Christianity Oasis Forum

[Mackenaw]

Hello TrueandMagneticNorth,

God bless you this day.

Sounds like The Holy Spirit has you thinking. Awesome!!!

It is not unusual for The Holy Spirit to show us that what we prefer in the "natural" is not what He has in mind for us, as His servant.

You said:

The thing is, I am a person who really loves space, needs human contact really with only a small circle of loved ones and a friend or two, and sort of loves isolation.

Yep, that pretty much describes me too. But, The Holy Spirit inspires me -- the new man/woman -- to step out of my comfort (or preferred) zone and do for Him.

May I suggest to read the Spirit of Truth Study, here on this site, since you have already done the Many Called Few Chosen Study.

Here is the link: http://www.christianityoasis.com/Spirit ... tepOne.htm

Keep seeking The Lord. He has much to say to you, and much to do through you.

God bless and keep you.
In Christ Jesus,
Sister Mack

[TrueAndMagneticNorth]

Hello to all who have been kind enough to offer me insights,

I want to thank you for taking the time to do so. I feel I have gotten something out of your general input. And I will indeed look more into the advice/website links/general input you've given me.

Pine, to answer the question about goats and sheep, I think it is now clearer to me that it primarily a heart issue, ie. who's serving for God, and who's serving for their own glory.

In short, God has made it clear that there is nothing we could ever do to warrant a thank you from our creator and sustainer. So the one puffing the chest out proudly as his/her record of service is read out will not get a thank you, and may not even get a 'well done'.

Yet it is clear that the one who is humble (I pretty much take this to mean they are not boastful or proud, not in it primarily for their own glory) will indeed get a 'well done, true and faithful servant', which, coming from The Lord, is the greatest thing a person could ever hear.

Anyway, please pardon me for an abrupt change of topic, but, if you have the time and warrant it relevant/appropariate enough, I ask youfor your thoughts/prayers for Egypt's Christians amid the current unrest.

I don't pretend for a second to be an expert on what's really going on there, but I have initiated a topic on this subject, with my basic thoughts on the plight of that country's Christians, in the COOL-cafe message board. (That is the link underneath)

http://www.christianityoasis.com/Member ... hp?t=22670

I'm not as yet completely familiar with this site, so, alternatively, perhaps someone can suggest a better/broader forum in this community to raise the issue, or perhaps even an already-exisiting one.

Thanks for your time. Godd bless you all.

[sarasue7777]

Hi. I am taking the 14 day Path Study on this site and day 13 or Step 13 answers your questions completely:



LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE ...

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

God puts people into our life … family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. Each of these people bring special gifts and insights to their relationship with us. God works through the people He bings into our lives to help us become the kind of person He wants us to be. It’s amazing to watch Him accomplish His will in our lives as we talk, laugh, serve and encourage each other. It's also amazing to see how the Lord uses us in the lives of other people.

Psalms 111:1-2
I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with His godly people. How amazing are the works of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them. (NLT)

God gave you unique gifts that make up who you are … your enthusiasm, your talents, the things you love to do. He put it all together for a purpose. And, He has a very specific plan for you to use those gifts. It’s not difficult to discover your gifts. What makes you enthusiastic? Teaching? Helping? Organizing? You’ll find that God puts you into situations where you have to use the gifts that He gave you to serve His people.

1 Peter 4:10
Share your gifts with one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Serving one another is like magic. If there’s a best way to forget about your problems, it’s to help somebody else with theirs. Your love and support can make a difference in someone’s life … and your own.

1 Peter 4:8
Charity (love) removes a multitude of sins.

REACH OUT

We are called to fellowship. As fellow Christians, we are brethren, friends, comrades, partners … united, and all working for the same cause, to spread the Good News of Jesus. We have problems along the way. All of us. That’s a part of life. The Lord understands that and He wants us to reach out to one another and help each other through the trials and tribulations that arise each and every day.

Romans 12:10
Show kind affection to one another with brotherly love, in honor, putting others above yourself.

Galatians 5:13-14
By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

[seeker77]

I understand your question, concerning "space." I'm one who also values my time alone, but what I've found is that God provides both the opportunites, and the desire, to Minister to others, and that I no longer value my personal time as much as I once did. I think that if you come to God with the attitude of"It's no longer my life, but yours LORD, and allow him to have his will in your life, you may be surprised at the changes he makes in your life, and may find that you actually enjoy spending time with others when you're doing God's work and ministering to their needs, all in the wonderful name of Jesus!
God's blessings uipon you, and I hope this was a little bit of help.