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Title: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me!
Source:
gracegems.org
URL Source: http://www.gracegems.org/
Published: Dec 8, 2009
Author: J. R. Miller
Post Date: 2009-12-08 08:26:51 by Donald
Keywords: God
Views: 2801
Comments: 12
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me! (J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings") "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me! But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you--for My power is made perfect in your weakness!' " 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Many prayers which seem to be unanswered--are really answered. The blessing comes--but in a form we do not recognize. Instead of the very thing we sought--something better is given! The burden is not lifted away--but we are sustained beneath it. We are not spared the suffering--but in the suffering we are brought nearer to God, and receive more of His grace. The sorrow is not taken away--but is changed to joy. Our ignorant prayers are taken into the hands of the great Intercessor, and are answered in ways far wiser than our thought! Instead of earthly trifles--heavenly riches! Instead of things which our poor wisdom sought--things God's infinite wisdom chose for us! Instead of pleasure for a day--gain for eternity!
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#1. To: Donald (#0)
A line that could have issued verbatim from the mouth of any schoolyard bully shaking down the geeky kid with glasses for his lunch money. Any "god" that inflicts pain and misery on his alleged creations with such incredible sadistic relish is no god of mine.
What's the difference between Sarah Palin's mouth and other parts of her body? Only some of the things that don't come out of her mouth are retarded.
That's your perception and your call. God has a way of giving us what we want.
Right. Just ask Job. No doubt he wanted his family slaughtered, his wealth destroyed, and his health ruined.
Not true. I think you meant to say "God has a way of giving us what we need".
Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas everyone!
"Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind." --Thomas Paine
What's the difference between Sarah Palin's mouth and other parts of her body? Only some of the things that don't come out of her mouth are retarded.
I mean to say that if we don't want God in our life, He often stays out of our life. People who go to Hell don't need it. They often get it.
It's a very nice read - but I can't live in la-la land. While we are here on Earth, we must fend for ourselves. Some prayers are ignored. God will take care of us once we get to Heaven - being that we make it that far.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas everyone!
Ummmm...interesting take on the matter... Ok, you think that God doesn't have an interest in what happens in this life or He doesn't have the power to intrude on Satan's domain. I think that Christians would disagree in any case.
Nope - not at all. I know that no amount of faith and prayers can prevent unhappy things from happening. Shit happens. God is not going to fix it for you. We have to fend for ourselves. God doesn't make the sorrow go away either. No matter how faithful you are to Him nor how many prayers you pray - Shit still happens. It's a fact of life and God can be brutally mean.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas everyone!
Bad things can happen. The idea is that God will help His people through their trials in life, and it does work to the good of the afflicted. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I simply have issues with Him and the way He works things in life.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas everyone!
Humankind is the one who has been brutal and corrupt. God demanded obedience from humans which was His perfect right. The God who created man has the right to expect such things from the beings He created. Mankind eventually rebelled against God because of sin that filled them. This sin came from their sin nature and Satan: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even with all of this, God has been very patience with mankind who has continued to rebel against Him. He is very forbearing even now. There is a time coming when His judgement will be made on the earth and man will not be able to stand before Him. This is something that you can take to the bank. Yeah, I know about the old cliche, but it is true nonetheless. The only way to escape God's judgement and His wrath is to accept His only begottn son, Jesus Christ, as savior. Do you know what accepting Christ as savior means? Mankind is under the penalty of sin from the actions of Adam, the first man. The penalty of sin is death. Christ's death on the cross was the bright atoning moment in man's rebellion against God. It is only in realizing that we are lost and separated from God due to the sin that controls us and recognizing our need for Christ to forgive us those sins and receive His forgiveness unto our salvation. If you need more information on this, let me give you something to help you. God’s Plan of Salvation For Man The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created man in his image. (see Genesis. 1:27) At that time God and man lived in perfect harmony in a perfect world. Then the serpent (Lucifer/Satan), a fallen angel who wanted above all things to be as God himself, tempted Adam and Eve with the two biggest lies that have ever been told. These lies were: “Ye shall not surely die:” and “ye shall be as gods.” (see Genesis 3:4-5 & Deuteronomy 4:39) Adam and Eve willingly embraced the lies of Lucifer and rejected God’s plan and instructions for them. This is where sin entered the human race. (see Romans 5:12) We further learn from the Bible that because of God’s purity and holiness He can not have sin in his presence. (see Habakkuk .31:13, Revelation 21:27 & Psalms 97:2) So when Adam and Eve, and subsequently every one of us in the human race choose the way of sin and rebellion, (see Romans 3:10, 3:23 & 6:23) it is simply justice that demands our separation from God. From the time of Adam and Eve until the present time, the Bible records several thousand years of man’s efforts to do it his way (become as God), or to be reunited to God by his own efforts. These efforts, no matter how diligently pursued have never worked, nor can they ever work, because man with his sinful nature is not capable of reaching God’s standard of absolute purity or sinlessness. (see Isaiah 64:6) So, if history has so clearly proven that man can not become God, or even come back to God through his own self efforts, is there then any hope that we can escape this sinful fallen state and imperfect world in which we live? The answer is a resounding Yes! (see Romans 5:8) And this is what Christianity is all about. God in His infinite mercy and love has provided a way. (see John 14:6, 5:24, Acts 4:12, & Ephesians 2:8-9) It was a costly way, but it was the only way to bridge the separation that sin had caused between man and his creator. (see Hebrews 9:22) God gave his only begotten and sinless son as a ransom worthy of paying the price necessary to pardon us from the condemnation and just separation from God caused by our sin. ( see 2 Cor. 5:21 & John 3:16) While Jesus Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross was worthy to cleanse all people from all sin and from eternal separation from God, (see 1 John 1:7) he has never forced anyone to accept the gift. He does though offer it to all who desire it and ask for it. (see Romans 10:9 & 13 & Matthew 10:32) Kings and paupers must all come to Christ the same way. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Many would try to add good works, righteous deeds, church traditions or denominational affiliations as pathways to salvation (see Titus 3:5 & Romans 3:28); but the Bible is clear that doing so can only have the opposite effect. For if we try to add anything to grace; then “grace is no longer grace”. (see Romans 11:6 & Galations 5:4) It is only with a humble and thankful heart that God’s grace is received by faith. And it is only there, at the foot of the cross, that we can be forgiven and rest in the assurance of our salvation from the punishment we deserve for the sins we have committed. This brief explanation of God’s plan of salvation is given that you too may come to the one who loves you more than you can imagine; if that is your desire. The steps below will guide you. Tell God in prayer that you are ready to accept the cleansing gift of His only begotten and sinless son. Now is the time to make your decision. This is the most important decision of your life; (see John 8:24) please do not take it lightly, there may not be a “later”. (see 2 Corinthians 6:2) Lord Jesus, I see my sin and realize (through your word) that my sin it is what separates me from you. I am sorry for my sin and desire to turn from the wrong ways I have been directing my life. From this day forward I ask that you come in and be the Lord and guiding light of my life. I thank you and accept as a free gift, the worthy substitutionary sacrifice that you made on the cross to pay for my sins. Thank you for forgiving my sins and saving my soul. I have sincerely prayed the above prayer to the best of my understanding and ability. I understand there are no other requirements for becoming a Christian; but that full meaning and purpose in this life comes only when I willingly die to self and allow Jesus Christ to live through me. Increased blessings will also come in this life and in heaven as I am obedient and grow in the knowledge and application of my Christian faith through the Word of God, the Bible.
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me! But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you--for My power is made perfect in your weakness!' " 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
#2. To: Racism_Boot (#1)
Any "god" that inflicts pain and misery on his alleged creations with such incredible sadistic relish is no god of mine.
#3. To: Donald (#2)
God has a way of giving us what we want.
Always look on the bright side of life.
#4. To: Donald (#2)
God has a way of giving us what we want.
#5. To: Donald (#2)
#6. To: mel (#4)
#7. To: Donald (#0)
#8. To: mel (#7)
While we are here on Earth, we must fend for ourselves. Some prayers are ignored. God will take care of us once we get to Heaven
#9. To: Donald (#8)
Ok, you think that God doesn't have an interest in what happens in this life or He doesn't have the power to intrude on Satan's domain.
#10. To: mel (#9)
#11. To: Donald (#10)
#12. To: Racism_Boot (#5)
Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we call it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind."
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