God is GOOD...not bad.

[MaxP]

Please Read The Op And Post Appropriately.

Was the point He doesn't punish or doesn't afflict disease?

 

[Tamara224]

Jimmie, the closest you get with the first scripture is nondescript "plague" mentioned once--and in conjunction with "bloodshed" in verse 17. I don't think you realize that what you're posting isn't what I'm asking for. Yes--it's violent, scarey stuff--but it does not meet the OP's criteria of God putting sickness or disease (these words aren't even mentioned!!) on His people to teach or chastise (was He teaching or chastising??). Surely you see this--it's not the same thing as what the OP isn asking for.

This would be funny if you were being facetious. But since you're serious it's just very very sad.

The definition of the word plague:

1. an epidemic disease that causes high mortality; pestilence. 2. an infectious, epidemic disease caused by a bacterium, Yersinia pestis, characterized by fever, chills, and prostration, transmitted to humans from rats by means of the bites of fleas. Compare bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, septicemic plague.
​

In layman's terms: A plague is when a lot of people have a disease. So, a plague is a disease x1000. A really really really bad disease.

LOL, really... what you're saying is that the example given by Jimmy is too good. Instead of giving an example of God putting disease on just one of His people, Jimmy gave several examples of God putting disease on thousands of His people. But since there were thousands afflicted, according to you, it doesn't count.

Try looking at it this way....Take each person afflicted by the disease separately - each person afflicted is one example. In that sense, Jimmy gave you thousands of examples of God putting disease on people.

Let's step back and take a look at the two possibles that we have come up with so far:

1. Daniel's son
2. Miriam

Daniel didn't have any sons, he was most likely a eunuch. You mean David's son.

But speaking of Daniel... Read chapter 4.

I know, I know, you probably won't read it, in the first place, and if you did you'd say that Nebuchadnezzar wasn't a believer so it doesn't qualify as a response to the OP. But if you're honest you will note that by the end of the story, Nebuchadnezzar was indeed a believer in God Almighty because of what God did to him. God taught him a very big lesson about pride.

However, these same faithless unbelievers (I hope that truth isn't offensive)

Of course it's offensive. Don't lie, you mean to be offensive and we all know it.

must also conceed that it is possible that, at least in the case of Miriam, that the law of sowing and reaping could be at play.

Oh, I see. So, you're saying that if we question God's appointed leadership we'll be struck with leprosy?

It's a "law" after all which means that it must be applied consistently and without favoritism. If Miriam reaps leprosy for sowing rebellion... why doesn't everyone reap leprosy for sowing rebellion?

Uh-oh, I'm afraid I interjected some reality into the discussion... I hope that doesn't put your knickers in too big of a knot.

In the case of Daniel's son, it is also possible that the sins of the father (Daniel) have been visited upon the son. Actually, this is painfully obvious--which doesn't necessarily take away from what is also obvious to a faithless unbeliever, which is that God specifically targetted the child for affliction with sickness or disease for the purpose of teaching or chastisement.

First, again, it's David. David was the second King of Israel. Daniel was a prophet living in Babylon during the exile - many years later. Daniel didn't have children, he never married and was probably a eunuch.

It is evident that you haven't been reading the posts, much less the Bible. Seriously.

Second, so... you admit then that the Bible does clearly indicate that it was God who put sickness on David's son (sickness which lead to death)?

Oh--wait...that may not be the case either. What was being taught/who was chastised through this event? Or was it the law of sowing and reaping in effect?

You also seem to admit that God was chastising/punishing/disciplining someone in this example.

So... what is your argument again, exactly?

The law of sowing and reaping...hmmm.... So, David sows in adultery and murder and reaps in the loss of a son.

Why doesn't everyone who commits adultery and/or murder lose his children, then?

If this is a "law" it must work consistently, otherwise it's not a "law".

(Sorry, I realize that was more reality. How are you doing? Getting overloaded yet? Or did you already stick your head in the sand and stop reading?)

So the score, if generously observed, is

Opposition to the OP: 2 possible
Events in accordance with the OP: Never been any.

I'm sorry, this is just too funny. You're like a little kid who made up a new game. 1st you invent rules that give you an automatic advantage (something like, "in this game of hide and seek I count for 10 seconds when I'm seeking, when anyone else is the seeker they count for 100 seconds"). Then you name yourself as the referee for awarding points or penalties. And when someone does count for 100 seconds and still finds you, you say "that doesn't count because you have to find me with your eyes closed."

It's really very pathetic.

Here's a little hint, kind of a secret... You're only fooling yourself and those like you who want to be willfully blind. You haven't won anything just because you declare yourself the winner.

I know that's kind of hard to take but...well, it's just the truth.

So, the opposition bases its entire belief system of God using sickness and disease to teach us (which is the reason they say God cann't be depended upon to heal today through faith) upon two flimsy-supported events in the old testiment.

I've seen much better strawmen than that in my day. This is just pathetic.

 

[NaLuvena]

Let's step back and take a look at the two possibles that we have come up with so far:

1. Daniel's son
2. Miriam

Two possible cases where God specifically targetted His children for affliction with sickness or disease for the purpose of teaching or chastisement. From the standpoint of someone who does not know or believe that God is good, I can see how this might be proof that God has done this in these two cases.

However, these same faithless unbelievers (I hope that truth isn't offensive) must also conceed that it is possible that, at least in the case of Miriam, that the law of sowing and reaping could be at play. In the case of Daniel's son, it is also possible that the sins of the father (Daniel) have been visited upon the son. Actually, this is painfully obvious--which doesn't necessarily take away from what is also obvious to a faithless unbeliever, which is that God specifically targetted the child for affliction with sickness or disease for the purpose of teaching or chastisement. Oh--wait...that may not be the case either. What was being taught/who was chastised through this event? Or was it the law of sowing and reaping in effect?

So the score, if generously observed, is

Opposition to the OP: 2 possible
Events in accordance with the OP: Never been any.

So, the opposition bases its entire belief system of God using sickness and disease to teach us (which is the reason they say God cann't be depended upon to heal today through faith) upon two flimsy-supported events in the old testiment.

Nice.

Firstly, your definition of good is based on human values, that is why you cannot accept that God does inflict pain, suffering, disease and even death on His people, to teach and chastise them.

Secondly, I don't know where you got the reference to Daniel's son. As far as I can tell, Daniel never had any sons.

Thirdly, you reject God's chastisement of Miriam and Aaron as flimsy-supported. Are you saying that this part of the Bible may not be true?

Even the law of sowing and reaping is based on God's willingness to punish us if we do wrong, and reward us if we do right. You sow good sees, you reap good fruit. You sow bad seed, you reap bad fruit.

Guess you never read this from the Bible either

Psalm 119:71

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Your view of God is almost one-dimensional, my friend.

 

[NaLuvena]

Your response is missing the point entirely.

Everything is sowing and reaping based upon the systems God had put in place. We reap what we sow. Is it God's fault that Adam and Eve ate from the tree because He put the tree there? Is it His fault we fall and hit the ground if we walk off the roof?

The OP has defined a specific type of situation for a specific purpose. We aren't going to get anywhere if we continually lump a whole lotta other stuff in with it.

The point of the thread is that we simply cannot base an entire belief system of God using sickness and disease to teach us (which is the reason folks say God can't be depended upon to heal today through faith) upon two (so far) flimsily-supported events in the old testiment.

It's rediculous. PLEASE STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE OP OR START YOUR OWN THREAD AND CONCEED THAT THE OP IS CORRECT.

You even misunderstand the law of reaping and sowing

You can only reap what you sow, because GOD GIVES THE GROWTH!!!!!

You keep saying that somehow, the examples that we gave do not count because they are the results of some pre-ordained system.

• There is no law that says leprosy is the punishment for rebellion
• There is no law that says the loss of a child is the punishment of adultery

Even laws are suspended by God, whenever it suits Him. According to the law of gravity and molecular attraction, Jesus should have never been to walk on water, but He did.

Can you even provide one verse that supports your position, that God does not inflict sickness and disease on His people?

 

[Ichabod 2]

There is a great difference between good and bad...that some folks do not understand--or choose not to accept. If they knew the God of the Bible, they would know that He does not inflict sickness or disease upon His people to chasten or teach. There is no instance in the Word ANYWHERE of Him doing this...to His people...to chasten or teach.

Bring it...so others can see the Truth.

These folks aren't just mistaken--they actively, purposefully promote anti-faith and purposefully steal others' hope for healing for their own selfish, prideful purposes.

Amazing but true.

Let's have it--start posting all of the many, many times when God:

a. inflicted sickness or disease on His people (believers)
b. for the purpose of teaching or chastening.

We're waiting...

...and by the way, DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT--JUST POST ALL OF YOUR MANY, MANY REFERENCES THAT MEET THIS CRITERIA.

I guess you missed the point on my last posing; my point simply is God is sovereign so if there is any evil God is in complete and total control of that evil, calamity, difficult situation or whatever you want to call it. It was God who planted the tree of Good and Evil, and it was God who totally causes the fall God is spelled God, not “good”. This is true at least if you believe God’s Word not the tradition of man.

Take the statement, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.", how men would like to word this differently. We prefer the kind of promise which reads, "And as thy days, so shall thy strength be." [Deuteronomy 33:25]. Or again, "My grace is sufficient for thee." [2 Corinthians 12:9]. Sufficient unto the day is the strength and grace thereof sounds real good. We like that! And this is true, but right now the Master is emphasizing that there is a quota of evil that is also sufficient for the day.

This word "evil" from the Greek word "kakai" which is the feminine form from "kakon," speaks of evil in the abstract sense, to cover all the generalized forms of evil in the world. Pressures, troubles, distresses, afflictions, injustice, corruption-- the whole influence of that which is evil in our day, all is included in this generalized term of evil.

Now we read, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:21]. Yet is it not true that there could be no form of this overcoming without the evil being there as an obstacle? How can one win in a hurdle-jumping race if there be no hurdles out on the race track? And so it is, God knows exactly how much evil to allow to come your way for your development as an overcomer. To be an overcomer you must have things which need to be overcome. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." [Revelation 21:7].

Perhaps once more we need to be reminded that "to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things." [1 Corinthians 8:6]. HE is the First Cause of all causes, and the initial Source of all things. This is He of whom it is written, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." [Isaiah 45:7]. And this is the same God spoken of in Ephesians 1:11, "He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."

"The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." [Proverbs 16:4]. And again, "I have created the waster to destroy (act wickedly, corrupt)." [Isaiah 54:16].

Our God takes the full responsibility, and we shall simply stand by and see what He will do with it, and wonder, and come to worship Him for all of His ways. Indeed, true worship is unreservedly approving from our heart all that God does, for we know that His way is the best way.

 

[Forum Cruiser]

Sigh

this thread is saddening, yet only proves what goes on daily, day after day

You know, I will be honest, from what some of you said on what suffering is and goodnes, using evil for good, God 'allowing' it for some purpose etc etc

from what you have said, I hope that I never meet you, LOL in all honestly,'

If that is what you believe about goodnes, life and God, what He does,

dont encourage me, dont be around me.

You wont bring life, but hurt and death to people, sorry to be blunt.

You know its honestly, sickening, what some of us christians believe on goodness and what love is.

for petes sake, GOOD IS GOOD! LOVE IS LOVE, there is EVIL or BADNESS In GOOD, you cannot turn darkness in with light, because it wont be light anymore, it will be a shade, and we know God is light, and there is no darkness in Him,

if but what I read on this thread. God allows stuff, sends trials my way the way some of you explain it. Are we not suppose to be images of Christ. IF then, lets all allow the poor person to learn, lets not help him, for it will not be in Gods will. Let all us not help someone for we might be going against Gods will! let the person learn, suffer!

sigh I dont know every much at all. but as a Son of God, my own brothers and sisters condemn, we are one of the most judgemental people, not even willing to admit we are wrong, self-righteous people. COMPASSION, ACCEPTANCE LOVE!! is what we are. we dont tolerate sin, BUT we do meet people where they are, with HOPE! and LOVE! Because its God who changes people, not us!


oh well, the human mind again, if it feels right, looks right, logic seems right, everyone says its right, must be right eh?

yet the guy next door believes another thing, yet he is right in his own mind.

hey evern Hilter was right in his mind, look at the lot who followed him?

God bless

Well friend, I am not certain how old you are but when something really bad happens to you (I mean REALLY bad) it will be very difficult to live by these words of yours. I know, I was there.

You cannot help but question what made you deserve such a terrible circumstance and why. When the answers are not easily attainable you tend to question your belief system and may find your faith tested.

I admire your enthusiasm but be aware this mentality may only be temporary with greater life experiences.

 

[HoneyComb Son]

Forum Cruiser, I am 26,

and alot of bad things have happened to me already and are, mentally abused, toremented, two chronic illnessesses, chronic depression, and living with the scars of OCD, and being exposed to false doctrine. spiritually abused..

Not bragging at all.. My suffering is no badge of honor, in this all I have questioned my believes, what i believed, what I am beginning to see, what the Devil has done to me, Yes I made bad decisions, but I also now their are things that happened to me that was not of my own sin, nor anyone elses, but of this fallen world. things jsut happen. plus the Devil.

what I am seeing, that alot of what people are saying on this thread of God and suffering and Him casting or being apart of it, whatever ya call it, is not good...its not right...

There hasnnt been a day, only a few in my life that I can say I was truly happy or had joy.

however, I think i am learning that this is not Gods will for me, that He wants me well, and whole, that this depression this illness is not of Him, this OCD which causes me mental anquish is something that breaks His heart, Him watching me struggle daily with physical disability causes Him to sigh, and bring pain to His heart. I think that this heart, when he sees it, brings Him pain, that this tattered body that He paid a price for, brings Him grief, because just maybe, just maybe He wants me whole, since I am His temple.

If there is a lesson in this, it is I was never meant to be like this, the discipline that I needed, was in His word after all.

Maybe the Devil, who was behind it all, thought God as that way, and thus Tried to destory me. Just maybe

However, God bless you all, in your enthusiam and what your honestly, but one thing I will not bless, is what you teach. I am not write and do misunderstand alot of all you said. However, I am right in this, something what you say is not right of God.

There has been difficult times in my life, for each a young age, it is no honor of me, I lost. However, what I learned and hopefull will fully accept and learn, THIS is not Gods will for me, He desires me WELL.


anyway, God bless, I really dont care what you say

 

[Ichabod 2]

Forum Cruiser, I am 26,

and alot of bad things have happened to me already and are, mentally abused, toremented, two chronic illnessesses, chronic depression, and living with the scars of OCD, and being exposed to false doctrine. spiritually abused..

Not bragging at all.. My suffering is no badge of honor, in this all I have questioned my believes, what i believed, what I am beginning to see, what the Devil has done to me, Yes I made bad decisions, but I also now their are things that happened to me that was not of my own sin, nor anyone elses, but of this fallen world. things jsut happen. plus the Devil.

what I am seeing, that alot of what people are saying on this thread of God and suffering and Him casting or being apart of it, whatever ya call it, is not good...its not right...

There hasnnt been a day, only a few in my life that I can say I was truly happy or had joy.

however, I think i am learning that this is not Gods will for me, that He wants me well, and whole, that this depression this illness is not of Him, this OCD which causes me mental anquish is something that breaks His heart, Him watching me struggle daily with physical disability causes Him to sigh, and bring pain to His heart. I think that this heart, when he sees it, brings Him pain, that this tattered body that He paid a price for, brings Him grief, because just maybe, just maybe He wants me whole, since I am His temple.

If there is a lesson in this, it is I was never meant to be like this, the discipline that I needed, was in His word after all.

Maybe the Devil, who was behind it all, thought God as that way, and thus Tried to destory me. Just maybe

However, God bless you all, in your enthusiam and what your honestly, but one thing I will not bless, is what you teach. I am not write and do misunderstand alot of all you said. However, I am right in this, something what you say is not right of God.

There has been difficult times in my life, for each a young age, it is no honor of me, I lost. However, what I learned and hopefull will fully accept and learn, THIS is not Gods will for me, He desires me WELL.


anyway, God bless, I really dont care what you say

God wants sons not servants

If you joint the marines you go through a brutal period to make you a marine, you are not even a marine until this is accomplished. What God wants us to do is to grow up and become a son of God. There are two types of people in the Book of Revelation; those who overcome and those who do not. I look back at my life and the trials and tribulations and I give all the glory God the glory be it good or evil.

I give God the glory for my Father who deserted my mother when I was four years old, also my brother and two sisters who were brought up on a maid salary and not a dime from my Father. We never had a car when I was growing up we walked, I give God the glory. I give God the glory for the false religion he put me and showed me Christ within me is the only one I can trust. I stand on my own now because I know who my God is, and my God is a Father who desires overcomers not escapist.

OnDaniels friend’s thrown in the Fiery Furnace in Babylon. Only their bondages were burn. Does not Babylon speak of the religious/political systems of man? They were in Babylon.


Dan 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, [

Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [/font]


God’s fire is the source of change, that is why I lve His fire; why did the early church get cloven tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost; because we need it.

Fire is the Greek word; "pur" which we get our English word pure, purify and purge. i wonder where the Catholic Chuch got the concept of "pur"gatory?


1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, "Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Praise God for the evil in my life, my savior lacked and died for my sin so I can overcome and do His will. The devil is nothing but a tool in the hands of an all powerful God.


You say that God's hand is resting upon you - you say that He has filled with His Spirit and His anointing is upon your life, guiding you into all truth. Then don't be amazed at the fiery testing that is yours also, for with every advancing step into new truth, there needs to be a purging out of error and past traditions, sin and shame; which are contrary to pure truth. The fire to burn out the dross is the Holy Spirit God has placed within, GOD is fire.

"Kenneth Wuest, in his translation, calls the fiery trial 'the smelting process.' A fiery ordeal, a smelting process - why? because it will both purify us, as well as reveal what degree of quality has been attained within.

We become so involved with the exterior happenings of the trial, how our flesh hurts, etc., that we forget the actual purpose is for the INNER PROCESSING, until we are of a PURE SPIRIT before Him. When suddenly we become aware of 'what spirit we are of' in some of these happenings, it sends us back to our knees in repentance and beseeching God to purge out these unholy traits. HE already knows what is in us, but the fires certainly expose us to ourselves. Sometimes we bow low in praise because we see what He has wrought, and are amazed at our own reaction to a situation - of the calm, the peace, the rest we have in it all. Then we also have those other times when the agitation of our spirit reveals that there are vast areas within that still need to be dealt with, purified and cleansed, until 'ALL that is within me (can) bless His holy name' (Ps. 103:1). Yet in all of this working, praise God, we find in Him NO CONDEMNATION - just that continual drawing upward and onward, being assured that HE who hath begun in us this good work, will also bring it to a successful conclusion in His own time" -

 

[HoneyComb Son]

Ichabod 2, you make good points, I dont disagree there.

yes all praise to God. I know i need to give glory and praise God for that!

However, I am not disputing here that people love God nor serve Him

I am saying there is something wrong in how we or some people here who portray God, it is wrong. I am not saying they are all wrong. something in what is said is wrong, it is like they are concentrating alot on God's power refining, wrath etc etc, its like if desiring good things, the good and loving things others teach of is wrong and fleshy. and like its not good.

Yes God is a consuming fire. However, He is good and love. That He is. LOVE
Love is kind, patient and gentle. etc

People here seem to tell of refining the purging process as if they get some righteousness out of it, as if it is right and good. IT IS!!! boy refining is good, burning that unholy stuff out. BLESS THAT!

however, be open, maybe its not what you think it is. Maybe God is nicer and kinder then you think! Yes He does use everything for good, He turns things into good.

However maybe its not what you think it is

I have noticed alot of people judge their beliefs on their circumstances, and the like. what has happened to them, what they see and feel. I cannot say what I see, sorry these words are not right, but its there.

God is good, I am saying you are painting a bleak picture of a Good God, and loving one at that. WRATH and ANGER can be righteous, but maybe its beacuse of the pain and others feel of sin, that what God really angry and wrathful about is how He wants good and love for all, that people dont have it cause of sin! that they cannot worship Him

I see here people concentrating heavily on refining purging like the movies and how they view Christ, Purge! Purge!, yes indeed, but remember love and what it truly means to be kind and gentle

if God is the best at everything, He is the also the most Gentlest and Merciful of all

We all sin in so many ways we though not we do, yet we are not all punished,

Maybe Christ really did take my punishment on the Cross

I wonder what He is punishing me for now? I thought he paid a one time price

peace

 

[HoneyComb Son]

My heart is at right now is for my fellow Christians to know to watch what they say,

there are tons of lost sheep out there, because of us

Our so called kindness and love has infact been nothing more then a evil tool to drive people away from Christ and to lose hope of thousands.

We are to help, what we or people do in the sake of God to be kind to be righteous is sometimes not righteous at all, its all suppose to be in love!

our bad attitudes and unkind nature hurts people, we are believers of Christ, how do you think God feels if broken vessels come to the Church become His Children and then get broken even more?

 

[NaLuvena]

My heart is at right now is for my fellow Christians to know to watch what they say,

there are tons of lost sheep out there, because of us

Our so called kindness and love has infact been nothing more then a evil tool to drive people away from Christ and to lose hope of thousands.

We are to help, what we or people do in the sake of God to be kind to be righteous is sometimes not righteous at all, its all suppose to be in love!

our bad attitudes and unkind nature hurts people, we are believers of Christ, how do you think God feels if broken vessels come to the Church become His Children and then get broken even more?

The only difference I can see from your position and mine is that you see suffering as bad, whereas I see suffering as part of the process God uses to make me into His image.

 

[Ichabod 2]

Ichabod 2, you make good points, I dont disagree there.

yes all praise to God. I know i need to give glory and praise God for that!

However, I am not disputing here that people love God nor serve Him

I am saying there is something wrong in how we or some people here who portray God, it is wrong. I am not saying they are all wrong. something in what is said is wrong, it is like they are concentrating alot on God's power refining, wrath etc etc, its like if desiring good things, the good and loving things others teach of is wrong and fleshy. and like its not good.

Yes God is a consuming fire. However, He is good and love. That He is. LOVE
Love is kind, patient and gentle. etc

People here seem to tell of refining the purging process as if they get some righteousness out of it, as if it is right and good. IT IS!!! boy refining is good, burning that unholy stuff out. BLESS THAT!

however, be open, maybe its not what you think it is. Maybe God is nicer and kinder then you think! Yes He does use everything for good, He turns things into good.

However maybe its not what you think it is

I have noticed alot of people judge their beliefs on their circumstances, and the like. what has happened to them, what they see and feel. I cannot say what I see, sorry these words are not right, but its there.

God is good, I am saying you are painting a bleak picture of a Good God, and loving one at that. WRATH and ANGER can be righteous, but maybe its beacuse of the pain and others feel of sin, that what God really angry and wrathful about is how He wants good and love for all, that people dont have it cause of sin! that they cannot worship Him

I see here people concentrating heavily on refining purging like the movies and how they view Christ, Purge! Purge!, yes indeed, but remember love and what it truly means to be kind and gentle

if God is the best at everything, He is the also the most Gentlest and Merciful of all

We all sin in so many ways we though not we do, yet we are not all punished,

Maybe Christ really did take my punishment on the Cross

I wonder what He is punishing me for now? I thought he paid a one time price

peace

God is rightous there is no doubt in that awesome fact. But look at words in scripture by what they say in the Greek or the original language and not by the traditions of religion.

Wrath: over desire
Punish: prune, chastise


God is a balance God and just becasue religion teaches you something does not mean it is true. Look at the Holy Spirit within you, that anointing with in you to search for truth.

You gotsome great concepts here, now seek ask and knock until you know what is of God or what is of man and his fleshly carnal religion.

Colossians 3:14-16
http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2
14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

(Amp) 15And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

 

[sunlover1]

however, I think i am learning that this is not Gods will for me, that He wants me well, and whole, that this depression this illness is not of Him, this OCD which causes me mental anquish is something that breaks His heart, Him watching me struggle daily with physical disability causes Him to sigh, and bring pain to His heart. I think that this heart, when he sees it, brings Him pain, that this tattered body that He paid a price for, brings Him grief, because just maybe, just maybe He wants me whole, since I am His temple.

I agree, He does want us whole. And He also allows suffering and gives
us tools and grace and power to overcome.
That should be a hint to us when we read that we're overcomers...
That we WILL have some things to overcome.

Maybe the Devil, who was behind it all, thought God as that way, and thus Tried to destory me. Just maybe

You bet the devil will try to destory you. And me and all Christians,
it's his job, kill, steal and destroy.

Keep standing Child of God!

 

[Ichabod 2]

I agree, He does want us whole. And He also allows suffering and gives
us tools and grace and power to overcome.
That should be a hint to us when we read that we're overcomers...
That we WILL have some things to overcome.


You bet the devil will try to destory you. And me and all Christians,
it's his job, kill, steal and destroy.

Keep standing Child of God!

The Devil has no power unless God ordains it.


Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his works; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Notice it God who created the Devil for a purpose, God created the waster to destroy.

Job 1:8And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you(N) considered my(O) servant Job , that there is none like him on the earth,(P) a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 9Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? 10Have you not put(Q) a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have(R) blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11But(S) stretch out your hand and(T) touch all that he has, and he will(U) curse you(V) to your face." 12And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

God is in control of all things; sure He limited what Satan could do; for a reason because God is always in complete control of all things to include Satan. But it was God who was the one who introduced Satan to Job “Have you(N) considered my(O) servant Job”. It was God who took down the hedge from around Job so Satan to do his work on job. It was the process of tribulation and trial God was after; to prove Job.

I just pointed this out; just like the Children of Israel: The Children of Israel could of taken 9 days to cross the wilderness. BUT No God led them for forty years. Now we are walking in this wilderness of life for the same reason:

Deut 8:1-2
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments. (KJV)

In His great victory over the power of Satan He was a sign that pointed unerringly to another company of overcoming sons. In all the churches of Revelation there were two classes of people — those who were overcomers and those who were not. It is to the overcomers that the glorious promises are given, for they follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, have partaken of His mind and of His will, and thus are equipped to reign in His kingdom.

Thus to them it is said: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 2:11. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Rev. 2:17. "He that overcometh and keepeth My works to the end, to him will I give/wnw over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessel of the potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of My Father, and I will give him the morning star." Rev. 2:26-28. "He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new name." Rev. 3:12, 13. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne even as I overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21. "He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."


Job 32:9 & 13 says, "Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgment. Lest ye should say: we have found out wisdom - God thrusteth him down, not man." Job's three friends mistakenly thought that the sole purpose of God's judgement is punitive. They could not comprehend that the purpose of judgement is always to bring about a restoration or an advancement into the ways of the Lord.
God was already pleased with Job, but he had a plan that would make Job even better. Job was a perfect man, but his perfection needed to be tested. Job said, "God knoweth the way that I take, and when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. For HE performeth the thing that is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him." Job 23:10 & 14. God has prepared a special kind of testing for each individual. In Job 32.13, Elihu said, "God thrusteth Job down, and not man." We can well add, "And not Satan, either!" God takes the full responsibility for every person's fall. These are parts of His ways. All negative forces are as a dog on a leash. They can only do what they are allowed to do by the Hand that holds the leash. The perplexities, the trials, the testings, the pressures and the failures are all God's responsibility and it will all be worked into our good.

It has been well said that "four walls do not a prison make," When we submit to the God of the circumstance instead of to the circumstance itself, then we can know the meaning of genuine freedom and peace.