Comments on: Holding my Breath http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/ with Mart De Haan and Friends Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:39:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mart De Haan http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-543 Mart De Haan Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:02:14 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-543 I agree. That's why it is so important to see that just before the Apostle Paul made the point that "They are not all Israel, which are of Israel, " he said, "My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.* I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise!" (Rom 9:2-5). Paul's love is what we need to reflect-- rather than being like Israel's enemies who wanted them destroyed-- or the misleading prophets who gave false comfort and assurance to a nation who had turned their backs on their God. I agree. That’s why it is so important to see that just before the Apostle Paul made the point that “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel, ” he said, “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.* I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise!” (Rom 9:2-5).

Paul’s love is what we need to reflect– rather than being like Israel’s enemies who wanted them destroyed– or the misleading prophets who gave false comfort and assurance to a nation who had turned their backs on their God.

]]> By: Lalycairn http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-542 Lalycairn Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:40:04 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-542 While I agree with “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Rom 9:6) and "we need to bless any Jewish or Arab person who is “in the Messiah" I think it is equally important to look at the outcome God brought on the countries and peoples in the Old Testament that sided against Israel, even when God, Himself, was using them to punish Israel. I believe every human being, regardless of religion, or lack there of, is created in the image of the Almighty God. Thusly, they are all due a measure of respect and grace. However, I also believe that those who align themselves against Israel, both people individually, and countries, leave themselves in a very dangerous position. It's a dangerous tightrope. While I agree with “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Rom 9:6) and “we need to bless any Jewish or Arab person who is “in the Messiah” I think it is equally important to look at the outcome God brought on the countries and peoples in the Old Testament that sided against Israel, even when God, Himself, was using them to punish Israel.

I believe every human being, regardless of religion, or lack there of, is created in the image of the Almighty God. Thusly, they are all due a measure of respect and grace. However, I also believe that those who align themselves against Israel, both people individually, and countries, leave themselves in a very dangerous position.

It’s a dangerous tightrope.

]]> By: dep7547 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-537 dep7547 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:38:34 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/12/holding-my-breath/#comment-537 I must admit that I have been away from the lord for quite awhile. It is not easy to admit; however, through the lessons I have learned, I can state the truth of his promise to never leave or forsake one of his children. The issue you have been discussing over the past several days is one of the reasons I departed--people do not take the time to evaluate God's viewpoint--only what they want it to say. The very cause of the flood was due to widespread corruption and violence: Before he spoke with Noah he said "I repent that I have made them." Now, I do not know about the rest of the world, but as for me, I certainly am filled with sorrow at the thought of such a wonderful creator and provider should ever be grievous because of my actions or thoughts. I may be at a loss for exact chapter and verse references, yet, having read through the bible a couple of times in the past, I seem to recall God saying that he takes no delight in punishing the wicked, but would rather that all would come to him. Abraham, the friend of God, before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, pleaded with our father to spare these cities on account of even a handful of people that may have believed as he did--would God stir up such emotions in a righteous man's heart if he did not intend for mankind to express loving concern for each other? What about David? I seem to remember a verse in the psalms where he advises people to not laugh at their enemies while God is punishing them lest God be merciful to them and relent. I do not think that he intended that for selfish and vengeful purposes, but rather that those being punished would learn from their mistakes and turn to God. Surely, as the king of Israel, David must have also been speaking of national enemies! If this is Old Testament God, then, surely, the heavenly father which Jesus revealed to us "loves the whole world." As Christians, we have an obligation not to take sides except against the extremists on both sides of this conflict. Our duty is to take God's side and that can only be accomplished through prayer. I greatly appreciate the daily devotions in "Our Daily Bread" as they provide insight to so many issues that we need to be vigilant about. You have to live each day and let God seed your heart with his message. Certainly as we endure this conflict with our brothers and sisters in these countries we must let the Holy Spirit guide our prayers! I must admit that I have been away from the lord for quite awhile. It is not easy to admit; however, through the lessons I have learned, I can state the truth of his promise to never leave or forsake one of his children. The issue you have been discussing over the past several days is one of the reasons I departed–people do not take the time to evaluate God’s viewpoint–only what they want it to say. The very cause of the flood was due to widespread corruption and violence: Before he spoke with Noah he said “I repent that I have made them.” Now, I do not know about the rest of the world, but as for me, I certainly am filled with sorrow at the thought of such a wonderful creator and provider should ever be grievous because of my actions or thoughts.

I may be at a loss for exact chapter and verse references, yet, having read through the bible a couple of times in the past, I seem to recall God saying that he takes no delight in punishing the wicked, but would rather that all would come to him. Abraham, the friend of God, before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, pleaded with our father to spare these cities on account of even a handful of people that may have believed as he did–would God stir up such emotions in a righteous man’s heart if he did not intend for mankind to express loving concern for each other?

What about David? I seem to remember a verse in the psalms where he advises people to not laugh at their enemies while God is punishing them lest God be merciful to them and relent. I do not think that he intended that for selfish and vengeful purposes, but rather that those being punished would learn from their mistakes and turn to God. Surely, as the king of Israel, David must have also been speaking of national enemies!

If this is Old Testament God, then, surely, the heavenly father which Jesus revealed to us “loves the whole world.” As Christians, we have an obligation not to take sides except against the extremists on both sides of this conflict. Our duty is to take God’s side and that can only be accomplished through prayer. I greatly appreciate the daily devotions in “Our Daily Bread” as they provide insight to so many issues that we need to be vigilant about. You have to live each day and let God seed your heart with his message. Certainly as we endure this conflict with our brothers and sisters in these countries we must let the Holy Spirit guide our prayers!

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