God doesn't answer "multiple choice" prayers. Well that is to say He will answer the prayer, but it likely will not be one of the answers you had given Him to choose from. This seems like a reasonable thing to say and I suspect most people would agree without even realizing that they themselves often give God a "multiple choice" prayer.
So could you be doing this without even knowing it? Think about your prayers and the possible answers you are expecting. Are they the kind of things God The Father would say? Lets just put it in more simple terms. Are they even the types of answers your father would give? Okay, lets pretend your dad knows what you are talking about. My kids would tell you that is a stretch, but lets pretend. Say for example you pray for an answer on what car to buy? Would your father tell you Ford, Chevy, or Lexus or would he go on and on in excruciating detail about fuel economy, mechanical reliability, proper maintenance, and your budget. And if your my kids you may also hear more than a few words about the good value of an old Volkswagen. Now God may or may not have a preference for old VWs but He surely has little concern for the difference between Ford and Chevy (as hard as that is for some guys to hear.)
The point I am making, while rambling on in dad like fashion, is just like any dad, your Father in Heaven has certain things He is more concerned with and His answers tend to be centered around those things. To better hear the answers to your prayers, get to know your Father a little better and listen for the kind of things He would say.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Occupy the Vote: Why I occupy… « the middle ground
Occupy the Vote: Why I occupy… « the middle ground
"Let go of the hate and act out of love."
Can we find a middle ground with the Occupy movement?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Why hide what you are doing?
Do all good work in the open light of day and do not fear what your enemies will use against you fore truth needs no shelter and lies need no foundation.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
God sends you Love this Valentine's Day
This is a time many are seeking Love. I know more than a few in my life that pray for it and maybe do so without understanding. I have come to know that God does not wish us to be in the dark about anything especially something so dear and valuable as Love. There are so many places in the Bible to learn about what Love but my favorite today is 2. Peter, chapter one begins speaking about what the knowledge of God brings us, including the ability to live more by "divine nature," that image of God were were made in, rather than the corrupt nature of this world, that clay of the earth of which we were made. The path is spelled out to help us better know God and lead us exactly to where we all want to be.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2.Peter 1:5-7
Saturday, February 11, 2012
George Washington, the Christian - William Jackson Johnstone - Google Books
This is interesting to me because is was one of those things where several messages from several sources seem to be in sync about the many names of God.
'via Blog this'
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Judas Connection
If you were to ask Christians which Apostle are you most like, I would guess that most would pause long enough to appear to give reflection and then answer, "Peter, because like Peter, everyone knows I am a follower of Christ but I may be caught in a moment of denial every now and then." This is the comfortable answer sprinkled with just a dash of humility. However, if we are to be honest with ourselves, can we really say that we are like Peter, fully intending to live and even die for Jesus only to be surprised and deeply disheartened when we fail? Or are we in fact most like Judas and can admit to at least one other authority in our lives that we refuse to let go of? We know the story of Judas, right? Why do you think that is? Do you think "Almost all of the Bible applies to me but not that part. No. That part is for someone else." This is one truth that we all like to ignore but that makes it all the more true.
Like Judas we try to follow Christ. We know we are chosen and are loved by Him. We have committed almost all of our lives to being His follower. ALMOST. But despite all we have learned and all we have grown with Christ, there is still at least one part of our old life we hold on to. Maybe it's one "reality" that we can't just ignore. Maybe it's one little vise that nobody knows about so it's hurting no one. Perhaps it's just "the way of the world" or the things that "everyone has to do to survive." We ask forgiveness every Sunday knowing full well that we can return to our old ways as soon as the regular work week resumes.
It is our connection and obedience to something else (sin) that will be used to betray Christ! Judas too could rationalize that it was reasonable to still listen to the Chief Priests of his old life, just as we continue to allow something else to lord over part of our own life. We too rationalize a need for it. "Everyone does it," "I need the release," "It's part of real life," "It's how I earn a few extra pieces of silver."
Like Judas we try to follow Christ. We know we are chosen and are loved by Him. We have committed almost all of our lives to being His follower. ALMOST. But despite all we have learned and all we have grown with Christ, there is still at least one part of our old life we hold on to. Maybe it's one "reality" that we can't just ignore. Maybe it's one little vise that nobody knows about so it's hurting no one. Perhaps it's just "the way of the world" or the things that "everyone has to do to survive." We ask forgiveness every Sunday knowing full well that we can return to our old ways as soon as the regular work week resumes.
It is our connection and obedience to something else (sin) that will be used to betray Christ! Judas too could rationalize that it was reasonable to still listen to the Chief Priests of his old life, just as we continue to allow something else to lord over part of our own life. We too rationalize a need for it. "Everyone does it," "I need the release," "It's part of real life," "It's how I earn a few extra pieces of silver."
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
God knows who He is talking to.
If you don't know that God speaks to you than none of the rest of what I'm going to say will make much sense so sorry if it doesn't help but here it goes anyway:
When you are getting a message from God that He wants you to take some steps or action that will benefit someone or help to transform lives He chooses you to receive the message for a reason. You may have thought that it was because only you can accomplish it or that you are in the right place and time for the task. These may be true but what is always true is that the life most in need of transformation is yours.
"Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul,..." (Deuteronomy 11:18)
Another way to put it:
Listen, and God will tell you what to do, but if what you hear is "Make your neighbor do..." then that ain't God speaking.
When you are getting a message from God that He wants you to take some steps or action that will benefit someone or help to transform lives He chooses you to receive the message for a reason. You may have thought that it was because only you can accomplish it or that you are in the right place and time for the task. These may be true but what is always true is that the life most in need of transformation is yours.
"Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul,..." (Deuteronomy 11:18)
Another way to put it:
Listen, and God will tell you what to do, but if what you hear is "Make your neighbor do..." then that ain't God speaking.
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