Is That What That Verse Meant?

Who is God?

God is a poet.

The Bible is full of poetry, allegories, songs, images and symbols. This is why there are so many different interpretations of scripture. Take hell, I think the "flames" of hell are not real flames that burn you; I think they represent the mental suffering you go through on Judgement Day when you are shown your sins and why you cannot come to heaven.  Most people would not agree with me, but it doesn't make sense to me why God would burn people's skin and body. What would that prove? What would be the point? Revenge? I don't think so. I think the verse below explains the mental pain of people who are lost.

Jesus said, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out."  Luke 13:28

A lot of the things Jesus said confused his disciples. He would talk in similies and metaphors and they misunderstood what he meant. I think that happens all the time with Biblical scholars. That's why we have to figure things out between ourselves and God. Ask him to show us what certain verses mean. We can read the scholars; but we can question if they are right.

Who am I?

A little confused. It seems strange to me that God doesn't just come right out and say what he means in a PowerPoint Presentation, holding a pointer and saying, "No, no, you've got that wrong!"

But God says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9 I always have to remind myself that God knows what he is doing. We will never understand everything in this life. That's where faith comes in.

One thing about it, it is sure fun to finally have an epiphany about something in the Bible. I really enjoy that but then feel upset I didn't see it before. Like I just heard a sermon on the verse, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” John 19:37 I've always thought that meant the wicked people who crucified him. But the preacher said in the context in the original verse, it means us - the ones who love God. We have pierced him with our sins. We have caused him pain and we will mourn for him.

"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. Rev, 1L7

"They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died." Zechariah 12:10

To be honest, I don't know if that guy is right. I'll have to study some on it. I don't think it is vital to know the answer to this, but it just shows how interpretations can be wrong and can skew what God meant to say.

I think the whole arguement about creation and evolution can be explained. The earth as an orb in space was here for billions of years, like the rest of the universe. God created it long ago. He decided to populate a world, came here and did that 6,000 years ago. The trinity moved on the "face of the waters." Water was alread here. "The dry land appeared." It was under the water. 

I didn't know other people believed as I do about creation until I researched it. I'm an "old earth" believer! People who think God created this entire world 6,000 years ago are, "young earth" believers. Huh, I never knew that. Apparently, there are many ways Christians believe God created the earth. I think C.S. Lewis believed God used evolution.

I used to think it was awful there were so many denominations of Christianity. But then I thought maybe it was a good thing because then people can find a church they feel at home in. I don't know. It is pretty crazy we can't agree on some of the simplest things in the Bible. I actually think this shows how stupid we all are.

So, what was the point of this post? Study for yourself. Ask God to show you what the Bible means. Don't take a preacher's word for what the Bible says or what God is like. Search with all your heart and you will find out by yourself.

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  Acts 17:11

Help!

Who am I?

A tired, sick old woman.

I'm sitting here on a Monday night feeling blue. I open my email and read something from Guideposts. This is the verse for today:

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)

I know that this verse is the answer for feeling blue. "Give thanks in every situation..." it says. So I say to the Lord, "You know my situation. It looks like my husband may have skin cancer on top of the carcinoid tumors he already has.  My mother is losing her short-term memory rapidly. I am sick with fibromyalgia and have to rest off and on all day. But you are the God of the universe and you are with me." As always, telling God about these things feels good; but what feels better is knowing God is on my side and will help me through this time in my life. 

I was thinking today, "What if I'm too sick to look after my mother? What if I'm too sick to look after my husband? What will we all do? My oldest daughter lives here, but she just got a new job. She has a husband and two stepchildren and an adult son. I'm not going to ask her to help. 

The only thing to do is live one day at a time and pray for strength. Jesus said, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."  I'm sure each day will bring with it a solution. I can be sure because I've seen God do it before. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

Who is God?

Someone who has promised to help us.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."  Psalm 33:20

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!"  Psalm 121:2

Seek Me.

Who is God?

Someone who wants you to seek him.

Someone who is seeking you.

Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."  Luke 19:20

The subject of us seeking God is all through the Bible. God seeks for us through the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts, trying to draw us all to God. Man then must seek for God, but not in a half-hearted way. We must eventually put God first in our lives, so we must seek to understand and know him as much as we are able. If we don't, he will just be on the periphery of our lives. We need him much more than that.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."   Matthew 13:45

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deut. 4:29

My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding—

indeed, if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

Who am I?

Someone who has sought for God my whole life and has found him. The best thing I've ever done.

A Time for Tears and Joy.

Photo by Laitche

Who is God?

He is the creator of time and space.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
To every thing there is a season,.... A set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall be, were foreordained by God, and he has determined the times before appointed for their being, duration, and end; which times and seasons he has in his own power: there was a determined time for the whole universe, and for all persons and things in it; a settled fixed moment for the world to come into being; for it did not exist from everlasting, nor of itself, nor was formed by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, but by the wisdom and power of God; nor could it exist sooner or later than it did; it appeared when it was the will of God it should; in the beginning he created it, and he has fixed the time of its duration and end; for it shall not continue always, but have an end, which when it will be, he only knows: so there is a determined time for the rise, height, and declension of states and kingdoms in it; as of lesser ones, so of the four great monarchies; and for all the distinct periods and ages of the world; and for each of the seasons of the year throughout all ages; for the state of the church in it, whether in suffering or flourishing circumstances; for the treading down of the holy city; for the prophesying, slaying, and rising of the witnesses; for the reign and ruin of antichrist; for the reign of Christ on earth, and for his second coming to judgment, though of that day and hour knows no man: and as there is a set time in the counsels and providence of God for these more important events, so for every thing of a lesser nature...

Who am I?

A grandma who lost her dear grandson. But I trust God's timing and purpose in his death. Today is his birthday, a time we miss him very much, although Christmas and Thanksgiving are the hardest. But something wonderful happened yesterday that made this day happy for me.

Craig's brother, Jordan, asked his mom to buy him a Bible. He was reading a tiny Bible I had given him many years ago. It was a New Testament and Psalms Bible. He said he heard about a text and wanted to look it up but his little Bible didn't have that book. So he asked why it didn't. Sandy told him he only had half a Bible and then came and got a new Bible from me and gave it to him. I am so full of joy right now! I was thanking God over and over, because I didn't know if Jordan would ever be interested in knowing God or not.

Jordan loved his brother so much. I think perhaps Craig's death has lead him to search for God because he wants very much to see his brother again. This is how God brings beauty out of ashes! "Oh Lord, I do pray they will see each other again and be together with you forever in heaven."

When I heard about Jordan, I remembered the praise Mary gave God when she was visiting her cousin Elizabeth. I looked it up and the words describe how I feel today.

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1 :46-55

God Can Bring Good Out of Evil.

Who is God?

A person who can take something cruel, ugly and broken and make it into something beautiful.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

This is not easy to believe when something horrible happens to us or a loved one. But I believe it, because I have seen it happen in my own family and in the Bible.

Joseph was sold by his brothers to be a slave in Egypt. Looking at that, can you see how any good could come out of a terrible betrayal by your own brothers?  Then he was accused falsely of rape and thrown in jail. How could any good come from that? Joseph didn't deserve these catastrophes, but God allowed them to happen.

Later, when he had become a ruler in Egypt he said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people."  Genesis 50:20

Both Jesus and Paul said to rejoice in trials. "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about endurance; And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:3-5

I used to read this and think, "Who cares about endurance? Just get me out of here!" I didn't care about strength of character either. But apparently God does and who am I to argue? He did bring me through all this to a place of hope and peace.

Who am I?

I'm someone who was abused by my father and because of that have had many emotional or mental problems and suffering. It didn't really hit me until I was 45, but when it did, I spiraled down into despair. I could not rejoice in this suffering; I just wanted to die.

Now, after years of reading books on suffering, I can see how it drives us to God for help. If our lives were wonderful and almost perfect, I doubt many of us would ever think of God. God uses the suffering in this world to draw people to him. He doesn't cause it, but he can turn it into something beautiful. The suffering and death of little children is indeed horrible; but we can take heart, knowing all children will be saved and live with Jesus forever. 

My father's family was full of abusers. His two brothers and one of his sisters abused their children. I used to say, "I come from a cursed family."  And perhaps that was true, but what is interesting is that most of the children from this crazy family are Christians. The pain pushed us all to God. Out of the four sisters and one brother, all but one are Christians. It is amazing. My brother died at 22, but the last article he wrote for a Christian newsletter was about how he was ready to die and meet Jesus.

I also had two cousins who comitted suicide. But God knows what happened to them as children and I'm sure they will be raised at the last day.

My grandson died four years ago. I can't believe it was that long ago. He was 21. After the initial shock, I knew God had taken him to save his soul. Craig was in trouble from the time he was 15. By 21, he was in trouble with the law quite a few times and on drugs. His father had died of an overdose. Anyway, he was starting to pray and talking about God. He wanted to go to schools and tell the kids not to do drugs; only, he couldn't stop himself. Then one night he drank too much and died in his sleep. Our hearts were broken, but we all believe God was mericiful to Craig and to the family in taking him. His heart was with God, he just didn't have the strength to live in this world. At least that's what I think. My daughter told me God told her Craig could not give up his addictions. Those addictions made him dangerous. I am glad he died peacefully and I know God has forgiven him and will raise him up when Jesus returns.

Well, this is a super-long post. But it seemed like I couldn't leave anything out. Suffering is the biggest question about God and many refuse to come to him because of it. I was angry at God for years, so I know what that is like. But believe me, that road leads nowhere. 

Jesus: A Man Filled with Sorrow.

Who am I?

I used to be so angry at God for my sufferings. I used to shout at him, "I didn't ask to be born. Why have you let me be born to suffer so much?  If you would have asked me, I would have said, 'No.'"

I have longed for death in the past. Not all the time, but at certain times when life seemed unbearable to me.

The Lord has shown me that he has suffered too and is still suffering now. We are together in this suffering and I can get strength from him if I ask for it. Believe me, I do. I couldn't get up in the morning without God's strength. He has shown me in this war of the universe, I must be brave.

Who is God?

One who suffers beyond compare. One who has lost a third of his sons when they joined Lucifer and fought a war against God, their father. They thought they would be happier without God's rule. They didn't believe him when he tried to persuade them not to leave.  I'm sure they now know they threw away their happiness in wanting to take God's place.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
He is despised, and rejected of men,.... Or, "ceaseth from men"; was not admitted into the company and conversation of men, especially of figure; or ceased from the class of men, in the opinion of others; he was not reckoned among men, was accounted a worm, and no man; or, if a man, yet not in his senses, a madman, nay, one that had a devil: or "deficient of men"; he had none about him of any rank or figure in life, only some few fishermen, and some women, and publicans, and harlots. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the last of men", the most abject and contemptible of mankind; despised, because of the meanness of his birth, and parentage, and education, and of his outward appearance in public life; because of his apostles and audience; because of his doctrines, not agreeably to carnal reason, and his works, some of them being done on the sabbath day, and, as they maliciously suggested, by the help of Satan; and especially because of his ignominious sufferings and death: 
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: or "known by grief"; he was known by his troubles, notorious for them; these were his constant companions, his familiar acquaintance, with whom he was always conversant; his life was one continued series of sorrow, from the cradle to the cross; in his infancy his life was sought for by Herod, and he was obliged to be taken by his parents, and flee into Egypt; he ate his bread in sorrow, and with the sweat of his brow; he met with much sorrow from the hardness and unbelief of men's hearts, and from the contradiction of sinners against himself, and even much from the frowardness of his own disciples; much from the temptations of Satan, and more from the wrath and justice of God, as the surety of his people; he was exceeding sorrowful in the garden, when his sweat was as it were great drops of blood; and when on the cross, under the hidings of his Father's face, under a sense of divine displeasure for the sins of his people, and enduring the pains and agonies of a shameful and an accursed death; he was made up of sorrows, and grief was familiar to him. Some render it, "broken with infirmity", or "grief": 
and we hid as it were our faces from him; as one loathsome and abominable as having an aversion to him, and abhorrence of him, as scorning to look at him, being unworthy of any notice. Some render it, "he hid as it were his face from us"; as conscious of his deformity and loathsomeness, and of his being a disagreeable object, as they said; but the former is best: 
he was despised, and we esteemed him not; which is repeated to show the great contempt cast upon him, and the disesteem he was had in by all sorts of persons; professors and profane, high and low, rich poor, rulers and common people, priests, Scribes, and Pharisees; no set or order of men had any value for him; and all this disgrace and dishonour he was to undergo, to repair the loss of honour the Lord sustained by the sin of man, whose surety Christ became. 

Rules of Engagement.

Who is God?

"Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon--the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world--was thrown down to the earth with all his angels."  Revelation 12:7-9

Who is God?

Someone who always hears us.

"Then he (the angel Gabriel) said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."  Daniel 10:12

 "But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

verses 13, 14

Who was this prince of Persia? Probably Satan, who is called, "...the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience."  Ephesians 2:2

God plays by the rules. Adam and Eve chose Satan over God, therefore God allowed Satan to be the ruler of this world. But the rules also say we all have a chance to make our own choice in this war of the universe. Satan has power; how much, we do not know.

"Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out."  John 12:31

"...and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world already stands condemned."  

John 16:11

"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me."  John 14:30

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."   Ephesians 6:12

Who am I?

Someone who rarely thinks about Satan and what he can do. In a way, that is good. In another way, not so good. I've noticed in Jesus' prayers he twice told us to ask God to keep us from the evil one. So, I include that with my prayers. And when I am overwhelmed with negative thoughts, I pray God will cast Satan away from me. I've noticed he does. Somehow, Satan does have the power to affect our thinking and actions. We don't need to dwell on satan, but we can pray against his power over us.