A Tribute to Dr. King

Martin Luther King Jr. Appreciation Tribute by 25Mr. Live



Click Here for How to Appreciate Martin Luther King, Jr.  Edited by Manchurian President and 32 others from WikiHow

A Very Blessed and Joyous Christmas to You!

Matthew 1:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

The question of, "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" often arises in the aftermath of a natural disaster: floods, earthquakes, etc.

I've had people ask me, "If God is love, then why does He allow this?"

I tell them that I don't fully understand God's ways and never will here on earth, but I cling to the faith and confidence that I have in God's promises to us. I have peace because, as the Bible tells us, He knows what is best for us and that things happen for a reason. (I won't offer supporting Scripture at this time, but prayerfully, will do so in future discussions as part of this study.)

One notion that I hope to explore, at some point in the weeks to come, is that some folks want to ask about the nature of God only when it's convenient for them. 


I was once like this--I only wanted access and help from God when I needed Him. Much like buying something in a store, I wanted Him to be there for me when I needed Him, but other than that, didn't make the effort to get to know Him. When you don't know someone, it is difficult to understand their nature and how they operate.

While doing research for this study, I found an interesting discussion posted by the Rev. Bryan Findlayson of Pumpkin Cottage Ministry:

http://www.lectionarystudies.com/parish/apolo4.html

Rev. Findlayson, I would argue, offers good food for thought about God's intervention:

2. God will step in one day
     From time to time God has intervened in our world to straighten things out. Usually these interventions have to do with God revealing something to us about our present condition and about the coming new age ... this is God's world and we are his, and there will come a day when God will act to put all things right.
     The point I make is this. Nature will not always be as it is. There will come a day when it will be perfectly restored. At the moment nature groans and trembles awaiting its release. We too, at that time, will face God's restoring hand. This will involve judgement and everlasting destruction for the rebellious and blessing and everlasting life for those who have turned from their rebellion to follow Jesus.
     Therefore, to the question, "why doesn't God stop natural calamities, etc?" In the present moment we live in a totally free environment disjointed by our own rebellion, but God will not always leave it so. Soon he will act to put right all wrong. Pity help us if we are in the wrong when he sets about to put things right.

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Our Questions along the Way:

As we explore the Book of Job, let's make an effort to write down questions that we may have along the way. 

We can then take these questions, stop to pray for wisdom and reflect on what the text says to our current, personal situation.


--Have a blessed day!
Steve Kendall

Opening Remarks about our Online Bible Study

My approach to the Book of Job will be personal in nature. I'm not a Biblical scholar, so I will post notes about things that relate to my personal Christian walk.

Prayerfully, some of what I write will be of help to others.

Don't expect a chapter by chapter analysis. I prefer to tackle major themes within each book--and I hopefully will keep my entries short, and to the point.

Now that you know where I stand, let's begin...

If you haven't already, please download the notes on Job from Dr. J. Vernon McGee as I'll refer to them in this blog entry:
Click Here to download the PDF

Discussion:
On page 12 of the Job Notes, Dr. McGee lists the Purpose of the book, in his opinion. I'm drawn to the first item he lists, "To Determine Why the Righteous Suffer" because this is a question, I would argue, that non-believers often want the answer to when they question the way of the world, or when hard times impact their lives.

As I read Job, I'll reflect on Dr. McGee's Purpose #1 as it's a question that I've been asked from time to time and I want to better prepare my answer for folks.

Homework:
Continue reading through Chapter 14 of Job, as Dr. McGee made this the first section, or First Round of his outline.

I'll post my personal notes about the first 14 chapters next week around this time.

In the interim, you can begin to listen to Dr. McGee audio sermons of these chapters:
Click Here to find the Audio Sermons
(You may have to select, "view more messages" to find sermons of the first 14 chapters.)


Click Here for Dr. McGee's sermon "Why Do God's People Suffer?"

Until next time, have a blessed week!

Steve Kendall

Study Materials for Job

Welcome to the Online Bible Study of BibleStudyCafe.com!

We begin with a study of Old Testament, Book of Job.

Bible Online:
Click Here to read Job online, in translations of your choice, from BibleGateway.com

You can listen to an excellent study of this book by 
Dr. J. Vernon McGee on his Web site, Thru The Bible:


Notes: 
Click Here for PDF Notes from Dr. McGee You Can Download

Sermons:
Click Here for Dr. McGee's Audio Sermons about Job You Can Download




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We'll begin to post our own notes about this book in the coming days. Until then, begin reading Job and please read the PDF notes from Dr. McGee and listen to several of the broadcasts.