Tag Archives: Purpose

Suffering: What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering? Part 3

Posted on by
Reply

This is Part 3 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 4-8 will be posted tomorrow and on future days.

God  Allows Suffering to Show How Man often Has Wrong Priorities

When we accept that God is infinite and we are not, it’s easy to understand that we can obtain wrong priorities. We have a tree level perspective, compared to the bigger picture of God’s 30,000 foot or 100,000 foot view (It’s a good thing He has perfect eyesight!). For example, Israel wanted a king like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5, 20). They wanted a king that they could see and hear as he led them. Certainly. they thought, their king would be a good, non-abusive king (even though Samuel the prophet had taught the people Israel about this! He had explained that this king would take their young men and put them into battle and tax their businesses to pay for the administration. The people would cry out from the extra pressure!). But they still wanted the king. It was as if God didn’t know how to be their King. It’s as if He wasn’t good enough or wise enough or strong enough to protect and provide for them. But God allowed Israel to have a king, so she would learn that man often has wrong priorities.

Continue reading →

Suffering: What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering? Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

This is Part 2 of 8 parts in answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does God allow suffering?” Parts 3-8 will be posted on succeeding days.

God Allows Suffering to Keep the World From Becoming Too Attractive

The world is a fascinating place. There are “wonders” of the world like the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and Victoria Falls. People love to see them in their travels. There are also beautiful landscapes and places of interest all around us. But this is not our home. God has something better for us in heaven.  For example, He made our bodies fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), and yet for the believer in Jesus Christ, these will one day be torn down and a new one from heaven will be provided. Paul wrote, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven.” (2 Cor. 5:1 NKJ). And the guarantee God promised is the provision of the Holy Spirit, “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” (2 Cor. 5:5NKJ) As our bodies age, the normal Christian will long for the resurrection body to come.

Continue reading →

Suffering: What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering? Part 1

Posted on by
Reply

This is Part 1 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-8 will be posted in succeeding days.

“Why?” is likely the most often used word when it comes to the anguish people face. From the human perspective suffering doesn’t make sense, but we are often looking at the situation from tree level.  It’s not until you get up to the 30,000 foot level that you can begin to understand the “why” of suffering, and understand God’s purposes in why He allows it!

Continue reading →

Life Insights: Bucket List

Posted on by
Reply

Life Insights: Bucket List

I have to admit I enjoyed the comedy “Bucket List.”  When a person finds out he has less than a year to live and tries to accomplish a number of adventurous things before he dies and then dies, it is rather moving to me.  I like adventure.  I like to do risky things.  I know death is a sobering time for most people, because it causes us to reflect on what is important in life.  Is a bucket list important in life?

I have heard many people say they have a bucket list.  Some of the things I have heard people say they want to do, I applaud them and hope they have a good time.  I have to admit, I don’t have one. I have been blessed and have traveled all over the world and accomplished many things. So for me to say, “I don’t have a bucket list,” does not mean much to people.  Some often think, “If I had done what you’ve been able to enjoy, I can see why you don’t have one.”  For that reason, I write this respectfully and defer to the desires of others.

Yet, at the same time, I must help you think through priorities.  What is a bucket list?  I have yet to hear of one person have one item about sharing the gospel with people, or leading a person in discipleship, or discipling ten people to become disciple-making people.  The bucket list is always a place to go, or something earthly to do or see. 

When I compare what I hear what is on a bucket list, compared to what believers in Jesus Christ will do and see in heaven, I have to admit, I do not see any comparison.  I wonder, as one dear sister mentioned, “Bucket lists are made to make people’s lives more interesting.”  I must admit, I have to agree with her.  When we get to heaven, a bucket list will be a far distant memory at best. What we see and do in heaven will be far more vivid, far more glorious and far more exalting.  The resources needed for a bucket list will be a dismal investment for eternity sake.

The enemy has filled our lives with so many things, which distract us from what is truly important.  If people put as much mental, emotional and physical energy into God’s priorities as they do thinking about a bucket list, we Christians might influence our community from its downward spiral.

How intent are Christians learning how to be disciple, so they can disciple others who will be able to disciple others?  How intent are people pursuing the multiplication of discipleship to honor the Lord?  How intent are people denying what they want to do in order to put others first and help them in their walk with the Lord? 

I see Christians content with Bible study, fellowship and attending church.  Praise God for the ones who are seeking to learn multiplication!  Praise God for the ones who are building bridges with others!  Praise God for those who are less concerned about their own knowledge intake and are more concerned with helping others understand how to multiply!

I am encouraged every time I see people grasp the multiplication process, because the enemy hates it. 

The enemy will distract people from God’s priority of discipleship at whatever level he can.  He will use all the entertainment of life and of sports.  People shout when their team wins a game, but the same people are dry and stoic singing praise to God in church.  People plan great trips across the United States, but the same people expect the church to teach and entertain for 40 years, without their involvement in discipleship.  People plan out their 50 item bucket list, but never get around to discipling another person to Jesus.  Do I want you to enjoy all that God has created?  Absolutely! It is God’s magnificent and beautiful world. 

Enjoy a trip.  Enjoy what God has created.  Enjoy your vacation.  Enjoy your retirement.  Enjoy the adventure.  Yet, don’t get distracted from God’s priorities.

I like what James says about misusing the tongue, “My friends, these things ought not to be so.” (Jam. 3:10)  Let’s not misuse the time He’s given us. Let’s follow what Moses said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)  
 
What’s your bucket list?  Who does God want you to reach for His name sake?  Who are some people you might be able to disciple?  How does God want to exalt His name? How can I help you with God’s bucket list of priorities?

SGL: What is the purpose of a small group?

Posted on by
Reply
What is the purpose of a small group?

Many people may have many different reasons for participating in a small group, but for the small groups or home groups at Grace, there is one purpose. There are many reasons to join and many effects, but there is one purpose.  That purpose is to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in the most effective way.

            The Great Commandment is:

  • 37 Jesus said to him, “`You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
  • 38 “This is the first and great commandment.
  • 39 “And the second is like it:`You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 22:37-39)

The Great Commission is:

  • 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
  • 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

When you make life about God, instead of self, all things move into harmony with His will.

People often join small groups for their own reasons, just like people do everything.  They want what they want when they want it.  We don’t know any better when we are born and we have to be disciple to God’s will. Some people join small groups because they want to identify with a group of people, or they want to learn in a Bible study, or they want the fellowship of others in a good and safe environment.  Some people join small groups because they get dragged into one by their spouse, or they join because they think they might be able to develop business relationships, or they think the leader may have something they want.

What is at the core of each of the above reasons?  It’s all about self.  I’m not condemning those reasons, because in themselves they are not bad, but they reveal motivations that are coming from a spiritual infant or spiritual child. Again, I’m not condemning those reasons, but the person has not grown spiritually to understand the purpose of a small group.  They have not grasped the purpose of a small group, because they have not been taught the purpose, or they have not been discipled to understand the purpose, or they have heard it, but have not sealed it in their thinking.

The purpose of a small group is to help 80% of the congregation become spiritual parents, who are purposing to disciple spiritual parents.

If you have the vision of discipling spiritual parents on the part of the leadership, then all the reasons people join small groups will lead to the right goal.  Spiritual infants and spiritual children always have self as the focus and that’s normal.  No one condemns a spiritual infant or spiritual child for their personal actions.  However, the leadership has to keep in mind the purpose, so the small group does not get off track and merely become a Bible study or social gathering as an end in itself. The enemy would gladly be content with that, if it doesn’t lead to multiplication.

When the purpose becomes a Bible study or social gathering (many try to call fellowship), it really is about self and the true purpose is hindered and the godly influence intended by the Lord into the community is hindered.  Bible study should always be a main focus.  Fellowship should always be a reason for small groups.  But you can study the Bible over 50 lifetimes and never fully understand all there is in Scripture.  God said through Hosea, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 6:4)  Yes!  Israel didn’t have knowledge of God.  That was the issue.  It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the divine decree or the 8 different forms of baptism  inn Scripture.  They did not know the Lord. 

Teachers who say you have to go to Bible study after Bible study often do it to control people and remain superior to them.  They like people dependent on them or the glory of having people flock to their audiences.

When the purpose of the small group is fellowship, then the fleshly result will result in remaining in the comfort zone of those in the small group.  God does not want one group of people always fit together without expanding and connecting to new people.  When people say the purpose is solely fellowship, they have the attitude, “Us four and no more.”

If you keep the purpose of small groups as raising up spiritual parents, you will keep the right balance on Bible study and fellowship.  Spiritual parents multiply and create more spiritual parents who grow by doing Bible study and fellowship.  Let’s keep growing!