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I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
Neither do I.Gods blessings is all measured by material things.
Worship God for his blessings. Is God as santa?Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
I see your point however the devotional is not saying God caused a blizzard for the benefit of the pastor at all. So look at it from another perspective God directed him to buy the store the storm was coming anyway so the blessing was the heads up on the purchase.For instance what if someone is planning on poisoning a group of people and God directs you to leave the group and you avoid being poisoned that wouldn't mean God poisoned the group, right?
Hi Bod,
I admire your attempt to see the good in most things, but I thought that you believed that God (Allah) was the cause of everything that happens. Especially every natural occurance, like storms.
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,07:50) Hi Bod, I admire your attempt to see the good in most things, but I thought that you believed that God (Allah) was the cause of everything that happens. Especially every natural occurance, like storms.
My point was simply that several effects are the byproduct of several causes God has already set the laws of physics and nature into motion, obviously he allows mankind to make decisions which is why they are being judged.So yes the storms and other natural occurences are going to happen I was simply saying in that context God can bless someone. But let me also state that blessings don't always have to look positive, death can even be a blessing.
Tim,
I do not believe that God is the “cause” of everything.He made laws (not 10 commandment type, but laws of physics, thermodynamics, etc..) to govern our universe, these resulted in a basic cause and effect environment. Thus storms and most other “natural” occurrence are just that, a natural occurrence. He then gave man dominion allowing for us to work within These “laws” to collectively exert our will in this world.
Now, the Father is quite capable of exerting His will to override ours, but has limited Himself to doing only what has been requested by those of faith so as to not “take back” the dominion He gave man.
Thus He can protect those who have placed their trust in Him, or allow satan to test them, because that is our ultimate purpose here to show forth His glory, wisdom, righteousness and love.
So what was a tragedy (a blizzard not of His making or desire) can result in blessings to some and an opportunity to show the benefit and wisdom of a loving response to others.
Obviously man has not done a great job of “running things” but this does explain why there is so much evil co-existing with a loving God.
I believe that during the 1,000 year reign of Christ He will demonstrate how He would have had it done.
My opinion – Wm
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
You forget Tim, that they were making money. The deadly blizzard was a financial blessing from god. Those people didn't die in vain.Of course they may not have realised the danger of claiming that all fear had gone. You can't just forget about fearing god.
Fear of god increases your fertility (Exodus 1:21), makes things “go well” (Deuteronomy 5:29), gives you long life (Deuteronomy 6:1-2), helps you prosper and stay alive (Deuteronomy 6:24), stops you from making war (2 Chronicles 17:9,10), helps you avoid the reproach of Gentiles (Nehemiah 5:9), allows the LORD to confide in you (Psalms 25:12-14), keeps you alive in a famine (Psalms 33:18-19), gets you food (Psalms 111:5), gains you the delight of the LORD (Psalms 147:11), gets you the knowledge of god (Proverbs 2:1-5), brings you health (Proverbs 3:7-8), makes you live longer (Proverbs 10:27), brings you wealth and honour (Proverbs 22:4) and allows you to avoid all extremes (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18).
To claim all fear was gone is surely reckless.
Stuart
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,07:50) Hi Bod, I admire your attempt to see the good in most things, but I thought that you believed that God (Allah) was the cause of everything that happens. Especially every natural occurance, like storms.
Jeremiah 25:31 A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; HE WILL give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 25:32 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great WHIRLWIND SHALL BE RAISED up from the coasts of the earth.
Jeremiah 25:33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be DUNG upon the ground.
Tim,
What is your thoughts on my post a couple up? I was troubled for years with the claim that “God is in control” especially when given to grieving loved ones as a supposed word of comfort. And then they add to their grief with words on their eternal suffering in hell, the statement “God is in control” sours pretty quick. With this kind of gospel it's no wonder that you atheists are so cynical. But truth is available to all who will search for it. Don't allow these false teachings to “sour” your view of our loving Heavenly Father.Wm
Quote (Stu @ Dec. 20 2012,23:50) Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
You forget Tim, that they were making money. The deadly blizzard was a financial blessing from god. Those people didn't die in vain.Of course they may not have realised the danger of claiming that all fear had gone. You can't just forget about fearing god.
Fear of god increases your fertility (Exodus 1:21), makes things “go well” (Deuteronomy 5:29), gives you long life (Deuteronomy 6:1-2), helps you prosper and stay alive (Deuteronomy 6:24), stops you from making war (2 Chronicles 17:9,10), helps you avoid the reproach of Gentiles (Nehemiah 5:9), allows the LORD to confide in you (Psalms 25:12-14), keeps you alive in a famine (Psalms 33:18-19), gets you food (Psalms 111:5), gains you the delight of the LORD (Psalms 147:11), gets you the knowledge of god (Proverbs 2:1-5), brings you health (Proverbs 3:7-8), makes you live longer (Proverbs 10:27), brings you wealth and honour (Proverbs 22:4) and allows you to avoid all extremes (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18).
To claim all fear was gone is surely reckless.
Stuart
Stu.If there is one leader that you may choose to run this world; which one would you choose?
wakeup.
Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 27 2013,06:38) Stu. If there is one leader that you may choose to run this world; which one would you choose?
wakeup.
Why? Do you think we need one?Stuart
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
Hi Tim:I disagree with the Pastor who says:
Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.It might be a valid question, but the answer is not difficult. I know that I am blessed because God has demonstrated His love for me in the person of His Only Begotten Son and His Christ by forgiving me for all of the wrong that I have done, by giving me peace of mind, by providing me with all of my needs, and He has assured me of eternal life in a state of bliss in the world to come. I know that I am blessed to have the priviledge and honor of being “a son of the Most High God”.
This pastor bought a store and perceived that it was a blessing from God. Whether he owned the store or not would not change the fact that there was a blizzard in which people would lose thier life, would it?
If he made money by virture of the blizzard, it may be a blessing from God if he used the money that he made to help the families who lost thier loved ones in this blizzard or others who may have been in need. In this world death is a reality.
God does bless his people financially so that His kingdom might be established.
Love in Christ,
MartyI love the way the god-deluded tie their minds in knots trying to reconcile the ethics of the actions of a god that could do anything, as if it is important.
It isn't, because the god isn't really there. I suppose there is the morality of Star Trek, but you may as well discuss why Daleks are so mean.
Stuart
Quote (Stu @ Jan. 27 2013,10:50) Quote (Wakeup @ Jan. 27 2013,06:38) Stu. If there is one leader that you may choose to run this world; which one would you choose?
wakeup.
Why? Do you think we need one?Stuart
Life is as A Multiple choice question?
All The choices end up confusing the mind more than the question.
An of corse The government Has no force to answer to.If the reality of God should exist.There it should exist!
yet None!Quote (Stu @ Jan. 27 2013,16:21) Apparently governments are of this world. And gods are of some other world.
Stuart
Man is not free Unless God an government are limited, Neither Protect People Rather they run Lives an subsidizes the problemsNature wants to delagate authority to no responsibility.
Quote (TimothyVI @ Dec. 18 2012,00:16) I still receive daily devotionals, via email, from the pastor of the church that I
used to attend.
His last one addressed “blessings” from God.
Here are snippets from that email.Quote One might ask of a Christian:
“How do you know you are blessed?”
That's a valid question that cannot be all that easily answered.I believe in my life, the first awareness I can remember of being blessed
was in the feed store that Pat and I bought as a result of a direct communication from God.
Fearful and yet raring to go, we made the purchase and worked and waited,
excited to see what was going to happen.
The customers came and so did a blizzard.
How many of you remember the blizzard of 1977-78?
With that blizzard came sale upon sale of bird seed.
We were six months into owning the store and suddenly, all fear was gone.
We were making money and making new customers
and we just shook our heads at the blessings we were experiencing.So this man sincerely believes that God blessed him and his wife by sending a blizzard that killed 22 people, and caused billions of dollars in damages, so that they could sell a bunch of bird seed.
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it.
Tim
Hi Tim, I think it all began with The Fathers telling Lies to feel better. All seems good at heart yet Bad to the bones.
Quote (charity @ Jan. 27 2013,17:45) Man is not free Unless God and government are limited, Neither Protect People. Rather they run Lives an subsidizes the problems.
Charity, that is a profound and true statement.The sad fact it seems, is that neither one of these can be limited by the people whose lives they control.
All governments eventually become too powerful for the people to limit, and the people simply won't allow their God to be limited, because then it is not God.
Tim
Quote (TimothyVI @ Jan. 27 2013,23:48) Quote (charity @ Jan. 27 2013,17:45) Man is not free Unless God and government are limited, Neither Protect People. Rather they run Lives an subsidizes the problems.
Charity, that is a profound and true statement.The sad fact it seems, is that neither one of these can be limited by the people whose lives they control.
All governments eventually become too powerful for the people to limit, and the people simply won't allow their God to be limited, because then it is not God.
Tim
Hi tim, charity, and stu:God does not control anyone. You have the freedom to come to Him and learn to obey Him if you want to live in His house forever, but if you don't want to live in his house, obviously, he has given you a choice:
Quote John 834 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed
Love in Christ,
MartyQuote (TimothyVI @ Jan. 27 2013,20:48) Quote (charity @ Jan. 27 2013,17:45) Man is not free Unless God and government are limited, Neither Protect People. Rather they run Lives an subsidizes the problems.
Charity, that is a profound and true statement.The sad fact it seems, is that neither one of these can be limited by the people whose lives they control.
All governments eventually become too powerful for the people to limit, and the people simply won't allow their God to be limited, because then it is not God.
Tim
Tim,
On the last page I posted a couple of responses to your post which you have not responded to yet.Quite the opposite from “controlling” Man, God gave man dominion we are the ones who have made such a mess of things. Why is it your so compelled to blame God?
Wm
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