Not only does God care when you suffer, He cares so much that He chose to suffer for you so that one day you can spend eternity with Him in a world without suffering. The two trees in the garden (tree of life and tree of the knowledge of good and evil) provided an exercise in choice (obedience), with rewards for choosing to obey and sad consequences for choosing to disobey. Your email address will not be published. Gods provision can be clearly seen in these next four psalms, which teach us even more truth about Gods provision. Scripture says, God works " all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11). Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. (Mark 14:32-36). His thoughts are way different than yours were before you got saved. Their increased wealth leads to increased strife because there simply wasn't enough land for each of them, plus the Canaanites and the Perizzites (13:7). Living with the consequences of our choices teaches us to think and choose more carefully. Deuteronomy 30:19. Through that choice, humankind broke their relationship with God and brought imperfection into the perfect world He made. Answer: Obedience to God proves our love for Him (1 John 5:2-3), demonstrates our faithfulness to Him (1 John 2:3-6), glorifies Him in the world (1 Peter 2:12), and opens avenues of blessing for us (John 13:17). Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. See also Psalm 119:1-2. Abba, Father, He cried out, everything is possible for you. "Enter by the narrow gate. Our choice is whether to experience life in an imperfect world in relationship with a perfect God or without Him. Devotional: God allows mankind gift of choice - Chron Different people will be able to contribute different information and perspectives that you may not have thought about before. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. God made a good world, but He allowed people to make choices, and the choices they made ultimately ruined it. Gods presence, provision, and promises are all found here in the Book of Psalms. Suffering goes back to Adam and Eves rebellion. Philippians 2:12-13 says: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.Lets look at this passage one part at a time, and see what God has to say about decisions and choices. God delights in revealing His will to those who are eager to follow His precepts ( Psalm 33:18; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 147:11 ). Ephesians 1:4-5 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should . God's Sovereignty & Human Choice in Proverbs He does the same for you. But God did not just experience pain from peoples rebellion. Is Genesis literal history? Everything from what we want to eat, which way to work we want to drive, or what we want to wear. It may be hard to see how Adam and Eve's falling into sin could bring glory to God. The Bible proclaims: Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth to save mankind from destruction and establish the Kingdom of God. 72 Bible Verses about Free Will To Choose To Serve God Joshua 24:15ESV / 10 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. Find out more about how you can know God personally. Write down all of the things that God has provided for you. Suffering can cause you to feel isolated from people who are not going through the same experience, but choosing to walk through such experiences alongside someone else reminds both of you that youre not alone. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:17-18). And yet the Bible shows us Jesus wrestling with what He has to do. Working out your own salvation means cooperating with the Holy Spirit and making good choices, so that everyone can SEE that salvation isinside you because you have changed so much. Does God allow us to make choices? Get the latest headlines: http://newsmax.com. Hope resides in Ohio with her husband and their four children. Sometimes, we only see the suffering from a distance. What Does the Bible Say About Making Choices? - OpenBible.info God loves us and will forgive us for the mistakes we make, as long as we ask Him. God does not want people to suffer, and He will end suffering. The devil tempted her with the power to be like God, which would enable her to go her own way without trusting God. As a free moral agent, man has the awesome responsibility to choose between a hapless, physio-chemical existence with a dead end or a rich and rewarding eternity as a member of God's Family. For example, He gave Adam and Eve a choice to eat of all the trees in the Garden of Eden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3: 16-17), and He gave David the choice to kill Saul or to allow him to live (1 Samuel 24: 6-7). How God's Presence, Provision, and Promises are Found in - Crosswalk We can ask God for forgiveness, and He will give it. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 1:1-11 Prayer is an essential resource in good decision making. Revelation 21:1-4 is a sneak peek into what God has planned for the eternal home of His people: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. When it strikes closer to home, suffering can change your perspective. And after He gives us the want to, then He helps us act out the good choice. Some may be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, such as soldiers who lay down their lives to protect the lives and freedoms of others. Then He said to the crowd, If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 570 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Choices often result in eternally significant consequences. As we read through some of these pages, we can see three major aspects of Gods character. The truth is that God hates to see people suffer. Honesty is good for the soulespecially when the evidence against you is piling up. All rights reserved. A new discovery of a duck-billed dinosaur was announced in southern Chile. A Christians testimony of holiness is a strong witness that God is at work in the world. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him (Psalm 128:1). When you get saved, you get the mind of Christ. God is glorified when He extends forgiveness, because it is written, I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. All rights reserved. God is not afraid of your questions, your sadness or your anger. Before Jesus went to meet Martha and Mary, He told His disciples that He was going to awaken Lazarus from the dead. 3. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Everyone has opportunities to choose to suffer for the good of others. Over time even our smallest decisions can cause big disruptions if we aren't paying close enough attention. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. Obedience, The Key to God's Blessings - Genesis Bible Fellowship Church 2023 From His Presence and Jamie Rohrbaugh. Jesus made this clear. And His commandments are not burdensome. Gods presence is good (Psalm 16:2, Psalm 73:28). Jesus told us that the plan is for others to see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). God called David a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) because David had an uncommon desire to live in close relationship with Him. What Does it Mean to Be Your Husbands Helper? What Should We Know about Darius the Mede? The Bible makes this clear. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. He paused and wept with them. Amen" ( Romans 11:36 ). Jesus is Himself the source of hope you need to persevere through the hardest things in life. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, Psalm 119:30. In the book of Genesis, we first encounter God as a loving parent. Scripture tells us that we must always be . We also have our big decisions in life we have to make. Suffering is inevitable in this world then. This simple statement, famous for being the shortest verse in the Bible, is profound. How long will You look the other way? . Though speaking with God, reading the Bible, and talking with trust church members you will be able to see a little clearer the way God wants you to move. In doing so, we understand the magnitude of how grand our faith is. Each chapter is a prayer, a cry to God, a statement of praise, or a message of Gods work. It is extremely frustrating when kids rebel against you and ignore the rules you established for their protection. Getting a divorce or changing your major your last year of college can cause huge ripples in your life, so it's no wonder we try to make the right choice from the get go. The God of the Bible is one God existing as three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We do not have a God who hides Himself. God loves you anyway. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, They become habits so you have more time to worry about other choices. Once there, Joseph suffered more misfortunes, including being imprisoned for a crime He did not commit. Psalm 128:1, By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. How does a mother care for her child? In His righteousness He will use warfare to end warfare. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow (Lamentations 3:32-33). What Does The Bible Say About Wise Choices? Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. Required fields are marked *. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. What does the Bible say about decision-making? Or is it some sort of mytho-historical narrative? Its hard to even imagine turning on the news without hearing about something terrible that has happened. InPsalm 31:19, the author says that God has stored up goodness for us. After his brothers came to Egypt seeking food during the famine, Joseph revealed himself to them, and the family was reunited. Keep your ears and eyes open, and He will help guide you to your answer. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Jamie Rohrbaugh is an author and speaker who teaches people to manifest victory in every facet of life. But when Jesus mother made Him aware of this small hardship, He did not tell her about all the other people who were going through much worse things. 5:8). Gods presence brings justice (Psalm 17:2). Relationships can bring us some of the greatest joy possible in this life, but they can also cause deep, lasting wounds. O Lord of hosts,Blessedisthe man who trusts in You!Psalm 84:11-12 (NKJV). God knows exactly when to bring those people into your life and remind you whom you should reach out to. Bad habits such as a poor diet and procrastination become problems. Do what it says. God has given us information about Himself, including His holiness, man's sinfulness, God's provision for that sin which is Jesus Christ, and scores of promises to man about what will happen if he accepts God's promises and what will happen if he does not. He wants to help you. The truth is, though, that we are all going to make mistakes. He commands people not to steal, but He allows people to choose to disobey and steal anyway. No, He is being patient for your sake. God made a good world, but He allowed people to make choices, and the choices they made ultimately ruined it. It is essential for our ministers to reflect the diverse populations we are reaching with the gospel, How can God be good when there is so much suffering in the world?. Making the right choice isnt always easy. Did you get that? I know perfectly well that Reeses Cups are not good for me. One way that God often shows He is present during our suffering is through other people. God continues to respect our choice of whether or not to live under His authority and protection. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. Psalm 34:17,Psalm 18:6,Psalm 139:1-4,Psalm 145:18,Psalm 24:15,Psalm 4:3,Psalm 10:17,Psalm 145:19,Psalm 50:15,Psalm 34:6, God has a future for us. God can open doors when you least expect it, and He might be working behind the scenes to change your life. God always provides what we need. I have struggled with wanting (or not wanting) to make good food choices for a long time. Genesis reports that. But sometimes choosing to change can be hard. Our obedience is actually part of our assurance that we truly know God (1 John 2:3). Food. When you get saved, the Holy Spirit starts to change you. God gives us the free choice and free will to live our lives the way we desire. What the Bible Says About How Choices Create Our Future But instead, you can invite God to use your suffering to bring something good out of the bad. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Read Chapter All Versions Proverbs 4:5 We need you. The truth is, things about God, our own circumstances, and our heart's emotions stay the same throughout the years. Your email address will not be published. Youll be nicer and more positive. It could be something more challenging, such as donating an organ to save someones life. He is your loving Father, ready to embrace you right where you are. We see this in the description of the first time Jesus performs a miracle in John 2:1-11. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Proverbs: To Teach Wisdom, Discipline and Moral Instruction. Philippians 2:12-13 says: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.". If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Youre never too young to be a creation scientist! List those things and then give thanks to a God who provides! Answer: God wanted Adam to obey Him, but God gave Adam the freedom to choose. No matter how bad a situation is, God can still bring good out of it. From answers to direct prayers to unexpected bonuses at work. Worthy of God: Are Your Dreams Big Enough? You will learn to talk differently. Selling someone into slavery is not good, even though God was able to use that to bring something good about in Josephs case. They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, Sit here while I go and pray. He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. David says, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (KJV). God always provides what we need. Until then, the world will remain in its imperfect state. As we study the Bible, we should act on what we learn. God's Gift of Free Will | Study - JW.ORG In fact, some might even wonder why, if God knew ahead of time all the trouble they would cause, He made them in the first place. One of the best illustrations God uses to describe His relationship with us is Father and child. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?. As a free moral agent, man has the awesome responsibility to choose between a hapless, physio-chemical existence with a dead end or a rich and rewarding eternity as a member of God's Family. How Do We Reconcile God's Sovereignty and Human Free Will? Romans 8:31-32 says, What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? From who we want to marry, what career field we want to go into and the like. Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. If you are a parent, and you tell your child not to steal but they choose to steal anyway, they will face consequences. He sees that my flesh wants chocolate, and I need help wanting to make good choices enough to actually overcome that desire for a Reeses Cup. Among the chapters are verses that we can look at and see Gods presence scattered throughout the entire book. That is easier." The woman preferred being told what to do instead of using a precious gift from her Creator, the gift of free will. It could be something small, such as parents losing sleep to care for their sick children. He did not say there was no need to mourn because He was about to raise Lazarus. Start your day with devotional readings written by Dr. Henry Morris, Dr. Henry Morris III, Dr. John Morris, and others to strengthen and encourage you in your Christian faith. So what are you struggling with today? God does not enjoy people's pain, but He does allow them to experience pain. How can I know if the desires of my heart are from God. God has a grand plan for us, and with His council we can become our bests. Why does God allow us to go through trials and tribulations? Clearly, He wants you to know that He has a plan to end suffering, but it has not yet been completed, as another passage from the Bible teaches: But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. Gods ultimate plan will be accomplished. Therefore, many have suggested that such a unilateral love as is cited in the above texts would require . Gods plan to end our suffering required Him to suffer. But what would that accomplish? If you have experienced the pain of depression, struggled with infertility or battled addiction, you know that talking to someone who has been there helps you feel heard and not alone. Find out how God can rescue anyone from the dark forces at work in the world. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. Listen to this article "I pray and talk to God, but I must be doing something wrong. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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