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| God plays keep-away? |
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1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1:4 and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
In heaven? Oh great, God’s playing KEEP AWAY!
However, faithful living isn’t expecting our rewards (full inheritance) NOW, is it?? It seems to me that faithful living is living in hope. That is, a living hope! To me, this is what authentic faith in God is all about. Belief and trust are not based on, nor necessarily even encouraged by, anything we see in the here and now.
But Mike (you say), there are plenty of examples in the Bible of people receiving things by faith during their earthly lives. Just look at all the times Jesus healed, according to people’s faith.
As I understand it, faith didn’t cause healing. Faith was rewarded with healing. There’s a world of difference. If faith caused the healing, our desires control God. If faith is rewarded by healing, then God is still sovereign, he himself doing the choosing.
I’m sure the Adversary is greatly pleased when he succeeds in getting us to believe that if we aren’t healed or prospered NOW, then our faith is useless. What better way to destroy faith in God than to demonstrate its impotence?
If we’re looking for God to get involved in our lives however, then we need look no further than the cross! To me, God’s greatest achievement has already been accomplished. (“It is finished!”) I praise him for what he’s done, not for what he hasn’t done or has yet to do, For this reason he doesn’t have to pay my bills, fix my car, send me friends, give me a promotion at work, heal my ailments, strengthen my joints, prosper my investments, feed my family, elect my candidate, etc. I could have ALL these things and yet my heart could still be far, far from God. Why?
Well, partly because…these things are temporary, and my attention span is woefully short! God’s true gifts are eternal (2 Cor 4:18)! We owe it to ourselves to live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7)!
8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
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| To add a comment to "God plays keep-away?" |
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| July 30, 2009 |
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| July 30, 2009 |
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I agree. He has done the best thing for me I could ever ask in saving me through Jesus and the cross. If nothing good ever happens in my life ever again, I already have more than I deserve. |
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| July 30, 2009 |
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We (the un-persecuted) have come to believe just as you wrote, if we beleive something long enough for our earthly desires, God will have to give it to us. But when we don't get our new car, house payment paid, sickness healed...... then we were not believing hard enough. The persecuted church does not have the luxury to run around claiming houses or cars, they are happy to have the opportunity to witness, even though they know it may cost them everything. |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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Thx Cubbie!! I feel the same way, Anthony...er, Mule. :) "If nothing good ever happens in my life ever again, I already have more than I deserve" in Christ through God's rich grace! Gary, very well put! The "persecuted church" doesn't have anywhere near the luxuries we are blessed with in the prosperous ol USA, yet they are every bit as cherished in God's heart, in fact MORE, b/c they persevere, demonstrating an even stronger faith in the process!! |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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| I was told that Anthony meant priceless so that would make me a priceless mule?? |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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| amen!! :-) |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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It is finished was His Cry He had paid the price to appease the wrath of God.
Thank You Jesus May my faith be strengthened day by day Amen |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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Amen, Amen, Amen |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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Great blog!!! :D |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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ALL things work for good for those who love Jesus and are called according to His purpose....seek first His kingdom and righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you. Yee haw! Praise de Lord. That about sums it up for me. |
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| July 31, 2009 |
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Lara...great verses, perfect context. Another is 2 Cor 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Thanks GrammyB, Brenda, Sherlock, and Mary(mstovall)! A hearty amen Liz! |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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people's faith has been trashed by the 'name it and claim it' lies!! They do not get what they demand and some have left, but if that is what they were there for, then maybe they really did not know Him...maybe they did. It is not for me to judge!
sometimes we suffer. sometimes we do not get what we want. sometimes we become ill. sometimes we are persecuted and sometimes we do not get healed. I'd rather have Heaven than this sin sick world anyday, anyways!! Sure, I want to live and learn, but God knows our beginning and end. I have a poem that I wrote about this very subject. Maybe I'll post it.
GREAT POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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| Post it, Cathy! You have HOPE! |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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It's a little controversial, Mike. I wrote and gave it to someone who told me I needed to come to their church and have their pastor lay hands on me so I could get a "jolt" and then my finances would be 'fixed'...you know, poof!! All of my problems would just disappear.
I'll think about it:) |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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