GoldenEagle Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 764 Topics Per Day: 0.18 Content Count: 7,626 Content Per Day: 1.81 Reputation: 1,559 Days Won: 44 Joined: 10/03/2012 Status: Offline Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I just finished reading James MacDonald's new book, "Authentic" and the whole book is about this subject. The book convicted me quite a bit and I'm still digesting it all. A. We are definitely more concerned with our plans than God's plans. Even the "Godly" folk put a lot of effort into making their plans work the way they planned. Many fool themselves into believeing that their plans are God's plans, so everything is working out great! B. We do put a lot of energy into being busybodies. Also, since we accept that everyone else is a busybody too, we expend a lot of energy making sure that we put up the right image for those busybodies. <snip> Yes. Interesting, honest thoughts. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of some Proverbs I read recently… Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed. Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverb 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but, the Lord directeth his steps. I like this: “We are experts at what we spend our time on.” Something to consider. God bless, GE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenEagle Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 764 Topics Per Day: 0.18 Content Count: 7,626 Content Per Day: 1.81 Reputation: 1,559 Days Won: 44 Joined: 10/03/2012 Status: Offline Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 Yet what did Peter say? “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) Simple. To the point. Peter said by this statement, “I will trust you.” F. Are we making excuses or are we trusting God on a daily basis? How do we trust God when the Church world teaches that God commissioned the murder of Job's children? How do we trust God when we are taught he gets the glory for our sickness? We should all get real sick to give him even more glory... How do we trust God when we are taught He takes loved ones by some sovereign plan as his ways are mysterious. You can't trust someone that is mysterious. We can't teach one, while teaching the other can we? Even sitting at MY Church the Pastor had to give the news about one of our church family's being killed Saturday night. Their car hit ice and then a tree, killed mom, dad, and the two children. His comment was that God causes it to rain on the just and unjust. At the end of service, he started to talk about how good God is, and to trust him. But just at the start of service he said God murders his own indiscriminately, and God murders those not his the same. What do we believe here? The righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, and if experiences line up with God doing all these horrible things, and getting some twisted glory by having us sick, then it's hard to jump to that next level of faith in someone like that. Jesus Is Lord Your pastor, like many Christians, has the wrong understanding, and pity for his sake...he is actually teaching it. We can always trust God, and that he has only our good in His mind AT ALL TIMES! Horrible things happen and lives are lost, but that isn;t by His hand. People forget that this earthly realm is under the control of the evil one. He has the agenda to steal, kill and destroy, yet so many Christians forget about that! That family in your church who lost their lives so tragically did so at the hands of the devil and not God, who mourns their loss to the world also. Make a decison to trust God no matter what. It is a choice and He will make sure it proves to be a worthy one. God allows bad things to happen due to sin. God is good, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and gives us His (abounding) in unchanging (steadfast) love. Ps. 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I agree all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose FloatingAxe. Sometimes we're called to remain in God's love and endure the hard times. We're even told to count it as our joy when we suffer for Christ. Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Thoughts? God bless, GE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenEagle Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 764 Topics Per Day: 0.18 Content Count: 7,626 Content Per Day: 1.81 Reputation: 1,559 Days Won: 44 Joined: 10/03/2012 Status: Offline Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 D. We are experts at what we spend out time on. Our vocations and hobbies take up most of our day and people are comfortable doing what we know best. When we turn our minds to God, we tend to get confused. We have a hard time figuring out what God wants. We have a hard time listening to the Holy Spirit try to explain it to us. Even our bible study can be confusing. We read and find a piece of scripture that really burns in our heart and when we tell someone else about it, they might tell us about another verse the seems to contradict it. Two steps forward and one step back. E. Of course we do! Especially, the modern human who has been told from birth that we're all special and we live in a secular world where media tells that we can all be gods of our own little sphere of influence. Our fallen nature receives more confirmation of its own (secular) righteousness than any people have ever had before. F. If we are honest about all the above, then we aren't making as many excuses as many of the people who claim that these are all problems that other people have. Well said. This makes me think of Galations 5:16-18: 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. If we can get through every day and ask ourselves that question of what God wants us to learn, and allow the Spirit to guide US, instead of US trying to guide the Spirit, we will be so much better off and more at peace. At least for me, I am at peace knowing I have a Heavenly Father in charge, even if I don't understand His will. Brother Mike, my best friend is a sister in Christ, and a couple of years ago her brother in law shot and killed her mother and sister at their home a few weeks after Christmas, then turned the gun on himself. She was very close to her family, and she was very heartbroken. Instead of blaming God losing her faith over this tragedy, she thanked Him for allowing her to speak to her mother on the phone extensively the night before she died, and praised His name at the funeral. I don't know why bad things happen, and I pray that if something like this happened to me, I would be able to see through my grief enough to know that God grieves with me, and something better is waiting for me than this life. Romans 8:18-27 explains that "the whole creation groans," and later says that even those of us who have the gift of the Spirit groan. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Next verse: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. God is righteous and holy, and I trust Him with my whole heart. If we can't trust God, there is nothing that matters. I agree it is better for us to allow God's Holy Spirit to guide us. I like to do lists. But I'm often challenged to go back through my to do list and double check the motivation for what I do. Also, I try to be flexible if God wants to "interrupt" my day with divine appointments (sharing His love and the Gospel) with others. Opportunities are all around us. We just need to look up and see the fields ripe with harvest! Luke 10:2 And he {Jesus} said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. I'm sorry to hear about your friends loss of her mother, sister, friend. But God is good. All the time. All the time God is good. In storms of life God is good. In the valley God is good. In the mountain top God is good. God doesn't change. I'm grateful your friend remained true to Him with this tragic event in her life. God has carried her through this very dark thing in her life. God's strength, grace, and love is sufficient for us no matter what we face in life. This is great! :thumsbup: God is righteous and holy, and I trust Him with my whole heart. If we can't trust God, there is nothing that matters. Thanks for sharing. God bless you! GE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenEagle Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 764 Topics Per Day: 0.18 Content Count: 7,626 Content Per Day: 1.81 Reputation: 1,559 Days Won: 44 Joined: 10/03/2012 Status: Offline Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 The natural reaction of man when the sin in us meets the light in Christ/God is, run away, go hide, escape the uneasiness, the discomfort of having our sins revealed - depart from me Lord. I know the discomfort all too well, but he wants us to come to him and confess so that his blood would cleanse for all sin. Afterward, the discomfort dissipates and then we as children want to be in his presence, joy in fellowship is restored. Remember Mary Magdalene, demon processed, harlot, she was cleansed, she came to him and sat at Jesus feet, the enmity all gone. GE, thanks for directing our thoughts in this teaching. You're welcome my brother. It is interesting that if we draw near to God he will draw nearer to us. The forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ cleanses our sonscience (mind) and draws us back to God. And we know that if we do sin we have a great Advocate in Jesus Christ! Praise God! James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Thoughts? God bless, GE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenEagle Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 764 Topics Per Day: 0.18 Content Count: 7,626 Content Per Day: 1.81 Reputation: 1,559 Days Won: 44 Joined: 10/03/2012 Status: Offline Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 Steven: Loved one your exclusion of God in this is not what we see in Job! God dictated what was to be done with Job to the letter! Pin pointed even to His Life- one can only know what God teaches us in this by yielding to His Word... You forgot a verse there Brother. We never read one scripture, or a chapter and not compare the rest of the Word. Everything singe scripture from Genesis to Revelation must line up perfectly with the eternal word of God, and where it does not line up in our own small thinking is because we need more light and understanding. However the case about Job is not built on the scripture you missed, it's just a very small part of many other scriptures that define God's character and Nature. He is not a Murderer and he never would give permission to Satan to destroy a man's children who served him. You need to go back through the word and start comparing, because those that Obeyed and served him ate the good of the Land. Not have the devil run roughshod over their family destroying them. God does not change, He never changes. <snip> We don't need all these Hebrew words though, if you Know your Father in Heaven, it would never cross your mind that God would give permission to Satan so that He could murder the mans Kids, and make him extremely sick. It would never cross your mind. If you think God did, then there could be absolutely no trusting someone that would do that. Only a fool would give trust to a Murderer over their own children. No, there was a reason the Hedge was down, It's very clear why once we are shown. God had nothing to do with this. Jesus Is Lord. Please Mike let's stay focused on the OP and direct your comments towards that. Feel free to start a new thread on the topic of Job and God allowing bad things to happen to good people. Or I will do so for you. (By the way wasn't that discussed in another thread within the last 2-4 months?) God bless, GE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoob57 Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 35 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 41,153 Content Per Day: 7.98 Reputation: 21,442 Days Won: 76 Joined: 03/13/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/27/1957 Share Posted January 11, 2013 I actually worship the fact that God does according to His Good Pleasure Eph 1:9... As the passage teaches us that when we have done all we know to do and have come up empty handed we would be convinced the uselessness of trying again. However at the Lord's bidding! The complete denial of all previous experience (these men knew this small lake) Peter obeyed... It was God's will to be no fish caught and it was God's will for fish to be caught and the fullness of joy will be how God with our presence before Him shall render to us the fullness of His wonder in the working of all things out to that pleasure! Love, Steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatingaxe Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 62 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 9,613 Content Per Day: 1.45 Reputation: 656 Days Won: 9 Joined: 03/11/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 05/31/1952 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Yet what did Peter say? “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) Simple. To the point. Peter said by this statement, “I will trust you.” F. Are we making excuses or are we trusting God on a daily basis? How do we trust God when the Church world teaches that God commissioned the murder of Job's children? How do we trust God when we are taught he gets the glory for our sickness? We should all get real sick to give him even more glory... How do we trust God when we are taught He takes loved ones by some sovereign plan as his ways are mysterious. You can't trust someone that is mysterious. We can't teach one, while teaching the other can we? Even sitting at MY Church the Pastor had to give the news about one of our church family's being killed Saturday night. Their car hit ice and then a tree, killed mom, dad, and the two children. His comment was that God causes it to rain on the just and unjust. At the end of service, he started to talk about how good God is, and to trust him. But just at the start of service he said God murders his own indiscriminately, and God murders those not his the same. What do we believe here? The righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, and if experiences line up with God doing all these horrible things, and getting some twisted glory by having us sick, then it's hard to jump to that next level of faith in someone like that. Jesus Is Lord Your pastor, like many Christians, has the wrong understanding, and pity for his sake...he is actually teaching it. We can always trust God, and that he has only our good in His mind AT ALL TIMES! Horrible things happen and lives are lost, but that isn;t by His hand. People forget that this earthly realm is under the control of the evil one. He has the agenda to steal, kill and destroy, yet so many Christians forget about that! That family in your church who lost their lives so tragically did so at the hands of the devil and not God, who mourns their loss to the world also. Make a decision to trust God no matter what. It is a choice and He will make sure it proves to be a worthy one. Loved one your exclusion of God in this is not what we see in Job! God dictated what was to be done with Job to the letter! Pin pointed even to His Life- one can only know what God teaches us in this by yielding to His Word... Job 1:12 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. NKJV Besides was it not our choice to sin against God? Should we not eat of the fruit of our choice in the world it has formed? Love, Steven Sorry, but I never exclude God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoob57 Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 35 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 41,153 Content Per Day: 7.98 Reputation: 21,442 Days Won: 76 Joined: 03/13/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/27/1957 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Great message!!!!!! I loved What is God trying to teach us today! We just need to be still so we can hear what he is saying to us! Sometimes it the still small voice of God that I need to listen to. Often, I'm concerned about reading a ton of Scripture instead of focusing one or two passages and allowing God to teach me. Great thoughts. God bless, GE Do you think 'Like as a Dove' Lk 3:22 descriptive of how still, small and easily dismissed The Holy Spirits urgings in our lives? Only with all of our focus in yielded submissive with all our mind, heart, strength translated into desire for His Way, His Truth, His Life can we hear... Love, Steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoob57 Posted January 11, 2013 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 35 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 41,153 Content Per Day: 7.98 Reputation: 21,442 Days Won: 76 Joined: 03/13/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/27/1957 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Yet what did Peter say? “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) Simple. To the point. Peter said by this statement, “I will trust you.” F. Are we making excuses or are we trusting God on a daily basis? How do we trust God when the Church world teaches that God commissioned the murder of Job's children? How do we trust God when we are taught he gets the glory for our sickness? We should all get real sick to give him even more glory... How do we trust God when we are taught He takes loved ones by some sovereign plan as his ways are mysterious. You can't trust someone that is mysterious. We can't teach one, while teaching the other can we? Even sitting at MY Church the Pastor had to give the news about one of our church family's being killed Saturday night. Their car hit ice and then a tree, killed mom, dad, and the two children. His comment was that God causes it to rain on the just and unjust. At the end of service, he started to talk about how good God is, and to trust him. But just at the start of service he said God murders his own indiscriminately, and God murders those not his the same. What do we believe here? The righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, and if experiences line up with God doing all these horrible things, and getting some twisted glory by having us sick, then it's hard to jump to that next level of faith in someone like that. Jesus Is Lord Your pastor, like many Christians, has the wrong understanding, and pity for his sake...he is actually teaching it. We can always trust God, and that he has only our good in His mind AT ALL TIMES! Horrible things happen and lives are lost, but that isn;t by His hand. People forget that this earthly realm is under the control of the evil one. He has the agenda to steal, kill and destroy, yet so many Christians forget about that! That family in your church who lost their lives so tragically did so at the hands of the devil and not God, who mourns their loss to the world also. Make a decision to trust God no matter what. It is a choice and He will make sure it proves to be a worthy one. Loved one your exclusion of God in this is not what we see in Job! God dictated what was to be done with Job to the letter! Pin pointed even to His Life- one can only know what God teaches us in this by yielding to His Word... Job 1:12 12 And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. NKJV Besides was it not our choice to sin against God? Should we not eat of the fruit of our choice in the world it has formed? Love, Steven Sorry, but I never exclude God. Golden Eagle: Please Mike let's stay focused on the OP and direct your comments towards that. Feel free to start a new thread on the topic of Job and God allowing bad things to happen to good people. Or I will do so for you. (By the way wasn't that discussed in another thread within the last 2-4 months?) Yet what did Peter say? “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) Simple. To the point. Peter said by this statement, “I will trust you.” F. Are we making excuses or are we trusting God on a daily basis? Steven Mentioned Job, This is your thread about trusting God. I have read your comments about Job in the past, so the question is, do we trust God if we believe God allows or commission the Horrible acts the Church accuses him of by his divine and mysterious sovereign will. I gave the example above about the Pastor I heard concerning that family killed in a car crash Saturday night. He would teach about trusting God, and How good God is, but inside he did not believe a word of it. Jesus Is Lord. Loved ones in respect of Eagle and His request in this thread I have withdrawn from this discussion... and in turn want you in no way to feel disrespect from me by doing so! Love, Steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2404 Posted February 12, 2013 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 29 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 188 Content Per Day: 0.05 Reputation: 28 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/17/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted February 12, 2013 Golden Eagle: Please Mike let's stay focused on the OP and direct your comments towards that. Feel free to start a new thread on the topic of Job and God allowing bad things to happen to good people. Or I will do so for you. (By the way wasn't that discussed in another thread within the last 2-4 months?) Yet what did Peter say? “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5) Simple. To the point. Peter said by this statement, “I will trust you.” F. Are we making excuses or are we trusting God on a daily basis? Steven Mentioned Job, This is your thread about trusting God. I have read your comments about Job in the past, so the question is, do we trust God if we believe God allows or commission the Horrible acts the Church accuses him of by his divine and mysterious sovereign will. I gave the example above about the Pastor I heard concerning that family killed in a car crash Saturday night. He would teach about trusting God, and How good God is, but inside he did not believe a word of it. Jesus Is Lord. Hello bro. Mike Don't you think that if we had a look past the curtain of time this short little journey we have in this life would seem very insignificant. I don't think trusting God has anything to do with winning a lottery and very little with having good material fortune. How is God supposed to show us anything if we are always on easy-street? You can't appreciate the day without night, health without sickness. God is a saviour, healer, God is love, how else is He to express these attributes? How else will we be able to worship in ways that angels can only stand in awe? There are horrible tragedies that no one likes to see but the worst part is - if that is the end of it. I've seen people pass over in peace, heard of accounts where the person was rejoicing as they were in the transition. If I have to go by the way of the grave let me go that way. God bless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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