Need a christian's view on this

[mycrabface]

What if I prayed for this thing to happen by this time, if it dosen't happen, I'll take it this way, and if it does happen, I'll take it another way. But it happened after that time. So what is God trying to tell me? Be patient?

[pseudo.naivete]

It was Joe Pesci trying to demonstrate to you what you *could* get by faith:

[thalberg]

You're asking how to interpret a particular circumstance you had been praying about.  Well, DON'T take it as if the thing happened in the time you prayed it would--because it didn't. 

So how should you take it?

It's like this: 

Have you ever been camping and forgot your can opener?  You have that can of beans, and you want to eat them, so you bang the can on rocks and stuff but it just doesn't open.  So you get a can of sardines.  The can of sardines comes with a key.  You take the key and open the can, and you eat the sardines.

Circumstances are like cans of beans.  They do not come with a key to open them.  God is in control of circumstances, but we do not have the key to know what the circumstances mean.  We cannot interpret them.

The Bible is like a can of sardines--it's written in plain language and can be interpreted.  Its meaning can be known.  Circumstances on the other hand--their meaning cannot be known.

So you CAN'T know the meaning of what happened.

So don't make a decision like you've heard from God, because at the moment, you have not.

My advice to you:  quit trying to force God to show His hand for now.....but do seek Him.  Pray and fast......but in the end, use WISDOM.  Wisdom from scripture, Christian mentors. etc.  Make a decision that you believe is most in line with scriptural principles.  It is hard.  It takes thinking.  You won't be certain you're making the "perfect" move.....but if you line up your decision with scriptural principles, and pray and fast, God's guidance WILL be there.  He promises us that.  Even if we don't see His guidance, it is a PROMISE.

Be wise.  If you want to read a good book on God's guidance, you MUST get James Petty's book "Step By Step."

Also, a word of comfort--God has two kinds of wills.  One will says what is sin and what isn't, and what is virtue and what isn't.  It's revealed to us in scripture.  We know it, and we're responsible for it, and we can screw it up or get it right.

But God's other will is His SOVEREIGN will--His plan for our individual lives.  This is NOT in scripture.  It's NOT revealed.  We DON'T know what it is.  And so we're NOT responsible for it and we CAN'T screw it up.  So have peace.  God Bless.

[maul]

You are all ridiculous. "God" doesn't decide your life. YOU are in control. YOU are the idiot saying "if I throw this rock and it lands in that cup then I go to school, if it lands in the basket then I don't". Oh gee, it landed on the top of my f*cking head because I threw it straight up in the air and I'm a complete idiot. God was trying to tell me something... or maybe he was refusing to tell me something. Maybe I should kill myself. How 1st grade is that. Honestly.

Live your f*cking life how you want to live it. If you have a strong desire to do something and you work your ass off to try and achieve it, then the infinite will guide you, help you, and bring circumstances into your life that will aid you in your journey. It's a universal fact. Do some research and you will find it to be true. Read "Think and Grow Rich", listen to Jim Rohn, and STUDY wealth. Your brain is like a big magnet that can attract both negative and positive things into your life.

It's your choice. The problem with all you brainwashed freaks is that you want everything to be handed to you on a silver platter and want pure random chance to decide it. "Oh god, PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE"... while you sit here on Piano Street posting 20 posts a day and doing nothing to achieve your goals. Yeah. Ok. That's really going to happen.

It's your actions that define your future, and you EARN the help of "God" (not the Christian god who floats around the Earth searching for people to spread his almighty KINGDOM KEKEKEKEE) when you put the effort in and have a burning desire for what you want to accomplish. It's that simple.

[jlh]

You are all ridiculous. "God" doesn't decide your life. YOU are in control. YOU are the idiot saying "if I throw this rock and it lands in that cup then I go to school, if it lands in the basket then I don't". Oh gee, it landed on the top of my f*cking head because I threw it straight up in the air and I'm a complete idiot. God was trying to tell me something... or maybe he was refusing to tell me something. Maybe I should kill myself. How 1st grade is that. Honestly.

Live your f*cking life how you want to live it. If you have a strong desire to do something and you work your ass off to try and achieve it, then the infinite will guide you, help you, and bring circumstances into your life that will aid you in your journey. It's a universal fact. Do some research and you will find it to be true. Read "Think and Grow Rich", listen to Jim Rohn, and STUDY wealth. Your brain is like a big magnet that can attract both negative and positive things into your life.

It's your choice. The problem with all you brainwashed freaks is that you want everything to be handed to you on a silver platter and want pure random chance to decide it. "Oh god, PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE"... while you sit here on Piano Street posting 20 posts a day and doing nothing to achieve your goals. Yeah. Ok. That's really going to happen.

It's your actions that define your future, and you EARN the help of "God" (not the Christian god who floats around the Earth searching for people to spread his almighty KINGDOM KEKEKEKEE) when you put the effort in and have a burning desire for what you want to accomplish. It's that simple.

I suddenly have a strong desire to practice...

[pianistimo]

but, maul - you forgot one thing.  working hard is a biblical principle.  the proverbs, especially - although not soley recommend working hard and excellently (to the best of your ability).  also, Jesus gave the parable of the talents (where some buried their talents and earned less rewards).

what we are disagreeing on fundamentally is the idea that what we do in this life matters in the next.  some say - you work hard - you make money - you are happy.  others say - you work hard - other people are benefitted and you also make enough income to live - and you use the extra money to give to others who are not as blessed.  also, you may teach others about God's word so that they can be blessed.  blessings are ultimately from the Lord.  you can work 365 days out of the year and lose it all in one moment.

i'm not saying that people that lose it all are somehow any less of christian or not - but i'm saying that God decides a lot more things than you realize.  the extent of favor granted you from bosses - to your favor with God the Father at the ressurrection.  if Jesus Christ is our intercessor - the most important answer to prayer is that He keep our names in the book of Life.  money comes and goes.  favor with God is everlasting.

*i like thalberg's explaination to your question about answers now or later.  maybe some of the answers will come later - and you have to know the right questions to ask.  what is your will for me Lord?  a christians life isn't always easy.  sometimes there are very difficult burdens to bear.  it proves your faith.  if all prayers were answered with a 'yes, i'll get to it right now!' - we would come to expect God to be a sort of slave to our requests.  but, He is God.  so we beseech Him and His mercy.  We can also use our humanity to our favor.  many times - king David said 'I can't praise you when I'm dead.'  it was sort of his way of saying 'i've had enough.'  God always seemed to bring him through each predicament to come out better and better in the end.  but, for many years he was the target of assasination by king Saul.

[thalberg]

You are all ridiculous. "God" doesn't decide your life. YOU are in control. YOU are the idiot saying "if I throw this rock and it lands in that cup then I go to school, if it lands in the basket then I don't". Oh gee, it landed on the top of my f*cking head because I threw it straight up in the air and I'm a complete idiot. God was trying to tell me something... or maybe he was refusing to tell me something. Maybe I should kill myself. How 1st grade is that. Honestly.

Live your f*cking life how you want to live it. If you have a strong desire to do something and you work your ass off to try and achieve it, then the infinite will guide you, help you, and bring circumstances into your life that will aid you in your journey. It's a universal fact. Do some research and you will find it to be true. Read "Think and Grow Rich", listen to Jim Rohn, and STUDY wealth. Your brain is like a big magnet that can attract both negative and positive things into your life.

It's your choice. The problem with all you brainwashed freaks is that you want everything to be handed to you on a silver platter and want pure random chance to decide it. "Oh god, PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE"... while you sit here on Piano Street posting 20 posts a day and doing nothing to achieve your goals. Yeah. Ok. That's really going to happen.

It's your actions that define your future, and you EARN the help of "God" (not the Christian god who floats around the Earth searching for people to spread his almighty KINGDOM KEKEKEKEE) when you put the effort in and have a burning desire for what you want to accomplish. It's that simple.

This person asked for a Christian's view, not yours.  Go do something else with your "magnet brain."  Personal attacks are not a constructive use of your time. 

[ahinton]

This person asked for a Christian's view, not yours.  Go do something else with your "magnet brain."  Personal attacks are not a constructive use of your time. 

I am not a Christian but I wholeheartedly second your remarks, whilst at the same time appropriately declining to offer a view here.

Best,

Alistair

[mycrabface]

You're asking how to interpret a particular circumstance you had been praying about.  Well, DON'T take it as if the thing happened in the time you prayed it would--because it didn't. 

So how should you take it?

It's like this: 

Have you ever been camping and forgot your can opener?  You have that can of beans, and you want to eat them, so you bang the can on rocks and stuff but it just doesn't open.  So you get a can of sardines.  The can of sardines comes with a key.  You take the key and open the can, and you eat the sardines.

Circumstances are like cans of beans.  They do not come with a key to open them.  God is in control of circumstances, but we do not have the key to know what the circumstances mean.  We cannot interpret them.

The Bible is like a can of sardines--it's written in plain language and can be interpreted.  Its meaning can be known.  Circumstances on the other hand--their meaning cannot be known.

So you CAN'T know the meaning of what happened.

So don't make a decision like you've heard from God, because at the moment, you have not.

My advice to you:  quit trying to force God to show His hand for now.....but do seek Him.  Pray and fast......but in the end, use WISDOM.  Wisdom from scripture, Christian mentors. etc.  Make a decision that you believe is most in line with scriptural principles.  It is hard.  It takes thinking.  You won't be certain you're making the "perfect" move.....but if you line up your decision with scriptural principles, and pray and fast, God's guidance WILL be there.  He promises us that.  Even if we don't see His guidance, it is a PROMISE.

Be wise.  If you want to read a good book on God's guidance, you MUST get James Petty's book "Step By Step."

Also, a word of comfort--God has two kinds of wills.  One will says what is sin and what isn't, and what is virtue and what isn't.  It's revealed to us in scripture.  We know it, and we're responsible for it, and we can screw it up or get it right.

But God's other will is His SOVEREIGN will--His plan for our individual lives.  This is NOT in scripture.  It's NOT revealed.  We DON'T know what it is.  And so we're NOT responsible for it and we CAN'T screw it up.  So have peace.  God Bless.

Am I supposed to fast!? I don't fast. I can fast for 45 mins but that's it..
But I'm kinda lost in this thing and I don't know which way to go, that's why I asked God to point me in the right direction..

[mycrabface]

You are all ridiculous. "God" doesn't decide your life. YOU are in control. YOU are the idiot saying "if I throw this rock and it lands in that cup then I go to school, if it lands in the basket then I don't". Oh gee, it landed on the top of my f*cking head because I threw it straight up in the air and I'm a complete idiot. God was trying to tell me something... or maybe he was refusing to tell me something. Maybe I should kill myself. How 1st grade is that. Honestly.

Live your f*cking life how you want to live it. If you have a strong desire to do something and you work your ass off to try and achieve it, then the infinite will guide you, help you, and bring circumstances into your life that will aid you in your journey. It's a universal fact. Do some research and you will find it to be true. Read "Think and Grow Rich", listen to Jim Rohn, and STUDY wealth. Your brain is like a big magnet that can attract both negative and positive things into your life.

It's your choice. The problem with all you brainwashed freaks is that you want everything to be handed to you on a silver platter and want pure random chance to decide it. "Oh god, PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE"... while you sit here on Piano Street posting 20 posts a day and doing nothing to achieve your goals. Yeah. Ok. That's really going to happen.

It's your actions that define your future, and you EARN the help of "God" (not the Christian god who floats around the Earth searching for people to spread his almighty KINGDOM KEKEKEKEE) when you put the effort in and have a burning desire for what you want to accomplish. It's that simple.

I didn't read your post to the end.

[mycrabface]

but, maul - you forgot one thing.  working hard is a biblical principle.  the proverbs, especially - although not soley recommend working hard and excellently (to the best of your ability).  also, Jesus gave the parable of the talents (where some buried their talents and earned less rewards).

what we are disagreeing on fundamentally is the idea that what we do in this life matters in the next.  some say - you work hard - you make money - you are happy.  others say - you work hard - other people are benefitted and you also make enough income to live - and you use the extra money to give to others who are not as blessed.  also, you may teach others about God's word so that they can be blessed.  blessings are ultimately from the Lord.  you can work 365 days out of the year and lose it all in one moment.

i'm not saying that people that lose it all are somehow any less of christian or not - but i'm saying that God decides a lot more things than you realize.  the extent of favor granted you from bosses - to your favor with God the Father at the ressurrection.  if Jesus Christ is our intercessor - the most important answer to prayer is that He keep our names in the book of Life.  money comes and goes.  favor with God is everlasting.

*i like thalberg's explaination to your question about answers now or later.  maybe some of the answers will come later - and you have to know the right questions to ask.  what is your will for me Lord?  a christians life isn't always easy.  sometimes there are very difficult burdens to bear.  it proves your faith.  if all prayers were answered with a 'yes, i'll get to it right now!' - we would come to expect God to be a sort of slave to our requests.  but, He is God.  so we beseech Him and His mercy.  We can also use our humanity to our favor.  many times - king David said 'I can't praise you when I'm dead.'  it was sort of his way of saying 'i've had enough.'  God always seemed to bring him through each predicament to come out better and better in the end.  but, for many years he was the target of assasination by king Saul.

Pianistimo, I'm so glad you're a christian too.

whilst at the same time appropriately declining to offer a view here.

Best,

Alistair

THANK YOU

[prometheus]

Uuh, what does praying do?

[counterpoint]

What if I prayed for this thing to happen by this time, if it dosen't happen, I'll take it this way, and if it does happen, I'll take it another way. But it happened after that time. So what is God trying to tell me? Be patient?

I'm not the person that can tell you something from the "christian's" view.
But I try to understand your question. And I don't succeed in understanding it.
You prayed for something, and it did happen?
Or you prayed for something, and it did not happen?

The question would make sense to me, if the second case had happened.
Because - if your pray was fulfilled - why ask such a question?

[jakev2.0]

What if I prayed for this thing to happen by this time, if it dosen't happen, I'll take it this way, and if it does happen, I'll take it another way. But it happened after that time. So what is God trying to tell me? Be patient?

God says:



"What're you smokin'?"

[pianistimo]

i don't think it's only giving up food that God looks for - when we dilligently seek Him.  i think He looks for our sole attention at times.  usually we're thinking about work or the tv is on - or the radio - or some distraction (cell phone, whatever).  if you lock yourself away from it all in your bedroom even for one hour and pray and direct your thoughts to God - (and whenever you can during the day) ask Him to direct you to places in the bible that will answer your question more fully.  and, as you say to guide you in decision making.

but, on the weekend - everyone has time and energy to miss a meal (unless you have a physical ailment).  even missing one meal and donating the money or time to someone else.  as i see it - if we listen to others when they are calling for us - then God hears our prayers just as fast or faster.  fulfilling anyone's needs - whether your siblings -parents - friends - or someone you don't know in the neighborhood that can't get out.  i think the bible is all about expressing love.  you probably already know and do this - but perhaps there is someone that you must first take care of before God fully hears your prayer.

some trials take years and others moments.  i don't really know why God chooses to let some go on so long.  perhaps patience?  there's some scripture about faith working patience, patience -virtue, etc. 

it sounds like this issue may be really pressing, though - and for those type of emergencies - perhaps thalberg is right about a full-day fast.  you may think you can't do it...but perhaps you can!  if you do a full day fast - you can only help someone else for about a 1/2 day and then rest and study the second half.  there are many christians that will testify for those really big problems - that fasting works!  God sees when we give up our needs and wants for someone else and for Him.  it shows Him that food isn't #1 to our survival in our minds - but that we believe that God sustains us.

[timothy42b]

God set up a predictable world that operates on natural principles.  He does not intervene (cheat), therefore we can figure it out.  Possibly He did in biblical times, but for whatever reason He no longer chooses to do so.

Then He gave us a brain so we could figure it out.  The brain wouldn't do us any good if the world worked by magic.  The predictable world wouldn't do us any good without a brain to understand it. 

See how it all fits together? 

The fact that many of choose not to use that brain must frustrate Him immensely. 

[timothy42b]

The question would make sense to me, if the second case had happened.
Because - if your pray was fulfilled - why ask such a question?

I will try to explain it to you, though I'm guessing about part of it.

It is not just about asking and maybe receiving and maybe being told no.

The other side of this is whether it is in God's plan for us.  Some Christians believe God set up a world where by and large doing sensible things gives sensible results, and regardless there will be a reward in the afterlife if you make it that far.

But there is also another group that believes God has a special individualized plan for each one of us, and everything that happens has something to do with that plan.  Trouble is, that plan is kept secret from us.  But we're still accountable for complying with it.  So it is possible to pray for something that God doesn't want us to have, and it might happen anyway, and then we're in a quandary.  I know it doesn't make 100% sense but a lot of people take comfort from believing it.   

[prometheus]

Prayer being answered makes no theological sense to me either. If this life is supposed to  be a test to see to which afterlife we are to be send, then why change the test if humans with faith whine enough about it?

[penguinlover]

Prayer is a very personal communication with God.  You don't "bargin" with Him.  There are many scriptures concerning prayer, study them.  If you would like a few of them, please PM me, and I will look them up for you.  I don't have a Bible with me right now.  We need to be sure we are praying in the will of God, and remember Who we are praying to.  This is almighty God, not someone to mock or just give our "want list".  I had better quit before I say something I shouldn't. 

I will be willing to spend more time on the  though if you want.

[mycrabface]

it sounds like this issue may be really pressing, though - and for those type of emergencies - perhaps thalberg is right about a full-day fast.  you may think you can't do it...but perhaps you can!  if you do a full day fast - you can only help someone else for about a 1/2 day and then rest and study the second half.  there are many christians that will testify for those really big problems - that fasting works!  God sees when we give up our needs and wants for someone else and for Him.  it shows Him that food isn't #1 to our survival in our minds - but that we believe that God sustains us.

Are you serious? Do you fast? Because none of my christian friends fast. Only my muslim friends do.

[mycrabface]

Prayer is a very personal communication with God.  You don't "bargin" with Him.  There are many scriptures concerning prayer, study them.  If you would like a few of them, please PM me, and I will look them up for you.  I don't have a Bible with me right now.  We need to be sure we are praying in the will of God, and remember Who we are praying to.  This is almighty God, not someone to mock or just give our "want list".  I had better quit before I say something I shouldn't. 

I will be willing to spend more time on the  though if you want.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO! You know they always say things like... You will know it when he's telling you what to do... Or.. You can tell... Well, I can't. Either I'm too stupid to interpret his speech or He hasn't spoken to me yet

[zheer]

Are you serious? Do you fast? Because none of my christian friends fast. Only my muslim friends do.

  The first 2 - 3 days of fasting is the most difficult, however once you pass those few days the remaining 28 days become more manageable. I think you dont necessarely have to be a muslim to fast or even follow many of its teaching.

[timothy42b]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO! You know they always say things like... You will know it when he's telling you what to do... Or.. You can tell... Well, I can't. Either I'm too stupid to interpret his speech or He hasn't spoken to me yet

You are just more honest with yourself than most. 

The people who KNOW what He wants generally scare the carp out of me. 

You might want to share a little more about your question, if you can do so, I know you're trying to maintain something private here, but still.  I think He gave us sufficient brains to figure these things out, but sometimes that involves getting more opinions. 

[penguinlover]

Fasting is a great will to discern God's will.  The first three days are the hardest.  I have only done one 40 day fast, and several smaller ones.  It is not uncommon for Christians to fast for a day or two.  Many of my friends do, especially when they are facing difficult decisions and need special guidance. 

Back to prayer, I am at work now, so I can only give you ideas from the top of my head, not specific biblical references.

In Psalms it mentions that God does not hear us when we have sin in our lives.  So the first thing is to make sure you are right with Him.  God is not obligated to answer the prayers of a non-Christian.  God does answer prayer, He either says yes, no, or wait, it's not the right time.

In James it mentions that we don't get what we ask for because we ask amiss, we ask something with a wrong motive. without a clean heart, or out of God's will.

I wish I could help you more here.  When I get home, I will try to look up more verses on prayer, there are a lot of them.  You can't dictate to God when He should answer your prayer.  Just keep praying, and in faith believe that He has already answered it.  Be open to the possibility of a "no" answer.  If He says no, He will give you the peace to accept it, and give you what you need, maybe not what you want.  Remember that God's timing is not ours.

But don't stop praying.  Remember the example of the woman who kept asking Jesus over and over?  He said that because of her faith and persistance, her prayers were answered.  I think we give up too early in our prayers, at least I do. 

I hope this has been at least a little help to you. 

Penguinlover

[prometheus]

I fast once a year for two-three days.

[penguinlover]

I don't fast enough.  I think as Christians we don't do it enough.  Jesus didn't say "if" they fast, but "when" they fast.  He took it as a certainty that we would.  We have come a long way from that kind of thinking haven't we?

[thalberg]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO! You know they always say things like... You will know it when he's telling you what to do... Or.. You can tell... Well, I can't. Either I'm too stupid to interpret his speech or He hasn't spoken to me yet

You are debating between to options?  God is not telling you to do either one?  Have you considered simply doing neither one? 

I don't know the situation--are your FORCED to  take one path or the other? 

Regardless, please do not make your decision based one some impression or sign or other self-concocted form of 'divine intervention.'  People make irrational decisions and ruin their lives over those things. 

[counterpoint]

There are often situations in life, where you don't know, what to do.
It would be fine, if there were someone who could give you an advice to get the best result. But noone can do that. Risk is a part of life. You can only limit the risk up to a certain point. You have to make the decision and then you have to live with the consequences either way. It will not help to say: I just did, what my friend, my doctor, my God told me to do. Okay, you can say it, but it will not change anything.

[penguinlover]

You're right.   Without knowing the situation, none of us can give you an adequate answer.  Make choices based upon what the Bible says.  If you don't what the Bible says on a subject, research or ask a Pastor.