... Christianity preaches that God wants his followers to be merciful like his son in turning the other cheek and loving his enemies. “We are told that we are not to resist evil but to turn the other cheek. The world assumes that evil must be resisted by every means available. We are told to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. The world assumes that friends are to be loved and enemies hated.”(Smith, p.212) If Jesus had not turned the other cheek and sacrificed himself for all of mans’ sins God would not be loving or forgiving of man and there would be no promise of eternal life which would take away life’s true meaning. The Bible clearly states that we are to love our enemies and be merciful and that doing so will yield a great reward for these holy actions. "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."(Luke 6:35-36). Many followers of the Christian faith may not fully understand why Jesus is asking them to love their enemies. Why should we love those who wish to attack us and watch us fail? Jesus wants his followers to love their enemies to glorify God and demonstrate the same love and faith God shows toward us. Jesus wants his people to show their enemies the love and faith of Christ and to bring them the salvation that they need. Gods desire is to have all men find...
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...that He revealed to me over a period of time; allowing me to gain a broader understanding of the inquisitive nature of children. For me, it was indeed a learning curve, a total departure from my own perceptions about children and why they do, say and ask the things that they do. This book focuses on how we can support children to using their “nosy” tendency towards the development of a deeper relationship with the Lord. There is a hunger in every child to know more, and parents, Sunday school teachers, grandparents, uncles and aunts, etc. can play a very important and effective role in supporting the spiritual growth and...
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...everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." (First Thessalonians 5:21-22). Unfortunately discernment is an area where most Christians struggle with. It is something that intersects our lives at every point. The question we all ask is how do we gain the ability of discernment? There are two different ways of looking at it discernment made easy, if you will. The fist being STOP and the other one being the Three D’s that define discernment. The Three D’s that define discernment are to detect, to define, and to discriminate. The first to detect is to be observant, to open our eyes, simply to pay attention. The second step of discernment is to Define. It is to define what we see, to see whats around us and then think about what defines it. Why is this particular thing happening? Why do I want this thing, this certain goal? And the last step is to discriminate. First we detect something, then we define it, then finally we have to decide about it. You should be thinking “I have thought about this thing this decision, this is why I want it, and now I have to decide if I want to go through with it.” And now you should ask what does the bible think about this. What does my reasoning tell me about this decision? Would God approve of this decision? This is...
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...human (Sharpe, 2014).” The main problem of evil and suffering is why would a good and just God allow so much evil and suffering in our world. If God loves us so much, why would he let bad things happen to good people? 3. Briefly summarize the Christian worldview’s response to the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference the lecture and/or Chapter 9 in the textbook. The Christian worldview’s response to the problem of evil and suffering is best explained through the example of Job. Like Job, suffering will come to a person regardless of their social or righteous status, but God cares about every single person’s suffering. Second, it is okay to ask God questions, but it is not okay for us to blame God for the evil or suffering we are going through, nor question his love. It should be sufficient for us to know that our God knows us, listens to us, loves us, and is with us. Lastly, the Christian worldview explains that although we are suffering and in pain right now, eventually everything will come together and we will be with God, free from any kind of suffering (Sharpe, 2014). 4. Imagine that a close friend has just suffered through a great personal loss (death of a loved one, natural disaster, disease, job loss, divorce, or a broken relationship) and your friend asks you why God would let such a terrible thing happen. How would you respond to your friend? Our God is a good God. He does care about his children, his creation. He will allow things...
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...is the Statue of Liberty which stands 151 feet tall. In the story we are going to look at today, a tall item was built; it was 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide. SESSION STARTER: (Need – scrap paper, masking tape) – I’ve got a challenge for you. It’s a timed challenge. In 5 minutes I want you to build a statue that can stand on its own using only the scrap paper and masking tape. The tallest statue that can stand alone, wins. After they are built ask: Why do people build statues? (for many different reasons; to honor war heroes, show respect to someone as a way to remember them for something they did or who they were; statue of liberty was a gift from France to the US that was to represent freedom and welcome immigrants to the US.) In the Bible, why were statues often built? (For worshipping false idols/gods) In our bible story today, a statue was built. But it wasn’t built for a good reason. BIBLE STORY: (Play hosted story then recount the story) Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon. He did NOT worship God, but worshipped false gods. He made a tall statue out of gold and called for all the important officials to come and stand around the statue. “When you hear the sound of music, you must fall down and worship this gold statue. Anyone who does not obey this rule will be thrown into a fiery furnace!” The rule was for everyone, so when the people heard the sound of music, they fell down and worshipped the gold statue. Three men from Judah – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused...
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...Choosing A Friend – October 2K10 WTLB CHOOSING A FRIEND I have found Jesus to be my true friend, and I can always depend on Him to guide me. Sometimes when the road gets rough, and the storms are raging in my life, He’s stands true. Sometimes God allows us to go through storms so we truly understand who He is. It is then that we realize that He controls both the storms of nature, and the storms of the troubled heart. Jesus’ power can calm any storm, and help us deal with the problems we face. He is willing to help if we only ask Him. We should not discount His power even in terrible trials. He keeps making a way for me, and bringing me out without a doubt. In the darkest moments, He shows me there’s light at the end of the tunnel. WHAT A FRIEND I HAVE IN JESUS. God will never forsake you; just put your trust in Him and not man. There are times when man will let you down, they change like the weather; but God is the same today, tomorrow and forever more. There were times in my life when friends changed like turn coats, and started throwing darts, persecuting me. But if I love God as my friend, I must have a forgiving heart. Even If you find it hard to forgive someone who has hurt you, forgive anyway. If appropriate, tell this person you would like to heal your relationship. Many times you will discover that the right action leads to the right feeling. Romans 12:18 reminds us that, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men.” I thank God that He...
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...Judah, seemingly no one special. And yet, today most people know about him. Why was he chosen by God and given this special wisdom? What made him different from the rest of the captives? Though in exile, he rose to the position of an advisor to the king of the most powerful nation. His influence was so great that years latter, after the first king he served had died and his grandson was on the throne, he was remembered and called upon when trouble arose. Though he went through many trials, he never panicked. What gave him this sense of peace? Daniel had a faith that was grounded strongly in God. In order to withstand the trials that he and his friends went through in Babylon, they needed to have a faith that was already...
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...his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle'. (1 Samuel 8:-1-4) Each friend represent a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born yet there are rules guiding and guarding friendship. Ignorant of these rules can lead to a wrong choice of friend and jeopardize the future of the people involved. Life is all about rules and we must not forget that the best way to useless the law is to obey it to the letter. I will however expose you to some of the penitent rules guiding friendship. A GOOD FRIEND IS FAITHFUL Fair weather friends are numerous, and the book of Proverbs in the Bible clarifies this as stated in (Pro. 14:20; 19:4, 6, 7). Nevertheless, a true friend is a person who is still there even when the going gets tough. The best time to know those who are your real friends is when you are going through hard times in life. Despite the challenges Jesus faced, Peter, though he denied Jesus in between, was there with him. True friends are faithful. I said they are full of faith and their faith is capable of pulling you out of every mess. 'A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity' (Pro 17:17). David never forgot the good things his friend Jonathan did to him. As a faithful friend, he showed mercy to Mephiboshet, an offspring of Saul for Jonathan's sake. That is a faithful friend. To be faithful as a friend is to...
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...is, “Why would God allow this to happen?” He says that there is no answer to this question and that he does not know why bad things happen to good people. However, he says that it is not God who is causing the tragedy. He states that we live in an imperfect world where things will happen that are beyond our control. Kushner says that the best way to deal with tragedy is to understand that God did not cause the tragedy and that he is weeping with us. He also states that we must ask ourselves what we can do to get over it and prevent it from happening to anybody else instead of asking ourselves why God would allow it to happen. In the speech, Kushner references the story of Job. The...
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...laws that governs are relationship with God. These laws were given in different throughout the Bible. Law one: God loves you, and offers a wonderful plan for your life. In John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” In this verse gave us the solution to all of our problems, He loves us so much He gave us a way out from all of our sins. This was Jesus plan when He came to Earth, in John 10:10 says, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly”. The reason most people don’t experience an abundant life is because of the second law. Law two: Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life. In Roman’s 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” This verse alone states that everyone is a sinner, and everyone fall short of the glory of God. When Adam chose to go on his own independent way, the fellowship with God was broken. Sin became are natural nature in our lives, this is why there’s no one righteous through the eyes of God. In Roman 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death” meaning we are spiritually separated from God. The third law is the only way we could be righteous through the eyes of God. Third law: Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life. In Roman 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love toward us,...
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...human as pinnacle -day 7: god seeking a place to “rest” -1: lightday Darkness night -2: firmament in the midst of the water: water under and above the firmament Firmamentheaven -3: water under firmament be together unto one place, and the dry land appear The gathering together of water sea Dry land earth Earth bring forth grass, herb yielding seed, tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself -4:lights in the firmament of the heaven to be sign for seasons, days, and years and to divide light from darkness The greater lightrule the day The lesser lightrule the night He also made the star -5:every living creaturebe fruitful and multiply, fill the waters brought forth abundantly ,after their kind and winged fowl after his kind In the seafish Above the heavenwinged fowl Creep in the earthreptile -6: HUMAN: Gen 1:26:” And god said: let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth God blessed them, and said: be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it 2. The fall and it consequences Gen 2:4-3:24– focuses in on the end of the first creation account Characters: God, Adam, Eve, Serpent Structure: creation, prohibition, Eve, deception, Fall First dialogue in Bible: God sets boundaries (the covenant...
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...of books and making of the movies. Religion, I believe is just a broad term for different beliefs and that is different than a relationship with God which is what I believe I have. Even though many people argue that the human race evolved from different things such as apes, I do not see that because apes still exist. I do believe that God and science go together and that he makes everything work the way it should, but we are slowly destroying it by not taking care of the home he gave us, Earth. God in his infinite wisdom created things to work together. I have gone to church my whole life, my family has always been very involved in church from the nursery through children’s church. I went to Vacation Bible School every summer and to summer church camp. I have just always known that there was a higher power watching over us. After seeing what our church has been a part of or involved with and seeing what happens through just seeing it there in front of you, helps me believe that there is something up there helping people. I believe there is good and evil in the world and that it comes from how we are raised, the friends we hang around with and what we see on TV and Social Media and what we read. Even though people’s scientific perspective can be very convincing, I do believe some science plays a role in what happens with our evolution, along with modern...
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...If a friend were to ask me that question, I would tell them that God has a plan for them and sometimes the plan might look like a disaster but in the end, He has a greater plan for everyone. You might not be able to see it now but I promise our Heavenly Father has a greater plan for you. I know sometimes he works in mysteries ways but I can testify to you that He never puts us through something that He knows we can’t handle. It might be hard right now but grow closer to Christ and keep working hard because there is light at the end of this dark tunnel. By experiencing the struggles in life, God is making you stronger emotionally and faithfully. Also another important thing to consider is what you are blessed with and what you should be thankful for. So when you’re going through some sort of suffering, try to consider what you have been blessed with instead of focusing on the negative that the tragedy may bring. Also when you do suffer, it’s okay because it shows how much love and care you showed and eventually it will get better but ultimately it’s up to you to take the first...
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...face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11 Moses had a very close relationship with God. The Bible says that God spoke with him as a friend, resulting in amazing encounters, miracles, and powerful leadership on Moses’ part. Imagine the pressure Joshua must have felt in taking his place! But God has been training Joshua even at an early age. While he was still young, Joshua would not leave the tent where God’s presence was. This was the best kind of preparation for him—a consistent face-to-face encounter with God. When the time came, God would also do great wonders through Joshua and during his leadership. We, too, are called by God to do great things and the best way we can prepare for this is by having a strong relationship with Him. Our ability to share our faith, lead others to Jesus, and make disciples is fueled by a lifestyle of constantly hearing His voice and obeying His Word. There is no doubt that God has a mighty plan for this generation. The question is, will we be like Joshua and have fellowship with our mighty God who wants to do great things through us? REFLECT • Are you making a habit of connecting to God regularly and intimately? Is your time in the Word and in prayer consistent? • What are your greatest distractions when reading the Word and praying? REsPonD • • Set aside a time to connect to God without distractions. Don’t forget to...
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...Northern Baptist Seminary ! ! ! ! ! ! ! God and Job ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! A Research Paper Printed in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course OT 458 Old Testament Theology ! ! ! by James L. Brooks May 27, 2013 ! ! ! !2 ! ! ! Introduction The book of Job is a classic. Many have read this book, especially when seeking answers to suffering. Whenever Christians talk about suffering, more than likely the story of Job will be mentioned and Job’s sayings will be quoted. Although the “Job story” is frequently discussed, there are still many unanswered questions. Where was God? Why did God allow Job to go through all the trials and tribulations? What kind of God is this? Why does God make a deal with Satan? What about Job’s friends and their response to his suffering? These are all questions that will continue to haunt readers after reading the story of Job. This paper will examine the character of God and his parental attributes. No matter what the reader may think, God is ultimately in control. Although God gives Satan the latitude to do what he will with Job, short of killing him, still it is all within the scope of God’s permissive will. The story of Job, although it may be rather simple to read, is complex in theological understanding. The God of Job is inscrutable, but yet he is in control. “The book of Job challenges the principle of retribution: that trouble in life must be a person’s own fault.”1 The prologue is in prose. The epilogue is in poetry. The conclusion...
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