Another god-related topic

[ladysurvivor]

In my post regarding generations to sin, please read Exodus 20:5 -6 (the 10 Commandments). It talks about punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who hate God, but showing love to a thousand generations to those who love the Lord and keep His commandments. It is true we all fall short daily regarding sin, but we have to believe, have faith and pray daily for those sins that we may commit. As for Paul, he started out persecuting Christians, but then a personal encounter with Jesus changed his life. He spent time in prison for his believes but continued to wrote letters to various churches to strengthen their believes in Jesus. Queenofnines, you are really taking the Bible out of contest and only seeing what you want to see and not the truth that is in the Bible. I will be praying for you and anything negative that you say only makes my faith and believe and hope in God that much stronger.

[Annella]

In my post regarding generations to sin, please read Exodus 20:5 -6 (the 10 Commandments). It talks about punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who hate God, but showing love to a thousand generations to those who love the Lord and keep His commandments. It is true we all fall short daily regarding sin, but we have to believe, have faith and pray daily for those sins that we may commit. As for Paul, he started out persecuting Christians, but then a personal encounter with Jesus changed his life. He spent time in prison for his believes but continued to wrote letters to various churches to strengthen their believes in Jesus. Queenofnines, you are really taking the Bible out of contest and only seeing what you want to see and not the truth that is in the Bible. I will be praying for you and anything negative that you say only makes my faith and believe and hope in God that much stronger.

Ladysurvivor, qon does not believe the Bible, she's an atheist.  I've given the same answer as you did above earlier in this thread.  

Your right about one thing though, and it's good to be reminded of it.  It DOES make me resolute in my Faith, and know one day I'll stand before the Throne, and EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord!!!

[502mania]

jcribb, i will never lose ethusiasm...
but on subject, i'd like to ask a serious question and hope it will be answered open-mindedly -
if god has done all of these miracles for you who claim so, personally, then why dosen't he do any miracles for people who are starving and dying at no fault of their own? rememer, the homeless of our coutry live like kings compared to them......

Do they believe in God? Are they open to God?

Some do, some don't. should it really matter? what kind of god would allow brainwashed children to suffer because they never learned about god?

[jcribb16]

@jcribb,
I am curious about this part of your post:

We are hearing about more of people being put in jail or fined because of having a Bible study in their own homes with other people because others in that area don't agree with it going on (what has happened to the "freedom" in that?).

Are you referring to that happening in the U.S.? I did a search on it and came up with nothing about it, so that is why I am asking. I don't believe, according to law, that anyone can be arrested here for doing that in their own homes. Do you have any examples because that cannot possibly be legal if it is in fact happening. I need to go get some sleep, so will look for a reply later on if you put one up. Thanks.

Some of these things that happen are in the "Pastors'" News Magazines they receive.  I do know a couple made it in local papers, and I will check with my pastor and see if he can re-locate them for me. 

One event took place in California. Apparently a particular town or county had been able to pass a law that Christians could not have church meetings in their homes. In this case, a pastor had a few friends from church over for a get-together and had a Bible devotion with them.  Because of the amount of cars parked in the neighborhood, a neighbor found out about the get-together and because they had a Bible devotion, the neighbor sued them for having church in their home. The pastor was fined and was going to have to stay in jail if he couldn't pay the fine.  The odd thing is, the same neighbors in that area have their own game parties, cookouts, etc., and expect the pastor/neighbors to overlook all the cars parked in the neighborhood. 

Another event took place in northern GA. The pastor preaches God's Word straight from the Bible.  On this day, he touched on the area of divorce and of committing adultery.  It just so happened that this woman member was involved in a situation like this sermon was talking about (in general, though, not directed toward anyone in general; especially regarding the elders and their families in the church/es.)  She sued the pastor for preaching something like that. She said it wasn't covered in the church by-laws that he could preach anything this specific.  Well, since the church by-laws didn't cover anything like that, the judge ruled against the pastor.  It caused a great rift in the church and the pastor had to leave the church. Church by-laws have never been or had reason to be that specific.  Yes, he preached from God's Word, but this woman made it such a problem that the by-laws had to be changed to include every type of sin that the Bible mentions so the new pastor would have himself covered.
The original pastor and some ex-members were eventually invited to go to another church in another town.

I will (given time) try and find these to show you, as well as a couple of more things that have happened also.

[jcribb16]

In my post regarding generations to sin, please read Exodus 20:5 -6 (the 10 Commandments). It talks about punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generations of those who hate God, but showing love to a thousand generations to those who love the Lord and keep His commandments. It is true we all fall short daily regarding sin, but we have to believe, have faith and pray daily for those sins that we may commit. As for Paul, he started out persecuting Christians, but then a personal encounter with Jesus changed his life. He spent time in prison for his believes but continued to wrote letters to various churches to strengthen their believes in Jesus. Queenofnines, you are really taking the Bible out of contest and only seeing what you want to see and not the truth that is in the Bible. I will be praying for you and anything negative that you say only makes my faith and believe and hope in God that much stronger.

I really like what you have said here.

[502mania]

. Queenofnines, you are really taking the Bible out of contest and only seeing what you want to see and not the truth that is in the Bible. I will be praying for you and anything negative that you say only makes my faith and believe and hope in God that much stronger.

how about instead of praying for people to believe in god, you pray for starving children all over the world, and people in poverty, or kids in china that are forced to work at unreasonable ages? i prayer works, why dosen't it work for them? also, if jesus exists he should appear for you. in the bible he reappears several times for hundreds of people. if we really are going to burn in hell if we don't believe, couldn't he be a lttle more convincing?

[shernajwine]

I have been homeless, I have had addictions that nearly destroyed me, I have felt despair and hopelessness, I have felt shame and guilt......and all of those things were allowed for a purpose. I look back on those times and each of those periods of darkness brought me to another point in my life and it all brought me to where I am now. I didn't deserve a lot of things that happened to me, I was innocent when I was raped...but I wouldn't ask to go back and change anything.

There is suffering in the world because of sin but because God sees the future purpose for that individual life, He allows it for a time. Every persons life will touch another persons life and there is a reason God does what He does. Could I have guessed his reason and purpose while I was in the darkness?? No, I couldn't fathom that what I went through would propel me to the next event in my life. I know there are many people whose purpose it is to be missionaries and beacons of hope to impoverished people. People who love God, that have a burden to help those who have nothing, and show them God's love through their servants heart.

The vast majority of outreach projects to the hurting, neglected, dying, starving people are Christian organizations. There is a reason for that. You cannot discern light from darkness without having seen both. God allows suffering (darkness) so He (light) can be wholly embraced.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2-4

[Annella]

jcribb, i will never lose ethusiasm...
but on subject, i'd like to ask a serious question and hope it will be answered open-mindedly -
if god has done all of these miracles for you who claim so, personally, then why dosen't he do any miracles for people who are starving and dying at no fault of their own? rememer, the homeless of our coutry live like kings compared to them......

Do they believe in God? Are they open to God?

Some do, some don't. should it really matter? what kind of god would allow brainwashed children to suffer because they never learned about god?

Your question makes no valid sense.  Your taking a point and "picking" at it.  I'll ask you again what I did before. Do you even believe in the Bible?  You basically told me (in so many words) that you did not.  What can we say over and over again to make you believe or "see' what we are saying to you?  You asked me the same question 3 times earlier, and I gave you long postings about it, and you would turn around and ask the same question again. Your not "hearing" the answers, or you don't like what answers your getting, so you ask the same question again. The answer is not going to change.

We live in a sinful world, and sin brings its own suffering.  God is a just God, and would not send an innocent child to punishment if they never heard about Him.  Also, God knows the hearts of men, and can discern the very intents of our hearts.  He knows who will serve Him (given the chance), and who will not.

[jcribb16]

jcribb, i will never lose ethusiasm...
but on subject, i'd like to ask a serious question and hope it will be answered open-mindedly -
if god has done all of these miracles for you who claim so, personally, then why dosen't he do any miracles for people who are starving and dying at no fault of their own? rememer, the homeless of our coutry live like kings compared to them......

502, there are so many things that are done (perhaps miracles, as well) that we never hear about.  I do know so many are being helped, but there are just as many still needing help. It never stops.  One reason, I know, is that God never promised that life would be perfect.  There are always going to be trials and tribulations people (Christians, non-christians, adults, children, races, cultures, etc.) will go through.  We may not understand why some people have food, clothes, homes, etc. while others have nothing.  

Personally, I have a hard time understanding why some people in government are allowed to use our tax money for their personal jets, activities, etc., while some of the rest of us normal citizens are having a hard time with finances. And this new Obamacare Health Plan is going to make things absolutely worse for a lot of us.  I don't know where I'm going to come up with extra to pay for Health Insurance if my hubby's company decides not to cover insurance this next year, because they would rather pay the penalty on each person because it is thousands of dollars less for them to pay out then.  That is wrong and greedy.  I ask you, how can I help others when I'm trying to survive for myself and my own family?

However, there are still others here in the U.S. and other countries worse off than us.  Some do get help and some do what they can to survive. Ladysurvivor also mentioned in her post about different generations suffering for the actions of another. I don't understand the reasoning either with that, except it is Biblical, and God is in control, but would hope that eventually things will turn around.

[jcribb16]

I have been homeless, I have had addictions that nearly destroyed me, I have felt despair and hopelessness, I have felt shame and guilt......and all of those things were allowed for a purpose. I look back on those times and each of those periods of darkness brought me to another point in my life and it all brought me to where I am now. I didn't deserve a lot of things that happened to me, I was innocent when I was raped...but I wouldn't ask to go back and change anything.

There is suffering in the world because of sin but because God sees the future purpose for that individual life, He allows it for a time. Every persons life will touch another persons life and there is a reason God does what He does. Could I have guessed his reason and purpose while I was in the darkness?? No, I couldn't fathom that what I went through would propel me to the next event in my life. I know there are many people whose purpose it is to be missionaries and beacons of hope to impoverished people. People who love God, that have a burden to help those who have nothing, and show them God's love through their servants heart.

The vast majority of outreach projects to the hurting, neglected, dying, starving people are Christian organizations. There is a reason for that. You cannot discern light from darkness without having seen both. God allows suffering (darkness) so He (light) can be wholly embraced.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2-4

That is really inspiring, sherna! 

[Annella]

I have been homeless, I have had addictions that nearly destroyed me, I have felt despair and hopelessness, I have felt shame and guilt......and all of those things were allowed for a purpose. I look back on those times and each of those periods of darkness brought me to another point in my life and it all brought me to where I am now. I didn't deserve a lot of things that happened to me, I was innocent when I was raped...but I wouldn't ask to go back and change anything.

There is suffering in the world because of sin but because God sees the future purpose for that individual life, He allows it for a time. Every persons life will touch another persons life and there is a reason God does what He does. Could I have guessed his reason and purpose while I was in the darkness?? No, I couldn't fathom that what I went through would propel me to the next event in my life. I know there are many people whose purpose it is to be missionaries and beacons of hope to impoverished people. People who love God, that have a burden to help those who have nothing, and show them God's love through their servants heart.

The vast majority of outreach projects to the hurting, neglected, dying, starving people are Christian organizations. There is a reason for that. You cannot discern light from darkness without having seen both. God allows suffering (darkness) so He (light) can be wholly embraced.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2-4

Good Sherene......I'll be back after dinner.

[shernajwine]

if we really are going to burn in hell if we don't believe, couldn't he be a lttle more convincing?

Even people in the bible who witnessed the miracles Jesus performed tried to rationalize it away or accuse him of being of the devil.....he told Thomas he was blessed because he saw him...but he added, blessed are they who HAVE NOT seen and yet believe. Believing in Him requires faith, He has given us plenty of things in this world to have more than enough faith. Denying God is just that...denial, not accepting truth but denying it.

People who really want to know if God is there and that Jesus died for them, all you have to do is (for one moment) put aside your notions of what is fact in your mind and ask Him to reveal Himself. This doesn't mean you will have an apparition of Christ in the middle of your living room. It is much more than that.

Many people are too prideful and maybe even scared to do this. Believing in God means you have to take responsibility to live the way He told us to, and many people would prefer God not tell them how to live. So they just rationalize that He doesn't exist.

[502mania]

Your question makes no valid sense.  Your taking a point and "picking" at it.  I'll ask you again what I did before.  Do you even believe in the Bible?  You basically told me (in so many words) that you did not.  What can we say over and over again to make you believe or "see' what we are saying to you?  You asked me the same question 3 times earlier, and I gave you long postings about it, and you would turn around and ask the same question again.  Your not "hearing" the answers, or you don't like what answers your getting, so you ask the same question again.  The answer is not going to change. We live in a sinful world, and sin brings its own suffering.  God is a just God, and would not send an innocent child to punishment if they never heard about Him.  Also, God knows the hearts of men, and can discern the very intents of our hearts.  He knows who will serve Him (given the chance), and who will not.

first, he IS allowing innocent children who have never heard of him to suffer. so many starving african kids have never heard of god.  also, if god is so just, why not give everyone equal oportunity. ad don't say "he/she/it does" because a kid in korea will never have the same education or even medical attention as an american child.

[jcribb16]

Your question makes no valid sense.  Your taking a point and "picking" at it.  I'll ask you again what I did before.  Do you even believe in the Bible?  You basically told me (in so many words) that you did not.  What can we say over and over again to make you believe or "see' what we are saying to you?  You asked me the same question 3 times earlier, and I gave you long postings about it, and you would turn around and ask the same question again.  Your not "hearing" the answers, or you don't like what answers your getting, so you ask the same question again.  The answer is not going to change. We live in a sinful world, and sin brings its own suffering.  God is a just God, and would not send an innocent child to punishment if they never heard about Him.  Also, God knows the hearts of men, and can discern the very intents of our hearts.  He knows who will serve Him (given the chance), and who will not.

first, he IS allowing innocent children who have never heard of him to suffer. so many starving african kids have never heard of god.  also, if god is so just, why not give everyone equal oportunity. ad don't say "he/she/it does" because a kid in korea will never have the same education or even medical attention as an american child.

502, you are not "listening" to these posts being offered to you.  It doesn't matter, either, whether these children, adults, etc., know God or not.  It's the plight that they are in and going through. And Sherene told you (and me, and Annella) about Christian orgs., and other groups who try and help all they can.  As for the child labor laws in China, I don't like them either, but are you willing to go up against the Chinese government? PLEASE READ THE POSTS!

[502mania]

if we really are going to burn in hell if we don't believe, couldn't he be a lttle more convincing?

Even people in the bible who witnessed the miracles Jesus performed tried to rationalize it away or accuse him of being of the devil.....

How do we know jesus wasn't an illusionist? criss angel (mindfreak) is a hell of an illusionist. he even walked on water.
to anella, all you've done is tried to rationalize slavery and mass genocide in the bible, thinking "it has to make sense" or "there's no way it can be false". the bible was obviously written by flawed men. you even compared SLAVES that could be BEATEN to paid workers of today.