You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Death' tag.
If there really is a God, why do bad things happen to good people?
The inability of some to reconcile the existence of a loving God with that of an evil and depraved world is one of the primary reasons why many reject the message of the Bible. However while tragedy may prompt some to question the existence of God, in truth, it is only by turning to God that any real answers can be found.
The Bible teaches that God created the whole universe. He created our world and everything in it, but the world he created was very different from the world we live in today. Genesis 1:31 says that “God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” However when Adam and Eve disobeyed God everything changed, sin and death entered into the world.
God created man with a free will – the ability to make choices. He could have made us like robots, preprogrammed to love and obey him. Instead he gave us a choice, because he wanted us to come to him willingly. Mankind suffers because of its sin, and it is because of our sin that we are separated from God, who is perfect and holy. However there is hope. Our suffering need not be in vain.
The Bible says that everyone has sinned, that the punishment for sin is death (both physical and spiritual), and that our sin separates us from God. Furthermore, there is nothing we can do to obtain the holiness (or perfection) necessary to enter into God’s presence. Left to ourselves, without God’s intervention, we are hopeless.
However because God loves us, he has graciously given us a way out of our predicament. He provided us with a substitute, Jesus Christ, who was perfect and blameless, to take our place and bear the punishment for our sins. Because he died for us we can be forgiven.
When we trust God and choose to follow him, our suffering is not in vain. The Bible says that God uses trails and obstacles to teach us and draw us closer to him.
Why Do Christians Have Trials?
It has been said that you can best discern a person’s true character by observing them in times of trouble. It is easy to claim to be a faithful follower of Christ when things in our lives are going smoothly; it is often a very different story when the road gets rough.
The Bible has a lot to say about trials and tribulations, and it is filled with example after example of God’s faithfulness. So why do many Christians bolt at the first sign of trouble? If we really believe that God is good, why are we so quick to turn our backs on Him in anger and resentment when things don’t go our way?
There are two major errors we can make regarding trials: The first mistake is the failure to anticipate trials. Jesus suffered trials. Jesus promised us trials (John 16:33). All the apostles suffered trials. Trials are an expected part of the Christian life. And, like all storms, preparation can be critical in successfully enduring them. A second mistake is to harbor a morbid fear of trials.
Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
The Apostle Paul certainly knew sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 11:32-40). And he regarded them as opportunities. There are many reasons why we face trial.
Here are just a few
To glorify God (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25)
Discipline for known sin (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9)
To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1-2)
To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
To build faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)
To cause growth (Romans 5:3-5)
To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13)
To equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
For testimony to the angels (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12)
When faced with times of trouble remember that God loves you, He knows what is best for you, and He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
The Bible says: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 38-39).”
Nov. 12, 2008
The dead open their mouths wide,
And only death crawls out like maggots.
The stench of rotting flesh does not leave the nostrils,
It taints all that is around it.
Leave death behind.
Come up out of the grave,
And follow Me into the Light, and Life of eternity.
Come with Me and Live.
by Lisa E.
Where do we go from here when leaving babies to die slowly in a soiled linen bin is the law?
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
September 18, 2008
Dear Friends,
It becomes more difficult for me to write to you these days with a difficult time of dialysis as diabetes advances. Now I must write at least this one last time. Bodie and Brock [Thoene] are gracious and let my voice of warning be heard.
I was a young girl in Germany and lived through difficult times. We have since then had a wonderful life. The world, as difficult as it has been, at least for many years remembered what happened politically in Germany with the Depression in the 1930s. You remember how it began and thus progressed with the horrors of war which followed.
The battle was at the beginning a Spiritual battle.
You have read some parts of my story in the Zion Covenant, from growing up in Germany in the days when evil men prevailed and TRUTH was turned upside down. White became black through a barrage of propaganda and constant repetition of lies against those who spoke the truth.
Here is my warning to all: Perhaps it will be my last warning. (I wake up each day surprised that I am still here and not in heaven with those who wait for me!)
America and the whole world hangs in the balance now. I believe that America will stand or fall depending on who is elected President this year.
Good Americans, like the good Germans of my youth, may think that the issues of their nation center around the economy. I tell you now that the fate of the greatest nation on earth does not depend on money.
Every issue must only be judged worthy and true by the Word of God. Prosperity comes to a nation and a people who serves the Lord first. That is a basic spiritual principle which is seen in every book of Holy Scripture.
“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
This is where the healing of America begins: Friend, you must begin with examination of your own life first and the confession of your sins.
Then pray for your nation. Ask yourself now: who supports the rights of the unborn babies and also of those who are handicapped?
History tells us why this is critical:
In the Germany of my childhood, everyone worried about the economy. Paying bills. Buying bread. Money! And there were 1 million abortions in the year before Hitler came to power. (A drop in the bucket compared to America.) The excuse given for the murder of unborn babies was that economic times were hard. How could a family feed another mouth?
There followed the legalized forced sterilization of parents who had a handicapped child or who were judged “racially impure.”
Next came the legalized euthanasia of those who were handicapped. (An example of who would be killed is the Downs Syndrome child of Sarah Palin. He would have been killed immediately at birth.)
Do we not see such choices carried out with tiny babies being strangled or left to die by abortionists today? (Watch above Video “Interview With Nurse On The Dark Side Of Her Job”) Evil advances forward in America by law! This is done with the support of men and women in office who have sold their souls for power.
In those days in Germany all, who were, as I am now, elderly or ill, were gassed. These were all called “useless eaters.”
Christians and Jews who spoke out against this evil were labeled as radical “religious fanatics.” A campaign of false accusation, slander and persecution began, targeting people of faith. It was “unpopular” to speak the TRUTH. (Were these persecuted Christians people like you?) Many were jailed and eventually killed. Some escaped with only their lives.
Finally, by millions, Jews were hunted, imprisoned and killed. You know all this from the Zion Covenant books. I lived it.
Now, today, I hear the words and know the deeds of this Barack Obama and I know that he is a “gifted,” convincing, fellow. He is telling you how bad you have it and saying to Americans he is their messiah and the answer to all problems.
The propaganda machine loves Obama. The power of the media is much greater than in my childhood; a frightening thought.
But here is TRUTH: of all men in the US government this Obama has most strongly encouraged and urged the on-going slaughter of the unborn…”the useless mouths” of America. This slaughter is performed in the name of “A woman’s reproductive rights.”
In the land of my birth, the Holocaust all began with the first step of legalized abortion. Abortion was ENCOURAGED by a downturn in the world economics.
Scripture teaches us the survival of a nation is not about the economy. The only nation which will stand is the nation which follows the Lord and the true teachings of scripture.
I warn you, my dear American friends, with love in my heart and with my last breaths that no man or woman, Protestant or Catholic, can remain in God’s favor or blessing if they vote for this Obama. This is a man who voted four times to leave tiny babies who survived abortions to die!
I know many devout American Catholics in my life and many who have never voted for the Republicans because of tradition. Now I say that you who are Catholic must not follow after this man Obama who is gifted in his words but NOT speaking the TRUE WORDS OF OUR LORD OR THE CHURCH!
You cannot be a true Catholic Christian and vote for Obama. To vote for him is to vote for continued infanticide. To Protestant Christians, I say, you are not a Christian if you support the slaughter of the unborn!
Christianity and abortion are spiritually impossible companions.
Protestants and Catholics MUST UNITE in this battle. The victory must be overwhelming!
Do you feel you cannot vote for Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin, who are for the LIFE of the unborn and handicapped? If you cannot support these leaders, then for the sake of your soul, I, who have seen the spiritual destruction of many good people, Protestants and Catholics, urge you NOT TO VOTE for Obama or anyone who does not support protection of LIFE!
For all those American politicians who have the chance to change the course toward destruction, I who have been witness to national and worldwide tragedy, urge you protect those in your society who are the most helpless. Publicly deny your support of Obama. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14 you must turn your life around for the sake of your soul and your country!
To those politicians who use “FAITH” to get votes while they follow the path of destruction, I must speak this warning: “God will not be mocked.”
If you, Christian, can vote, and if you can encourage others to vote, then you must VOTE FOR LIFE.
In the judgment of heaven, there is no other choice but LIFE and protection of the innocent for a Christian.
I am thankful to Bodie and Brock for letting me be heard once more. They agree with history and with the Truth of scripture. Most of my generation is gone now. You who are taking control of the world have a fight ahead of you as the memory of our peril dims. I have heard and listened closely to the voices of Sarah Palin and John McCain, and my spirit bears witness that they speak truth and are the true Hope-Bearers of your generation. Sarah is a true Deborah. Pray for her and her family and also for John McCain. You must all remember what happened to us and not repeat the same mistake of apathy.
If I cannot write to you again I pray we will meet in heaven and you will tell me I helped you encourage others to do the right thing for the sake of your soul and for the nation.
God bless you,
Lori Kalner
Awake and Asleep
January 9, 2009 in Commentary, Teachings | Tags: Asleep, Awake, Coal Miners, Commentary, Curse, Death, Earth, Family, Focus, God, Kindness, Oxygen, Revelation, Right, Wake Up, Wrong | Leave a comment
by Jon Acuff
I read an article in last month’s Men’s Journal about some coal miners that died in a tragic accident. While trapped miles under the earth, with their oxygen running out and death coming quickly, the men decided to write some notes to the people they loved.
One note said:
“It wasn’t bad. I just went to sleep.”
That is a gift…if you are dying.
That was a kindness, a man letting his family know that he did not suffer. I was overwhelmed by the selflessness of that action. With only a few short breaths left, that man did not focus on the pain he was in, but instead used his last energy to do everything he could to ease the pain of the people he loved.
But if you are alive…if you still have years ahead of you, if you are still above ground, breathing and living, that note is not a gift.
It is a curse.
It is a note that I wrote to describe my own life for many, many years.
“It wasn’t bad. I just went to sleep.”
Things weren’t horrible, I just went to sleep. I stopped caring about anyone but me. I stopped giving and focused on taking. I let go of risk and settled into a nice, safe, comfortable life.
“It wasn’t bad. I just went to sleep.”
I am tired of living that way.
Tired of writing that note.
Tired of being those words.
I don’t know if you’re like me and it’s easy for you to fall asleep. Easy to focus on the wrong things. Easy to miss the love and the life and the joy God keeps whispering in the corners of your day.
Well, this year, I’ve got two words for you: Wake up.
Wake up.
Wake up.
Wake up.
That is my prayer for 2009. That I would not sleep. That I would not live a life that is really not all that alive. That I would remember Revelation 16:15, “blessed is he who stays awake.”
What kind of note will you write this year?
Jon Acuff writes the site www.stuffchristianslike.netHe has a book coming out with Zondervan in 2010, lives in Atlanta and thinks it’s weird to write his own bios.