GOD is able, but sometimes He just doesn't do it.

Jermyn Davidson · #1 02-05-2015, 12:41 PM

I hate this reality.

I really do. It is a mockery of faith. It makes the songs and sermons seem stupid.

It seems that He spends more time saying no than He does making good on His abilities.

WHY?!

Jermyn Davidson · #2 02-05-2015, 12:55 PM

If I want it, it seems that's exactly what won't happen sometimes.

Then there is the well meaning Christian that comes up with the, "Well He said He'd supply your needs."

Well He supplies the needs of the heathen too!

He supplies the needs of the the heathen, the faithless, the pagan, the fatherless child-- HE SUPPLIES EVERYONE NEEEDS!

What's the good in that?

"Well brother it could always be worse..."

Of course it could be worse and for some unfortunate sap, it is worse. There are people of faith for whom things are worse. There are heathens for whom things are bad, but it seems that things are always really bad for people of faith a lot of the time.

I just get tired of believing for something and then getting let down.

Over and over and over again! I know He's able, but when He doesn't, it leaves a bitter taste and there's no Sunday evening high time that sufficiently masks the bitterness.

What's the use!

Why do I even attempt to live for a God like this?

Jermyn Davidson · #3 02-05-2015, 01:05 PM

"Well brother there's your problem. Why do you want the bitterness masked?"

Well I don't know why I want the bitterness masked. Maybe I want the bitterness completely replaced with the sweet positive answer to my prayers. What's wrong with wanting my prayers answered positively?

Why does life have to be so blanking bitter!

"You're probably not doing it right. You're supposed to have joy and you don't seem like you have the peace of God right now. I'll pray for you."

Sure go ahead and pray for me. By the way, what exactly will you pray? Do tell-- what will you pray? Will God answer that prayer but not the one I prayed earlier? What is the secret? What is the secret to getting your prayer answered?

Be careful before you tell me. Whatever you say I'm liable to do and then when it doesn't work, then what?

Aquila · #4 02-05-2015, 01:49 PM

I don't have the answers to all of your questions. However, I do know that in every drama there are actors, and these actors play various parts. Every actor wants to play a part that is a starring role, heroic, daring, brave, sexy, and inspiring. However, in every drama there are undesirable roles filled with loss, pain, uncertainty, death, and woe. Every actor knows what it is like to be cast in a role that is undesirable. However, every great actor knows... there are no small roles... only small actors.

I don't know why God casts us in the roles that He does. I don't know why so many of my own prayers haven't been answered. I don't know why my father abandoned us and never came home. I don't know why my brother was killed. I don't know why my mother died of a sudden and unexpected heart attack at 52 years of age just two days before my son's first birthday. I don't know why my grandmother passed away. I don't know why God allowed my marriage to fall apart. I don't know why my extended family chose drugs and alcohol over togetherness and love, rejecting me because I'm a "holly roller"... and thereby leaving me with a son who doesn't know what it's like to have a father's side of the family.

But this I do know... nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ. I do know that all things will work out for my good. We are more than conquerors. I do know that God's purpose in all of this isn't my happiness... it is my salvation. God isn't committed to making me rich, sexy, powerful, or notorious. God has designed everything in my life to do one thing and one thing alone... to conform me into the image and likeness of Jesus. That is God's sole desire.

God does this through union with Him. The Bible states that if we have the Spirit of God, we are one spirit with Him. We are branches of the vine. Living extensions of Jesus. This spiritual reality is mind blowing and truly brings great peace. Know that we are placed in circumstances for reasons, often reasons we don't fully understand. But we can know that it relates to our being conformed into Christ's image... and perhaps even the salvation of others. Be mindful of this. Many of the most important missions trips aren't planned in a pastoral conference room... they are providentially booked by Heaven itself in the furnace of circumstance.

Seek God. Don't pour out your requests... He already knows them. But rather seek His face and sincerely desire that He speak to you personally about what you're going through. God has been known to personally speak to individuals about their circumstances, revealing the bigger picture. This can bring much peace and assurance when it seems like the storms are raging out of control. So when you pray for this... give silent time for the Spirit to speak directly to your heart. Contemplate the impressions that the Spirit gives you. Write them down to review later if you have to. You'll be shocked at what happens when we silence our prayers... and listen to God Himself concerning our circumstances.

Go in peace my dearest brother. I pray God speaks to you and reveals the answers to all of your questions.

Michael The Disciple · #5 02-05-2015, 01:58 PM

Hmmm,

Well starting in 1974 when I first repented and believed in Jesus Christ he has manifested himself to me in such reality that I could not imagine speaking of him like that.

TO ME it was so powerful it has kept me from going back into a world that offers anything imaginable to anyone these days. At times when I may get depressed over things I get out my journal and remember those manifestations, those realities and I encourage myself in the Lord as did David.

Cant speak for everyone but the Jesus I read about in scripture has been good to let me know him. And the thing that clinched it for me was as a young searcher when I started reading the Bible it was like the Spirit that was in the Bible reached out to me and convinced me of its truth.

ApostolicKitty · #6 02-05-2015, 01:58 PM

Bro. Jeremy, I am sad to see the pain behind your struggle. I know for years I felt as if perhaps I was the one and only person that God did abandon and forget about. I don't know why, but it seemed like He had turned a deaf ear to me for the longest... I don't know when I came out of that, but it happened. I found out I was wrong and God touched my heart. Keep crying out and reaching out for Him. I know it doesn't seem so, but He is still there for YOU and YOURS. He still loves you dearly.

Aquila · #7 02-05-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Hmmm,

Well starting in 1974 when I first repented and believed in Jesus Christ he has manifested himself to me in such reality that I could not imagine speaking of him like that.

TO ME it was so powerful it has kept me from going back into a world that offers anything imaginable to anyone these days. At times when I may get depressed over things I get out my journal and remember those manifestations, those realities and I encourage myself in the Lord as did David.

Cant speak for everyone but the Jesus I read about in scripture has been good to let me know him. And the thing that clinched it for me was as a young searcher when I started reading the Bible it was like the Spirit that was in the Bible reached out to me and convinced me of its truth.

Aquila · #8 02-05-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApostolicKitty

Bro. Jeremy, I am sad to see the pain behind your struggle. I know for years I felt as if perhaps I was the one and only person that God did abandon and forget about. I don't know why, but it seemed like He had turned a deaf ear to me for the longest... I don't know when I came out of that, but it happened. I found out I was wrong and God touched my heart. Keep crying out and reaching out for Him. I know it doesn't seem so, but He is still there for YOU and YOURS. He still loves you dearly.

Aquila · #9 02-05-2015, 02:27 PM

You know, Bro. Davidson, I posted a talk that I had with God in another thread at about the time you were probably unloading all of this. When this happened to me, I was feeling alone, like my prayers weren't getting past the ceiling, and then God began a dialogue with me. It was the second occurrence like this. The first "talk with God" that I posted about was posted several months ago. You might want to go back and read the first one and then read the second one. Maybe you'll find something in it or about it that can help you.

good samaritan · #10 02-05-2015, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Hmmm,

Well starting in 1974 when I first repented and believed in Jesus Christ he has manifested himself to me in such reality that I could not imagine speaking of him like that.

TO ME it was so powerful it has kept me from going back into a world that offers anything imaginable to anyone these days. At times when I may get depressed over things I get out my journal and remember those manifestations, those realities and I encourage myself in the Lord as did David.

Cant speak for everyone but the Jesus I read about in scripture has been good to let me know him. And the thing that clinched it for me was as a young searcher when I started reading the Bible it was like the Spirit that was in the Bible reached out to me and convinced me of its truth.

I agree with you Mike about your views on Jesus, but I would be to quick to judge people's feelings. Because you might want to add by the grace of God I haven't. Even King David did some rotten things at times.