Earnestly Contending for the Faith

[rjones]

Grace and peace to everyone,

I just wanted to know if anyone can relate to where I am in my Christian walk right now. I 'm currently working in New Orleans for an "extended" period of time helping to build the flood walls in this area. Now my beautiful wife and children are at home in north Georgia which is 8 hours away so I only get to go home once a month. There's no work inGeorgia so "have hammer will travel" has become a reality in my life. Before this "tour of duty" , I spent 2 years in NC working and then 6months in Columbus Ga. wich wasn't as bad because I could go home every weekend.

I'm also an unfortunately absent associate pastor at the little mountain church I attend who loves to street preach and minister "outside the sanctuary" as Jesus commands us to do with that liitle word "GO". So here I am in New Orleans at Mardis Gras time......Glory to God...... with an OPPORTUNITY to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ with other annointed street preachers from around the world. HALLELUAH!!! HALELUAH!!! HALLELUAH!!!........... I'm getting a little overjoyed here and off subject.

Anyway, Here's my point. Jude 3 speaks about contending earnestly for the faith. This speaks to me now becuse I'm far away from the comforts of home in a place where voodoo is pacticed on the streets and I'm having a hard time finding a place to worship in "spirit and truth" because this is a predominately catholic area so the Living Word of God comforts me and at the same time compels me to walk on in faith being led by the Spirit to "preach the Word".

But I find it hard to continue on when my wife calls me telling me that we're gonna be grandparents again and I'm missing the family and all the "everyday" beauty of my wife and family and ballgames and events etc. etc. I find myself longing to go home. So I wrestle with the fleshly things that are drawing me and pulling me to cut and run. But I dare not for the Lord Jesus has appointed for me such a time as this.

So pay for me church......I need it.

 

[Brighthouse]

Brother rjones.Most of those who walk in our Jesus,get to the end of a road,on one side of the continued road,it is very narrow,or the other side it is very wide.

I am just going to ask questions,not judge on what you should do,or not do.Perhaps these questions you will find helpful in making and inportant examination of your own faith. When you arrived among the wolves,which you knew was going to happen.(Matt 10:16) Your intent was to be a fisher of men.( matt 4:19) But now you see something, many have little knowledge about, because few of us have the guts to do what you are doing. Speaking from a pulpit is far easier then being out with the wolves! I believe the Lord wanted to show you this,so that you would understand what following means. With a great wife and children home,it is more then understable to want to be with them! They are a part of you! So here you are,now what is your purpose?

Perhaps for the first time in your life,you are faced with a question,you have only heard others tell about. Do i fill my purpose in Christ?

Or do I get to saftly among those I know love the Lord!? Questions? answers are in you,you know what to do,the only real question for you,is can you? Will you?

I used to think after coming to Jesus I was a big deal!! Why!! God's great man of faith and power!! LOL Until I was in among the wolfs as you are right now! Now I have never married,so things were much easier for me then they are for you,but the same questions as Moses did, you must answer. let me give you an example,and you decide.

( 1kings 19:19-21) the decision to really follow!! Then the test to follow!( 2 Kings 2:2-6)Elijah told Elisha stay in Bethel. Elisha said i will not leave you.ok Then they went on to Jericho,again Elijah said to Elisha stay here in Jericho. nope!

Elisha just would not leave!! why? as you consider this,finally Elijah said stay here in Jordan! Elisha would not! The whole reason Elisha would not leave, was because he wanted God more then he wanted to be safe. And for all Elisha did,he was rewarded!!( 2 Kings 2:9-14) Only you can answer the question you have put before us here. Need strength?Amen fully understand!!( Isaiah 40:28-31) as you pray consider this scripture for yourself as well my Brother. ( Isaiah 41:9-13) Whatever you decide,there will be no stones thrown from my pocket!!

NONE!! In life we always will come to a point of real question. Not just for our own faith,but in ourselfs as well,a time of examination!( 2 Cor 13:5) You have arrived.My prayers are with you!! And Jesus who loves you,will bring his peace to you!! Blessing bro! Jesus in me,has said this to you,and this! 1 cor 4:4-5 blessing to you my Brother in Christ!

 

[rjones]

Thank you Brother Brighthouse for your candor and right on time scriptures. Truly Holy Spirit inspiration flows and I receive it with much appriciation to you for your obedience. The questions posed by you are directed to the "heart" of the matter (Jeremiah 3:15) spoken as a pastor. I intend to finish this heavenly assignment with out a doubt. Where else can I go? I dare not be a Jonah! I surely can't hide from the Face of God. Indeed I will pray and stand and preach and obey.
It's amazing that I just returned from the printers where I ordered some banners to take with me and as I entered my apartment, I went striaght to my PC and to TJ to see if anyone posted and prayed.

Thank you Jesus!!!
Thank you Brother Brighthouse.

 

[Brighthouse]

I am so thankful to Jesus!! I have to admit,it was not easy to say what i believed he wanted me to say!!! Daily i work so hard on keeping self out!! This is a daily struggle!! This not only encourges you!! BUT ME!! I am so glad for you!! 1 cor 1:4-9!! May the Power of Jesus you have within you, be made manifest unto those who are searching for the light within you!! 1 Cor 2:5 You are a living testimony to Jesus in you!! ALWAYS!! amen!! blessing always be unto you in Christ!