To those who follow god

[therhythm]

I pray on a daily basis.

 

God's word, as it is written in the Bible, tells us what God's position is.

 

God does not answer those who have selfish motives:

 

James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures."

 

God does not answer those who have no desire to turn from their sin:

 

Psalm 68:18 "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."

 

John 9:31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships Him and obeys His will."

 

Actually I would say that the words where written by James, John and who ever was who wrote the Psalms and not by God... You may say that they were inspired by God but so can I claim that my words are, right? I don't think you have any further proof that your claim is better than mine

 

Following your logic if there is a God... (I am not going to claim that there is on e or not) So in India there is around 1.2 Billion people, most of them have never heard speak about the Jew-Christian God... they are condemned I guess and their prayers will never be heard, right? Was the Jew's God not the God of love and acceptance?

[M30USA]

Actually I would say that the words where written by James, John and who ever was who wrote the Psalms and not by God... You may say that they were inspired by God but so can I claim that my words are, right? I don't think you have any further proof that your claim is better than mine

 

Following your logic if there is a God... (I am not going to claim that there is on e or not) So in India there is around 1.2 Billion people, most of them have never heard speak about the Christian God... they are condemned I guess and their prayers will never be heard, right? Was the Jew's God not the God of love and acceptance?

 

That is a smokescreen argument. In order to get out of making your own, personal decision, you start making hypotheticals about random people in India. God has ways of working that you and I know nothing about. Just worry about what you know because that's what you'll be judged on.

[therhythm]

That is a smokescreen argument. In order to get out of making your own, personal decision, you start making hypotheticals about random people in India. God has ways of working that you and I know nothing about. Just worry about what you know because that's what you'll be judged on.

 

Ohh I am not worry about my personal decision at all

 

By the way where in the Bible says that you will only be judged based on what you know?... I could not find that in the quotes from KathyM...

 

Anyway... I don't want to enter in a theological discussion... I don't mind what you guys believe... I respect everyone disregarding their believes as long as you don't make bold asserts like telling a guy who is totally desperate because his life has not turned out to be like he hoped... that his prayers are not being listened... That is first trying to put out fires with petrol...and is a hate doctrine. I don't think the Jesus who scarified himself for all the sinners would be very proud of anyone giving that argumentation to a desperate man!

 

Bellow you can see a person who believes in God and answers OP from the respect

 

The Christian walk has never been all about what God can "give" me, it's about making Him Lord and Savior of our lives and submitting to His will. He does "give" to us according to His will various things, but our focus needs to be Him first and foremost.

 

It will get worse in certain areas, because God deals with the heart of the matter.

 

I am not going to enter to judge the validity of what Pureinheart says as I am not a christian but she does it from the respect and while she makes her point clear she does not exclude or attack OP to do that!

Edited June 30, 2013 by therhythm

[pureinheart]

The real evidence is the very words that come out of your own mouth.

 

By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.

 

From out of the heart, the mouth speaks.

 

I know you are frustrated, its the natural outcome to an absence of peace.

 

If you pray for God's Will in your life, you will know within yourself you are walking in truth. The Holy spirit would minister to your spirit and affirm you as a child of God. If you were genuinely happy and fulfilled with this new power, you would not feel a need to constantly bash God and demand this that and the other. You would be at peace. However, you are constantly creating new threads about God's deficiencies. You are not at peace.

 

1 John 3

 

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

 

Yes, and amen...God will pull out the true motives of the heart.

[MissBee]

When I stopped following god, my life improved alot. My grades went up, I made new friends, and my overall quality of life went better. In fact, a few days ago, I did a prayer to satan just to see what would happen. I got 3 girls numbers over the weekend. So much for god being kind and loving. To anyone who follows god, explain this

 

 

Why do you need anyone to explain that to you?

 

I personally don't understand why some of those who do not believe in a God seem more preoccupied with religion and questions about God than anyone else. If you don't believe in God and pray to Satan ....what are you hoping to gain by other people's "explanations"?

 

There are people who will claim the opposite as well, i.e. when they were not "saved" their lives were a mess and when they gave their life to God/Jesus/another deity if they aren't Christians, their lives got better.

 

From a theological standpoint though, God is not a genie that simply grants all your wishes, in almost no religious/spiritual tradition is this the case.

Edited June 30, 2013 by MissBee

[KathyM]

Actually I would say that the words where written by James, John and who ever was who wrote the Psalms and not by God... You may say that they were inspired by God but so can I claim that my words are, right? I don't think you have any further proof that your claim is better than mine

The words were written by James and John, Christ's diciples. They are the inspired word of God. Are you saying that you know the will of God and we should believe what you say, rather than the Bible? Christians believe the Bible is the word of God. And the Bible makes it clear what God's position is about prayer.

Following your logic if there is a God... (I am not going to claim that there is on e or not) So in India there is around 1.2 Billion people, most of them have never heard speak about the Jew-Christian God... they are condemned I guess and their prayers will never be heard, right? Was the Jew's God not the God of love and acceptance?

God opens the door for anyone willing to follow Him, and acknowledge Him as God. People don't generally pray to a god that they don't believe in. Why do you think God is supposed to answer false prayers of unbelievers or prayers solely to satisfy selfish desires?

[therhythm]

Why do you think God is supposed to answer false prayers of unbelievers or prayers solely to satisfy selfish desires?

 

I don't know if God exists or not... I actually don't really care either...

 

But if God really would exists... I don't think he would care if people believe on him or not... I can't imagine a God that behaves as an insecure child who need validation... and create games to judge if those who he has created are worth of being with him or not.. If we are his creation, then we all are his creation...

 

Is always funny when you see people assigning human characteristics to God... Would God be malicious and create human to fail (as we are all with sin) just to see who is worth of being saved... what kind of mean game is that? 14 thousand of children who have never heard of God die every hour... I guess they don't deserve they prayers to be listen as they are not children of God (believers)? Are those 14,000 going to Hell?

 

If God would exist and he is love and he is the God of the forgiveness as it says the Bible, would he be judging people for their faith and not by the way they treat other people and the goodness in their heart...?

[Feelin Frisky]

OP, Satan and God are one in the same crock. Tell yourself whatever you want. The truth has nothing to do with belief in one deity, many or their evil counterparts.

[pureinheart]

 

 

I am not going to enter to judge the validity of what Pureinheart says as I am not a christian but she does it from the respect and while she makes her point clear she does not exclude or attack OP to do that!

 

Awww, TR, thank you and (((((((hugs)))))), although have to let you know I have my moments, then have to backtrack and do a "clean up" with apologies..lol...also there is a term that preachers use in America called the "Divine Woodshed" in which God disciplines us when we act up..I spend a lot of time in there.

 

Actually you are the one that is very respectful, and have the extraordinary gift of diplomacy. I don't blame OP for feeling the way he does, now this analogy comes from the Christian community, but gives the same meaning to OP. In churches I've seen many try to covet the commission of the Prophet. I'm like, you're kidding me right? Who in their right mind would actually want that commission here on earth? Every Prophet in the Bible went through hell and back, and this doesn't even speak of the Apostles commission.

 

Seriously, who in their right mind would want suffering here on earth? Many times I've thought that I must be out of my natural mind! If it weren't for eternal security and the miracles that I've personally seen well I would be out of my natural mind:laugh:

[pie2]

God opens the door for anyone willing to follow Him, and acknowledge Him as God.

 

I completely agree. And God keeps the relationship voluntary. He never forces us to be in a relationship with him. One metaphor used in the bible is that God/Jesus is the groom, and we're the bride. Who would want to marry someone that's being forced into it, against their will?

 

People don't generally pray to a god that they don't believe in.

 

I agree with this too. It seems that God gives gifts to believers and non-believers (and he gives difficulties and trials to both groups as well). But giving a gift isn't necessarily an answer to prayer. Like you said though, many people don't spend their time praying to a God they don't believe in. On the other hand, there are those who spend lots of time in prayer, but God knows that their hearts are far from Him.

[M30USA]

Are those 14,000 going to Hell?

 

Are you going to hell?

[pie2]

I am not trolling with this thread.

 

Really? There's no "scientific evidence" of Satan. So, something's not adding up...

 

Anyway, so what happened with the three numbers you got? Any follow up?

Edited July 1, 2013 by pie2

[WisdomSeeker]

When I stopped following god, my life improved alot. My grades went up, I made new friends, and my overall quality of life went better. In fact, a few days ago, I did a prayer to satan just to see what would happen. I got 3 girls numbers over the weekend. So much for god being kind and loving. To anyone who follows god, explain this

 

When you state that you ceased to "follow" God, what do you mean exactly? Depending on how you embraced your former faith, the improvement you noticed in your life may have just been a result of dropping emotional baggage. Perhaps in leaving religion you also let go of much of the resentment and cognitive dissonance that you held from obeying a deity you never believed in. That kind of emotional/psychological release can do wonders for cognition (hence your grades), social confidence (new friends), and other things.

[KathyM]

I don't know if God exists or not... I actually don't really care either...

Then why do you carry on these lengthy conversations in the spiritual or religious threads?

But if God really would exists... I don't think he would care if people believe on him or not... I can't imagine a God that behaves as an insecure child who need validation... and create games to judge if those who he has created are worth of being with him or not.. If we are his creation, then we all are his creation...

God doesn't need us or need our validation. But He does want a relationship with us. His invitation to follow Him is open to everyone, despite their past. We are all His creation. God's invitation is open to everyone, but He leaves it up to us what our choice will be--to choose to be His follower or not. If you choose to reject Him, then what are you complaining about? You didn't want a connection, so you won't have one. Your choice. You've obviously chosen to reject Him, so what are you complaining about?

Is always funny when you see people assigning human characteristics to God...

Man was created in God's image.

Would God be malicious and create human to fail (as we are all with sin) just to see who is worth of being saved... what kind of mean game is that? 14 thousand of children who have never heard of God die every hour... I guess they don't deserve they prayers to be listen as they are not children of God (believers)? Are those 14,000 going to Hell?

God takes mercy on children who have not yet had the opportunity to make a choice.

If God would exist and he is love and he is the God of the forgiveness as it says the Bible, would he be judging people for their faith and not by the way they treat other people and the goodness in their heart...?

God does judge people for their faith AND for their behavior. To say you are a believer, but your actions show otherwise, are empty words. God knows your true heart. To do good works but not believe, is a rejection of God. If you reject Him, then why are you complaining about what He does or does not do? If you don't believe in Him, then why are you complaining about what He does or does not do?

[KathyM]

Well, that's very selective for a god that is meant to love all "his children."

What do you people expect, really? That you can just reject and deny Him, blaspheme His name, reject His laws and His will, and that He should regardless grant you your every whim and every wish? Amazing that people would have such a sense of entitlement, that they could reject and disobey God all of their life, and that somehow He should still grant them their every wish regardless. Doesn't work that way. But God does keep the door open to all, despite their past and their past disbelief, so that if they choose a relationship with Him, He will welcome them, like a shepherd rejoices when a lost sheep is found.

[skydiveaddict]

What do you people expect, really? That you can just reject and deny Him, blaspheme His name, reject His laws and His will, and that He should regardless grant you your every whim and every wish?

 

These folks are asking legitimate questions. Why are there so many millions of people on this planet suffering from starvation, torture and neglect who have never once blasphemed God? Why is that? I would like to know as well.

[M30USA]

These folks are asking legitimate questions. Why are there so many millions of people on this planet suffering from starvation, torture and neglect who have never once blasphemed God? Why is that? I would like to know as well.

 

As he [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Romans 9)

[skydiveaddict]

As he [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Romans 9)

 

And therefore what? Are you now the arbiter of who receives God's graces and who does not? Simply because you quoted a scripture passage?

[M30USA]

And therefore what? Are you now the arbiter of who receives God's graces and who does not? Simply because you quoted a scripture passage?

 

You sound like you're projecting your own thoughts onto me. I arbitrate nothing.

[skydiveaddict]

You sound like you're projecting your own thoughts onto me. I arbitrate nothing.

 

Yea right. You're trying to use a verse from scripture without the guts to back it up . Try again.

[pureinheart]

These folks are asking legitimate questions. Why are there so many millions of people on this planet suffering from starvation, torture and neglect who have never once blasphemed God? Why is that? I would like to know as well.

 

(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))

 

I only have one answer, well two...greed and power. Why does God allow it? Because most people do.

 

I just want to say I love your concern for our fellow man. My heart breaks also. I want to throw in there all of the animals that suffer daily also behind greed.

 

Not enough people get involved and the ones that do are burned out. Money given to various governments for the specific purpose of feeding the poor in those nations. These governments take that money and it never makes it to it's people. You know, I could go on forever. And I'm not above reproach either, as I could do more and thank you for making me see my own selfishness.

 

At some point the churches got wise to what the governments were doing and took actual food themselves, but in some cases certain governments were seizing it.

 

Some countries were grateful for our peoples assistance and various organizations brought food and enabled the people to grow their own. So some progress has been made...especially in Haiti in which Samaritans Purse, headed by Billy Graham and his son, made a major difference.

 

You know, I just love you, you have such a good, caring heart...don't ever change!

[therhythm]

Then why do you carry on these lengthy conversations in the spiritual or religious threads?

 

I guess you are talking about my posts in the thread of the scientific evidences of God? I that is so then you din't read my posts or didn't understand them... I have not claimed once that God exists or not exists... I am just defending my stand (That there is no proof either way) and in the middle time learning a lot from other people who knows much more than I about science and the theories of the origins...

 

God doesn't need us or need our validation. But He does want a relationship with us. His invitation to follow Him is open to everyone, despite their past.

 

Well then he needs to work in his PR... If he wants a relationship he may at least introduce himself personally

 

We are all His creation. God's invitation is open to everyone, but He leaves it up to us what our choice will be--to choose to be His follower or not. If you choose to reject Him, then what are you complaining about? You didn't want a connection, so you won't have one. Your choice. You've obviously chosen to reject Him, so what are you complaining about?

 

I have no complains about God ... rather about people who claims to speak in His name ... like you do To come and tell a desperate person who is obviously perturbed that God would not listen to him... Sad predicament lady!

 

Man was created in God's image.

Really?... so your God is a Human with omnipotent powers? then we are all screwed....

 

God takes mercy on children who have not yet had the opportunity to make a choice.

Since God word is the Bible, can you quote any reference to back this?

 

God does judge people for their faith AND for their behavior. To say you are a believer, but your actions show otherwise, are empty words. God knows your true heart. To do good works but not believe, is a rejection of God. If you reject Him, then why are you complaining about what He does or does not do? If you don't believe in Him, then why are you complaining about what He does or does not do?

 

 

In the Shelter home for homeless people I volunteer in Amsterdam there is a priest (catholic) who works with the most unfortunate people... he dedicate them all his time even when he has been physically and verbally attached often by those that he is helping everyday.

 

"I asked him once the same questions that I asked you, he told me:

while the Bible was inspired by God it was written by men and subject to interpretation. He said that God is like a father who watch his children... a child can reject him and offend him but the father will not stop loving his children because God is pure love. Those who judge others and use God to base their judgment offend God even more than the ones who reject him because there is nothing that God hates more than arrogance and pride, and condemn others and feel better than them is a clear case of pride and arrogance."

 

While he didn't make me believe in God ( I am a very fact based person), he made me want to believe in his God... you for the other side only help me to feel rejection for what you call your God...

 

Last but not least... I would like you to understand that if you are christian is just by a geographical accident... if you would have been born in Iraq you probably would have been Muslim ... God didn't chose you, you just happened to be indoctrinated by your parents who were indoctrinated in that same religion by theirs and so on... Do you ever consider the idea of what would be of you if God exists but it is the Muslim God ? ....

Edited July 1, 2013 by therhythm

[KathyM]

These folks are asking legitimate questions. Why are there so many millions of people on this planet suffering from starvation, torture and neglect who have never once blasphemed God? Why is that? I would like to know as well.

The question was why does God answer prayers selectively, which I have answered, based on what the Bible teaches. You are bringing another debate topic into the thread, which is actually off topic. But if you want an answer, there is starvation, suffering and evil in the world because this is a fallen world. This is no longer God's perfect world. Sin has corrupted it. Because of sin, man will endure suffering and hardship in this life. God's perfect world is not on earth, but in heaven, which is where there will be no suffering or hardship.

[therhythm]

The question was why does God answer prayers selectively, which I have answered, based on what the Bible teaches. You are bringing another debate topic into the thread, which is actually off topic. But if you want an answer, there is starvation, suffering and evil in the world because this is a fallen world. This is no longer God's perfect world. Sin has corrupted it. Because of sin, man will endure suffering and hardship in this life. God's perfect world is not on earth, but in heaven, which is where there will be no suffering or hardship.

 

If God is perfect, how it is that sin exists? How could God let his creation be a fallen world? Doesn't that make God a failure?

[therhythm]

Well, it's hardly the unconditional love that Christians love to bang on about, is it? Why is God such an immature little brat that he requires our love, and worship? That doesn't sound like a god-like trait to me. It sounds like a human projection. Why is God so vain? I don't pray to god, because I don't like talking to myself. Besides, if he's omniscient, as people claim he is, he knows what I need before I ask for it. God hardly needs an advisory service. I don't have a sense of entitlement, just a confusion as to why his fan club seems to think that a god who would selectively choose who out of his creations could ever be called loving. It's not love if there are conditions placed upon it.

 

100% in agreement, and since our friend Kathy M likes bible quotes to prove facts I would like to write:

 

Luke, 6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.