Indeed, if we are not careful we can give birth to an Ishmael with our ministries. And you know what the interesting thing is? That God still blessed Ishmael! So, just because you experience some measure of blessing in some manner in whatever ministry God has given you doesn't mean it is necessarily of God. I think this is the danger of simply sticking to various methods of evangelism, and doing it every single day or often.

As has been pointed out, the enemy of the best is often that which is simply good. Therefore, if you are following the leading of the Spirit, you might go through seasons of simply waiting and saying nothing. Remember, it was many years before the child of promise was born to Abraham.

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Jimmy H

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Ste

That my friend I do not know. That is ultimately something only God can show you. Seek His face, hear His voice, and be led by His Spirit. He'll show you.

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Jimmy H

all,

Spurgeon used to walk away from the pulpit thinking he was the worst thing that ever happened to the ministry. His wife would post Scriptures above his bed to encourage him to get up, as he felt so depressed and useless.

The bottom line is this, and we so easily skip over this. After Jesus was annointed by the Holy Ghost, he was immediately taken into the desert to by tempted by the devil. Why should it be any different. If you preach the gospel in truth, you will undoubtedly come under spiritual attack.

Being driven to your edge, to brokenness, and desperate prayer is part of being God's messenger.

I have been encouraged by God's simple word "go" as well. I just had to learn the meaning of "tarry" to balance it out.

You are not alone, and you are not abnormal. I had a dear brother tell me early in the ministry that Satan was going to try to corner me and make me feel like I was the only weirdo that felt the way I do out there. Sometimes Satan is still somewhat successful, but I just continue to focus on Christ, and being obediant to the Lord, and know that it is not by flesh that is getting anything done, but according to the power of the Spirit that works in and through me.

God bless you on your journey.

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Hal Bachman

hello allhavesinned,

I don't know if you'll ever see this message, but even so, I'm still going to send it.
I know how you feel. There are some things that I can tell you that might help.
First, let me tell you where I'm coming from.
I agree with Cahill. I think the question that you're asking is, "is there ever a time when it's better to NOT preach the gospel?"

I remember there was a time when John Westley tested himself, he decided not to share the gospel with anyone until he 'felt' like it. He had gone through the entire day and at the end of the day he noticed that he had not shared the gospel with anyone. He decided then that if gospel preachers went by what they 'felt' then they would never preach the gospel. Even Paul said that he was 'terrified' when he preached. (This coming from Paul???) But yes, he was terrified. So we really can't go by our feelings.

However, there is something that you can do to feel better about it. STUDY STUDY STUDY the gospel and seek God. Perhaps you will still fumble over verses, (Paul said I came to you speaking like a bumbler... ok I' paraphrasing a bit, but that really is what he's saying.)
Moses, didn't speak well either, but he faithfully delivered God's message. That is what we must do.

Perhaps you're placing too much of the responsibility upon yourself. You need to step back and realize your puny little role in all of this. It is GOD that does the saving, not you, or your great presentation, or your fancy words. I could write down the most eloquent message and have you memorize it, you could go out a give the greatest, clearest, presentation of the gospel ever given, and NO ONE would get saved. NO ONE! Why, because you did not place your faith in GOD to do it, you placed your faith in YOUR ability and the greatness, and smoothness of the speech. God will not have you place your faith in anything but HIM.

Is there ever a time that a humble man speaking on behalf of God should ever be silent? The answer to that question, YES! When it is not done in LOVE, PURE LOVE. Not necessarily for the hearers, but for Christ Himself, and out of that love for HIM, should come the love for others.
Don't go by your feelings. Go by LOVE.

Read 1 cor. 13 and look at how far disconnected love is from feelings.
Not by feeling, but by LOVE.

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, [b]and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
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to me its like this, i make myself ready, i study i pray i say Lord send me, show me your will. I want to be "clean vessel ready for him to use" .

He may not use it or he may use it, its up to him. Maybe he make me a street preacher? maybe he send me as a missionary? or maybe he will have me become a intercessor in the secret for him. Whatever he wants me to do i want to be ready . But if does not use me i don't want to run around without him trying to do Gods work with my own power. I believe we really have to "stay in Jerusalem" until we receive power to go out.

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CHRISTIAN