Haiti: Where was God? A Response to Sin and Suffering

Whenever traumatic earth shattering events occur the human response is always. “Where is God?” “Why did God let this happen?” “How can God love us but let us die?” “Why my family?” “If God is real why did God let this happen?” So many valid questions run through the minds of those searching for answers. We have often separated God from suffering. We imagine that God is standing off on the side simply looking at those who are suffering. As though God is detached from our suffering.
The Israelites endured so much suffering while in Egypt. It was God who initiated the contact with them. He said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings”. God is fully aware of our suffering. He sees our suffering and desires to set us free from it. Freedom is not always being removed from the hurt and wounds. God did not create suffering however God uses suffering to deepen our relationship with Him. Where was God when the earthquake hit in Haiti? RIGHT THERE! Hearing the screams of the people. Weeping that so many people died at the hand of nature and poor building structures. Quickening saints around the world to pray. Hurting, angered, desiring to love and hold the people He created. Storing up the tears dropped.

God created a perfect world. However; sinful man broke relationship with a perfect God removing the beauty of that perfect world. Thousands of years later we experience things like droughts, earthquakes and tsunami’s. However, during this time I encourage us all to allow God to use us to help others in their suffering. Encourage the people of Haiti that there is a loving God who was and is with them. That God didn’t make this happen but that God was there while it was happening. That now is not the time to shrink back. (Hebrews 10:34-39). That the things lost can not compare to Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:8) That they are able to rebuild where nature has destroyed. That God is faithful to comfort the afflicted and needy. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

Let the people of Haiti know there is COMFORT in CHRIST JESUS. He is more than all that was lost! He has a response to their/our sin and suffering! We don’t know why what happened happened. But it did. It was not Haiti’s sin that caused this but the sins of humankind when we separated from God. Now is the time to master that sin by showing the love of Christ through helping our fellow citizens of this world. When they ask where is God? Let us say right here helping you over come this tragedy! Provoke change through ACTION (time, talent, treasure, prayer). May God change the hearts of those affected that they may enter the Kingdom of Heaven through this tragedy. (Matthew 5:3-11)

"The Shift" from the desk of John Gray

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“So the Levites and the people did everything just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. Jehoiada the priest did not let anyone go home after their shift ended. 2 Chronicles 23:8 NLT

“Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. Lamentations 5:19 KJV
This one’s deep. You ready?

Welcome to today. 01/11/10.

Binary code. I know nothing about it. I’m not a computer genius. Yet. But I do know the voice of the Lord. I was on the phone with a phenomenal woman of God who is a prophetic voice in my life and she said, “Tomorrow is 011110.” As soon as she said it, the spirit of the Lord hit me. I got off the phone and knew God had sent a prophetic manna for those whom He has chosen to receive it.
Immediately the Holy Spirit told me to search computer code for the meaning. I knew watching “The Matrix” would one day come in handy. It was either that movie or some combination that and some other things, but I remembered that all computer code is made up of zeros and ones. The order of zeros and ones determines characters and bits and all of the other aspects of computing that we see. But that’s all I knew. Until right now.
All day on Sunday I was in the presence of The Lord in a significant way and I knew that He wanted me to release manna, but I wasn’t sure of the content. I couldn’t sleep that well from Saturday into Sunday, so I knew something was up. Then all day Sunday, I had one prophetic encounter after another. I was literally ripping the wrapping off of my destiny, as it seemed God had ordained every encounter of the entire day. Something had been loosed. Something was different. The air literally seemed new in my lungs. Lights were brighter. I wasn’t hallucinating. It had occurred.

The shift.

In binary code, there are character values and numerical values. The numerical value of 011110 is 30. The number 30 denotes the perfection of Divine order, as marking the right moment. Jesus was 30 when He began His ministry according to Luke 3:23. Joseph was 30 when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt according to Genesis 41:46. And David was 30 when he began to reign according to 2 Samuel 5:4.
What is the significance of all this? How does this apply to you? The binary code numeric value of 011110 is 30. The computer value, or character that corresponds to that number is the less-than sign. This sign Joseph was set up by God to be an influencer of world systems and structures to employ stealth kingdom wisdom and tactics to supply the people of God with food and sustenance in the time of a worldwide famine. Joseph was God’s man for that generation. He was a corporate leader who served God with all he had in an ungodly regime and distributed the wealth of the wicked to the righteous. But as great as he was, he was less than.
David was God’s man. He was the forgotten son, the scorned shepherd, the reviled little brother and scoffed-at warrior. He became a legend. Bear and lion killer. Giant slayer. Songwriter. Wealth accumulator. Wartime tactician. Man after God’s own heart. He was the prophetic forerunner of what a king and priest would one day look like. He was a great leader and example to his generation and many to follow. But even he was less than.
For there is One who embodied all that the Father desired to see manifest in the form of perfect obedience and willful relinquishing of His birthright as Son in Heaven in order to become Son of man in the earth. He is the great connector of all the generations. All things find their fullness in Him. He is the fulfillment of the Divine order. Glory to You Lord! He was 30 when it went public. Before then, in the worlds eyes and even amongst His family, he was less than. But then it shifted. Overnight, it shifted. Today is that day for you! God shifts your mind, your spirit and your unique calling into ‘hyperdrive’ where all can see it! And even if they choose not to follow you or believe you, they won’t be able to deny you!
You can’t get the less-than symbol unless you press the ‘shift’ button on your computer. Technology, as the language of our day, has dictated it as such. God has embedded within the fabric of today’s world a message for you: everyone and everything that has come before you was great, but it will all equal less than by the time God gets finished using you! The contributions of those that have come before us were great and some of us were intimidated to try to do something new because what came before us seemed so great. Microsoft. IBM. Coca-Cola. Proctor & Gamble. Amazing companies. With the ideas and anointing that God has released today, this very day, all those companies together will be less than once God unleashed what’s inside of you for the world!

PRAISE BREAK!

Bless God right now! This is a new decade. Not only that, but there’s also been a generational shift. Statistics say that this generation is the first one in the history of the country that won’t outdo their parents. The world has declared less than. But we are MORE THAN conquerors through Him that loved us! God shifts us beyond less than into the MORE THAN anointing right now. I know you think it’s crazy to try that idea. God knows it’s crazy. I know you think you don’t have enough money or resources or people to help. God knows you don’t. But that’s the beauty of the shift. Jehoiada was God’s man in the story up top. Do you know what his name means? Jehovah Knows! But since it was Jehovah God who gave you the idea, it is He who shall work in your generation to bring it to pass. Each generation outdoes the next. We’re next!
This word is for you. Maybe 20 people will grab this and run. Please email me and let me know who you are. Your idea will change the world. The entire world. You’ll be like Bill Gates, but you’ll be filled Gates, Holy Ghost filled. That’s you! Like Coke, but with glory smoke! Shekinah Cola! Hola! Worldwide is your calling. Ideas are falling. Stop stalling. Destiny is calling. It’s a gift, a spiritual uplift. Called to repair the rift, embrace the shift. Brighter than a star, you shall create worlds like Mars, blessed with spouses, houses and cars, your skies are clear blue like Avatars!
Go. Be great. Create. Don’t wait. It’s time to elevate. Anointed woman. Blessed Man. GO forth. You’re no longer less than. You are that generation. The shift has begun today.
Oh yeah, The Lord told me that you have to declare it as soon as you read this or your lack of faith mixed with the word will cause this unlimited time offer in the spirit to self destruct.

Wow! That’s surprising. I hear the sound of a generation rising!

Keep shifting,
John Gray

Am I A Friend?

We often reference that verse when we are thinking of how other people don’t/do love us. What about how we love others? I am being so challenged right now about my love towards others. It is easy to love people when everything is peachy. Male or female. But what about when you are on the verge of letting go? What about when you never want to talk to them again? What about when your feelings have been hurt? My flesh says, “Forget them”. But my heart says no love again like GOD loves (1 Peter 3:11). Don’t let go (Gal 6:9). Don’t do like you used to (2 Cor 5:17). Don’t shut down (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love at all times (James 3:15-17). When it hurts and when it feels good (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love isn’t contingent upon your emotional state (2 Corinthians 6:3-6). Love is intentional (1 John 4:18). Instead, I am choosing to trust (Ephesians 4:3) that God will heal me from whatever wounds I inflict and longsuffer with those that are my friends because A Friend Loves At All Times (Proverbs 17:17).

How you treat others exposes your view of God.The higher you view God, the more respect you show TO EVERYONE! 1 Pet.2:17- @RickWarren

What about you?

Cultural Masterbation…N.T. Wright On Managing Technology

Recently at our Austin Q gathering, I asked the participants to consider limiting their real-time tweets or live-blogging during sessions. Our hope was for each person to break away from the usual noise and take advantage of an opportunity to be fully present, engaged and reflective. Instead of “recording” the moment, we asked them to consider what this exposure to innovative ideas and new relationships might mean for them. Not their followers or readers—simply them.

My point wasn’t to suggest that these technology mediums were bad, but rather, to make a clear statement about the kind of gathering experience we are trying to create with Q. We were up front and honest about how certain technologies are prone to distract us from fully engaging. Instead of promoting it, we cautioned against it. This was our way of emphasizing how much we value embodiment…fully aware, in the moment, reflecting and responding to our surroundings.

Consider N.T. Wright’s recent thoughts that underscore the unintended consequences of social media.

NT Wright on Blogging/Social Media from Bill Kinnon on Vimeo.

As our team at Q maintains, the issue isn’t the technologies themselves, but how we manage them that’s critical. It seems to me, this is an area in which the church can offer something of great depth to a society struggling for authentic relationships and significance. Instead of blindly following the trends, what if we changed the conversation? What if we promoted the values of being fully present, fully human, and fully embodied? Not in word, but in the simplicity of actually showing up. Where technology helps us to do that better, we manage it. Where it doesn’t—tread carefully.

(Via http://www.qideas.org/blog/managing-technology.aspx)

This is a very interesting assessment of social media. I will say that I agree completely in more than a few areas.

Learning about love with roommates

One of the greatest lessons of love as a single person can be learned through roommates. My roommate and I often urk each other. In this season of my life she and a few others know the true in’s and out’s of me. She sees me cry when everyone else thinks things are going great. She endures with my little habits. She gets under my skin like no one else. However; I am learning so much about love through her. The bad things are outweighed by the lessons of not holding anything against her that she did yesterday. The lesson of serving without excepting anything in return but God being glorified. The lesson of being strong in areas that she is weak. I learn about love with my roommate by continually confessing 1 Corthinians 13 over our relationship and trying to apply it daily. How are you learning about love? Love starts with your own process of giving it not receiving it.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends. There are gifts of prophecy, but they will be ended. There are gifts of speaking in different languages, but those gifts will stop. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will come to an end. – 1 Cor 13:5-9 (NET)

"Bon Appetite'"

Think about what you have been eating spiritually, relationally, emotionally and physically. I don’t know about you but it feels like I’ve been pumping myself with junk food. I see God on the other side. He’s like the best of the best organic food on the planet. If you eat His food you will flourish and grow in all that you do (Joshua 1). What does your appetite look like? Is it for God or is it for whatever you want it to be for? I want to feast on God (Psalm 119). Not my own appetite that smothers me with flattering speech and tells me its fine just consume whatever you want. Let our report be that we were wise and obedient. Develop a vision for what is that real deal the “Bon Appetite'” it tastes good, looks good and is certified grade “A” approved by the Master.

For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. (Romans 16:18-19)

Shhh Don't Tell: Your ADDICTED!

Thank you all for your comments. I will stick with this topic for a while.

Sexual immorality is a beast! It creeps into your life as a pleasure and leads to an addiction that controls your life.

Porn and masturbation are “dirty little secrets”. We are afraid that people will find out what we do in the dark or we have so little conviction that we broadcast it for the world to see.

The first step to getting free is “confession”. Get it out! Don’t let this ungodly addiction keep you in bondage. Christ died so that we can be free. Struggle with this addiction don’t give in. Fight….fight….fight your freedom is in the Word of God.

John 8:11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

It Only Takes One Creep

xxxchurchI’m learning that transparency is one of the keys to godly freedom. The world is known for keeping faults, sins and short comings to itself. I remember when I first learned that masterbation and pornography were sin. I did not want to believe it. Sitting in the front of the television watching Creflo Dollar teach on the issue was very interesting. I knew that I wanted to live right but was I willing to give it up. I put all the “toys and tapes” under my bed, you know out of sight out of mind thinking that I could keep them just in case. It took all of one day for my addiction to kick back in. I talked to a few people about it none of which were living godly lives and they all rationalized it saying it was “cool because I wasn’t having sex with anyone else”. However, the Lord kept convicting me that it was wrong and not in His plan. So I took the “product of sin” this time and threw it in the trash.

I had become so used to porn and masterbation that I didn’t see anything wrong with it. It was me pleasing myself. But that was the problem…….I was always pleasing me and displeasing God.

Are you still pleasing yourself? Freedom is available…..Get into the Word of God, prayer, fellowship and counseling. Let porn and masturbation have its last day in your life! Fight for FREEDOM! Christ has it waiting for you.

Check out: http://xxxchurch.com for support on getting free from pornography as well as becoming accountable to other mature beleivers.

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