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Archive for the ‘God’ Category

There’s a noticeable difference in the Bible’s portrayal of God. In some passages God is seen full of anger while others show him full of tenderness.

As early as 144AD some, like Marcion of Sinope, taught the God of the Old Testament was not the same as one of the New. The Church dealt with that issue long ago but still this pops up from time to time.

Jesus, the Church, and even the Bible itself has always maintained there is only one and the same God — the difference is with with people.

For example: Vandals thinks I’m the grouchy old man who calls the police on them but non-criminals see a different side — I’m the same guy.

Another example: My young children think I’m the smart man who helps them solve their problems, hugs them all the time, and gives them stuff. My teens think I’m the stubborn guy who makes their life difficult and requires them to bring the car home by midnight. Some of my children think I’m the stupid guy who is just out of touch while others think I’m getting smarter as they get older.

I’m the same guy, the difference is the relationship my children have chosen to have with me.

The Bible says God is “Love” (1st John 4:8, 16) and a “consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:219) all at the same time. He offers a tender relationship if we will choose it.

“Jesus said If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” — John 14:23

— fritz

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“Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” — Jesus (Mark 9:1)

Some point to this verse to say Jesus expected his return to be in the lifetime of his followers. The reasoning goes, then, that since he was wrong about that, maybe he was wrong about other things, too.

What is wrong is thinking he’s talking about his second coming, taking his statements out of context with the events that followed.

About his second coming Jesus actually told his disciples

“The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.” (Luke 17:22)

So who saw the Kingdom of God come with power? The answer is in the very next verse where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John for prayer and his appearance changes. They see him in his glory and it gives them such a shock they don’t know what to say!

That “Coming of the Kingdom of God with power” was also seen the day of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit filled the disciples hearts and they were awestruck!

And the “Coming of the Kingdom of God with power” is seen, today, where men or women, young or old, decide to let Jesus be their boss — holding nothing back.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (Acts 1:8)

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:” (John 7:38)

I don’t think Jesus was wrong, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

— fritz

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[Samson’s] father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.” His father and mother didn’t realize the LORD was at work in this… — Judges 14:3-4

Every parent wants the best for their child — to make right choices, avoid heartache, and have a good life.

Sometimes it just doesn’t happen regardless how much parental love, encouragement, cajoling, even prayer is applied. Sometimes God has something else planned the parents can’t imagine.

Our children are just on loan to us and only for such a short time. We love them, try to help them the best we can, then we pass them on to God and his purposes trusting He knows best and is at work.

— fritz

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