IF GOD WERE TO SAY...

FredVB · Jul 19, 2022

We really should be responsive to God's will that we find being revealed to us, which we should watch for. Still God uses us and we might be serving what God purposes us for while still not knowing it. And yet it can be presumptuous to think we know for sure what we are doing is God's purpose for us. We can be more ready, when anything can change, while it is unexpected.

AndrewMorgan · Jul 19, 2022

p_rehbein said:

No comments huh?

Y'all know that this is pretty much what God told Job, right?

God finally got tired of all of Jobs bellyaching and answered him.....

Chapter 40:

6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

God can get tired of peoples complaining, just as He can tire of their determination to live sin filled lives in direct disobedience to Him. Chapter 1 of Romans reveals this.

I would love to know all of the things Jesus had to say to the moneychangers defiling the Temple the day He kicked them out........

Even better, I would love for Jesus to tell us just once:

Hey, been there, done that, got the T-Shirt, wrote the Book, stared in the Movie, and got the scars to prove it! So get rid of the spirit of fear and start living like I forgave you of your sins and washed you with My blood and made you worthy to be Heirs to the Promise. JUST BELIEVE!

I have to say, as an imperfect human, I think Job did brilliantly to maintain his integrity as long as he did. I suspect I wouldn't have fared as well.

AndrewMorgan · Jul 19, 2022

To those who are talking of Job's "complaining" - Do you believe you'd do better than he in that situation? It's easy to criticise in a position of comfort.

Runningman · Jul 19, 2022

p_rehbein said:

I found it interesting that after Job complained a lot that God told him to be a man. Paul said something similar in 1 Cor. 16:13. According to tradition, at the martyrdom of Polycarp, an audible voice from heaven called out saying “Be strong and be a man.” In my prayers I have heard the same thing said to me when I’ve complained too much: “Be a man.”

God doesn’t really like complaining does He? In Numbers 11 God sent fire down from heaven, consuming part of the outskirts of their camp, when Israel complained.

When we’re really going through some tough times it can be so easy to complain and whine. What we often fail to see is there is purpose in the pain and meaning in the misery. We need to trust the process, calmly, and happily though sometimes that’s easier said than done.

AndrewMorgan · Jul 19, 2022

I'm not saying Job was justified in complaining. I'm just saying, as an imperfect man I think, in fallen human terms, Job held fast to his integrity - at least at first.
Look at what Job endured. People came to him saying his family had been killed, his property had been destroyed. His response was to say - in effect "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Praise the Lord." He then converses with his "comforters", who tell him he must have done something wrong. Then he becomes ill himself.
Eventually his wife says "Curse God and die". After this, he starts to go downhill.
Are you or anyone else saying you'd have done better?!

RichGladden · Jul 19, 2022

p_rehbein said:

I think taking a realistic inventory of our situation is essential if we are to change it. Necessity is, after all, the mother of invention, as they say. Yet one must realize there is an unseen line one can cross that changes "assessing the situation" into murmuring, which we've learned from the Exodus story is not the desired goal.

I know others and can say I have experienced it myself, that are so overwhelmed that options seem non-existent, and relief is an unachievable ambition when analyzing the problem. Complaining becomes the only choice possible to obtain inner peace, suggestions and/or help.

All of this is referring to those of us that actually want to better the delima and put forth the effort once a solution presents itself. I, by no means, am referring to those that enjoy receiving attention and pity as wages for their constant complaining and inability, or unwillingness to follow the advice given due to slothfulness.

.Having stated the afore, I go to God and provide occasional reminders of my problems, asking that I might be shown how I can solve them myself. Just a long, drawn-out thought.

p_rehbein · Jul 19, 2022

AndrewMorgan said:

I do not think any person would have fared better than Job. That being said, it is not criticizing to state what occurred in Scripture. To tell the story of Job, one must include his statements demanding God take counsel with him and explain to him what he did to deserve such suffering.

Job is said to have "patience," but I have long believed (in study of his Story) that Job had some patience, yes, even more than most men, but what was striking about Job was his FAITH. His faith stayed strong in God even as he bemoaned his suffering.

I think every Christian has, at one time or another, complained when they suffer, and forget to be thankful for what they do have, even as they bemoan what they do not have.
A statement I remember is: What God does not keep you from; He will keep you through.

We truly need to count our blessings in times of plenty AND in times of suffering!

Bluesproverb · Jul 19, 2022

ns QUOTE="p_rehbein, post: 4862316, member: 174109"]Some folks sit around whining, crying, complaining, woeismeing about how tough things are for them, and how hard they struggle just to live. I'm sure everyone here knows someone like this. So, I was wondering...........

WHAT IF GOD WERE TO SAY:

"Hey! Knock it off! Instead of whining, crying, complaining, woeismeing all day long, try counting your blessings! And while your at it; GET YOUR BUTT UP and get busy doing what I purposed you to do!""

I wonder......hmm.................[/QUOTE]

Well, if he could say that I'd ask him to get real specific on what he's purposed me to do.

Sometimes whining, especially crying, and woeismeing, happens because life's hits keep on coming regardless of how hard someone works , prays, to overcome the hurdles God sets before them. Hurdles that from time to time outnumber the blessings.

And while it is a blessing to be alive, that just means more time to encounter the hurdles. And one more day not to find rest in the arms of God.

Willow · Jul 19, 2022

Bluesproverb said:

Well, if he could say that I'd ask him to get real specific on what he's purposed me to do.

Sometimes whining, especially crying, and woeismeing, happens because life's hits keep on coming regardless of how hard someone works , prays, to overcome the hurdles God sets before them. Hurdles that from time to time outnumber the blessings.

And while it is a blessing to be alive, that just means more time to encounter the hurdles. And one more day not to find rest in the arms of God.[/QUOTE]
Oh my goodness been there. I had no one really to whine at though except God,lol . Atm between jobs. I was supposed to start a job. But they lied on what they really wanted. I was frustrated and complained to God . But after awhile I gave it to him. Later as I began to workout my hands ached badly . See I was getting over frostbite still . I felt God go be still and let me.
But have to say it is nice to be able to vent occasionally to someone who understands. They may have some comfort for us or may just listen. Either way it does wear on you when you get hit after hit.

Bluesproverb · Jul 19, 2022

Willow said:

Oh my goodness been there. I had no one really to whine at though except God,lol . Atm between jobs. I was supposed to start a job. But they lied on what they really wanted. I was frustrated and complained to God . But after awhile I gave it to him. Later as I began to workout my hands ached badly . See I was getting over frostbite still . I felt God go be still and let me.
But have to say it is nice to be able to vent occasionally to someone who understands. They may have some comfort for us or may just listen. Either way it does wear on you when you get hit after hit.[/QUOTE]
Friends are fond of saying, everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes I say I wish that everything would get a fat Sharpie and write the reason on my wall so I'd get a clue.🤔 ☺️

Come onnn already! [Hugs to you] 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'
If that were true I could bench press the local bank till they agreed to give my mortgage a better rate.
Hahahaha!

Very funny God. Why's the quote box function wonky at times like this? Huh? 😉🤔

p_rehbein · Jul 21, 2022

Bluesproverb said:

Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit are we led to know what our "purpose" is. Usually, that is revealed by which "gift" we are endowed with by the Holy Spirit. God is always "specific." It is man who sees through a "glass darkly" because they are not looking through "spiritual eyes."

Evmur · Jul 21, 2022

p_rehbein said:

We are rightly called the sheeps of God. You just haves to be awesome careful about how you treat sheeps.

They will not stand beating or hollering or frightening SO ...

... So you have to somehow get the truth of what you say across to them in the most gentle way possible.

Reading how Gladys Ayleward managed to get hundreds of Chinese kids across the mountains to safety away from the pursuing Japanese is an education.

Bluesproverb · Jul 21, 2022

p_rehbein said:

Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit are we led to know what our "purpose" is. Usually, that is revealed by which "gift" we are endowed with by the Holy Spirit. God is always "specific." It is man who sees through a "glass darkly" because they are not looking through "spiritual eyes."

Uh huh.

Bluesproverb · Jul 21, 2022

p_rehbein said:

I wonder when arrogance and self righteous pride thinking to judge others will be deeply humbled by an act of God.

p_rehbein · Jul 22, 2022

Bluesproverb said:

Probably the same time all other things are judged and humbled.

If you are directing your comments towards me, then, possibly, you should consider that "pot/kettle" thingy, huh?

p_rehbein · Jul 22, 2022

Evmur said:

Certainly there are times when kind words, hugs and such are what is needed to leade the flock. However, there are times when the flock needs reminding of what the results of disobedience is, right?

Jesus preached a lot of Sermons on hell, damnation. He preached a lot of Sermons on love, forgiveness and kindness as well......... But, when it came to "hell fire, damnation" Preachers, no one can match Jesus!

Bluesproverb · Jul 22, 2022

p_rehbein said:

I wasn't directing my question at you.

Perhaps you should ask why you feel my general question hit home.

Since your post was wrongly thinking to criticize me for your perceived slight I won't look for your answer. Maybe you should search your heart.
Your faults are not equal to others and vice versa.

I wish you the best in your journey.✝️💕😔

Evmur · Jul 23, 2022

p_rehbein said:

... you do not believe that Jesus preached hell-fire and damnation to His sheeps

FredVB · Nov 22, 2022

p_rehbein said:

We don't know what God means for us to do, without God revealing what there is for us. Too often, I think, God reveals things that God's people are not getting, and they still don't know, and because of their expectations they won't learn what God's will is yet. So it has to be emphasized, we should really seek for what we don't know, and not dismiss things that there are statements in the Bible supportive for, when something is brought to our attention.

I don't think there is such a huge problem of so many whining about circumstances. Maybe you know something different about it still...

AndrewMorgan · Nov 22, 2022

FredVB said:

Some people have good reason to act like that if their circumstances are genuinely hard to deal with. Maybe you, p_rehbein, are hard-hearted and unsympathetic to those in worse situations than you.

IF GOD WERE TO SAY...

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