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What about Faith???
kweli:
Hi all
I dont know how much sense there will be in this but I must say something. Dont know if I'm asking or just venting...
Upon coming to the knowledge that God is Almighty and completely in control, my prayers have been for God's Will to be done. I do this literally. When times are tough I say "may Your Will be done". When it's all great, same prayer. It has now lead me to having less faith. For instance, I dont believe something will happen, I believe God's Will will be done. On paper (or your screen) it looks grand and noble. But, especially after reading and rereading Hebrews 11, it seems faith is obedience to God. All those people obeyed God beyond what they could see (verse 1). And it pleased God (verse 6). And we are to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). What about plain old-fashioned faith for, well, everything else?
What about faith that my drug-addicted cousin will be delivered? What about faith that my partner who will soon be my wife, & I ("God please will it on us"), will have a wonderful fruitful marriage without adultery/divorce? What about faith??? I know we are to set our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. When I set my eyes on Jesus I see faith that can move mountains and heal the sick.
I may not be making any sense here but I hope somebody knows what I'm on (definitely not what my cousin is on). If there was ever a thread on this, again, please do not crucify me. I'm the infant learning how to eat meat with it's bones.
Seeking His Glory,
Kweli
Bradigans:
Well, if you can remember. Faith is not about us and our every whim. Faith is about the directive (direction) of Christ. This is why it's called the faith of Christ.
- Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith (the leading, guiding, directing) of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
He's the one doing the leading, guiding, and directing. Yes, we can make our supplication and petitions known. But, first and foremost we must remember it's about His will and not ours. We have got to make sure that our attitudes, meaning that we know that it's all about Him, are right when petitioning. He's a King you know (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16)?
We can all be quite presumptuous (importunate) at times. I know i have. I'm finding out when petitioning and making supplication, it's all in the approach. This is why we need HIS HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 8:26)
- James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
IN HIS LOVE
Kat:
Hi kweli,
It sounds like you are saying, if you have enough faith you should be able to direct God's will ???
--- Quote ---What about faith that my drug-addicted cousin will be delivered? What about faith that my partner who will soon be my wife, & I ("God please will it on us"), will have a wonderful fruitful marriage without adultery/divorce? What about faith???
--- End quote ---
God already has a plan laid out for all mankind, your cousin and your marriage included. You have to understand that whatever God is working out, it is for the good of all.
Here is a excerpt from the aritcle 'Praying by God's Rules.'
http://bible-truths.com/praying.htm ----------------------------
No man has ever in the history of the world received an answer to a prayer for something from God that God did not already have in His plan to give him. People hate the very thought of a God Who is totally and completely Sovereign, and the reason is simple. If God is Sovereign, then man has no free will that can thwart the sovereign foreknowledge of God. God cannot know for certain a future event if mankind possesses a power that can thwart God’s perfect foreknowledge. Not even most of the greatest minds in theology have thought this apparent enigma through.
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And a common though is well then why pray at all, if God is sovereign and already has everything worked out.
Here's another excerpt from this article;
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When God wants to answer someone’s prayer, the first thing He will always do is inspire (cause) that person TO PRAY. How can God answer a "prayer" if someone doesn’t "pray"? God can bless us and do favors for us, but God cannot answer our prayers, if we don’t pray. That is why I get excited when I feel inspired to pray, as I am encouraged that God is getting ready to bless or favor me in some way.
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So we should pray. But to desire the will of God in all things, we have to except that His plan is for the best, whatever that may be.
Here is a email from Ray.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3196.0.html -----
Dear Reader:
The Sovereignty of God is a truth that is only spiritually discerned. It appears to contradict to most people. People do not understand that all choices are CAUSED by something. No, I never said that "if you do not pray, you can CHANGE God's plan to bless you," now did I? Whether one prays or doesn't pray, it is ALL OF GOD. It is not within the realm of possibility to either do or not do something or anything that God has not already PRE-ordained. You make all of your own choices, but they have all been pre-ordained. It's not a contradiction, it is only a truth that is spiritually discerned.
God be with you,
Ray
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I hope some of this is helpful to answer what you were searching for :)
mercy, peace and love
Kat
phazel:
The truth I see Kweli is that deliverance from our addictions and afflictions WILL happen.
But it is not necessarily when we want it to happen.
We have to learn that everything has a season and everyone has a purpose. We see lives everyday that seem to end being meaningless.
Truth is, they were purposed by God and when we are reconciled unto him, we are indeed delivered.
Little Joe:
Kweli,
Someone once told me that we don't pray to get things, but that we might know the Mind of Christ, i.e. to know His will, and God is always the initiator of true prayer. It truly is all about Him, and not about us. Once we realize this, it will remove a great burden. I was listening to Ray's December bible study last night where he talks about the sabbath rest, where we cease form our own works, just as God ceased from His works of creation on the seventh day (which is still continuing). I think true faith is learning to partake of the sabbath rest on a daily basis, than our communion with God (prayer life) will become natural and fruitful, and God will direct our path, and actually lead us into how we should pray.
Romans 8:26 (New International Version)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
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