And it only took 4 years....

[Janette]

Please pray for my friend Hoyt.

After four years of back and fourth about how he "got the idea of a supreme God" but "wasn't going to give up Paganism" and so on, I have finally seen some progress in him.

Like many pagans, Hoyt is actually a severely "fallen away" Christian. He was badly "burned" and discouraged by his congregation growing up. Buried under the constant condemnation and weight of their legalism, he lost all sight of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel. He thinks God can't possibly love him, and therefore cannot embrace the idea that Jesus would have wanted to die for him (let alone that He already did, etc).

I really was past the point of believing *I* would ever help reach him -- and in truth, I have still not -- at least not directly.

But the Lord arranged for us to be together as he drove me to the DMV to get my papers updated -- and I happened to bring along a book by Pastor Joseph Prince ("Destined to Reign") -- which is a solidly scripturally based book that helps introduce people to Jesus (with a slant towards "unteaching" some common yet unscripturally legalistic things some people learn in some churches).

He'd forgotten to bring anything to read, so while I was busy with paperwork and bureaucracy, he started flipping through the book. And somehow, it managed to hook him. He asked to borrow it. I really do believe he will read it -- as he does, the book is structured and written to lead into reading the Bible itself....

I am very encouraged by this turn of events.

But I know Satan isn't going to loose his hold on this person without a fight. So I ask everyone to pray with me for God to give Hoyt the strength to keep reading even when he feels convicted, even when the devil is whispering to him about a thousand other things he could be doing with his time. I pray for this book to be a stepping stone to reading the actual Word of God.

This man is my friend, but he is unsaved. This is a battle for a currently lost human soul. I'll take all the help and support I can get. If we can but catch him, the Lord will clean him. Fish with me in prayer.

Janette

 

[Coconut]

Amen!

Matthew 18:19

 

[ephesians4_23]

There is a great hope here... and I pray that the devil has to run and hide from our Savior!!
God won't give up on Hoyt, even if this book doesn't seem to change a thing. You may be the last to know that it had an effect.
There is a woman in my church who prayed for years and years for her husband to be saved, and it seemed to no avail. She had to work in another city about 2 1/2 hours away for about 3 months, and during that time, he started coming to church and actually got saved. He never told her what happened, other people who had seen him in church told her. But it was a very real thing, they both still attend here and it's been about 10 years. He is really into ministering to the less fortunate, and according to her (and his kids), he's a changed man.
Many times it is those who fight the hardest to resist God who, when saved, fight the hardest for God. Don't stop praying, even when there is no evidence of fruit.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

[stephen]

Like many pagans, Hoyt is actually a severely "fallen away" Christian. He was badly "burned" and discouraged by his congregation growing up. Buried under the constant condemnation and weight of their legalism, he lost all sight of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel. He thinks God can't possibly love him, and therefore cannot embrace the idea that Jesus would have wanted to die for him (let alone that He already did, etc).

Very sad. It is such a shame that many wanting to follow Jesus come up against folks having nothing but the bible, and their view of about what it says.

"If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink" He that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" "This spake he od the Spirit..........Jn 7 : 37-39 This is Christianity......drinking at the fountain head.....rivers of living water.

Praying for you in this matter.....and in His Love

 

[Br. Bear]

Sister Janette,

greeting in Jesus name.

As I read, I was reminded of when the men had been out fishing all night, and even told Jesus so.... but Jesus said... Let down your nets....

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:1-11

Bless you sister and thank you for bringing this to prayer.

Let us now praise the Lord for all He is doing now with Hoyt... for He is mighty and worthy to be praised... thank you Lord!

amen

 

[Janette]

Year 5 *sigh*

I'm still at it.

I keep praying for reinforcements.

I *know* that no one else is trying to witness to this man (including his wife...staggers the mind since she *says* she's a believer), but I must admit I've run a little bit out of what ... else ... to tell him.

 

[jiggyfly]

Just listen to HolySpirit and know that "actions are louder than words" and "a picture paints a thousand words", just keep being his friend and loving him, I promise Jesus will do the rest.

Rom 8:38&39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hoyt can run but Jesus can run faster and a lot longer

 

[sunshine2]

Just listen to HolySpirit and know that "actions are louder then words" and "a picture paints a thousand words", just keep being his friend and loving him, I promise Jesus will do the rest.

Rom 8:38&39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hoyt can run but Jesus can run faster and a lot longer

Amen! praying in agreement for Hoyt's salvation and a closer walk with the Lord for his wife also.