Tough Questions.. about God, Faith & the Bible

So today in Church we looked at Psalm 73
(& I wanted to share the message)

People always question why there is pain and suffering in the world, I know I do sometimes. Everyone is in the spotlight of pain and suffering at some point in their life's. You're not alone.

Asaph question God too, he starts off in verse one saying

"Surely God is good to Israel,

                     to those who are pure in the heart"

The bible teaches us 4 main points....

GOD is GOOD, WISE, POWERFUL and evil exists

wait that doesn't sound right! If God is all those things then why does he let things happen, why did that awful tsunami hit China and wash all those bodies away, what about hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, or prostitution and women trafficking, what about third world countries, starvation, thirst, shelter, cancer, what about the girl that was kidnapped yesterday, or why did that drunk driver hit and kill the innocent young girl pursuing her dreams in college....

 none of this makes sense!!!!

Did God cause these things to happen? No, but he does allow it...this world is a broken place

Asaph goes on to say that he almost lost all his faith, because he sees good things happening to people who aren't good. To people who steal, cheat, lie, who do not follow our Lord. Why are they getting everything handed to them? What have they done? In verse 4 he says "They have no struggles, their bodies are healthy and strong, they are free from burdens common to man; therefore pride is in their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence". That doesn't seem fair, does it?

Then he goes on and says pretty much "its been worthless to serve you, its not paying off God. Whats the point in this if these kinds of people are rewarded. Whats going on?"

When something bad happens to people their become embittered, meaning they cannot reconcile and they become very bitter and angry people. Angry at God, angry at their children, wife's, and family. Asking...

"God why did you let this happen?" "How could you take the life of my child?" "Why couldn't you cure the cancer?"

God does not answer those kinds of questions, he answers the personal whys

"God what are you trying to teach me?" "Lord, this happened because something needs to change in my life, what is it? Show me why."

You need to choose to put ALL your trust in God.

                                                                                              

Then my favorite part begins, first read this part of the passage then continue on my journey through understand this word......pretty powerful huh? He says that those will perish and be destroyed who are unfaithful to our Lord. I love verse 23, (if you can't tell by my heart). It says that the lord holds us by our right hand, when I read that I thought about how a mother or father holds onto their child's hands, never letting go, when they are starting their first steps... They wouldn't dare let their child fall, NEVER. God does that same thing for us. We are his children.

Sometimes we may feel like we are staring at a brick wall when bad things happen  in our life's               

which is understandable, we cannot see the big picture... in time though when pain and suffering have occurred in our life's, we need to take steps back, gradually and start looking at the bigger picture. God WILL take your pain and suffering and he is really painting an amazing mural in your life and in time you will realize that.

 Some people are deeply disturbed when they see evil people living without a care. Does a bad life always make a person unhappy? Not in the short run, according to the description. In fact, the life of the wicked sometimes looks enviable. Only in the light of eternity does godly living ALWAYS prove more rewarding.

I challenge you to ask yourself "Can I say I have made the Lord my refuge?"

Like in verse 28.

and always remember......
 JEREMIAH 29:11

Biltmore Baptist Church......... check out the website about the actual sermon that my blog was based on and try channeling in on Sundays

My motto...

I have a boat, and on my boat will only be people who lift me up and never try to sink it. There will be no one with negativity. NO ONE will be able to sink my boat, and I will tell the people that are there that I’m glad they are and the people who sink it will be eliminated immediately.

For the lord says in Proverbs 13:20…..

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

 That verse is so strong to me; the companion of fools will SUFFER harm... Does that not make you think? That's not saying that they will suffer, that is saying that YOU will suffer when you surround yourself with "fools". I’ve realized in high school and maturing that when I’m around people who party, or gossip somehow my name seemed to pop up somewhere. I use to let people talk to me about gossip, and by surrounding me by those fools it actually would cause more harm on me sometimes, dragging me down into an immature web of mean girls who had nothing better to do. Many times in the bible god talks about surrounding yourself with the wise and how the mercy of the wicked is cruel… Proverbs 12:10

I’m a young lady, and in college still trying to find myself but one thing is for sure that I WILL surround myself with people that make positive influences in my life. My motto in life was inspired by my Aunt Rhonda and Elevation Church in Charlotte. I carry a sinker around all the time now to remind myself that no one can sink me, for the strength and power of the cross live in me and no one can bring me down.  Some things that I have changed in my life, that you girls out there should to, were these things…

*Don’t surround yourself with gossip, get away from it. There has been so many times where I have been around friends and then they start on something that is none of their business to talka bout or judge. I eliminate myself right then and I walk away. I don’t want to hear about it and I don’t want to be influenced by that. Gossip is a nasty, cruel thing that sadly is a problem with young adults. This has seriously impacted my life. I can’t tell you how many messages I’ll get from girls saying..

“you are literally one of the nicest people I’ve met and you deserve any good that comes to you. Good things happen to good people. I just wanted you to know that so you don’t get discouraged by any jealous people you come about… you've always been such a good friend to me and never talked crap or anything like that. So thank you for that, you’re a real person and you’re an amazing friend to have”

 my friend Kandice said that to me yesterday on Facebook.

That’s the kind of person I want to be for my friends! And that’s the kind of friends that I will surround myself with. I’ve learned that my life has changed dramatically by changing my friends and being around people who love me for who I am and believe in the same things as me. I have such a great support system and I love all my friends!

1Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad Company ruins good morals.”

Remember that for me

* I also have a lot of respect for myself. I cloth myself with confidence and laugh at people who want to judge me. I don't care what people think about me.
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
John 7:24
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
God says that you should not judge many times in the bible. No one knows what others have went through, since when is it everyone right to judge others? You don't walk in their shoes, you don't know anything about them.

* I also have a relationship with God before I look for a man to fit my criteria. God puts people in your life's that he wants there. I've leaned that I want a relationship with a guy that has surrounded himself with faith that I have in my life. Don't be with someone who disrespects you, is rude, doesn't call you beautiful, talks to you and tries to understand your feelings and doesn't try to make you happy. The lord says that a husband should worship his wife, like he worships the church. Girls, you are a gift to any guy out there! Don't let anyone take advantage of you, hurt you or disrespect you. Put your faith in God and he will bring someone who is suppose to be in your life. You should be treated like a queen, a princess... all the time. no matter what, I have set my mind that I wont settle for less and neither should you. Also if you are in a relationship that isn't "easy" & it's constant upsets, tears, jealousy and no trust, get out. Don't think "oh things will get better". No they won't, gods clearly trying to show you that's not where he wants you and he's given you opportunities to open your eyes and realize that. He's not gonna make the relationship everything you've ever wanted if its not where he wants you...I've personally learned that, be treated like a queen girls :)

Putting your faith in God makes a dramatic change in you life...I promise you that things only get better when your faith becomes stronger and stronger. You can apply a "boat" in any kind of situation.. That's just 3 that I focus on. Go get a sinker, and think about my motto and let it become a part of your life as well!