Woody Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 How do we know what to give God thanks for? If something good happens to us ... do we give God thanks? Or could this have come from Satan. Do we give the proper credit for what happens to us? When something bad happens to us ... do we give credit to God or Satan? Giving credit to the proper source would seem to be important to me. How do we know? If we are suffering or in bad health ... do we blame Satan or God. I suppose that some have the belief that all good comes from God and all bad from Satan. But I tend to think it might be more complicated than that. I want to give God credit for good when I can ... but I fear I've been giving Him far more credit than is due. Do you follow? Do you suffer from the same difficulty? Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Igakusei Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 Giving God credit for all the good things that happen to you means that you also have to give God credit for all the good things that he does not do. A much more sensible answer is that good and bad things both happen and are often outside anyone's control. People who believe God pulls the strings have to deal with the fact that he occasionally chooses not to pull the strings as in the recent Haitian and Thai disasters. Some people find God in the human response to those disasters, but it seems downright diabolical that God would have killed 250,000 people just so he can illustrate human compassion. I don't think you can rationalize natural disasters as a result of sin, if you also believe in an omnipotent, omniscient, loving God. There is absolutely zero reason to suppose that such disasters are somehow good for our eternal growth. I know a lot of people who try to give God thanks for everything, like when they misplace their keys or wedding rings. If you really believe God cares about you enough to help you find your keys in the morning, why did he let so many Christians during hurricane Katrina? Quote I believe in life before death
Woody Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 You make a lot of good points Igakusei. One being that if God helps you to find your keys ... then why didn't he help prevent you from losing them in the first place. I don't pretend to know the answers. That's why I've asked the question. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Administrators Gail Posted March 8, 2011 Administrators Posted March 8, 2011 I know a lot of people who try to give God thanks for everything, like when they misplace their keys or wedding rings. If you really believe God cares about you enough to help you find your keys in the morning, why did he let so many Christians during hurricane Katrina? The Bible does indeed tell us to give thanks for all things. It says that that may be a sacrifice: Quote: New King James Version: Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:14-16 The Great Controversy theme explains a lot. We are in a war. Becoming Christian does not ensure that we nor anyone else we know will be trouble-free. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Jesus tells us that in this world we shall have tribulation, but because He has overcome we can be of good cheer. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Woody Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 Is there a difference between giving thanks Gail ... and giving 'credit'? just thinking here as our friend dgrimm would say. :) Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Igakusei Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 If we are at war and we can't be sure of our safety, what about promises such as those that say our bread and water will be sure? It seems awfully ironic that a disaster such as hurricane Katrina managed to strengthen the faith of its survivors. It strengthened their faith that their "bread and water" would be taken care of, but apparently none of them took into account that there were thousands of people to their left and right for whom this was not true. How do you have faith that God will protect you if you acknowledge that your war has casualties on both sides? Quote I believe in life before death
Woody Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 Very Interesting Igakusei Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
skyblue888 Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 This is a very good topic but Igakusei, are you not acting the part of being the devil's advocate? The devil himself could hardly argue his case against God any better. Could he now? Taking into consideration all that you have posted on this topic until now. my two cents sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Administrators Gail Posted March 9, 2011 Administrators Posted March 9, 2011 If we are at war and we can't be sure of our safety, what about promises such as those that say our bread and water will be sure? It seems awfully ironic that a disaster such as hurricane Katrina managed to strengthen the faith of its survivors. It strengthened their faith that their "bread and water" would be taken care of, but apparently none of them took into account that there were thousands of people to their left and right for whom this was not true. How do you have faith that God will protect you if you acknowledge that your war has casualties on both sides? And if you are Christ's, who is saying that you are not in safety? Death by natural disaster is no worse than any other death. It is not the worst thing that can happen to a Christian. Death does not faze God as it does us. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
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