RE: [TruthTalk] Evangelism

[ShieldsFamily]

===================================================== Sounds good on the surface, John.  It may even be true for some who are more dependant than independant.  It certainly would not apply, however, to the shepherd boy named David who had for company only sheep, nor to John the Baptist, who lived alone in the wilderness, or to Elija, or to Paul following his experience on the Damascus road, or to John on the isle of Patmos, or to Job and many others. As to personal experience; I enjoy the company of people, especially small intimate groups, but I prefer being alone much of the time, and find that time alone to be when I am the most aware of the presence and majesty of my Lord. Terry   Exactly.  There is a time and a place for everything; for being alone and fellowshipping with Believers.  When I am alone I meet Him and hear His quiet voice.  When I am with others I share what I received from Him when I was alone.  When in fellowship I encounter Christ reflected in each unique piece of each of us, but it is not the deepest revelation I have of Him—that is always One on one.    Brother Lawrence, the monk who is written of in “The Practice of the Presence of Christ”, did not find Him in community, but when he was an isolated scullery worker; as he quietly worked and prayed alone.  Mother Teresa did not find Christ in the halls of academia, but in the faces of the poor unsaved ones to whom she ministered; she found Him as she worked out her faith.    Here’s a test for whether or not we are onto Truth: has it led us into actually living in “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”?  If that is not how you would describe your life, go back to the beginning and start over.  Trash whatever rabbit trails you have been chasing, and get alone with Jesus and His Word.  Then quietly work out your faith in whatever calling He has given to you.  Izzy