Death and Dying

A few months ago a "used to be fellow blogger" posted about a death in the family, and that her family tragedy is further proof to her for the non-existence of God. It was a very blahzay  blogpost that went on about how it doesn't matter anymore, she's not angry, not upset, not anything... nothing but "oh well, life goes on for absolutely no purpose whatsoever, and I'm so glad I discovered that....I'm so smart!"

Last night, watching The Gaithers, they showcased a family, the Feeks. The husband and wife (Joey and Rory) sing gospel songs and of course it showed them singing on the show, and they held and showed off their baby Indiana. They talked about the recent event in their lives, Joey's cancer, and their battle (chemo, surgery, more chemo) to fight the disease. Joey looked frail and thin yet at peace. She talked about her chats with hospital staff, that she was believing God for a miracle of healing, ALTHOUGH if it was His decision that her time on earth was done, she knew that His plans for her are much better than anything she could dream up for herself. The hospital staff, she said, told her how she inspired them through their smaller struggles, and gave them hope to keep trusting in Jesus's better plans for those who love Him.

(Joey is the bald one, and her husband Rory is to her left)

Last night I thought about the contrast of the two stories that the above mentioned situations tell. It made me sad for the people in that former situation, and that the second inspires me in all of what Joey is going through God is working out His better plans, no matter what anyone wants to believe or not believe.

God is sovereign, and there is peace in that.

http://thislifeilive.com/the-ties-that-bind/



 I hope and pray that the Lord will bless everyone that reads this, and I also hope you will join me and many others in praying for Joey and her family, and that He gives you the peace that surpasses understanding.

The Gospel

 http://tractleague.com/tracts/the-gospel--good-news/

 

What is the gospel?

According to the Strong's the word that has been translated "gospel" is from the Greek word meaning "good message" ...I've always seen it translated as "good news"...

The gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance from the power and penalty of sin according to the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Why is this such wonderful news?

You and everyone else have been born with a fatal condition. This condition is called sin. Why is this condition so serious? Because God is sinless and hates sin, for sin is rebellion against His perfect and righteous standard. And your sinful actions makes you an enemy of God (Romans 3:23; James 4:4). God made man imperishable, in His own image (Genesis 1:27). He made man so that he may have continual fellowship with Him. But when sin came, the intimate fellowship between man and God changed.

 http://www.gospeloutreach.net/gospel.html

Things can be faked. We are all wicked, self-serving, self-loving above all others...we want to think that we are "good", but the truth is when push comes to shove, we will shove those who shove us and shove harder. Many times we see those who have a form of godliness yet deny His power (2 Timothy 3:5), and Jesus said they are difficult to tell apart without having His discernment, and even then, only after the wheat (true) and tares (false) grow into maturity (Matthew 13), because while these are yet immature they look very much alike....it is only after they bear fruit that we can see the difference.True godliness truly and honestly (perfectly? no, only God is perfect) loves others more than self. None of us have it truly....unless we have the Spirit of God making that true in our lives.

The word "gospel" first shows up in scripture here:


 Matthew 4:23-25  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.   And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.  And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. (KJV)

This is really the first time that I'm noticing that this good news went out beyond the borders of Israel during the time of Christ's ministry on earth....

Anyway, the good news is that we were doomed to hell, doomed in our sin, forever outcast from the presence of a holy and righteous God. The good news (gospel) is that God is merciful. He made a way out of this mess through the shedding of His Son's blood as payment for the ransom that needed to be paid for our transgressions.

When I watch the Investigative Discovery channel, the family of victims which were raped, tortured, and/or murdered are relieved when the perpetrator of the crimes is apprehended and sentenced to his just punishment. While he is not yet found, they worry that justice will not be served. But we fail to realize that because of our sinful nature we are all guilty before the perfect law that God demands to be able to stand in His presence. While we yet love sin (and face it we all do, it is part of our fallen human nature to love sin...even if it seems that we only love minor sins to a small degree, we are guilty to the full extent of the law), we do not want to stand in the presence of a holy God. I know that prior to being saved I hated anyone who told me the truth about my sin. Therefore how could I  stand before a perfectly holy God who would see every glaring but secret sin I ever committed that went without His punishment?....however He provided His Son to pay that debt! That's good news! It is like getting a reprieve from the governor while on death row.

A day or two ago DebbieLynne touched on the topic of "the gospel" while I was considering doing a post about it. She has some beautiful insights on this subject. Do take a look and meditate further on this blessed gift of God:

http://debsheadstick.blogspot.ca/2015/03/why-did-he-do-that.html

Resolution to Do Better

On New Years Day I committed to reading the Bible every morning and evening....especially trying to do that first before anything else in my day, and the last thing I do at night. I've messed up a couple of times but on the whole it has been a successful endeavor.

I've noticed that no matter what happens throughout the day I am much more relaxed and in control in a good way. In control used to mean wrestling control back when I felt I had lost my hold of a situation. Now it is simply resting on the fact that I know God has this....and everything...and He really does know what He's doing...however previously I would have to work hard at keeping that understanding in mind, and now the difference is that it just is that way without me having to work that into my thinking processes.

Psalm 65:8b ...Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.


and to those who do not regard Him:



Job 4:17-21  Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
  Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
They are destroyed from morning to evening:
They perish for ever without any regarding it.  
Doth not their excellency which is in them go away?
 They die, even without wisdom.


As I get older I understand more and more deeply the wisdom of God's word to us...and it is meant for blessing and health in our bones and for that true peace that persists no matter what terrible things happen, because everything in this world is temporary and going away anyway. But the ones who are called of the Lord are with Him forever.

The Question of Denominations

This question has come up several times, and I often see this mentioned by atheists as being one of many reasons why they cannot believe in God. Even within denominations individuals have their various distinctly different opinions about what the Bible says, means, and how these things should be applied, so the question for these atheists is: "Why doesn't God get it right for people? Why doesn't He lay it out plainly for everyone so there wouldn't be all these splintered factions and groups within groups all opposing each other, sometimes giving opposite meanings to the same verses/passage in the Bible. God is supposed to not be the author of confusion and yet it appears that He is just that."

I personally find that the fact that we are each unique with individual ideas, aspirations, ways of expressing ourselves, etc., to be one of the most wonderful aspects of God's creation. Even flowers and plants, when I look at them in my garden, there are similar ones, however no two are exactly alike.

When God created Adam and Eve and they began having children, their individuality and differences already even then showed up in the choices they made, and how they each desired to display a life of sacrifice to God; a right way and the wrong way. Instead of getting humbled by the understanding of his wrong way, Cain did not submit to the truth about the error of his way but instead wanted everything including God to submit to his way. God had it wrong, not Cain...according to Cain that is. His wrong attitude and His defiance against God led him to murdering his brother in his envy and anger that Abel was acceptable and he himself was rejected. Many vegetarians today would probably agree with Cain saying that the sacrificing of his best fruits of his own labors should have been the better sacrifice than the shedding of blood. In most people's eyes any kind of murder, the murder of the innocent, animals are just innocent creatures after all....is wrong.

I agree. It is wrong. (with this for clarification: sin is terrible and very serious and therefore the antidote likewise must be very severe as a consequence...and "sacrificing fruits and vegetables" instead of  a prize sweetest adorable lamb is NOT the price God has set as an adequate sacrifice which pointed to the real ransom, Jesus, THE Lamb of God: God in the flesh)

It is the only way that our Creator has in place for our redemption.

God allows within His true way for various people to express themselves in their own unique ways, but there are boundaries that we are not to cross...there are specific rules, commandments, laws that do not hinder any of us in uniquely expressing our devotion to God in our personal lives. When the rules are not obeyed there are consequences...... and there is also forgiveness, a time to turn around, repent, admit error.

In the book of Revelation there are 7 churches mentioned that were active in the time of John "the revelator". Each church was distinct, with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Each church was told what it did right and how and why it needed to change. Those strengths and deficiencies are still noticeable today in churches which claim to be of the body of Christ. Each individual who looks to Christ truly, knows where they fail and seeks God for the strength to do what is right in the sight of God. That won't change them into "cookie-cutter Christians", because that isn't God's way. The Apostle Paul and the other apostles each had unique lives and ministries, and God used them each in separate ways within the body of the Church. They were not "cookie-cutter" in any way, yet they all worshiped God in the way He wants to be worshiped. They were same and yet not the same.

 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  
For by one Spirit 
are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.   
For the body is not one member, but many.  
 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 
  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? 
If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 
And if they were all one member, where were the body?   
But now are they many members, yet but one body.  
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.   
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  
Are all apostles? 
are all prophets? 
are all teachers? 
are all workers of miracles?   
Have all the gifts of healing? 
do all speak with tongues? 
do all interpret?   
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1Corinthians 12:12-31 (KJV)

The last questions in that passage are meant to be rhetorical with the obvious answer to each being "no".

The fact that God has made such an incredible world with so many unique and distinct qualities everywhere abounding, beautiful birds, flowers, trees, fish, and all kinds of four-footed beasts, and then men and women with unique reasoning skills, voices, gifts all differing from each other, is for me one of the best evidences of a wonderful Creator. The fact that He has provided ONE WAY for redemption out of a creation that got damaged is not evidence for a hateful and inconsistent God, but for a very wise and loving God who loves His creation and doesn't just give up on it and scrap the whole thing for the garbage in it. He is willing to clean up the garbage, but clean it up His way in His time. That is reasonable, isn't it?

Maturity in Christ Part 3

A very nice link

Luke 13:6-9 And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'   And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"(ESV)

Is there a lesson in that parable for you? There was for me, many actually. Others looking onto my life may have been disappointed, for years, in seeing what was lacking in my life. And I may be looking for the right kind of fruit in others, and see none;  yet the Lord shows us what He can do aside from what that person is doing or not doing (because this isn't just talking about trees), and it could take many years.

 Something that I realized lately...

Maturity in Christ Part 2

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

We all go through difficult times, it is a part of life. Even people "on top of the world" so to speak, who seem to have it all: fame, fortune, universal love and acceptance, etc, etc, etc... have problems, can't hold on to their spouses, go to rehab, or even kill themselves with booze, illegal mind altering substances, or sleeping pills.

Some people blame God for their inability to believe in Him because...

Maturity in Christ Part 1

 This is also part of the "Falling Away" series, so I have "apostasy" in the links below this post.

Since I brought up the topic in the last post, I think now is as good a time as any to dive in a little deeper into this aspect of the Christian's life.

In the scriptures (I'm talking about the Bible) there are many word pictures given (by Jesus and by Paul mainly) of what a Christian's spiritual relationship with our Heavenly Father and Redeemer is. Often the analogy that is presented is that of a plant/vine or a tree, and it gives us the understanding that it is living and growing. When we read of the wheat and tares, we see that they look very similar in the beginning, so similar in fact that, well....

Passover

Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread) 2013 

begins: in the evening of Monday, March 25
and ends: in the evening of Tuesday, April 2

 David Brickner executive director of Jews for Jesus explains the components of the Passover 
seder:

Answered Prayers

Lucy and family's blogsite

In Ma's comments yesterday I wrote:

I don't go for the "name it and claim it" stuff, but the Lord does want us to be persistent in asking, [however] sometimes He has something else in mind than what we are asking for...only He knows the full picture, we only see it in part, and then we ask amiss because we narrowly desire something that misses that bigger picture.

It is truly a trust issue, where even if our prayers seem to fail, God never fails in doing the right thing.

Lucy has been improving, Praise the Lord! She looks much different from that picture (above) taken about a year and a half ago. Her latest test came up clear of cancer, and the fact that she still lives is of course truly a miracle. 

However, if we don't get what we ask for, if Lucy had passed away, could it be because we didn't ask enough? Or didn't say the "right words"? Or because God forgot about showing us His mercy in her situation? 

There are many times He answers "no" to our requests for healing. Why is that?

A young woman I work with recently had a surgery to try to solve her sleep apnea problems. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. She always had kind things to say about others. She had a beautiful laugh and a gorgeous smile. She's an architect who just prior to her surgery, did some work for FEMA. She loves helping people. The day after her surgery a few months ago, she lapsed into a coma. She came out of the coma a couple of weeks later, barely functioning, barely and only sometimes able to follow simple commands. We who know her beg the Lord for a healing touch to restore the beautiful friend and family member to us. So far the answer has been "no"... or maybe it is "wait". 

I think about the lessons Jesus taught with His life while He was here amongst us. Why did He wait until Lazarus was completely dead before restoring him? Weren't his sister's faithful enough in their prayers and their grief? And what about those who do not ever have their loved ones restored to them in this life? Does it mean that they (or the Lord? we know this would be impossible, but there are those of course who blame to Lord for not giving them a "yes" to their requests for healing) were not faithful? Does the Lord always allow sickness for the reason of displaying His awesome power of healing through answered prayer? If He doesn't heal is it because we are doing something wrong?... because He is angry with us over some other thing that He is punishing us for? Is it to teach us patience and trust in Him, even in losing such precious loved ones?

I really don't know the answer to these questions. I don't know why He sometimes answers "yes" and other times in seemingly identical situations the answer is "no". Certainly we need to continue to be persistent in our asking.

Luk 11:5  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
Luk 11:6  For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luk 11:7  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
Luk 11:8  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luk 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luk 11:10  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luk 11:11  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luk 11:12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Is this promising a complete healing in this life, of body, mind and soul? Or is this talking about something else?

But, like I stated in Ma's comments section, we might not know why the Lord does (or doesn't do) what He does, but He does know what He is doing, and He does it perfectly even when it isn't the way we think it would best showcase His love and perfection. He is perfect. Our understanding of that is not perfect, not even close. Everything, the good, the bad, and everything in between, will end up for good in those who are His and called according to His purpose. I cling to that promise. (Romans 8:28)

Added thought:

 ...thinking more about this....what disturbs me about this is that it seems like we look to God as a genie that we have to "rub the right way" to get what we want.... like we are his experimental creatures along the lines of "Pavlov's dogs". I know this isn't what our relationship with Him should be, however it often strikes me that often what I see is that kind of conditioning in how we are to ask and receive, and I don't think that is what the Lord desires of us at all.