I was raised in a God fearing household, believe in salvation and formed our marriage on that bond and raise my kids to have prayers, morals, Bible stories etc… but my reliance on God is sad. I’m of the “fix it yourself no one’s here to help” mentality. I’m at a crossroad professionally where I continue down a good path or pick something similar but unfamiliar that may potentially be better later. How do you approach God with a plead for guidance (I know it’s a simple answer) but feel like a hypocrite since you’re not really great at maintaining your own personal relationship with Him.
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Still pray and ask for guidance. You feeling like you don’t deserve to ask Him for help is satans scam, He’s waiting to be asked and trusted. Take the leap of faith, He’ll provide the net :). I did and I’m still praying prayers of gratitude to Him. :)
God Bless you and heap abundance on you.
This. Don't pray for guidance and wait for the answer. Doesn't work that way. Make your plans and share your plans with Him. Ask not for the right decisions but for confirmation that your plans are His will. Ask for doors to be shut where He wants not for you to tread. Ask for doors to be opened wide in places you are to do His Will.
Take care to follow the guidance. Don't try to smash through closed doors.
My heart is fixed waiting on the Lord. Of course you ask and wait for answers. You dont make your own plans and ask God to bless it, then God is doing your will instead of the other way around.
Ask and it shall be answered, lnock and it shall be opened, seek and ye shall find. The thing we must believe is God is willing and able.
When my husband was out of work a couple times, I turned it over to the Lord and also to St. Joseph, the powerful advocate for work and the family! I had calm and serenity, because I knew my husband was doing the best he could and I had turned it over. I did not pressure myself or my husband.
"The Thirty Days' Prayer to St. Joseph is a devotional practice where individuals pray for 30 consecutive days, seeking St. Joseph's intercession for their special intentions. This prayer honors the 30 years St. Joseph spent with Jesus and Mary, asking for guidance and support in times of need."
I hosted the St. Joseph table with many traditional recipes during the unemployment. "The St. Joseph Table is a traditional feast celebrated on March 19, honoring St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers and families. It originated in Sicily during a time of famine when people prayed for relief, and upon receiving it, they prepared a communal meal to share."
BUT I did it BEFORE we got the relief of unemployment! On trust and faith. St. Joseph does not disappoint! well, we don't always get the relief we ask for . . .
GOD BLESS you fren!
Jesus is our ONLY internediary to God.
Our paraclete. Our advocate by His perfect, righteous life and His blood. Not any of the plethora of saints. Not Mary. He affirmed her humanity when He called her "woman". She was of the flesh and a sinner like everyone and therefore, needed salvation through her son. God used sinful man in every instance in the Bible, as they were all sinners, too. Moses sinned. David sinned. Noah sinned. The disciples sinned. Jonah sinned, etc, etc, etc. Only Jesus did not.
HE said plainly in John 14:6.
John 14:6 KJV [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And John 10:29-30:
John 10:29-30 KJV [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [30] I and my Father are one.
Praying to Jesus is praying to God. Yet, we respect their place in the Godhead.
No where in the entire scripture is it ever said to pray through anyone but Jesus. In the Old Testament, the priests stood and sacrificed in our stead...over and over. But, Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, In the priestly order of Melchizadek, who sacrificed once for all by the shedding of His blood voluntarily and ascended to the right hand of God, the Father, to judge the quick and the dead.
God sees Christ's righteousness when He looks at us if we've been born again/ washed in His blood, changing our scarlet sin-soaked garments into those washed white as snow by His blood and righteousness. He says, "I paid this sinner's fine. His debt is cleared from the ledger." Sins forgotten, by God, as far as the east is from the west.
Amen.
Edit: I/we've faced the same challanges, and only God through jesus do we pray and make supplications in faith. No works. When born again, one enters into God's rest. No works required, just faith.
Hebrews 4:10 KJV [10] For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:10–13 explains the nature of this faith. The kind of faith that enables us to enter into God’s rest is a faith that first demands that we rest from relying on our own works.
Love to you.
AND to add something to that wonderful story, my middle name is Joseph due to a Priest that My parents knew, and my first name is Martin!!!!!!!!
So, a lot of what you have espouse is true and I am glad and prayerful that more come to that enlightenment for the sake of humanity.
God Bless you and Hubby on this Easter Weekend!!!!
Yes, St.Joseph is your patron! My husband is also Joe.
There's a saying:
Sometimes you need to rely on what God gave you between your ears and just do the best you can.
Every generation has their challenges. Right now, it's hard to tell what side is up because clown world is "OP-in' hardcore".
God knows your heart and contrary to popular belief, doesn't judge you as harshly as you are judging yourself.
I don't think you need to ask God for anything...
But instead, find a quiet place and be still. Pay no attention to the monkey chatter of the mind. In silence you will hear God tell you the way...it is very subtle. All you have to do is listen.
And as a friend I'll remind you that YOU are important... otherwise you just wouldn't be here at this time AND the enemy wouldn't be spending so much ammo trying to kill you.
u/#catdance
That quote is not biblical. And the bible is full of people who God didnt help who were helping themselves and people God helped who werent. However “God draws close to those who draw close to him” IS biblical
Matthew 25:14-30
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Everything that exists is God's. There is no distinction. Whatever you DO you are doing for God so why not make him proud of having you as a servant....?
Well quoted and well said.
In your prayers, confess to having difficulty hearing His voice, and ask God to be clear. Ask for a sign that you can't mistake. Then stay alert, and do your best, which is all He asks of us, for He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. God bless.
Make your decision. Rest on it a day or two with prayer. If doubts come up or reasons for the other job keep invading your thoughts, then perhaps the one not chosen was actually the better choice. Whichever one you choose and go with, offer up with thanksgiving to God all you do each day for that job.
God is always there, pray and listen. Give yourself quiet time to reflect so you can hear.
If you’re a reader The Dip by Seth Godin may help, along with 48 Days to Work You Love by Dan Miller. Former would help you decide to stay or go; latter help you find your thing.
James 1:5-6: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 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. Romans 8:1- there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I could go on. Your salvation is not based on your works or your perfection. It is solely based on Jesus' accomplished work on the Cross. Otherwise, grace wouldn't be grace. He loves you like you love your kids only more. They don't have to do a thing to be loved and cherished by you. If you've fallen short and recognize it, today is a new day. Go forward. Phil 3:1-Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead... Ahead of you is an important decision. Jer 29:11 reminds us that he has good plans for us which means, as James 1:5 also indicates, that He desires to let you in on it. Spend some time with Him each day. You could read from your Bible, do a daily devotional, listen to a doctrinally sound teacher, listen to praise and worship music as some examples. Prayer and thanksgiving. One of the primary ways that God speaks to me is through His Word. Confirmation of what He is saying can also come through some surprising ways sometimes. Remember, He loves you. If you're reaching for Him, He's excited, I think--kind of like when your grown children call you if that's not already their habit or even if it is. If you strive to keep your promises as a parent and you're made in His image, surely, He will keep His. You can trust that even if your feelings don't always align. Sometimes, I have to simply choose to believe His promises regardless of my emotions. The dust always settles and clears. He has always proven Himself faithful to me. God bless you! I'll be praying for you
Great response and testimony
Thank you
I ask to have the strength to do HIS will.
I ask for wisdom to do the right thing.
I ask for help to be humble and grateful.
I ask for protection for my family, and myself.
I ask for patience to accept things.
I ask for HIS help to keep my thought, words and deeds pleasing to HIM.
I ask for forgiveness.
I ask to be forgiven for asking so much.
I thank Him for the abundance of blessings HE has bestowed.
I ask him for all of this for everyone.
There are many types of Christians. Some who feel they walk with a friend. Some who lay their head by still waters. And so many, many more.
For me. Jesus is a warrior. Sword in hand. Slaying demons and monsters. For me, not only did HE save my soul, HE saved my life. Almost 3 decades since HIS strength and power are what I asked for the first time I truly prayed. ... and I was heard. I am grateful.
"I believe, help my unbelief!" is a great biblical example. A man asks Jesus to heal his son who is possessed by a demon who tries to kill him, "if you can." Jesus answers, "If I can? All things are possible to him who believes." To which the man realizes the problem is in his own understanding of what is possible. He does believe, but needs Jesus to help in the areas he has not yet surrendered control or hope to. And the man says to Jesus, "I believe! Help my unbelief!" Jesus casts the demon out & saves his son. See the story at Mark 9:14-29
Fasting is the best way I know to get back into deeper relationship with God while at the same time the best way to ask for wisdom and guidance.
It's hard for me to get started. Another day. Another day. But when I do, wow! I am always surprised how much I am able to understand and how much peace, joy, and love I get from Him.
God isn't the guy who solves your problems. Ask him to be with you, but you have to find the way yourself. When you speak with him you'll find the right answer.
I second TaQo. “ But instead, find a quiet place and be still. Pay no attention to the monkey chatter of the mind. In silence you will hear God tell you the way...it is very subtle. All you have to do is listen.”. Also pay attention to signs and people that God puts into your life.
These things kind of find you. I've always worked for myself. It was a completely unknown business that I got in so early nobody heard of it. It blew up 6 years in. I hung it up during Covid because people got weird. A few days ago a crazy idea popped into my head. Looking into it, it's much the same situation. Ironically the economy going to hell is the perfect condition. Next week I'm starting to lay the groundwork for it. Start going on walks and clearing your head to allow thoughts to flow. You need to be in the right mental state and have to get rid of any blocks you have. You'll just know you're on the right path when things naturally fall into place. I've always looked for synchronicities. Recently I've had a bunch of John the Baptist ones...Youtube recommendations, podcast meantions, etc. It symbolizes rebirth. Don't fight it. Roll with it.
"I’m of the “fix it yourself no one’s here to help” mentality." Initiative is great so long as you have direction. "I’m at a crossroad..." When I look back at all the times I've been there, the times I pushed to make something happen didn't turn out as well as things did when I waited for direction from my prayers. Someone I trust told me our prayers weren't about convincing God of my reasoning, but rather to bring me in line with His will. I believe the arc of your prayers and that of a good place professionally will come together if you just turn on the "flashers" so to speak and park at the crossroads. Just keep praying. Jesus provides. I'll say a quick prayer for you too. kevin
Sometimes God speaks to us when we least expect it.
Case in point - today I was browsing my YouTube feeds and Tom macdonald's God Mode came across my eye. In it he explains how he went from a literal zero, so far down on his luck that no one would have thought he'd become the GOAT of rap. He pulled himself up, straightened himself out, and began to make so much money he no longer does anything for cash. He retired his mom from her job, bought his dad a Porsche, hired his sister when her work got too much and moved her to a place near to him. He is fully independent, rejects record deals because he doesn't need them.
And at a certain point, he said he just wants to inspire people, to get them to realise they can do what he did if they put the work in and focus on what they are best at. It made me pause and see, despite the mess I keep getting shoveled onto me, I'm still here, still kicking, and still finding ways to try and succeed, so im gonna start writing again (fantasy comedy fwiw). If he can make bank being irreverent in rap, why can't I doing stories? Seems no one else is creating much in the west that isn't a reboot after all.
I invested in DJT and Rumble stocks.
I'm invested to break the global banking cabal and help financially rebuild the US economy.
Build a relationship with God first. No man made religion, not works. Just God as a Father and companion. Then asking God wont seem so difficult and He is always faithful.
Its hard to steer a ship thats not moving. In the book of Acts, Paul was like a corvette with a brick on the gas pedal, non-stop, going all over. In Acts 16, God blocked Paul two times, then finally let him go to Troas. Seek to follow Jesus first, then do what appears to be the right thing with your job. Seek Godly counsel. He will provide course corrections as needed.
There is so much wisdom here. This is an amazing thread.
I and many close to me are the same. We are used to just doing it ourselves.
This is my journey… in my 50s… to remember it is all in God’s hands. To let go of the stress of not knowing, to know he will provide better than I could have ever guessed.
So far - our Lord is batting 100%, and meanwhile I’m still trying to remember to “let go, let God”.
Just say “thank you” when he amazes you. It’ll be many times daily.
Admit it to God and trust Him with the results! I'm like this too, and it makes things worse when I don't submit it to Him first. James 1 Is really worth the read on this topic: esp. vs.5 & 6
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed