Over the past 6 months, I have been sharing the Lord with a couple of friends and family members, but to no avail.  I get no response from my messages, not even an acknowledgement that they even received them.  However, my father is just starting to respond to some of the messages I have sent and just recently via a phone conversation (we live in different states).  This I am encouraged by, however, others have turned away from me, the message.  One friend, in particular, who has been a dear friend for years no longer wants to communicate.  I have stressed the urgency with all of them.  I'm wondering if their turning away from the Lord (the message) is because perhaps I didn't present it "correctly"????? (for lack of a better word).  Please, let me stress...in no way is this about me, but rather could I have done a better job in sharing the Good News?  That is the question I ask myself.  I have never had the priviledge of witnessing to someone who accepted the Lord right then and there or who was at a place of complete surrender.  There have been many seeds planted over the years and lots of watering along the way, but never have I had the priviledge of watching the planting come to full fruition.  I know witnessing is not about our works, I understand that.  And I continue to pray for them with a heavy heart.  I hope this makes sense and would very much appreciate it if anyone else has every felt this way.  Blessings!

my guess is that it is not the messenger they are turning from nor in the way you present it, it is just that the overall message is pricking their hearts and not replying to you is their way of ignoring it, but even though they appear to ignore it, many times when it seems like the seed has fallen on deaf ears the seed is still taking root although it is hidden to you, and as far as ever seeing it come to full fruition you may not know what became of your efforts until you are heaven , so never despise the seemingly small things you do because you will be rewarded ;)

Our job is to plant seed.  It sounds like you have done that.  It's the Holy Spirit's job to draw them in / water the seed / woo them. We can't do this.  God must soften their hearts. If we keep pushing on the seed, we just make the ground harder and harder. So plant seed, then pray, pray, pray.  I have loved ones who also give me the sad, worried look. Some I believe will rise with us, they're just not watching. Others I pray will come to Christ in the tribulation. There are uncountable numbers who do, according to the Word. But don't beat yourself up that you aren't God.  Just be glad that I'm not Him either.  We'd all be in a pickle.  But it is delightful when people ask questions, isn't it.  

I did stir up controversy once on a friends page when she had made a rather evangelical post.  I commented "What then must I do to be saved?" hoping to draw her out further in her witness. Unfortunately one of her "friends" took this as a sarcastic insult to her "holier-than-thou" attitude and started ripping on her.  I apologised for the outcome and explained my intent, and she was less one undesirable friend.  As I said, just be glad I'm not Him. On the other hand, I think you're doing just fine.  The hearts of most of the world have grown hard. That's to be expected, I guess, with the fullness of the Gentiles approaching.  God's intent in the 70th week is still redemption.  Some people just have to see for themselves.

The most hated person and His message on earth was Jesus Christ ~~ the blinded heart just can't see the Light in the their midst ~~ truly it is the Holy Spirit convicting ~~

It's a paradox, huh, that our Lord insists on using weakened, fallen vessels to get His message out ~~ He loves to do it that way among His saved ~~ more reason, He gets all the honor and exalted praises ~~

I remember hearing how J. Vernon McGee lived next door to a 7th Day Adventist, and attempted to witness to this soul many times, not knowing the outcome  ~~  same thing with John MacArthur next to a neighbor unsaved ~~~

turns out living true faith is probably more powerful in God's children as much as preaching the good news, eh  , .  resting in the Spirit in the Lord Who is the Alpha & Omega announcing He shall lose none  ~~ til we're Face to face with our Powerful God ~

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and wisdom.  Becka, I had tears streaming down my face when I read your post.  That's me!  I felt heavily burdened today, for some reason, thinking that perhaps they would have responded to the Good News if they had heard it from someone more articulate, seasoned and (more) passionate.  Yes!  I am finding that it is easier to witness to strangers.  I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for this website.  God Bless!

I used to do this-- until all my "friends" DEMANDED I stop or our "friendships" would be over.  (note-- I stopped, but the friendships stopped too as far as I was concerned--- reject my God, reject me too!)

Anyway, I asked one of the most vocal of the one's who demanded I stop and his words were that every time he read one, bad stuff happened (spiritual attacks), nighmares of demons coming for ihm, and that any time he read about being saved, he felt like he was being burned from the inside out.  Literally TOO PAINFUL to read.  

Satan has a TIGHT hold on many people and they aren't willing to fight it.  Even when told how to get away from that bond, they refuse.  Free will.

He would rather reject God and be "comfortable" here on earth.  He knows the consequences and is OK with it.  Free will.

I have re-read all of your posts and, again, I so much appreciate the encouragement and wisdom.    Thank you all for creating a "safe" environment to share.  Perhaps my heart was so heavy (for the lost) because it is just about midnight.  I just got back from my Bible study at church tonight and the message was on Matthew 25:14.  Talk about timing!!!!!  The parable of the talents - and it's what we do with what God has given us.  We are to be caretakers of our talents.  Works are important, in the sense of showing our faith by our works.  Everything God asks us to do, He will provide and this was a good reminder for me today.  And after we are raptured, our works will be presented at the Bema Seat, the judgment seat of Christ.  There are five Crowns to be received based on our works. The crown that stuck out for me tonight was the Crown of Rejoicing (the soul winners Crown).  How sweet it will be when we hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."  No doubt, this message really spoke to me tonight.  I also thought of you all tonight and your words of wisdom.  Blessings.

@atpeace. Im glad that you have found some peace on this matter.  Definately can identify with your post, as a matter of fact I responded to it AND somehow hit a button and *Poof* it disappeared.  Dont you hate it when that happens! (lol) 

Here's some scripture that I found encouraging especially as it relates to sowing the seeds of the Gospel.  This one helped me understand that I did my part by planting and maybe someone else will water. >>>> The Holy Spirit.<<<<<

1 Corinthians 3:6-9   I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
 

Galatians 6:9-10  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.    <<<<Helped encourage me to continue to pray for my family even when I was weak and weary and felt rejected.

Sometimes we just have to stay on our knees in private prayer

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.    <<<<Helped me understand that my weeping in prayer sometimes literally watered the seed spiritually because my spirit was still  working through grieving and keeping me connected and compassionate to my brethren's spiritual needs. (Does that make sense to you?) 

1 John 5:14-16 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. <<<<<<< Backed up how important my prayer petition is in relation to my brethren's overcoming. 

Having said all that I learned to just do my part, plant the seed and wait for the Harvest of the Lord to be fulfilled.  Has a plant ever thanked you for watering it? (lol)  

Anywho... I couldnt said it better then any of these wonderful people here on RITA. 

You guys are really doing the good work that the Lord appoints his children to do.  I wonder if we could have a little RITA ceremony? I wonder if we could ask Daddy to make us some Class of RITA pins for our robes.