Tag Archives: Question God

Not Immune

When the next mind boggling event occurs in America, I’m not afraid to question God, searching for answers to stabbings, shootings and tragedy in public places.  Sometimes I feel like God has removed his presence, moving on to another nation, where hearts are open to truth.  Yet, as soon as trials enter my own life, the Holy Spirit has reminded me this week that Jesus was not immune from heartache.

According to John 11:14, God reveals to Jesus that his friend Lazarus has died.  As He makes his way to the tomb, Jesus is met with a distraught sister, blaming him for her brother’s death, John 11:21.  A second family member has similar feelings, bringing Jesus to tears, John 11:32-35.  While using God’s healing power to raise Lazarus from the dead, John 11:38-44, Jesus’ grief continued.  One of his disciples betrayed him, another publicly denied knowing Jesus and finally the Jews convinced the public leaders to have him crucified.

Unlike the Curse of the Bambino for Boston Red Sox fans, the events of original sin can not be reversed, Genesis 3:16-24.  Perhaps, this may explain Hebrews 12:4, putting life into its proper perspective.  With the circumstances in life continuing to decay, no one is immune from pain.  Therefore, as you fight the good fight, 1 Timothy 6:12, hang in there, encourage the depressed around you and place your trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Share how you have been helped or reached out to lend a loving hand.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

Did God Really Say vs. It Is Written

Until God gave Moses the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20, any command, decree or law was passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation.  In the book of Genesis, God spoke directly to people like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph informing each of His will and plan for their life.  Therefore, when a serpent began to speak with Eve in the garden of Eden, she knew the boundaries God established in Genesis 2:16-17.  Thus, the battle between did God really say and it is written began.

Using the same main strategy of deception that worked in the garden, Satan meets his toughest opponent in a desert east of the Jordan River, Matthew 4:1.  Jesus prepares for this battle for the masses with 40 days of prayer and fasting, enabling Him to be spiritually in tune with God the Father.  Hungry but not weak of mind, Jesus reminds Satan of his rules violation at the beginning of this conflict, Matthew 4:4.  Not deterred, Satan pushes on with plan B.

Conforming to his challenger’s playbook, Satan quotes the Bible hoping to place Jesus into a corner, forcing Him to act.  Alert and confident in the Spirit’s leading, Jesus squashes Satan’s efforts by correcting the words of scripture taken out of context, Matthew 4:7.  In one last desperate move, Satan offers Jesus the authority Adam lost in the Garden of Eden, a consequence of original sin.  Cool as a cucumber, Jesus knocks Satan out of the arena with a jab using the right scriptural response, Matthew 4:10.

Unfortunately, this battle rages on today in public education, on college campuses and in the liberal media.  Satan has persuaded historians to rewrite the events of this battle, confusing the minds of countless, convincing the uninformed that Did God really say has won.  If you want to set the record straight, you must test everything, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, cling to what is good and boldly proclaim it is written as the victor, Acts 4:29.

by Jay Mankus