In need of advice..

[Light&salt]

Hi,
Going to tell you about my neighbour, she is my friend and she is not born again. We both have little children and some hobbies in common and have spent a lot of time together. She is a nice person, and I have told her about Jesus and how to get saved. We used to have good times togheter. She grew up in a home with very much religious christianity, and very little, almost no Jesus I think. Resently things have been difficult in the relationship between us. She believes in different kinds of healing therapists and talks extremly much of - what shall I call it - "wordly matters". She also has been talking to me in respectless ways, even when others have been listening. This really is hard for me. I don't want to let her close to me anymore. I have given her the gospel and the way to salvation. I start to think that my roll in this relationship and as a witness unto her is finished. I absolutely don't feel like spending time with her. It bothers me and I am not sure this is how I am supposed to feel as a christian? Confused.. What do you sisters and brothers in Christ think about this? Thankful for advice.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

We are called to tell others the good news and you have sown the seeds with this lady. If the Holy Spirit tells you to stay away I would do so. Obedience to the Lord is the way forward. Ask Him what He wants you to do.

We do have seasons for different things and maybe this season is finished if you are uncomfortable with her. You have shown her love which is a real blessing.

It is up to her now to accept or reject Jesus. We sow the seeds and He does the reaping dear sister.

God bless you for caring for your neighbour. :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Light&salt]

Thank you
Yes, I feel like you said it's up to her now if she's going to accept Jesus. I will pray much for her to do so.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

I agree Prayer is powerful. Sometimes all we can do for a person is to pray for them and give them to God. He is in control. He convicts people by His Holy Spirit. He does not want any to perish.

God bless you sister. :rainbow: :rose:

 

[kenwyn]

One of the really refreshing things about the stories in the Bible is that God doesn't tell His people how they are "supposed to feel". From poor Job scraping his sores with pieces of broken pot to King David making a fool of himself by dancing for joy, God accepts all those feelings.

I agree with what has gone before about different seasons and purposes.

It sounds like the way she is treating you is damaging and hurtful to you. It is okay to step back from this relationship with out feeling you have let anybody down.

 

[Faithin1]

Light&salt, you have done what you could to help your neighbor. God doesn't want anyone to be forced into accepting and loving Him. If salvation is meant for her she will come to Him, and of course, He will welcome her with open arms. What a mighty God we serve!

 

[monkeys]

Light&Salt,

I read your post, and I hope it is not too late to give you some advice. I admire you that have been trying to minister to your friend. It is not as easy as it may seem to tell someone about the Lord. I can understand that you are frustrated and that your neighbor is hindering your spirit. But, that could also be the devil trying to distract you or discourage you from telling her about the Lord.

Maybe, you could...only if you want...try to tell her that knowing Jesus and God isn't a religion, but a relationship. I'm sure that she is associating God/Jesus with Christianity. If you feel like you have done everything that you have done, and that you just don't know what else to do but pray, then that is also understandable.

2 Cor. 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

So...if she comes to you, then show her what a follower of Christ really is. You can show her by your actions vs. your words. This does not mean that you have to go out of your way to talk to her. I hope you understand what I am saying and hope that it helped! And like everyone else said, pray....because prayer is very powerful!

Take Care & God Bless,
Monkeys

 

[Light&salt]

I'm blessed to be part of TJ. Thank you for answers from your hearts I think it's like you say. She must be the one to make another move towards Jesus. No one can force her. I will be here for her if she needs me, but will not let her continue to treat me the way she has done and hold her more at a distance than usually. I think I can calm myself down with this decision.
Bless you all:star:

 

[ladylovesJesus]

You are very welcome light&salt. We are here to help each other. God is an awesome God. He will lead and guide us all by His Holy Spirit.

Just stay obedient to Him.

God bless you. :rainbow: :rose:

 

[HouseofJudah]

Light&salt,

Trust in the Holy Spirit always. He guides us in all we do and is the Spirit of Truth. I agree with monkeys that maybe the devil is trying to hinder this neighbor's salvation but she is the one to make a decision. Remember it is GOD who saves. Continue to pray for her soul and that the HOLY SPIRIT will reveal himself to her.

 

[lnrobar]

I'm blessed to be part of TJ. Thank you for answers from your hearts I think it's like you say. She must be the one to make another move towards Jesus. No one can force her. I will be here for her if she needs me, but will not let her continue to treat me the way she has done and hold her more at a distance than usually. I think I can calm myself down with this decision.
Bless you all:star:

You know that is probably the best decision for you at this time. I mean, I don't know the situation, but you've done all you can do and God is saying "Let me handle this now" and yea. You be led and do what Jesus tells you to do, and let the rest take care of it's self. God's got it under control!

 

[PraySay]

Don't hate...just keep a distance...depising even the garment...

 

[PraySay]

Oh, and be sure to look for another avenue that the Lord Jesus would have you travel down, along with Him by your faithful side, amen

 

[Light&salt]

An update on this: I have barely talked with her. It's really intent between us. Strange the way things change when a person is about to get saved, seems like all trouble brakes loos. I think it's lot of resistance because she actually is not far from God. I have to admit I have been really angry with her. I repent for this. I shall be angry with the devil and pray for her even more. Thank you all for wise answers, really was a great help for me to think more clearly. :wink:

 

[justsavedvince]

Love and Respect. Pray for her all the time when you're away from her.. and if you're going to talk to her, pray that Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say and give you opportunities to keep planting/watering the seed. Understand that God is love.

No one can truly understand what love is without accepting Christ into their heart and having a relationship with Him. Everything people who aren't Christians do is try to fill a void in their life/heart. They search all over the place whether it be healers, drugs, money, relationships, you name it... Little do they know they are searching for love which can only be found through Jesus Christ.

So when you see her or anyone who isn't a true Christian, just see them as needing Christ in their heart and be willing to love them so you can show the love of Christ through what He has done for you. This can help prevent us from judging also, because we don't look down on someone because they are going to healers, but instead just feel for them as they are really just trying to find the truth but are getting lost.

If God leads you to share examples in your life of how Jesus has helped you, testimony is a strong thing and it can't be refuted as long as you are truthful about it. So if you feel Him tugging at your heart to share something, do it. Let the Spirit speak through you and you may help her out. Know that whatever you do, you're not failing because you're doing what Christ wants you to do.

Be patient, this stuff you say may not be fully understood at first, it may take years... but do your part by listening to God and obeying Him, and then let Him take care of the rest and move on to the other things He has planned for you. I pray He'll reveal to you what He wants you to do here. In the mean time, set aside time every day to read your bible and pray and ask God to speak to you each and every time in Jesus' name. God bless you.

 

[Light&salt]

That's mighty justsavedvince. I really felt God speak to me in what you said. Thank you for sharing
God is in control of the situation, and I will act on what He tells me to do or say. Feel I am stronger and have a lot more boldness. God is great.