Which answer relates?

[Maureen]

Something has been placed in my mind of late and would
like to run it past you all.
My unsaved husband goes to church nearly without fail
each Sunday evening, '
The Great Evangelical Rally'
mostly geared to reach the lost but also to speak to His People.

well, although unsaved, he believes, but I'm not trying to make
out that earns him brownie points, we all know differant,
it's not what we 'do' before salvation that counts it's afterward.

okay, two things have been said to me with regards him going to
church, but first let me say it's also because he still goes socially
drinking and has said he doesn't want to give that up for Jesus.

it has been said to me he's a 'hypocrite' and shouldn't be going to
church, obviously it's not doing him any good, now it was said by a believer, meaning well,
that's how she see's it, I can understand her meaning.
then another, believer says, that's good, at least he's hearing the
word preached anyway.

I would just love to hear your comments, and what does God think
of this, I know we must worship in spirit and in truth,
John 4 v 24
God is a Spirit:and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
and he doesn't accept it any other way,
but then every week sinners are saved in our church, although my
husband has said he never will, get saved in church that is, he just doesnt' know that it's
were Jesus meets him and not the other way around, he's just
not ready to give up the drink for Jesus,
that's the real and truth of it.
am really interested to hear your comments.

 

[aaroncam85]

i would like to say, God has a reason for having him in church and i think it is good for him to be there, pleasecontinue to pray for your husband and get a group of believers to pray also i will put him on my prayer list.
Dont give up on him until God does.

 

[LornaDoone]

I agree with Brother Aaron - he is hearing the Word, he is going to church each Sunday (I assume because he continues to choose to) and God works through each of us in His own time. (I realise that may be something that you have heard before).

From previous posts I know that things have been very difficult for you, so I can say with confidence that you are a wonderful example of faith in adversity Sister Maureen.

My prayers are with you.

God bless

 

[Maureen]

Thank you LornaDoone
I would have plumped myself for it being good he does go, but I really am miffed that he thinks his social life is more important than belonging to Jesus, perhaps we are bias, obviously so, and I guess that has a lot to do with our line of focus being on Him and no-one or nothing else, it just is hard to understand, that he hears the word being undilutely preached each Lord's day, and still nothing has happened in his heart.

oh I've saw itty bitty changes in him, but still he will hold onto that cursed drink.
It was my birthday today, and what does he do, takes himself out drinking because it's boxing day and the sport is on in the club.
Can't say I'm not bothered, I am, but I won't show it, or say.

I'm the Lord's and He's mine and that's all I need, I am not letting my mind stray on anything else, as satan would have us do.

I know 5 years prayer for him, isn't long as some have prayed for over 20years for there spouses, and it will only be in God's time.
your so right I've been through tuff times with him, they have subsided at present, the Lord gave me a word, as I was getting nervous when he'd go out drinking, and He spoke into my heart with 'be still and know that I am God, as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth, don't answer him, be quiet'
since I received that I have not been nervous at all, it's gone, that's how I know it was from our Lord.
If it were my own thoughts it would still have been the same, nervous and worry, but none, Hallelujah, isn't He just lovely and so precious?

we were going to cemetery today and he happened to bring up the subject about how things have been good lately, even when he drinks, I told him I'd been told to be quiet in that dept, he thought that was marvelous, not that Jesus had given me these words, but that I would not speak, so I just let him wallow in his own pride over it, Jesus knows best.

You said something there that intrigued me
aaroncam85 Dont give up on him until God does.
how do we know when God has actually given up on someone?
I know it says, 'my spirit will not always strive with man' and I believe that, but how do we know, just when that happens, I've often wondered
about that.
Would it be he would stop going to church, and yes he does go of his own accord, not my prodding, he said a long time ago, it pleases you that I go to church doesn't it, to which I told him he wasn't to go for my sake but because he wanted to, then one time I said, that was nice of you going to church today, to which he replied, I don't go for you, I go cause I want to go, which pleased me even more, I said how that pleased me more.

I have had differant one's praying for him, and one time was told to ask an elder to pray for him,
well I didn't know any, and 2 days later me and Mum were in a cafe, and you'd not believe it
but a man sat opposite us, and started to give praise to God, loud enough for us to hear him,
I started to talk to him, and he told me he was an elder in a Baptist church, God was at work,
so I asked him to pray for my unsaved husband to which he said he would.

 

[Ann]

Maureen Hi, welcome back, I do hope that you had a great holiday.

I was thinking about what you said and there is no clear cut answer.
Your husband being unsaved is going to church mine is not. At the end of the day it is their decision and we must let them do what they want to in this regard, that is until they do get reborn and do God's will.

Being at church or not can have negative and positive effects. He can get saved when the Spirit of God moves in the church or he can acquire a false sense of security when his conscious is soothed by attending church.

I know that if I would try to change my husbands mind it will turn into conflict and I will not accomplish anything, so I leave him to make his own decisions and pray that God will reach out to him wherever he is.

Each person have unique circumstances and only God can reach your husband. I would say, let him be and don't alienate him from church or yourself. Just keep on praying and be patient, God hear your hearts cry and He will not dissapoint you.

Hope it helped some.

 

[aaroncam85]

Hi Maureen when i said don't give up till God does i was saying trying to tell you to take up the attitude of God, when you look at Israel's history particularly the book of Hosea you can see how patient our God is, Israel turnt away from him many times and still from old testament to new he strives to restore them unto himself, we as christians are told to pray for Israel, my advice is you do as ann said and be patient and keep praying.
God says youcan win your husband over by having a gentle spirit.
May God bless you and your husband.

 

[Maureen]

Please don't read me wrongly in this matter, I do not in any way
at all try to coherse my husband into going to church,
and never would, now there is supposed to be a new years party
in my daughters house, I wasn't told, but then I wouldn't be,
as they know I would not be interested and would be going
to watch night service anyway,

well, my husband apparently was asked, but he asked me
the other day could he go with me to the watch night service
he knows it's a long one, as it starts at 9pm, but it's because
some are taking part and giving their testimonies, he knows
this, but still he has asked me would I mind if he went with me
they were his own very words.

He doesn't like testimonies either, he told me ages ago, so I
thought sure there'd be no chance he'll go to this, firstly because
of the duration, secondly because of the testimonies, but
no, he still asked would I let him come with me, which to me spoke
volumes, because he loves nothing better than a drink.

I don't put any pressure on what so ever, and wouldn't do, I
know only too well that that drives some farther away from
wanting to find Jesus, I just live my life before him, he knows
I love it, and he knows how much I love the Lord Jesus too.

Thank you very much for your kind words, it is only when
God touches a heart with faith that Salvation is sought after.
Only He and He alone can reach hearts, otherwise we strive
in vain, be still and know that I am God.

 

[aaroncam85]

God is obviously working in his life, keep praying and his time will come.
God bless you

 

[stephen]

okay, two things have been said to me with regards him going to
church, but first let me say it's also because he still goes socially
drinking and has said he doesn't want to give that up for Jesus.

It is not ideal.....of course not. But I recall....Jesus saying "IT is not what goes into the mouth that defiles.........bur what come out. Sorry I do not have scripture ref. to hand.......

My thoughts....Peace to you, in Jesus

 

[Maureen]

Thank you brother aaroncam85
for your words of encouragment, most welcomed they are too.

I can see small changes in him lately, he also
wants to go to the midweek meeting on Thursdays
again I never asked him, he asked me.

He asked recently if he could go along to a prayer meeting,
now I detailled it out for him as I didn't want him thinking
we are all a bunch of nuts, nuts for Jesus yes, hallelujah,
but complete nuts no, but to the unsaved, well, I really
don't know how they'd react and I didn't want him put right
off, as sometimes one would bring a message in tongues,
doesn't happen often, but of course it would prob be the
night he'd go, isn't that always the way.
1 Corinthians 14v23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place,
and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned,
or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

speaks for itself, but he has not asked again, so it was left.

He even ask to come along to the morning service a few Sundays
ago, as he did intend to go out drinking and would miss the
evening one, he knew we worshipped at the Lord's Table but
he did go, did not participate in the emblems as he knew he
wasn't worthy, YET, I say as I do know this time God is working
I can see it, and it's only in His time, which I do believe will not
be very long now.

Perhaps our 10yr old Grandson getting saved a few weeks ago,
spoke to him too, realizing the child has not been going as long
as he has, but then the faith of a child is so differant from us
grown ups, simple faith, God says it, so they believe it, no queries
no questions, just okay must be right if it's God.

Well I will keep you informed as to progress made by our Lord
Jesus, in husband's life, I used to see signs before and think
yes, Lord perhaps he's near the door of your Kingdom now,
then nothing would happen and he'd dwindle, but nothing like
the things that are happening now with him.

Please help me pray for him, and I know our Lord Jesus will answer
our prayer, I just pray it will not be too late so that he can
speak to his own Mother who is 80yrs old and still without God too.

May God richly bless you and all our family on here at T.J.

 

[Maureen]

Stephen
yes your right, I understand that, and it's not the drink in itself that
is the sin, it's the quanity of it, to be drunken, but I really don't think
that once saved we can continue on in a 'social' life, we have
abundant life, and afterall we are
new creations, the old has gone, every thing has become new, even a
new song in our mouth.
So I don't really believe we should be doing the 'old' habits but then
that's my personal belief, it's what I read from the scripture.

I did try to continue on with socializing when I first go saved,
only 3 weeks afterward, and I was truly convicted of it, sitting
there in the bar, even though I was only drinking lemonade, I
just knew I was wrong, being there, and had to go early and to
this day, 5 years on have never set foot in one again, and have no
desire to, nor do I miss it. I have Jesus and He is my all in all, I have
no need for anything else.
If I was down and out tomorrow and still have Jesus I still have
everything.
Praise God in all circumstances. Amen