"As the God who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, it implies that nothing takes Him away from focusing on His will. Also as the God that knows it all, He cannot react to something that just happened because He knew before it happened. If God reacts then He is not God!"

Understanding the nature of God is a topic that has raised so much dust within the Christian sphere. This is due to so many divergent views many Christians have adopted in respect to this topic. However, this topic if properly handled, definitely the understanding of the nature of God will be divulged. The only source to create a better understanding of the nature of God is the Scripture. Unfortunately, many have the scripture and have read it but they have interpreted it wrongly. And from these wrong interpretations come the divergent views.

In order to create a better understanding of the nature of God, the scripture must be the sole source of knowledge. Anything outside the scripture should be seen and considered as an assumption. There’s no way a conclusive and proper understanding of a nature of something could be made possible through assumption. The truth is that knowledge built on assumption cannot be factual and exact. Therefore, for one to be factual and exact in creating better understanding of the nature of God, he must deduce his facts accurately from the scripture. In this case, the scripture forms the basis for accurate knowledge of God!

Firstly, to understand the nature of something, it behooves on the one interested in that particular thing to study the character and the making of that particular thing. Noting that, the characters of that particular thing mainly forms its description. For instance, if one wants to know the nature of Lions, he must go to the dean of Lions and study their characters. From his studies he can tell in totality the way Lions behave and build better understanding of them. On this note, we understand the nature of God by studying and knowing what the scriptures have said about Him. Here whatever the scriptures said is final!

Let’s see some of the descriptions the scriptures gave God and from there we can deduce what His nature is like. In one of the Epistles of Apostle Paul, he wrote to the Ephesians thus:

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

Ephesians 1:11

In the verse above our emphasis and attention should be on this line “who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” It says that God works all things after the counsel of His own will. This statement implies that God is a being that has His own will. That is, He has wills.

To continue reading click this link - https://www.talkingchristianityng.com/2019/12/28/understanding-of-the-nature-of-god-pastor-chukwuemeka-charles-asiegbu/

So what's the point of praying to someone who will not react.
You guys are just confused

charliboy654:
So what's the point of praying to someone who will not react.
You guys are just confused

So God reacts because you prayed? This means you dont understand the meaning of prayer. People like you think that prayer is talking to God, well you missed it!

Joyfulguy:
So God reacts because you prayed? This means you dont understand the meaning of prayer. People like you think that prayer is talking to God, well you missed it!

What is prayer?

LordReed:


What is prayer?

Most Christians erroneously have been taught that prayer is talking to God or means to remind God of their situation and ask Him to do something about it. And because of this, they go into prayer and fasting demanding that God should answer their prayers. Well, the last time I checked God is not a Being that has memory loss. Also you don’t need to put God in the know of what He already knows. Whatever your situation is He knew about it before you know of it. The good news is that He has made solution to that situation available even before the foundation of the earth. This is why He is God. However, God is not answering prayers, and He will not answer prayers but He has answered prayers. Prayer therefore is making power available as a man existing in this planet earth. And if you don’t do that God will not do it for you!

Joyfulguy:
Most Christians erroneously have been taught that prayer is talking to God or means to remind God of their situation and ask Him to do something about it. And because of this, they go into prayer and fasting demanding that God should answer their prayers. Well, the last time I checked God is not a Being that has memory loss. Also you don’t need to put God in the know of what He already knows. Whatever your situation is He knew about it before you know of it. The good news is that He has made solution to that situation available even before the foundation of the earth. This is why He is God. However, God is not answering prayers, and He will not answer prayers but He has answered prayers. Prayer therefore is making power available as a man existing in this planet earth. And if you don’t do that God will not do it for you!

What does "making power available as a man existing in this planet earth" mean?

Joyfulguy:
Most Christians erroneously have been taught that prayer is talking to God or means to remind God of their situation and ask Him to do something about it. And because of this, they go into prayer and fasting demanding that God should answer their prayers. Well, the last time I checked God is not a Being that has memory loss. Also you don’t need to put God in the know of what He already knows. Whatever your situation is He knew about it before you know of it. The good news is that He has made solution to that situation available even before the foundation of the earth. This is why He is God. However, God is not answering prayers, and He will not answer prayers but He has answered prayers. Prayer therefore is making power available as a man existing in this planet earth. And if you don’t do that God will not do it for you!

Brother, I love your head post but you're confusing me with this comment. Are you saying that we should not pray daily or that we should pray by just thanking God??
There are instances in the Bible where people's wives who were Barren, prayed to God for their issue and then the scriptures would tell us 'And God remembered her/ And God hearkened unto her.' In the old testament, there are places where God would have wiped out Isreal, but due to moses' intercessory prayer, he pardoned them. God knows the end from the beginning , and there are many alternatives that he can be use to attain such ends. For instance, If God had wiped out the children of Isreal, He might have maybe kept Moses alive and Moses in turn would have offsprings who'll fill the Earth, thereby fuifilling his promise to Abraham.
So, Keep praying to be strengthened to avoid falling into fear or danger, for even Jesus prayed the night before his arrest.

Blakewilli:
Brother, I love your head post but you're confusing me with this comment. Are you saying that we should not pray daily or that we should pray by just thanking God??
There are instances in the Bible where people's wives who were Barren, prayed to God for their issue and then the scriptures would tell us 'And God remembered her/ And God hearkened unto her.' In the old testament, there are places where God would have wiped out Isreal, but due to moses' intercessory prayer, he pardoned them. God knows the end from the beginning , and there are many alternatives that he can be use to attain such ends. For instance, If God had wiped out the children of Isreal, He might have maybe kept Moses alive and Moses in turn would have offsprings who'll fill the Earth, thereby fuifilling his promise to Abraham.
So, Keep praying to be strengthened to avoid falling into fear or danger, for even Jesus prayed the night before his arrest.

Ride on, Brother...What the OP is saying is confusing, indeed. I mean, God responds to our prayer. Prayer unlocks things in the Spirit, even though God already knows we need those things. Prayer is an access key to God concerning anything we desire.

Brunicekid:
Ride on, Brother...What the OP is saying is confusing, indeed. I mean, God responds to our prayer. Prayer unlocks things in the Spirit, even though God already knows we need those things. Prayer is an access key to God concerning anything we desire.

yes! True. That's how it is.

Blakewilli:
Brother, I love your head post but you're confusing me with this comment. Are you saying that we should not pray daily or that we should pray by just thanking God??
There are instances in the Bible where people's wives who were Barren, prayed to God for their issue and then the scriptures would tell us 'And God remembered her/ And God hearkened unto her.' In the old testament, there are places where God would have wiped out Isreal, but due to moses' intercessory prayer, he pardoned them. God knows the end from the beginning , and there are many alternatives that he can be use to attain such ends. For instance, If God had wiped out the children of Isreal, He might have maybe kept Moses alive and Moses in turn would have offsprings who'll fill the Earth, thereby fuifilling his promise to Abraham.
So, Keep praying to be strengthened to avoid falling into fear or danger, for even Jesus prayed the night before his arrest.

Sorry for the late reply. Well, I never said that we should not pray, in fact every man should pray! However, I said that prayer is not really talking to God as many have been taught and have believed. And I said that God cannot react because one can only react to what he wasn't aware of. It means that such things happened without your knowledge. In the case of God nothing happens without His consent, He knew even before the foundation of the earth that such will happen and as a result He has made solution available for such. Note, that no matter how dreadful the sickness is, whether HIV, AID, ete. God in His infinite wisdom has made the solution available for man. Knowledge becomes the issue. This is why in the Epistle Apostle prayed for knowledge not for things or to have things.
Therefore it is apt to say that God has responded to our prayers even before we have prayed our prayers. It implies that our prayer is making power available in order to take what God has already given or provided for us even before the situation happened. God has given us He will not give us See (1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:17) Noticed that in the Epistles for instance, no prayer was technically for needs but for knowledge. Jesus while teaching in the gospel said "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Mark 11:23. Jesus said speak to the situation not to God. God knew about the situation and He has made power available in a believer to take away the situation, See Ephesians 3:20. Prayers are answered according the power that is at work in you. You are blessed!

LordReed:


What does "making power available as a man existing in this planet earth" mean?

You make power available through the words of your mouth See Proverbs 18:21, Job 22:28 and Mark 11:23. You make power available when you speak to situations not to God, reason, God is aware of the situations, He doesnt need to be informed about it. For instance, there was a situation on the face of the earth God didnt go about wailing but spoke to the situation and the condition of the earth changed immediately. As a man existing in this earth God has inducted in you the power to speak and change things around. Thanks for your response ......

Joyfulguy:
You make power available through the words of your mouth See Proverbs 18:21, Job 22:28 and Mark 11:23. You make power available when you speak to situations not to God, reason, God is aware of the situations, He doesnt need to be informed about it. For instance, there was a situation on the face of the earth God didnt go about wailing but spoke to the situation and the condition of the earth changed immediately. As a man existing in this earth God has inducted in you the power to speak and change things around. Thanks for your response ......

Then what do I need god for?

LordReed:


Then what do I need god for?

This question is timely and thank you for it. Well, the number one thing you need God for it your salvation. You cannot save yourself is God that has what it takes to save man see Jonah 2:9, Act 4:12. This has been fulfilled in Christ. Now consider this, salvation is not material needs that most believers are busy "talking to God about" knowing very well that most of the needs we are busy talking to God about many unbelievers are not in such needs but they do not have God, meaning they are not saved in Christ. Secondly, you need God (the indwelling Spirit of God)in your life in order to will and to do. It is by His Spirit dwelling you that you cannot be able to know what to pray about and how to pray about them. See Psalms 32:8, Philippians 2:13. The desire of God is to dwell in you. Thanks once again...

Joyfulguy:
This question is timely and thank you for it. Well, the number one thing you need God for it your salvation. You cannot save yourself is God that has what it takes to save man see Jonah 2:9, Act 4:12. This has been fulfilled in Christ. Now consider this, salvation is not material needs that most believers are busy "talking to God about" knowing very well that most of the needs we are busy talking to God about many unbelievers are not in such needs but they do not have God, meaning they are not saved in Christ. Secondly, you need God (the indwelling Spirit of God)in your life in order to will and to do. It is by His Spirit dwelling you that you cannot be able to know what to pray about and how to pray about them. See Psalms 32:8, Philippians 2:13. The desire of God is to dwell in you. Thanks once again...

I will and do well without god plus this salvation seems to be nothing but a pipe dream since there is no difference between the saved and unsaved as far we can tell.

LordReed:


I will and do well without god plus this salvation seems to be nothing but a pipe dream since there is no difference between the saved and unsaved as far we can tell.

Of course it is very possible to achieve whatever you want to achieve in this life without God. You don't really need God to be rich and have a successful career but certainly you need God in order to obtain eternal life. A life without eternal life is vague and useless see Matthew 16:26, John 3:16-18, 1 John 5:12. If you are not eternally saved you have no place in God. Therefore, accepting Christ in your life remains the real deal. I didn't say you should give your life to Christ because if you are not saved in Christ you have no life, though you are moving around and doing business and making money. Please if you have not accepted Christ in your life do not hesitate in doing so even now. Thanks once again!

Joyfulguy:
Of course it is very possible to achieve whatever you want to achieve in this life without God. You don't really need God to be rich and have a successful career but certainly you need God in order to obtain eternal life. A life without eternal life is vague and useless see Matthew 16:26, John 3:16-18, 1 John 5:12. If you are not eternally saved you have no place in God. Therefore, accepting Christ in your life remains the real deal. I didn't say you should give your life to Christ because if you are not saved in Christ you have no life, though you are moving around and doing business and making money. Please if you have not accepted Christ in your life do not hesitate in doing so even now. Thanks once again!

A gift you receive after you are dead is a dubious gift since the dead know nothing nor do they receive gifts.

LordReed:


A gift you receive after you are dead is a dubious gift since the dead know nothing nor do they receive gifts.

Here you miss it again, the only person that is dead is the one living without Christ. Anyone in Christ is not dead. The truth is that you don't know how this whole thing began and you cannot by your human understanding tell how it will end. You came into this world without your knowledge and no matter the level of knowledge or wisdom you attend in this life, the wisdom that put this whole universe together is greater. Therefore, do not doubt about resurrection! Evidence has shown that this whole world was not created for the sake of it... The wisdom that put it together indicates that it's for a purpose that is suitable for the designer. You are not a product of a fluke occurrence, you are a product of inscrutable wisdom of someone whose dexterity is beyond human imagination. Surely, there's going to be the resurrection of the dead. We may repudiate that now, because it is beyond our scope of reasoning but it is not beyond the scope of the reasoning of the owner of this world.
I appreciate your comments so far!

Joyfulguy:
Here you miss it again, the only person that is dead is the one living without Christ. Anyone in Christ is not dead. The truth is that you don't know how this whole thing began and you cannot by your human understanding tell how it will end. You came into this world without your knowledge and no matter the level of knowledge or wisdom you attend in this life, the wisdom that put this whole universe together is greater. Therefore, do not doubt about resurrection! Evidence has shown that this whole world was not created for the sake of it... The wisdom that put it together indicates that it's for a purpose that is suitable for the designer. You are not a product of a fluke occurrence, you are a product of inscrutable wisdom of someone whose dexterity is beyond human imagination. Surely, there's going to be the resurrection of the dead. We may repudiate that now, because it is beyond our scope of reasoning but it is not beyond the scope of the reasoning of the owner of this world.
I appreciate your comments so far!

Exactly, before you appeared on the world stage you knew nothing and after you leave, it will be the same.

LordReed:


Exactly, before you appeared on the world stage you knew nothing and after you leave, it will be the same.

Is life meaningless? If it is, there shouldn't be the need for developmental growth in man. And if it is meaningful, what makes it meaningful should be ascertained and judged. As humans we have the ability to judge some characters as vile, rude, good, bad, honest etc. This is from known to unknown, it infers that there's accountability which is not deliberately finagled on man but exists as part of man. Therefore, that one doesn't know that there is life after this realm doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. For instance, there are creatures and organisms that man have not discovered, that man has not discover them doesn't mean that they do not exist. They are there existing in their own world irrespective of man's inability to discover them. Certainly there is limitation in knowledge and we cannot say because somethings are beyond our scope of reasoning their impact and existence is nullified. You may try and get this book "The Earth Is From Nothing" click on the links below:
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Nothing-Chukwuemeka-Charles-Asiegbu-ebook/dp/B06XZ8P6FH
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Nothing-Chukwuemeka-Charles-Asiegbu/dp/1520975600
Once again I appreciate you!

Joyfulguy:
Is life meaningless? If it is, there shouldn't be the need for developmental growth in man. And if it is meaningful, what makes it meaningful should be ascertained and judged. As humans we have the ability to judge some characters as vile, rude, good, bad, honest etc. This is from known to unknown, it infers that there's accountability which is not deliberately finagled on man but exists as part of man. Therefore, that one doesn't know that there is life after this realm doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. For instance, there are creatures and organisms that man have not discovered, that man has not discover them doesn't mean that they do not exist. They are there existing in their own world irrespective of man's inability to discover them. Certainly there is limitation in knowledge and we cannot say because somethings are beyond our scope of reasoning their impact and existence is nullified. You may try and get this book "The Earth Is From Nothing" click on the links below:
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Nothing-Chukwuemeka-Charles-Asiegbu-ebook/dp/B06XZ8P6FH
https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Nothing-Chukwuemeka-Charles-Asiegbu/dp/1520975600
Once again I appreciate you!

Indeed it is because we do not know that we search but anytime this concept of life after death is broached proponents like yourself say it is in the realms of the unknown. If it is indeed unknown how do you then know it exists? How do we investigate and independently corroborate this unknown thing?

LordReed:


Indeed it is because we do not know that we search but anytime this concept of life after death is broached proponents like yourself say it is in the realms of the unknown. If it is indeed unknown how do you then know it exists? How do we investigate and independently corroborate this unknown thing?

I love this! Well, one doesn't know when he was in the womb of his or her mother, the truth is that he or she was existing though without his or her knowledge. For the baby in the womb to understand that there's a place called earth he needs to be born in this earth. It means he has to leave the womb and come into this earth. Even at that the baby needs to develop his sensory organs in order to understand where he is. After all no one knows when he or she was crawling around pushing things in the room down. There are things one cannot be able to explain inasmuch as one is still in this suit. That it is unknown does not mean that it cannot be ascertained, it can, just like many other things that are not tangible.
Again, I appreciate you!

Joyfulguy:
I love this! Well, one doesn't know when he was in the womb of his or her mother, the truth is that he or she was existing though without his or her knowledge. For the baby in the womb to understand that there's a place called earth he needs to be born in this earth. It means he has to leave the womb and come into this earth. Even at that the baby needs to develop his sensory organs in order to understand where he is. After all no one knows when he or she was crawling around pushing things in the room down. There are things one cannot be able to explain inasmuch as one is still in this suit. That it is unknown does not mean that it cannot be ascertained, it can, just like many other things that are not tangible.
Again, I appreciate you!

You can only ascertain what is known. If you claim to know what is unknown then you demonstrate how you have the knowledge.

LordReed:


You can only ascertain what is known. If you claim to know what is unknown then you demonstrate how you have the knowledge.

Good one! Please how can a child ascertain that he was in the womb of his mother?

Joyfulguy:
Good one! Please how can a child ascertain that he was in the womb of his mother?

It cannot.

LordReed:


It cannot.

Thanks for your simplicity. The reality is that the child will believe that he was in the womb when he sensory organs have developed because of evidences that are around him. On the other hand, child while in the womb will not agree that a place called earth exists until he's birthed. In the same vein you cannot ascertain the reality of the life after death because you have not been there but you have to believe in it because of evidences that depict its reality.
I appreciate you once again!