Am I a stumbling block?

[Jacqueline]

When Christ first revealed Himself to me I felt as if I was in complete darkness. He came down and saved me and became my everything. His truth became my joy. In every opperunity given to me I would speak of Him. To not, to me was equal to not taken my next breath. I've had some really interesting conversations with others who say that they are Christians. I say that with the knowledge that God knows their heart where as I only see whats in front of me.

Because I am out spoken about what the bible say people around think that I'm this holier then thou person who sets themselve above others. However the one that I always place above everything and everyone is Christ. I've give you a few example of what I'm talking about.

My mom, sister and I were at an funeral. My uncle who had just become a minister walked up to the car and I congraduled him. He said that now that he was a minister I had to come to his church. I said that I'd love to visit his church. He replied no this is family and your suppose to support family. My response was no I have to be where God sent me, but I'll pray about it. My unlce looked at me for a few second then smiled and said I'm the uncle your not suppose to be teaching me. I'm suppose to be teaching you. He got it.

My sister on the other hand was really upset at my response. After he lift she started in on me with I think I know everything. What do you mean you'll pray about it? You should have just said that you'll go. You hurt his feelings. My response was He got it.

We went back and forth for a while with her telling me that I think I know everything. It got to a point where I asked her to give me an example. She couldn't come up with one so I brought up something that we'd talked about resently. I said are you refering to when I said that "God helps those who help themselves is not in the bible?" She said Yes how do you know that that is not in the bible? Have you read the whole bible? I replied I did a scriptre search and it's not there. My pastor said it's not there. Infact I believe it was one of the presidents that said that.

An other example of the other day. We were talking about 8 and 4 on the ballet. My sisters believe strongly in abortion, I don't. I became angry when my older sister made a joke about women should be able to pluck it out whenever they want, (refering to killing a baby) then in the next breath without skipping a beat got angry regarding the animals who are in cages. She thinks its wrong to have the animals in cages and yet thinks it's okay to kill the most defensely human on earth. I don't get it. I made a commit like not everyone who say that they are a christian is really a christian. The first step is going to Jesus in prayer and acknowleding what He did on the cross and asking for forgiven and asking Him to become their Lord and Savior. I also said that there are many people who sit in church every Sunday and yet they are not saved. That totally offended both my sisters that was in the kitchen. I really don't know why it did being that they don't go to church, but once or twice a year.

After the conversation with the sister after the funeral I stopped talking about what the bible said, but that don't work. Something in side of you builds up and it feels as if your insides are screaming for you to speak. Yet when you do speak your made to feel as if you think your better then everyone when all your doing to saying what God has already said. My sisters believe that there is a place and time for God. I know that God will not settle for a place or time He wants all of you. I don't know.... Being quiet is not right and speaking out seems to seprate me from the ones I love.

I was talking to one of my sisters the other day and she said that when I speak they don't hear God's words they just see me. That doesn't surprise me at all. All our lives I can say something and they would make fun of it and belittle me and then someone would come and say the exact same thing word for word and they would agree. When God first told me to speak His words to those around me that very thing became apparent to me. I don't want anyone to see me, but Him. One of the main things that they see and say is they don't know how we could have been raised in the same house and turn out so different. Different... the only difference between us is Christ. The only reason I can say if something is actually in the bible is because He's given me a heart that desires to know what His word say, not what man says is in His word. I'm a stumbling block to them aren't I. Any advise.

God bless you

Jacqueline

[Scarletprayers]

I think you should just keep on the way your going, as long as your trying spread God's Word. The Bible and its message is offensive to those who want to do things their way, who want to pray every now and then and put God in a box for Sunday and forget about Him the remainder of them time. You are not a stumbling block, you are leaning on the Word, they aren't, and no matter how offended they may get, you don't know what seeds you might be planting. God bless you!

[stormy612]

I think you should just keep on the way your going, as long as your trying spread God's Word. The Bible and its message is offensive to those who want to do things their way, who want to pray every now and then and put God in a box for Sunday and forget about Him the remainder of them time. You are not a stumbling block, you are leaning on the Word, they aren't, and no matter how offended they may get, you don't know what seeds you might be planting. God bless you!

Hi Jacqueline, My life is identical to yours. Remember, YOU aren't the stumbling block-they are stumbling over Jesus, just like the Pharisees did. Jesus is the cornerstone and He is the stumbling block, and they stumble because they are blind and refuse to come into the light.

[Ningning]

Jacqueline, I don't see how you become a stumbling block with that situation. I think it's the other way around...

God has given you that kind of wisdom, not to be swayed by men, but looking only unto Jesus who is the author and the finisher of our faith...

Keep on.

[Wayfarer122]

It's so hard to witness to family. It doesn't sound like you're any more of a stumbling block than Jesus is to them as the other poster noted. It's a blessing, in a way, that they want to talk to you about it. Many people simply clam up when they find out others disagree. The fact that they want to talk makes me think that they haven't written off what you say. You may want to change your approach to just quietly note that you disagree. Let them draw you out. That way you won't be standing by silently when someone else is saying something wrong, but your sisters will need to seek you out to get details. I get the impression from your description that they are way more interested in what you think than they may be letting on.

[Guest]

[yesult]

We have to have the approval of God over man. It sounds like your sisters just arn't saved and so you standing for truth as you go is just rubbing their faces in it.

One day you'll stand before God over your life the same as they will, so don't shrink back from truth here. A stumbling block is a negative thing that causes people to sin. It's not someone standing for truth at the expense of unbelief.

(preaching to myself here as well.)

All the best with it. And I would say move out if you start to feel like it's negatively affecting your spiritual life. Just pray and see what god says

[yesult]

PS. A good angle on the abortion thing is to ask your sisters (next time it comes up) if they would have liked it if your mother had aborted them.

Also - tell them that they're going to have to stand before God one day and explain to him and that child why they did it.

That often makes people think. (If they want to think about it.)

[Guest man]

Matthew 13

54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said,

[Guest]

God Leads The Repentant

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24

And Guides The Trusting

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

And Rewards The Loving

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

With His Holy Name

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16