The Pope had no answer...do you?

[kaylagrl]

I guess I just wonder where the compassion is in all of this. So there is sin and it causes all of this suffering to happen to innocent people, notably children. So where is the compassion from God for these people who are suffering? Throughout the Bible and through testimony from modern-day Christians, we see God interacting with the world and the people in it, often alleviating suffering and rescuing those in need. But then there are those whose suffering is not alleviated and who do not find rescue.

What further convolutes things is the way God acts according to modern-day Christians in developed countries. We believe and credit God for helping us with these small, trivial things. Helping us find a job. Healing us from a minor illness. Comforting us when we are sad. Leading us to our future spouse. We believe God does all these things, yet for some reason He feels no need to help or rescue those who are truly in need in impoverished nations like the Philippines, where hundreds, no, thousands of children are left homeless, many of them abused, never knowing what it's like to be loved. Yet praise God, he helped me find my lost dog yesterday. Does anyone else see what's wrong with this picture?

Someone said once...Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. But I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.


The answer is us.God commands us to go but we stay.We enjoy comfort too much.We put a dollar in the plate for missions and spend thirty at the restaurant after the service on ourselves.We have two cars and three tvs and each one has a cell phone.Our dogs and cats eat better and sleep safer than half the worlds children.And what do we do with this blessing? Build bigger churches with steeples built to the sky.Then we ask "where is God" when he's saying "I blessed you,what have you done with it?" The following song makes a good point...

Shadow of the Steeple

Sunday morning sunshine,bathing the land,Sunday morning people with Bibles in their hands.
He wonders why they pass him by as they walk around him on the street.
To shade the light that replaced the night he cups his hand to see.

In the shadow of the steeple someones crying.Does anybody care? Can you hear them crying?
In the shadow of the steeple someones crying.


The preacher talks about the needs in a distant land,he says "Folks are dying over there we need to lend a hand.Its getting late lets past the plate,just do the best you can" Then the congregation rises for their final amen.


The cold blue steel he clutches fast, and he points it to the place where the shadow of the steeple is resting on his face.He feels the sting the church bells ring as he stumbles and goes down.But folks just shake their heads as they walk away from the figure on the ground.

In the shadow of our steeples souls are dying,does anybody care,can you hear them crying,souls are out there dying,we need to listen for their crying.We need to reach out to the people out there underneath our steeples dont let the shadow of your steeple find someone crying.

By Rusty Goodman

 

[Jon4TheCross]

I already answered the question, and it cannot be contradicted with scripture. Anyone want to see compassion? Lets offer a game to these children? Compassion must be a word in need of defining. Body language speaks louder than the mouth.

Compassion? Lets show a little compassion by eating what thosr children do for 40 days...then we might have a better undetstanding.

 

[nogard]

So now it's our fault. So basically because we decide not to help, God says, "I guess I'm not going to help either. Tough luck for that person in need. Looks like Lucy over here didn't answer the call to go help you, so now you're just going to have die in your suffering. But don't worry, I'll help Lucy's car start tomorrow and make sure her grandma gets over her cold."

I mean, let's say you and a friend walk into a room and you come across a man bleeding to death asking for help. You both have working cell phones. However, your friend decides not to help the guy and leaves. You decide that since your friend didn't help, you won't help. The police catch up with you later and ask, "why didn't you help?". You say, "Oh, my friend should have helped. I mean, he had a working phone and everything. There was no reason for him not to help. It probably would've made him feel real good too and grow more as a person, but my friend didn't do it." The cop responds, "So because your friend didn't help, you thought it was okay for you not to help, even though you had a working cell phone as well." "Exactly", you say.

Once again. Not much compassion here. Whether it's sin's fault, our fault, or their fault, it doesn't eliminate the fact that God is able to help these people. Most Christians believe God does work in the world, including helping people. I'm not following the logic that us not doing our part somehow makes it okay for God not to do anything. Not to mention that there is no way we could help with this as well or as easily as God can.

 

[Hizikyah]

the "pope" should read Scripture!

James 1:27 , Religion that is pure and undefiled before Yah, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Isayah 24:1-6, "Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty and makes it waste, perverts the face of it and scatters abroad its inhabitants; And it will be: as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his owner; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with him who takes usury, so with him who gives usury to him: The land will be utterly emptied and utterly plundered, for Yahweh has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world mourns and fades away, and the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants of it, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant. Because of this, the curse has devoured the earth, and they who dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."

 

[nogard]

Isayah 24:1-6, "Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty and makes it waste, perverts the face of it and scatters abroad its inhabitants; And it will be: as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his owner; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with him who takes usury, so with him who gives usury to him: The land will be utterly emptied and utterly plundered, for Yahweh has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world mourns and fades away, and the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants of it, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant. Because of this, the curse has devoured the earth, and they who dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."

Hmm, that's quite a stark contrast from this verse:
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

 

[Jon4TheCross]

God will help. However...there are those who He will help through suffering... and I don't mind saying that if you really want to know what it feels like to suffer...40 days and nights without food was awesome compared to 3 and a half days without water. Ask God if He will allow you to go through that...and I believe He would let you.

We are babies motivated from birth, and God knows what He created.

 

[Hizikyah]

Hmm, that's quite a stark contrast from this verse:
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

That is why He sent Yahsua/Jesus... to become our Salvation.

That is why he has waited so paitently and given man every opportunity to turn from wickedness, for Yah will be so patient, in the day of judgemant NO MAN will be able to say that there is anything right/good without HIM AND HIS WAYS.... For they (evil men) seek to have life without Him, it will be proven impossible...

and just to illustrate what Isayah 24 prophesied about;

Matt 24:21-2, "For then will be great tribulation, such as has not come to pass since the beginning ofthe world to this time--no, nor ever will be. And unless those days were shortened, there would no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened."

Isayah 24:1-6, "Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty and makes it waste, perverts the face of it and scatters abroad its inhabitants; And it will be: as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his owner; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with him who takes usury, so with him who gives usury to him: The land will be utterly emptied and utterly plundered, for Yahweh has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world mourns and fades away, and the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants of it, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant. Because of this, the curse has devoured the earth, and they who dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

This is still future...

Revelation 19:13-15:, "And He was wrapped in a tallit dipped in blood, and the Name of Him is called: Yahshua--The Salvation of Yahweh. And the armies in heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him upon white horses, And out of His mouth goes a sharp, two-edged sword, that with it He should strike the nations; and He will rule over them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Yahweh."

Revelation 21:1-2, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, Yahchanan, saw the holy city, Yahweh Shammah, coming down from Yahweh out of heaven, prepared as brides adorned for their husbands. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: Behold, the tabernacle of Yahweh is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and Yahweh Himself will be with them, and be their Father.

Revelation 21:4-8 And Yahweh will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor will there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away. And He Who sat upon the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me: Write, for these words are true and faithful.And He said to me: It is done! I am Aleph and Tau, the Beginning and the End. I will give to him who thirsts of the fountain of the water of life freely. He who overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his Father, and he will be My son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and worshipers of false gods, and all liars, will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone--which is the second death."

 

[nogard]

I'm going to go to bed, so I'll sum this up as best I can.

I suppose it all ends up being a matter of perspective. Some people on here seem to believe that suffering is deserved because of sin. Others because we are not doing enough ourselves to help our fellow man. Others believe that in the end, all will be righted, so the suffering of today can be overlooked. However you look at it, the reality is that God is allowing innocent people to suffer for some reason. Something is superseding the mercy and compassion that He should be showing to these poor souls. What exactly is superseding that is debatable, and whether or not that is acceptable is a matter of opinion.

 

[JonahLynx]

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. (Ecc. 7:14)

The blessings and curses in life are all to remind us that we are mortal and that God is the only aspect of life which is not (as Solomon puts it) vanity. It is eternal things that matter rather than the temporal. We live entirely among things which do not last forever; hardship changes the focus to what does last forever.

 

[4enlightment]

So the Pope went to the Philippines for the first time in 2 decades. While many of us may not care about that little fact, what I did find interesting is a question asked by a young girl that he had no answer to. The article, found on cnn.com, is posted below:

"Ex-street kid weeps as she asks Pope why God lets children suffer in Philippines"
Ex-street kid weeps as she asks Pope why God lets children suffer in Philippines - CNN.com


To those who don't feel like clicking the link, here is the start of the article and the beginning of her question:

Compare the little girl to a child that hasn't suffered.

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Jonah 2:9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

1 Peter 1:6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

 

[Mitspa]

I guess I just wonder where the compassion is in all of this. So there is sin and it causes all of this suffering to happen to innocent people, notably children. So where is the compassion from God for these people who are suffering? Throughout the Bible and through testimony from modern-day Christians, we see God interacting with the world and the people in it, often alleviating suffering and rescuing those in need. But then there are those whose suffering is not alleviated and who do not find rescue.

What further convolutes things is the way God acts according to modern-day Christians in developed countries. We believe and credit God for helping us with these small, trivial things. Helping us find a job. Healing us from a minor illness. Comforting us when we are sad. Leading us to our future spouse. We believe God does all these things, yet for some reason He feels no need to help or rescue those who are truly in need in impoverished nations like the Philippines, where hundreds, no, thousands of children are left homeless, many of them abused, never knowing what it's like to be loved. Yet praise God, he helped me find my lost dog yesterday. Does anyone else see what's wrong with this picture?

The real gospel...carries with it the real blessing of God ...The Protestant west is blessed because on the gospel. These people need the truth...and the truth will set them free and they will be blessed by God...its really that simple.

 

[Mitspa]

I'm going to go to bed, so I'll sum this up as best I can.

I suppose it all ends up being a matter of perspective. Some people on here seem to believe that suffering is deserved because of sin. Others because we are not doing enough ourselves to help our fellow man. Others believe that in the end, all will be righted, so the suffering of today can be overlooked. However you look at it, the reality is that God is allowing innocent people to suffer for some reason. Something is superseding the mercy and compassion that He should be showing to these poor souls. What exactly is superseding that is debatable, and whether or not that is acceptable is a matter of opinion.

Its not a matter of mans opinion if you believe the bible.. your either blessed or cursed

 

[notuptome]

What is worse? Living a life of poverty and hunger if it leads to a saving knowledge of Christ or living a life of prosperity with no want yet perishing for eternity? The pope is ill equipped to deal with any of these questions.

Christians have an obligation to do what they are able both to address the physical needs but also to address the Spiritual needs. Most the aid networks are so corrupt that many are not able to give to support them. Many third world dictators have become wealthy selling the aid given to help the poor instead of giving it to them.

God who is the righteous judge will hold those responsible to account.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[stabbo]

So the Pope went to the Philippines for the first time in 2 decades. While many of us may not care about that little fact, what I did find interesting is a question asked by a young girl that he had no answer to. The article, found on cnn.com, is posted below:

"Ex-street kid weeps as she asks Pope why God lets children suffer in Philippines"
Ex-street kid weeps as she asks Pope why God lets children suffer in Philippines - CNN.com


To those who don't feel like clicking the link, here is the start of the article and the beginning of her question:

The reason why God allows children to suffer and starve is because the problem is not his but ours.

 

[Elin]

I guess I just wonder where the compassion is in all of this. So there is sin and it causes all of this suffering to happen to innocent people, notably children. So where is the compassion from God for these people who are suffering? Throughout the Bible and through testimony from modern-day Christians, we see God interacting with the world and the people in it, often alleviating suffering and rescuing those in need. But then there are those whose suffering is not alleviated and who do not find rescue.

What further convolutes things is the way God acts according to modern-day Christians in developed countries. We believe and credit God for helping us with these small, trivial things. Helping us find a job. Healing us from a minor illness. Comforting us when we are sad. Leading us to our future spouse. We believe God does all these things, yet for some reason He feels no need to help or rescue those who are truly in need in impoverished nations like the Philippines, where hundreds, no, thousands of children are left homeless, many of them abused, never knowing what it's like to be loved. Yet praise God, he helped me find my lost dog yesterday. Does anyone else see what's wrong with this picture?

There is nothing wrong with God's ways.

I don't have to understand them to believe his word about that.

 

[notuptome]

Jesus said the poor would be with us always. Mark 14:7

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Jimbone]

The reason why God allows children to suffer and starve is because the problem is not his but ours.

I agree, everyone wants to say "Why does God let children suffer?", when God has provided everything we need for every person on earth to have everything we need to survive, period. What we as sinful people do with what we're given cannot be blamed on God, or laid at his feet. I am also agreeing with the people that are saying “what have YOU done to combat the problem, and why do YOU allow the same thing to happen down your own street or in your own city?

 

[kaylagrl]

I already answered the question, and it cannot be contradicted with scripture. Anyone want to see compassion? Lets offer a game to these children? Compassion must be a word in need of defining. Body language speaks louder than the mouth.

Compassion? Lets show a little compassion by eating what thosr children do for 40 days...then we might have a better undetstanding.

I think the question is open to all.It is,after all,a discussion forum.

 

[Socrates]

The Pope is a Pimp - and a Whore of the banks - he's a punk and puppet.

 

[Sirk]

The Pope is a Pimp - and a Whore of the banks - he's a punk and puppet.

I'm wondering how this jives with "let no unwholesome speech come out of your mouth"?