Why Do Bad Things Happen?

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  Phil 1:12-17 (KJV)

     How often do we question God when something seems to go wrong in our lives? As an example, look at the Apostle Paul here in Phil. 1. He is writing to the Church at Philippi to encourage them. What is interesting is that Paul wanted to encourage them and was concerned about them when they heard he was in jail. 
     So here is paul in perhaps the worst conditions in his life and he is encouraging the Church, who weren't not in jail. Keep in mind the jails of his time were not like the ones we have here in America. He didn't have the comforts of TV, three meals a day and so on. He was literally chained to Roman Guards and had to depend on his friends to supply his needs. Yet he is rejoicing and being thankful for those in the church. Paul as he writes recalls what the Lord directed him to write in Romans:



28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 (KJV)

     Paul did not need to be reminded that God was in total control and had a reason for him being in jail. In fact he states in verse 12 that what has happened has done so for the continued preaching of the Gospel. There were some good results of his being in jail.

1. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; He was able to witness to those around him in jail. Keep in mind he was chained to people who needed to hear the Gospel. Those in Caesar's household were able to hear his message and were saved. This would not have happened if he was not in jail.


2. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. There were other preachers, pastors who saw paul's testimony in jail and were encouraged in the fact that God was still using him and was still taking care of him. Because they saw God's working, they continued to preach knowing God would do the same for them.


3. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Here we see various others preaching for various reasons. There were those that preached out of jealousy and wanting to cause problems for Paul. They thought if they would preach like Paul that things would be worse for him. Also there were those that preached out of love for their God, knowing that Paul was secure in the Lord.They also knew that whatever happened, Paul would not reject his Lord.


      You may  ask "How did Paul actually respond to those who preached in order to cause him problems?"  Humanly we may want Paul to judge them or to send them a letter of rebuke, but look in the following verse:



18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice Phil. 1.18 



     Paul is simply stating that whatever the reasons they are doing what they are doing, he is thankful for the fact that the Gospel is being preached. People are hearing the Gospel because of his sufferings. Let me ask you friend, what is your reaction when God allows trouble to happen?

     Do you complain and blame God for your troubles or thank Him and try to still serve Him despite the problems. Remember God never promised that everything would be good and we would always be comfortable. He did promise that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD. Everything that He allows into our lives will be profitable if we allow Him to work.  God's promises can be trusted. SO the next time something "bad" happens, strive to use it for His glory.

Protect Your Eyes and Ways.

³      I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalm 101.3

I will neither delight in it, aim at it, nor endure it. If I have wickedness brought before me by others I will turn away from it, I will not gaze upon it with pleasure. The Psalmist is very sweeping in his resolve, he declines the least, the most reputable, the most customary form ofevil—no wicked thing: not only shall it not dwell in his heart, but not even before his eyes, for what fascinates the eye is very apt togain admission into the heart, even as Eve’s apple first pleased her sight, and then prevailed over her mind and hand. “I hate thework of them that turn aside.” (The Treasury of David, C.H. Spurgeon)

How important it is today that we follow after David's example of not viewing anything that is evil or will lead us into evil. With today's technology it is easier than ever to view that which goes against God's teaching. If you doubt me, just turn on your TV or look through the DVD selection at the store. How easy is it to get evil things in the privacy of your own home via the internet. In order to follow this example means our getting out of our comfort zone and a willingness to give up our "rights". 

The question is "Are we willing to do what it takes to live like God wants us to live?" If we are, keep in mind Gal. 2.20:

²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless Ilive; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I nowlive in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who lovedme, and gave himself for me.

If we are crucified with Christ, it means we should be dead to our own desires and wishes. And finally keep in mind dead men have no rights.

God's Hall of Fame, Hebrews 11

      We are a few hours from July 4th, 2011. It should be a time to reflect and honor those who have given all, that we might have freedom to enjoy the things we have today. I do thank God for those who died for our freedoms.

    I would also like take this time to remember those who give for even a greater cause, their Lord and Savior. In Hebrews 11 we see  a list that makes up what I call God's "Hall of Faith". It lists the names and acts of many of God's greatest servants in the Old testament. Yet what is interesting is how Paul finishes the Chapter:

³²And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tellof Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; ofDavid also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³Who throughfaith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtainedpromises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴Quenched the violenceof fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness weremade strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies ofthe aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: andothers were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they mightobtain a better resurrection: ³⁶And others had trial of cruelmockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ³⁷They were stoned, they were sawn asunder,were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about insheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered indeserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.³⁹And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,received not the promise: ⁴⁰God having provided some betterthing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11.32-40)

     How many Christians gave their lives for the cause of Christ and we know nothing about their love for the Savior? We will never know about the missionary who gives his life in the jungles that  one  may know Christ. What about that secretary that works in some office of a missions complex to help those that are out preaching the Gospel? What about that Widow that gives a small amount (yet it is all she has) that a soul might hear the Gospel? These precious people are also in God's hall of Faith, they will one day receive their reward.

     As servants of Christ why do what we do? What should be that driving force for us to make such sacrifices? One basic reason, the Love of Christ. Christ loved us enough to give the greatest sacrifice of all.  If He could do that for me, why shouldn't I give my all to Him?
     I finish with Romans 12.1:


¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, thatye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12.1)


     We are requested to give ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord is basically asking for us to give Him everything. He gave His all for us, why shouldn't we give all back. Paul states that it is a reasonable service. It is the least we can do. Where do you stand with the Lord today? Let's give Him all.

A Falling Away

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  2 Thess 2:1-4 (KJV)

     Here we see the Apostle Paul addressing the church concerning their questions about end times. First of all he encourages them not to be shaken from their faith and the doctrines they know to be true. They were experiencing persecution and were wondering what was going on. They were wondering if they had missed the Lord's return, and Paul was explaining that they had not missed it. He goes on to explain that there would have to be two things to happen before the "End" would come to happen.

     1) The first event that would need to happen would be what Paul calls "a falling away". Th ePreachers Sermon Notebook states the following: The Greek is forceful: "falling away" means apostasy, revolt, rebellion. The picture is that of multitudes—millions from all over the world—rebelling and revolting against God. "Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary" There will be a time of great rebellion against God and it will take many forms. These forms will take shape in Churches that teach and accept doctrines that once were held as wrong. These same church will downplay the Word of God. We will see mankind in other ways just reject God and live for themselves.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim. 4:1-2)

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

     2) The second event will be the revelation of that man of sin, that is, the antichrist himself. With him being revealed in that day shows that he will be alive before this happens and ready to be put into place, once God is ready for the end to come.

     Do we see either one of these 2 signs happening? The answer is clearly yes. The first event I do believe we are seeing happen. Will it get worse, yes. Do we as Christians need to worry? No.  Look at the first part of our passage: 

     We do not have to be shaken based on the assurance that Jesus is coming back for us. No matter how bad things will get before we meet with Christ we have His promise that He will not put more on us than we can handle.

     I leave you with the following verses:

²¹And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4.21

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.37-39

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Cor. 10.13

Results of Deaf Chat

Well, it is Saturday morning and our 1st Deaf Chat of Frederick is history. We had a total of 9 folks show up (not counting us). We had a great time getting to know these new friends. The ASL skill range was from two young ladies who knew very little to 2 deaf gentlemen. Linnea and I want to thank all those who came and helped make it a great night.

New Deaf Chat

Getting ready to go to the first meeting of a local deaf chat here in Frederick. A deaf chat is a social activity that normally meets in a place like Panera Bread. It is a time for anyone involved in the deaf community in anyway to come together for fellowship. Also a chance for those learning ASL to practice what they know. As it stands now, we have 7 saying they are coming and possible 18 that might come. It should be a great nite either way.

Did God really say that?

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  Gen 3:1 (KJV)

     I was reading the above verse this morning and couldn't help but think of what is going on today. The number one thing Satan wants to do is to make us question what God has said in His Word. He started this approach with Eve, he got her to question what God had really said to them. If you read on in the story you will notice she ends misquoting God. This is where Satan started to succeed with the human race.

      How do we see this happen today. Many people will hear that couples need to be married in order to live together and to enjoy their life as God intended.  They hear what God teaches, but they say we want to test to see if we can live together without any problems, then we might get married.  How many of us lie even when God says not to do so. Oh it's not hurting anyone we will say.

     And bottom line Jesus states that He is "The way, the truth and the life". He is not "A" way, He is THE way to God. yet how many of us believe the old "Phase" "All roads lead to Rome" meaning that everyone will find their own way to heaven. Either Jesus is a liar or we have been fooled by Satan. Going with Satan's track record and God's, I can say that Jesus is NOT a liar. If we want Heaven we must accept Him. "Hath God Said?" Think about it.