10 questions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHJ4ztnldQ



Having looked at the video, here are some thoughts.

I do agree that the 10 questions raised are very interesting ones, and good points to make.
In regards to the first 3, I think it comes to the basic problem of reconciling a good, all-knowing and all loving God with the very visible presence of evil and suffering in the world that we live in. It's true isn't it that all we have to do is look around us and find some form of suffering and evil, be it in our lives, our family or friends' lives, or indeed the lives of total strangers that we see in the news.
The world we live in is not right. In fact, from the perspective of the Bible, it is not at all how it was originally made to be.

Let me explain...

The Bible firmly maintains that God is the loving ruler and creator of the world. At this point, as it becomes relevant, I would like to address question 4. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, it's not meant to be. It's focus is on WHY God made the world, rather than HOW. The focus is on God's instigation, rather than methods.

So the Bible maintains God as loving ruler and creator of the world, and made us, human beings, to live in and rule the world under God.

We as humans were not happy with that arrangement, and so rebelled against God, wanting to rule ourselves, and reject Him. That is what the Bible calls 'sin'.

Sin is in the world, and it has tainted the world. Sin is evil, and a byproduct is suffering...so death, sickness, starvation, all sorts of things, are a byproduct of sin, that is OUR rebellion against God.

Why doesn't God do anything about it?

God is Holy, that is, completely perfect. We, tainted by OUR sin, are the complete opposite. He cannot stand to be anywhere near us because of OUR sin. He made the world, He's in charge of the world.

Actions have consequences, and the Bible is very clear that the consquence of OUR rebellion is OUR death. The consequence of sin is death.

Thats the main thing we must focus on. Our inablility to save ourselves from our sin, and it's consequence:- death, and to face just judgement from God. After all, we rebelled, He's the the just judge. He would not be so if this was left unjudged.

The Bible says that God is mericful. He stepped into history, as Jesus Christ, to sort out the mess we have made.

Below is an extract from a biography of Jesus in the Bible, written by an intelligent person, a doctor and historian called Luke. In this section, Jesus is addressing the question of suffering and evil:-

Luke 13:1-5:-

1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Jesus is addressing two incidents where many people died. He acknowledges suffering in this world. But what is is his focus? His focus is on God's judgement on all of humanity for their rebellion. The word repent means to turn back, literally take a complete U turn in your life away from your self and rebellious motives and towards God. That is the Creation setting that we have tried to reverse.

Jesus suffered. Jesus died. He died in the most brutal way possible, nailed to a cross for a crime He did not commit, an innocent suffer, who did no wrong.

Why?

Remember our condition, that we have rebelled and face the right judgement of God. We cannot get out ourselves. So, Jesus got us out. He died that death, and took all our sin, guilt, shame, rebelliousness, and died the very death that all of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, deserve. To repent is to trust that He did that, and that what He did is the only way we find ourselves completely forgiven by God, and set to face an eternity with Him.


So there is suffering. There is no distinction, all have sinned and fall short before God. All need Jesus. It does not surprise me that the divorce rathe for Christians is high. We have all rebelled, and we cannot take the moral high ground, never. That is why a lot of suffering goes unhealed. IT is not God ignorign us. It is the state of the world we live in. To get to the world to come, where suffering ceases, where tears shall be wiped away and death be gone forever, what we need to do in this world, is turn to God for forgiveness, which comes only through the cross of Christ: His death, which we remember by drinking wine and eating bread, as symbolic reminders of what He did for us.

We see what He did as written down in the Bible from the testimony of those who saw Him.



So theres LOADS to take in there, and I have not addressed every question. But I hope these thoughts help. Keep getting in touch if theres anything else you would like to know.

The Struggle

Do we sometimes feel like our lives are a prolonged agony, like being dragged over broken glass? Life can feel like that sometimes. A lot of stuff goes wrong very fast, or your just in a situation you hate to be in. You want a way out, a quick way out, and not be feeling like this.

We live in a life of struggle and hardship. This is the way of our fallen world. It is a fallen world because we have fallen. We suffer because we have rebelled. We opted for that choice to sideline God in favour of ourselves, and try and live our own way. It never works.

What surrounds us can seem inescapable, so we try and find our own way. A way which is not God's way.

Take the book of Hebrews in the Bible for example. Here is a book that visibly demonstrates that pattern: of, under suffering, human beings desperately trying to claw their way out of the pit of despair. Have a good long read of it.

The letter is to a group of Hebrews, being tempted away from the gospel of faith in Christ alone, to trusting in their own works, a twisting of the Old Testament law instead. This is because they are suffering, persectued for their beliefs. The author therefore spends the letter pointing them back to the gospel, that new, better covenant (chapter 8) that comes once and for all in the blood of Jesus (9-10), not the earthly rituals that were but copies of the things to come.

It is by faith we endure, says chapter 11, because of Jesus, encouraging one another with His gospel says chapters 3 and 4, so that we can say with the author in chapter 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."


When life feels painful, that we cannot go on, look to Jesus, who knows our suffering (chapter 4), and went to the cross, for us (1-13), We need to be encouraging one another, in that gospel, daily, for that is how we endure (3-4).

This is but a brief thought on this subject. I really encourage you those who do not know and those who know this book, please go and read it, and pray that you, me, and others around you will know and live out the gospel, by faith, as we endure the struggle. For our need for the gospel does not end or diminish after we trust in Jesus for the first time as Christian believers. We need to be reminded of His Word in the Bible, as Hebrews 4: 12- 13 says: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

When we cry and long for end, look to Jesus, who has endured more than we ever could,(12) so that we can one day enter God's rest (4), the race run at last, for the ultimate glory of God Himself, and with that our good caught up in the amazing wonderful blessings. For our God is amazing, He never lets us go (Romans 8:19-37), and His kingdom can never, no never, be shaken (Hebrews 12:28-29).

To close this brief thought (I keep reminding that it is brief in the hope you go and read furthur. There is so much to Hebrews, indeed to the whole Bible. I encourage you to stand firm in the struggle with our only hope, the gospel of Christ. The lyrics to the song below are a fantastic expression of these truths:-


How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
to all who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

In every condition - in sickness and health,
in poverty’s grip or abounding in wealth,
at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea -
as days may demand shall your strength ever be.
Since Jesus is with you, do not be afraid:
since he is your God, you need not be dismayed;
he’ll strengthen you, guard you, and help you to stand,
upheld by his righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters he calls you to go,
you will not be drowned in the rivers of woe;
for he will be with you in trouble, to bless
and work for your good through your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
his grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
the flames shall not harm you: his only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

The soul that in Jesus has found its repose,
he will not, he cannot, desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,he’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Doubting God

It's a challenge that we all face. It is a tactic of the satan to make us stumble, to not stand firm and trust in the God who died for us.

When do you doubt God? I'll hold my hands right up now and say that the temptation for me to give up has been very close in the past few days.

Surprised? I am. The wedding is back on, lots of people can make it, and God is in control of our trials.

Yet our sinful natures don't like that phrase 'God is in control.' Of course, as the Bible tells us, He is, and that is awesome and amazing (Romans 8). But when we doubt, we doubt that truth.

I mean, that is what I was doing yesterday when life overwhelmed me and, through a very tearful phone call with Jo, admitted to myself that everything in my life was destined to go wrong, that was my default. Yes, a lot has gone wrong, very frequently, so my logic was to label everything as going wrong, full stop, forever.

In fact, I was very much like a man of the Old Testament named Asaph.

Now Asaph, according to 1 Chronicles 6:39, was of the tribe of Levi, and a psalmist.

He wrote Psalm 77. Why not read it to yourself now as we look at it. If you don't have a Bible handy, use this link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2077&version=ESV

The first half of this passage has the writer in doubt of God. He seeks God yes, in verse 1-2, but "his soul refuses to be comforted" and he moans at remembering God.

How often have we felt like this? As Christians, we know it is right to seek God and trust in Him, but how much of that is empty words? When we are so troubled that we cannot speak, what are our thoughts of God?

Well Asaph doubts. In verses 7-9 he questions many of God's characteristics: His gracious election, His unfailing love, His faithfulness to His promises, His mercy and His compassion. These are characteristics that the whole Bible continues to proclaim about God, see how God describes Himself in Exodus 34:6-7, see Him make His promises to Abraham of land, people and blessing in Genesis 12 and 15, see Him promise to cleanse His people from their sin so that these promises can be accessed in Ezekiel 36 and 37, and see Him ultimately fullfill them in Christ Jesus.

This is what we must ask ourselves, has God forgotten us? Are our trials and tears to overwhelm us? Has God shut up His compassion?

What does Asaph do in verse 11? He focuses His mind, to remember the deeds of the Lord, to remember that God has worked and will work.

God is in control. We see that in verse 16 as the waters tremble before God, and in verses 19-20 as God parts waters in leading His people, His flock, through the turbulence. Anyone else reminded of the Exodus, as God parts the waters to let His chosen people through? Well, have a look at how those people were feeling prior to that great rescue:

"¹⁰When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. ¹¹They said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? ¹²Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." ¹³And Moses said to the people,^D)"> "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.""

If God can do that, indeed, if God can do a greater salvation, the death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, then surely He will not abandon us. See how Paul puts it in Romans 5:10 "¹⁰For if^A)"> while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

So what to do when we doubt. Whatever we do, we must fight, fight the satan. And what is our weapon, God's Word. God's living and active word, the gospel, His salvation plan that involves us, us who He allows to trust in Him.

For He is a trustworthy God, who has proved that so many times. And we need to force ourselves to remember that, even when it seems the entire world is falling apart around you: plans not going ahead, people moving away, you moving away, watching people battle around you, even when you are having a completely crap time, God never changes. He is indeed in control, open up the Bible to see that. For we have that gospel that He gives, indeed, as Jesus says in that often quoted but not always thought about verse: "For^A)"> God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Keep reminding youself, and others, of the gospel. Force yourself, and remember God is at work.

There's a great kid's song that I think sums this up well, it's called Powerful Love:-

Let’s give thanks to our God
our God is so good
he’s the God of gods
and Lord of lords
he made the heavens above
he made the land and the water
he made them just by
speaking his powerful words

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever

God struck down the Egyptians
but saved his special people
with his mighty hand
and his mighty outstretched arm
he split the sea in two
and destroyed the Egyptian army
but his special people
walked through without harm
because...

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever

Jesus Christ is God
our mighty, powerful God
he struck down all our enemies:
death and sin
and he defeated Satan
he crushed him on the head (ouch!)
he did it when he died
and rose again
because...

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever



Are you feeling doubtful of God's work in your life and situations therein? Don't feel guilty, look to the cross, force yourself to, remember the grace shown most in the gospel. For God's love, powerful love, does indeed go on and on forever.

Know anyone feeling doubtful? Why not pray for them to remember the awesome truth, and why not give them a call too?

You what?

I tell you something that really confuses me at the moment, this whole craze of trying to get Christian music into the UK charts.

The charts are a joke nowadays anyway, thanks to downloads, just look at last Christmas' fiasco with Rage Against the Machine. You can make any song be number 1 now. And some people advocate that Christian music should go in too.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about Christian music. I listen to it, a lot, but what I don't understand is throwing a Christian song, without anyone around to explain what it's about, straight at mainstream charts. The effect is a negative one. I mean, would you take a Bible verse and give it to a non-believer, and then leave it be? No, you talk to them, you explain God's message: that we humans are dead in our own sin and rebellion against God, unless we trust that God stepped into history as Jesus, who died on a cross, the only way in which we can be forgiven by God.

I just find it mad that we would take a song, which is not always based on the Bible, and throw it at the charts, and expect good things. We are not going to get popular, we preach God's message, which is exactly what the world hates. If you want popularity, you are not going to last, full stop. Sit down with a friend and explain the gospel, whatever the outcome is, don't throw a song at them and naively expect good things.

Turning popular thoughts on their head 1:-thinking we can please God

I was watching One Foot in the Grave last night, and I paraphrase a priest in light of coping with death "faith is measured by the goodness of our hearts."

Really? I mean, really?

The last thing that we want to admit as humans is that we are wrong. That we get things wrong, that we are anything other than perfect, that we can get by, even so much as being able to please God Himself.

Look at me for example. I HATE being wrong, and a trap I easily fall into is as follows: I read my Bible every day, I pray, sometimes I react well to trouble, look at me, pleasing God.

Really?

Humanity has tried over the years to try and please God on their own merits. I encourage you to read the books of 1 and 2 Kings sometime. In this book, individuals are put on the throne by God, promised long lasting kingship and dynasty if they are trusting God, trusting Him enough to obey. Note, this is about TRUSTING GOD. What happens? Look at Kings such as Solomon and Jereboham, how they behave, on their own, without trusting nor obeying God. They fail, epically. I encourage you right now to read 1 Kings 11-12, and contrast them with how a king is to be in God's eyes in Deuteronomy 17.

It is a deadly serious problem with devestating consequences, to lead people to think they can please God, that they can obtain His promises (Genesis 12 and 15, Ezekiel 34-37), on their own. Let me ask you, if we can be good, why Jesus? Why did God step into history as Jesus, and shed his blood on a wooden cross? Well, what does Romans 5 talk about?

"6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Christ died for us, so that we can be reconciled to God, not so that we can continue trusting in ourselves to inherit God's promied perfection (Ezekeil 36: 24-27: "I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. ")

This is the devil's work, the fact that Christianity is stereotyped on living a good life and then going to heaven. NOT SO. We must fight this, in our lives and in our world. For you see, we are saved by Christ, and we may accept that, but as we live our lives, what is our trust in? The blood of Christ, or our works? I really encourage you to read Galatians 3, where Paul deals with this very issue in the Galatian church.


What gives you strength to get up in the morning? The thought that your efforts alone can please God? Or that He has made you clean through His blood, and that is what saves you. Live a life for God, certainly. But don't trust in what you do as you live, but what Christ has done for you already.

Has it really been this long?

"Last post 23rd November"-oh wow!

Well, welcome to my first blog of 2010 (15/2/10)


I'm currently sat in the town library, such has my life become, full of boilers breaking, stolen wheelie bins, and other such 'grown up' trivialities.

Today's culture suggests that as a student, you are encompassed in a bubble for the duration of your degree, and afterwards exposed to the 'real world'.

That just isn't true.

Yes certain things do change, but not much. For the Christian, life is hard. We are in a fallen world where things go wrong, where the devil hates us and tries to decive and accuse us off the desire to trust God, and live according to that trust. Whether you are a student or not does not make a difference. God is God, and He never changes. Read Romans 8:28-29. God is worth trusting in. Remember this as you graduate