Thinking about my bible reading today
 

Reading through the bible with a One Year Bible, this year I'm using the ESV.

But anyway

I was reading about Joseph, and how he was sold into slavery, but God made all he did prosper.

Later on when his brothers came to Egypt for food and Joseph reveals to them that even though they sold him into slavery God has preserved him, and he says to them

". . . now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."

and the whole thing is kinda strange. because God could have just prevented the famine in the first place. but he allows Joes brothers to throw him into a pit, his Father is bereft with grief. Joseph is thrown in a dungeon and has to live with the knowledge that his brothers were going to kill him but decided to sell him instead.

but he tells his brothers, don't worry God planned this all out so I could save your lives.

It's kind of a recurring theme, create a situtation where you know everything is going to be messed up, then create a solution, the solution comes at the cost of heavy pain and suffering.

then I thought, it's kinda like God is hazing these people, maybe to get them to form a bond so they could become a nation, like what you do in the military or a fraternity.

I mean God is the only game in town, where else are we going to go, but, sometimes the plan seems messed up to me.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

hmm, I'd like to submit that you may be attributing to God things which are not His, here, and that the story might be more about how good comes of these things, even though they started out without God in them in the way you are reading, I think-despite Joseph's stated opinion here, maybe, which should only be true as far as it goes, imo?.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

Read the book of Job, if you have more of the same questions.... because Job has already asked God. Why? It's a great read. Then God just answered his questions with more questions.

In the end of it all, pain and suffering are part of God's plan, because it brings forth a change in us, typified in the very life and death of Christ. Without suffering, no pain, no gain. No death, no resurrection. Without seed in the ground (death) there can be no life (fruit).

Try reading Job. It helped me with some of the same questions...

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

http://www.fpcpalmbay.com/Live%20Webcast.html

funny you said that, Pastor Myers is preaching on Job 38 as we speak.

we serve a mighty God, God is in charge of everything we see and dont see
we serve a God who knows the end from the beginning
and he controls everything
and we can take refuge in that knowledge
he knows every valley
he is touched by the feelings of our infirmity
he is touched and affected by the needs of his people.

He comes to Job out of a whirlwind
God is not a static God
When we are in a whirlwind, God is in the middle.
and he is riding on top of it

He sits on the circle of the Earth, God is on top of it all.

People want to be associated with something that is successfull
People want to win by association
drawn to things bigger then ourselves

the mightiest, greatest power, is Jesus
He has never lost.

thank you Jesus for loving me when I was unlovable
for saving me when others had given up on me

God questions Job:
Job doesnt have the answers

sometimes we can't see the way out of a situation
but in our situation, we need God

Our next breath is the mercy of God.
We can't make it without God.

Everything I've got belongs to Him and I give it back to Him.

Why God?
confusion, distant from God?

we are a privileged people and we are blessed

if there has ever been a time to be thankfull to praise to rejoice, it's this moment.

Who do you think you are Job? being so limited with your understanding?
How does God react to those who question and mock?
Do you really understand who you are dealing with?

He does not owe me health, wealth, an explanation, he does not owe me even an answer.

Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Jesus can speak to the seas and the storms and say stay.

His mercies are renewed every day.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

Did you write this Amanah? It speaks to my heart.

"He does not owe me health, wealth, an explanation, he does not owe me even an answer." This is so true.

He owes me nothing; I owe Him everything!

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

Sis. Freeman was preaching, and said that you do not ask God why. Her statement was, "People do not see the power and glory of God when they ask why." (This is Jay's version essentially accurate to the thought.)

When you look at the miracles of Scripture, you see only once or twice anyone asking God why and receiving a miracle. If a miracle was performed, it occured at the hands of a person who did not ask that question.

I made up in my mind that it was pointless to question or be angry with God as it serves no purpose. You have more hope arguing with the wind, and it is a better use of breath.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

I was typing notes while Pastor was preaching, the service was incredibly moving. I stopped typed when he began to speak to specific needs in the congregation as I was to involved in the service at that point.

I'm going to see my oncologist tuesday and Pastor spoke to "someone who is afraid . . . you shall live and not die"

I got a specific word from the Lord for faith and strength to face my fears and have them flee.

note: We attend in person on Sunday morning, and then I watch the services on my computer on Sunday and Weds night. Thank god for technology.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

At the risk of hijacking the thread: Isn't this a bit like the pastor saying "And there is someone here who has a father, or uncle, or male cousin who's name begins with 'J' who died in the past week, or month, or year or two."

Sorry. I'm glad it calmed you down a bit personally, but in general "words of so-called knowledge" are a sore spot for me.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

I guess the bottom line is this,
God does not owe me anything,
but I fall on his mercy and he will decide.
If he decides to keep me cancer free, bless his name.
If he decides that it is time for me to go home to be with him,
blessed be the name of the Lord.
We are are born into this world, and will die,
some sooner than others.
a life well lived matters greatly.
a life lived with eternity in mind matters with far reaching consequences.

Re: Thinking about my bible reading today
 

ha, kind of illuminates how satan will do his best to muddy the waters of important Biblical concepts.