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Does God cause all things to happen?
9440geoff:
I'm old and yet still learning, too Pogo.
I identified with everything you said and it was meaningful.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I have to remind myself of the truth of scripture like this, every day.
Geoff
Astrapho:
--- Quote from: MePogo on September 27, 2009, 02:17:29 AM ---
--- Quote from: cjwood on September 26, 2009, 01:11:50 PM ---excellent questions, and even more, the responses have been inspiring.
and that 'created, weak natural' within each of us, that sinful nature, is such a ferocious beast that it indeed wants to destroy us. and it can destroy us, causing us to stand at the Great White Throne Judgement, unless, we fight, fight, fight, fight, and then fight some more; remembering to dress ourselves each and every day with the armor which HE has provided for us. but, WE must learn from the experience of evil in our lives, and 'fight the good fight of faith' and resist, resist, resist the devil til he flees from us. as ray has said in many of his writings (not paraphrasing verbatim), that in this flesh we will never be rid of sin, but we can get to the point in our walk with our Lord, that sin no longer reigns over us (we are no longer a slave to sinning). yes, of course we will miss the mark at times, but it is with every missing of the mark that we see must realize we need to continually seek the face of our Lord and Saviour.
the battle of this beast within is the race we must continue to run, but the Scriptures; ray's teachings; and this forum are the Gatorade we need to sustain our spiritual energy level.
claudia
--- End quote ---
A lot like I see it. Guess I have a weird outlook but I think of our lives as "school" and lessons given us, difficult tests and blessings. I know I'm probably making a fool of myself (hey, I'm old and yet still learning) but here goes: We are tried and tested and blessed beyond measure to be here on this forum. We have hurts that seem to never heal and lessons that seem beyond our abilities and, then, suddenly the clouds part and the sun (Son) peaks through. It's not over till it's over. Our trials are personal and different but it all comes down to LOVE; the greatest commandment. I can't seem to get it right. I grow prideful from time to time and my Father throws another foul ball at me and I fumble it. I find myself angry and unable to love. If I wish to walk the path of Christ, I must learn to say "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." How amazing is that?!!! I just can't seem to pull it off when things get rough. Sometimes I'm even angry at God, may He please forgive me. Why do you keep throwing these foul balls at me? Well, He is the boss and He knows what I need to learn.
One of the blessings of growing old is having time to see the value in unanswered prayers (if this sounds like an old Garth Brooks song, it is). Our Father, in His wisdom, knew along what was best for us. I can actually remember things I prayed for 30 years ago and thank God for turning a deaf ear to my prayers. His wisdom was awesome and my desires then so meaningless. I'm sure I don't have another 30 years to wait to learn who the Boss is, but I've learned to trust Him. Why must I go through the pain of life in this body of flesh and my repeated failures; falling short of who I want to be? I have children I adore and their pain, when life slams them, rips me apart. My own hurts rip me apart but I'm learning to trust. We will all return one day to our Father who first loved us and we will understand that His Will Be Done and why. Life, right now, boils down to love and trust. Enough rambling from an old lady.
Blessing to all and thanks for enduring my meaningless thoughts.
Pogo
--- End quote ---
No, it wasn't meaningless, in fact that was the bit of encouragement I needed today. Thanks bro. God is so wonderful.
judith collier:
To Everyone, this was so helpful today(sort of). All this reminds me of how many times we are to forgive someone, seventy times seven. Yet, I have been having trouble forgiving myself lately or believing God forgives me. I have been failing miserably. So, what's new with mankind!!! Yet,I can't seem to get over this hump. I know intellectually that God forgives us if we acknowledge our sins but exactly how does one keep moving forward? I am about ready to quit trying as I just am so fed up with myself and others. I have NO patience left, of which I never had that much to begin with. I feel defeated. Will someone please make sense out of this as I can see inconsistencies but can't seem to get clarity. I don't seem to care and am accepting this like it's ok. I am not worried too much and am not depressed, just complacent (an excuse ????) and also thinking thoughts that God has left me because of the many mercies I have received and have failed Him over and over and over. Love you, Judy
Ninny:
Judy if that was unique to you we could be worried! The hardest thing to do is forgive yourself! We all are failures, we are what God has created..our natures are ugly and there is nothing good in us!! Sometimes just finding anything worthwhile in ourselves is the hardest thing we've ever done!! The one sure thing is we can't go by our feelings...because God will never leave us even though we can not "feel" Him! Many times we question whether He's even there at all! But guess what, Judy? God loves us even though we don't and can't love ourselves, I have experienced this so many times myself..just wondering how anyone could love me at all and then I'm reminded what great price was paid for me..and even though I may not FEEL lovely or lovable that doesn't phase God at all!! He goes right on loving me just the same! Sometimes a friend has to remind me that I am loved! So as a friend I want to remind you that you are loved by God and by ME!! And by a lot of other people, too!! Don't be condemned, Judy but be loved!!
Love you!!
Kathy :-* :)
judith collier:
Kathy, I could actually feel my heart letting go of a bit of the barrier I had erected. If I have a barrier I feel safer from hurt. It's a terrible thing to hate but at least I don't let on I am vulnerable (maybe here but nowhere else) And it is not painful to hate but hating makes for separation from God.
How little love it takes for me to see where I am going wrong. And if it is true for me then maybe I will be able to see that barrier in others and know it for what it is.
Perhaps this is more of an emotional issue than a spiritual one. Now, how to change it because I hate crying.
What does an emotionally healthy person do with all the pain? Like children, one needs to soften them up at times with lots of love to break that stubborn hateful streak. There is no one here to do that except myself and the realization of God loving me is so foreign anymore. I seem to regulate how much love I let in. I have become so detached.
I think I will go for counseling to help establish new methods for myself.
Gee, just think if I were loved on a daily basis what I would come up with. Thanks, Judy
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