WHEN WE ASK WHY?

When we have difficulties and suffering it brings out a variety of attitudes and responses. Some people become angry at God for allowing the situation to befall them or others. On the other hand, we see others with the ability to rejoice in God knowing that He’s doing a great work in their lives through the hardship. But one of the most common responses that I myself have manifested, “Why?”  “Why did this terrible tragedy have to happen to these good people?” I thought that we would explore the answer to the “Why Question” today. As I sought the answer I must admit that it gave me peace, I hope it provides peace to you when you experience life changing events and your soul screams out. “God why are you doing this to me?”

When we don’t understand why something happens to us or those that we love we must remember these basic truths. First, our Lord’s perspective is totally complete, knowing everything about the present, past and future. Whereas we can only have a short view of things which many times leads us to the wrong view of God and why He may move in certain ways. But, God understands the things that He created and why he wishes to accomplish through His creation, man.

God loves each of us but His thought are so far above ours we can never reach the level of his thoughts (Isa. 55:9-9) and there have been and will be situations that we will never understand. It is during those time my friend, that we must give up our earthly thoughts and simply place the situation in the hands of God. Another, understanding is that we must attempt to see the challenge from God’s point of view. We must rely on simple “child-like” faith. The Lord is always faithful to those that love him but we are only human and Satan will use anything possible to turn our eyes and hearts away from God. We see a group of people killed by ISIS and the anger grows deep within us and that is exactly what Satan’s wants us to do. When we attempt to see these things though God’s camera lens. Our view tends to zoom out so that we may see more of what God is trying to accomplish in our lives. I think you would agree, sometimes it is just God’s way of getting our attention and reminding us that we are nothing without Him. Other times, God is testing our faith, by pushing us to the limit.

Lastly, I would assert that God gives us a reason in advance why certain things happen. Paul begged God several time to remove the “thorn in the flesh” be removed. God answered three times, “No.” (2 Cor. 12:7) But, God gave Paul the reason why His answer was “no”. God would not take this “thorn” because God knew, without it, Paul would be prideful. Thus Paul could rejoice in and trust God knew what was best for him.

So how can we respond to such suffering and pain when we don’t understand why it has come into our lives? We must acknowledge it and be thankful (I Thess. 5:18), we must remain confident that God is in control with all things working for the good. (Rom.8:28) Lastly, we must stand of God’s promise; “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.   (1 Peter 5:10) May God sustain you with His mighty hand and during times of trials may you find shelter in His arms.

You may follow Eddie at eddieturnerreachingout@gmail.com  or view his Blog “Wild for the Word” at http://eddieturner2502.blogspot.com/

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If My People -Ecclesiastes 4:12

In 1927, Baylus Benjamin McKinney, pinned the lyrics to the timeless hymn, “Send, A Revival, O Christ, My Lord”. If we spend any time at all listening to the news or reading a newspaper, we can see that our country is sick and ripe for God’s judgement. These words should resound deep from within your heart and be the prayer upon our lips. The last words of the hymn reads, “And let it begin in me.” The great evangelist, “Billy Graham”, said.” The great need in America is not for a new organization. Our great need is not for more economic prosperity. Our great need is for a real spiritual awakening, a revival in which men and women will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways to the God of our fathers” ( Decision Magazine, 2015).It is time humble ourselves and use the most powerful weapon that we possess in our spiritual arsenal, “Prayer”.

1 & 2 Chronicles is written to the Israelites, coming out of 70 years of captivity. It is written so that they might realize their heirship, the promises made to and through the Patriarchs. Israelites born in captivity would never have laid eyes on the land of their forefathers, never smelled the aroma coming from the altar, never experienced a festival and never worshiped in the Temple.  So, they may have been asking themselves on their 900 mile journey, the same question that we ask today, “Has God forgotten us?” God has a timeless message in this passage for every American Christian. God speaks, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). If we are to live out this passage we must acknowledge that we are a rebellious, sinful people and we deserve God’s judgement, but His grace has assured redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

As the Presidential elections approach, we enter the most critical time in our countries history. With the passing of Supreme Justice Antonin Scalia, we lost a strong Christian foothold within the Supreme Court. For decades, he held the line and remained strong to his biblical values of the institution of family and marriage, the sanctity of life and religious liberty. I fear we shall come to grieve his passing more and more in the days to come.

In 2012, it is speculated that 60-90 million registered voters did not cast their vote. Less than 2% of the population brought about “same-sex marriage”. Imagine what change Christians could bring about with a simple “click” or pencil mark on an election ballot.  This verse is written specifically to God’s people, Israel. But, someone has wisely said, “Although all Scripture is not written to us, all Scripture is written for us.” As the apostle Paul taught Timothy, his son in the ministry, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16).  First, the PRINICIPLE, in this scripture; “My people who are called by My name,” (2 Chronicles 7:14a).  Second, comes the PRACTICE, we must humble ourselves. God does not move for the prideful. (Proverbs 11:2). Finally, we must PRAY as one body in Christ with faith and God shall hear us. “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12NKJV).

On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of prayer, fasting, and humility saying, “Let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to unity and peace.” We need revival in our country, but revival will never come from Washington DC it will not come from, an organization, it will come from God. I close asking you to join me, praying:

My Heavenly Father,

I pray in the name of Jesus that you would heal bring revival to our land. May I humble myself and seek You in all things, claiming the victory in faith. May you bring forth and guide new Christian leadership for our country. I pray that Christians across our country would rise up, stand up and look up to You so that, America could once again be, “One Nation under God”. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.

 

The 1000 year reign - Revelation Chapter 20

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The Book of Revelation is often consider a confusing book, hard to understand and filled with symbolic mystifying writings and baffling numbers that make little or no since. A light reading leaves the Christian a feeling with the inability to understand what John wrote and experienced during his period of time in exile on Patmos. I thought that it might be timely to conduct a brief journey into Chapter 20 and interpret the message John received, specifically regarding the “1000 Year Millennium” of Christ. This topic is debated intensely by scholars but I believe that it teaches one and one only position; Pre-millennium”, meaning the rapture occurs prior to the 7 years of Tribulation. We should also discuss the different viewpoints surrounding the “Millennial View” of different evangelicals. “The word millennium comes from the Latin word mille, meaning “one thousand” and annum, meaning “year”. The Greek word chilias, meaning “1000 years” appears six time in Revelation Ch. 20, defining the durations of Christ’s kingdom before the destruction of the old heaven and the old earth, which will occur immediately preceding eternity”. (Hindson 2002, 234-235 ). During the ten centuries Christ will rule over the earth from His Temple in Jerusalem. The 1000 year reign of Christ is one of the most specific prophesy’s in the Bible regarding end times, for it is a perfect illustration of the Bible confirming its divine inspiration and accuracy. For example, the revelation seen in Psalm 72, revealing Christ’s reign over the whole earth. After describing how He will judge the people, defend the sick and helpless, and deliver the righteous”. Another passage of scripture from the Old Testament speaks of the millennium being established after Christ Second Coming in Isaiah 11. Again in Zechariah 2:10-11 also speaks of the coming of Christ and His making earth his home.  “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.’” In that future day Scripture declares that Christ will claim the Holy Land as His own. Zechariah says, “The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 2:12). As we study the Book of Revelation we must not fail to realize that ( Rev.20:1-3) tells us that Satan will be released for a while to torment the earth, “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time” (Revelation 20:1-3). But listen to this, in 7-14 comes the “Great White Throne of Judgement” when Satan, demons, fallen angels and unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire and separated from God for eternity.

Many events will transpire during the 1,000 reign of Christ on earth. A common mistake for many readers is that they take on the opinion that this is the New Heaven and New Earth, it is not. Up until this point we have seen in Chapter 1-3 the letters to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.  These letters were written to be passed from one church to another. I believe that Christ was sending a message of commendation and commendation to encourage and rebuke His Christ. As Christians we can celebrate and anticipate the coming of Christ our Lord, seeing Him in all his glory and spending eternity in heaven. “The Bible says that as long as we are here on earth, we are strangers in a foreign land. There are enemies to be conquered before we return home. This world is not our home; our citizenship is in heaven. Even when we allow our imaginations to run wild on the joys of heaven, we find that our minds are incapable of conceiving what it will be like” (Billy Graham).

I drove past a church in Palestine, their sign outside read, “Christ Could Come Today”, Are You Ready? To God be the glory, Amen. May God move in your life in a might way this week
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Eddie invites comments or questions at eddieturner2502@gmail.com