/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

Which missions agencies have you contacted?

>>847634

I want to go on my own, not through a missionary organization. Not a fan of Christian institutions in general. I need a couple years to grow my business to the point where I can sell it and pay off student debt/give money to my family and the poor, and to be extremely well versed in scripture and learn the languages of wherever I will end up going.

>Luke 12:22-34 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

>>847636

How to wash up from the mission field 101: do exactly what you said

>>847638

What do you mean by wash up from the mission field?

>>847639

I mean burn out, return home in exhaustion due to lack of support

>>847640

I've always been pretty fanatical about spiritual topics, only recently have I decided to crack open and actually read what is said. I fear God and am deeply ashamed of my past life of fornication and drugs, I feel as though I've lost the purity needed to go into marriage. I'm rather contrarian and introspective. I don't need the support of other Christians as long as I have the Holy Spirit within me as a guide.

>>847642

*crack open the Bible

>>847642

>only recently have I decided to crack open and actually read what is said

>I don't need the support of other Christians

Keep reading then

>>847644

Well I understand that the Apostles stayed in communication with each other, are you saying the only way to preach the Word of God is to do it as a group?

>>847645

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

>are you saying the only way to preach the Word of God is to do it as a group?

You'll need to be meeting in a church somewhere, whether it is an existing one or as part of a newly constituted one that goes with a mission to a specific place. Church attendance is the only way to keep yourself in Scripture if that's truly what you intend on. Of course, preaching can hypothetically be done anywhere, but it doesn't lift the requirement of remaining attending in a church congregation regardless. In a church you are baptized into the membership upon a profession of faith, maintain communion with them and if meeting the Scriptural qualifications it is possible to be ordained by the membership to the pastoral or deacon office.

>>847642

You're under prelest of grandeur.

My impression is that you are passionate, thus not faithful. I suggest you start practicing asceticism in genuinen humility instead of living in images.

>>847633

it won't be easier or more fulfilling in the jungle. but, go, if that is what your heart is telling you.

i would say, before you go, you should read through the philokalia. There are some wise words written to monks that feel as you do.

i think many christians have that feeling. Not all are called to it, though.

Suffering is something you do not have to seek out. Believe me. Suffering. and sin, and it's consequences… these are things that you will experience. And you will also experience sin and the consequences of sin in the jungle.

but. ,trust in your heart, and God. Lean on the God of your understanding. Seek, and you Will find. If you feel called to go, then go! Be doing. be seeking be asking be knocking.

And anon, if you think of it? please pray for me. I am a lost soul, a lot of times. Tonight, for instance. lust is really a terrible demon. I will pray for you also, about your decision in life. God loves you. it's really true. Remember to trust him.

>>847662

Good analysis. I have a tendency to romanticize the future versions of myself, yet struggle to overcome the temptations of the present. I'll live more ascetically and see where that leads me.

>>847699

Thank you for the message. I will pray ask God for an answer, though I do not feel worthy of posing the question to Him at the present. I still live in sin. He has been very generous to me, every time I have asked him a question he has answered through synchronicity. One time I was reading something about how the whole Bible is a metaphor and was controlled by an ancient secret society, and my faith wavered. I looked up and saw a plane very close to the ground, suspended in midair. The Lord did not have to show me this sign, but He is merciful.

I will keep you in my prayer, I know that the lust of the flesh can be tempting. Here is a verse that may comfort you in your times of weakness:

>1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.