advice needed

[WithUsAlways]

Does anyone have any advice?
I find it increasingly hard to be around my friends who are non believers.

I have one friend in particular who has been there for me through a lot of very hard times but rips me for going to church and for reading my Bible. When I try and explain the way I feel and what it is like to receive the Lords love she laughs and says that I am being stupid.

We even had a debate the other day (of which ended with her not speaking to me for a few hours) because she said that you don’t have to believe in God or Jesus to go to heaven and you don’t have to do good deeds in your life to get in. I was trying to explain that actually you will be judged by the way you have lived and if you have not pleased the Lord then you won’t get into Heaven.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.”
“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7.13-20)

If you don’t walk with Jesus on the narrow path then how else can you get to the narrow gate? Anyway after this discussion she has a good laugh and then we decided that we would both believe what we believe.

How when all of my friends and family are in the darkness do I help them find a light switch? How can I lead them to the Lord when they are so against it? Is prayer alone strong enough to save them, I am not saying that Im doubting how powerful prayer can be I just need some advice.

Please help.

 

[1John512]

Growing up I had the same problems. Eventually I ended up following their ways and even developed ideas of my own. So before long I was in their shoes fortunately for me I already belonged to Christ and he would not let me go and for that I praise him every chance I get. Now the problems still havn't gone away but now I, because of Jesus Christ, have become that light that they need.

Yeah, it's hard but he's with you all the way. Prayer is one of your greatest weapons and never underestimate the power it has. Show them the love that Christ has shown you let it radiate through you and let the Holy Spirit do its work. Don't let Satan create this chaos but stand firm on the word of God for he is faithful.

I'll be praying for you and for God to watch over you. God Bless and may the Holy Spirit be with you always

Be The Light Switch...

 

[Mirjam]

"How when all of my friends and family are in the darkness do I help them find a light switch? How can I lead them to the Lord when they are so against it? Is prayer alone strong enough to save them, I am not saying that Im doubting how powerful prayer can be I just need some advice."

I don't really have advice for you, but don't give up hope for your family and friends. They can turn around.
Maybe you can tell them some of the amazing stories of people meeting Jesus that I've read on TJ or that you've heared somewhere else. I know from my experience that those are the things that make you really think and stay in your mind. At least, they did with me. And today I'm going to church for the first time :wink:

 

[stephen]

Does anyone have any advice?
I find it increasingly hard to be around my friends who are non believers.

I have one friend in particular who has been there for me through a lot of very hard times but rips me for going to church and for reading my Bible. When I try and explain the way I feel and what it is like to receive the Lords love she laughs and says that I am being stupid.

And you are not stupid my dear! On the contrary, like all who make up the Church of Jesus, you have been called out by His Spirit to be a daughter of the living God. What a wonderful privilege, that God set His love upon us. Amazing that we responded and are blessed not just for today, but for eternity.

WE also have unsaved friends, good friends too. particularly my wife. She has two lady friends with whom she joins to shop, swim, and many activities. But the difference God makes is respected

We dont get sarcasm, but we do get requests for prayer. And prayer is answered. Amen!

God Bless You....Keep living for Jesus....and be blessed You will never be ashamed as you follow Him

 

[Richie]

Does anyone have any advice?
I find it increasingly hard to be around my friends who are non believers.

I have one friend in particular who has been there for me through a lot of very hard times but rips me for going to church and for reading my Bible. When I try and explain the way I feel and what it is like to receive the Lords love she laughs and says that I am being stupid.

We even had a debate the other day (of which ended with her not speaking to me for a few hours) because she said that you don’t have to believe in God or Jesus to go to heaven and you don’t have to do good deeds in your life to get in. I was trying to explain that actually you will be judged by the way you have lived and if you have not pleased the Lord then you won’t get into Heaven.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.”
“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7.13-20)

If you don’t walk with Jesus on the narrow path then how else can you get to the narrow gate? Anyway after this discussion she has a good laugh and then we decided that we would both believe what we believe.

How when all of my friends and family are in the darkness do I help them find a light switch? How can I lead them to the Lord when they are so against it? Is prayer alone strong enough to save them, I am not saying that Im doubting how powerful prayer can be I just need some advice.

Please help.

Dear sister,

You are definitely in the right direction, but rather than having debates, just try to tell your friends about God's abundant grace and mercy, Jesus shed His blood on the cross for our sins.

Please do read the book of Romans, you will be guided to tell your friends more about God's grace and most importantly the Holy Spirit will guide you.

Also you need to tell your friends about Hell, that God doesn't want anyone to land up there for eternity. If you have seen the book called "23 minutes of Hell", please show it to your friends, they could possibly come to the Lord through that book.

This is all I want to share with you.

God bless you.

NOTE: The book called '23 minutes of Hell' is about a man of God named Bill Wiese. He was taken to hell and after his experience in hell, Jesus happened to pull him from out of hell and He restored everything he physically lost in the process. Jesus told him, "Tell the people about your experience in Hell, because I don't want anyone to go to hell. TELL THE PEOPLE THAT I AM COMING VERY VERY SOON".

 

[jari]

Dear sister,

You are definitely in the right direction, but rather than having debates, just try to tell your friends about God's abundant grace and mercy, Jesus shed His blood on the cross for our sins.

Amen! Tell them of Grace, not rules and regulations. I just wanted to second that. Except:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 3:23 KJV)

Then you can tell that Jesus paid their sin dept by giving His own life for their sakes. And now lives!


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Joh 3:16 KJV)



God bless...

 

[WithUsAlways]

God Bless you all for your amazing advice. I shall use it all and instead of leaving my family and friends in the dark I will just find new ways of showing the light.
I will also get the books advised.

thank you all so much.

May God be with you!