> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship
My time with Jehovah's Witnesses is through
aqrinc:
Hi Steve,
Just say baaa baaa next time you see them if you are worried. Have no concern about
what anyone can do to injure you. We have to come to the point where we fear nothing
that carnal man can do to us. That may sound like bragging but Our Lord Has Said:
Genesis 15:1:
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,
Abram; I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.
Daniel 10:12:
And he said unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst give thy heart
to understand and to afflict thy soul before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come
because of thy words.
Revelation:1: 17-18
17-And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying
unto me, Fear not; I AM the first and the last,
18-and he that lives and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the
keys of Hades and of death.
george. ;D
smeacham:
I opened the door to them because they were excellent and Godly counselors for what had happened with my daughter. Their book "Questions Young People Ask" was a valuable resource at that stage in our family crisis, and will continue to be with our other children as they grow older.
I know that some on this board would caution not to open the door to them. I follow that doctrine for false religions. But, if we both believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected, and seen by many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-9), I will try to establish at least a minimal level of fellowship. If we can disagree on other things without being disagreeable, then it can work out. If not, as in this case, then we need to stop it.
By the way, I've spoken with my good JW friend at work, and she will remain my friend. This gives me joy, and helps to counter much of the melancholy I was feeling.
Steve
aqrinc:
Hi Steve,
I believe that door is the Door of your Mind (Heart - Seat of Understanding); that is addressed in cases like this.
Here are some Scriptures that speak to our minds and hearts.
Micah:7: 1-10
1-Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer [fruits], as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.
2-The merciful [man] of the earth is missing: and [there is] no one upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt each man his brother with a net.
3-To complete the evil with their hands, the prince demands, and the judge [judges] for a reward; and the great [man] speaks the desires of his heart: and they confirm it.
4-The best of them [is] as a brier; the most upright [as] a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen, thy visitation, comes; now shall be their confusion.
5-Do not believe in a friend, do not trust in a prince; from her that lies at thy side, take care, open not thy mouth.
6-For the son dishonours the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; and a man's enemies [are] those of his own house.
7-Therefore I will wait for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my saving health; my God will hear me.
8-Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy; for if I have fallen, I shall arise; if I sit in darkness, the LORD [is] my light.
9-I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he has judged my cause and executed my judgment; he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness.
10-Then [she that is] my enemy shall see [it], and shame shall cover her who said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? my eyes shall behold her: now she shall be trodden down as the mire of the streets.
george. ;D
smeacham:
Wow, good comments, Rodger and George. This is why I love this forum!
George, I must admit, I'm not seeing the message you're trying to give me in the verses from Micah. However, the revelation that "the door" is really the door to my mind/heart, just floored me! Of course, you're correct, but that's part of my old understanding I hadn't overthrown yet. Thank you so much, brother! This eliminates some lingering guilt I was feeling, because I know that I never opened my heart to falsehood, only to truth.
Rodger, Jesus had carnal friends. He'd have dinner with them. He'd talk with them. He loved them - consider Lazarus and John! Yet, he did not love their carnality and He remained unstained by the world. This is what I try to do.
Romans 12:16-18 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
Lowly and meek describes my JW friend at work and those who came to my home (until they decided to teach Watchtower doctrines).
Steve
Dave in Tenn:
Steve, I'm glad this issue with your daughter has been resolved. I don't have kids, but I was one and I know how far they can run without the constraining Grace of God. I'm also happy that God used whatever means necessary to aide your family.
But I'm moved to share this with you. There have been many things/events in my life that God has used to deliver a positive message to me at a time when I needed it. Not all of them have been nearly so 'godly' as a book--pop songs, wet dreams, marijuana, and other things I'd be too humiliated to mention. I hope you would agree with me that I ought not to stand up and declare that when future wisdom, councel, and comfort is needed that I should turn to them so they will continue to be with me as I grow older.
Balaam's donkey (can't type a@@ in the forum) spoke the words of God when nobody was around to do it. As far as I know, nobody ever went to him again for a word from God, and if they had it could easily have turned into idolatry. I'm thankful as are you that God used these things in our lives, but don't make plans that express limits on what God can do as your other children (and you) grow.
I don't know the first thing about this book. It's not for me to know as I'm not the father in your family. All I know is that it was useful. I just want to encourage you to get and stay sensitive to the leading of God as he continues to work in you.
I'm sorry if I'm out of bounds.
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