Ok I have a question - Page 2

Who am I · 05-06-2008, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IHeartLarrytheCucumber

God sees the bigger picture/the future. I know this and am trying to understand it more. But what about when God talks to us and we don't listen? Didn't He already know that we wouldn't listen? Let me put this in an example: Our church meets in 2 different places during the week for Bible study. I'll call them studyA and study B. For a year I've been going to studyA, but then I got the strong urge to visit studyB. But I never did. I don't know why, and I am ashamed that I didn't listen to God. (If that was God telling me to go to studyB? I'm still learning how to hear His voice.) But now I don't have that urge any more to go to studyB. Did God know that I would continue at studyA and not go to studyB? If so, why did he even bother telling me to go to studyB aside from teaching me a lesson? I'm guessing that if I go to studyB now, it's outside of God's timing. Plus I don't even get a reminder that I should go anymore.

In short, I messed up. But what I want to know is why God tells us to do something when He knows we'll mess up and not do it?

Yes, God tells us to do things. Some things seem important, some not so important. The important thing is to learn to obey and just do it whether it seems important or not.
Did you mess up? Maybe… maybe not.
Did you learn something from this? I think you did and you will know more the next time. None of us are perfect. We all mess up sometimes. With learning and practice, our messing up will become less over time. It’s possible God was telling you to go to study B just to see if you could recognize His voice and do it. God isn’t going to send us on a major mission if we aren’t ready. You could call it training if you like. Our spiritual battle is not unlike military battle. You don’t get promoted until your superior knows you can handle the new responsibilities. I would say don’t focus so much on what you didn’t do, but focus on what you will do the next time.

And on the subject of God knowing everything… I believe that puts a limit on God. I believe He has the ability to know everything, if He chooses. Personally, I think God has the ability to purposely not know some of the decisions we make. If He chooses to not know a decision we will make, and we make the right decision, I think He is just tickled pink. (so to speak) I believe it would be a very pleasant surprise for Him. He is God. He can do anything He wants. If He wants to be surprised at the decision we will make on a certain thing, He can make that happen. I think God likes an occasional surprise sometimes. Why wouldn’t He?

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Don’t beat yourself up. If you made a mistake… it won’t be your last.

FarsightX3 · 05-06-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_18

Think about Him having and knowing an infinite amount of directions for you to take depending on EACH decision. Paths from where you are. He knows where they all lead and He's down all of them already, now you just need to choose the path. He does know what happens, but will still give you infinite paths to take and guidance SO THAT you have the choice to take them. He will always leave us this free will. It's a matter of taking as many of the right paths as possible. You might say he rates them, and you want to take the best one possible in each case. The amount of paths being infinite for even the smallest decisions. He knows what's down each one, how mighty He is!

I like the way you think on this one.

Ginger · 05-06-2008, 12:15 PM

I had a dream that woke me with a start. I knew immediately that God was speaking to me - warning me. Within seconds I shook it off saying "No, that won't happen. I can handle this." I went back to sleep without giving it another thought.

Three days later my dream came true. I was so upset knowing that God spoke to me in a way that very few people can claim, yet I willfully chose to ignore God. It was awful. How could I ever forgive myself.

But the experience made me stronger. I don't ever want to ignore the voice of God again. When I know God is speaking I will not ignore because I don't ever want to go thru the shame and remorse I felt that first time.

God knew I would ignore Him. And He spoke to me anyway so He could use my ignorance and stupidity to make me a stronger Christian - one who will do as God says even when it's something I don't want to do.

God allows us freewill to make mistakes but because He knows the future He is able to use our rebellion for our good.

The Lord is good.

Ginger

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05-06-2008, 12:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ginger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 163 Rep Power: 1	I had a dream that woke me with a start. I knew immediately that God was speaking to me - warning me. Within seconds I shook it off saying "No, that won't happen. I can handle this." I went back to sleep without giving it another thought. Three days later my dream came true. I was so upset knowing that God spoke to me in a way that very few people can claim, yet I willfully chose to ignore God. It was awful. How could I ever forgive myself. But the experience made me stronger. I don't ever want to ignore the voice of God again. When I know God is speaking I will not ignore because I don't ever want to go thru the shame and remorse I felt that first time. God knew I would ignore Him. And He spoke to me anyway so He could use my ignorance and stupidity to make me a stronger Christian - one who will do as God says even when it's something I don't want to do. God allows us freewill to make mistakes but because He knows the future He is able to use our rebellion for our good. The Lord is good. Ginger