I asked God for signs

Your statement was why the miracles ceased. My statement gave the how.

The ability to perform miracles was given first to Jesus as proof that he was God's son. He then passed them on to his Apostles to prove that they had been chosen to start this new era, the Christian Congregation. Once the complete Bible had been written and mankind had come to accept the Christians, there was no more need for miracles. Hence, the Apostle Paul said that these gifts would be done away with. 1Corrinthians 13:8

why is it that the time of miracles has been already passed?

these 6 signs you mentioned here, I don't think they're evil, or at least they were intended to be. But yes, you can be right that Satan uses even Godly images, objects or instruments to realize his cause. Santa Claus was never made to be evil, but with too much capitalization on this North Pole gift giver, people forget the real essence for Christmas. Apparitions and Dancing Suns are actually investigated by, I think, the Vatican to verify if such an event can be accounted for as truly miraculous or just a hoax or some freak of nature that defies physics. I highly disagree that the Santo Niño and Black Nazarene are evil. Santo Nino is the representation of Jesus as a young boy. And as for Black Nazarene, I don not know its history but for sure, devotion to it drwas us closer to God so I don't think it's evil.

With all due respect, mantis, those are all shallow, superficial and (sorry), stupid way of telling whether something or someone is demonic in nature. Don't get me wrong, I too abhor the idea of Santa Claus gaining more popularity than Jesus Christ, who is and should be the reason why we celebrate CHRISTmas (not Xmas). All those issues you have against Santa Claus, that's just some crazy stuff circulated by people who have nothing to do. People give meaning to things, even the ones that are nonsense. Satan is a mystery just as the Triune God is a mystery and it is rather very shallow for us to believe that just because a character wears red, laughs Ho Ho....enters the chimney, has the same letters as Satan's, that he is automatically of Satan. If we have that idea of Satan, then we cannot recognize his real sinister works when they come because we are busy looking the wrong way. If you insist, then I say, we all burn those who wear red! Please research on the origin of Santa Claus and you will understand why he got his name, what he really originally embodied, and that the "scandals" thrown his way are only results of people trying to make business out of the icon. Rome rejects many things because let's face it, the real evil is on people trying to fool other people for money. TAKE NOTE: THOSE PEOPLE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WEAR RED TO BE CAPABLE OF SINNING! Imagine if Pope John Paul approved everything, we would all be on a pilgrimage to some fake Statue of Saint this and that. Injuries during the feast of Black Nazarene: Is it the Nazarene's fault if people have no discipline, no consideration and no manners? For me, we all different ways on expressing our devotion. Nobody forced these people to go there and risk their lives. God hears our prayers wherever we are. But they chose to go there, and so they chose their own fate. The first commandment is true and righteous. But the Catholic's devotion on the Saints, on Mother Mary, Sto. Niño, Black Nazarene, etc is not an act of idolatry simply because idolatry means worshipping other gods beside God. FYI, we do not worship Mary, we do not wirship the saints. We don't pray to them. All it really is is to seek intercession. Example, a guy is very attracted to a girl. Of course he can go directly to her and tell her his feelings. OR he could approach the bestfriend, or the brother, or the family, to be your bridge. It's just like that with us and Mary and the saints and the angels. Idolatry is when we overdo these activities and forget the Almighty Father. Idolatry is when love of money, or material wealth, comes before praise and worship to God. I hope I have made my point clear to you. Evil comes in many shapes but mostly, what makes a certain object, or act, evil or demonic is the intention behind it. When we put Santa Claus first in our holiday seasons, that doesn't make Santa Claus evil, it makes us stow away from God's love.

there's one left.... it's the Halloween.... is it right to wear dress of a Bloody Demonic Horror, during Halloween? if he who has the best frightening Satanic dress to wear, is the winner? is it also a sin against the 1st commandment of God? i remember before the Roman Catholic Priest by-passed in the center of the group of celebrating horror.... the priest just smile and understand the situation and act naturally.... that priest didn't scare or frightened after all....

But I got to admit that sometimes, the coincidences that take place can be very convincing!

Yes, they certainly are ... but wonder to yourself WHO is doing the convincing! Every day we are bombarded with tens of thousands of 'experiences' through all of our senses. We reject most of them as unimportant but both our conscious and subconscious minds are at work here, deciding what is important and what should be ignored. How many red cars did you see yesterday? Can't remember? No, nor can I but if I was LOOKING for a red car, I might be able to tell you.

Ah so we're saying here that there should be more of looking-inside, and listening and tuning in to that voice, instead of hovering about looking for signs which probably never mean anything at all.

@Theresaaiza Are you able to discuss this situation with which you are having a hard time?

@1hopefulman I don't trust anyone to understand. I can seek help but I feel like my problems are too petty to warrant seeing a professional

Your response came in perfect timing. Once again, I am facing a tough time in my life that it's so hard to be grateful about anything. I try but it doesn't feel sincere. But, I still try. I hope God answers my prayers. I have been stuck in this situation for almost 5 years now.

I think we all can admit to that. That reminds me of a funny story about a flood and a man's faith in God..... but this was not a funny discussion so I better wait for another time to tell that one.

Well, I am up for a good story!

I'll be sure to put this in mind, savak. When it comes to asking for signs though, most often I recognize the sign because I ask for it specifically. I don't deny though that there may have been many other signs and messages that God had for me but I was too distracted to notice them.

It's not really easy to distinguish whether it's God's voice or some other's voice. But one thing for sure is that, God will never contradict His own commandments. So if something goes against His commandments, surely that is not His will. I also heard a priest's sermon saying that sometimes, the devil even uses God's own words to deceive us. Take for example, the temptation of Jesus. But Jesus knew that they were Satan's works and he was able to resist them.

A true Christian will know. One that will bring you closer to God no matter how difficult it may look from a human perception is always Gods will. If one is reading God's words then one can stay strong and be able to know.

Thank you, toni. That was very enlightening!

It is very nice to know that

Thank you for your response. I actually feel much relieved knowing that asking for a sign was not an act of faithlessness but just asking for guidance in a way.

Need not worry much on what term I get to use. I am still referring to the same Being. I'm just conaiderate to His many names in other beliefs and/or religion. One thing about waiting for hints or signs, we don't easily recognize them or maybe there isn't any at all. With that, we stall with whatever it is that we were suppose to accomplish in the first place. Of course we can interpret and misinterpret things, even those that aren't even related to our current situation and yet we sometime take them to whatever meaning we can derive from them. (^_^") That's why when one has great faith, one just believes and continue without hesitation, but with determination.

You can always just say God, ratyz. After all, that's the reason why I placed this discussion in this interest.Unless we don't have the same "person" in mind. Anyway, yes you are correct in that we should always live with a grateful heart and recognize the blessings even in the midst of every difficulty. It is not easy but it is very noble.

Need not worry much on what term I get to use. I am still referring to the same Being. I'm just conaiderate to His many names in other beliefs and/or religion. Then I shall insist no more.:) (Funny though that other religions freely name their own here without such worry as yours) Anyway, yes you are right. And for me, even without the signs, as long as your faith is strong and your actions are in accordance to His will, I'm sure God is with you in your endeavors.

My next move is a leap of faith!

That is so true! There had been many times that I asked God for a certain sign to appear, specific in color, or appearance of that sign and when it does appear, I still am not convinced and came to ask for another sign, and another until the sign in favor of what I wanted comes! It's crazy I know.

Haha. I believe we can be too paranoid at times we keep on asking God for signs when in fact we really see the signs itself. we just keep on asking. i have been like that most of the time i keep on asking for signs on whether to go on for a date with someone, will i have to attend to that occasion or should i pursue the job. things like that. i just hope for signs but then i find it hard sometimes what to do when i know what to do.

I learned a lot from this. Thanks. I guess my case is just like the number 2. When I doubt that He exists, I just try to remember the many times that I felt His presence and interventions in my life and then I stop doubting.

I think that is exactly the point of having faith. God gave us wisdom to make our choices, the Bible as our guide, and then lift everything up to Him. This had me feeling really silly over my dilemma, when in fact, God will always be there for me whatever my choice would be. Thanks for the repsonse.

I am impulsive myself and have suffered the consequences. Because of this, I have learned to delay decisions until I am pretty sure it is really what I want. At times, though, it really causes me dilemma that it has me thinking, it was better off when I decided on impulse!

I will try to master receptiveness and openness so I can learn to tune in to his will for me.

Yes, you are right. I know I should have asked for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment. I guess I have forgotten that one and it was so terrible of me. Thanks McKenzie for the reminder. Have a blessed day today!

Yes, God gave us the gift of wisdom.But sometimes, we just need guidance especially in times when our wisdom can no longer seem to handle the situation.

Thank you Genesis, yes you are right. There are such times when you will need divine intervention because human wisdom is very weak.

I'm not a strong devotee but I deeply believe in intercessions by the Virgin Mary and the Saints. However, I try never to forget that all glory and honor is for God.