Encounters with those not on the Lord's side

[ayin jade]

A place to discuss some rough encounters with those who are not on the side of the Lord, and how you handled them.

[ayin jade]

I will start off with an encounter long long ago. On a college campus one guy was preaching away. I was with a bunch of my friends and colleagues back in my unsaved days. One of my friends drew 666 on a balloon and stood near the preacher. Oh how I laughed. 

Jokes on me. Now I see how foolish we all were back then. Mocking the preacher. I keep expecting the Lord to put me in the same place as that preacher was, to be mocked the same way I once mocked. 

The preacher btw didnt bat an eye. He just kept preaching the word, no matter how much he was mocked. 

[angels4u]

17 hours ago, ayin jade said:

I will start off with an encounter long long ago. On a college campus one guy was preaching away. I was with a bunch of my friends and colleagues back in my unsaved days. One of my friends drew 666 on a balloon and stood near the preacher. Oh how I laughed. 

Jokes on me. Now I see how foolish we all were back then. Mocking the preacher. I keep expecting the Lord to put me in the same place as that preacher was, to be mocked the same way I once mocked. 

The preacher btw didnt bat an eye. He just kept preaching the word, no matter how much he was mocked. 

 

18 hours ago, ayin jade said:

A place to discuss some rough encounters with those who are not on the side of the Lord, and how you handled them.

Hi Jade,

Being mocked in the workplace is a place where many Christians get uncomfortable, I remember how strong the enemy was trying to get at me through my boss, I kept telling myself that He that is in  me  is stronger than he that is in the world and the darkness cannot stand the light so if we stand  in the light we will be strong through our weakness..

 

1 John 4:4.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

John 4:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
 

I remember that those versus gave me the strength when I needed it...

[Lynx]

Honestly, if someone does not like my beliefs that's fine. I'm not one to start anything over religion or politics even more so outside of my house. If someone is an Atheist (I have good friends who are) that's fine with me I'm not going to force anything on them. If they asked about what I believe I would tell them. 

I have had some people just go off on me for believing in God and I have had other Christians go off on me also for not being like they are. It's been interesting, to say the least. I have learned that there are some who will listen for so long before they just snap a little at what you are saying. 

Don't let people get to you though no one can really force you to stop believing 100%. 

Edited August 6, 2017 by Lynx

[JTC]

I feel like lately all my encounters are with people not on God's side. My life wasn't always like this. There was a time when I knew people who enjoyed speaking about God. But that time has passed. Nevertheless, as I sit here contemplating this I see I handle it the same way. I don't preach at people. The 1 man I know who needs to hear preaching the most simply lies in his responses to me. That's less than pointless because occasionally I'll get angry which accomplishes nothing. So rather than try to preach to non believers I try to demonstrate how a person of God should behave by doing it. I figure if the person has any wisdom or if he's open to hearing God it's best for me to demonstrate how God wants us to behave or the attitudes God wants us to take. When I was young and/or an unbeliever I learned whatever I know from listening to and observing people who were demonstrating God's principles. I didn't meet people like that often but when I did I tried not to argue. Nowadays I will almost always walk away from a conflict. But I'm in the latter years of my life. So I guess I do what Lynx said she does. If someone asks me what I believe I will tell them but otherwise I try to demonstrate what I believe. Looking back this was always my preferred way to deal with non believers, but now I use it almost exclusively.

[Millie1000]

Hello Everyone

 

What a "real-life" topic this one is for me... I live in an environment where people are mostly atheists or people involved in the new-age kind of religion (yoga-related, mostly).

My own family does not know the Lord. I am trying to let them know about why we need Jesus. And let me tell you how hard this is... "Noone is a prophet in his/her own country". I pray again and again, hoping our Lord can have pity for them and lift the veil that blinds them.

I certainly would listen to any advice you may have! Especially for the relatives. I find it easier to talk about Jesus at work, even though I expose myself to being fired for it (we are a republic insisting on secularism and religious matters are prohibited in public places, especially at work). Yes, it is easier with "strangers" or people I am less involved with, emotionally. (sighs)... What is the best way to do this ?

 

I am soooooo grateful that I was given the gift of faith ! I am so grateful to be on the Lord's side <3

Edited December 4, 2017 by Millie1000

[other one]

When I see people not on the Lords side I try to be nice and show them my best side.....   for I know, that except for the grace of God, that is where I would be also.

[FresnoJoe]

On ‎11‎/‎15‎/‎2017 at 8:13 PM, secularhermit said:

Rough encounters?

I don't know what a visitor might have felt when visitng a country like Venezuela. If any of them were Christian, as many here are, I wish I knew their impressions.

I myself am puzzled on how to process my feelings when I see I am a weido or a foreigner to the ppl who seemed to talk my own tongue, within an environment of differing feelings (or meanings).

When I read Revelations, admitting that is John's view or spiritual experience, I sensed those who longed for another way or social surrounding may feel comfortable at being granted to be there.

A Stranger In A

And she bare a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land. Exodus 2:22 (American Standard Version)

Strange Land

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10 (Berean Study Bible)

And Yet

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 (English Standard Version)

 

[Igor Evgen]

Shalom, my Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus,

I encountered quite unfriendly unbelievers too, even recently when had entered their atheistic websites to pick up some new questions for my Q & A book (see the address below.)

You may have a look at the articles 254-282. Their every question to Believers is like a snake, isn't it? I politely introduced myself and my sites to them, promised to answer their 10 "chosen" questions (each site).

The strange thing is that right thereafter I found myself busy to tighten up the security system, for a couple of spammers dropped by to discharge their porno-dung right into my blog.

Yea, that's how we've got to follow the Great Commission of Christ...

GOD bless you.

Igor 

http://igor.worthyofpraise.org

 

Edited January 16, 2018 by Igor Evgen
book updated

[Adam C]

We're so blessed to have forums such as these, where discrimination and prejudice is discouraged.

Easter Sunday coincded with April the 1st, and there's those who thought it ok mock our beliefs. Now, as an aspiring actor, I used a modelling website to assatain some portfolio images. However, no suprise here, there was one member who thought it humorous to claim his rejection of his profession in favour of our Lord. This was his April Fools joke. However, his post have others inspiration to share their dislike towards our faith, some quite explicitly slanderous. I let it go for two days, hoping that it would end, as, afterall, it was now the 3rd. So action had to be taken. I explained to the forum admin that this article was prejudistic and that some members were displaying hate towards our faith. This was met by indifference. I furthered by explaining how, if the joke had been one of gender, that as this has a strong following in the performing arts industry, that the repercussions would be great and that they would undoubtedly have removed the article.

I also posted on the article, plainly stating that the joke(?) was over and to have a little respect.

The author of the article responded by stating that it was his "freedom of speech" and that if I don't like the article, then I shouldn't get involved.

It's amazing how, without even stating whether you're a Christian or not, that any defence is met by hostility.

Well, that's me letting off some steam (possibly a small bubble or two)