tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post3551920727279151235..comments2023-10-30T04:29:36.162-07:00Comments on *Gospel-driven Disciples: God Caused the Earthquake In JapanGregg Metcalfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12170541048035179191noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-49016631392330186392011-03-30T08:22:52.357-07:002011-03-30T08:22:52.357-07:00@ rodco - The power of God displayed in an earthqu...@ rodco - The power of God displayed in an earthquake, thunder, volcano eruption, et. cetera, causes us to seek God and to see His power. As we see that glorious, magnificent, and frightening display of power we are reminded that God's sovereign power is even greater. God is seen in these powerful displays. Of course the foundational reason I see God in a calamity is simply because He said He does these things and that they don't happen apart from Him, Amos 3:6.<br /><br />As far as seeing the need and having compassion and rushing to aid these victims, I too see God in that and helping is our only response. Agreed, we display the love of God as we share both the gospel and aid with these victims of God's sovereign display of His power. The ultimate lesson however, is to seek God as He reminds us in these displays of His glorious and sovereign power. If we fail to seek God and learn from God during these times and we simply give aid, we are only putting a band aid on a hemorrhage. We can aid them straight into hell. Look very carefully at the account in Luke 13:1-5! The lesson or the point of the story was not love, aid, help, et. cetera, the lesson was look at the deaths that resulted in the fall of the tower and learn that you too will die and to repent unless you perish apart from Christ. The lesson from the Japanese earthquake is not so much in love, aid, and support, but look to the dead and you too will die, therefore repent before it is too late and you perish apart from Christ.<br /><br />This is not an either or situation. We look to God who sovereignly claims responsibility for calamities which reminds us his power, which causes us to seek God and His greatness while we are rendering aid and demonstrating love.Gregg Metcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16413691313803396844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-53941459516323537672011-03-29T22:11:20.499-07:002011-03-29T22:11:20.499-07:00Why do you people not understand, seek not God in...Why do you people not understand, seek not God in the face of a storm, nor in an earthquake? But in the hearts of those who give aid to them who are caught in their time of need and hope. Anyone who believes that he caused this calamity is a fool For he so loves the world not just a portion of it and we must show are love for our neighbors in this same way.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10247582079660614079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-29435416287830876272011-03-12T18:57:18.335-08:002011-03-12T18:57:18.335-08:00I was just telling my wife yesterday, why is there...I was just telling my wife yesterday, why is there know one who will say to the world, BEHOLD THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE HAND OF GOD.<br />Is it fear of being mocked by the news media, or just fear in generalJohn Patrick Donovanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06379938538043189391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-82449728498369731732011-03-12T15:16:39.464-08:002011-03-12T15:16:39.464-08:00We live in a fallen world. God want better than a ...We live in a fallen world. God want better than a fallen world too. Why He does what He does or allows what He allows baffles me a lot, to be honest. But, and it's a big BUT, God knows better! He is just, loving, fair, almighty, unchanging, powerful and so much more... and that, and it's a big THAT, gives me hope and reassurance like nothing else ever could! Beautiful prayer too! Thank you!Petrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07199528755284144670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-911163890106921412011-03-12T14:03:58.294-08:002011-03-12T14:03:58.294-08:00Thanks for posting John Piper's prayer. Prayi...Thanks for posting John Piper's prayer. Praying for the spread of the gospel and salvation for many in Japan.Persishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17686511618515789601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-23538716864374081922011-03-12T13:24:06.290-08:002011-03-12T13:24:06.290-08:00Hmmm.. causes me to remember this verse..
Every g...Hmmm.. causes me to remember this verse..<br /><br /><i>Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. -James 1:17</i><br /><br />In my thinking God permitting bad things is not the same thing as God causing bad things.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-83836824047831313022011-03-12T12:26:05.648-08:002011-03-12T12:26:05.648-08:00Yvonne,
Just because we see God's sovereign h...Yvonne, <br />Just because we see God's sovereign hand at work in all tings, does not negate the need to pray for those enduring the results. God brought judgment to Israel, but still required His people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The two are not mutually exclusive. The truth is, if God is truly sovereign, then all things are under His control, even the things we'd rather not endure. Yet we are still to pray, seeking to have our hearts molded to His, to learn from Him and continue to seek His will. Not saying it's easy, but it's truth. Thanks, Gregg for the reminder and for posting Pastor Piper's prayer.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620657390402998257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7930553747640588156.post-88292850946747755142011-03-12T03:28:21.358-08:002011-03-12T03:28:21.358-08:00I am appalled at all the disasters that has happen...I am appalled at all the disasters that has happened lately. What confuses me is how can people say pray for those in Japan and New Zealand and others say God caused all this suffering in the world.<br />We all have to suffer the bad to apreciate the good in life but not to this extent surely.<br /><br />Have a good week-end.<br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.com