Do you want God or a genie?

[just_monicat]

Does not God grant us the desires of our hearts? Does not the Word say that whatsoever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive and it shall come to pass? I think there is inherent flaw in this question. It denies the goodness of God or limits it, when His will is that His people, His children prosper. Even to Israel God wanted them to be blessed, and choose life!

i think there's some truth to what you share, but i want to remind you of one important thing, you reference God giving us "the desires of your heart" but there's more to that verse.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and [a]cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
psalms 37: 3,4

we are called first to 'cultivate faithfulness' (which some translations even express as "feed on God's faithfulness) and 'delight yourself in the Lord'. i can't think of activities that might be more effective in helping to alter or "calibrate" what your heart will desire.

a heart that is void of God, or distant will have much different desires than a heart that is close with God, such as wanting things of lasting value rather than temporal and fleeting ease/value. it seems like i meet a lot of people who will quote the second part of psalms 37:4, but not mention the first part.

as to the OP's question. for me, part of maturing in Christ has been accepting, even desiring His will for our lives before the quick fix. and to trust that God wants far more for me than i can (rebelliously) acquire for myself, or by doing things my way. His dreams are always larger, his plans always greater, and His purposes far exceeding my own concerns.

that's not to say that i don't want what i want sometimes. because we all do.

for me, it was as first pretty scary to admit that i was willing to God's will would bring in my life, but i think with practice and time, it becomes clear that we can see His handiwork in our lives far beyond our ability to appreciate at the time.

and i think that's something we have to constantly surrender. not a one-time deal, but sometimes on a daily basis.

 

[seoulsearch]

This is a great question, and I'm afraid my answer isn't going to be very "Christian" or popular, but it's honest.

If I want my eternal soul to be saved, of course, I choose God. I can't say I'd necessarily choose a genie, either. Sure, it would be nice. But I'm always honest with God, and I tell Him that there are some things I love about Him... and some things I'm not so crazy about.

Last week, a pastor who had mentored my family for a long time died of an illness that crept up on him. He was only in his early 50's, and leaves behind a family of women and young girls. He was the only patriarch of the family. It's times like this that I... am not sure how to feel about God. I love Him but the things He allows sometimes really bite.

I once knew a young co-worker who had always been picked on, even by his own family. When he joined the military and came home on leave, they told him he'd have to find somewhere else to stay. A friend of mine and her husband took him in as a younger brother. He was only in his 20's and had only been married a few months, when he was killed by a suicide bomber.

I don't want a genie to fix everything with magic... I just want some sort of... I wish we didn't have to wait until the next life to see the wrong things made right. But only God has control of that. And we are neither to question nor blame God, ever. The funny thing to me is, people blame the president for EVERYTHING, even things that are way beyond his control. Unlike the president, God DOES control EVERYTHING--He could change, heal, or turn around any situation--but people are more honest about their feelings for the president than they are about God. They blame other human beings for things God Himself is ultimately in control of.

I have asked God many times, how many people would believe and follow You to the very end if there was no risk of going to hell? Yup, I'm one of those terrible Christians whose fear of hell often outweighs her love for God. But I always wonder... Would all the people who claim to be true Christians still follow God with their whole hearts, obeying every painful command, accepting every unfair event in this life with love, trust, and faith... if they could still go to heaven without having to submit their will?

If there were no ill consequences and people STILL chose to obey... that, to me, would demonstrate true love, because it would be motivated by real love and no fear of consequences.

But God believes otherwise.

 

[ji]

Simple discussion questions.
Some questions to provoke internal thought and reflection. Feel free not to respond.

Do you want God?

Do you want more of a genie whom will make your life easy, seamless, grant you success in all you do, and make your life a magical adventure?

What do your prayers reflect in relation to these questions?

What does your life reflect in relation to these questions?

Philippians 3 KJV is my prayer...
To be with God....

 

[lil_christian]

A Genie would be cool , but getting everything you want isn't always a good thing, so I'll take GOD.

^ THIS.

What she said!

 

[cinder]

And we are neither to question nor blame God, ever.

I like the honesty of your post but I question whether this is a true statement or not.

Scripture is full of questioning and accusing passages. I think of Job, Abraham and God discussing Sodom in Gen 18, Jeremiah's complaint in Jeremiah 20, and Habakuk but I'm sure there are more. I'm a big proponent of letting God have it when you are angry with him. For me I've found that once my anger is spent and I've gotten it all out (and since God is big enough and ultimately in control who better to unleash all that anger on), I can then be quiet enough to listen to God and receive revelation about his character and why he does what he does.

 

[seoulsearch]

I understand what you're saying, Cinder, and I said it mostly tongue-in-cheek, as many Christians I've met would never, ever admit to being mad at God because they think they'd be obliterated on the spot... or that their faith is somehow beyond blaming God for anything.

I have had many people tell me I was wrong for getting angry with God. I once had a boyfriend who had a past girlfriend who died tragically of natural, though heartbreaking, causes. Rather than face the fact that they were outraged that God had chosen to take their daughter at such a young age, the ultra-religious parents tried to charge the boyfriend with murder instead.

I agree with you that the Bible is full of people venting their true feelings to God. For instance, people seem to over look that fact that David asked God to kill his enemies, hoping that their "wives become widows, and their children, orphans." Jeremiah is one of my favorites, as basically told God that He had tricked him, and that no matter what he did, he couldn't hold God's Word to himself. And, there are passages when God actually tells people to "Come and reason with Me..." In other words, "Come tell me what's really going on." When people tell you what you "can" and "can't" say to God... I've found that the most dangerous thing you can do... is to read the Bible for yourself.

And you find out that the people in the Bible told God everything, both good and bad.

 

[cinder]

I understand what you're saying, Cinder, and I said it mostly tongue-in-cheek, as many Christians I've met would never, ever admit to being mad at God because they think they'd be obliterated on the spot... or that their faith is somehow beyond blaming God for anything.

Where's that sarcasm sign when you need it, right?

 

[zeroturbulence]

I pick BOTH!

 

[CatHerder]

I want a genie to locate my car keys when I misplace them on a hectic morning.

I want God for everything else.

 

[Ugly]

I want a genie to locate my car keys when I misplace them on a hectic morning.

I want God for everything else.

hahaha... when i read this on the side bar on the front page i thought it said 'heretic morning'... hahaha. What does that say about what i expect to see on this site? =P

 

[1still_waters]

Does not God grant us the desires of our hearts? Does not the Word say that whatsoever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive and it shall come to pass? I think there is inherent flaw in this question. It denies the goodness of God or limits it, when His will is that His people, His children prosper. Even to Israel God wanted them to be blessed, and choose life!

The genie mentality reads that verse and says.."Well I have a desire in my heart, and God is going to grant it because it's my desire."

The God centered mentality reads that verse and says...."God puts desires in my heart, and the ones he puts in my heart are granted. Not all desires in my heart are mine, thus they won't all be granted, but the ones God puts in there will be granted."

Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter


19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

The OT is a shadow of what we find in Christ.
Christ is a much fuller blessing than land, or crops, or whatever.
Christ is the LIFE that ultimately points toward.

One of my favorite verses in the Word of God is ...

Ecclesiastes 5:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

This doesn't imply wealth and riches are for everyone.
It just says some are given that.

I am vehemently against such a doctrine that denies the Children of God prosperity, for how then shall they be blessed to be a blessing? How then, shall bibles be printed, missionaries sent, and churches built? My God is greater than any man made genie, His favor surrounds me as like a shield. People make wishes and the genie grants three, children of God make prayers and He goes exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. People seem to think God as an angry and stingy God but what they don't realize is that there is no limit, there is an infinite abundance. God is the Creator, He speaks and it comes into being.

The fallacy here is that if you aren't prospering, you can't be a blessing.
That's not true.

1 Cor 4

11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

I doubt anyone would say Paul wasn't blessing people because he was hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, and homeless.

Some may accuse me of a "Prosperity Gospel" but let me tell you, you can't have any Gospel, Good News, without it being a blessing in every area of your life.

1 Cor 4
11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

3 John 1:2

King James Version (KJV)

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Not prescriptive for all believers. It's a good general prayer to have,but it's not prescriptive.

 

[BenFTW]

The genie mentality reads that verse and says.."Well I have a desire in my heart, and God is going to grant it because it's my desire."

The God centered mentality reads that verse and says...."God puts desires in my heart, and the ones he puts in my heart are granted. Not all desires in my heart are mine, thus they won't all be granted, but the ones God puts in there will be granted."


The OT is a shadow of what we find in Christ.
Christ is a much fuller blessing than land, or crops, or whatever.
Christ is the LIFE that ultimately points toward.



This doesn't imply wealth and riches are for everyone.
It just says some are given that.


The fallacy here is that if you aren't prospering, you can't be a blessing.
That's not true.


I doubt anyone would say Paul wasn't blessing people because he was hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, and homeless.


1 Cor 4
11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.




Not prescriptive for all believers. It's a good general prayer to have,but it's not prescriptive.

I disagree. There is no reason a man should live in poverty or mediocrity given the correct, or biblical, mindset towards money. You may hold to your beliefs, but people should rather hold to what the Word says. Regardless of how successful or unsuccessful a congregation of believers may be, you do not use people's experiences to define the Word. You let the Word define your experiences. Christians in poverty? That is sad, but is not a representation of God's will for their life.

Even Paul, you do not take his experience or the lack thereof (in regards to finances) to define what the Word says about prosperity. Indeed there is a lot to learn about grace through Paul, even giving. But you do not make a study of prosperity by studying the poor. He even went so far as to refuse an income, as to be independent (as a missionary). People have made a study of disease and disease keeps increasing, look to the medical establishment. They offer symptom relief, not cure and not prevention (as in health). There are plenty of financial principles to be learned in the Word, especially and primarily in the OT. Again, you can't use the example of a person in the Word of God to define the totality of scripture on a topic(such as finances and prosperity). Indeed Paul knew how to be content whether rich or poor, abundant or in need, and so on. That you can learn of Paul, contentment.

 

[Nautilus]

can i have both? I mean God is great but a little lamp that I can be like boom instant billionaire would be cool too if I must be honest.

 

[Elizabeth619]

All this talk about God granting ones desires, but how many actually thank Him for what you already have?

 

[paulsfam4]

Our god takes care of our needs not the wants. And he does bless us!!! most of time our wants are not from Gods spirit but from our personal desires.

 

[NestForASparrow]

I'll take God. What I want changes so randomly at times, that it would be extremely foolish to grant my wishes. I have found myself praying for one thing for God to have happen only to change my mind a few days later.

I want God's plan for my life and not my own. I just wish God would move a bit faster.