Legacy · Q&A
Standing in Faith without Christian Friends

Question:
Thanks. I once did feel the Holy Ghost very strongly in my life, but I now have no teenage Apostolic friends to help me through these times, or to hang out with. My group of friends I feel is going through depression, and I feel like Jonah, just throw me out of the boat, and your problems will go away. God tells me to do things, and it is hard for me to follow through. Your testimony is awesome. I cried while reading it. It is sad that people don't think that miracles don't happen now adays. I used to go to bro. Steve Pixler's church, if you know where it's at. Most of the time I will tell people where I went, and they are like really?? That's a good church. :) There is an Apostolic church here, where I did feel God's presence strongly. I cried and the pastor even prayed over me. I just am intimidated by it's size. It only has about ten people or so in it. I know that kind of intimidation is only from the devil, so I think I will go this Sunday. Please tell me what you think. Thank you. -Ana-
Answer:
Hi Ana,
It's great to hear back from you! I told the people at our prayer meeting earlier tonight about your situation, and requested prayer for you. I also had some good prayer for you earlier, and I'm really hoping that God will move for you in a special way. It may sometimes seem difficult to act on what God leads us to do, but it always leads to peace and confidence when we are obedient. On the other hand, if we take what seems to be the easier way, it always leads to the opposite of peace and confidence. In regard to friends, the only true friends are the ones who influence us and are influenced by the way of holiness. One or two true friends are worth more than a thousand that are otherwise. If our hearts are after God, as yours sure seems to be, then sometimes we will go through times where we learn a little about the loneliness and isolation that Jesus felt. But if you stay determined to follow after God, He will eventually bring you together with people who will have been worth the wait.
I wish you had a dozen of the greatest friends, but maybe God is bringing you through a time like this for a very wise and good purpose that will later be revealed to you. Read this sobering passage from Lamentations, written by a man who knew the meaning of being alone with God, including in his youth: "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. For the LORD will not cast off for ever:" (Lam. 3:27-31). My perception of you is that you are a very dear girl to the Lord, and I truly believe that His hand is with you for good, even though you may not always feel it. We can't always understand why things are what they are, but we can trust that God is in control of all things, and is working all things for the good of those who will trust in Him for doing so (Rom. 8:28). As far as the services that you attended, the only advice I have at this time is what I wrote in the previous e-mail. I do know that God is calling His people out of all Christian denominations, including the Pentecostal ones, in order to be truly free to worship Him in Spirit and in truth; apart from the traditions of men which have long been accepted as truth, but not by God. I don't know anything about Steve Pixler's congregation. Is it something in the Louisville or Sou. Indiana area? I live in Louisville, KY. I hope I've helped in some way, and my offer to send some really good gospel stuff from our meetings still stands. Anything I send out is free of charge, and stays that way. Anyway, I'm hoping and praying that God blesses you in a really big way Ana, and that you let Him do it! You're always welcome to write. I'm always available to honest hearted believers like yourself, to be of whatever service I can be in Christ.
Sincerely,
Lary
Follow-up:
Comment:
Hi Lary, i recieved your e-mail and i guess your right in saying wait on God. well i would love to speak to you and i was hoping we could have a bible study over the phone somtimes, you can call me pretty much any time because i do a home base business full time so i'm pretty much free most of the time. please call me as soon as possible so we can start a bible study. If you can give me a call this monday it would be fantastic. Again thank you for replying to me and i hope to hear from you soon Sincerely, Nathaniel thank you and may God bless you.



