"An atheist birthday party?" I asked, "what's that? Don't they invite believers? Why are you going?"
Hold on to that thought ... we'll come back to it later.
"As He and His disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' ... ... ...
... ... ... And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, He is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to Him, 'My teacher, let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way."
Mark 10:46-52
Note the insistence of the blind man. They tried to shut him out but he shouted even more until he met Jesus.
Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
He asked for his sight to be restored and regained his sight.
Imagine Jesus asking you the same question. "What do you want me to do for you?"
What would you reply? Would you request just one thing? Two? More? Or is it a long list of things you would like Jesus to do for you and your loved ones?
And how sure are you that Jesus would respond as He did to Bartimaeus, the blind beggar?
Are you certain of His response? A favourable response? In His way? In His time?
Or are you just asking in the hope that maybe ... perhaps ... one day ... who knows ... He may respond positively?
I have never met a hesitant atheist. They are always certain. They know there is no God, and that's that.
They don't say, "I believe there is no God; but then, maybe I'm wrong and there is one after all!"
Atheists are certain in their beliefs. Maybe we need to learn a lesson from them.
How certain are we in what we believe?
You know, you can still ask Him. He answers.
ReplyDeleteIndeed He does, Sandi.
DeleteGod bless.
...in this polarized world some atheists understand the essence of religion better than some believer.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you're right, Tom.
DeleteGod bless.
We asked that very question in our bible study a couple of weeks ago. I said i wanted to soar with Jesus but also that i needed courage to do so. Mostly courage in fact.
ReplyDeleteYes, courage is a good thing. Many times people doubt their own faith.
DeleteGod bless, Liz.
AGAIN a gem, I enjoy a kick in the right direction. "What would you have me do for YOU?"
ReplyDeleteSweet. I am sure I would be tongue tied, as HE has done so much for me already! But it would be the BEST just to hear his voice....
Sherry & jack headed for church, maybe a confession. ;-)
What a great answer, Jack: it would be the BEST just to hear His voice....
DeletePray for me when in church. Thank you.
God bless you and Sherry.
Once again a very thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy.
DeleteGod bless always.
I love how you shine a bright light on those uncomfortable parts of us we'd rather not acknowledge.
ReplyDeleteI must remember, it's "THY will be done", not my own.
It is so difficult to pray, "thy will be done" without thinking, sub-consciously, "but let it be my way!"
DeleteGod bless you, Mevely.
Jesus will always provide our needs, Victor, but not necessarily our wants. And that's a good thing because He knows what is best for each of us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Amen Martha. I agree.
DeleteGod bless always.
If you truly believe then your needs will always be met just not the way you think.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill. Yes, I agree.
DeleteGod bless you.
God always answers our prayers but not always how we would like. There have been times when I'm glad God didn't give me what I wanted because He had something better for me. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I have experienced this too, Happyone.
DeleteGod bless you.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteWell this was a great sidestep from the eightieth Birthday party to an atheist party...
As to your question, I would be asking for others as I always do. God knows me and will guide me home anyway because I trust in Him.
Hugs,
Mariette
That's very kind and generous, Mariette; asking for others.
DeleteGod bless always.
Oh, I believe He always answers my prayers, but many times not in the way I expected or wanted. That is when I have to remember to be submissive to His will not mine. Love in Christ and many blessings, Victor.
ReplyDelete"Thy will be done!" This should be our daily prayer, Nells. And we should mean it.
DeleteGod bless always.
What would i have Him do for me? Draw my children into His kingdom, my whole family, actually. Also my friends. It is my constant prayer, and yes, i believe He answers, and will answer that one in His good time.
ReplyDeletePraying for others is the greatest gift we can give them, Mimi. I join you in prayer for your loved ones.
DeleteGod bless.
I know that Jesus would tell me the things I ask for are things I can and should do for myself as much as possible. He would tell me to not be so lazy and let the chances slip by.
ReplyDelete... and not let the chances slip by ...
DeleteI believe you have a good point there, River.
God bless you.
I love how you are a bright shining light for the Lord. You and my sweet friend Amanda who just had triplets. God and Jesus are her go to's because she knows they are always going to be there. May=ny times she encouraged me. Imagine that, a little homeschooling momma with not 1 or 2 but now 8 children all under the age of 9! She is a lifeline for me too. I love knowing the Jesus people.
ReplyDeleteThanx for your lovely comment, Tata. God bless you and yours; as well as Amanda and her family.
Delete