Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ
For a little over 6 years, Joan Boney lived at my house. There was joy and peace in daily being around someone who truly sought to do the will of God, turned to God with
problems, and who spoke truth. At times since Joan died last May, I have been aware of feeling a little "void" in my life, not being around another person with the Holy Spirit as had been the case for the previous 6 years.
I've asked God if there might be someone near where I live who has HIS Spirit that I can be around, but up to this point have not been shown any such in the neighborhood.
Although some say they are Christians, I find they don't share anything of God. And when I share something of God, they either wander away, or they smile and nod and then change the subject. Once in a while a neighbor may say some religious-sounding words, but I'm often a little troubled and realize later that their actions show a trust in the ways of this world, not in God.
So I have found myself rather alone in the midst of a neighborhood of people who smile and wave and say "friendly" things, but we really have little in common. (Others reading this may have the same experience.)
A few days ago I was talking with God about this. Not long afterward, I was reminded of Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, who walked with God. (Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.)
In Hebrews11:5 we are told the following about Enoch ...
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
And in Jude vv. 14-15 we are told how Enoch prophesied against the ungodly, warning of the judgment of God.
We know of the great wickedness in the world before God destroyed the world by flood, saving only Noah and his family and animals. Genesis 6:5-6 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that HE had made man on the earth, and it grieved HIM at HIS heart.
The ungodliness Enoch saw in his day reminds me of the ungodliness around us in the world today, and I find it edifying and faith-building to read that Enoch walked with God and pleased God and spoke the word of God.
While thinking about these things, I was reminded of a book Joan and I wrote together in 2017 ... Faith Building Moments from the Old Testament and Today. I felt very strongly led to read in that book, so I downloaded it and began reading.
I laughed when I read the Preface which Joan wrote in that book, for it describes so well what I was feeling ...
"No friends? Alone? Trying to be friends with people who grieve you? Even with church people who grieve you? Thinking of disobedient children and relatives and mates?
To have joy, stop and turn to the great men and women of faith in the Bible and fellowship with them at night. Rejoice in them. Let them be your friends."
==
It really has been a joy and strengthening to me to read accounts we have been given of those who have walked in faith. One evening I found myself turning away from a show I had been watching on tv, wanting to read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego instead!
As I read Psalm 107:7-9 recently, I thought of how it feels as though I have been led to a "city of habitation" and that God satisfies my longing soul, and fills me with goodness as I've been reading about these people of faith.
Psalm 107:7, 9 And HE (God) led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
9 For HE satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
I'm so grateful to God for helping me in this, and smile at how differently HE answered my prayer than what I had expected.
Also, it might be helpful to others to consider reading about those who have walked in faith.
A few days ago I was talking with God about this. Not long afterward, I was reminded of Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, who walked with God. (Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.)
In Hebrews11:5 we are told the following about Enoch ...
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
And in Jude vv. 14-15 we are told how Enoch prophesied against the ungodly, warning of the judgment of God.
We know of the great wickedness in the world before God destroyed the world by flood, saving only Noah and his family and animals. Genesis 6:5-6 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that HE had made man on the earth, and it grieved HIM at HIS heart.
The ungodliness Enoch saw in his day reminds me of the ungodliness around us in the world today, and I find it edifying and faith-building to read that Enoch walked with God and pleased God and spoke the word of God.
While thinking about these things, I was reminded of a book Joan and I wrote together in 2017 ... Faith Building Moments from the Old Testament and Today. I felt very strongly led to read in that book, so I downloaded it and began reading.
I laughed when I read the Preface which Joan wrote in that book, for it describes so well what I was feeling ...
"No friends? Alone? Trying to be friends with people who grieve you? Even with church people who grieve you? Thinking of disobedient children and relatives and mates?
To have joy, stop and turn to the great men and women of faith in the Bible and fellowship with them at night. Rejoice in them. Let them be your friends."
==
It really has been a joy and strengthening to me to read accounts we have been given of those who have walked in faith. One evening I found myself turning away from a show I had been watching on tv, wanting to read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego instead!
As I read Psalm 107:7-9 recently, I thought of how it feels as though I have been led to a "city of habitation" and that God satisfies my longing soul, and fills me with goodness as I've been reading about these people of faith.
Psalm 107:7, 9 And HE (God) led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
9 For HE satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
I'm so grateful to God for helping me in this, and smile at how differently HE answered my prayer than what I had expected.
Also, it might be helpful to others to consider reading about those who have walked in faith.
(The book Faith Building Moments from the Old Testament and Today is available at amazon.com)
***
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
***
Comments from Linda Rodgers, member of the body of Christ
The information you sent concerning no "real" Christians to be friends with at your home. I have experienced the same thing and I just
turn to God and ask HIM to help me and make me feel whole again in this
area. I have found that God never fails
me and soon I am feeling better.
As I follow this path, I am made more
and more aware of God's healing power and help. Soon I can carry on as
I should.
I am now reading "Faith Building Moments from the Old
Testament and Today". Thank you so much for suggesting
this book. I am starting to read it now. It's fulfilling to me to
read the stories of the people in the Old Testament and their
accomplished trials of life with God by their sides. Thank you so much
for suggesting this book. I had to laugh at the Preface
Joan wrote also, so true! I know there is always hope when God is with
us.
💥💥💥💥💥