The answer is - he doesn’t like to kill us. In the old testament Moses wanted to see God.
Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” - Ex. 33:18
But,” he{God} said, “you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live.” Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” - Ex. 33:20-23.
God doesn’t like to kill Moses and mankind by showing himself. We can’t even see the glory of the sun closely. How come can we see God, who created the sun? Isn’t he trillions upon trillions times brighter and powerful than the Sun? Aren’t his power and glory so powerful that could consume humans?
The LORD your God is a consuming fire - De. 4:24.
In revelation God’s glory is incorporated.
At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne - Re. 4:2-3.
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder - Re. 4:5.
This is the glory of God. Man can’t see him face to face.
It was written that Moses talked to God face to face. The phrase "face to face" in the Hebrew mindset means "personally," "directly," or "intimately." Moses had this kind of unmediated relationship with God. But he, like all other mortals, never saw an actual "face" of God.
Being "face to face" with God simply refers to being in God's direct presence in an intimate way.
In Genesis 32:30 Jacob said, "I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."
Jacob thought it was God, but it was an angel of God.
Manoah enquired of the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding - Ju. 13:17- 18.
The angel of God said the same answer to Jacob.
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he{angel} replied, “Why do you ask my name?” - Ge. 32:29.
Therefore, it’s a key text to refute that Jacob saw God ‘face to face.’
I hope now you understand why God doesn’t show himself to mankind.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
God consoles bereaved families
The Death of our family members, friends, relatives, and neighbors, is the worst heart shatter event. It is like a wakening nightmare. The pain engulfs our strength and creates terrible grief in us. We can’t help crying. Some time, believers, who posses a little faith, set aside the little faith and curse God. This event is being widely seen and heard.
While a father was about to bury his dead daughter in a cemetery, he looked up at the skies and yelled, “where are you, God, when my child was dead?! Where are you?!”
At once, the pastor, who was standing before the bereaved father, said to him, “God is there when his son was also dead, and he’s still there when your child was also dead.”
The bereaved father squinted at the pastor, speechless. The pastor continued, “God has plan s for all of us. Who are you and me find faults with them? Just hope that your daughter accomplished God’s will and gone.”
The bereaved father realized his mistake and asked God to forgive him. This is the true story of a bereaved father of a little faith.
Now see what the bereaved fathers of full faith did in the same situation.
While David’s child was sick, he fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground, but as he learnt the child was dead, he got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the
house of the LORD and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request his servants served him food, and he ate. His servants were puzzled at this. On finding that:
He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, `Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” - 2Sa. 12:22-23.
When Job was informed that his sons and daughters died, he didn’t ask God why he took away his offspring. He said:
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised - Job 1:21.
His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”- Job 2:9-10.
Job accepted trouble but didn’t curse God. He knew God has plans for everyone, so he didn’t find a fault with God’s plan.
Some sensitive believers of a few faith are unaware of this, so they are cursing God in the grief.
May God forgive them, for they don’t know what they are speaking in the frustration and the grief. I pray that may God make them known that everything is going on according to his plans.
God doesn’t forsake bereaved families. He consoles them, strengthen them, and revives them.
I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak - Ez. 34:16.
So keep in mind that though we go to bottom of the grief, we shouldn’t curse God. Our departed beloved ones are highly loved by God. He loves them more than we could.
May our departed beloved ones souls rest in peace.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Treasure In Heaven
We throw parties and invite friends and relatives. Then they will throw parties and invite us. In this way, we repay another and enjoy. But most of us don’t like to throw at least one party to the poor, because there is no room in our heart for them. We are looking down on them because of their status and driving them away in case they get close to our party surroundings.
It is not good in the sight of God. If we really want to be in heaven and have treasure there, it is mandatory to do favors to the poor.
Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”- Lk. 14:12 -14.
They can’t repay us because they are poor, however, God will pay us on their behalf. He gives us more than we expect in heaven.
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done- Pr. 19:17.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor- Pr. 22:9.
Every day, before we eat we pray like this:
Father, we thank you for your
generosity in providing us with
this meal. Bless this food to our
use and us to thy service, and keep
us ever mindful of the needs of
others. Amen.
But we are not mindful of the needs of other, yet we pray like this. God doesn’t like hypocrites. We must reform our ways and be merciful toward the poor.
See the prophecy. Therefore, we shouldn’t fail to give food to the hungry. And shouldn’t fail to give clothes to the naked. Shouldn’t fail to do the good things told in the scripture.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward - Mt. 10:42.
It is not good in the sight of God. If we really want to be in heaven and have treasure there, it is mandatory to do favors to the poor.
Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”- Lk. 14:12 -14.
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done- Pr. 19:17.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor- Pr. 22:9.
Every day, before we eat we pray like this:
Father, we thank you for your
generosity in providing us with
this meal. Bless this food to our
use and us to thy service, and keep
us ever mindful of the needs of
others. Amen.
But we are not mindful of the needs of other, yet we pray like this. God doesn’t like hypocrites. We must reform our ways and be merciful toward the poor.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ - Mt. 25:34-40.
See the prophecy. Therefore, we shouldn’t fail to give food to the hungry. And shouldn’t fail to give clothes to the naked. Shouldn’t fail to do the good things told in the scripture.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward - Mt. 10:42.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
We were bought with price
In the old testament times, to purge a man from his sins the blood of animals was used. The life in the blood saved the man from his sins.
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life- Le. 17:11.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices- He. 10:11.
However, God wasn’t pleased with them.
“Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” - He. 10:8.
He sets aside the first {covenant} to establish the second - He. 10-9.
Then God was determined to purge Gentiles as well as Jews, so he sent his son like a lamb into the world.
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - Jn. 1:29.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life- Jn. 3:16.
Jesus came into the world on a mission to save both Gentiles and Jews, who were under the yoke of sin, so that they will be set free.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace- Ep. 1:7.
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many- Mt. 20:28.
At first Jews didn’t believe in Jesus Christ. They claimed that they are not slaves of anyone.
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed- Jn. 8:33-36.
Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge - Ro. 3:4.
Jews crucified Jesus on the charge of blasphemy. As a result, the prophecies fulfilled.
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth- Is. 53:5-7.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life- Jn. 3:14-15.
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit- Jn. 19:30.
Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed- 1Co. 5:7.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross- Col. 2:13-14.
With his sacrifice our status has changed.
You are not your own; you were bought at a price - 1Co. 6:20.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir- Ga. 4:7.
This is the greatest power of Jesus’ blood. In addition to purging us, the blood has made us heirs to God.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! - Ro. 5:9.
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life- Le. 17:11.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices- He. 10:11.
However, God wasn’t pleased with them.
“Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” - He. 10:8.
He sets aside the first {covenant} to establish the second - He. 10-9.
Then God was determined to purge Gentiles as well as Jews, so he sent his son like a lamb into the world.
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - Jn. 1:29.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life- Jn. 3:16.
Jesus came into the world on a mission to save both Gentiles and Jews, who were under the yoke of sin, so that they will be set free.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace- Ep. 1:7.
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many- Mt. 20:28.
At first Jews didn’t believe in Jesus Christ. They claimed that they are not slaves of anyone.
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed- Jn. 8:33-36.
Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge - Ro. 3:4.
Jews crucified Jesus on the charge of blasphemy. As a result, the prophecies fulfilled.
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth- Is. 53:5-7.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life- Jn. 3:14-15.
Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit- Jn. 19:30.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross- Col. 2:13-14.
With his sacrifice our status has changed.
You are not your own; you were bought at a price - 1Co. 6:20.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir- Ga. 4:7.
This is the greatest power of Jesus’ blood. In addition to purging us, the blood has made us heirs to God.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! - Ro. 5:9.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Be content with what we have
While a latest model car moving on a road, and some people, who can’t afford to buy it, happen to see it, they say in themselves, “I wish I had the car.”
After that, they feel upset about their financial position and grieve their hearts with their desires, which they can’t quench.
The same thing happens to the people when see their desired buildings, home appliances, and jobs.
This upset leads them toward frustration, which generate grave dangers to them.
No man thinks about the things he can’t buy. Instead, he’d better be satisfied with what has been given to him by God. This gives him peace and happiness.
People are ruing peace and happiness with their deeds:
A middle class man strives to become a rich man.
A millionaire strives to become a billionaire.
A billionaire takes pains to be a trillionair.
A company keeps on trying to take over its rival.
How on earth could they live in peace and happiness with these deeds? They have no satisfaction with what they have; they still want more. Though get the more they desired they want some more.
They are not content with what they have. We’re also more or less like them. We shouldn’t be in the state anymore. Let’s be satisfied with what we have. St. Paul wrote nice things about being content.
Be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want- Ph. 4:11-12.
The secret of being content is to be satisfied with what we have.
You have a small home, so praise God; some don’t have at least one.
Be satisfied with your car and praise God; some can’t afford to buy your car even if you want to get rid of it with little profit.
You get to work by bus or train? Then, thank our heavenly father, who has given you money to buy tickets; some use cycles as they can’t afford to buy the tickets.
The cyclists must thank God, who has given them strength to peddle the cycle; some people have no strength to walk or stand though they are stinking rich.
You eat enough food, leaving crumbs on your table, whereas in some countries people are dying of starvation.
Be content with your salary, don’t desire for more; some don’t have jobs at all.
God said:
My grace is sufficient for you- 2Co. 12:9. His grace is enough for us to lead our life and be content.
The life of an unsatisfied man will be awful.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control- Pr. 25:28.
Satisfaction is like a wall to our life. If you we don’t posses the wall of satisfaction, we will never enjoy peace and joy. Our desires let us down.
Therefore learn to be satisfied at all time and be thankful to God.
There are some people who think in a different way. They say, “If only I were born like the rich. God made me a common man.”
My dear brothers, come to your sense.
Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?- Ro. 9:20-21.
You know a truth? WE ARE ONE in CHRIST.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other-. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it - 1Co. 12:21-27.
My brothers, God assigned a specific work to everyone in the world, and we must do it without grumbling. It doesn’t matter whether we’re poor or the rich. We’re here to do the work God assigned us. We must accomplish it. The poor shouldn’t feel sorry, as they are not born like the rich. The rich were allotted for another works.
If the rich fail to do the works, they must pay for it. Likewise if the poor fail to do their work, they must pay for it.
It’s every one’s duty to do the work given by God. The poor shouldn’t say to the rich, ‘You’re exploiting us and using us. How long shall we toil for you?’
Does our hand say to our head, ‘I don’t work for you. You are using me.’
It never says so, because it is combined with the body. In the same way, the rich and the poor combined in Christ. Therefore the poor shouldn’t be jealous of the rich and feel sorry not being born like the rich.
Forsake the thought and do your work, brother. You know how to do the work?
Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men- Ep. 6:5-7.
The rich shall not say to the poor, “You were born to work for us. Do it.” Because the poor are doing the work assigned by God.
Masters, treat your slaves in the same way {Ep.6:5-7}. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him- Ep. 6:9.
After that, they feel upset about their financial position and grieve their hearts with their desires, which they can’t quench.
The same thing happens to the people when see their desired buildings, home appliances, and jobs.
This upset leads them toward frustration, which generate grave dangers to them.
No man thinks about the things he can’t buy. Instead, he’d better be satisfied with what has been given to him by God. This gives him peace and happiness.
People are ruing peace and happiness with their deeds:
A middle class man strives to become a rich man.
A millionaire strives to become a billionaire.
A billionaire takes pains to be a trillionair.
A company keeps on trying to take over its rival.
How on earth could they live in peace and happiness with these deeds? They have no satisfaction with what they have; they still want more. Though get the more they desired they want some more.
They are not content with what they have. We’re also more or less like them. We shouldn’t be in the state anymore. Let’s be satisfied with what we have. St. Paul wrote nice things about being content.
Be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want- Ph. 4:11-12.
The secret of being content is to be satisfied with what we have.
You have a small home, so praise God; some don’t have at least one.
Be satisfied with your car and praise God; some can’t afford to buy your car even if you want to get rid of it with little profit.
You get to work by bus or train? Then, thank our heavenly father, who has given you money to buy tickets; some use cycles as they can’t afford to buy the tickets.
The cyclists must thank God, who has given them strength to peddle the cycle; some people have no strength to walk or stand though they are stinking rich.
You eat enough food, leaving crumbs on your table, whereas in some countries people are dying of starvation.
God said:
My grace is sufficient for you- 2Co. 12:9. His grace is enough for us to lead our life and be content.
The life of an unsatisfied man will be awful.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control- Pr. 25:28.
Satisfaction is like a wall to our life. If you we don’t posses the wall of satisfaction, we will never enjoy peace and joy. Our desires let us down.
Therefore learn to be satisfied at all time and be thankful to God.
There are some people who think in a different way. They say, “If only I were born like the rich. God made me a common man.”
My dear brothers, come to your sense.
Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?- Ro. 9:20-21.
You know a truth? WE ARE ONE in CHRIST.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other-. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it - 1Co. 12:21-27.
My brothers, God assigned a specific work to everyone in the world, and we must do it without grumbling. It doesn’t matter whether we’re poor or the rich. We’re here to do the work God assigned us. We must accomplish it. The poor shouldn’t feel sorry, as they are not born like the rich. The rich were allotted for another works.
If the rich fail to do the works, they must pay for it. Likewise if the poor fail to do their work, they must pay for it.
It’s every one’s duty to do the work given by God. The poor shouldn’t say to the rich, ‘You’re exploiting us and using us. How long shall we toil for you?’
Does our hand say to our head, ‘I don’t work for you. You are using me.’
It never says so, because it is combined with the body. In the same way, the rich and the poor combined in Christ. Therefore the poor shouldn’t be jealous of the rich and feel sorry not being born like the rich.
Forsake the thought and do your work, brother. You know how to do the work?
Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men- Ep. 6:5-7.
The rich shall not say to the poor, “You were born to work for us. Do it.” Because the poor are doing the work assigned by God.
Masters, treat your slaves in the same way {Ep.6:5-7}. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him- Ep. 6:9.
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