But before this happened, G-d allowed him to become famous for persecuting the Jews who believed in Yeshua .   When He suddenly turned from persecutor to believer, don’t you think his sudden turn around affected many who were “on the fence”?

Rabbi Sha’ul said this to the King when asked to defend himself and his faith in Yeshua:

Acts 24:9-18 "I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the followers of Yeshua of Nazareth . Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many of the believers in Jerusalem to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them whipped in the synagogues to try to get them to curse Messiah. I was so violently opposed to them that I even hounded them in distant cities of foreign lands. "One day I was on such a mission to Damascus , armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon , Your Majesty, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to fight against My will. "'Who are you, sir?' I asked ."And the Lord replied, 'I am Yeshua, the one you are persecuting. Now stand up! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as My servant and My witness. You are to tell the world about this experience and about other times I will appear to you. And I will protect you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to G-d. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among G-d's people, who are set apart by faith in Me.'”

Be careful about making decisions or declarations in the midst of circumstances. If Mary or Martha had spoken badly of Yeshua in the midst of their circumstance of grief and said something like “I thought He was Lazarus’s friend. A “real” friend would have come and helped”, they would have been out of G-d’s will and disrespectful to G-d.

Let’s go back to not hearing from G-d when you pray. Could it be that you are asking for an inappropriate request? For instance you may ask G-d to change your husband, to make your boss nicer, to have your children listen and obey.  While there is nothing specifically wrong with these requests, your motive may be self-serving or even selfish.  

Think of a situation or person in your life that is driving you crazy and write out a short prayer about it or them to G-d.

Wouldn’t it be more in line with G-d’s ways to pray something like this?

G-d, thank you for allowing (person’s name) or (situation) to be a part of my life. Though this (situation or their name) is driving me crazy, I know you have a reason for what is going on. I don’t know why things are not working out right, but I am willing to do my part in making things better.  Please show me what I can or should do. Change me if that is what is needed here. Exactly what would you would like to see happen here Lord? I agree to accept what you want as I know and acknowledge that it is right. I thank you and love you Lord for including me in Your perfect will.

Before bringing a request to the Lord why not ask yourself if G-d granted your request; 

Would it bring glory to Him?  

Would it advance His kingdom?  

Would it help people? 

Would it help you to grow spiritually?  

Are you asking this with any selfish motives? 

If you are in a sales job you could ask G-d for a certain account to be awarded to you. That would be a perfectly valid request.  But if your request is for you to grow rich or to show off, then G-d is likely to answer “No” because your motives are wrong.

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