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Witnessing
PKnowler:
Mrsnacks,
That does sound like a divine appointment and praise God you were ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you.
How exciting! That is true witnessing! It is God who works in a person and creates the desire for them to seek for truth. We can't make someone want to hear God's Truth. That's great that you had the opportunity to participate in God's work!
May God bless us all to be able to share with others truly seeking; may He also grant us opportunity to be coworkers with Him in helping to free them from the bonds and deception of Babylon. AMEN!
joyful1:
I've been thinking about "witnessing" as well....
I am in the "process" of being changed....but you can't HELP but want to share this GOOD NEWS as soon as you begin to "GET IT!" :)
I took a new notebook last night, as a matter of fact, and began to list the things that might help me actually keep key scriptures on hand with me where ever I go...
I know that in certain situations: like if you're being dragged in front of a king's courtroom...
you don't prepare for situations like that...because the Holy Spirit will give you the words in that very hour...(*or is that a parable that I haven't understood yet?)
but in every day life....I want to be able to help those that God puts in my pathway...
and be ready to "give an answer" as in I PT 3:15-17 Its interesting to see where that passage leads to: Christ suffering and our sharing in that suffering because the very ones that we witness to often hate us (*not exactly the same situation that you had on the plane, mr snacks).
I came across a "flip chart" in a book store many years ago...that was used to keep Babylon's "KEY VERSES" in a nice color coded organized water proof file....I LOVED it! Sometimes, I think of reproducing it just using the "Genuine" Good News in it! :)
Mr Snacks....did you have notes with you on the plane? or was all that from memory? Just curious! Joyce :)
mrsnacks:
Hi Joyce:
I didn't have any notes. I am in prayer mode. And then I just pray as I am having a conversation with someone or others. I rely on the Lord. And He draws from what He has taught me and shown me. But the most important thing is not what you say. It is what you don't say. I have learned to not rely on the flesh or my intellect. You see in the past I was spouting off arguments. Being very logical and drawing from the many books I have read. That was a comfort zone. Then the Lord showed me that it was easy to become prideful. So many apologists as I was - depended on the flesh. And when one is witnessing from trusting God instead of trusting your thinking then you will see God's power in motion. It is not about us. Then you you rest in Him. And when I am in prayer mode and trusting the Lord and listening to Him-- He instructs you along the way. He talks to you . But one must be quiet. So the focus is on the Lord. And then you start to focus on the person and listening to what they are saying and you will begin to see their heart. The Lord gives you these eyes. And then you will treat the person differently. I hope you can understand what I am saying. Jesus talked to the heart of the person. We are to do the same. And when you see the heart of the person - you talk to them differently.
I recall an aquaintance saying to me " we should hang out together. " I said why ? He said so we can just hang and talk . I then said I wouldn't mind doing that but if we are going to talk - let us talk about deeper things. Not this surface stuff . Now keep in mind . When I did hang out in the past - the conversations were always surface. I gave him a word picture. I said hanging out with you is like spending time in the baby pool. I don't mind the water but I like spending time in the deeper end if you don't mind. So from now on - if it is going to be surface conversation- I have got better things to do then talk sports or movies and trivia. No offense but that is not where I am at. He looked at me in a strange way and said okay - let's talk about some deeper things. And then we got together and spent an hour or so on talking in the deep waters . I opened up with taking interest in his life. I wanted to know if he was happy. I asked quite a few questions. He then opened up and became transparent. I did this because I prayed about it and God directed me. When you trust in HIm in these areas -- He gives you insights. Things come out of your mouth that would surprise you. Hope this helps.
joyful1:
Mr Snacks--
Thanks so much for your reply. On a few rare occasions, I've felt that God gave me a WORD in due season to give to another person....and the same type thing was going on with me that you described...I was "holding God's hand" in the Spirit...while speaking in the physical realm to a person...and I knew that the information was not coming from my intellect....it was a wonderful feeling to be included in that interaction between God and the other person.
So....being ready to give an answer....is all in the preparation time spent in the WORD?
Do you NEVER use any articles or verses or notes? Just curious.
Joyce :)
mrsnacks:
--- Quote from: joyful1 on March 13, 2007, 12:10:13 PM ---Mr Snacks--
Thanks so much for your reply. On a few rare occasions, I've felt that God gave me a WORD in due season to give to another person....and the same type thing was going on with me that you described...I was "holding God's hand" in the Spirit...while speaking in the physical realm to a person...and I knew that the information was not coming from my intellect....it was a wonderful feeling to be included in that interaction between God and the other person.
So....being ready to give an answer....is all in the preparation time spent in the WORD?
Do you NEVER use any articles or verses or notes? Just curious.
Joyce :)
--- End quote ---
----------------------------------------------
You're welcome. All God told me was to open up. He was saying that it was okay to speak deeper truths to this lady. He didn't give me word for word but gave me the green light. So the Holy Spirit within me is flowing like a river so I just tuned in to the flow. Not being anxious but just ( I call it being in the zone) listening.
I am just myself. No notes or verses at hand. The preparation is just having this ongoing conversation with the Lord throughout the day.And I just communicate basically the same way He does with me. The Lord teaches me by asking questions. He doesn't lecture me.
He uses few words. He is to the point. He is kind and gentle. Very loving and patient.
For example I remember standing in line at a grocery store and started to get very impatient with a lady in front of me. She didn't have her card ready to pay. She kept typing in the wrong code and just taking a long time. Then the Lord said to me " why are you so
upset ? " I then responded and told Him why. Then He said " Can you make better use of your time rather than complain - why not look at it as a time to be grateful or thankful ? " I then started to praise Him and pray. And then when that happens to me when I am in line - I just immediately start praising God and talking to Him. So the Lord transformed me in that way . It started with a question. He didn't order me and tell me what to do. And He talks in a gentle way. A still small voice. I then realize that there are times that I have taken longer than I should have in line in the past.
So I do the same with others. Jesus rubs off on me. THis is relationship. As you have these conversations with the Lord , you start to talk like the Teacher. THis is something that has happened to me in the past year or so. Before that I was in a different place. I was taught that God speaks to us only in His Word the Bible. That to me isn't a relationship. That is knowing about God. Not knowing Him intimately. So I did pray and ask Him to communicate to me. He finally talked to me but only when I was silent in my prayers. I used to just talk my head off when I prayed for years. How could I hear from Him when I am always doing the talking ? So I would just say nothing and wait. My prayers had many pauses in them. A lot of silence. And then I felt in my spirit His voice. Not audible but an impression. He would give me visions. God is not in a box. For so long I put Him in the box.
He speaks to me within. And it isn't because of me. He will do this to anyone if they just take the time to seek Him and be quiet and still.
As you grow in Him - you will recognize His voice. For I hear my own within at times. And of course the adversary's voice. For example in line the voice that says " Wow that lady is sure taking a long time isn't she? " That is not God speaking. That is a voice trying to start some trouble. Hope this helps.
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