Why am I here, why are you here, why is anyone here?

[JTC]

I have to tell this to someone and you folks are elected. I just went to my local pharmacy which is privately owned and I go in often. The owner is a Jew who escaped Iraq many years ago. Some of you who know me have asked why I go there since the owner likes to fight with me. It's across the street but more importantly the owner needs God. He wasn't there today. Another pharmacist he often hires was running the store. This man asked me about Pres Trump and somehow me got into God. Like the owner this man was raised Jewish. He lost his faith as a teen but I didn't ask why. However, I did tell him that's very common and it happened to me as well. When I left my apt earlier I didn't plan on talking about God to anyone, it just happened. I was in there about 1/2 hour, I only left cause it got busy. I asked this man if he ever read any of the OT and he didn't. He said he tried Genesis once but the first 2 chapters made no sense so he stopped. I suggested that next time he start with Exodus. I also found out this man worships money although he doesn't see it as worship. He jokes a lot which is why I usually leave. I guess this man is 40ish, and I should see him again. I ended with, Once you believe in God again then you need to accept Jesus. Somehow I doubt that he knows what that means. 

   I often wonder why God keeps me here since I have no family, my few friends deserted me, my health is poor, and money doesn't like me. It never did. After today it dawned on me that maybe God would take me if I shut up and stop talking about Him. I've thought that often. But I can't stop talking about God, it would be like a fish giving up swimming. The unusual thing with my life is most of the people I run into aren't weak Christians, not even devout atheists, I usually get folks from other religions. Actually this makes sense. In grammar school one of my best friends was Jewish. Then I joined the Cub Scouts but guess what, I was put into an all Jewish troop. I didn't mind but my father objected so strongly I was forced to quit the scouts. I always wondered why I had so many Jewish friends, most non Jews didn't, not in my school. However, I now see that's one reason I don't dislike Jews, I'm also very interested in how they think of God today. Looking back, it's like God was grooming me for this my whole life. Interesting, is it not. I just wish God would lay out His whole plan for me so I make sure I don't make any mistakes. But He just doesn't work like that.        Thanks for listening.

[Guest]

I am here because my mom and dad had unprotected sex. I have chosen to honor Christ with this miserable life that I exist in. I can only try.

[john1]

15 minutes ago, JTC said:

and money doesn't like me. It never did.

Maybe it's good money doesn't like you.

Matthew chapter 6 verse 24

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
 

I once loved money, my father taught me to, now I purposely don't hang on to it long.

[MyLordsServant]

51 minutes ago, Yowm said:

I doubt I know what that means either since Jesus is God and there is no knowing God apart from Jesus. 

He means many Jews don't know or accept Jesus. They only know God of the OT.

[MyLordsServant]

8 minutes ago, Yowm said:

Here is what was said, "Once you believe in God again then you need to accept Jesus. Somehow I doubt that he knows what that means."

Did you notice 'believe in God again'? There is no believing in God apart from Jesus.

The God of the OT is the same as the God in the NT. Jesus said, "Abraham saw His day and was glad" (John 8:56).

also you can't know one without knowing the other, it is ONE God...

If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
(Joh 14:7)
 

"believe in God again"

Meaning, they were raised to believe in the God of OT, and like he said, they lose their faith. Most Jews are not raised to believe in Jesus. I say "God of OT" from the Jewish perspective. They don't believe the coming of the Messiah has happened yet. So there is no NT in their belief.

I'm not disagreeing that Jesus and the Father are one. But Jesus is not the Father, and Father is not Jesus. OP is saying, they know God of OT, but in order for them to be saved via new covenant, they need to know Father through Jesus. 

"No one comes to the Father except through Me."

[JTC]

5 hours ago, Yowm said:

I doubt I know what that means either since Jesus is God and there is no knowing God apart from Jesus. 

Yowm, Mostly I mean because he's a Jew. The owner, who's also a Jew, made a statement once that the NT isn't worth reading (something like that) only the OT is.

  Eventually I'll see this man again. When I do I need to ask him what caused him to lose his faith. I should have asked today but I was already in there close to 30 min when he said that. But unless I'm reading those 2 men wrong they both want to be convinced to take God seriously. In another thread someone said that nowadays you never hear people speak of God anymore. Unfortunately I agree. It wasn't always like this. In the 60's, 70's and even the 80's occasionally you heard about God, but not now. Then I come along I mention God every chance I get. I feel like people hate this but I since I don't know who needs to hear about God and who doesn't I always bring Him up. I think both the owner and now this man like that I'm not afraid to talk of God. But it is different when you're speaking to a Jew (or ex-Jew) than when you're speaking to someone with a Christian background or even a total atheist.

[brakelite]

Few Jews can answer, or have the courage to even investigate, the question at the end of this passage. 

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hat gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His Son's name if thou canst tell? Proverbs 30:4

Yowm, the Father and the Son are distinct personalities, yet one in all things aside from that. If the scripture, such as John 3:16 says God sent His only begotten Son, then I believe He had a Son to send.  Matt.22:41-46 affirms this, as also does the parable in Matt. 21:33-46.

Edited January 1, 2018 by brakelite

[brakelite]

As to why we are here....to bear witness to and show forth the glory of God. 

[HisFirst]

Just now, brakelite said:

As to why we are here....to bear witness to and show forth the glory of God. 

You know BL, the longer I live, the more I am coming to realise that our lives aren't our own, but for the benefit of others.

After all, when we are gone, we'll be but a memory to someone, and what will that memory be??

[missmuffet]

To win the race.

1 Corinthians 9:24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.