Bible Questions

[bubblegirl23]

Questions
What is "bear witness"?

Why do the Jews hate Jesus? I thought Jesus was the "king of jews"?

When we pray, does God promise to give all or wants? For example, I constantly pray to be a successful writer & study hard. Is it definite God will grant this?

 

[filosofer]

Howdy! Good questions.

Questions
What is "bear witness"?

It is an older form of what today we would simply translate "testify" (to what we have seen and heard).

Why do the Jews hate Jesus? I thought Jesus was the "king of jews"?

Paul describes it as a hardening of the heart on the part of many Jews (Romans 11), but for God's purposes of calling the Gentiles to faith. Jesus is King of the Jews. However, note what John wrote in his Gospel (19:18-22):

18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20 Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."

When we pray, does God promise to give all or wants? For example, I constantly pray to be a successful writer & study hard. Is it definite God will grant this?

No, it is not an absolute. Like children who may want candy 24/7, sometimes our prayers, even good ones, are not necessarily best for God's plans or for us individually. Part of our growth is that as we study God's Word, that will shape our prayers so that we think after God's thoughts and desire what he desires.

In the case of being a successful writer, there is nothing wrong about praying for that. But then, questions arise such as: how long do I wait? What is success? How does God view my work? Is this honoring to him? etc.

It might be good to study those passages that relate to prayer. If you want, I could provide a few to get you started.

Blessings

 

[bubblegirl23]

Yes please!

 

[johnd]

Yes please!

Perhaps filo has been detained. I think I can show a few for you.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

and:

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

must be understood in light of:

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

which is the true intent of "in my name" (Jesus speaking) "in my will" or "in what I stand for"

otherwise our prayers even the ones we pray Jesus in name only end up as:

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Sometimes the Lord does grant our frivolous prayers (I call the "Lord gimme prayers" gimme this and gimme that, etc).

The true purpose for prayer is to (yes) seek God as the source of all things, and to (yes) arffirm our dependence upon him for all things, but also to remind ourselves of these things. Prayer is communing with God. It is also aligning our will with his.

Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Luke 22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be
done.

You want to be a good writer, pray the Lord's blessing on it, but you must take courses and learn and practice to develope the skills or hoan your gifts in that regard.

Hope these help.

 

[filosofer]

Yes, John, I was - work, then Bible teaching tonight, so late in getting this. Thanks for the start.

The Command and Invitation to Pray
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

The Basis for Prayer
[Jesus said:] And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13–14
[Jesus said:] “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14–15

Content of Prayer
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6

How to Pray:
1. (John 16:23)
And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. John 16:23

2. (Matthew 21:22; James 1:6–7)
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
James 1:6–7

3. (Luke 11:13; 22:42; 1 John 5:14)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:13
… saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
Help in Prayer
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26–27
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34
Answers to Prayer
It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7–9
See also: Luke 18:1–8

For whom should we pray?
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1–2
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44

Examples:
Genesis 18:23–32 Matthew 15:22–28

Luke 23:34 Acts 7:60


Where?
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 1 Timothy 2:8
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:16
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5


When?
They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice. Psalm 65:8
Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119:164
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. Psalm 50:15

 

[tqpix]

QuestionsWhen we pray, does God promise to give all or wants? For example, I constantly pray to be a successful writer & study hard. Is it definite God will grant this?

[bible]1 John 3:22-24[/bible]

 

[bubblegirl23]

Thankyou both very much. They helped greatly.

Even before becoming Christian I knew God only helps those who help themselves. That is why I took up a writing course and have worked on my lack of patience, while praying constantly to find success. I know I won't suddenly wake up a good writer - I have to harvest my crop so that God may use them to get me what I want. God knows how much I love, obsess and work on my writing, and if nothing else, will honour my determination and hard work.

S

 

[plmarquette]

Questions
What is "bear witness"?

Why do the Jews hate Jesus? I thought Jesus was the "king of jews"?

When we pray, does God promise to give all or wants? For example, I constantly pray to be a successful writer & study hard. Is it definite God will grant this?

what is a witness in a court trial ....?
he who gives a testimony in defense or prosecuting a accused ;
in the epistles of John , there are 3 who bear witness [ confirm , speak , demonstrate , reveal ] the water - God ; the spirit - Holy Spirit ; and the blood - Jesus ...

you will be my witness , in judea , samaria , and unto the ends of the earth ...

Isaiah 53.3 ; Matthew 8.17 ; and 1 Peter 2.24 are 3 witnesses of the atonement , work of the cross ; healing

Jews who believe - Messianic Jews [ section here , go ask a few questions ]
Jews who reject Jesus , still await messiah ... orthodox , hasidic [ section here also ]
not hate , but resentment , persecution by church ... moslem and christians over the years , seeking to prosyletize their faith ...

desires of our heart ... his plan for us ... what he wants for us ...
will place within us ... that we study , work , plan , and prepare for the time the work will commence ..

 

[Bible2]

...not hate , but resentment...

"...for envy they had delivered him."

-- Matthew 27:18

 

[Rafael]

Thankyou both very much. They helped greatly.

Even before becoming Christian I knew God only helps those who help themselves. That is why I took up a writing course and have worked on my lack of patience, while praying constantly to find success. I know I won't suddenly wake up a good writer - I have to harvest my crop so that God may use them to get me what I want. God knows how much I love, obsess and work on my writing, and if nothing else, will honour my determination and hard work.

S

I have never quite liked that saying of "God helps those who help themselves" as God will also help the helpless and give sight to the blind. He sets the captive free and gives gracefully to men. Grace means that we did nothing to earn His favor - unmerited favor is what grace is. So it is always God's grace that finds us first and gives us knowledge of Himself to seek Him further.
A better saying might be: "There, but by faith, go I", when we see another person less fortunate than ourselves or a person who openly sins and doesn't believe in God. No matter what condition or trial we go through in this life, God is greater than it, and when I look closely, I will see others who have much heavier burdens in life than my own. I did nothing of merit to attract God's attention, but it was Him loving me first that made me love Him and want to know Him more. It isn't the wise or smart and beautiful people that God chooses, but it is the poor and lowly of spirit and humble people. He gives grace to us all, even to those who do not want it, as the rain falls on the good and the bad. What will we do with this grace given to us?
God bless....

Lu 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Jas 2:5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?

1 Corinthians 1:27 Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important,
29 so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Mat. 5:44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too.

 

[plmarquette]

"...for envy they had delivered him."

-- Matthew 27:18

what you talk'n bout willis ?
-- was there a holocost - yes ; do neonazi's , klan , feracan , moslems and others hate christians , jews .... and others still ... yes ... for liars have made them , as revelation says , will make us , a scapegoat for the consequences of the devil's lies

We are here to speak in love , not accentuate the obvious : some folks hate the whites , who hate the blacks , who hate the Klan....
chris christopherson ...
if you hate , break 11th commandment ... not
a christian ...

orthodox Moslem's , Jew's , Mormon's , etc. dislike , hate , do not wish to dialogue with people who's first words are " I am right , you are going to hell "

Matthew 18.15-21 is restoration discipleship ... speak in love , find common ground , lay out frame work ... if they like fine , if they dislike fine , leave it alone and pray the Lord of the harvest ...