Is Withdrawing from the crowd, also a sign that one is withdrawing from God?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carla on April 4, 2012 at 8:33pm

Hi Grace Mercy,

 

It could mean that...  It's probably a good idea to check in with the person to ask them how everything is going, how are they doing?  Maybe this person is overwhelmed by current trials and they are really needing someone to trust--someone to talk to about it.  Perhaps they need to be affirmed, and reminded of their worth, and that they are loved.

The Lord will lead you in how to approach this person...but I would say it is absolutely important to approach them at the very least.  Prayer is always the first thing.

 

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Grace Mercy on April 5, 2012 at 6:49pm

Hello Carla,

Thank you so much for the input..

Amen.. I do agree Prayer is always the first thing.

Great Amen.

Thank you once again

God bless you as you keep serving the Lord faithfully.:)

love you in Christ.

GM

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on April 5, 2012 at 5:09am

To use the old adage: Sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car no more then sitting in a church makes you a Christian. Churches buildings don't save you nor keep you saved. However, I couldn't survive without mine. My main time that I attend is Sunday morning. I rarely go on Wednesday night & my brother is the pastor. I go more on Weds when my boys are out of school. It's hard for me to get there when they're in school though if I really & truly tried to be there, I could make it work. Wednesday is man's doing, though I must say it's one of man's better creations. I'm not one to socialize either. I absolute abhor going to banquets - Valentine's, Mother's Day, & the list goes on. I'm just not one to socialize. When my babies get older, I'm sure I'll never go these events. The only reason I go now is for them. I have friends who don't go to church period. I can see where not going so has makes a huge difference in their own lives. They are left to their own devises to interpret the Word as they see fit & I feel church gives you that leverage of truth & knowledge. I always check everything the man of God says,just ask them. hehe. So, there needs to be a balance. A lot of folk feel because they are there 24/7, their duties are complete. I say outside the doors are where they grow their fruits. Then, bring them inside the buildings. 

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Permalink Reply by Grace Mercy on April 5, 2012 at 6:54pm

Well, to sum up.. what matters most is the hearts condition before God..

And I also believe when your heart is right with God, it shows up in the outside..

Which I prefer, rather than showing what is not really true in the inside.

God bless you.

You're such a blessing sister.

Thank you so much for the input.

keep serving the Lord Faithfully, Amen:)

Love you sis In Christ.

GM

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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on April 5, 2012 at 5:18am

Grace Mercy,

It could also mean that the person in question is learning more from Sunday School...what the pastor is teaching isn't what the person wants to hear. He may be going through a period where he is learning and he is learning better through Sunday School, where he can ask questions and comment and not be out of place.

Not everyone fits in a church pew well. They shouldn't be judged for that, IMHO, but we shouldn't leave off asking them to attend with us.

In my own situation....I am not attending church currently. My daughter wants me to continue to attend where she goes because the pastor is her father-in-law. I don't attend there because he and his wife lied about me and I don't think he (the pastor) needs my attendance. I have delayed getting into another church, for the sake of my daughter and also because many of the churches I would attend are held at night or too far away to drive to . I have thought of forgetting about them lying on me and going back but I am not fully convinced that I should do that.

During this time, I still continue to seek the face of God but I do it alone. I study my Bible and I am daily in here reading and talking with people such as yourself. I study the different questions that I hear in here through the Bible and it gives me better understanding to what God means by what He has written in His Word.

I have not fallen away from God.

Blessings to you.....

Rita

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on April 5, 2012 at 5:28am

Have you ever thought about bringing this situation up to this pastor & wife? Maybe with a mediator or something? If for no other reason then your own healing

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Permalink Reply by Grace Mercy on April 5, 2012 at 7:06pm

Thank you Rita,

thank you for sharing with us.

I do pray and agree with you that as you humble down before God, you would be able to forgive and release that thing to God and move on.. 

as the Holy Spirit leads/help you. Amen.

God bless you as you seek and know God deeper and deeper. Amen.

I love you in Christ :)

GM

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Permalink Reply by Carla on April 5, 2012 at 7:07am

Rita,

I tried to reply directly to your reponse, but the link wasn't working..
anyway.. Hebrews 10:25 tells us;
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Verse 24 tells us why:
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

I realize that some people are using AAG as a substitute for meeting together, and AAG is a wonderful place that can fulfill some of those needs that we as a body have...but it is limited. The motivation we're to give one another, is like a spurring on in fellowship to do acts of Love and good works. Those things are really accomplished physically. The prayer we offer is the starting point, the acts of love and good works are the follow thru by what we have heard in prayer. These things in scripture have always been done in fellowship, and it is how God designed us...A body with many parts---each fulfilling their part and responsibility.

I acknowledge that for some people who have been hurt by the church this is difficult, that's why the message for us to esteem others and forgive others is so important. With God's help we are able to 'get over' the hurts of the past and move into obedience to live out the ways described in scripture. I firmly believe that Christian growth occurs in community with accountability. I believe that because that is what scripture teaches, and also by my personal experience.

Bless you.
Carla

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Permalink Reply by Grace Mercy on April 5, 2012 at 6:57pm

Amen. Absolutely right!

We need to deny ourselves and live our life in accordance to what the scripture says. :)

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Permalink Reply by Antoinne Bart on April 5, 2012 at 9:59am

Everyone needs fellowship with the CHristian Family. When someone withdraws it means there is a problem or there is something lacking and the person needs spiritual help

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Permalink Reply by Grace Mercy on April 5, 2012 at 6:59pm

Hello Antoinne.

Thank you for the insights. :)

Love you in Christ:)

GM

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Permalink Reply by Mary O on April 5, 2012 at 12:27pm

Hi Grace/Mercy, God bless you!

Each person and each situation differs. There are times when I've been very tired from work (just an example) but I want to be around believers. Maybe I'm not feeling the best. I will go and sit quietly. Usually the Christians around me will figure out that I'm tired and gently hug me. I don't always go to fellowship with the idea to minister. Sometimes I need to be ministered to as well. Withdrawing can be a cry for help and support. It's good to look out for one another. You can kind of tune into how each person's feeling. God will tell you.

A friend of mine (Dave) works on a community or hobby farm. He had a terrible day and passed out while out in the field. We didn't know. Our church had gathered a box of gifts and just little things to bless him. Dave is one of those workers and helpers in the body of Christ. He is so selfless. We sent the box and it arrived for Dave on the day when he was feeling so bad. He told us that he cried. He was fast asleep and his family left it outside his bedroom door. When he discovered the box, it was filled with lots of love.

Sometimes an act of love and kindness can turn things completely around. Maybe look past the withdrawal and see what it is that's needed.

Love,

Mary

 

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