For God so loved me

you were saved by grace

The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

Good post man. Alot less preachy than most.

The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

Good post man. Alot less preachy than most.

Could this possible be ol' blank, my fearless leader?

The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

Thanks so much for the great article. God bless.
The year was 1982. I was a stressed out city cop, whose brother had just been killed. At his wife's bedside I asked Jesus to come into my life. How do I know it was real? My life was never the same again.

God turns evil to good.

We noted that when suffering strikes it is neither unnatural to experience emotional pain, nor unspiritual to express it. But we also noted that when suffering strikes, we must be quick to reflect on the character of God and on the promises He gives to those who are enduring great trial. Now we want to focus on one of the great truths of God's Word--that even in severe trial God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him*(Rom. 8:28)*. This is not at all to imply that evil is somehow good. But it does mean that we are to recognize that even in what is evil God is at work to bring about his good purposes in our lives.

Joseph gave evidence of having learned this truth when after years of unexplained suffering due to the betrayal of his brothers, he was able to say to them, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good"*(Gen. 50:20)*. Though God did not cause his brothers to betray him, nonetheless He was able to use it in furthering his good intentions.

Beyond this, however, we can suggest possible reasons for God allowing some of the horrendous evils which do exist in our world. Perhaps there are people who would never sense their utter dependence on God apart from experiencing the intense pain that they do in life (Ps. 119:71). Perhaps there are purposes that God intends to accomplish among his angelic or demonic creatures which require his human creatures to experience some of the things that we do (Job 1-2). It may be that the suffering we experience in this life is somehow preparatory to our existence in the life to come (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Even apart from the revelation of Scripture, these are all possible reasons behind God's permission of evil. And at any rate, most people agree that there is much more good in the world than evil--at least enough good to make life well worth the living.

First, it is evident from Scripture that when we suffer it is not unnatural to experience emotional pain, nor is it unspiritual to express it. It is noteworthy for instance that there are nearly as many psalms of lament as there are psalms of praise and thanksgiving, and these two sentiments are mingled together in many places (cf. Pss. 13, 88). Indeed, the psalmist encourages us to "pour out our hearts to God" (Ps. 62:8). And when we do, we can be assured that God understands our pain. Jesus Himself keenly felt the painful side of life. When John the Baptist was beheaded it is recorded that "He withdrew to a lonely place" obviously to mourn his loss (Mt. 14:13). And when his friend Lazarus died, it is recorded that Jesus openly wept at his tomb (Jn. 11:35). Even though He was committed to following the Father's will to the cross, He confessed to being filled with anguish of soul in contemplating it (Mt. 26:38). It is not without reason that Jesus was called "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3); and we follow in his steps when we truthfully acknowledge our own pain.

Secondly, when we suffer we should draw comfort from reflecting on Scriptures which assure us that God knows and cares about our situation, and promises to be with us to comfort and uphold us. The psalmist tells us that "the Lord is near to the brokenhearted" (Ps. 34:18), and that when we go through the "valley of the shadow of death" it is then that his presence is particularly promised to us (Ps. 23:4). Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you" (Isa. 49:15). He is more mindful of us than is a nursing mother toward her child! It is of the One whom we know as the "God of all comfort and Father of mercies" that Peter speaks when He bids us to cast our anxieties on Him, "for He cares for us" (1 Pet. 5:7). Our cares are his personal concern!

This is the great hope we have in the midst of suffering, that in a way beyond our comprehension, God is able to turn evil against itself. And it is because of this truth that we can find joy even in the midst of sorrow and pain. The apostle Paul described himself as "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. 6:10). And we are counseled to rejoice in trial, not because the affliction itself is a cause for joy (it is not), but because in it God can find an occasion for producing what is good.

What are some of those good purposes suffering promotes? For one, suffering can provide an opportunity for God to display his glory-- to make evident his mercy, faithfulness, power and love in the midst of painful circumstances (Jn. 9:1-3). Suffering can also allow us to give proof of the genuineness of our faith, and even serve to purify our faith (1 Pet. 1:7). As in the case of Job, our faithfulness in trial shows that we serve Him not merely for the benefits He offers, but for the love of God Himself (Job 1:9-11). Severe trial also provides an opportunity for believers to demonstrate their love for one another as members of the body of Christ who "bear one another's burdens" (1 Cor 12:26; Gal. 6:2). Indeed, as D.A. Carson has said, "experiences of suffering... engender compassion and empathy..., and make us better able to help others" (Carson, 122). As we are comforted by God in affliction, so we are better able to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:4). Suffering also plays a key role in developing godly virtues, and in deterring us from sin. Paul recognized that his "thorn in the flesh" served to keep him from boasting, and promoted true humility and dependence on God (2 Cor. 12:7). The psalmist recognized that his affliction had increased his determination to follow God's will (Ps. 119:71). Even Jesus "learned obedience from the things He suffered" (Heb. 5:8). As a man He learned by experience the value of submitting to the will of God, even when it was the most difficult thing in the world to do.

Finally, evil and suffering can awaken in us a greater hunger for heaven, and for that time when God's purposes for these experiences will have been finally fulfilled, when pain and sorrow shall be no more (Rev. 21:4).

I too was a great sinner. A drug dealer making millions from the suffering of thousands. A manipulative wretch. When I meet Jesus Christ, it was a testimony of another famous musician. I wanted the change I saw in his life. A few days later, the Holy Spirit dropped me to my knees, and My life changed that day also. No preachers, no church, no mental manipulation, just me, and God alone in the place where I worked. I was born again that day, and was never the same.

:Fisherofme:
:dragonrebo:
:FisheroMen:

For the OP. O.ptimus P.rime

:Fisherofme:
:dragonrebo:
:FisheroMen:

For the OP. O.ptimus P.rime

Would you explain your post?

I noticed there is not alot of negative stuff on this thread.

Catch more flies with honey I guess.

Maybe a lesson can be learned here.

:Fisherofme:
:dragonrebo:
:FisheroMen:

For the OP. O.ptimus P.rime

Would you explain your post?

I remember the first time I ran across one of his posts. The scary thing is the more you see them the more sense they make.

King correct me if I am wrong. He did search and rescue and is a believer.

:Fisherofme:
:dragonrebo:
:FisheroMen:

For the OP. O.ptimus P.rime

Would you explain your post?

I remember the first time I ran across one of his posts. The scary thing is the more you see them the more sense they make.

King correct me if I am wrong. He did search and rescue and is a believer.

Can you help me interpret the post that says when the ride is over your goggles are mine. I took it as a threat.

[link to www.venganza.org]
CHURCH OF THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER
HAVE YOU BEEN TOUCHED BY HIS NOODLY APPENDAGE?

Can you help me interpret the post that says when the ride is over your goggles are mine. I took it as a threat.


It's certainly no threat; chill dude!!

Can you help me interpret the post that says when the ride is over your goggles are mine. I took it as a threat.


It's certainly no threat; chill dude!!

I LIKE TATER TOTS

I LIKE TATER TOTS