Sometimes when I think about all the times that God has directly said 'no' to something that I have asked for, it helps me to remember all the things that I don't ask for and that I don't even realize I need that he says 'yes' to every day.
I have been praying to God for a wife. It's over 13 years praying, but nothing happens. I am now 33 years old with no children. I begged God to many times in prayers. I have seen other people who don't pray and find good wives except for me. I feel rejected by God and it hurts to my soul to the core till I am spiritually scared.
I love it when God says "No" because I understand He is a good Father and will not always give me my way but instead in His sovereignty will give me what is good in His sight.
Very well said and you're absolutely right! The Lord is a good, good Father and when He says "no to your request, He has something much better or a better time and when it comes to this topic, if I may, I would like to share with you a brief story about a time in my life when I experienced something like this: On May 20, 2017, I was invited by my native city's minor league Baseball team, the Louisville Bats, to sing the national anthem at their home game. That evening's forecast called for rain and thunderstorms and of course, I prayed that the Lord would be pleased to keep the rain away, but unfortunately, it did rain and the game was postponed. Then, a few weeks later, they invited me to do this on Jun 2 of that year and on that evening, the weather was picture perfect.
@@mannbradmusic Thank you so much for sharing! I am super late replying because I didn't see this notification. I love how the LORD provides comfort to us even in the "no". For example, although you were unable to sing the national anthem at that time I'm sure you remained encouraged.
I was really struggling when listening to this, was even writing at the time. Thank you, Dr. Piper. One Still Prayer I’m empty. All is nothing. And answers fade to black. I’ve lost my way and cannot say I’ll find which road leads back. For what door is there to open? And what word will I receive? What will be found if do seek, when I clearly don’t believe? And yet, You tell me, “Ask…” and yet You say to seek; yet still, You say the door will open by a spirit - lowly, meek. As so I ask once more, and strive to so discern… all that can be sought about You, and what all I must learn. And then in some despair, a churning hunger feeds… as I humbly cast my cares, and found You’ve met my needs. I don’t deserve Your faithfulness. I haven’t earned Your favor. And yet it beams like peaceful streams from a brook that I now savor. Your Light outshines my darkest hour. You Word, a lamp, for this strayed lamb; all within Your grace and power - that I know You, Great I AM. Let me pray this prayer once more, if by it, I might see… and hear, You near so I won’t fear and “still” forever be. -M. Leanne Todd References to the Holy Bible: Line 12 - Matthew 7:7-8 Line 13 - Matthew 11:28-29 Line 19 - Matthew 5:6 Line 20 - 1 Peter 5:7 Line 21 - Matthew 6:7-8 Line 23 - Ephesians 2:8 Line 25 - Psalm 23:2, Psalm 42:1 Line 27 - John 8:12 Line 28 - Psalm 119:105, Matthew 18:12 Line 30 - Exodus 3:14, Mark 14:61-62 Line 32 - Matthew 13:16 Line 34 - James 4:8 Line 36 - Psalm 46:10
John piper is such a wonderful image of what Christ looks like and the Lord our God has blessed pastor john with such I good biblical sence through the holy spirit praise God
In 38 years God has told me no many times. Many times I tried to force things. I even attempted suicide twice and was addicted to drugs for a bit because I couldn't force my "yes". But God was always Faithful and I slowly realized that when He says no He ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, has something so much better planned for us. Something I could have never even imagined. Please just hold on if He tells you no. He loves us so much and some times He says no to us, even our greatest dreams at times, because our greatest dreams truly pale in comparison to His smallest plans. Hold on. He loves you. Just hold on. Please. And I love you too! I pray anyone who sees this video have a renewal of strength, patience and determination in the Lord. Much love and prayers!
I have nothing but hatred in my heart for God. I fucking hate Him. The reality is that nothing ever really happens or changes. What's the point of kissing God's ass while He does nothing but kick yours?
It's wonderful that you've come to feel like that in your life. I congratulate you for having seen God work through something in your heart or life. I on the other hand don't believe that God always gives us better than what we ask for when he says no. I'm willing to admit that God works in mysterious ways and his ways and plans are higher that ours, but I find it obvious that God doesn't always give us the best here on earth. It would feel belittling to people's suffering to say so. I simply don't believe that anymore. During my many years as a Christian I've witnessed God save my friends from horrible situations and bless them. I've seen and heard God answer prayers work in this world. Yet, God seems to have abandoned me in a way I've never witnessed him abandon any of my friends. I'm done trying to convince anyone that God's neglect and silence in my suffering and loneliness and spiritual havoc would somehow be better than his blessing and presence in my life. I don't believe that they will lead to anything good at any point anymore. I used to be very zealous about God and defend his honor and his ways in my mind, but God has led me to a kind of darkness from whoch I know I won't get out of unharmed. I don't know why I wanted to write this to you, to a random stranger on RUclips. But I really don't think things turn out well for all of us here on earth.
I needed to hear this. I have never looked at Genesis 17:15-20 the way he explained it before today. I keep seeking You Lord for the desires of my heart. Amen.
Wow! This was the most clear explanation I've ever heard on 'unanswered' prayer - very impactful for building my faith. Thank you so much for this! God bless you and your ministry for bringing these teachings to us 🙏🏽
I have been praying something along the lines of "Lord, I know you know that I need a job. I don't know why you closed the door for my last job but I pray that in your time you will lead me to the job you will have for me and in the meantime I will continue to study your word and be a good ambassador for Christ."
I think MOST of us want so much more. Rights to learn & earn is of utmost importance. Praying for your financial breakthrough and permanent job blessings. Hallelujah! Amen.
I'm not one to pray for things. For objects, for wealth or fame. My prayers have been centered on my family's health and/or their relationship with God, as well as my own. I struggle with mental illness, ADHD and a mild form of autism. The ADHD means that while I can read through a book that has my interest in a day, when I try to focus and read the Bible, i retain nothing. My eyes slide the page and I comprehend none of it. I found some online bible studies by Dave Reid, so I can at least listen to the bible if I can't make myself read it, but even then my distractible mind wanders, thinking of anything other than scripture. I pray to God to help me, give me the motivation to read and understand scripture. Let it be so that I read and internalize the Word as eagerly as I read fiction. My flesh is weak, even weaker than most. Father, I beg, don't let me be led astray by seeking easy entertainment over your word. I pray this often. It's been about a month and a half since I had a painful moment of clarity and realized how dangerously I was living, lukewarm, on the broad path. But I'm not changing. I'm still easily distracted, hungering for entertainment and seeking it over God's teachings. I have many moments where I wonder if my prayers aren't real enough, aren't sincere enough. But I don't know how to *mean* it any more than I already do. Part of me wonders if this is a lesson from God, to teach me to be patient and wait on him. The rest of me worries that such a thought is a product of my own laziness, that I'm sitting back and expecting Him to do all the work. Please, if you read through this, I beg you to pray for my. I need guidance.
I feel like when God says “no” it’s not really a no but more like I have something better for you. But He will not let you go empty handed, instead He’ll give you something you didn’t ask for which is BETTER than what you asked for! 😞🤲🏾 Lord help me to be patient.
I'm starting to believe that the purpose of our prayers we're not designed for us to ask for things that we want to receive. If God is all-knowing and knows what we need before we ask and knows the beginning from the end and will only give us the things that he knows are good for us I don't believe that he's ever intended to really answer prayers for us. I believe the prayer was just to push us to have dialogue with him. I believe God is going to do what he's going to do in our life when he's ready no matter what we ask and when we ask. I believe this is the reason why he goes silent it seems from us at times. Here's our prayers but he knows in some cases our prayers don't align with what he's already planning to do.
The question should never be why God didn’t answer my prayer? The question is how will I respond to unanswered prayer? Will it cause me to run to or run away from God? Will you believe what God told Paul? 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you.
WHEN GOD SAYS NO When God says no He means no, charge the altar if you dare You may abhor His answer, all who cross that line beware For we’ve made prayer a tool, where we think to change God’s mind And we think to make God make see, what He has determined to make blind For we are puny men, thinking to change Almighty God’s thought For we think ourselves the spider, and God the fly in the web we’ve caught When God says no He means no, for God never with Himself takes a guess For far better in the long run, is the no we get instead of the yes Hard teaching for those in hard times! If the truth be told! KERCHLOW CHRONICLES
After all the months of prayer and fast my son did not got the school of his first choice and I was upset and disappointing and upset with God because I felt like I fasted in vain. I wanted god to get the glory and share a testiminy and right now I am very discouraged. At the end of the day I repent cause it is the devil who would speak those lies and God knows best.
Thank you for you wonderful teaching. I do need to ask you Pastor Piper, in this very scripture isn't it completely clear that THIS is one of several scriptures showing that God Choose Abraham as the family He would bring the blessing of Jesus and therefore salvation to all of earth through? THIS is what God's predestination is
Why does God Bless non Christian, atheist and Christian haters?.....In many countries these people are doing better than Christians in all walk of life?...I don't understand.
Brad conny I think Just because we are a Christians doesn't mean God will give us everything this world sees as good. God is a good father and will give us everything we need such as peace, Joy and he will allow trouble to train us to become like Jesus. Lots of places are preaching a prosperity gospel but honestly following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be rainbow and butterflies. It's tough but God is with us.
Well it may seem like it. Following Jesus does not exempt us from hardships. Blessings God can for sure give us is joy, peace and love above all else and if there are “tangible” blessings (which He supplies 😊) like money, big houses, cars and such are just bonus. My one thing that gives me so much comfort is GOD IS SOVEREIGN above all else as it is said in Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 🧡🧡
Matthew 24:24 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 2 corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Sometimes the success of other people can drive our focus away from God and into the worldly riches (which when used right is not at all bad) like being so focused on succeeding too and such that we forget the reason why we are created in this world. And of course God has given us free will of this world on what to do with our abilities. God won’t cause the unbelievers to fail and die and be poor just to believe in Him because that’s just coercion (although some “elects” found Jesus through this struggle) God won’t ever force anyone to believe in Him. There are really a lot of answers for this question brad. Hopefully you find mine non judgmental and insightful. Peace 💜
We have to remember that this is not our home. This is the best that sinners will get on this earth. We will have so much more waiting for us in Heaven. Plus, GOD will allow good things for them, so they may open their eyes and see where it comes from. Remember Jesus had nothing. Stay faithful, Stay true. GOD knows what HE is doing 😊
I know that I have to stay fatihful and and Stay true to God and I'm trying my best to do...But about what you said that good Things are allowed for them so they may open their eyes......Well I doubt that, A Muslim will thinks that it all happens because of Allah, An atheist because of his hard work and so on......Angela Williams
@David Wright trust God, I did not listen to His 'no' when I believed my prince charming/Boaz had arrived. It was an abusive marriage once moved in, I can forgive, antagonistic behaviour, rages or temper but this was cold, calculated demonic destruction. I fled leaving all behind after seeking God on my face. I prayed at every step of the friendship turned whirlwind romance... If only I'd heeded the dreams and signs My Heavenly Father gave me and the red flags so obvious with hindsight. I repented of leaving Jesus my first Love. I repent of my rebellion when I desire to seek Holiness. Sometimes you just want someone to hold you, longing for His glorious appearing.
An atheist friend of mine asked me after seeing i posted this “what about the impoverished people asking for help or food or help and they dont get it?”....
Ian Nicely I see no one answers.. so I’ll attempt to. First the Bible says we live in a fallen world, where there will be hardships, it also says, to Ask, and Two or more ask for something that is in His will, HE will do it. I have no answer .. not knowing if these people are being prayed for or not. I don’t understand a lot. I wish I had a better answer for you, but I do not.
You would like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! All of our bishops, teachers, missionaries, etc. give their time voluntarily and don't get paid a penny! Check it out at churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org
It seems like to me that God is nothing but a cosmic Easter bunny, telling you if you’re getting warmer or colder depending on which way he want you to go I’m not smart enough to know where he wants me to go
FREEWILL --- ONLY FOR THE GOOD There is only one good gospel, all the rest have to be absolute evil and for starters, it must explain why it is that since the beginning of civilization, the more intelligent upper-half of society has hoarded all the land, wealth, political power and healthcare? Also, whatever your concept of the gospel may be, it must start at the root cause, which is not in the garden but trillions of light years away and at a time when Satan was still the "Son of the Dawn." "You were on the holy mount of God... You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth." For widespread trade amasses wealth, the filthy stuff we own above what we need for a comfortable life. The root cause of all evil, as it is impossible to own wealth unless your conscience as been seared to the point that you desire to kill anyone, to invade any nation, that dares to harm your wealth. And so, if you own one dollar more of wealth then the one billion slowly starving to death, the true gospel considers you rich and gives you an impossibility to master: “It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for one with more wealth then the poor to enter the kingdom of God.” For though we have a freewill that can do a suicide jump off a cliff, still such a physical will has no ability to will itself back to life. Likewise, as good is spiritual life, while evil is spiritual and eternal death, the moment our freewill desires to do permanent harm to some aspect of life, the Holy Spirit vacates our being, our spirit is dead in sin and without the mercy of God to give us a born again spirit, eternal death is our just reward. Not an eternal hell, but eternal non-existence. For God forewarned Adam and Eve that if they desired “to be equal with God knowing good as evil,” knowing how to use good as a pretense to hid evil, knowing how to be a liar, that their spirit “will surely die.” And as 95% of humans have never gained salvation, created beings once addicted to the pleasures of evil just cannot break free. And so, for a sinner to achieve a sincere repentance that would not cause evil in heaven, this would require that God override our freewill and force us to be good. For either we have a freewill or we do not. Either the good angels in heaven deserve to be free of Satan and all the sinners he spawned, or they must suffer such an eternal misery. For most hypocritical is it for pastors to say that we have a freewill that at our pleasure may choose salvation, but to achieve it God must take away our freedom to sin. For Christ died on the cross to take away our guilt and vengeance, to open the door to salvation, but surely not to take away our freewill. And to know what a freewill is all about, reflect on the positive addiction to doing good that is now enjoyed by all the angels in heaven. For we are created in the image and likeness of God, namely with his freewill to do all things good and beneficial. For rightly understood, God created Satan, a third of the angels and most all humans with a sinful nature to make it perfectly clear that we truly do have a freewill. The only restriction being that we resist the temptation to not enrich our self upon the misery of others. For whether we are chosen by God or saved by the good works of producing a good thought called faith, whether our faith must come before works, surely to share in the earth made new requires a faith that works. And if you think that faith without knowing Christ is dead, think again. For yes, all of Scripture makes known Christ, but saved without knowing is an option: “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'” Matthew 25:37
Yea, I understand where you are coming from. You sound like a very logical person. If I tell you, 2 + 2 = 4 there has to be a logical explanation for it. God defies logic. God cannot be explained in the way you as asking because that wouldn't be enough for you and it would put God in a box. That sounds like a weak argument but it's not. There are many things in this world and universe that we can't explain but we are fine with just believing they are there. Looking into a magician's magic is different from looking into God. We find God through his Word and not the logic behind Him because like I said earlier, God is outside of our logic so we only have a glimpse of who He is and we learn more as we walk with Him. You can't find answer to a math question in a geography book and you can find answers about God in a book about logic. The beautify of Life is that theres is an end to it. There would be no point in living life to the fullest if it was not fleeting. The world gonna end sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. Logical people even admit that. Same as life, if theres no end then there's no point. How it ends, be it fire or another planet crashing into us, Scripture tells us it's going to end. Cancer is a result of the broken world we live in. That's not a characteristic of God. Aids, autism, depression, suicide, these are all a result of sin that has entered our world. I'm sure theres a logical explanation behind that but I'm not interested in the logic, it's the truth that matters. I don't understand how you can experience God and let him Lord over your life, walk with him but still come out of that saying theres no legitimacy in God. Maybe your belief was based on one of the reasons you were stated in an earlier comment. Wanting to give reason to lifes troubles or peace to things out of our control. I dont think it was founded in Jesus coming down and taking on the punishment for our sins. It wasnt based on the love that God has for us which cause him to forgive us time and time again. I don't understand the need to understand everything even tho we can't. My parents tell me they love me. I'm not gonna question that and try to figure out why they do because they dont have to love me. I've disobeyed them countless times and lie to the even more so I can't see why they still love me after all that, but when you come to.the realization that they just love you with everything they've got, then I can fully accept and live in that love without trying to work out the logic behind there love because ultimately, the logic doesn't matter if their love for me is real. I do understand the search for truth and I'm a believer that God is just and faithful and when people seek him with all their heart, He shows up in ways we can logically explain lol. So I'm not worried about you not finding reason to believe, I'm confident that if you keep seeking you will definitely find and when that happens, the how's and why's won't matter. Tbh, you've sparked and interest in Apologetics that I didn't have before so I thank you. You seem like a very smart person and very knowledgeable which is awesome, but when we trust too much in the things we know, we can lose sight of the truth.
I heard the word "I", more than anything else. This was helpful at ALL. And as for solking. Try living my life for a month. You cant handle it. TY but this was useless
Constant Spirit I personally enjoyed this, but I hear ya. I know what it's like when you reach that place in your life where no matter what advice is being given or who is giving it, it just sounds stupid, and everything around you just seems stupid. I'll pray for you.
Sometimes when I think about all the times that God has directly said 'no' to something that I have asked for, it helps me to remember all the things that I don't ask for and that I don't even realize I need that he says 'yes' to every day.
I have been praying to God for a wife. It's over 13 years praying, but nothing happens. I am now 33 years old with no children. I begged God to many times in prayers. I have seen other people who don't pray and find good wives except for me. I feel rejected by God and it hurts to my soul to the core till I am spiritually scared.
I love it when God says "No" because I understand He is a good Father and will not always give me my way but instead in His sovereignty will give me what is good in His sight.
Very well said and you're absolutely right! The Lord is a good, good Father and when He says "no to your request, He has something much better or a better time and when it comes to this topic, if I may, I would like to share with you a brief story about a time in my life when I experienced something like this:
On May 20, 2017, I was invited by my native city's minor league Baseball team, the Louisville Bats, to sing the national anthem at their home game.
That evening's forecast called for rain and thunderstorms and of course, I prayed that the Lord would be pleased to keep the rain away, but unfortunately, it did rain and the game was postponed.
Then, a few weeks later, they invited me to do this on Jun 2 of that year and on that evening, the weather was picture perfect.
@@mannbradmusic Thank you so much for sharing! I am super late replying because I didn't see this notification. I love how the LORD provides comfort to us even in the "no". For example, although you were unable to sing the national anthem at that time I'm sure you remained encouraged.
You are welcome and you are forgiven!
The title of the video kinda reads funny if you read the whole header as a complete sentence. :D
LOL You’re right! Wish I’d known that before! I’d have been praying to Piper too! (Not! Much as Pastor John has helped me, I know who is my Savior.)
Stef C ...oh, you’re right .thats funny.😘
Yes his email box is full, joyful God who brings us laughter 💕
😂😂
Yeah really it's funny
I was really struggling when listening to this, was even writing at the time. Thank you, Dr. Piper.
One Still Prayer
I’m empty. All is nothing.
And answers fade to black.
I’ve lost my way
and cannot say
I’ll find which road leads back.
For what door is there to open?
And what word will I receive?
What will be found if do seek,
when I clearly don’t believe?
And yet, You tell me, “Ask…”
and yet You say to seek;
yet still, You say the door will open
by a spirit - lowly, meek.
As so I ask once more,
and strive to so discern…
all that can be sought about You,
and what all I must learn.
And then in some despair,
a churning hunger feeds…
as I humbly cast my cares,
and found You’ve met my needs.
I don’t deserve Your faithfulness.
I haven’t earned Your favor.
And yet it beams
like peaceful streams
from a brook that I now savor.
Your Light outshines my darkest hour.
You Word, a lamp, for this strayed lamb;
all within Your grace and power -
that I know You, Great I AM.
Let me pray this prayer once more,
if by it, I might see…
and hear,
You near
so I won’t fear
and “still” forever be.
-M. Leanne Todd
References to the Holy Bible:
Line 12 - Matthew 7:7-8
Line 13 - Matthew 11:28-29
Line 19 - Matthew 5:6
Line 20 - 1 Peter 5:7
Line 21 - Matthew 6:7-8
Line 23 - Ephesians 2:8
Line 25 - Psalm 23:2, Psalm 42:1
Line 27 - John 8:12
Line 28 - Psalm 119:105, Matthew 18:12
Line 30 - Exodus 3:14, Mark 14:61-62
Line 32 - Matthew 13:16
Line 34 - James 4:8
Line 36 - Psalm 46:10
Thank you for all the resources. Truly blessing my walk with God
Kamal Jones does he ( god ) walk fast or slow.
John piper is such a wonderful image of what Christ looks like and the Lord our God has blessed pastor john with such I good biblical sence through the holy spirit praise God
In 38 years God has told me no many times. Many times I tried to force things. I even attempted suicide twice and was addicted to drugs for a bit because I couldn't force my "yes". But God was always Faithful and I slowly realized that when He says no He ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, has something so much better planned for us. Something I could have never even imagined. Please just hold on if He tells you no. He loves us so much and some times He says no to us, even our greatest dreams at times, because our greatest dreams truly pale in comparison to His smallest plans. Hold on. He loves you. Just hold on. Please. And I love you too! I pray anyone who sees this video have a renewal of strength, patience and determination in the Lord. Much love and prayers!
I don't think he's real, if you're suffering and he's not doing nothing then he don't care about you.
Just curious. What did he give you that was better than what you originally asked for?
I have nothing but hatred in my heart for God. I fucking hate Him. The reality is that nothing ever really happens or changes. What's the point of kissing God's ass while He does nothing but kick yours?
It's wonderful that you've come to feel like that in your life. I congratulate you for having seen God work through something in your heart or life. I on the other hand don't believe that God always gives us better than what we ask for when he says no. I'm willing to admit that God works in mysterious ways and his ways and plans are higher that ours, but I find it obvious that God doesn't always give us the best here on earth. It would feel belittling to people's suffering to say so. I simply don't believe that anymore. During my many years as a Christian I've witnessed God save my friends from horrible situations and bless them. I've seen and heard God answer prayers work in this world. Yet, God seems to have abandoned me in a way I've never witnessed him abandon any of my friends. I'm done trying to convince anyone that God's neglect and silence in my suffering and loneliness and spiritual havoc would somehow be better than his blessing and presence in my life. I don't believe that they will lead to anything good at any point anymore. I used to be very zealous about God and defend his honor and his ways in my mind, but God has led me to a kind of darkness from whoch I know I won't get out of unharmed. I don't know why I wanted to write this to you, to a random stranger on RUclips. But I really don't think things turn out well for all of us here on earth.
I needed to hear this. I have never looked at Genesis 17:15-20 the way he explained it before today. I keep seeking You Lord for the desires of my heart. Amen.
Wow! This was the most clear explanation I've ever heard on 'unanswered' prayer - very impactful for building my faith. Thank you so much for this! God bless you and your ministry for bringing these teachings to us 🙏🏽
God always answers my prayers...unfortunately its ..."no no no no no no no and NO!"
This will be a hard one to listen to. I just want a full time/permanent job.
Hey man, I am out of work too. I know what you are going through
I remember one particular moment from being unemployed - I stopped asking God for a job, and asked 'what do you want me to learn from this?'
I have been praying something along the lines of "Lord, I know you know that I need a job. I don't know why you closed the door for my last job but I pray that in your time you will lead me to the job you will have for me and in the meantime I will continue to study your word and be a good ambassador for Christ."
Thanks.
I think MOST of us want so much more. Rights to learn & earn is of utmost importance. Praying for your financial breakthrough and permanent job blessings. Hallelujah! Amen.
I'm not one to pray for things. For objects, for wealth or fame.
My prayers have been centered on my family's health and/or their relationship with God, as well as my own.
I struggle with mental illness, ADHD and a mild form of autism. The ADHD means that while I can read through a book that has my interest in a day, when I try to focus and read the Bible, i retain nothing. My eyes slide the page and I comprehend none of it. I found some online bible studies by Dave Reid, so I can at least listen to the bible if I can't make myself read it, but even then my distractible mind wanders, thinking of anything other than scripture. I pray to God to help me, give me the motivation to read and understand scripture. Let it be so that I read and internalize the Word as eagerly as I read fiction. My flesh is weak, even weaker than most. Father, I beg, don't let me be led astray by seeking easy entertainment over your word.
I pray this often. It's been about a month and a half since I had a painful moment of clarity and realized how dangerously I was living, lukewarm, on the broad path. But I'm not changing. I'm still easily distracted, hungering for entertainment and seeking it over God's teachings. I have many moments where I wonder if my prayers aren't real enough, aren't sincere enough. But I don't know how to *mean* it any more than I already do.
Part of me wonders if this is a lesson from God, to teach me to be patient and wait on him. The rest of me worries that such a thought is a product of my own laziness, that I'm sitting back and expecting Him to do all the work.
Please, if you read through this, I beg you to pray for my. I need guidance.
I feel like when God says “no” it’s not really a no but more like I have something better for you. But He will not let you go empty handed, instead He’ll give you something you didn’t ask for which is BETTER than what you asked for!
😞🤲🏾 Lord help me to be patient.
The end was especially powerful. Thanks.
Well God's answer to my prayer is NO. My family will be homeless! God please show us what we need to do now. 🙏💔🙏💔😪😪
Are you homeless now?
I'm starting to believe that the purpose of our prayers we're not designed for us to ask for things that we want to receive. If God is all-knowing and knows what we need before we ask and knows the beginning from the end and will only give us the things that he knows are good for us I don't believe that he's ever intended to really answer prayers for us. I believe the prayer was just to push us to have dialogue with him. I believe God is going to do what he's going to do in our life when he's ready no matter what we ask and when we ask. I believe this is the reason why he goes silent it seems from us at times. Here's our prayers but he knows in some cases our prayers don't align with what he's already planning to do.
So in my particular case I’ll just continue to experience and see never ending suffering… very comforting
Thanks for that.God bless you 😊
AMEN
AMEN!!!
No, standard response in my prayer life. I don't pray anymore
God promised me he'd restore the years the locusts have eaten. 25 years later still no answer. What gives God?
We never pray in vain 🙏
A "no" means a "yes" to something better :)
I was literally just thinking about this topic and the video showed up in my feed
The question should never be why God didn’t answer my prayer? The question is how will I respond to unanswered prayer? Will it cause me to run to or run away from God? Will you believe what God told Paul?
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you.
WHEN GOD SAYS NO
When God says no He means no,
charge the altar if you dare
You may abhor His answer,
all who cross that line beware
For we’ve made prayer a tool,
where we think to change God’s mind
And we think to make God make see,
what He has determined to make blind
For we are puny men,
thinking to change Almighty God’s thought
For we think ourselves the spider,
and God the fly in the web we’ve caught
When God says no He means no,
for God never with Himself takes a guess
For far better in the long run,
is the no we get instead of the yes
Hard teaching for those in hard times! If the truth be
told!
KERCHLOW CHRONICLES
I quit asking... The disappointment hurts more.
sometimes its hard when you dont even know what to ask for
After all the months of prayer and fast my son did not got the school of his first choice and I was upset and disappointing and upset with God because I felt like I fasted in vain. I wanted god to get the glory and share a testiminy and right now I am very discouraged. At the end of the day I repent cause it is the devil who would speak those lies and God knows best.
Not talking about unanswered prayers. I’m talking about a relationship he seems to not with me.
Thank you for you wonderful teaching. I do need to ask you Pastor Piper, in this very scripture isn't it completely clear that THIS is one of several scriptures showing that God Choose Abraham as the family He would bring the blessing of Jesus and therefore salvation to all of earth through? THIS is what God's predestination is
Why does God Bless non Christian, atheist and Christian haters?.....In many countries these people are doing better than Christians in all walk of life?...I don't understand.
Brad conny I think Just because we are a Christians doesn't mean God will give us everything this world sees as good. God is a good father and will give us everything we need such as peace, Joy and he will allow trouble to train us to become like Jesus. Lots of places are preaching a prosperity gospel but honestly following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be rainbow and butterflies. It's tough but God is with us.
Well it may seem like it. Following Jesus does not exempt us from hardships. Blessings God can for sure give us is joy, peace and love above all else and if there are “tangible” blessings (which He supplies 😊) like money, big houses, cars and such are just bonus. My one thing that gives me so much comfort is GOD IS SOVEREIGN above all else as it is said in
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
🧡🧡
Matthew 24:24
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
2 corinthians 4:4
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Sometimes the success of other people can drive our focus away from God and into the worldly riches (which when used right is not at all bad) like being so focused on succeeding too and such that we forget the reason why we are created in this world.
And of course God has given us free will of this world on what to do with our abilities. God won’t cause the unbelievers to fail and die and be poor just to believe in Him because that’s just coercion (although some “elects” found Jesus through this struggle) God won’t ever force anyone to believe in Him.
There are really a lot of answers for this question brad. Hopefully you find mine non judgmental and insightful. Peace 💜
We have to remember that this is not our home. This is the best that sinners will get on this earth. We will have so much more waiting for us in Heaven. Plus, GOD will allow good things for them, so they may open their eyes and see where it comes from. Remember Jesus had nothing. Stay faithful, Stay true. GOD knows what HE is doing 😊
I know that I have to stay fatihful and and Stay true to God and I'm trying my best to do...But about what you said that good Things are allowed for them so they may open their eyes......Well I doubt that, A Muslim will thinks that it all happens because of Allah, An atheist because of his hard work and so on......Angela Williams
Tony seems like a pretty cool dude
Why does God say NO to ALL my prayers????
@David Wright trust God, I did not listen to His 'no' when I believed my prince charming/Boaz had arrived. It was an abusive marriage once moved in, I can forgive, antagonistic behaviour, rages or temper but this was cold, calculated demonic destruction. I fled leaving all behind after seeking God on my face. I prayed at every step of the friendship turned whirlwind romance... If only I'd heeded the dreams and signs My Heavenly Father gave me and the red flags so obvious with hindsight. I repented of leaving Jesus my first Love. I repent of my rebellion when I desire to seek Holiness. Sometimes you just want someone to hold you, longing for His glorious appearing.
Its either no or no. Dead silence every time.
How do we know this is true? If we don’t see answered prayer, how do we know God exists?
The answer is ask Pastor John.
An atheist friend of mine asked me after seeing i posted this “what about the impoverished people asking for help or food or help and they dont get it?”....
Ian Nicely I see no one answers.. so I’ll attempt to. First the Bible says we live in a fallen world, where there will be hardships, it also says, to Ask, and Two or more ask for something that is in His will, HE will do it. I have no answer .. not knowing if these people are being prayed for or not. I don’t understand a lot. I wish I had a better answer for you, but I do not.
How do I ask pastor John a question? I have a situation that I would really value his opinion on
you send an email
I want peace but his answer seems NO
"Sin of sulking"huh?
Never believe anybody that makes money from Teaching Gods word...Jesus and the disciples never earned a penny from spreading the word!
You must not know what the purpose of tithing is
You would like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! All of our bishops, teachers, missionaries, etc. give their time voluntarily and don't get paid a penny! Check it out at churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org
It seems like to me that God is nothing but a cosmic Easter bunny, telling you if you’re getting warmer or colder depending on which way he want you to go I’m not smart enough to know where he wants me to go
Alexis
FREEWILL --- ONLY FOR THE GOOD
There is only one good gospel, all the rest have to be absolute evil and for starters, it must explain why it is that since the beginning of civilization, the more intelligent upper-half of society has hoarded all the land, wealth, political power and healthcare?
Also, whatever your concept of the gospel may be, it must start at the root cause, which is not in the garden but trillions of light years away and at a time when Satan was still the "Son of the Dawn."
"You were on the holy mount of God... You were blameless in your
ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned.
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your
wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth."
For widespread trade amasses wealth, the filthy stuff we own above what we need for a comfortable life. The root cause of all evil, as it is impossible to own wealth unless your conscience as been seared to the point that you desire to kill anyone, to invade any nation, that dares to harm your wealth.
And so, if you own one dollar more of wealth then the one billion slowly starving to death, the true gospel considers you rich and gives you an impossibility to master:
“It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for one
with more wealth then the poor to enter the kingdom of God.”
For though we have a freewill that can do a suicide jump off a cliff, still such a physical will has no ability to will itself back to life. Likewise, as good is spiritual life, while evil is spiritual and eternal death, the moment our freewill desires to do permanent harm to some aspect of life, the Holy Spirit vacates our being, our spirit is dead in sin and without the mercy of God to give us a born again spirit, eternal death is our just reward. Not an eternal hell, but eternal non-existence.
For God forewarned Adam and Eve that if they desired “to be equal with God knowing good as evil,” knowing how to use good as a pretense to hid evil, knowing how to be a liar, that their spirit “will surely die.”
And as 95% of humans have never gained salvation, created beings once addicted to the pleasures of evil just cannot break free. And so, for a sinner to achieve a sincere repentance that would not cause evil in heaven, this would require that God override our freewill and force us to be good. For either we have a freewill or we do not. Either the good angels in heaven deserve to be free of Satan and all the sinners he spawned, or they must suffer such an eternal misery.
For most hypocritical is it for pastors to say that we have a freewill that at our pleasure may choose salvation, but to achieve it God must take away our freedom to sin. For Christ died on the cross to take away our guilt and vengeance, to open the door to salvation, but surely not to take away our freewill.
And to know what a freewill is all about, reflect on the positive addiction to doing good that is now enjoyed by all the angels in heaven. For we are created in the image and likeness of God, namely with his freewill to do all things good and beneficial.
For rightly understood, God created Satan, a third of the angels and most all humans with a sinful nature to make it perfectly clear that we truly do have a freewill. The only restriction being that we resist the temptation to not enrich our self upon the misery of others.
For whether we are chosen by God or saved by the good works of producing a good thought called faith, whether our faith must come before works, surely to share in the earth made new requires a faith that works. And if you think that faith without knowing Christ is dead, think again. For yes, all of Scripture makes known Christ, but saved without knowing is an option:
“Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'” Matthew 25:37
Yea, I understand where you are coming from. You sound like a very logical person. If I tell you, 2 + 2 = 4 there has to be a logical explanation for it. God defies logic. God cannot be explained in the way you as asking because that wouldn't be enough for you and it would put God in a box. That sounds like a weak argument but it's not. There are many things in this world and universe that we can't explain but we are fine with just believing they are there. Looking into a magician's magic is different from looking into God. We find God through his Word and not the logic behind Him because like I said earlier, God is outside of our logic so we only have a glimpse of who He is and we learn more as we walk with Him. You can't find answer to a math question in a geography book and you can find answers about God in a book about logic.
The beautify of Life is that theres is an end to it. There would be no point in living life to the fullest if it was not fleeting. The world gonna end sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. Logical people even admit that. Same as life, if theres no end then there's no point. How it ends, be it fire or another planet crashing into us, Scripture tells us it's going to end. Cancer is a result of the broken world we live in. That's not a characteristic of God. Aids, autism, depression, suicide, these are all a result of sin that has entered our world. I'm sure theres a logical explanation behind that but I'm not interested in the logic, it's the truth that matters.
I don't understand how you can experience God and let him Lord over your life, walk with him but still come out of that saying theres no legitimacy in God. Maybe your belief was based on one of the reasons you were stated in an earlier comment. Wanting to give reason to lifes troubles or peace to things out of our control. I dont think it was founded in Jesus coming down and taking on the punishment for our sins. It wasnt based on the love that God has for us which cause him to forgive us time and time again. I don't understand the need to understand everything even tho we can't. My parents tell me they love me. I'm not gonna question that and try to figure out why they do because they dont have to love me. I've disobeyed them countless times and lie to the even more so I can't see why they still love me after all that, but when you come to.the realization that they just love you with everything they've got, then I can fully accept and live in that love without trying to work out the logic behind there love because ultimately, the logic doesn't matter if their love for me is real.
I do understand the search for truth and I'm a believer that God is just and faithful and when people seek him with all their heart, He shows up in ways we can logically explain lol. So I'm not worried about you not finding reason to believe, I'm confident that if you keep seeking you will definitely find and when that happens, the how's and why's won't matter. Tbh, you've sparked and interest in Apologetics that I didn't have before so I thank you. You seem like a very smart person and very knowledgeable which is awesome, but when we trust too much in the things we know, we can lose sight of the truth.
Never hear him say no.
Gert Scheper Then you don't pray for much. :)
Bryan Bridges zero praying because it cant help according to the bible.
Sound like you make excuses to me
I heard the word "I", more than anything else. This was helpful at ALL. And as for solking. Try living my life for a month. You cant handle it. TY but this was useless
Constant Spirit I personally enjoyed this, but I hear ya. I know what it's like when you reach that place in your life where no matter what advice is being given or who is giving it, it just sounds stupid, and everything around you just seems stupid. I'll pray for you.
😂 bull.easy cop out to not getting your prayers answered with a yes.lol