Living is God's Favor Is So Cool!

I so love living in God's favor.  And I think it is the small things that I appreciate the most!

I exercise almost every day.  A few days ago it was like God tapped me on the shoulder and said why don't you add in that one exercise you used to do.  I immediately knew what exercise He meant and added it to the routine.

A few days later I notice that a minor physical issue that had been bugging me was almost gone.  As I thought things through I could see how the new exercise would have a direct effect on the issue but it was never a connection that I would have made on my own.  How cool is that?

Now I know there are a lot of people who would say that is just coincidence and if that is what they choose to believe that is fine.  I however prefer to give God all the credit because I think it is a great example of what a positive effect living in God's providence can have on our daily lives. 

"Therefore do not pray for this people…" Did I read that correctly?

Jeremiah 7:16-17(NKJV)

16“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. 

17Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 

Isn't that interesting.  Here is an example where God actually tells us not to pray for someone.  And why does he say not to pray for them?  Because He, God, will not hear. 

It seems these people have gone and pissed God off to the point that He is done with them. 

Now I'm not suggesting that we start deciding who to pray for and who not to pray for.  Not suggesting that at all.

What I am suggesting is that it appears that you can push God too far.  Like any good parent God may say "enough is enough!"

Something to think about.

Give Cheerfully or Don’t Bother Giving at all...

...in my opinion.  It is really just another heart issue.  To not give cheerfully indicates an ungrateful heart in my opinion.

 We decided long ago that all that we have we have because of God.  He gave us the ability to do what we do and He gave us the opportunities to use our skills.  Therefore any times He tells us to give we do it cheerfully. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-9(NKJV)

6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

9As it is written:      “He has dispersed abroad,     He has given to the poor;     His righteousness endures forever.” £

Do All Poor Deserve Charity? What Does the Bible Say?

How do we square these two passages from Paul?
 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12(NKJV)

10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Vs.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15(NKJV)

13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 

14but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 

15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” £

The first one is pretty clear.  You don't work you don't eat.  The second one seems to contradict the first by saying that you need to supply "their lack from your abundance".  There is no qualifier about the need to work. 

So which is it?

This is an example of why you need to take the Bible in it's entirety.  Many people think that any and all poor are entitled to charity no matter what the circumstances.  I don't think that is true Scripturally.  Let me explain.

 In the example above Paul makes a distinction in his statement.  It explains why some people don't deserve to be fed if they don't work.

1For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Paul seems to be saying that there are some out there who don't work even though they have the ability, which would generally make them poor wouldn't it?  And those people who are able but don't work don't deserve to be fed.  Now the reasoning is open to speculation but I bet it goes something like this.

The reason they don't deserve charity is that their poverty and lack of food is of their own making.  They have the ability to feed themselves but choose not to.  They go around stirring up trouble instead.  (The disorderly busybody reference)

Contrast that with people who just focus on the Scriptures that say feed the poor with no qualifiers. 

The example above in not the only verse in the Bible that defines who should receive charity but I'll let you look for some of the others on your own.  And let me be vary clear.  I'm not against helping those truly in need.  Just not interested in helping the lazy. 

"If you are using the Bible to hurt people…" Oh how silly!

Have you ever seen a meme on Facebook that says something like "If you are using the Bible to hurt people you are using it wrong"?  Those who post it seem to use it as a way to deflect criticism of sinful or evil behavior.  This kind of goes right along with the whole Kumbaya Jesus belief.  

I would respectfully disagree.  The Bible tells us that one of it's uses it for correction.
 

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I think this example from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians provides a great example to refute the FB meme. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-11(NKJV)

8For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 

9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 

10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 

11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 

Notice that Paul addresses the whole "hurt" thing by explaining that the sorrow (hurt) was a necessary part of the whole process of repentance, and repentance leads to salvation. 

Seems pretty clear to me. 

Is God's Mercy Automatic?

A lot of people seem to think that God's mercy is automatic.  I don't believe it is.   Take a look.

Jeremiah 3:12-13(NKJV)

12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say:      ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord;     ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.     For I am merciful,’ says the Lord;     ‘I will not remain angry forever.

13    Only acknowledge your iniquity,     That you have transgressed against the Lord your God,     And have scattered your charms     To alien deities under every green tree,      And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.

There is usually a requirement to receive God's mercy.  As an example, to receive salvation which is the biggest mercy of all we first need to accept Jesus as our Savior.  

I believe the same hold true in most other cases.  Whenever we cross God He will offer us mercy provided that we acknowledge our iniquities.  In other words, once we apologize to God we are then eligible for His mercy.

Make sense?

The Letter or the Spirit?

Which is more important?  The letter or the Spirit of the law?  Here is a Scripture that addresses the issue

2 Corinthians 3:6(NKJV)

6who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the £Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The reason I bring this up is that the accepted dogma is that we have to specifically ask Jesus to come into our lives to receive salvation.  The whole believe in your heart and speak it with your mouth thing.

But I have found other Scriptures where Jesus is speaking and He seems to say something different.  Here is an example.

Luke 10:25-28(NKJV)

25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ £ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”£

28And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Here it seems to be saying, love God and be a good person.  Jesus says "...do this and you will live.".  So which is it?

2 Corinthians 3:16-18(NKJV)

16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 

17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 

18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

I'm not sure this adds any clarity to it but here is my take on the whole thing. 

Jesus seems to focus a lot on the heart.  Where is your heart.  If your heart is right I believe that Jesus will call it good.  But why take the chance.  Say the words, accept Jesus and remove any doubt.  You'll be glad you did!