Matthew 6:8 among other verses says so. Look it up. Just as a parent knows that a child might want a glass of water, a good parent will encourage a child to learn how to ask for it. It’s called building a line of communication.
Love ya Marci and whilst you are correct that God Does know what we need before we ask for it but it is because scripture tells us so. Preachers, teachers, ministers etc are human hence imperfect and fallible so it isn’t with any shame that I have written in the past that I always encourage people to Prove that what I am teaching is correct. Many are the times when I thought something sounded a bit off balance or missing whilst listening to a lecture so I had to rely on study in order to prove what I had heard to be true, false or simply to fill in the blanks. Sadly, there are some out there who pretend to be preaching and teaching scripture and maybe even thinking that they’re teaching scripture but have gone afoul of the Word. Such teachers have brought about thousands if not millions of followers who listen without proving what is being taught simply because it “sounds” good. I have referenced the verse II Tim. 2:15 a number of times in the 5 or so years I’ve been on this forum because I truthfully believe it is incumbent upon all believers to prove everything we’re being told. Funny, but the verse also applies to all things secular.
I'm sure it's in my scriptures but it's not been committed to memory. LOL! I have a good online church I use I just don't use it enough and I've read my bible cover to cover but have nothing memorized. I just recall reading certain things. My memory also isn't what it used to be. I have a favorite verse but I always have to look it up. Haha! If it weren't for God I can only imagine the mess my life would be right now. He's my only true love and hope.
As Bobby said it's in our bibles but I can't quote you verse off the top of my head. Edit: Matthew 6:8 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
It is a paradox that God gives us free will and still knows our future actions. A seemingly impossible thing, but with God all things are possible. In fact, high level Physicists now, with better understanding of block time encompassing an infinitude of paralell realities, suspect that it is the futire dragging us forward, not so much the past pushing us forward, which seems more intuitive. I have trouble with that and don't really get it. Yet these are all God's creations and given his Omnipotence and Omnipresence God surely has the gift of scrying the future despite our suposed free will, which I contest too to a point. I confess I even believe in destiny and prophesy. "All is Destiny" said many in Ancient times. I feel there is some truth to that. So regarding God knowing our thoughts, without laborious argument, I reckon he does, especially given he knows our future already, and surely more. Ironically, that's comforting to me knowing I have mostly a one way dialogue with God. Occassionally he speaks back, often in some biblical phases or stories that pops into my mind, and even in dreams. Cynics might say I'm brainwashed ...., but God works in mysterious ways, in many Religions I believe. God sees all through many lenses. Sure it's all very subjective with a sample of one, but that's my tale.
Good post, @Terence Eames. The question of knowing the future without determining the future has confused many folks. That is, in part, why I am so dead set against Predestination philosophies. They take away free will to some extent, but those ideas remove the consequences of the decisions one makes in life. I just don't want a god who deliberately makes half his creations (or some other percentage) destined to the "trash heap" through no fault of their own. I like the idea of having free will and having consequences to the decisions you make, especially those harming others. I know I don't get to make God as I want him to be, but I can choose to honor the God I choose to honor. R.C. Sproul, before he went to the dark side of becoming a regular radio preacher was asked why he preached the Gospel when, according to his beliefs, it accomplished nothing. His only reply was, "Because my Lord told me to do so." I guess that isn't good enough for me. I don't believe that God or Jesus would instruct people to teach the Gospel if that action meant nothing.
One of the chief scriptures people point to regarding predestination is Romans 8:29. I’ve heard many say that if God foreknew and predestined who was going to heaven then they might as well do as they wish and get on with their lives. The problem as I point out is that they obviously haven’t read any of the verses surrounding that verse. Rom. 8:28 is really clear about all things working together to THEM who love God and to THEM that are called according to His purpose. Those people as ensampled in Rom. 8:28 are the ones who God has predestined in #29 according to His word. Again, God is telling all people, “if you do this, I will do that and this is my Promise. It is an across the board statement and free will is abundantly clear. The ones who do not love God are on one side and the one’s who do will gain the reward of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It’s just as a runner who wins a race is predestined to reap the reward at the end. He isn’t predestined to win the race but rather predestined to win the reward he has been promised should he win. In this case, anyone who gets in the race wins the reward. Free Will. Now, does God know what will happen and who will do this or that? Probably but it doesn’t matter. I mean, God commanded Noah to build an ark 120 years prior to the event it was needed for and the ark was also built to a specific size in order to fit a specific number of occupants. During the entire time, Noah preached but apparently no one listened. But what if they did? God knew they wouldn’t. They weren’t predestined to be screw-ups but out of free will they decided to be what they wanted to be….screw ups. I think the bottom line is in Isaiah 55:8 where God is saying, For your thoughts are not My thoughts neither are your ways My ways. If we quit trying to think For God and Like God but instead be the children of God and love Him with all our mind, heart and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves then we will be just fine and will not have to worry about predestination nor free will. Them whom the Son sets free is free indeed!
Paul also has statements about Christ and the final judgement. I don't have the reference at hand, but you know the Bible far better than I do. Jesus certainly talked about judgment based on one's actions. I am not and have never been a fan of Paul as I have said before, but his writing is what has survived so it is what we have.
Yeah, I have said many times before that if one get’s confused by any writings by any of the apostles (particularly Paul) then refer back to what Jesus said and moreover, did. Paul had one Huge distinction which is that he not only preached to the gentiles but ate with them and shared the same roof with them which was something the other apostles and in particular, Peter, had a lot of problems with. Still, Paul had his ministry and Peter had his. Even though Paul was a notable “in” with the Sanhedrin and knew the scriptures, he preached Christ crucified and took the focus off of what we eat and drink or even our genealogy which again, is something that Peter had some difficulties with. If we analyze the scripture I alluded to when Jesus gave us two commandments (Matt 22:7) we then know that Loving God with all our very being and also those around us as we love ourselves then our “actions” will be commensurate with those commandments. In other words, our actions do not create love but we see that loving God and others will create our actions and then of course, it is by our works and actions that we are known. People can do good works all day long but the most important work is that step forward to embrace He who set us free. After that, Rom. 8:1-39 are about the most important reading a man or woman can do because it tells us who we are and all about that pesky word, predestination and more.
It's funny trying to wrap your brain around the idea that it's your free will to choose Him yet he has predestined you to be His you just don't know it yet. LOL! When I got saved...the next morning was extremely interesting to me. I was told once your saved it's instantaneous. I however didn't feel any different or notice anything different till I woke up the next morning. It was as I'd been given a new pair of eyes that saw things but they were more internal things. Very weird experience. I became a stranger to myself overnight. LOL
@Marci Miller So, I don't know it yet, but I am nonetheless being manipulated in some way?? Horse feathers! Frank