Theo Kho

Q4. How can prayer change God's mind without conflicting with the doctrine of the Immutability of God? Can God answer a prayer for something outside of the scope of his will? 1st, we can not measured God's mind. God's will is not our will, God's thoughts is not our thoughts and God's heart is not our heart. We can not think God as like us, human! If God's change of plan or mind (and if we aware God's action), it will not conflict with any doctrine; as God answer prayer with Love. Love is above all; that is the basic ingredients for all answered prayer. God's love rules. God can answer all kind of prayers; God is the creator of this universe, nothing is to hard for HIM. God is sovereign; we can not put ourself in the level of GOD's sovereignity. The questions is "Are we ready for that prayer? Are we ready for HIS answer?". Nothing is to hard or impossible for God.

Prayer is an active relationship; where an action and reaction meet - and this is continuous flow. In the Bible; all testimony has been demonstrated by what God say (God's Word) and what the people say. (note: This is can be done only when we have demonstrate/understand/accept that there is relationship between God and us). This always the case in our day to day life; whether we understand or not in our relationship - keeping the communications open (our prayer) is only way to maintain our relatioship with God. The key here is not how we present ourself with "our wish list/request" and not how God answer to us - but for us demonstrate "boldly" to God that we communicate and having/claim that relationship with HIM. Is the same way to demonstrate that "we have faith in our GOD". Moses have that relationship, and he claimed "the relationship" with his prayer and request; and God answer Moses because GOD confirmed that relationship. Our challenge is to have the relationship and claim this engangement. From then on we can pray with submission from our heart and fully aware what our prayer for. God always answer prayer; it may not be right now or in future/other time and it may not be what we ask for. Our faith in the relationship will justify our prayer quality and how we response to God's answer.

Q1. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What had the people done that was so bad? How can a loving God be angry? Is God's sentence to destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses justified? The people that God saved, turn away and worshipping other God. This is a big sin. A loving God can be angry; God know what is good for his people, and also what is best to put them responsible to their action. God know who is faitgful to HIM and who do not. Our God is HOLY and we can not compare our God with others. The love that God show to his people are justified with his action to accept Moses plea. Moses aware with what his people done wrong to God; but Moses also love his people - by praying to God, Moses ask for mercy and God given this to Moses. The justification is symbol of God love through Moses.

Seeking God forgiveness is very important and it is in our daily life; as when we admit our sin and ask forgiveness - we will receive God grace. We need God grace all the times. God grace is the start if blessing. We do not earn grace with our effort; our humility and repentance bring God grace towards us. We don't forgive =we don't receive grace=we don't receive blessing! We can not cheat or rob God; by asking we need to give. In giving forgiveness we receive forgiveness. Only in giving we are receiving.

Q3. Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? We do not want to ask others for help; as we do not know that God created me or others to help each other and to exist together. Recall the 1st commandments... Love your God...and then..Love your neighrbout as yourself...; these are the key to the God Kingdom, our help and needs are already given by God. The major obstacle is that we do not know where to start and look for. And I had that experience; after I read this commandments; I realise how much we can ask help to each other. We do not ask God; as we do not know how to grow with God and God is our creator. Our pride and the "earthy" solution always make us forget to ask God. Most of the time we ask/worship the creations and forget the creator. We need to ask God for our daily bread, is to a sign/request of our dependent to God. We also need to humble ourself and remind ourself daily, that God exist and rule the universe. When we ask God, we love God.

I'm Theo, from Sydney - Australia. My aim is learning more on God words and the Gospel. Looking forward for the study.