Mrs. Piggy - you have brought me up to the point that I can accept that God's answer to every prayer is Yes, provided the prayer is in accordance with His will. Hindsight is indeed 20:20; this now seems very simple. I can also accept that God's response is immediate. However, I'm stuck with the feeling that we do not always perceive the answer immediately. Would you agree that God's answer is sometimes Yes, but wait? Or is the wait part where faith enters into the equation? Do you have another way of explaining how He delivers the immediate response? In your post under the Discussion Topic: NOT the same yesterday and today, you wrote: It' ALL in the "believing". Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." (Matthew 21:22) Don't put yourself down about faith. God has given all of us "a measure" of faith. It is up to us to make it grow. Just like anything else that's planted, the seed of faith requires Son-shine and watering. I believe the Son-shine comes from the words that Jesus and the watering is prayer. God is so faithful to His word. Quite often in the past I have prayed and like others, thought God had not answered my prayer or that the answer was negative. But, in studying the Bible I found that it I was not always praying God's word. He will answer yes to any prayer that lines up with His word. Also, the answer really is immediate. It just takes us time to realize that the prayer has been answered. God does not procrastinate. The next time you pray, believe right then that you have received. Then, we your prayer is made manifest, get quiet and think back. You'll find that it was answered prior to your realization. Hind sight is 20-20. It's like knowing something, but forgetting you knew it until it's mentioned. I find that most of what Jesus spoke on was faith. He continually told the disciples to have faith. I, too, feel this would be a good topic for discussion. Perhaps this is the faith you are referring to (?): Being able to know God's answer is Yes, and then being able to relax and trust that the yes will come at the appropriate time. This may be easier to accomplish when praying for healing for some distant person suffering from cancer. We know God promises to heal; even if the Yes occurs in heaven. It is more arduous to achieve when you are desperately praying for someone close to you who appears to be in the last stages of cancer, even if you have a degree of conformability with the fact that God will take care of the person both on earth and in heaven. You are not saying that if God answers a prayer with what seems to me to be a Not now response, it is due to a lack of faith on the part of the petitioner, right? What if you are asking to know God's will or praying for faith? God's answer is Yes, and immediate - but you may be waiting a long time for the awakening to the answer. If you are praying to know God or for faith; yet you don't know Him and have little faith, what good is it for someone to tell you to believe and have faith? It seems like telling someone in need to be warm and well fed, without providing any physical assistance. In one way, I agree with your comment: "It's ALL about believing." The ability to believe is a loving gift from God. However, your statement also reminds me of video footage we've all seen of starving people sitting in the midst of what appears to most of us to be very tasty and traditional food sources milling around them. We could say to these famished people, It's all about the eating. However, that comment is not likely to make sense to those in need. If these folks were to give any thought to such a statement, it may cause them to feel that in addition to their suffering hunger, others do not understand them and even mock them. Jesus told his followers to have faith, and provided many miracles to build their faith. Not only do we have their record of miracles, we have the miracle of God working in our individual lives to build faith. I am appreciative of the measure of faith God has given me, and I'm excited about seeing it increased. Your example is at first completely foreign to me, and later very helpful. So, please tell me what else am I missing in understanding faith?

3/24/2008 5:25:45 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

If you are praying for faith and to know God's will and didn't get your prayer answered immediately, read Daniel 10:10-14. First spiritual. Then natural. When we pray, it's spiritual. The answer is "yes" first in the spiritual. Then in the natural. Granted, you have to hold on to your spiritual "yes" until you see your natural "yes". That's what's arduous. It seems oxymoronic to be patient and eagerly expectant at the same time. But, it's what we must do.Faith holds us to it. Okay, Jesus cast out the evil spirit from the man in Capernaum, then He healed Simon's mother-in-law, then He cleansed the man with leprosy, then the four men dropped the paralytic man through the roof and Jesus healed him. The disciples were with Him all these times. Then, they get on the boat and the storm came. They woke Jesus up, He rebuked the storm and said to them, Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" So, I guess the four miracles prior to being on the boat wasn't enough to build their faith, right? Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Hope is the eager expectation of the manifestation. Certain (with confidence that it is so) of what we do not see. So, when we pray, we know that our prayers are answered (in the spirit realm)and we eagerly expect that we will see the manifestation (in the natural realm) of the answered prayer. In John 14:12-14 Jesus spoke these words, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has FAITH in me will do what I have been doing. He will do greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." So, it's all in the believing. We have to make up our minds that we believe the word of God. Jesus is the word made flesh(John 1-4). He said we could do these things and it's all in believing Him. We are to pray for the sick in Jesus name. We don't heal them, God does. We have to trust that God will do His part when we do our part. We must have faith. As for the starving people sitting in the midst of food, they need the word of God. The Bible says be transformed by the renewing of your mind.(Romans 12:2) When you know better, you should do better. My question is why don't the people filming them tell them they have tasty food milling around them? We don't lose information by passing it on to others. If the starving people don't know it's food, someone should tell them. Better yet, that someone should eat the food in front of them and they will know. That's one of the reasons I turn the station when I see that kind of stuff on television. Just because you don't see your answered prayer in the natural when you pray, does NOT mean you lack faith. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) Remember when Jesus said let those who have ears hear?

3/25/2008 3:00:38 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Perhaps this is the faith you are referring to (?): Being able to know God's answer is Yes, and then being able to relax and trust that the yes will come at the appropriate time. In a nutshell, yes.

3/25/2008 3:21:10 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I don't understand how Daniel 10:10-14 pertains to immediate answering of prayer. Perhaps you could elaborate on your interpretation? I don't get the starving children thing either. I don't normally see food sitting around these kids in those commercials? There are people starving. They do need help. I don't understand what you mean. Anyway, I think it is not totally true to say that God's only answer to prayer is "Now and Yes". If I am dying of cancer and my family and I pray for healing, but I still die anyway, were we wrong in asking to be healed? I can understand in retrospect that it was God's will for me to die, but God's answer was No. Flat out No. When Paul asked for God to take out the thorn in his side, God said No, I've done this for a reason and have different plans for you.

3/25/2008 4:12:29 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

10- A hand touched Daniel while he was on his hands and knees. He had been praying for understanding of a vision he'd had. The hand that touched his shoulder was that of the angel, Gabriel. Gabriel tells Daniel that the first day that he prayed, his prayer was answered. But as Gabriel was on his way to Daniel with the answered prayer, he, Gabriel was stopped by a demon (the prince of the Persian kingdom) who resisted Gabriel and prevented him from bringing the answer immediately to Daniel. As you know, Gabriel is the messenger angel. So, Michael, the fighting angel, came to contend with the demon so that Gabriel could take the answer to Daniel. This is why it took 21 days for Daniel to get the answer even though the prayer was heard and answered the same day he prayed.

3/25/2008 5:04:37 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

You are absolutely right. If you are dying and pray and still die, it was not the prayer in God's will for you. It's ironic that you mentioned Paul. He is the one who wrote that the answer to all prayers in God's will are yes and we say amen. Please know that I don't make this stuff up as I go along. I have read these scriptures myself and I try to enter BCV so that all who read what I write can see for themselves. Besides, I'm not that creative.

3/25/2008 5:10:50 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

your statement also reminds me of video footage we've all seen of starving people sitting in the midst of what appears to most of us to be very tasty and traditional food sources milling around them That was from Ryan's statement at the top.

3/25/2008 5:16:53 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Thanks for the long answer. I do understand most of it, even though I'm clinging to some disagreement in content and wording. Our responsibility is to pray. We believe God will answers Yes. God answers Yes. I see the scriptural support for this. Again, that seems very simple now. I have no problem with praying to know God's will and praying for other people. I do have difficulties waiting for, as you termed it, the natural yes. However, I get the part about being eagerly expectant while remaining confidently patient. After thinking about this concept for awhile, I believe it will assist me in being able to mentally release matters to God to deal with - even though I've been aware they are really in His hands regardless of my struggling with them. Forgive me for using the imagery of the starving people - I should have avoided mentioning anything that could rouse cultural sensitivities. It is far better to pursue understanding than to cause offense to others. Nevertheless, this is the point at which we may turn off others so that rather than learning about faith, they become defensive. Do we agree that even though God's answer to our prayers for healing and comfort for a sick person is Yes, it is sometimes God's will to postpone that Yes until the person is in heaven? I'm not claiming to know the answer - I just think this scenario provides a palatable explanation for why God appears to many of us to be responding with Yes, but not now or not on earth. I feel we must be very careful with the wording we choose so that our faith is not a stumbling point for others. Love is greater than faith. I prayed that you would deliver a good answer; I believe that prayer was answered with Yes.

3/25/2008 5:27:16 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

Ryan, We don't like to talk about it that way, but yes, the comfort and healing is sometimes going to heaven. I like to think of it as the ultimate cure. By natural, I mean when you see it. So as not to be misunderstood by anyone else, I'll go back to the beginning. Genesis chapter 1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. No, I'm not going to type the entire thing. For the next 22 verses, God did this over and over: And God SAID, then God SAW. In verse 27, He created man in His own image. So, when we say (pray), then we see. God is Spirit and we are spirit beings. So, first spiritual (we say), then natural (we see). I know love is great. But without faith it is impossible to please God.(Hebrews 11:6) We need both, since faith works by love.

3/25/2008 6:04:03 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

As it does not directly pertain to this discussion, I'll drop the starving children issue for another day. :oO Mrs Piggy: Since you didn't like the 'thorn in my flesh' one how about this one: Matthew 36:39,42 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Obviously, since we are not still in our sins, Jesus did not get his request answered with a Yes. Taking it further, we should pray as Jesus prayed. Make your request known to God, but fully submit to His will. Maybe I'm a bit heated because of the personal issues I have with this subject. I apologize if I offend anyone. My only point is that God sometimes says something like "No, that is not what I had in mind. I have a higher purpose for you than what you asked or understand."

3/25/2008 8:15:19 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

Have any of you read this article? If so, do you find it helpful, or have I muddied the waters?

3/25/2008 8:18:03 PM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

XFrogger, my brother, Jesus KNEW the Father's will before He was born. He was born fully God and fully human. He could not go to the cross in His divinity. He would have to be separated from the Father. That's what He was praying about. He wasn't concerned with the dying, but the separation. Remember, He didn't just die for our sins, He became sin. He could not do that in His divinity. I am very glad that He accepted the will of the Father. I think we all are.

3/25/2008 9:21:19 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Arsin, I have read that article before and just read it again. I enjoyed it both times. I have one thing to say about it. Yes, God's will most certainly gets done, but it will be done by us. When we accepted Christ in our lives, we took on the responsibility of God's will. God uses His people to get the job done. We can all ask Him when we get home, but I'm telling you, He is all knowing and therefore He knows when we are prepared to do what He asks of us. Obedience is greater than sacrifice. We will obey because He is our Father who loves us.

3/25/2008 9:37:14 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

XFrogger, I'm sorry. All I know about the thorn in the flesh is God answered the prayer, "My grace is sufficient." I have often wondered what the thorn was. I assumed it was a bad habit since Paul wrote that where sin abounds, grace abounds more. I will have to pray for more revelation on that one. Actually, it is a good one, worthy of study.

3/25/2008 9:43:23 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrs. Piggy - I agree one hundred percent with your comments about the article. I think I will take a few moments and make sure the article reflects those important points. Thanks!

3/26/2008 6:57:15 AM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

I have prayed and requested clarification on a couple of issues. As for the thorn in Paul's side, this is the revelation I got with confirmation. Paul was unmarried. He lived the celibate life.(1st Corinthians 7:7) However, being human he experienced sexual desire. This was his "thorn". He had to keep his body "under" so as not to preach one thing and do another.(1st Corinthians 9:27)

3/26/2008 8:58:16 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Next issue prayer and time. As I was going to sleep last night, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we exist in time, but God is exempt from time as He is eternal. I received this scripture 2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.

3/26/2008 9:04:25 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

By nature, I am always wary of divine revelation. I know that it is possible and that it exists but I don't quite understand how you come to your conclusion so quick and so sure. I prefer to read commentaries and studies from people who have degrees and extensive knowledge of the Bible. We come from very different lines of thinking. I admire yours (and I wish I could have a bit more of it too) but as I am wired, I am most comfortable with the hard and sure study of the bible. However, as the identity of the thorn is moot, we can still see that Paul asked to be healed and was not. I know God can heal. I know God can do things immediately. I know God answers prayer. I just don't know that he always answers yes and now. Your article was very helpful arsin. Good stuff. :)

3/26/2008 12:30:06 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

XFrogger, Thank you. I appreciate what you have written. I spend HOURS daily studying the Bible. Also, I have three, that's right, three televisions on with sermon after sermon being preached all day. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. The more word I hear, the more my faith grows. I know that God is no respecter of people and what He has done for one He will do for others. (Acts 10:34) God has set a certain day calling it "Today." I believe that everyone has their own "Today". So, I say to you as Daniel said to King Darius, "Live on".

3/26/2008 1:23:18 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Also, you should be wary of "divine revelation" until you get confirmation. God ALWAYS confirms His word. If you do not receive confirmation, what I have written was not of God. You will either hear or read this somewhere else. From two or three witnesses a thing is established.

3/26/2008 2:19:18 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrs. Piggy - it has taken me awhile to return to this discussion, but I want to make a comment about one of the posts I was glad to read. On 03/25 you wrote: We don't like to talk about it that way, but yes, the comfort and healing is sometimes going to heaven. I like to think of it as the ultimate cure. I find it intriguing that different people can construe a statement in various ways. I hope I'm not misinterpreting your intention here. I believe you are saying you feel it is more hopeful or positive to tell people the answer to their prayer is Yes, while not mentioning that the Yes, in the case of healing, may take place in heaven. No doubt many of the recipients of your encouragement agree with your approach. I am sure many see the Yes answer as a manifestation of faith - I do, now. I admit that the first time I read a comment where you asserted 'the answer to this prayer is Yes", I was more than turned off. Fortunately for me, I also had a degree of trust that you held a scriptural basis to support your statement. When I initially read this Yes statement I regressed to a former mode of thinking, something like: more surreal Christian tactics - making empty promises to people in dire straits; pushing false hope. We know some who receive prayer for healing will die at the time prayer is offered. Where does the Yes response leave the fragile survivors who do not comprehend your rationale? Most of us have only been exposed to the traditional teachings of how God responds to prayer (Yes, No, Not Now etc.) - which has been confirmed by multiple sources throughout the centuries. I enjoy considering alternate approaches and I appreciate learning from the way you express yourself. If you encounter objections or resentment from others regarding some of your thoughts, it may be due to our unfamiliarity with the concepts you are illustrating. Or, it may be due to the fact we are all wired differently as XFrogger indicates. You have been blessed with some special talents - one of them is the ability to express yourself with scriptural bearing, while being challenged. I am glad you took the time to explain your thoughts and hope you did not feel you were being challenged harshly. XFrogger - I currently like the Yes response (although I don't see my self using it on my friends), and I believe it helps me with the faith issue. However, I feel it is just another facet in attempting to examine God's will. I can also agree with all you are pointing out about how prayers have been answered in Biblical examples and the traditional way we have interpreted these answers. I see this part of the discussion as being like debating differing ways to explain the same concept.

3/27/2008 2:03:33 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

Thank you. Every morning, I begin the day reading my daily devotion from the book, My Utmost For His Highest. I'd like to share a line from today's reading: "Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way."

3/28/2008 8:46:29 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

i am relatively new to the site.. i find myslef enamored with the discussions... this one i particular really intrigued me... one thing that i am not sure was stated, it could have and i missed it.. i am at work and every break i have i try to skim through at least one discussion... one thing i wanted to add was that in prayer we must be sure that what we ask for lines up with scripture... we cannot ask for God to do something that is not in His nature... my one example for this, is marriage, in my life i have experienced women who pray for a husband, and then decide upon a man and then ask God for that man... however God cannot go against our free will... so when praying for something that affects another, we must remember that God cannot violate that persons will to choose, so ultimately it would seem that the answer was no, but in fact the prayer failed to line up with God's Word... on another note i did want to speak on the example given of someone who is praying for healing, my grandmother died two days before my 13th birthday of cancer, for about 2yrs she had lived with the cancer and during this time we prayed for her to be healed... in her case she had been smoking for over 30years, and the cancer had already taken over her throat and lungs... God's answer to our prayer could only be answered in death... it took me years to really see that, but she was in emense pain and her body had already succombed to the cancer, God delivered her from all the pain and disease when she set out to heaven... now i am in no way trying to say that this is the case with all situations like this, but i rather wanted to share my own experience and hope that it would shed a little light

3/29/2008 2:02:11 PM by Joia, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/26/2008

Joia, Thank you for your post. May God open a window in heaven and pour you out a blessing.

3/29/2008 6:05:28 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Thanks for joining the discussion Joia - I enjoyed reading your post and believe we can use more of your input! I am glad you've enjoyed this topic Joia, and hope you will choose to add more thoughts to the matter. I learn form hearing others debate these issues and I appreciate everyone indulging my questions. I am pleased to believe my measure of faith has been increased to the point at which I feel peace not having all questions answered now. What we've covered to date is just a small aspect in the subject of faith, with so much remaining to discuss. I hope no one felt frustrated before or after that last edit. I'm praying for a day filled with faith, hope and love for all those that have joined these discussions!

3/31/2008 10:41:09 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

I looked it up and the word faith is in 285 scriptures of the New Testament.

4/6/2008 1:18:01 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

My two cents: (as I am "wired" differently than others lol) I think that we need to take into thought our concept of time versus God's concept of time. What may seem years to us is only a blink of God's eyes to Him. As scripture says, "With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day." (The Message, 2 Peter 3:8) I'm also a bit different in thinking here - but I don't always believe that God says "yes" to our prayers. (I am not trying to stir up a rat's nest of problems, I am merely trying to be honest and express my thoughts as such...) I believe that sometimes God says "Wait." as well as "No." We can ask with full confidence for what is promised to us in the scriptures, but we cannot dictate how or when God will answer our prayers. Also, God may grant what we ask for in prayer, but God may use a way that we do not desire or never thought about - it's all according to His will, and I think we have to remember this. I was very motivated by watching an interview last Friday night on 20/20 with 25-year-old Nick Vujicic, a young man who was born without arms or legs who has become not only a minister of God's word but also a corporate motivational speaker, despite his obvious handicaps (which would truthfully stop me in my tracks - or at least give me major pause - and has in fact, crippled many folks who suffer from the same handicaps as he has, if not less). When Dan Rather interviewed Vujicic and inquired if he prays for arms and legs as well as his belief in doing so, Vujicic's answer to him was this: "I totally surrender that to God. I would be obviously elated if I had arms and legs right now ... but I know that God's in full control. And do I believe that He can give me arms and legs? Yes, sir ... The world doesn't understand how you can have these two parallel thoughts, where you can say, on one hand ... 'yes, I believe in the miracle,' and on the other ... say, 'You know what? I'm fully content. I'm not discouraged if He doesn't give me arms and legs.' That's where I am. That's the freedom and victory I have. I believe in a God who can do all things, but if He chooses not to give me arms and legs, I know it's for the better. And I may not understand it, but all I need to know is that He's going to carry me through, that there is a purpose for it." Vujicic takes it one step further on one of his websites, quoting Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He fully rejoices in God's purpose for him, acknowledges that God is in full control of his life and also delights in God's will in His life - which I found to be a very valuable and humbling lesson. Being a country music lover, please let me also bring up Garth Brooks' hit "Unanswered Prayers". For those of you who may not have heard this song, in "Unanswered Prayers," a man runs into his high school sweetheart at a home town football game. As he introduces her to his wife, he reminisces about that past relationship and how he had once prayed so fervently that she would be his forever. In the song, the man looks at his wife and realizes that God knew what He was doing all along. (Jeremiah 29:11 brilliantly illustrated) I could go on and on about how important unanswered prayers have been in my life, but I won't do so right now (maybe later). I want to close this post using the chorus from "Unanswered Prayers" to illustrate my thoughts on this subject, and hopefully I haven't offended anyone in doing so. If I have, please accept my sincere and abject apologies. "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers Remember when you're talkin to the Man upstairs That just because He doesnt answer doesnt mean He don't care Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

4/6/2008 11:22:16 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Beautiful!! From the Mendin' Fences cd?

4/6/2008 11:34:43 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

According to Wikipedia, it debuted in 1990 on his second album "No Fences" and also appears on "The Hits", "The Limited Series", and "Double Live". It was a huge hit (I'm dating myself here, lol) my senior year of high school and really made an impact on my life way back when... as it continues to do so now. :)

4/6/2008 11:52:42 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Yes, I remember it well. I have the tape here somewhere. But it does not line up with the word of God. The Bible says God hears our prayers and answers them.(1st John 5:14-15) Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has a good plan for our lives.

4/7/2008 9:27:04 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Not to argue, but I think that 1 John 5:14 - 15 has to be read in two parts to understand the ways God answers our prayers. 1 John 5:15 certainly states, "And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." However, we need to read and understand the preceding verse, verse 14, which states, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." From this, I draw understanding that we must ask according to His will. Who among us knows God's will for everything in our lives? We can know God's will for some things in our lives - but not for everything. And I believe that verse 15 depends on verse 14. There are many examples of God answering prayers with "no" in the scriptures - when Paul asks for the thorn to be removed from his side, three times - the answer was still no. (1 Corinthians 12: 7 - 10) When David asked God to spare the son he had with Bathsheba - God took His son - yet David realized God's will in that decision and still praised God. (2 Samuel 12: 15 - 22) The final example I want to refer to is Jesus asking for the cup of his suffering and death to pass - God said no, and Jesus was crucified. (Matthew 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36) Again, I am "wired" differently from others, and so this post is not meant to be argumentative but rather in support of my beliefs regarding God's answers to our prayers.

4/7/2008 11:44:10 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

txhoneydarlin, I want to welcome you to the site, and apologize that I have not done so sooner. I have been very blessed and encouraged by everything you've written. It's so wonderful to have you here, and I hope you will be with us for a very long time. If you ever have any questions or concerns about the site, or if there is anything we can do to help, please don't be shy to let us know. Thanks again for being part of our community and for all your wonderful contributions to the site.

4/7/2008 12:14:40 PM by Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

as i studied this morning i came across this scripture, and i felt the need to share it... "I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yeild her increase and the trees of the field yeild their fruit." Leviticus 26:4 For with God there is a season for everything, see Eccelesiates 3 as well for more on that. One thing we have to remeber is that God is always on time, never late and never early. In the midst of answering our prayers, God prepares both us and those who are to be involved. In our haste we get ahead of God and look for things to be answered in our time, but God will deliver it in due season. Sometimes its a matter of us waiting on God to finish His work in others, but trust in Him, and believe that He will deliver your answer just in time.

4/7/2008 12:40:48 PM by Joia, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/26/2008

I have been pondering this lately, with all the bad news people are worrying about. (All CAPITAL letters I added.) "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19 (No matter what- Rejoice! Trust God!) Focus on God, not the problem. He is our Hope and Help!)

4/7/2008 1:23:47 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

4/7/2008 1:59:54 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Txhoneydarlin, I'm sorry I failed to elaborate on 1st John concerning "in His will" as I remembered covering that before in another topic. The answer is "Yes" in His will. Which could mean "no" being the answer outside His will. We don't know every single detail of His will for our lives, but Ephesians 1:9-10 reads: And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. I understand this to mean Christ came as our example. It was God's will that Jesus go to the cross. So, when He prayed that the Father remove the cup, Jesus knew the cup would not be moved. He knew He was coming, but could not go to the cross in His divinity. He did not want to be seperated from the Father. But He had to in order to perform the perfect will of God. I think too that this was the ultimate example. We want what we want, but we must submit our will to His will in things great and small. When I was in the hospital, the first words that came to my mind were: "I shall live and not die and declare the work of the Lord." It never crossed my mind to pray for my life and say, not my will. I haven't yet reached that level of maturity in Christ. I digress. As for each little detail of His will for us, we have to follow Jesus' example. Have faith in God that all things work together for our good. I'm wired to be renewed daily. I know that every good gift comes from the Father. Everytime there's a new post on this site, it is a gift to me. All are thought provoking and many cause me to re-think (renew) my previous thought. Thank you for being a part of this lovely experience. My thanks to all.

4/7/2008 2:34:08 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

But, yes, there's a but, Jesus said, "If you abide in Me and My word abides in You, you can ask whatever you want and it will be given to you." John 15:7 I believe that whatever means whatever. Since with God all things are possible. :)

4/7/2008 2:38:14 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Before I get jumped on, I know that "whatever" will be a good thing. Because if we abide (remain) in Him and His words abide in us, we would only as for good things. At some point in the abiding, our will lines up with His will.

4/7/2008 2:48:55 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

2nd Corinthians 1:19-20

4/7/2008 3:24:36 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Arsin, Thanks for the warm welcome to this site. It has been a great blessing in my life! Ignited and Joia - Wonderful posts that made me stop and ponder what each of you said. Thank you for adding to my faith and giving me (all of us) some very valuable reminders. mrspiggy - Thanks for the clarification. In my walk with Christ and trying to lead others to Him, I've always been super careful to elaborate on things, making sure there is proper understanding of the scriptures. It seems too often that folks think they should be able to pray and get everything they ask for in prayer, forgetting the important things like abiding in Christ and their requests being in alignment with God's will. The problem surrounding this is folks taking one part of a scripture and using it to mean what they want. (I'm not talking about on here though - please don't think I am.) In our world today, so many people look for an easy way out - and I'm not willing to supply them with one, ya know? "Give yourselves to disciplined instruction - open your ears to tested knowledge." Proverbs 23:12 Again, I'm wired differently and tend to think quite literally - I also prefer all the details about everything, which has proven to be an asset to me (personally) in studying God's word. I hope each of you has a blessed day! "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it." Proverbs 16:9

4/8/2008 11:56:04 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

MrsPiggy, In one of the comments above you said; Quote: "Yes, I remember it well. I have the tape here somewhere. But it does not line up with the word of God. The Bible says God hears our prayers and answers them.(1st John 5:14-15) Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has a good plan for our lives...."- MrsPiggy. -------------------------------------------------------- Bible verses have to be taken in context. (Or we can misunderstand them.) Please look at "JEREMIAH 29:11" "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 If you read the verse in it's entire context with the whole chapter, you will see that this promise is made to the "Jews in exile." (Not to us!) The truth is that not all followers of Christ are going to Prosper, or spared from being harmed. Remember the Apostles! Remember the Martyrs! Followers of Christ (some anyway) die for their faith! If they claimed Jeremiah 29:11, it would have crushed their hope in Jesus. (I send this to you in love MrsPiggy.)

4/8/2008 1:48:34 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I'm sorry, but I believe Jesus was the promise to them and to us. As I understand it, they were the seed of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the hope and peace. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For ALL the promises of God in him are yes and in him amen. I believe ALL means all. I also believe that all the followers of Christ prosper in their souls and spirits. And are not harmed. Though their bodies may be damaged, God is concerned with the soul of man. Followers of Christ are suppose to die for their faith!! Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39) This is what I believe. I'm not asking anyone else to believe it.

4/8/2008 3:21:20 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Okay, I'm a bit confused by your post, Ignited. I honestly believe that everything in the Bible pertains to us, as modern-day Christians, even if it was originally directed to a group of people in the scripture. I think that we can use the Bible, as a whole, for learning as well as for encouragement in our daily lives. If I took everything that was written in the Old and/or New Testaments to only apply to people in that time and to its original audience, then a lot of what I draw faith from would be invalid and have no impact upon my life now. (Does that make sense?) Please don't take this as an argument, but rather as "being wired" differently, as I like to say. I'm interested in what you are trying to say, but I need greater understanding, please. :) Please let me explain my thoughts on Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." When I read this, maybe I am reading wrong or misinterpreting it. I don't take this verse to mean that God will prosper us physically here on Earth - since when it was said, God was wanting to physically prosper Israel, in hopes of bringing them to greater understanding of his heavenly blessings. I believe this is how this verse applies to our lives right now - that God will prosper us and not harm us and give us hope and a future in heaven with him, much as is promised in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18. "And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. And then this: We can tell you with complete confidencewe have the Master's word on itthat when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will risethey'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words." After all, in serving Christ, our goal is to be received into heaven, correct? True, we may not prosper here on Earth - and we may be harmed here on Earth as believers of Christ and through sharing His word- but our true reward awaits us in heaven, which is our hope and our future as Christians. Please forgive me if I've spoken out of line - as I stated, I am trying to grasp the intention and meaning of what you said. Thanks for your patience with me. :)

4/8/2008 3:46:14 PM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33

4/9/2008 9:22:25 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Back to the topic of Faith - We must act on our faith. James 2:14 states, "What good is it my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Matthew 7:24 states, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.

4/9/2008 9:34:15 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Hi MrsPiggy and Txhoneydarlin, I only meant that if we (and I myself am guilty of doing this!) take a Bible verse out of the Bible and think it sounds like something I want to hold onto and claim in my time of trouble, it may not actually be the way the correct way the Scripture was meant to be understood. It is important to read the verses before and also after the verse! (Then the verse takes on a more clearer meaning.) I agree with you both, (if this is what I see you are saying) that the Promises made to us Christians, that they are Spiritual Promises. (Abraham and Sarah's descendants are the Spiritual Israel.) On the other hand, you have Abraham and Hagar's descendants, which here in Galatians speaks of, which is the difference between those born of the Law and those born of Grace. "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son." Romans 7:7-9 "So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." Galatians 4:31 (King James Bible) "So, brethren, we who are born again are not children of a slave woman A.THE NATURAL, but of the free B.THE SUPERNATURAL. Galatians 4:31 (Amplified Bible) ALL CAPS ARE MINE. I hope this makes sense! God bless you both!

4/9/2008 1:15:56 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IgnitedFaith, I understand your reasoning in all you have written. I was the same way at one point in my journey. My hangup was on the tithe. Not that I didn't believe we should tithe, but every pastor I'd ever heard preach on it, referenced Malchi 3:10. "Will a man rob God?" I thought like you in that Malachi was speaking to the Levites as they were not brining in the whole tithe. I had to decide all or nothing. Either the whole Bible was for me or it wasn't. After much prayer, I was led to this scripture: Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone." Luke 4:4, which references Deuteronomy 8:3 - "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but on EVERY WORD that comes out from the mouth of the Lord." This made me know it was the whole Bible for me.

4/9/2008 3:14:07 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Ignited, Thanks for clarifying things for me. I understand what you were meaning now. Once again, I will have agree to disagree, in accordance with scripture. Romans 15: 5 - 9 "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them."

4/11/2008 1:31:01 AM by txhoneydarlin, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/5/2008

Hey XFrogger - I noticed you had logged in the other day, and I was wondering what has been on your mind. Have you any new thoughts regarding faith or these other topics that you'd like to share? I've always enjoyed your posts and have learned a few things from your perspective.

6/3/2008 6:40:41 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

I would like to share my Faith Confession: Jesus, You are the author and Finisher of my faith. I walk by faith, not by sight. I hold fast to my confession of faith without wavering, for God is faithful who promised. I do not bow down to negative circumstances. I do not turn coward, faint, lose heart or give up. I hold fast to the Word of God. I am receiving a good report through faith. I am what the Word of God says I am. I have what the Word of God says I have. I can do what the Word of God says I can do. I stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief, but I am strong in faith giving glory to God. I am empowered by faith. I am strenghtened by faith. I continue in the faith grounded and settled, not being moved away from the hope of the gospel. I am firmly and deeply planted in Christ. I am overflowing and abounding in faith with thanksgiving. I have the spirit of faith for God has given me the measure of faith. The Word of faith is in my mouth and in my heart. My faith is alive and powerful. It is working on my behalf. My faith does not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I have faith to move mountains. My faith speaks. I speak to every mountain of poverty, lack, sickness, disease, deppression, fear, anxiety...and I command you to be removed out of my life and the lives of my loved ones, in Jesus' name. I command every wall to come down and every obstacle and barrier to be removed. I declare breakthrough in my life now! I hold fat to the Word of God. The supernatural Word of God is prevailin in every area of my life. I am fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold of eternal life. I am an heir to the kingdom of God. I have received the promise of the Spirit through faith. I build myself up on my most holy faith by prayying in the Holy Spirit. My faith is growing exceedingly. I take the shield of faith and quench every fiery dart of the wicked one. I stand up against all the strategies and schemes of the devil. I resist the devil and he flees from me. I do not doubt in my heart, but believe that those things which I say shall come to pass. I shall have whatsoever I say. Therefore, I say that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. I am anointed. I am empowered to prosper. I am righteous. I am blessed. My faith is working by love. Te love of God is perfected in me. That perfect love cats out all fear. Love never fails, therefore I never fail. Nothing is impossible with God, therefore, nothing is impossible to me. I am an overcomer and my faith is the victory that overcomes the world. In Jesus' name, amen.

6/3/2008 9:21:41 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

What about amputees that prayed for a new limb with faith in God? what about the hungry and impoverished children who had faith and pray to God & yet go hungry again and again?

6/23/2008 2:21:09 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

(With God all things are possible!) "And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him." Luke 22:50-51 "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good:" Mark 14:7a (We are to give to the poor, and feed the hungry!)

6/23/2008 2:51:41 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Have the amputees gone to clinics or hospitals that deal in missing limbs that they may obtain them? Are you asking how much I have contributed to the hungry? I work with the food basket ministry at my church. Hungry people have only to come in and request food to receive. Also, I contribute to "Feed the children". The word of God says, " Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, goodbye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well" - but you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" Why do people think God is going to step down from heaven and do all these things? Why do you think the Word says, "make your body a living sacrifice? God wants to use US to feed the hungry and supply amputees with needed parts. It is unfair to blame God if there are people in need. There are millions of christians throwing away food and clothing that others are crying out to God for. Money spent on "toys" that would pay for an arm or leg. If we would all do our "reasonably duty", you wouldn't have to address these issues. These are the things Jesus addressed when He spoke of the least of these in Matthew 25:36. You would think that since Jesus bore our sins, (past, present & future) and died on the cross for us and has healed us by His stripes and has given us every spiritual gift AND eternal life; the least we could do is share our food, clothing and money to help others. You would think. So, Brother Tom, it is not God who is not doing what He promised, it is us.

6/23/2008 2:56:12 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Amen MrsPiggy! I'd like to add, God is still healing limbs today! I have a friend who had a short finger. She was listening to a Preacher, and received healing! While she sat in the audience, she felt her finger move and like it was being tugged! Now it is normal length! (Praise God for all He can do!) Praise God for all we can do to help people!

6/23/2008 3:24:44 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Tom, The apparent paradox of how human suffering and a loving God can coexist has been discussed many times over. In my opinion, it is a difficult issue with no easy answer. I don't mind suffering...the issue just becomes does there need to be suffering of this magnitude? In my lifetime I am not able to feed millions of starving children nor am I able to grow an arm for an amputee. Presently (and understandably so), it is a stumbling block for many unbelievers and believers alike. What makes the most sense to me is that it boils down to original sin and free will. It was the first sin of Adam and Eve that corrupted this world from God's intended (suffering-less) paradise for us. Free will gives us the choice to help them or not. As a whole, mankind has not used their free will to help their fellow man in need. That is why there is so much suffering. What say you folks?

6/23/2008 6:26:59 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

XFrogger, I am delighted to read your post. What you have stated is sadly true. If only we were truly compelled to live for Christ instead of our sinful nature of selfishness, which lingers after salvation, until we relinquish it. If only we gave up our will for His will. Wouldn't it be nice?

6/23/2008 7:51:35 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I have a question about all these people who prayed; do they have a relationship with Jesus or are they just religious? All religous people pray. But those with relationship, get answered prayers. God is not obligated to answer the prayers of everybody, only His children. Let God be true and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

6/24/2008 10:22:31 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I am sorry for not accepting your weak rationalizations.. shorter fingers being made longer? It is our responsibility to humanity civil and fair and yet Yahweh was so active/involved in helping/preventing in the OT? Ok, sure, we don't need God to come down and help us do everything, but with that in mind I think prayer is quite unneccessary because if God is unwilling to stop millions of innocent children hunger to death or to prevent *real* miracle of limbs being remade (legs and arms, not short fingers) then I think it is quite vain for us to think God would help us when we pray to do good in school or to even get better over illnesses when many faithful amputees have received no miracles.. Did Jesus not heal the Roman soldiers ear and yet he had no faith of Jesus as the Messiah? It is ironic because the Bible states that if you confess that Jesus is the Son of God than God is within you, yet many times the demons of the NT are shocked by Jesus and quickly realize/claim he is the Son of God.

6/24/2008 11:07:54 AM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

Tom, I don't know about anyone else, but I am not trying to rationalize anything. Faith in God cannot be rationalized. You have free will just like everybody else. Believe what you want. I personally believe that Jesus is Lord of Lords and king of kings. I believe that He is the Living Son of God. I respect your great knowledge of history. But I can tell by what you have shared, you don't know God.

6/24/2008 3:31:40 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Well i consider that a great insult for you to tell me what i do and do not know.. especially concerning God. is it not a fair and reasonable question to ask why people assume God answers their prayers of simple and petty things in life when many others have clear and critical problems that go unanswered?

6/24/2008 4:11:13 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

6/24/2008 4:15:42 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to Him. Romans 8:29 Reason enough?

6/24/2008 5:11:06 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I am sorry that you feel it is an insult for me to state based on what you shared, you don't know God. Should I not be insulted that you regard my Lord as a man only?

6/24/2008 5:21:33 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

So God chose his followers beforehand, like predestination? So God chose people to not follow Him and to suffer eternally? So God made people to torture ? And I am merely taking a strong atheist point of view to find answers to my questions.. I do so because when I find people who question me likewise I hope to have a good answer for it. And no you should not because not everyone is in your shoes and not everyone sees the world as you do.. You should feel compassionate and forgiving to those who you believe don't realize Jesus.

6/24/2008 8:46:03 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

Ah the muppets are back. Kermit the Frogger and Mrs Piggy at opposite sides of the rainbow connection. Vastly different perspectives of the same faith in God. ;o) Anyway... Tom, to be straight and to the point: 1) No, we have free will to follow God or not. 2) No, those sent to hell choose to reject God. 3) No, I think it was CS Lewis that said something like Hell is just eternal separation from God. The sadness and pain that are associated with it lies in the fact that we finally see what we are going to be missing when we are separated from God's splendor. In essence, God gives us what we want. If we live our lives for Christ, then we spend eternity with him, and if not, we don't. Someone correct me if I'm off-base here.

6/25/2008 3:36:01 AM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

Tom, I do feel compassion for those who don't know Jesus. You, on the otherhand, are not one of those people. You are not writing as one who does not know, but, as one who deny that Jesus is the Son of God. At least that's the way I read it. Did you not read what David did to Goliath who defied the power of God? Was that compassion? You are not seeking a relationship with Christ, but rather denying His existance and reducing Him to a mere man. You are a mere man. Why should you care if Jesus is the Son of God, you have so many other "gods" to chose from. Put your faith in them if you dare. If you have no relationship with Jesus, you are already in hell. No, God did not choose people to not follow Him. People chose to not follow on their own. It is God's will that none should perish. But man, in his great wisdom, invoked his free will and rejected God. Tortured, no. God is not into torture. If you knew Him, you would know that. Why be concerned with eternity, if you don't believe Jesus is the Son of God? He is the God of the living, not the dead. We need Jesus now, while we are yet alive.

6/25/2008 9:12:30 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

XFrogger, my friend, my brother, Why do you think we are at opposite ends of the rainbow? Is it because I believe all the Bible says? Is it because I choose to believe "narrow is the gate"? Is it because after so many people offer their rational reasons for accepting Jesus and are still unable to convince another person, I choose to shake the dust off my feet? Please tell me why is it that you think we share the same faith, but different perspectives? Excuse me, vastly different perspectives? Which level of faith have you put me on? No, little or great?

6/25/2008 5:59:50 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrs Piggy: First off I don't see where you were going with that last post. I would have thought you would have known what I believe by what I post. I believe the Bible in its entirety is the living word of God. I believe Jesus is the Son of God who died, was resurrected, and is the only way to heaven. The common thread we have are the core beliefs of Christianity. I'd even go as far to say that I am quite the conservative. I say we have different perspectives because we see things very differently. It is quite clear that you are not into apologetics and hermeneutics which is the scientific defense and hard interpretation of the scriptures. I can understand where Tom is coming from because I think along the same lines as he does while you claim he is denying Christ. I think it is healthy to keep asking questions in our search for Christ while you seem to dislike any deep and rational questioning of our faith. Christianity can hold its own even when confronted with these questions. What do you do when someone doesn't believe that the Bible is true and is unable to see for themselves the faith that is so obvious to you? Pray for them...ok. Many times you can't quote the Bible or appeal to faith when talking to people that aren't Christians. But when they ask tough questions like why does God allow suffering, do we have free will, or why did God create hell, what are you prepared to say? Basically you are faith oriented, I am science oriented. Like a Mulder and Scully (X-Files) or a Jack Shephard and John Locke (from Lost) if you will.

6/25/2008 8:35:45 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

Yep XFrogger, I agree Christianity can & should be answered fully and compassionately when people ask questions.

6/25/2008 9:37:35 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

My Bible says the just shall live by faith. Please tell me where it says rationalizing the Word of God,who happens to be Jesus, is in the Bible? Yes, I am faith oriented and I am not ashame of the gospel of Jesus. Now, tell me Tom has all XFrogger's rationalizing brought you to the Cross?

6/25/2008 11:02:12 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Well you should live by both faith and works... faith without works is dead. I don't think the Word of God is being rationalized when it is actually just rational questions asking about the Word of God. I think I agree with Frogger because he also believes that questions regarding anyone's beliefs should be fully answered to explain why you believe what you believe. Simply casting doubters off as 'not knowing God' does not help anyone, you should be happy and seek out such people to guide them on such journeys to truly better understand Jesus as you claim you do

6/25/2008 11:41:02 PM by tombombadil4200, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/3/2008

I am praying that these great conversations here can be peaceful amoung everyone. Please ponder this verse with me. "This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" James 1:19 Last night my Husband and I read "James" in the Bible. The funny thing is that I have read it many times before, and was blessed to see so many verses woven through my past week alone! Yet one verse really seemed to jump out at me last night. (The one I see you were all talking about here!) About Faith without works is dead. When I read the verse about: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." Well, to be honest with you, I don't think I ever really understood that verse. Tonight it was like someone turned the lights on. Yes, the devils believe in God. And the way they live shows they are an enemy to God. They live to harm... (I will end with this, There are people who don't know God. There are people who do know God. There are people who know God and hate Him. There are people who know God and love Him. I pray that those of us who do know and love God, will want to know and love Him more.) We must keep telling others about Jesus. The rest is up to God!

6/26/2008 4:19:42 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

"Well you should live by both faith and works... faith without works is dead. " Tom, I agree 100 percent with this statement. "Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the work God requires?" Jesus answered, " The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:28-29 I am doing the work of God.

6/26/2008 10:30:08 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I don't understand where I offended you mrs piggy. Tell me what you took offense at and I will clarify it because none of it was meant to offend. Am I not doing the work of God as well? I have said it before and will reiterate it now, I wish I could have more faith like you and ignited faith. As it is now, I see God most in what I can see: creation/nature, complexities of life, and brief glimpses in humanity to name a few. I just wish you could see where I'm coming from.

6/26/2008 11:35:41 AM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

XFrogger, You have not offended me. My last post was in response to Tom's comment regarding faith and works. I do understand where you're coming from.

6/26/2008 5:45:13 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

XFrogger, I love what you said; You mentioned that you see God through: "Creation/nature, Complexities of life, and brief glimpses in Humanity to name a few." I was wondering XFrogger, do you also see God in His Word, the Bible? Or do you see God in Jesus? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

6/26/2008 6:35:27 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Yes x2. I think the Bible is one of the best, if not the best, way to see God. The stories about Jesus in the Bible are a great demonstration of how much God cares for us and what he expects from us. And yes...I do believe in the trinity. The things I find hardest to grasp and accept are the intangibles. Faith healing, prophecy, prayer, spiritual warfare, and speaking in tongues for example. Yet I realize they are integral parts of the Christian faith.

6/27/2008 1:15:14 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

XFrogger, When you say "Prayer" do you mean as in: 1. Daily Conversations with God. OR 2. Asking God for something specific. (Examples: Praying for the salvation of someone./ Praying for the healing of someone.) Or are you talking about both? Jesus is our Perfect Model. Jesus Prayed! (And He taught and told us to pray also!/ Believers, I am speaking of.) I guess my question to you is: "Do you believe that God CAN do anything? And do your prayers reflect this fact?" And one more question! "Do you believe that your prayers matter, or make a difference to God?" (Thank you!)

6/27/2008 3:54:23 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

No need to quiz me, I know all the Sunday School answers ;oP To fully believe in these things is a much greater step for me. But quickly answering your questions: Both, yes, yes, and probably. I guess I kind of just bring this up because maybe someone reading this (that doesn't post) feels the same way I do. I'm just glad God gave us some evidence to go on rather than just requiring purely a "leap of faith." Just a passing thought here: Maybe I don't find prayer as powerful as it should be because it seems to get tossed around like a genie's lamp. What if the Celtics and the Lakers had an equal amount of fans praying equally hard for their team to win? Or what of the millions who pray for a winning lottery ticket? I was hesitant to put prayer in my post as I knew it would be focused on...but what about the other intangibles?

6/28/2008 5:08:20 PM by XFrogger, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/13/2007

I wasn't quizing you. I didn't even know there were any Sunday School answers. (What are they?) I believe that it is not right to "tell God what to do" like a genie/lamp. I Do believe that prayer is conversing with the Lord, about Everything in our lives! The Chapter on James in the Bible (along with others) has helped me to grow in my faith, and my prayer life. I think back to before I had a relationship with the Lord. I only talked to God (If I can even call it that...) when I WANTED something. I found a little Prayer Card to St. Jude on my Mothers nightstand. I would just "recite" the words on the card and make my request... My prayers were never answered. (My motives were totally selfish for the prayers I was praying.) I realized this one day, and I felt so bad about trying to use God for my own gain. As I have soaked in the Scriptures, and God has changed my heart and my desires more and more, I see that even my prayers have changed. They are from my heart. They are honest. They are in line with the Scriptures. And I am amazed how God answers them, sometimes in ways I never dreamed. I believe that we need oxygen to live, and that we need prayer for a good healthy relationship with the Lord. XFrogger, the issue really at hand is "do you believe God is in one accord with your prayers?"

6/28/2008 7:21:31 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Ignited Faith, I'd like to add this scripture: "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." Romans 3:3-4

6/30/2008 4:02:52 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

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