Questions I've had...

[coffeehubby]

Questions I've had about God:

Does He get bored of me, knowing my thoughts before I think them? How does He REALLY percieve me?
Does He get exasperated when I fail Him again and again?

Does He REALLY have a plan for my life? Or does He simply allow random events to work like a clock in a functional way?

Is reality basically personal, or mechanical?

I wonder what makes God happy, if He experiences happiness and joys like I do, or not. Some people don't feel things in life very much at all and perhaps that is how He is. But I'm not sure of that, because He appears to be like an artist.

What is the criteria for answered prayers? Is it enough earnestness ( ?SP?) or simply falling into line with something?

Why did He make so many different personalities? It's as if He likes everything to have a great deal of variety.

How does sin bring Him glory ultimately? It seems pointless and stupid, yet the Bible says it will.

What do I have to do to know Him better? I think about that a lot, yet I've often wondered if His basic nature is personal or more like the Great OverSee-er.

[Timothy]

How does He REALLY percieve me? Does He get exasperated when I fail Him again and again?

God sees you through Christ! When he looks at you, he sees Christ. He sees you dead to sin. This is sometimes the problem with the self-esteem of some Christians. They don't realize this - they need to see or view themselves as God sees them. We are his workmanship, in Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Sure we all fail. The issue is not the failing but how do you handle it? Do you pick yourself back up and stand in grace?


What do I have to do to know Him better?

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

He's alread blessed us with all spiritual blessings. It's up to you and I to study the word and approporiate these blessings.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ

[coffeehubby]

I have no doubt about the blessings, I admit He has provided me with many tangible blessings. I wonder a lot about what His true nature is like, although I understand it is good.

[Timothy]

This passage came immediately to mind.

Ephesians 3:18-20 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us

His love is beyond our knowledge. He is able to above what we would ask or even think!

[coffeehubby]

I have no idea why I'm even raising the questions because I've often praised Him for many good things, which answers the question..." What is the nature of reality, personal or mechanical."

I suppose it's because I wish I could see Him with my eyes and understand Him with my mind as well as I see my friends.

But then He wouldn't be God. He'd just be in my little box.

And I can't say I really have my friends all figured out either. The christians I've most enjoyed are far more complex than anyone else I know. Since they are created in His Image, I imagine that is a shadow of the treasures found in Him.

Hope I'm not giving you a migraine.:P:

[Nimrod]

Coffee---

Check out my Death thread in "Bible Study"

I think Blitz and Chriss have given some great insight to ponder.

Peace

[coffeehubby]

Thank you Nimrod, I did.

I appreciate the fact that you openly talk about your questions without being overly concerned with how threatened believers may be by them. I know by reading your thread the questions are honest.

But I have to be careful of a sin I have a tendency to do MYSELF, that is to ask questions for the love of asking them, to avoid answers. As strange as that might sound I know I do that. I know because it seems that I get one answer and I have 12 other questions stacked up. I don't know why I'm that way.

HOWEVER, having said that...I prefer knowledge over ignorance, and I don't like to trust simple explanations either. I've found many of my ideas about people having been stacked neatly are being discarded.

[coffeehubby]

OOPS! Wasn't done!

I've also found when I read the Bible that somewhere in the day a situation happens that relates precisely to the Bible teaching I've read. It happens, whenever I take real time and my heart in reading it, too often to be ignored. But I don't always read it with my heart. I put half measures in it.

I do believe reality is basically personal.

There are times however when emotionally it is very difficult to agree with that head knowledge.

[2bossy]

And what's the difference between pray without ceasing and nagging?

[coffeehubby]

The attitude AND subject matter I suppose.

If we're praying about the same matter, repeadly requesting only the same requests continually like a broken record...
That borders on nagging.

But praying without ceasing might simply mean we are to stay in an open line with Jesus, able to talk to Him at any time...about anything, not just the same request. We are not going to be without sin of course, but we can acknowledge our need of His forgiveness and stay in communication with His Spirit ALWAYS.

I believe by being very honest in our prayers we flesh out our walk with Him. We should be able to talk to Him about every single concern.

[PreTribber]

Originally posted by 2bossy
And what's the difference between pray without ceasing and nagging?

My husband could answer that one for you. :lol

[Robin]

Originally posted by coffeehubby
Questions I've had about God:

Does He get bored of me, knowing my thoughts before I think them? How does He REALLY percieve me?
Does He get exasperated when I fail Him again and again?

Does He REALLY have a plan for my life? Or does He simply allow random events to work like a clock in a functional way?

Is reality basically personal, or mechanical?

I wonder what makes God happy, if He experiences happiness and joys like I do, or not. Some people don't feel things in life very much at all and perhaps that is how He is. But I'm not sure of that, because He appears to be like an artist.

What is the criteria for answered prayers? Is it enough earnestness ( ?SP?) or simply falling into line with something?

Why did He make so many different personalities? It's as if He likes everything to have a great deal of variety.

How does sin bring Him glory ultimately? It seems pointless and stupid, yet the Bible says it will.

What do I have to do to know Him better? I think about that a lot, yet I've often wondered if His basic nature is personal or more like the Great OverSee-er.

Coffeehubby, your ponderings have intrigued me. Are these passing thoughts or have you always wondered about these things?

The Father God I see in scripture is incredibly involved with us, His creation. Most of us miss alot of it due to unbelief, sin and distractions. The word says a righteous man's steps are ordered by Him...our very steps. I've see this true in my own life. Nothing is left to chance. His ways are far beyond ours, yet deep calls into deep...beckening us to come to Him, to loose ourselves in Him. He longs for us, is jealous for us, and loves beyond measure...He is merciful gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth (as He describes Himself in Exodus 34:6).

What brings Him joy? Well it says that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. He rejoices over the lost coming home! He inhabits the praises of His people...that's an awesome thought too. It also says that faith pleases Him. I see Him as so incredibly personal in the Word and in experience. I've watched Him care about the "little things" in my life, and and felt His great joy in loving me personally...but also, He has diligently worked with me when I fail Him...just like described in Heb 12:5-11.

Want to know Him better? The Word says we will find Him if we seek Him with our whole heart. He's available...are we willing to lay everything aside to find Him?

YSIC,
Robin

[Christine]

One of my favorite posts: Originally posted by Vickimac
Amen! I recently received a daily devotional. It said:

Psalm 37:23 "He delights in every detail of thier lives." NLT

After the flood, God told Noah, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth...everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. (Gen 9 1-3 NIV) God told Noah "It's time to get on with your life! Do the things I designed you to do. Make love. Plant crops. Have children. Eat meals. Excel in business. Be the best you can be."

Do you think the only time God is pleased with you is when you are doing "spiritual stuff" like reading the bible, going to church, praying or sharing your faith? No, God enjoys every detail of your life whether you are working, playing, resting or eating. He doesn't miss a trick. He delights in every detail of your life!

Every human activity except sin can be done for Gods pleasure - if you do it with an attitude of gratitude! You can wash dishes, sell cars, service a machine, write a computer program, grow a crop or raise a family for the glory of God.

In "Chariots of Fire", Eric Lidell says "I believe God made me for a purpose, but I also believe he made me fast, and when I run, I can feel his pleasure." There are no unspiritual abilities, just mis-used ones. So start using yours for Gods pleasure.

(Taken from www.thevine.co)

So you see, changing a diaper does make him happy. :D: Your post brought that to mind. Sorry if I went off-track.
I don't think bickering between brethren makes him happy. Isn't that what it is about? Pleasing him? I'm working on it and if I have been touchier than usual lately or have offended anyone, I am truly sorry.
(Thanks for the oil!!) :D:

[coffeehubby]

My ponderings were brought about by difficult things I've gone through. I think about these things a lot.

However, I really do want to learn to trust Him more ...as a child would....than try to understand every detail of things. I've recently learned.....what I knew as a boy by the way....the wisdom of simply sitting at His feet in the scriptures, enjoying fellowship with Him and other bellievers.

I understand what Eric Lidel meant, and do find my greatest joy in being able to bring a smile to a young person, boy or girl, and hopefully help them bring them closer to Jesus. It might be just drawing with them, playing a game....or really REALLY listening. I haven't found anything else in life of value to me other than listening with the heart, by the grace of Jesus Christ...to those I need to. Between the very old, and the young people...I find a great deal of my happiness and peace of mind..

[sunshine4jesus]

I love "old folks" and children. Of course, if the rapture doesn't happen soon, I am going to be one of those old folks, and I hope God puts younger folks in my life so they can "see" Him through me.

Personally, I think the very old and the very young are the ones who (I hesitate to say closer) are more prone to care less for what the world has to say. They see more black and white and less gray than we do, I think.

Anyway, coffeehubby, thanks for this thread. I think we all wonder sometimes.:nod