I:st John 5:14... And this is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything (according to His will) , He heareth us:

I am going to tread into some troubled waters with this message, but I urge you again to get down your Bible and follow each word for your self. The "faith teaching" goes a little different in most cases, in not having to check with the will of God on anything! I am familiar with the scriptures they use, and, we will be using many of them as we proceed with this message. Although I firmly believe in healing, and miracles, there does come a time in the wisdom of God, where He does not always answer our prayers the way we ask or think (if He answers them at all)!.

Why not you ask? I don't know why! I do know, that the times He does not answer our prayers, and, all of our desires, that it does not always mean a lack of faith (as many teach today), or, hidden sin in the individuals life. The main thing to remember is: that He is God, and, HE KNOWS why He does, or, does not answer a particular prayer, especially in the time frame or manner we want Him too.

God alone knows why He chooses to answer some prayers, and not others. At times it could be doubt, other times it may be sin, and, sometimes it is neither one!. Dear friend, I am going to ask some hard questions, and, I am going to give you some honest answers. Why, does a baby die in infancy? Why, does a godly mother who has prayed for her children from birth-see them suddenly turn, and go every way but the right way in life? Is it her fault? Why, doesn't God answer all of her prayers like the TV Evangelist's tell us? I DON'T KNOW!   My Wife and I, dedicated all of our Children to the Lord from the time I was saved in 1969, yet, three have gone into eternity, Why? I DON'T KNOW!  I know (how) they died, but, I did not always know WHY! I always thought it should be the "Mom and Dad" that went first!

I don't have all of the answers, only God knows, and I rest with His wonderful judgement! He alone knew what the future held for each one. I did not! With all the prayers I have seen God answer over the years, why, didn't He choose to take me, or the wife, and let my children live? I don't know!

I read a most touching story recently, and, I must share it with you. To you who have lost children, perhaps this true story can help ease your mind as to the reason WHY!  A Christian Medical Doctor had this story to tell:

"I was staying with the mother of a two year old son, who had a terribly high fever. At about midnight I had to tell her that her son would not live through the night. She fell on the floor and began to cry and scream, and pound the floor with her fists. She would kick with her feet screaming: God; he is mine you can't have him, I won't let him die he's mine! He's mine! He's mine do you hear me, he is mine! I won't let you have him! I got down on my knees and tried to comfort her, but she pushed me away and said: Leave me alone, he's mine! I won't let God have him!

I left her crying and screaming, and went to sit by the bed of her child. For over an hour she lay on the floor kicking and screaming, crying and beating the floor with her fists. The Child started moving slightly, and his eyes opened. I felt of him, and the fever was gone! I could not believe it medically, it HAD been a miracle from God!

Many years ago, (when I first went into the ministry) I knew there would be times when I would ask God for something, or, to do something, that would be my desire, or, my perceived need, and not what God wanted for me at all. So, I devised this prayer: "Lord; when you are doing something in my life, even if I don't understand it, I ask you to go ahead and do what ever it is, (regardless of how I pray about it). Don't let me pray my way out of it, keep me there until you finish what you are trying to accomplish in my life.  If it is a situation that I want to get out of, and it is for my interest, (I don't care how I pray) don't answer my prayer! Continue to do what ever it is that is needed in my life, for I know that you want only the best for me".

Some years ago I went to Chicago, to be the "assistant Pastor" of a rather large church. I was escorted to an office, given a computer, and told that I would perhaps prepare the News Letters for the church. I had never in my life used a computer, as matter of fact (I didn't even know how to turn the thing on!) I was told by the Pastor, "you will learn only by using the computer"!

I hated the computer with a passion! I did not know what I was doing, or, how to do anything with the computer! I would pray at night literally in tears.  "Lord; get me out of the office, I don't like the computer! I will preach Wednesday, Sunday morning, (or night), teach, or what ever, but "please" get me out of the office"!  I never received any response from God! The weeks wore into months, and one day I noticed for the first time, that I could do many things with the computer that I could not do with a typewriter. I began to  write  a weekly column for a small paper in the South, and it was received quite well.

I eventually left the Church (along with the computer I hated), and returned to my home State of West Virginia in 1997. As I would venture out a little more, I finally had a web site started, where  I have placed many messages (of which the one you are now reading). Over the past five years, we have received nearly 73000 hits, and heard from 40 countries on the Internet.  I said all of that for this reason, if I had my way, (I would never have touched that computer)! Still yet, God in all of His wisdom, chose NOT TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS FOR "MY DELIVERANCE FROM THE COMPUTER"! He knew what could be accomplished through the written Word, and, has blessed many through our web site and written messages. I must surely say GOD REALLY DOES KNOW BEST!

Let me share this last thought with you. Thirty seven  years ago, when entering the ministry, when ever there was a need, or, I wanted something, I would begin to quote ALL THE FAITH VERSES I could find, to get what I wanted. Such as: If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you can ask what you will.If any two touch and agree on anything. and believe when you pray, and ye shall have them.

On, and on I would quote these scriptures. God does honor His Word highly, but I have learned over the years that there were things "that I thought I needed", or, things that (God knew) would hinder me, that I didn't need! Needless to say, I didn't get ALL I ask for. One dear Brother told me: "If I quote the Word of God, God has to answer me"! I said: God don't (has) to do anything! We can't "make" God do something just by quoting scriptures!  If it is needed and asked in faith, and, is according to His will:

1^st John 5:14...THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE WE HAVE IN HIM, THAT, IF WE ASK "ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL", HE HEARETH US, WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE DESIRE OF HIM.

I might add, IT IS ALSO HIS WILL to forgive you of your sins right now!  One day soon we will all stand before a just and loving God, to give an account of our life while on this earth. Have you made peace with God at this time in your life? If not, the bible tells us, that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Bible also says: It is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgement.

You, me, and everyone else on this planet,  will be judged on that great "judgement day"! . The difference being, in my life I have asked God to forgive me of my sins, in the month of January, in the year of 1969. I started my life and New year-with the greatest decision I had ever made in my life. I must say, these have been the best years of my life, as I am now close to 76 years old.
 
Dear friend, our world is in a terrible condition. War on every hand, war in Iraq, war in America. WAR! WAR! WAR! Every where WAR! Many forget, that our President has told us, WE ARE AT WAR RIGHT NOW, and, who knows what could, or may happen next. From the Twin Towers  tragedy in New York, to the horrible spectacle  of the present Gulf Oil spill, we need a Savior!  Then we can confidently trust Him through every situation that comes our way! This is a wonderful opportunity for you right now, to give your life to Christ! If you do not know how to pray, simply say: "Dear God in heaven, I am a sinner, and I know it! Will you forgive me of my sins right now? I want to live for you all the days of my life. Come into my heart and live forever, I humbly ask you". Amen!

God in His infinite love for you, gave His Son nearly 2000 years ago, to hang on a cross at a place called Calvary, to bleed and die, that right at this very moment-you can have the opportunity to receive Eternal Life, by simply repenting of your sins and trusting Him to forgive you. Do it now, won't you? You will always know then: That GOD REALLY DOES KNOW BEST!

If this web Site has been a blessing to you, please tell others? I would appreciate it so much, and thank you. God bless.