Question:
Does anyone else here ever get that strange aching inside when you look around at our world today? I don't really know how exactly to describe it, but I'll try. I look at how science has caused many (and when I say many, it's my impression that this number is much greater than ages past, maybe the increase has come only in the last 200 years or so) to doubt the Bible. I look at the many translations of the Bible and see how many doubt the Bible's legitimacy and stray because of this. I look at the seemingly huge number of lukewarm Christians who follow crazy people like Benny Hinn and dogmatically think he's the greatest thing on the face of the planet. *sigh* I'm not here to try to start a fight with anyone, I just want to know if anyone feels the same way. Sometimes I just want to grab everyone around me, shake them violently, and yell at them to wake up. I hear people say that the world has been like this since the beginning, but I don't really believe that. I think we get this impression from much of our media that has portrayed different era's differently than they actually were (can't think of any examples off hand and I'm not really here to debate it). I feel like this really is coming up on the end time and I want to preach the good news of Jesus from the roof tops and teach people in their homes every second. On the other hand, I'm married and I work long hours to make sure my wife is cared for until I finish college. Between work, college, and her, I have little to no time to carry out that preach and teach desire. Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and I love carrying out the wonderful role of provider for her, my family... but I want to do more. Does anyone understand what I'm feeling? Does anyone have any advice as to how to respond to this feeling?
Mark
Answer:
I would pray to God about it, and ask him to give you opportunities to help people, I used to feel that way, but I realized that "God is in Control"

Maybe you shouldn't try to evangelize to everyone, but sometimes the most effective way to evangelize is just doing small things to help people, because the small things really add up. I wouldn't try anything that could be received as being rash.

People falling away because of scientific evidence, hmmm., that's because a lot of scientific evidence of evolution and such is messed up, and most people (archeologists and scientists) that have tried to disprove God have ended up realizing that they were wrong. There is to much evidence towards God, do you know I think what really stops a lot of people is pride, because they don't want to give up (sex, drugs, etc.) I someone wants to find God they will, but some people use evolution as an excuse so they can live the way they want.

I think the best way of evangelizing (at least for now) is to show that you have joy because you are a Christian.

You said, "I feel like this really is coming up on the end time and I want to preach the good news of Jesus from the roof tops and teach people in their homes every second." only if we could, but you said you were in college, lacking time.

Most people over the age of 14 come to Christ because of friends, what you can do is make friends (but don't preach right away), but kind of tell them after a while that you are a Christian and ask them what they think about God.

Pray and let God direct you. If you have any questions ask me on this thread or send me a private message.

God Bless and thank you for your honesty!
Answer:
Originally Posted by Godreignsoveral I hear people say that the world has been like this since the beginning, but I don't really believe that. I think we get this impression from much of our media that has portrayed different era's differently than they actually were
Then take God's Word for it rather than the media's word:
Ecclesiastes 2:1-10
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Godreignsoveral Does anyone else here ever get that strange aching inside when you look around at our world today? I don't really know how exactly to describe it, but I'll try. I look at how science has caused many (and when I say many, it's my impression that this number is much greater than ages past, maybe the increase has come only in the last 200 years or so) to doubt the Bible.
I personnally think that science is not the focal point of attack as it was during the modernist movement. I see the main attack against Christianity being the fact that many people no longer think that truth is attainable.
Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and I love carrying out the wonderful role of provider for her, my family... but I want to do more. Does anyone understand what I'm feeling? Does anyone have any advice as to how to respond to this feeling?
Your first call is to preach and teach your wife. As Christ washes and sanctify's the church with the word of God, so are husbands to purify their wives with the washing of the word. So how do you respond to that feeling? Know that you are fulfilling your call as a husband if you are endeavering to sanctify your wife, to disciple her, etc. Then when you have children, you will extend your ministry to your children. As my pastor says, "If you want to do great things for the kingdom of God, marry a godly woman, and raise godly kids." Don't begrudge the time you have with them. Rather, give it to them fully. You have a lifetime to disciple your wife and kids, which isn't that long considering you are shaping the lives of not only your children, but their childrens children.
Teaching outside the home is certainly right and good. Remember though, that the qualifications for those who teach, is that they do those things well in their own family. I believe that though a million people come to Christ through your preaching, yet your wife and kids go apostate, that you have failed as a man of God.
"Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father." (Proverbs 17:6).
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet. Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6).
Answer:
Originally Posted by Godreignsoveral I'm not here to try to start a fight with anyone, I just want to know if anyone feels the same way. Sometimes I just want to grab everyone around me, shake them violently, and yell at them to wake up. I hear people say that the world has been like this since the beginning, but I don't really believe that.
Well, actually the world _has_ always been like that, although in every time it's been messed up in a different way. Of course, that doesn't mean we should _accept_ the way the world is. I feel the same frustration. I think it's (mostly) a Godly impulse - the more we see the world from God's perspective, the more it will shock us.
Finding other people who feel the same way is the only real way to deal with that frustration. And the best way to respond is to live in a way that goes against the expectations of lukewarm Christians and secular people alike - live like that old story about Jesus is actually TRUE. It's amazing how many people - even some "Christians" - live as if it's just a story. Learn to express your faith in terms that shock people - talk about God's love and the joy of knowing Him. Let people see that it's all true. Shocking people can be fun, and it often has a positive effect too.
A few years back, talking to someone who wouldn't accept any of the logical arguments and who had written me off as intolerant and fanatical, I finally got through by ranting about God's _love_ for her. Unorthodox approaches are the only way to get through to people who are convinced that they already know everything you're going to say...
Answer:
Wow i know exactly how you feel. some of my friends and i were talking about the same exact thing. how this world is getting more and more corrupt. It's almost like people dont even know the meaning of WRONG anymore. How much do you think that it's hurting God right now? It should make us sad also! But, what are WE doing about it? You dont just have to go out an EVANGELIZE to share Christ. How are you living your life? Can other's see you in them? My goal this year has been -like never before- to be able to share Christ's love so much that people that barely even know me can tell that im different. That i have this awesome peace about me that couldnt even come from myself. That I have this HUGE love for everyone I meet. That should be our goal in life. If every Christian didnt just sit on their butts and watch the world go bad, but actually do something about it, do you know how much or how many people we would reach for Christ?
just something to think about.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Godreignsoveral Does anyone else here ever get that strange aching inside when you look around at our world today? I don't really know how exactly to describe it, but I'll try. I look at how science has caused many (and when I say many, it's my impression that this number is much greater than ages past, maybe the increase has come only in the last 200 years or so) to doubt the Bible. I look at the many translations of the Bible and see how many doubt the Bible's legitimacy and stray because of this. I look at the seemingly huge number of lukewarm Christians who follow crazy people like Benny Hinn and dogmatically think he's the greatest thing on the face of the planet. *sigh* I'm not here to try to start a fight with anyone, I just want to know if anyone feels the same way. Sometimes I just want to grab everyone around me, shake them violently, and yell at them to wake up. I hear people say that the world has been like this since the beginning, but I don't really believe that. I think we get this impression from much of our media that has portrayed different era's differently than they actually were (can't think of any examples off hand and I'm not really here to debate it). I feel like this really is coming up on the end time and I want to preach the good news of Jesus from the roof tops and teach people in their homes every second. On the other hand, I'm married and I work long hours to make sure my wife is cared for until I finish college. Between work, college, and her, I have little to no time to carry out that preach and teach desire. Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and I love carrying out the wonderful role of provider for her, my family... but I want to do more. Does anyone understand what I'm feeling? Does anyone have any advice as to how to respond to this feeling?
Mark
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.
- Psalms 27:14
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
- Psalm 37:7-9
Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
- Psalm 25:4-5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 3:5-6