Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Craig asserts that science and logic support his claim and no others. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. by Dr. Bill Edgar, former chair of the Geneva College Board of Trustees, Former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPNCA), Scientists can study only what God has made. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. and keep your scholarship, that too happened . What Is Heaven Like According to the Bible? Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. The loud thundering boom and bolt of fire terrified us all as it hit and damaged portions of our home. Labs Is that true? And it cries. This is true; but that doesn't mean God is a puppeteer pulling the strings to some massive wild story full of destruction and hurt. It all happened for a reason. It was costly, but fortunately, we were all safe. Second, it makes God out to be a monster who wills bad things to happen. One might say, It was meant to be, or It all worked out how it needed to. Maybe we call it fate or karma, but there is some sense that there is meaning beyond events. He cannot give what He does not have It challenged my mindset. Bart, Pingback: FRIDAY MORNING CATHOLICA EDITION | Big Pulpit, Your email address will not be published. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. As people of faith, we want to think that beyond the chaos life throws at us, there is some bigger plan behind it all, and it will eventually make sense. 4. Gods punishments of the wicked in this age are only partial, and often they thrive for a long time. New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations [NSPPD] || 6th - Facebook Whether for correction, or for His world,Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen. Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old (Isaiah 43:18). Z. God created human beings with free will. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. Not in so many words. Suffering, TED talks, and Lifes Questions Diligam Te, FRIDAY MORNING CATHOLICA EDITION | Big Pulpit, The Sign of the Cross The Prayer of Power, Weve Forgotten How Great It Is To Be a Catholic Woman, I Was at Rock Bottom, But God Found Me Where I Was, Finding Baptism in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 1. He is good. A Note on the Craig-Hitchens Debate | Psychology Today And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true (Revelation 21:5). For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. I do. Evil will never thwart the good and perfect will of God. Yet no one can escape the experience of suffering or the evils in nature which seem to be linked to the limitations proper to creatures: and above all to the question of moral evil. Everything does happen for a reason. If it was raining, it might be too much and ruin the crops. Required fields are marked *. I guess God just needed another flower for heavens garden. I guess employing these sayings reflected her attempts to bring her faith to give some hope for dark times and her honest way of connecting to faith that despite all the evidence to the contrary, God was still in control. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? Relationship with God will be renewed. We will walk bodily with the Lord in perfect peace. We also find in the Bible the free will of human beings. In the day of prosperity be happy,But in the day of adversity considerGod has made the one as well as the otherSo that man will not discover anything that will be after him. Does the prospect of impacting the world excite you? We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. Eight months had passed and he was out of money. I realize few people now would find this comforting. There are a lot of these sayings that are true to a point, but you dont want to take them too far because they break down and give a misleading picture of God. It is probably one of the most misunderstood mysteries of our faith. After the opening greeting, she launched into a lengthy commentary about the weather. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Whose reason and for what purpose? When you hear this phrase, let it remind you that God knows what youve gone through, and that He will make all things new (see: Revelation 21:5). . God has good plans for each of us, not to do us harm, but to give us hope and a future worth looking forward to (see: Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, God is sovereign. In order to know the author behind everything that happens we should be diligent to inspect the fruit: By their fruit you will recognize them. The world was "good" no longer. "Bart is one of the most passionate men for God that I know. His heart is for the Church to live into the fullness of who She's called to be." God makes everything happen for a reason - YouTube At the personal level, sin hurts individuals and leads them to hurt other people. Because we go through trials and there is very real suffering upon the earth, many believe that suffering is from God. So even though we may find reason, or growth, or good that comes from a tragedy, that doesnt mean the tragedy itself was good. "Nolo putes pravos homines peccata lucrari: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel, Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular, Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own (Prov. Things do happen for a reason, but what is the reason and who is the author of everything that happens? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . The Lord is pleased with what he created; he has every intention of resurrecting it to perfection. When we apply that to God, the best way to understand what that means is to say that God is in control. Your email address will not be published. What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible? Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. This is why prayer is so vital to living the Christian life and making decisions that are according to His will. God makes everything happen at the - Bible Gateway First of all, God is sovereign. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all." We dont teach that God causes suffering to teach us something, but through it we may learn. I simply didnt understand His inherent goodness due to my own faulty mindsets. We will walk bodily with the Lord in perfect peace. Pastor Gino Jennings 2023 - God Makes Everything Happen For A Reason It is a safe house for good bacteria, which repopulate our digestive system after an illness or a course of antibiotics. You cheated on your partner or drove drunk and hurt somebody? God is treating you as sons. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Why work out and eat right because youre going to get heart disease if you were meant to have it? Seamlessly she transitioned to, God wont give us any more than we can handle. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. No matter if it was a horrible manager, or you were doing a lousy job. d is good. Yet mankind sinned, marring God's creation. God allows things to happen for his glory. When something happens to us in life, we may wonder if there is a deeper reason behind it. Rather Gods plan is for you to be a decent human being, kind, and considerate, standing up for others, and to take responsibility for yourself.. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Verse Concepts There is an appointed time for everything. Pro Pr). If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? I seem to see a lot of stuff happen B Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Starting over again in a New World, as the Puritans discovered, never works as planned because the Old World always comes right along into the New. Even as followers of Christ, things will happen that make us sad and frustrated, and its ok to have those range of emotions. Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God's purpose.". Was it? Its an approach that most of us have, and it worksuntil it doesnt. It is good to discern the deeper understanding of things we have gone through. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Why would He want to do that? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can find comfort knowing that God will judge and rectify all things. CCC 2280Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. Finally, Dayna said, Yes, God has a plan for you but its not to be your puppeteer. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.. Most of us may have felt at times that something happened according to God's good and gracious plans. What comfort and hope we find in the words He left with us. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Neither my wife nor I had ever seen a house struck by lightning before or since (we moved from that house soon after). I have the right to do anythingbut not everything is constructive (1 Corinthians 10:23). I am so sorry to hear of your accident. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?. V It was just their time. Does Everything Happen for a Reason? Romans 8:22-28 When Christians say "everything happens for a reason" they generally intend to say God is always in control. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. The first earth will be wiped clean; there will be a second, perfect earth. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Proverbs 16:33). Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. "Just remember everything happens for a reason. Did God strike our house with Lightning? Declaring the end from the beginning,And from ancient times things which have not been done,Saying, My purpose will be established,And I will accomplish all My good pleasure; Now He said to them, These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.. His heart is deeply broken. I guess.. I was struck by a car two years ago walking home from work. The plan of God does not force us to act in particular ways, but renders it certain that we will freely act in those ways. Nothing happens outside of Gods knowledge and nothing happens outside of Gods permission. P - Brian Tracy. The Lord hath made all things for himself--, The Lord hath made all things for himself. Suffering is not final word in life. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. Evil does not exist in itself but is merely a privation of God's goodness. CCC 418As a result of original sin, human nature is weakened in its powers, subject to ignorance, suffering and the domination of death, and inclined to sin (this inclination is called concupiscence). This is the same with all evil. God is good. I found one comment in a book by St. Francis d Sales (The Devout Life). 10 Bible Studies That Connect Women to God and Each Other. Absurd. And there is a time for every event under heaven. Suddenly shed catch herself and say something like, Even if a drought comes, everything happens for a reason. Kailey and Joshua. She readily employed Christian slogans to life circumstances. God doesnt cause evil things to happen, but we as human beings have the choice to use our free will for evil or for good. 3. I said to myself concerning the sons of men, God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.. Some things, God tells us, we will never know because His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9), and some of His plans He keeps sealed until the end of time (Revelation 10:4). Yes, I am sure it did, but what reason and who initiated this life-threatening lighting strike? The driver traveling at about 40 miles an hour was on the wrong side of the street and was not paying attention- he knocked me into oncoming traffic, broke my back, dislocated and broke my shoulder and my leg. And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. Suffering, trauma, and death are tough to grasp. The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. F God - There are many ways to interpret this statement. God has made everything for its purpose, even hurtful and unjust oppressors. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. In one sense, the work of renewal and resurrection has already been completed. God's purposes may be hidden from us, but we can be assured that every event has a reason behind it. Everything happens for a reason? : r/Christianity - Reddit Back in the ancient days when people sent handwritten letters, I was always excited to see when a letter from grandma appeared in my college mailbox. Ecclesiastes 3 contains a line about, For everything there is a season, but thats not the same. Everything will be transformed. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. I guess., The next paragraphs dove into health concerns. Go There is no one like you, and there is no God but you.2 Samuel 7:22, God knows the beginning from the end. God said to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you (Exodus 9:16). God makes even the wrath of man to praise Him (Psalm 67:10). Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment. We have a choice concerning how we steward the Life He has granted us. Douay-Rheims Bible The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day. Publisher: OpenBible.info. $12.50 to Combat Holocaust Survivors' Hunger, Pruning Season - Greg Laurie Devotion - July 17, 2023. Thanks Eddie. Many have blamed God for the evil that takes place in our world, yet that is a too casual of a conclusion to make. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by. He is entirely sovereign. New International Version The LORD works out everything to its proper end even the wicked for a day of disaster. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. In our new sermon series, we are going to examine several of these sayings to affirm what is good about them and then discern where they break down. Moral renewal. God is Good and "Everything Happens For A Reason" - Catholic Stand It is for discipline that you have to endure. OpenBible.info I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. Cause and effect Within Christianity, there is the concept of cause and effect. Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens. God declared it to be very good (Genesis 1:31). They have their purpose for the day of trouble, sometimes bringing Gods judgment on His straying people, and sometimes bringing Gods judgment down on themselves (Romans 9:22). If you're religious and you believe God works in deliberate but nonobvious ways, then "everything happens for a reason" means that there is an unseen force manipulating your life and everyone else's. This is a trial. Publication date: Jul 11, 2023. Even Jesus was not immune. A bus crash kills innocent people. Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and fear together. Photo credit:Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. As the grandfather says, pticular when a trains a comin. 18 I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. Impressive that you are rooted enough in Gods goodness that you had that perspective in the midst of such a traumatic experience. God allows the consequences of our choices, as well. What God orchestrates and allows is meaningful, significant, and purposeful. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.". I knew God was good because I experienced His goodness (I encountered His love and goodness in a profound way when I was 24 years of age and I experienced His goodness many times since), yet I also experienced hardships that formed beliefs that left me wrestling with Gods goodness.