I got through to them.
I have planted the seeds in a bible study group I was invited to attend. It was SDA group.
There is a church of 50, and I have been planting seeds in four of their elders and the head pastor. After only 5 weeks with them, they have seen the fruit of my labours and the benefit of my knowledge in Christ as of tonight, the head pastor admits, since I shown up, he has been crying for days upon days upon the realization that everything he is teaching cannot be supported by Scripture. He even admitted to me tonight, that if SDA is wrong, he knows SDA is not in Scripture and is willing to leave it completely.
It is incredible, finally a man with a heart of God, admitting that what he grew up with may not be the truth.
When I shown up the first time, there was love. I instantly bonded with everyone in that room. It was definitely the spirit as I shared with them stories from my life and examples where God has come and changed. I brought everyone to tears the first night as I shared a small testimony of listening to the heart.
That opening, that sharing of my sexual abuse, of my friend who committed suicide, and a few other experiences, opened the heart to everyone and we began to fellowship.
Then, it all started with my OBJECTION concerning Lucifer. I told them, I do not believe Lucifer was ever an angel of light. That Satan, has decieved many to think he ever was. I also said it is impossible for God to have a war in heaven against one of his own kingdom. But rather that Satan must have come from Creation, and elevated himself up and that is where the war started.
With that, I caused him distress. Over the last four weeks, he has been filtering questions of others whom I planted the seed of a different gospel, one which does not contridict Scripture.
Well, here we go, I have concluded. I do not care if he holds to the 10 commandments and the Sabbath day as Holy (Saturday). What matters is that change in his mindset. He began to admit what I said makes absolute sense and the only objections he has has come from external sources, outside Scripture. He has found and concluded something is wrong with that.
Tonight I challenged him. He said, "Whoa, are you telling me that you believe all mankind is saved?"
I said, "Yes."
Then he went and said, God does not force love on anyone. I replied, no, you cannot force anyone to love you; but He can force salvation on all mankind. He retorted, "That is not possible, God would not violate our free-will." and then I shown him in Scripture where He does.
I said, "No man chooses to die, yet he dies. Is that not a violation of his free-will?" I said, "Does a father not protect his children? Even if the Children do not appreciate it at the time?"
He kept retorting over and over, that he is not saying what he means. That I am not getting it. I replied, "I understand, keep trying."
I took him to over 30 Scripture contexts, the ENTIRE passages, not just single Scriptures and asked him concerning the places where it says, "all mankind", how many is it talking about? When it says, "all men" who is it talking about?
I began to demonstrate and show in Scripture every Scripture, and he said. "WOW."
So guess what, if the progress remains positive and pride does not block what is being discussed. We will have a SDA church that now teached Universal Reconciliation here in Calgary.
He said he is willing now to be wrong, and in our prayer together at the end he said he has a better and bigger understanding of what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Love your enemy." and admitted, it would be hypocritical for God to give this command, yet not do it himself.
So a church is being fueled, not only that, but it will be a good number of people are coming to the truth or at least considering it.
:cloud9: PTL for His mighty works among men......Father, we give You praise! :thumbsup:
Good on you, SOTW for God manifesting His Love thru you..........
Many people are starving for what is REAL and God's LOVE is real.
Giving the LOrd thanks.
Good stuff Craig,
I often wish we all were gifted in this area,
but it appears that God does not gift us all alike, yet our gifts are of the same spirit.
We each find that God has many gifts to give men and some seem to be the area you are gifted, your article is very moving and I appreciate reading it how after the seed is planted the spirit does the work.
Peace,
Fire Walker
Craig,
Your testimony is full of hope. What an encouragement!
Love, Sarah
Quote from: fire walker on March 10, 2008, 09:07:36 PM
Good stuff Craig,
I often wish we all were gifted in this area,
but it appears that God does not gift us all alike, yet our gifts are of the same spirit.
We each find that God has many gifts to give men and some seem to be the area you are gifted, your article is very moving and I appreciate reading it how after the seed is planted the spirit does the work.
Peace,
Fire Walker
Hi Firewalker,
We have other gifts that are just as important. One important gift and privilege is, we can pray. I think we all should be in prayer for all those who are in bondage to the religions of the world. It grives me in my heart to know there are those who think that God will either destroy most or burn most forever. Only God can change and open a mind, so please, lets ask him too. :Pray:
CHB
Nice work !
Great job indeed !
. I hope there are more such that can make things better for this world of low love and Spirituality . !
Be hapy and seek more :icon_flower: