As you all know, I posted a prayer request two weeks ago when someone entered my home and stole my laptop, jewelry, purse (with contents) and my car. The car was recovered while I was at the movies viewing "Fireproof". I had to pay for the police tow and inpound. Then, debated with my insurance company on both the auto and homeowners claims. I told them that the thief still has possession of my car keys and jeep keys. I was told that my policies did not cover keys. They refused to pay for the locks and ignitions to be re-keyed. At my own expense, I had the car re-keyed when I got it out of inpound.The claims agent has yet to return my calls from Wednesday concerning the scratch on the side (but that's another story). Anyway, last night, my jeep was stolen. Again I called the police and went online to file the insurance claim. While I have forgiven the thief for stealing my property and thereby making me late for church, I received a response to my prayer request (thank you). I was informed that the thief needed more than prison. He/she needs Jesus. This was what I had in mind all along. This country has wonderful prison ministries. The thief would get the chance to meet Jesus, our Lord and Savior. For the thief to be caught red-handed and go to prison for grand theft auto and thereby meeting Jesus in prison is well worth the inconveniences I've experienced the last two weeks. So, I'd like to ask you all to tell me is this worth a soul being saved or not. It cost me out-of-pocket 614 plus the headache of dealing with the insurance company and making trips to the police station. What do you think, worth it or not?

10/12/2008 11:24:42 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MrsPiggy, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm speachless as to what has happened to you again.) As far as the worth of a soul, the ultimate price WAS paid. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Remember also what Paul said; "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 MrsPiggy, perhaps God will use your situation, to be part of the link in the chain of events of this "Thiefs" life, and bring Him to faith in Christ. (We can only hope!)

10/13/2008 3:41:01 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I agree with all you have said. My point is how much are we willing to give to increase the kingdom of God. There are those who give up the "good" life here and travel to the remote points of the globe to take the gospel to the deceived. Disciples who were crucified upside down and stoned to death. It is my prayer that God will use the events of my situation to bring the thief to Him. It will have all been worth it. I have had the honor of meeting people who were imprisioned and got saved. I know that God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. We all claim we want to be used of God, but to what extent?

10/13/2008 5:34:14 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Everything is God's. The World, and Everything in it. Including our very Selves. (We are not our own. We are bought with a price. Our posessions are on loan to us from God.) In answer to your question; Whatever He wills, that will be the extent of our giving. His will be done. The more we love Him, the more we are open to obeying His will. I often think of the irritation from the grain of sand in the Oyster. God will allow things in our lives which will be used to change our Character to be more like His. In the natural, a situation may look grim. But in the Spiritual, God is accomplishing something greater. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 MrsPiggy, I hope we are willing to say to Christ, "All I am and all I have is Yours. Use it as You will."

10/13/2008 8:56:45 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Would you sacrifice your grandson to save the soul of a stranger?

10/13/2008 9:04:41 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

"Sacrifice" in what sense? (I will think of my daughter since I have no grandchildren). To death, after she has given her life to Christ? Certainly. "Sacrifice" in the sense of trading her unsaved soul so that a stranger could be saved? No - no man or woman could make the choice I think.

10/13/2008 9:07:51 PM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

MrsPiggy, I added to my answer above. Sorry it took so long. (I agree Arsindelve. The choice is not ours to make.) God is God. We are not.

10/13/2008 9:13:40 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Arsin, as always, you give some of the most biblically sound answers I've read. If your grandson (or daughter) is saved, then there is no reason why she shouldn't die to save another soul because she is already saved. However, the question is unfair and flawed because it is a paradox. To reiterate what Ignited-Faith said, we are not God. The question of "should one person die to save another" is not ours to answer. If you are trying to draw a parallel between God giving his son Jesus to die for us then that's great...but as humans, I maintain we have no right to take (or sacrifice) the life of another man to save another. Money and posessions are all given by God. We are stewards of his providence. If I had a chance to give 614 or any amount of worldly wealth to save one soul, I would do it in a heartbeat. Even in the trying times we are in right now...

10/14/2008 4:51:44 AM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

I know that God is God. He does not take. He gives. And if we are to be like Him, are we not also to give? Jesus gave up His deity to become flesh and die for our sins. That's sacrifice. He said, "No one can take my life from me, I lay it down voluntarily." John 10:18 In other words He's saying, "I give it up to save souls". XFrogger, the question is unfair? God is not fair, He's just and merciful. Fairness would be us dying for our own sins. Did God not say to Abraham to take his son, Issac and sacrifice him? By your last paragraph, I see that you understand my point. What I've been through is worth it to bring another soul into the kingdom of God. This discussion was created to give thought to what we, as children of God, are willing to give back. I wanted to share my experience and the revelation I received from it. 614 dollars was all the money I had, as I still had to make my car payment on the stolen car. The jeep is lienfree. All that I have (and will have) and all that I am is His to use as He wills.

10/14/2008 9:24:10 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Because we live in a fallen world, sometimes bad things do happen to good people. (We see a tiny portion though. God sees the Bigger picture.) As believers, we can stand on the truth of God's Word. (Romans 8:28) MrsPiggy, I am praying that God will use you and your situation, and show this person their need for Salvation through faith in Christ. May their ears and heart be open to the Holy Spirit. I also pray you will be blessed much more than was taken from you. God is able.

10/17/2008 1:39:51 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Thank you IgnitedFaith. I receive that is Jesus name. I received aan email quote: Proverbs 17:3. "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart." I accept that, too. Whatever is happening in my life, I accept as part of His plan for my life. He will only allow circumstances that He knows I'm prepared to face or I should be able to face as He is with me. The whole thing has been a stepping stone for me, lifting me higher in Him. I praise Him for it.

10/17/2008 8:58:20 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I love your stepping stone Testimony. I was talking to my Sister the other day. She said we need to remember, "We as Christians do NOT go from Victory to "defeat." Instead, we go from Victory to "Victory!" Trials do come to test our Faith. Everything you are going through, God will use. He is making you more and more to reflect Himself! I Praise Him for what He is doing in you (MrsPiggy) and also through you (MrsPiggy)! It seems as you are on the path of stepping stones, you are also reaching to others, to help show them the way and where to walk! God IS Good!

10/17/2008 3:24:10 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

You've done it again!! Thank you foe reminding me that we go from victory to victory from glory to glory.God bless you Sister.

10/17/2008 7:28:34 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

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