Originally posted by Shiloh:
John E "I just feel that when the Lord bring people into our lives and express needs we who are able should seek to meet those needs"
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How do you know the Lord brought her into your life?
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In a word, providence.
From Easton’s dictionary, “providenceliterally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; Prov. 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1), and things sinful (2 Sam. 16:10; 24:1; Rom. 11:32; Acts 4:27, 28), as well as to their good actions (Phil. 2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:22-25).”
Originally posted by Shiloh:
No kidding, For every one time that kind of fellowship turned out all right, I'll give you ten that didn't. I am a preacher, and you people know I don't mince words. In the situation that John E spoke about I followed and there was good advice given by most. However she did just what I thought she would do. 1. She didn't want money. 2. She didn't want Salvation. 3. What did she want?
Sorry to hear about that 1 for 11 batting average. Should our Lord not have spoken to the woman at the well in Samaria? After all that would have led to gossip; a Jewish man speaking to ahalf-breed woman! Jesus broke all gender/social barriers to offer salvation. Was that not a pattern to follow. Do you as a pastor withhold the gospel from all females unless they’re sitting in the pews in front of your pulpit?
Wow, your sense of discernment must feel vindicated! It almost sends like a smug “I told you so” that she did not accept either gift (church's money of God's salvation)
In regards to #1) Correction, she stated she didn’t NEED the monetary gift. Remember, she didn’t ask. Unbeknownst to her I offered the gift along with my testimony and the gospel message (unless you have the gift to discern my intentions beyond what I have clearly recounted to you).
In response to #2) Who does? See Romans 3:10-12. God has chosen through the foolishness of preaching the cross that people come to faith. Faith comes –by hearing –hearing the Word – the Word that is shared. But of course a pastor would know this? How would she hear the gospel if I didn't share it with her? Should we all let somebody else do it for us? Again see Jesus at the well and the the Good Samaritan stories.
In response to #3) I’m sure you have an a pre-formed opinion on the matter. My conclusion, “She’s looking for a job right now, probably nothing more”
I don’t want to mince words either, but I do stand in amazement that someone on a bulletin board hearing one side’s account of sharing the gospel can come to conclusions about the other parties motivation without ever having met or heard from them.
I wish I had the gift of discernment! Hopefully, the gift of wisdom in exercising it would come as a package deal!
She did ask me for the address of our church so she could write a thank you letter to the Deacons and Pastor.
Maybe the Lord would lead her to confess a sin in her life that’s so secret that only you know about?
In the end, I can say, as the Apostle Paul did in 2 Cor. 2:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” And I pray God will open her eyes... 2 Timothy 2:25 …God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,”.
Again thanks for the feedback,
Soli Deo Gloria
