Katrina - Message from God

[eric]

If I was a mod, I would close this thread. No good is coming from it.

[vrjenny]

Let me ask you this....how many people know about your situation and then reflect on their own lives and immediately thank God for their next breath

I do not deny that a pecentage of good can come from these type of situations. I dogmatically claim that most of what comes from these situations are horrible and of no use to the poor soul getting the toe tags. I do not thank God for my illness. That would be a lie and profoundly foolish. I'm not thankful for it. I am thankful for other things that I experienced here on earth. Likewise, I would not expect the storm victims to be thankful that their loved one drowned or their home was destroyed. I don't even think God expects us to be thankful for that. It was just a bad storm or a bad physical body. Happens all the time.

Dan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay... i am wondering... so does this mean that you think that children dying young die in vain.... I am wondering what your take is on these two verses..

2Cr 12:9-10 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. "

You know as it has been said... we all have free will... and we can choose to let trials and tribulations strengthen us and our faith or we can let them pull us from the Lord.... I personally found in my life that it took hitting my "rock bottom" before i realized i could not do a single thing without Him...I think that the Lord did not cause me to go through all i did but He allowed it because in the end it glorified Him... i look at my life as the prodigal son... and maybe also New Orleans too...

Also... i have a sister in christ that through her sons death, which was not quick or painless, she found her self seeking answers and it resulted in her seeking and finding the Lord... you know.. i have a nephew that was born a year ago Aug. 18... he quit breathing and started having seizures when he was two days old... Our family and many many ppl in town pulled together and prayed for him.... the doctors did every test possible on him... everything came back perfectly normal...he was healthy.. the doctors could not explain this... my sister had the chance to witness to many doctors and specialists... was able to boldly say that the Lord heard our prayers and healed him... plus all the ppl in our town that got to see this... plus, it gave my brother n law a moment to reflect on things in his life.... so i do think that all things have a purpose... all situations cant be explained and i cant tell you why you are going through what you are.... i do know you will find out one day... you are probably touching lives you dont even know... it is your choice in what way you are doing that.

[nebula]

Dan -

I am feeling concerned about some things you have said.

I'm sorry, but the birth pains the Bible speaks of in the End Times will make even this look like a walk in the park.

How do you know this is not part of "the birth pains"? Has this been revealed to you? Did you figure this out with your own wisdom?

I'm being serious.

When someone claims visions or words directly from God, that is prophecy. This is what is being claimed. One must be very careful when making such a claim. You can say ''I'm not a prophet" but if you repeat a direct word given to you by God, your are for sure a prophet if the word is true. Are you...Are you not?

Have you ever been given a word of knowledge for someone?

Or has anyone praying over you given you a word of knowledge? I mean like they tell you something that speaks right to the heart of the matter of what you are going through, even when it wasn't what you had asked prayer for.

I have on both accounts.

For instance, I was with a group of people praying over a music minister that had come to our church. There was verse that "came to me" or "was laid on my heart" (whatever expression you prefer) to give to him. So, I did (and I did say, "There's a verse that I beleive the lord wants me to speak over you...."). He whooped and the other band members laughed (the "Gotcha!" kind-of laugh). I don't know what that was about, but I do know the Lord was confirming something to him.

Another time, a friend was going on a mission trip, and as we prayed, I had a "vision" (picture in my head) of her dressed as a warrier - I didn't know it at the time, but the warrior dress she had on was indicative of the region she would be ministering to. In fact, I didn't even know of that type of armor! But I saw it on her.

Do I hold the office of prophet? No. But when Paul said, "I wish you all to prophecy," was he saying, "I wish you all to be prophets"? I don't think he was.

I believe the Lord wants all of us to hear from Him. Don't you?

How does death and destuction work to someone's good?

Romans 8:28 - 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.

Do you believe this?

I do not deny that a pecentage of good can come from these type of situations. I dogmatically claim that most of what comes from these situations are horrible and of no use to the poor soul getting the toe tags. I do not thank God for my illness. That would be a lie and profoundly foolish. I'm not thankful for it. I am thankful for other things that I experienced here on earth. Likewise, I would not expect the storm victims to be thankful that their loved one drowned or their home was destroyed. I don't even think God expects us to be thankful for that. It was just a bad storm or a bad physical body. Happens all the time.

No, the Bible does not say, "Give thanks for all circumstances."

But what does it say?

I Thesselonians 5

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Or what of this?

Habakkuk 3

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God F10 is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

And I am sure you have heard of these words:

Job 1:21 - And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job 19

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

Can your heart say, "Amen!" to these?

*******

Dan - I too am sick. It's not necessarily terminal, though it may end my life early. But I have several autoimmune diseases. None of them are fun to put up with. I heard someone claim that autoimmune diseases are caused by self-hatred. Well, I don't know about everyone with autoimmune diseases, but was it true of me? Well, considering that I've had a self-hatred problem since I was knee-high to a grasshopper . . . could well be. Sin has consequences.

But even still: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15)

I often cling to this song:

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing you pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Every blessing you pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord Blessed be your name

~Matt Redman~

"Blessed Be Your Name"

My grandmother had a chronic terminal lung disease that ended her life the end of last July. One thing we talked about afterwards concerning her was how amazed we were at her ability to handle her illness. She wasn't given to complaining or bitterness or feeling sorry for herself. She simply made the most out of life that she could and was able to be thankful for the good things she did have - family, friends, place to live, things to enjoy,.... As her health deteriorated, she simply accepted it and made what adjustments she needed in order to compensate. Not a single person ever heard her complaining.

I don't know how she did it. But she found that secret. I hope to find it myself - it's so hard not to complain when my hands hurt so much I can't even open a bottle! My grandma couldn't walk to the end of the hallway without running out of breath, yet she'd still smile at you through her heavy breathing.

I hope this makes sense to you. I don't know what your specific illness is, but I hope and pray for you to keep your eyes on the Lord through it all and not on your troubles.

[papasangel]

How does death and destuction work to someone's good? I don't want any sympathy but I will tell you something to proove a point. I am currently dealing with a condition that runs its course to the toe tag room. I can't believe its for my good. Its destroyed my family finances, marraige and career at 42. I refuse to believe its from God. It is just NATURE my friend. It happens. I will accept that it is part of the fall but its not a specific punishment. I see cancer kids and that is not a specific punishment. Nor does much good come out of it. The only lessons learned are how to weep or die. I could not think of telling someone that their phycialogical misfortune

[Born4Jesus]

Shalom Beloved Brother:

I apreciated the sharing.However, we cannot conclude that it is the end of the age.

of curse that these signs are similar to those we read in Matthew 24:3-14.But, Jesus let us know that the end wil not come as long as the gospel of the kingdom will not be preached. jesus said exactly :"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations and then the end will come".theredfore, we cannot conclude to the end of the age.But it is always signs to testify the truth and the reality on the matter.

My GOD is the Genuine and he could never deny Himsel for he is th only righteous and we cannot ajust as we could never find anyone who is righteous.Romans 3:23.

The hurricane Katrina must alert our minds on the coming of our Lord of course but also and shefly on our duties as christians to preach the gospel which te mwoman has no right to teach.And if woman replies to what we alll cal a divine call, what to say for men who are declining the divine call?GOD is expecting to all of us who ar called from Himself to commit ourselves into our respective ministeries .

May the Lord of lords and the King of kings richly and abundantly bless toyou ll through this reading by fulling of the fulness and the power of the Holy spirit.amen.

Your Brother of the Centre of Africa,

Chang.

Edited September 8, 2005 by Born4Jesus

[dgolvach]

Dan everyone here either assumes or knows where your heart is with the Lord, but I don't and I'm not here to judge you either way. I see honesty (and some sarcasm) coming out in your words. Where is your heart at?

Kindest regards

Faithie 

First off, not everyone here disagrees with me. Secondly, the "word from God" statements are beyond ridiculous so I get sarcastic. My heart goes out to people who get sucked in by this kind of thing. ( formerly me) Yes ...I got sarcastic. But I get tired of every time a tragedy hits, someone has to pop off with "God told me that this is a warning". But hey look...heres where it ends for me, If you or anyone else wants to digest any "word from God" that pops up on this are any other forum, Gods speed. But let me ask you. Do you agree with the quoted Rabbi that suggested that this catastrophe was a direct result of the "Gaza Pull Out"?????

(so no one gets up set...I didn't support the pull out)

You know...a few years ago Jerry Falwell made a similar "Word from Gos"statement concerning a hurrican that hit Florida. He pointed out some sin that was taking place there and said that it was God's wrath. Well Well Well...Just a few weeks later an even bigger one came up and demolished his area. Hmmmmm

ITS JUST WEATHER FOLKS!!!!THATS ALL

Faithie...it matters not where my heart is...God gave me a head and my head tells me to not believe everything someone tells you especially if they claim to be talking to God.

The way I view this storm is that God is alive and on the scene in spite of this natural disaster.

Dan

[nebula]

This is a thought I had that I checked with others. I know it kind of sounds weird, and I can anticipate the protests I could get, but here goes anyway. . . .

What if it's God's mercy?

I mean, this showed how unprepared our emergency response team/ gov't/ etc. were to respond to such a massive disaster.

So, what if the Lord allowed-caused the destruction of one city to prepare us for the worse thing that's down the pike.

I know that sounds weird, but. . . .

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

Dan everyone here either assumes or knows where your heart is with the Lord, but I don't and I'm not here to judge you either way. I see honesty (and some sarcasm) coming out in your words. Where is your heart at?

Kindest regards

Faithie

[Christ's Free Servant]

This is a thought I had that I checked with others.  I know it kind of sounds weird, and I can anticipate the protests I could get, but here goes anyway. . . .

What if it's God's mercy?

I mean, this showed how unprepared our emergency response team/ gov't/ etc. were to respond to such a massive disaster.

So, what if the Lord allowed-caused the destruction of one city to prepare us for the worse thing that's down the pike.

I know that sounds weird, but. . . .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Works for me! The people were scattered all over the USA and so people from all over the USA are getting to participate in helping these people and I think it is making all of us think seriously about what is next and what we need to do to prepare.

[Giaour]

Dan, I agree with you that this is just weather, period.

But I do think that all things happen for a purpose. Have you seen the miracles coming out of this tragedy? People pulling together, showing of concern, out pouring of emotions, personal sacrifices to save strangers, the generosity etc etc. The list goes on and on. I have heard more than one person say in tv interviews that it was God who saved them from drowning. We can spead the glory and mercy of God though disasters in our lives. I do not think this was a punishment from God.

Were the Galaleans more sinful than any other? Go to the scriptures.