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Question on God's Will

Discussion in '2006 Archive' started by Shell, Dec 16, 2006.

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  1. Shell

    Shell New Member

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    I feel lately that I have fallen out of God's will for my life- I feel like I am "fake" at times. I know without a doubt I am saved. I am ashamed to talk to my pastor, b/c he thinks everything is ok. I want to walk with God closer- but I feel like something is stopping me, not sure what it is. I have come a long way from what/how I use to be. Any feedback?
     
    #1 Shell, Dec 16, 2006
  2. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Hi, Shell...

    Haven't heard from you in a while. I hope things are well.

    Your feelings are genuine. Any solid and real christian here on this board knows exactly how you feel, because we all go through periods where we examine our relationship with God and find that we come up short...

    ...not in terms of our salvation, but in terms of the fact that we are not perfect and that we could be doing a whole lot better than we are in terms of daily bible reading, prayer, lifting one another's burdens, confession, praise,.....etc.

    I can tell you exactly what is stopping you from having a closer walk with God - it's the devil.

    It makes him so angry that you desire a closer walk with God and that you acknowledge that you possibly aren't in the center of God's will.

    But just remember, it makes God infinitely more pleased and excited that you want to draw closer to Him and that you acknowledge that you could be more devoted to His Holy will.

    Tell God what you are afraid to tell your pastor.

    But remember, I guarantee that your pastor would love to hear from you and that he would never sit in judgement over you. I'll bet he would love to pray for you and with you and you might just be surprised at his reaction. If not your pastor, perhaps a deacon or Sunday School teacher?

    My prayer is that you seek God in earnest, listen to Him in the quiet moments, read the bible more, pray more, praise more, and seek to lift the burdens of others more.

    My prayer is that you find the content and peace of Jesus Christ that will bring you back to feeling like a genuine Christian again and that you find the center of God's will for you life again.

     
    #2 Scarlett O., Dec 16, 2006
  3. Joe

    Joe New Member

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    Hi Shell

    I believe what you describe is what all of us experience from time to time. I don't mean to minimize it, but I don't think it is something to focus on thought it's great you are aware of it. A bible study, or small group can be a wonderful opportunity to become closer to God's people. Volunteering is also a positive way to get to know others. Even then, sometimes it doesn't seem to work. I fall into what you describe on a regular basis, and have learned alot of it has to do with what is occuring at work or at home. But I still consider it normal.

    A close knit group of christian friends you can speak openly with makes a huge difference. Sometimes God pulls away, and other times he feels closer. Talk to him thru prayer. You are a child of god despite how you feel. He loves you. Just my 2 cents.

    Joe
     
    #3 Joe, Dec 16, 2006
  4. Shell

    Shell New Member

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    I just want to get back to what I consider normal- not feeling fake. I know many people do feel the exactly the way I do. :BangHead:

    I am not sure if speaking to others(deacon, sunday school teacher) would help. They are kinda in the same area of the pastor- assume/think everything is okay. I will just have to pray about it.
     
    #4 Shell, Dec 16, 2006
  5. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    You've got the answer right there, Shell. Prayer. The Bible tells us to come close to God and He will come close to us. I think that perhaps the Holy Spirit is now pushing you one step further, leaving you unsatisfied with where you have been up until now.

    That is not a bad thing! God bless you.
     
    #5 Helen, Dec 16, 2006
  6. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    There ya go! Keep praying night and day until God resolves this matter.:thumbs:
     
    #6 Aaron, Dec 16, 2006
  7. Joe

    Joe New Member

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    When I said I felt others felt similar to you, there were no other posts at that moment. Apparenlty Scarlett was typing at the same time so I read the post after I sent mine. Otherwise, I wouldn't have repeated what she said. Just so you know.
     
    #7 Joe, Dec 17, 2006
  8. Shell

    Shell New Member

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    Well, I will say that the GOD works in mysterious ways.- Last night/yesterday- was an evening that I truly, honestly sat down and prayed to GOD(I pray daily, but not as deep as last night) I felt like I was was out of GODs will and being fake. Allow me to explain what has happened
    --This morning our pastor announced that he would be resigning his pastorate(?) here at the church he started to go on deputation to go be a missionary to India. He stated that is was on his heart for some time and after he got guidance on it he decided to tell everyone. While I am sad he is leaving :tear: - Keep in mind- I have only told him some things that the only other person knows is God. However, I understand. His decision to follow God, made me realize that I need to totally submit to God and let him direct my path. For some time I have sought to go to the mission field myself- however I know I can not do that as single woman. This is also something I have discussed with him. I felt this way before he mention any of this to anyone. I will just keep following Gods will or try my best to and see what happens. Let me know if you have any suggestions or feedback.
     
    #8 Shell, Dec 17, 2006
  9. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    Shell, I believe there are some mission boards that help single ladies go to the mission field. Ask your pastor. Don't be afraid, but do be sure that's what you want to do.

    You're not a fake just because you have seasons of testing. I recently went through a period of about two weeks in which my faith was very weak. It seemed like the Spirit had left me (which we know is impossible).

    There is a reason for your testing. I don't know what it is, and you might not know either - but God knows what it is. And somehow, some way, it'll work out to your good.

    Talk to people that have similar experiences. Some of us have frequent peaks and valleys in our life. If that's you, it's just you. It's not necessarily a reflection of your faith or lack of it.

    Have confidence in God. He will lead you. Sometimes you just have to wait.
     
    #9 J.D., Dec 17, 2006
  10. racer84

    racer84 New Member

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    Shell,
    There is a lot of good info being given to you. As Helen said, if you draw close to Him, he will draw close to you. To get answers to prayer...Read your Bible...thats where God talks to you. See James Chapter 4. The whole book of James is good on the subject of returning to God. James 4:8 is where Helen was talking about.

    Our church has a single lady missionary to Bangladesh. She is a missionary nurse, working in a missionary hospital in a mostly Muslim and Hindu area. They are able to stay because it is a hospital. She did her own deputation, and the whole thing. Her name is Susan Edge, and is out of Smyrna Baptist in Pensacola, FL. www.smyrnabaptist.org

    God Bless
     
    #10 racer84, Dec 17, 2006
  11. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    My goodness, I don't know who told you that!

    Get a good biography on Lottie Moon. Read it and be inspired.
     
    #11 Scarlett O., Dec 18, 2006
  12. Shell

    Shell New Member

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    Well when speaking with my current pastor, he believes that a woman should not try to do it herself and that once she reveals her desires-(going to the mission field) god will eventually lead a man her way(a husband)- whether or not that is a warp way of thinking, I am not sure. I do know that the IFB chruch I am in is strict on standards and morals.
     
    #12 Shell, Dec 18, 2006
  13. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Shell, even though I disagree with that, I would not be so disagreeable as to call that warped thinking. However, I do believe that God calls single women to be his servants all the time and in a variety of ways.....the mission field being one of them.



     
    #13 Scarlett O., Dec 18, 2006
  14. Shell

    Shell New Member

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    I will have to pray on it more and get the autobiography on that person. I just need to get through the holidays without losing my mind
     
    #14 Shell, Dec 24, 2006
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Hello and Merry Christmas, Shell.

    As an IFB missionary, I should have jumped in on this one from the start, but I'm afraid I just glanced at it, noticed that you were getting some good advice, and went on my merry way. I'm waiting right now for my wonderful wife to finish our Christmas dinner (ham with all the fixin's), so I think I have time to write you a little.

    Let me say first that the view that a single woman cannot go to the mission field is a minority one among us IFB types. I suggest that you pray about meeting the candidate committee of a good IFB mission board such as ours (www.baptistworldmission.org), BIMI, etc. This will do several things for you.

    (1) It will get the ball rolling. If the Lord does not want you on the field He may at this time close the door.

    (2) You will hear some great advice from wonderful men of God who have known many other ladies just like yourself, some of who were aimed the wrong direction, some of who went to the field single, and some of who (like my wife) were led to a missionary man and fell in love! I was a single man on deputation when Patty applied to the board, and the candidate committee started discussing me right there in front of Patty! (By the way, they told her she would never make it single and put her under watch care until our romance developed! :love2: )

    (3) You may be put in touch with the needs of various fields.

    (4) You may be put in touch with single women already on the field.

    Here are some caveats.

    (1) It is very difficult to be a single missionary, man or woman. Be sure you are called.

    (2) You will of course not be a church planter or pastor, but you can help with SS, ladies meetings, the education of missionary kids and in other ways. There are of course also nurses on various fields, as someone mentioned.

    I would be happy to correspond with you by PM (private message) if you would like to know more about our board, etc.

    I smell ham. Gotta go! [​IMG]
     
    #15 John of Japan, Dec 25, 2006
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