If people all around me are dying of thirst and I have the only cup of water, should I share it? Should I expect that the dying will drink the water the same way I do, with the same relief of desperation, with the same quenching of my parchedness? I feel extremely grateful for the Living Water I drink from and I hope that my life reflects not only that gratitude but the reality that without it I will die, just like the parched, dying desert around me.

Jer 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by waters,which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

The very next verse.. "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." Jer 17:9-10... Doesn't seem to be asking for my help and I certianly don't feel qualified to go against the Word of the Lord.

I don't have a pulpit or a lot of ministry experience however I have had friends that died, unsaved, unable to grasp even the purest simplest milk of spiritual Truth. And what haunts me is could I have shared somehting that would have changed their fate? More importantly what will my answer be at the judgement? Was my time used wisely, or was I guilty of being caught up in my selfish, wicked heart?

When I have shared the gospel it's effectiveness is not in the words because I don't have the power but I know that when the conviction falls on someone then the power is in the Spirit. I'm sure that's obvious to most,if not all of you, but I am still amazed by the response because I haven't started out with the thought of convicting sinners and I do feel surprised at their brokenness.

My point in regards to this thread is that my thoughts and my words are often ineffective and dull but it's the Word of God which is quick and powerful; and I could only hope to share the Living Water as best I'm able and that takes far too much attention and energy too become distracted and defensive.

Rich

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Richard E Lewis III

Picky400,

Wanted to see if you know Alan personally? The way your post comes across is that you may actually know each other? You mentioned that he lived at home and was 19 and the like. I met Alan a few times personally and he is a very zealous young man. He does have a lot to learn as we all do. I understand your frustration with young guys zeal making blanket statements and the like. I also understand your feelings about how life has a way of making us look at things differently. Yet, coming at him in a way that he will perceive as "persecution for Christ" will only harden him in that state.

I know Alan is no stranger to folk reacting to his zeal as your post puts things. I have seen it in action. Young people like Alan are precious to the Lord and need direction from folks that are in ministry and can give him some pointers. Yes, the post was a smack on the head. Yet, maybe if it was toned down a bit it would suffice. The points are legit by and large- it is the sharpness and the use of certain words that make it too strong. Like typing in ALL CAPS or something. The Holy Ghost may be saying things, but we have to be faithful to deliver the message in the same Spirit with which we received the revelation. We can't deliver in the flesh what we receive in the Spirit. I am not saying that happened here, I am simply making a general statement. We all could just use a little more tact I suppose.

God Bless,

-Robert

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Robert Wurtz II

You! ...

Yes You! ...

You behind Picky400 ...

You know i see you, and i take authority over you, and command you, in the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth, and by the power of Christ shed blood on Calvary, and the might of Holy Spirit, the same loosing of Mark 5: 2-8 ...

In fact i come against every foul, abusive, wicked and unclean spirit for whatever the reason that you've been drawn to this SI website lately, and i cast you out, whether you're in or on your host, by the power of the Blood of Christ ... And i call upon Holy Spirit to either banish you from this site supernaturally, or to convict you to repentance from you're backslidden condition if in fact your already saved, or unto salvation if you're not ... And yes our Lord has given me enough faith to call it done right now in the name of Jesus ... Amen

Hey if other people despise my youth, speak up about it! At least Picky is willing to reprove. I wouldn't use the words he used, but at least his heart is out to set things straight. This post is about tolerance and how that as long as hell is real, we should not sit by and be tolerant of sin and religion when it is dragging people to hell. Picky thought my post was sin, and refused to tolerate it. This is a good thing! Sometimes I wonder if other believers don't speak up because they tolerate sin too much? If you see a brother going astray, let him know, don't just sit by and worry about "bruising his arms" trying to pull him out of the water. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph 5:11) Picky, I didn't appreciate your condescension but it blessed me that you're willing to take a stand and disagree even when it's not popular! GRACE be with you all. I love ya. alan.

Picky,
You asked, so I will tell you. You sound like a person who works hard at being man pleaser, a very religious person who lauds on his own works and acheivement. What I hear sir, is "clang, clang, clang". That is a religious voice that does not speak the truth in love. You see sir, truth must always be spoken in love. Not approval of everything that someone else says, but the love must show through. Other wise, we are just like a camel bell or a cymbal. We make alot of noise, but when you look inside, there is nothing be air.
You speak of Alan being "zealous". Have you looked in the mirror? You are a dynamo! But when you lack love, you are like a race car up on blocks. You make a lot of noise and really spin your wheels, but you fail to notice you are not going in where.
Finally, your screen name wreaks of your attitude toward others. Picky. What kind of name is that for someone who proports to be a mature Christian? I must admit, I had my guard the first time I saw your name here. Could I recommend that you go back out the door, change your name to something like "Agape", come back in and just read a while. Ask the Lord to let you see the rhema that abounds here and the blessing you can enjoy from the fellowship of some very serious yet very tender and compassionate brethren. A sheperd leads sheep, he does not smack them up side the head as you say. It's one thing to be thought of as a "twerp" by your screen name. It's quite another to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
I'm sure you have had many experiences and a lot of good things to share. But if their foundation is not love (notice I did not say tolerance...but love), then you're trying to build the 2nd floor on a vacant lot. I'm sure you can appreciate the impossibility of such an attempt.
There are many here who are quite capable of keeping Alan and other youngsters between the ditches. But when the blind begin to lead the blind, they both fall in a ditch.

Shalom, and Selah.

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Cindy

Wow! This is a Christ based forum right? You know
as Christ shows His love to us, we are to show our love to others. Christ's love for us is not just healing us when we're sick or forgiving us of our sins. It is much, much more. His love consists of the comfort he gives us, his kindness, compassion, generosity, mercy, and acceptance of us in our imperfectness. It includes spiritual, emotional, and physical nourishment. It is the strongest and highest kind of love there is. The Pure Love of Christ means loving people unconditionally.

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Bill

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Robert Wurtz II

Excellent, just excellent beloved. God bless you. Praise the Lord.

*Reply deleted: SPAM

Mike