As a new believer I was so excited I wanted everyone I knew to get baptized and follow the Lord. This intensified each time The Lord freed me of bondage, or the Bible revealed something to me, or I felt a powerful presence of the Lord. Some looked at me like I was crazy, and some looked at me like she has had a rough time, this too shall pass. This was huge desire for the people I love. I had forgotten what it was like, when I was in such bondage, or I was still buying into the lies, most importantly before I received The Holy Spirit. Sometimes the memory laps would be less than 24 hours.
I also would have a huge desire to share my convictions. Even secretly I would think "if they would only give that up their life would be better". I sent meaningful (I thought so) scriptures to people via txt, email, FB etc. I txted specific prayers I had for people to them. Independently from The Holy Spirit I was going to rack up numbers, bring people to The Lord, and set them free.
I so quickly forgot how I judged Christians shoving their beliefs down my throat. So quickly I forgot The words in the Bible didn't connect to me. So quickly I forgot how well meaning prayers I perceived as condemnation. My intentions as well meaning as they were fell on deaf ears.
I have even had that experience with other believers. A lady once revealed she was sexually abused as a child. I ask her if she had given that to The Lord? Thank You God for stopping me right there. I desperately wanted her to be freed from those wounds, I wanted to tell her what to do. I have a few believers that do not believe in gifts of the spirit, and all I want to do is tell them all about praying in tounges. I had quickly forgotten that when I previously heard people speaking in tounges it freaked me out.
One girl I was ministering to had been in a string of abusive relationships, decided two weeks after her baptism to enter another relationship. She ask my opinion, I expressed concern, telling her she needs to focus on her relationship with the Lord for a while. She disregarded my advise got into a relationship with another man she described as a Christian. I was so frustrated. Then a rush of memories of me going against exactly what some of my sisters had advised me to do, came over me.
We are called to be disciples, we are called to witness, we are called to glorify God, however, going beyond Gods will is ineffective. I had to learn to trust God and His perfect timing. The most important lesson I learned is to pray The Holy Spirit give me His words, and the other person the ears to hear. I pray any words not of the Holy Spirit fall away and not retained by the person I am talking with. I have learned relationship is very important in most situations. I can not presume I know the needs of the other person, I can not presume I know what God wants for them. Sometimes it is on my heart to be a bit pushy on a certain issue, sometimes just listen, sometimes let my behavior speak. I do not know the will of God. Sometimes we are only to plant seeds, to be watered by others.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the greatest guidance, the great comforter. I need only let Him use my mouth, my attitudes, my actions to do His perfect work.
Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing, Your perfect will. We know You want all Your children to draw near to You. Lord give me Your words to speak, Your thoughts, Your actions, Your attitudes, guide me so I do not go beyond Your will into my own. Thank You Jesus Amen
I also would have a huge desire to share my convictions. Even secretly I would think "if they would only give that up their life would be better". I sent meaningful (I thought so) scriptures to people via txt, email, FB etc. I txted specific prayers I had for people to them. Independently from The Holy Spirit I was going to rack up numbers, bring people to The Lord, and set them free.
I so quickly forgot how I judged Christians shoving their beliefs down my throat. So quickly I forgot The words in the Bible didn't connect to me. So quickly I forgot how well meaning prayers I perceived as condemnation. My intentions as well meaning as they were fell on deaf ears.
I have even had that experience with other believers. A lady once revealed she was sexually abused as a child. I ask her if she had given that to The Lord? Thank You God for stopping me right there. I desperately wanted her to be freed from those wounds, I wanted to tell her what to do. I have a few believers that do not believe in gifts of the spirit, and all I want to do is tell them all about praying in tounges. I had quickly forgotten that when I previously heard people speaking in tounges it freaked me out.
One girl I was ministering to had been in a string of abusive relationships, decided two weeks after her baptism to enter another relationship. She ask my opinion, I expressed concern, telling her she needs to focus on her relationship with the Lord for a while. She disregarded my advise got into a relationship with another man she described as a Christian. I was so frustrated. Then a rush of memories of me going against exactly what some of my sisters had advised me to do, came over me.
We are called to be disciples, we are called to witness, we are called to glorify God, however, going beyond Gods will is ineffective. I had to learn to trust God and His perfect timing. The most important lesson I learned is to pray The Holy Spirit give me His words, and the other person the ears to hear. I pray any words not of the Holy Spirit fall away and not retained by the person I am talking with. I have learned relationship is very important in most situations. I can not presume I know the needs of the other person, I can not presume I know what God wants for them. Sometimes it is on my heart to be a bit pushy on a certain issue, sometimes just listen, sometimes let my behavior speak. I do not know the will of God. Sometimes we are only to plant seeds, to be watered by others.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the greatest guidance, the great comforter. I need only let Him use my mouth, my attitudes, my actions to do His perfect work.
Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing, Your perfect will. We know You want all Your children to draw near to You. Lord give me Your words to speak, Your thoughts, Your actions, Your attitudes, guide me so I do not go beyond Your will into my own. Thank You Jesus Amen
