.

Let me say welcome to you, friend. It's good to have you here, and to have you add your voice to ours. :-)

Yes, this life seems daunting at first. It's like you are walking toward a door that looks like death... and yet, life awaits on the other side of that door.

I have to be frank with you: it is POSSIBLE that you MAY loose these ones that are currently in your life. You are quite right when you say "I don't know if they will support me in focusing on my life with Christ."

BUT this does not HAVE to be the outcome. And I want to encourage you: you will have NEW friends here, in DAB; friends who can assist you with talking with the ones you have such strong feelings for.

Let me offer something to you: Paul, perhaps the greatest missionary that ever lived, didn't ever start that as being yet perfected. He needed to grow. He needed mentorship. He need an environment of safety to "become who he is" and to mature in the process: "but I went away.... three years." (Gal. 1:17b, 18a; NAS).

Settle in here, Jim. Stay awhile with us. Let not your heart be troubled, as Jesus says; you can walk here with us, and we will walk alongside you. Much can come from this, and I encourage you to keep going.

Praying with you, very much,

Tom

P.S. - Ray's a good man; I encourage you to grow a relationship with him too. Feel free to click on my screen-name for my contact info. We can connect. :-)
Jake Van Horn 01/23/2011 02:35
Hi Jim,

I'm praying with you brother. Yes, what your saying makes sense. There's been great advise given here.

It's walking with God day by day moment by moment, choosing His will over our own. try not to worry about every little thing or every possible situation that may present it's self. The cool thing about Christ, when He comes into our lives, is that He changes us. These changes are extreme by world standards and people take notice. These changes can become opportunities to share the love of Christ.

The best advice I can give you concerning you friends is to simply allow them to see Christ through you. If that means doing something different or not doing something you used to do, so be it. this is a tough transition, but well worth it.

Tell your friends that the reason you are changing and the reason you want to share Christ with them is because you are truly their friend. Because when Your friends with a christian and they don't make some kind of a effort in any way what so ever, then there is a pretty good chance they either don't believe the bible or they simply don't like you. There's really no alternative.

Thanks for this reminder Jim. I struggle so much with these types of concerns. I'm praying with you in all of this.

Jake
cal-texan 01/23/2011 22:57
Hi Jim...Welcome to the DAB forums and thanks for coming in and letting us help you with what I think is a delicate matter. As we live life we meet people who in some instances become friends. We go through things and some friends go through them with us. We do things together, spend time together, laugh and cry together, and sometimes we argue. This is life. During this time, you also find what you need besides friends is God. You cannot come to God without coming through his son Jesus, and when you do, now in you, resides the Holy Spirit. This is the Trinity. Then during your walk with God, you come into contact with other believers,(like us here at DAB), Have you seen how many are here?...So as you change and your life changes, yes, you may lose some friends, but at the same time, God is putting you in touch with new friends. We know what you are going through, We will be here to support you. We will encourage you along the way, and we will love you because you are our Brother in Christ. So..are you alone? No..you have us. Are you afraid? Probably, but God can and will change your fear into courage. Stay focused. Keep in the Word. Share so we can help and encourage. Pray for us..And we'll be praying for You. God Loves You, and so do I. Your New Friend...Jerry
Craig from Illinois 01/24/2011 14:57
I'm in a similar situation Jim and reading all this advice as if it were meant for me. Thanks for posting.

Craig

amykauai 02/01/2011 22:26
In a similar situation too.... Now I'm really wishing I had some Christian friends.
Calico 02/01/2011 22:29
C'mon over to the WindFarm cafe chat, Amy... we'll love ya and hug ya and squeeze ya and call you our own. :-)

Serious, though, if you get the Thread Notification note in the next little while of tonight, come over to http://www.justin.tv/windfarmcafe#/w/818636736/12 and jump right in. Lots of people will welcome you there.

We can help. :-)

Praying with you,

Tom
amykauai 02/01/2011 22:44
Wow, thanks for the fast reply Tom, that's really so nice! I went over there for about 2 seconds but I was a little intimidated.

Is there a forum here where I can study and talk about the Bible with other Christians? For example, a virtual course, or something like that? Maybe I'll feel less intimidated if there's a structure. ;)
Calico 02/01/2011 22:58
ummmm, hmmm,

There is a forum on DAB for Biblical Questions and Spiritual Discussions (found here http://dailyaudiobible.org/Forums/Threads.aspx?ForumID=1000036643), but not in a chat format on DAB. Sometimes those discussions DO happen in chat, but on the other hand chat wanders around from light-hearted talk and prayers to all kinds of deep stuff too.

Know what? Take your time here; settle in. Most here a good bunch. Build some friendships here in the various forums, and make some connections. No judgments; so no worries, ok? Feel free to click on my screen-name for contact info; or, click the little quote-bubble thingy beside my screen name, that will let you send a DAB Private Message.

We'll make connections, and walk alongside on the path for a bit of the journey! :-)

But feel free to join us in chat WHENEVER YOU'RE READY. No deadlines, so take your time.

Praying with you,

Tom
Jim 02/05/2011 21:53
Thanks again for all the kind words of advice. they sure have given me a lot to chew on. This is just the kind of group I need. I need kindness, but also need to be told the TRUTH even if that is tough to hear. Thanks guys and gals. Now...you may have seen on some other of my posts...let's get going on getting my physical heart fixed. I pray for you all. Love. jimmy
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