We all agree that terrorism is a horrible and heartless form of evil and is motivated by religion as well as politics. Those who practice it will argue that their cause is just and offer prayers of thanks for killing innocent people, while on the other hand others are equally convinced that God is on their side and He will punish the terrorists. Both sides pray and believe that God will answer positively to their requests. So whose prayers God answers?
In Dominica political parties contest elections and supporters pray for the success of their respective favourite side, but only one wins. Yet each side was equally convinced that God heard their prayers. Some swear by the signs that they have seen, a very blue sky or a red one or a yellow bird or a crapaud sang their party song in their dreams and more, that God has heard their supplications. So whose prayer did the Lord hear and respond?
In this economic crisis the ministers of religion have advocated that prayer is the way forward to recovery. Indeed we have days of national prayer and even holidays declared just to pray for the nation. If we put aside the political showmanship and stage presentations and take a reality check, how can we be certain that God will hear and answer the prayers of the people? Is a national day of prayer sufficient to hold God’s attention? Or does God demand a much deeper and enduring commitment, dedication and contrition?
In times of national crisis, it is normal for people to think that their prayers are more likely to be heard when they band together to make their appeals. It is also the time when the Bible is the new high and we forget Bwa Bande rum and illegal smokes for a time.
On August 29th 1979, 33 years ago, Hurricane David the most vicious in our memory came visiting. It flattened everything, maimed and killed and destroyed and left us shaking and terrified at the awesome power of nature. It shut down all our services and for a time we were back to the dark ages of no electricity, no telephone, no communication as roads were washed away and sent those who could fleeing from Waitikubuli and others wishing they could. The nation turned to prayer as it seemed to be true that the only answer was Jesus. So we prayed and prayed and got together in circles to pray. Then came something called,” Bro-go-doh-oi” which was the local name given to emergency food and clothes hastily donated by the USA and prayer was thrown out the backdoor as people wrestled to get handfuls of handouts and cursed, accused and fought each other in the attempt to stock up as much of the “Bro” as possible. The British navy soldiers who rushed ashore to our aid from their “first on the scene” warship and from which radio we heard our first national broadcast from our government, were left mostly by themselves to do the salvage work while we the people fretted and fussed over who got the most “Bro” and who should not. Then to we the people prayer was answered even more when someone realized that the warehouses were filled with goodies and looting should be a way of partaking in God’s mercy and answer to prayers, so the people broke into and emptied the stores and storages of fridges, wash machines, cabinets, lumber, galvanize and more. I witnessed small boned women who normally would protest having to carry large shopping bags of groceries, ‘transporting’ away on their hairdos stolen loads of merchandise that would strain the developed muscles of a ‘gym man.’ A man who thought he had a fridge on his head tossed it aside when he was told it was a wash machine and returned to yes, make things right.
Then in came the then opposition politicians asking and praying for fresh elections even in the face of 80% roofless homes and desperate hunger games praying to God that this was their opportunity to take over government from O.J Seraphin’s Labour Party which just three months before they had scrambled together amid much hurrahs after the overthrow of Patrick John and the chaotic situation that left us. Yes, we use prayer for our own selfish reasons and then right on cue look up to the skies with amens and songs crying, “It is all in God’s hands.” Yah Right!
Political leaders especially during times of crisis have to make decisions that will affect the lives of people and the “quiet and peaceable life” depends on the soundness of these decisions. Their decisions during times of storms and hurricanes can result in chaos and tragedy et on, therefore it is good to offer prayers for those making critical governmental decisions. Yet when such decisions are perceived to be made for political reasons, the response is usually partisan and different because there are folks who love the PM and several who do not. The decision becomes mired in ‘mepwi ‘and crosstalk and results in nothing much at all. In (Chronicles 2. 7:14) we read that “if my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear.”
It seems therefore that it is a matter of a change of attitude. We must be humbler and kinder to each other, give each citizen his or her due according to talent, use our best people who can aid development to be in government, and deal only with other nations who believe in the same God we serve for we can only serve either God or money. The biblical Joshua warned, “Choose ye this day who we shall serve.” Our national actions should glorify God or our prayers will remain gloriously unanswered.
However history has shown that we are unable or unwilling to live that way. We want our political party in office and will force this by any means necessary and are in conflict with each other over this 24/7. We need the money for national development, so we will deal with any nation that offers it whether that nation believes in God or is rogue or not. We will destroy whatever stands in the way of our ambitions, be it other politicians or the national media all for the sake of national power and authority. There are those who will read this and respond that this matter of paying attention to our faith when dealing with other nations is naïve and impractical to which I will ask, “Then what is the purpose of believing anyway?” Then conveniently as if to ask God to renew a right spirit within us after all this, we become holy and call another national day of prayer and ask for national reconciliation then next day return to our old ways until next time.
In this hurricane season as the storms intensify we will see much of that.
well said mr.joseph well said
Dominicans are so deeply wrapped in this nonsense that they are as confused as can be.
They inherit this faith system which was handed over by people who enslaved and killed their ancestors. A faith system that is a mirror image of Egyptian mythology god figures like Horus, complete with virgin birth and crucifixion. These mad people even convince themselves the world is 5000 years old and that men walked the world with dinosaurs.
They spend so much time praying to a non existent deity who is by definition white and male. At the same time they are their trust in a set of bobolist pastors and priests. If the role of religion is to set a moral agenda, why have the pastors and priests alowed themselves to be bought rather than speaking about the wrongs that go on.
But whats worse, is that people of intellect build entire arguments and articles using faith as the base. Here we are with DJ. A totally ridiculous article. What you should be doing is questioning why politicians turn to talking about god so quickly. The reason is that it works. The population is horny for religion. And noone wants to challenge this because they are like mindless drones.
Until this country sits back and starts basing its elf on logic, intellect and compassion, it is doomed. There is not one fundamentalist religious country in the world who is not crippled. And Dominicans are as close to religious nutcases as you can find, even though most of these hypocrites are living double lives.
Just like all the other fundamentalist nutcases who repress their populations whilst screwing everything that moves.
God is good all the time and take your wood.
There was once i was a free thinker through my studies of history etc that led me to not believe in God. That was shallow thinking, societies were blessed and prospered for centuries, but they turned their backs on God. I imagine he turns his back too, generations get cursed. Most people don’t believe because of bitterness, insecurity and because they have cobwebs in their closets. Not believing has resulted in even more catastrophe. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot were non believers in God what was the result? More deaths 10 times over than all the so called Christian wars. Its a better gamble to believe because its a better guide to our behavior, how we treat each other, our wives husband and children etc. But again man messes it up. I mess up everyday but God gives me the opportunity to make it right before he strikes. Without moral law its chaos. Those who do evil and harm others will not get away. Justice has rarely existed and will only exist on Christ’s return. Oh how man has failed miserably in his attempt to prove that he can manage his affairs.
Stalin was studying to be a priest and Hitler was a christian.
http://www.nobeliefs.com/Hitler1.htm
The most violent societies in the world are the most religious. The whole idea that not believing in god will create chaos is bs. In fact it is allyuh believers who over history have been murdering and killing in various belief name.
Hitler was debatable, but was most likely a Christian. Moreover, Stalin and Pol Pot committed their crimes because they were brainwashed by “utopian” communist ideas. While communism tends to be anti-religious, and although Stalin was anti-religious himself, none of this is because of their atheism. It is because they were sick, evil dictators attempting to force their societies into Marxist models. Marxism for them was quite literally a replacement religion. And so your statement is unfounded in reality. Evil dictators are evil, regardless of whether they happen to be religious or non-religious–and, on that note, a non-religious dictator can still believe in God (i.e., be a Deist). Being an atheist only means not believing in gods–nothing more, nothing less. It does not lead to anyone committing crimes. Religious texts that order you to commit violence, by contrast, are a direct line to committing violence. Does this mean all religious people are bad? Of course not. But it means that certain religions are inherently potentially dangerous–fundamentlaist Christianity included.
Hitler was not a Christian by the evangelical definition of the word. He was a non-practicing Catholic and likely demon possessed.What we do know is that he was involved in occultism and the black arts. The pope refused to ex-communicate him because the Vatican was receiving significant sums of money from Germany. I think you would find that the worst – most murderous – dictators apart from Hitler were driven either by atheistic communism or by the teachings of Islam. There is a God in heaven who answers the prayers of His people offered in the name of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, when those prayers are in harmony with His own will. The fact that heathen people have sometimes “prayed” to non-existant deities and brought forth results is a non-issue. God in His all wise sovereignty sometimes does something for His own reasons. It may have no relationhip to ANYBODY praying. However, we have so many cases of documented miraculous answers to prayer it gives us an irrefutable case. Regarding the potential danger of evangelical Christianity let me say this. True and genuine Christians are committed to the teaching of Christ who said, “…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you:” (Matthew 5:44) We are also committed to obeying our Master’s mandate (many of us at any cost) to “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to obey all things whatsoever I have commanded you, …` (Matthew 28:19-20) We admit the number of evangelicals is increasing world wide. This is a matter of choice. Nobody is forced to become a Christian. When somebody leaves the faith we grieve but we don`t persecute them. We don`t order them executed. We would never refuse to help them if they were in distress. True Christianity – Bible believing John 3:16 Christianity – is a religion of love. This is why we will win out over Islam! We admit polititians and governments who depend on votes for their existance are beginning to feel our clout! We will continue to preach the gospel AND work for righteousness within our nations while we wait for Christ`s return! Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
This article is not about the existence of God. It clearly questions whether some prayers are answered and others not. During the disastrous earthquake in Haiti,eighteen (18) believers assembled at a prayer meeting before the earthquake struck yet all perished; an aged lady who seemed to have spent almost a month buried beneath the rubble of a destroyed building praying and hoping for relief and rescue, survived.
It seems that we pray because we are no longer able to talk with God; the prophets talked and walked with God, but by the time Jesus Christ came around He no longer conversed with people – hence the cry of the Apostles to Jesus “Lord, teach us how to pray”. A prayer is a plea, mostly from within, and if our inner strength carries us through our perils we thank the unknown. When our prayers are unanswered we accept because our belief is not based upon reason.
How on point….great post.
I’m really sick and tired of seeing people say “God is love.” If God exists, he is NOT love. No one who has suffered tremendous, unceasing pain or studied history could EVER come to such a conclusion. If God exists, he is either indifferent or evil. And the bible backs that interpretation up. What kind of god explicitly commands genocide and endorses slavery? What kind of god floods the entire planet, killing virtually everything because his own creations disapleased him? This god is a lunatic psychopath–and I am grateful he is in all likelihood fictional.
But if he IS real, he has to answer for the Holocaust, all of history’s genocides and pogroms, natural disasters that kill thousands, parasites and diseases that also kill thousands routinely, etc. No one but the kind of unthinking illiterate idiot so common in Dominica can believe God is “good” or “loving.”
you really MAD!!!!!
Freethinker I respect your opinion and logical analysis but to refer to others who are not In Agreement with your philosophy As illiterate is simply arrogant and condescending.
You views or thoughts of God does not change who He is. His ways are past finding out. The bible declares “great is the mystery of godliness.” Man’s disobedience is responsible for what you are griping about. Sir or madam, sin has consequences.
The bible (or Quran, if you wish) says what it says, and you know it does. Denying that verses condoning or commanding violence exist does not get you anywhere. If you truly believe God is “love,” you cannot be talking about the God of the Bible. And you still have to explain why the world has been and is full of the most horrific evils imaginable. But you can’t. And this is why, if God exists, I cannot imagine he/she/it cares for us at all. I cannot intellectually justify the horrors of the world. No thinking person can. Attempting to is simply to lie to yourself, to avoid the true terrors filling the world–murders, genocides, natural disasters, parasites, plagues, etc.
@Freethinker
I believe that I shared your sentiment a few days ago, but I am sorry that I have to let you know that this one of yours above is a blasphemous stink! Yes indeed! And I pity you!
I now know that your mind is extremely carnal! You think you are wise, but God has said, He will use foolish things to bring down the wise–He did just that in the Book of Genesis, when He caused the donkey of the man named Balaam, to rebuke his master.
You do not know God–the God who is of Spirit, Truth, and Holiness–but that will bring you the tragic destruction, a destruction that you are not preparing yourself for, because you think you are mightier than God, Himself.
You better count yourself lucky that God’s Holiness did not strike you dead as you were typing all those words of blasphemy against Him–but He is using me to warn you, be careful! God is slow to anger, but when He decides to execute His wrath, because of His Holiness no flesh can survive it.
And do you know why you are not heading to your grave with your carnal mind and the dead soul that is within you, right now? It is because Jesus the Man, is the mediator between you and the Holiness God Almighty–just as Moses was the mediator between God and ancient Isreal–God own people.
For those people were just like you, with your natura of foolish conceit–had it not been for Moses, God would have destroyed all of them, in less than no time, when through Moses He had freed them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt.
You may think that you are “free” rudely questioning God’s Ways with people, but I am telling you that you are a “slave of sin”, under the control your god of this world–the devil himself–you do not know that he is laughing at you right now, with all your pride and pomposity.
Your time will come, when you will stand before the Great White Throne, Judgment Seat of the Holy God. Yes ideed, prophecy must be fulfilled–you will have no choice, but to humble yourself and wait for the judgment of God upon you.
As it is written so it will be done! But O dear, woe be unto you, and to those people like you. If you were as wise as you think you are, you would never leave a post like that one here, once again I pity you!
Freethinker just one question for you. Who creatd the universe??????? amd who created all the wonders and all the things that really is in order. If you can answer me let me hear you. Don’t you think that there must be one mightier than you and I who could do things in such order. Stop the blaspheme and read your bible so you can know who is the author of all the confusion you talk about. You thinking too free, you need to study about your creator so you can try to become his son. Stop letting the destroyer cloud your mind. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God (the Creator) and his righteousness and ALL other things will be added unto you. Do just that and ask for wisdom which is goven freely and then the first thing you will do is ask the ??? I asked you. Do that Bro/Sis and then you will get the understanding of things you do not understand. Remember God chose us but the ultimate is if we accept him or not>
@ ???? etc.
You asked me “who created the universe.” Firstly, why are you assuming a “who” is responsible for the universe being here? A better question is “how is the universe here” or “what is the explanation for the universe being here?” That way, the answer can be whatever the answer is, without any presuppositions.
No one knows with certainty how the universe came to be–and that includes you. However, science has made great strides in this direction, such that Stephen Hawking, Mlodinow, Lawrence Krauss, and others have offered possible models of universe formation that are entirely explained by science. These models are not complete, but they represent amazing strides in observation, calculation, and technology. More importantly, they are based on facts and evidence, not faith.
I would rather go with the scientists who actually test and check the world around them. At least they, unlike the religious, make an effort to understand the world as it is, not to make the world fit into their own preconceived ideas about how it should be.
And saying “God did it” explains nothing. Where did God come from? Was God also created, and, if so, by what/who? If you claim God was “always” there, how does that work? What possible evidence can you provide for that assertion? And where is “there?”
Assuming you understand what I wrote, you’ll see why your responses are deeply flawed.
Freethinker I did not even see Lizavier4Jesus’s comment as I was trying to introduce to the Great Creator of this Universe. Please read Lizavier4Jesus comment. This indeed is an eyeopener for you compared to the peanut I intended introducing to you. This says it all so my Bro/Sis please repent and accept the lord as your personal savior and give all the Glory to the Father who created the heavens and the earth.
God is in control.
Well said Joseph, food for thought; In no way you have disrespected God or is contrary. We just have to set our priorities right and know our motives for doing what we are doing.
Write a piece just about hurricane David next week.
God works in Mysterious ways so, whatever the out come is a work of God, no?
He sure worked in mysterious ways during the Holocaust and slave trade, eh? Loving guy.
Indeed He is a loving God. That’s why He sent Jesus, His only son to pay a debt He did not owe so that we could be reconciled back to God. When all of these terrible things happen God’s character does not change. Man’s disobedience brings about unwanted consequences. Even when we are disobedient and facing these consequences He is still with us. He never leavesus nor forsakes us and He can bring good out of what seems bad.
God hears and answer the prayers of His children. It may not be in the way, or the answer that they want or expect. Pray and answer to pray from God is guided by His word fulfilled in His Son Jesus Christ.
Not the will of man, not the will of the enemy, but His will.
Yeah? Tell that to the six million Jews exterminated in WWII. I’m sick and tired of hearing this God-is-love nonsense. It’s the kind of rhetoric that is utterly and completely divorced from reality, the rhetoric that only a stable, happy person could believe, as opposed to someone in *actual* need of help and love.
Freethinker: I am a Christian and and an international evangelist based in Canada. It may surprise you to know that I read your comments with interest. You have a keen mind and aren’t afraid to ask sharp piercing questions. You probably feel the same as I do about some of the comments that get posted. Some Christians would rather sling mud than engage in an intelligent exchange of ideas. But that is not all of us and it’s not where I am. I can tell you have a problem reconciling the concept of a loving God with all the evil and suffering in the world. You’re not alone. Many of us struggle with this. But please consider the following. (1) God created man with a free will. Had man not disobeyed God there would be no evil or suffering in the world. Everything bad all around us is the consequence of man’s sin. God has provided redemption though the giving of His Son (John 3:16) and someday all creation will be bought back from the curse of sin and restored to the place of God’s favour. We presently live during a sort of interim – in a broken world – under the influence of satan (1 John 5:19) where there is much suffering. (2) Bad things that happen to the people of God will eventually be used by God for their good now or in the life to come. (Romans 8:18,28-31) (3) There will come a day when evil will be banished and all creation will be redeemed and restored. (Romans 8:21-20-23) (Revelation 21:3-4) Freethinker, you mentioned different scientists and various models or theories of how the universe (or universes) got here. I am also interested in hearing what the scientists have tyo say. Facinating, isn’t it? I quess the thing to remember is that new discoveries sometimes invalidate old theories. Yesterday’s science becomes today’s heresy. Another thing Bible scholars realize is that science at the best deals with secondary causes. Genesis 1:1 is good religion AND good science. “In the beginning God created…” I recommend that you read a book written by a friend of mine who passed away a short time ago. It is called CREATION by Grant Jeffrey, Ph.D. It can be ordered from AMAZON, the world’s largest online bookseller. Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
Amen
Amen is in support of “Humility”
When we listen to both parties we swear they are are saints. God intervenes when he decides and allows both good and bad to reign.(Roman empire over 500 years) I don’t see how God can be with us when we have an opening prayer then debautury (sewo) in the same breath at our political conventions. Politicians use religion as a tool to get votes. There is nothing wrong in helping but Christ said nobody should know who we help. We just do things to glorify ourselves, to look good. I guess its human nature now to look good, to look holier and to look perfect. We can fool the people but we can’t fool God
same thing i saying. too much hypocrit
Ahhhh, we have seen the great works of God,,he has given us a free will, choose life or death…he gives us our chances…he lets the sun shine on both evil and good, yes we all pray, but He knows all our inner thoughts and hearts..He shows mercy to those who show mercy,and throws kings from their thrones when they do wickedness…Great God He is…He answers prayers, but do not turn to evil ways…He will show his wrath…
Mr Joseph raised a very important question regarding prayer: Whose prayer does God answer? Fortunately, God himself answers that question very very clearly in His Word, the Bible:
1)Psalm 65:2 – God, whose name is Jehovah,is himself the ‘Hearer of prayer’, and no one else.
2)Psalm 62:8 – He invites ‘People of All flesh’ to ‘pour out your heart’ to him.
3)Psalm 145:18 – To be heard by Jehovah God, we must ‘call upon Him in TRUENESS’. Prov 15:29 – ‘The prayer of the RIGHTEOUS ones he hears.’
4)1John 5:14 – Prayers must be ‘according to His will’ for God to hear them.
5)Dan 2:44 – God’s heavenly Government, called his Kingdom, will soon get rid of ALL human political governments, that’s why Jesus said at John 18:36: ‘my kingdom (heavenly government)is no part of this world’. Hence God is not on the side of ANY political party or government. He simply ALLOWS them to exist to maintain a measure of law and order until His heavenly government takes over complete control of this planet, and turn it into a paradise. – Psalm 37:9-11,29
Jehovah’s Witnesses in your location will be delighted to give you more Scriptural information on these and many other important questions in life.
You forgot one thing, those prayers should be in the name of Jesus.
Excellent vital point! Thanks. John 14:6
Mr Joseph please don,t try to unravel the mind of God. he hears the prayers of the righteous and repentant sinners, Thank God fro that or some of us would be on “shit street” , we would have no money, no name, “we wouldn’t know people dat know people”. Thank God for Jesus we have an advocate.
Don’t try to unravel God’s mind, you say–and yet you’re describing what God does (i.e., unraveling his mind). Oh, the stupid hypocrisy of the uneducated.
take your pills man and chill out
@ Freethinker, could you possibly be describing yourself with these comments “Oh, the stupid hypocrisy of the uneducated.”
Freethinker I think your comments indicate that you have a very serious problem You don’t seem happy. You don’t seem to be at peace. I would like to introduce you to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, King of Peace who gives true inner peace that surpasseth all understanding. He has chosen you but have you accepted him as your personal saviour? When you do and become obedient to him, Then when you get that peace of mind as you study his words. You will give him all his due Glory and honour, then you will understand who is responsible for all the conflicts and how he sent his son to die for our sins. Then you will not be disgruntled and will at peace with your self. I pray that the Maker set you free from your thinking to serve the one and true living God in the Name of Jesus.
I do indeed have a problem–it’s called “feeling embarrassed at the stupidity and ignorance of most of my fellow D/cans.” If that hurts your feelings and makes me seem “angry,” well, so be it. The fact is that most people on the island are horribly ignorant–though this is not always their fault, since our education system and schools can be improved tremendously.
And you can offer your religious nonsense as much as you like. I was once religious myself, you know. Thank goodness I started studying and came to more informed decisions.
@ ??????????? I have come to one conclusion “much learning has made freethinker “MAD”
Yes mr Joseph, he does demand a much deeper and enduring commitment and dedication which is to keep his law that we all have turned away from, thats the only conditions he has. As you rightly quoted 2 chronicles 7:14, there is three conditions in that verse (1) humble their selves and pray (2) seek my face (3) turn from their wicked way, only then he said I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. So the answer of if he hears the prayers of the people its in that verse. and notice it did not say as one of the conditions and seek my son.
Great piece Dennis for reading. I am however a bit concerned because there is no place for those who don’t believe in God, who believe in other Gods or those who don’t care about any. I think that the Government serve us all no matter what is our race, class or religion. It is for us individually to pray to the lord or other Gods and hope for the best. As for assistance for Development, all these countries believe in different Gods and some don’t. According to your piece, we would have to refuse help from them all.
Mr Joseph writes: “We use prayer for our own selfish reasons” Yes, Mr. Joseph the whole of this message of yours today, is well essenced with the Truth, I cannot doubt that.
But that satement of yours above ring a bell in my ears, it is as if you spoke directly from Holy Spirit, writing this one.
I have already mentioned the man, named Job of the Bible, in one of my responses below; your words above was exactly the attitude of Job–except that he did his praying through sacrifices to God, but did God accept those sacrifices? The answer is no!
The time came when God ran out of patience with that destructive nature in Job, for God is slow to anger, He is watching the balls being pitched on the outside of the home plate, and so, when He swings He does not strike out.
For when Job entered the rebuke and chastening of God, because of his nature of self-righteousness, here is what he said: “May the day perish on which I was born——–For the things I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me”. The complete deail is written at Job chapter 3: 1-26.
Those sayings of Job, after he began to experience the wrath of God against him,through the works of Satan, tell us that Job wasn’t giving sacrifices to God as a form of worship to glorify His Love in him, but he was doing those things, with the belief that God would protect his existence in this world from all sorts of harm and dangers.
But how would God receive the glory from us, if we never go through hard times, that we might call for His deliverance? No people, God will not serve us on a silver platter, and so He turns His ears away from our selfish prayers to Him.
And let us not fool ourselves, God knows our heart, there is nothing, and no place that we can hide from Him. That is why He said: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7: 6-7
But God loved Job–just the way He loves all of us, good or bad– and He had to change Job’s thinking about Him and His ways of Love, which Job had no understanding about.
God will do the same to those of us, who will not abide by His Will, but believing that we do things for Him, not acknowledging that He wants to do His work through us and in us.
God did not want Job to remain lost from His Love, because of self-righteousness; but who could survive the things that Job survived if God was not holding unto him, while at the same time, He taught Job to know Him and His ways of Love.
Yes my people! Jesus has promised to be “always with us”, but only if we will rely on the Power of His Love, working to give us the victory, as we fight the battle for Life, throughout or circumstances of this world. We have no ability in us, if it is not given to us as gifts from our God of Love.
I’d like to know where you get that interpretation of Jobs life. Mr. Joseph makes some very valid observations in this article and regarding prayer, he could not have stated it better. I always enjoy his articles because he has a way with words; makes you want to read on and on.
@Father help us
Sounds like your name suits you, you do need the wisdom and understanding of Holy Spirit.
What are you objecting about my post above, did you not read that I myself commended Mr. Joseph just like you did.
Unfortunately you have two goats at this point–just like yourself–encouraging your ignorance with their thumbs upm that is just too bad!
If you do not know the story of Job in the Bible, that is your own problem, not mine. And so, away with you!
@Father help us
What do you mean by “I am disappointed lizxavier4xavier” Where in Bible is God commanding me to do things that will keep you satisfied, and not to give “Him” the glory–which is my duty as He has called me to do so.
And what is the support you asked of me, when all you did was ridicule my wisdom and understanding of the God’s Word, knowing you have no knowledge of them for yourself?
Were you not claiming that I spoke about Job from out of no where? You were supposed to keep quiet, if you did not understand what I wrote. I know where my wisdom comes from–do not object to my opinion if you do not have that understanding, to stand against me.
Are you referring to “insult” because I mentioned the word “goat”? Right now I see that another 2 have added to your list. I know exactly what you are doing here, but I hate to inform you that it is not working–not with someone like me!
Read the words at Matthew 25: 31-46 and you will discover who are the “goat” and the “sheep” in Jesus’ opinion. Continue reading to discover what He will do with the “goats” and the “sheep”.
So even in my statement above I speak just like Jesus did in the Bible–as I said already you little scheme here will not work out on me.
I am disappointed Lizxavier4Jesus. Your response of insult at lack of support for an aspect of your views is very telling and not representative of someone with any understanding of the Holy Spirit. Yours appear to be a head knowledge and not one of an active lifestyle. We can discuss and disagree without these insults.
God’s ways are not ours. I beleive God do answer prayers. We often times wonder why would God answer certain prayers, particulalry prayers from those we see as being evil. God’s ways are not ours.
Listen tot he media productions. PM Skerrit and his supporters are viewed by many as purveyors of evil, they are immoral, selfish and every evil adjective is used to decribe those who dare support Mr. Skerrit. Yet still it would seem that God have been answering the prayers of these people to keep Mr. Skerrit and the labour party in government and the opposition where they are. The opposition pray also to see the back of PM Skerrit by any means necessary even wishing for a live replay of May 29, 1979, which would result in their marching into government again even as disorganised as they. But with all their prayer, their every strategy seem to backfire on them each time. So whose prayer does God answer?. Is God a mischievous God to perpetually keep the opposition confused and devoid of a development program to attract the masses whilst Mr. Skerrit keep marching on?
In reading the good book, we read of numerous instances where God used other people’s resources (people who were viewed then as evil such as the Egyptians, the Babylonians, Chaldeans etc) to safeguard the survival of his chosen people. Remember the story of Moses being sold to the Egyptian merchants, only to be placed in a position where he can provide for the survival of Israel. Remember the story of Esther?
God’s ways are not ours. So whilst we cast accusing fingers at those we think are the evil ones among us, God is telling us that we should examine our own selves to discover and be mindful of our own track record or evil desires of evil.
God answers prayers. He set the standards. Human beings certainly do not see things as God does for we are only sinners. Judging from the media mascarade of some of us, it would seem we have no sin, absolutely no skeletons in our cupboards.
God answers the prayer of honest and righteous people. How does that equate in our policial system to keep Skerrit and labour where they are and Eddie and the UWP where they are are questions we could pose to God when we pray. I heard soemone shouted the other day that God was asleep on December 18th 2009. If we believe that for what it is meant in the context of the main piece above (no one can dispute the heavily loaded political overtones as benigh as they may appear) and the reaction forthcoming, then the answer to the question “whose prayer does God answer” is still shrouded in mystical mystery.
The bible is clear about this. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much. The question now turns on “Who is a RIGHTEOUS man”? It is for us to find out in Dominica. Let us therefore pray to God for such an answer.
If I were to attempt to answer the question directly, even with my own human frailty, I beleive God answers all prayers offerd up to him. To many he answers by rewarding the petitioner with his/her wishes; to some he say wait. Not yet. Your turn will come, don’t rush the brush. Don’t misunderstand me. There are certain things that youmust first do. e.g. change in attitude, to be mopre loving and understanding with each other etc. To many us, it is a blanket and resounding “No” as our prayers are not genuine and intended for pure evil – the destruction of some brother or sister.
@Ron C
You have written a good piece here, I just love it when the writer gives the right details to support his/her thought or idea–that is why people like you and me will always write much more than a paragraph or two–we have to state the evidence to support our case, just as you did here–I say to you nice going, my friend!
God always answers prayer! He says no to the proud, arrogant, conceited or downright pretentious minded people, because of their nature of self-righteousness, according to Mr. Joseph, God knows that those people are praying for all sorts of selfish reasons–no one can hide from God–but He turns away from those kinds of prayers.
God answers prayer! He says yes to the humble, the ignorant, and the innocent, all of those who trust and appreciate His love towards them.
Some people have their prayers answered immediately, because of their strength of faith and their situation–like the lady with the bleeding condition for 12 years in the Bible. Her faith told her that she could simply touch the hem of Jesus’ Robe and she would be healed.
That lady obeyed her faith and she went and did just that, she touched the hem of Jesus Robe, while He walked among a huge crowd,and she was healed immediately, from her bleeding condition.
But that healing did not happen without the knowledge of Jesus Christ; even if He was walking among that huge crowd of people, He felt when the healing power left Him, and so He asked: “Who touch me”? The lady went and acknowledged that she was the one who touched Jesus, and Jesus told her “Lady your faith has healed you”
God answers prayers, to everyone who will maintain sincere faith, trust, humility, and obedience to His commands–whether that answer comes immediately, or some time later on, when we are lest expecting His answer.
God answers prayers! Jesus was on the cross between two criminals who were to be crucified with Him. One of the criminals were making fun of Jesus, but the other humbled himself and he said to Jesus: Lord remember me when you get to Your Kingdom. Jesus turned to the criminal and He said to him: “I tell you today, you will be with Me in Paradise”. Alleluia!
On being specific in giving cudos to those awaking words of wisdom by Dennis.
In Dominica,we have been deafened by the men of cloth and their congregations with the biblical saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” But, the Voters’ List is bloated, “dirty” with the names of dead people and others not legible to vote, yet they refuse to clean it.
7 years now, people pleading for changes to our electoral process to make it free and fair. People praying. But those bent on stalling the reforms are having their way. The God who is about being and doing things Free and fair is sidelined. The honest, genuine requests to put things in place to prevent stealing, cheating, fraud in elections are facing roadblocks.
God is good and God is good all the time. When the poor is getting poorer and the rich are getting richer, when leaders amass wealth by dubious means in quick time, God is good too.
When the heinous firebombing of two elders and a policeman means nothing to sections of a Christian nation, God is good. Those Christian faithfuls can’t muster the strength from the Good God to tell authorities to solve that crime. The good God is not listening to the cries of those against such crimes and corruption?
When the ex-commissioner of police publicly reveals that officers to preserve law and Order are in bed with those involved in drugs and the youth are facing hell. The Good God somewhere is watching over them as their plight gets worse.
One often hears, ” Is God that send that Leader to save Dominica.” It is preached to congregations. Many faithfuls parrot and believe their pastors and priests and cabalists. So if God is Good, and good all the time, he, God, could do no wrong in appointing that leader. So that leader is good also and could do no wrong, at no time, because is God that send him.
Such ideas and actions are meant to continue to deepen the enslavement of the majority, keep them in poverty and subservient to the master. The “opium” is potent and long lasting.
I feel you but you are so political that your words cannot be justified with such biasness. One day, just one day, when you too will wake up and realize that Dominica needs more than this political mongering, just one day, we will get better.
What does it mean to be political? It is always bad political decisions that impoverish a nation, and cause turmoil All around the world are vivid examples. Remain in your ignorance. What was mentioned did not happen? Don’t we pray all the time, but many among us continue to support the wrongs that God condemns. So strange.
Very provokating article DJ. There are many questions that can be asked on the premise of this article. Why is god so indecisive? Sometimes I wonder whether god is a politician.
One thing I know for sure is that money and power is the god that motivates mankind.
I am have come to recognize that power and money answers prayers. Crooked politicians with power and money win and rig elections for example. If god dislike evil why allow evil men to reign supreme over good people?
Mamizoo Writes: “If god (God) dislike evil why allow evil men to reign supreme over good people?”
Mamozoo, you could ask yourself the same question about God: Why did He allow the Leaders of the Jewish people to call for the crucifixion of Jesus, who was His only begotten Son, on earth? Three times before that crucifixion, Jesus went and prayed to the Father to take that “bitter cup” from Him, but each time, Jesus remembered that it was not His will, but the will of the Father that He was doing. And so, His only choice was to obey the will of the Father, how many of us in this world are like Jesus? But God wants us to be like Jesus, if we claim to love HIm.
But talking about evil men, think about King Nebuchadnezzer of ancient Bablyon and the people of ancient Israel who were God’s chosen people. Why did God allowed His people to be captured and tortured by the rule of a proud, conceited King like Nebuchadnezzer, he holding the Jews is captive in all of the the cities of Babylon.
In other that we might understand why does God allow the things of today, we have to understand how He worked in people long, long ago; all those stories are written in the Bible–the letter of God to us, because of His Love for us.
From the Bible we learn that because God loved the world–meaning the people, whom He created–He gave His only begotten Son, that by “His blood of Love” the world would have Life–the Life that exist in Spirit and Truth, not in flesh and bones–by our faith in what Jesus did on our behalf.
Through the hands of Kind Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon God caused His people, the children of Israel (Jacob) to humble themselves, that they might know He is God Almighty, and they were His people.
Well what happened to ancient Babylon and its great King Nebuchadnezzer? Was it not that the nation and its King was destroyed completely? And whom did God use to cause that destruction against Babylon and Nebuchadnezzer, was it not His own people–the people of Israel? Yes it was!
So why don’t we trust God, and to believe that He is watching! No one can hide from God. God knows what is taking place in the mind and heart of every man, woman, boy, and girl, who is in existence in this world. And He has warned us: That vengence is His!
Do not question God’s Ways, because those questions bring you to your own judgment, you may not like that nature of judgment!
Dominica have been dealing with nations who worshipped differnt God from the beginning of time, first we had Britain,good old mother country,then America and Taiwan,these nations did not worship the African or Kallinago God,they worship the God of their ancestors.Good article,are we worshipping thegodofour Ancestors who bought us to this gren and plesnat land. Are we kind to one anothr.
Dominica is not a country build on a ‘christian god and/or principles’; as a matter-of-factly no specific god. The constitution doesn’t recognize a god of any specific known religion of any sort– Christianity or otherwise; The term god when it is used in the constitution is generic, to wit, it provides the citizens with the freedom of choice to worship or not worship whichever god they deem worth.
Dominica,it is true,is a secular nation founded on secular principles. That’s why in the first instance it is called a ‘republic.’ Socially and culturally, however, it is largely christian and most people do confuse the two especially when the constitutions talk about god; they feel strongly and rather confusingly that it is their god that it is referring to and try to hijack the term to mean their own.
So i don’t get your point on the issues you have raise concerning which countries the government choose to go to bed with–whether they are religious, irreligious, atheistic, pagan or the like. In effect i am of the persuasion, that you’re a person who is quite intolerant of others would share different beliefs or no beliefs altogether. The constitution in no way forbid us from doing business with other nations that share different opinions on the matters raise in your article. What you should be concern more particularly with is how this deals and business are conducted, and are they of benefit to us and the citizens of Dominica.
This idea of a ‘christian god’ as you would want to link it with government and state affairs is wholly intolerant and i see no substance, no germaneness to the staple issues as regards government decisions, both locally and on foreign matters.
This article fails utterly.
Joseph, guess what? There are different people on earth. We have to do business with those people in order to survive and vice versa.
They have different gods than we do, but that doesn’t matter it’s not like any of them are real anyway.
A profound and exceptional article. But we will be vilified for even commenting positively on it. It doesn’t matter, however, since it was never between we and them. It has always been a matter between God and ourselves, individually. Once the latter is in order, nothing else matters. Where the religious men fail to speak such truth (singular because there is ONE TRUTH), then someone must take up the responsibility. Thanks to Mr. Dennis Joseph for taking that chance in an environment that is hostile to THE TRUTH. Meanwhile, I await crucifixion with humility – and alacrity.
One Truth Francis? So the god of the coloniser is the only source of truth there is?
Religion, all religion, is constructed by cultures. It is entirley man made. They all create their own truths.
Religion is an advertising agency for a product that does not exist.
True religion is man made – The Truth (Jesus)never taught or established religion, just relationship with God.
@Zemi
Yes indeed! “ONE TRUTH” Just as there is ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, and ONE LORD–His name is Jesus Christ. He told us about Himself: “I am the Way the Truth and the Life”.
If people want to follow with religion then they will be damned by the doctrines of the leaders of their religion. For through the prophet Isaiah, God said, about those who continue in religion: “In vain they worship Me teaching as doctrines, the commandments of men”
It is only Holy Spirit who can reveal this Truth to mankind, that their relationship with God is not about religion–but there can be no Holy Spirit without the channel of faith in people.
The Jewish people of long ago, called for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, because He would not follow their religious rules. But prophecy must be fulfilled, Jesus had to die the way He did
This article, for the most part, seemed rational and well-thought-out–and then, suddenly, towards the end, Joseph inserts the extraordinary claim that we must not deal with nations that believe in a different god. While this is clearly partly symbolic–i.e., dealing with “materialistic” nations–it is also literal. And whether it is one or the other, I find it extraordinarily foolish.
How can poor little Dominica assert that it should not deal with non-Christian nations, in whatever way you interpret that adjective? Is a nation that is predominantly atheist, having no god, and doing well economically, therefore off-limits? Should we destroy all of the roadwork and bridgework and construction China has done because they are not predominantly Christian? Preposterous!
I commend the article but find the last little bits absurd.
Clearly,you do not share the view of the writer simply because the ”bling and things” are what matters but really would you not be a great nation if you worked for the things you love so much? Just a thought.
what a great piece of writing. you have written a balanced piece of work. I wish many people will read this write up. Good going Mr Joseph. Keep it up.
God always does what he/she/it wants….no amount of obeah…er sorry…. prayers will change that
Everything these days is politically motivated, including, the “wheezib” by leaders to incorporate religious activities, such as national day of prayer, in their politcal agenda. But certainly, the Bible makes it clear that God hears one prayer and that is the prayer of the “righteous”. God’s righteousness is not equal to the righteousness of this world.
no one can fool God with wheezib.
@Waitukubuli–orignal
I second that sentiment of yours above. I just want to exemplify your short words, so that others might understand you more clearly.
When it comes to “righteousness” too many of us are practicing “self-righteousness”–not acknowledging that the glory belongs to our God of Love, who is of Sprit, Truth, and Holiness.
But all this attitude and conducts do is cause its “doer or person” to feel higher and higher than the “Righteous God”, as Christians or people on the whole, who claim to believe in God–our existence here has to be all about Him, just as His responsibility is all about us.
Not only that, the attitude and conducts of self-righteousness in people, is what causing others to turn away from the Church, because of the massive confusions it create in people’s mind–especially that most of our Church leaders are the greatest of self-righteous people– and including other leaders of the the community.
I hope that those people, who practice self righteousness, know that Job in the Bible went through 40 years of rebuke and chastening from God, because God loved Job, just as He loves all people–He needed to correct that nature of self-righteousness in Job, so He did.
Job came out like gold purified seven times in hot coals, but not without God, allowing Satan in Job’s Life, for so many years–read the whole story in the book of Job–it is just before the Book of Pslams in the Bible
Remember God’s word through Jesus Christ at the Book of Revelation Chapter 3: 19–those words says: “As many as I Love I “rebuke and chasten”. Therefore be zealous and repent”
But don’t anyone say, that God said to Satan that Job was upright and blameless, that is what self-righteous does in a person, they are good and strive to be without blame for the sake of themselves–not for the glory of God. But that attitude has to be our main purpose in this world.
I love this article.. So true Mr. Joseph! And most readers will pass this by, more interested in the “beffy” articles. Thank you.
Brilliant, if any article should be taken seriously, is this one – Thanks Denise for this prospective. I would have thought to hear this from Our Churches – However I am left to consider, who and how many will consider this IMPORTANT Information, or like many meaningful contributions, will be forgotten within 48hrs. I will say for now; MEN have their SAY – BUT GOD’S TURN COMES, when HE will SOON have HIS SAY…
How are we to determine GOD ISN’T HAVING HIS WAY?
@Father help us
Yes, God has to have His way in us because His way is the perfect way–a perfection that we cannot maintain by our own strength. In other we need to rely on the perfection of Jesus Christ.
That is why we have to be connected to God, by the Power of Holy Spirit and through our channel of faith, because outside of this connection, we are being driven by our carnal mind, under the control of our human senses, but that state of mind continues to drive us to death–both spiritually and physically.
God is like the “Potter” and we are the clay, He will mold us and make us who He wants us to be–that is why the worship song says to God: “Have Your way in me”
All we need to do is to remain trustful, humble, and obedient by the wisdom and understanding of our faith.
Even if the spiritual surgery that God performs on us, can be sometimes unbearable–faith will continue to keep us in courage and willpower to go through that surgery, as we remain in the hands of God, because we will have the most perfect healling a human being will ever know of.
If you are a person of faith, you will know when God is the command in your mind, and when Satan is that command. Holy Spirit will guide you through wisdom, to discern the path of what enters your, He might even give you words to rebuke the bad thing, that it might flee from your mind.
But the Truth is that God wants to have His way in us, all of the time, that is the only way He is able to glorify His nature of Love through us.
I concur with you here Lizxavier4Jesus….well said.