Unfair God

14 So what are we going to say? Isn’t this unfair on God’s part? Absolutely not! 15 He says to Moses, I’ll have mercy on whomever I choose to have mercy, and I’ll show compassion to whomever I choose to show compassion. 16 So then, it doesn’t depend on a person’s desire or effort. It depends entirely on God, who shows mercy.17 Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have put you in this position for this very thing: so I can show my power in you and so that my name can be spread through the entire earth. 18 So then, God has mercy on whomever he wants to, but he makes resistant whomever he wants to. 19 So you are going to say to me, “Then why does he still blame people? Who has ever resisted his will?” 20 You are only a human being. Who do you think you are to talk back to God? Does the clay say to the potter, “Why did you make me like this?” 21 Doesn’t the potter have the power over the clay to make one pot for special purposes and another for garbage from the same lump of clay? 22 What if God very patiently puts up with pots made for wrath that were designed for destruction, because he wanted to show his wrath and to make his power known? 23 What if he did this to make the wealth of his glory known toward pots made for mercy, which he prepared in advance for glory? 24 We are the ones God has called. We don’t come only from the Jews but we also come from the Gentiles. 25 As it says also in Hosea, I will call “my people” those who aren’t my people, and the one who isn’t well loved, I will call “loved one.”  26 And in the place where it was said to them, “You aren’t my people,” there they will be called “the living God’s children.” 27 But Isaiah cries out for Israel, Though the number of Israel’s children will be like the sand of the sea, only a remaining part will be saved, 28 because the Lord does what he says completely and quickly. 29 As Isaiah prophesied, If the Lord of the heavenly forces had not left descendants for us, we would have been like Sodom, and we would have become like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:14-29, CEB)

Since God created the universe, God gets to decide how things work and what is fair.

It is kind of like a child saying to a parent it isn’t fair that they don’t get a swimming pool when they really want one. The parent knows that the home they live in is not theirs and to ask the landlord would cause issues, or it is in the lease that they can not have one. So it isn’t possible, after looking for small moveable ones and seeing nothing in the budget is available, the decision is made that there can not be a pool. So it is unfair.

We as children have no idea what the master plan of God is, and we really don’t need to understand it. We need to know that God is working for the best interests of all and sometimes we may not get what we want.

But that doesn’t make God unfair. It just means we don;y know everything, and that is something we need to deal with.

How do you deal with yourself when you think God is unfair?

Active judgment of God

4 God didn’t spare the angels when they sinned but cast them into the lowest level of the underworld and committed them to chains of darkness, keeping them there until the judgment. 5 And he didn’t spare the ancient world when he brought a flood on the world of ungodly people, even though he protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others. 6 God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to total destruction, reducing them to ashes as a warning to ungodly people. 7 And he rescued righteous Lot, who was made miserable by the unrestrained immorality of unruly people. (8 While that righteous man lived among them he felt deep distress every day on account of the immoral actions he saw and heard.) 9 These things show that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and how to keep the unrighteous for punishment on the Judgment Day. 10 This is especially true for those who follow after the corrupt cravings of the sinful nature and defy the Lord’s authority. These reckless, brash people aren’t afraid to insult the glorious ones, (2 Peter 2:4-10, CEB)

God is judging our hearts and actions. We say that God gives us grace and saves us, and that is true. But God also knows the heart of a person.

If they are grieved by the pain and suffering around them or are they causing it?

Are you moved to pitty those who harm others for their own gain?

Do you grieve for the world and those who hurt. God sees this and knows. God will not spare those who do not love as God has called us to love.

So love as you were loved.

Walking on water

22 Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. 23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. 25 Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. 27 Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29 And Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind settled down. 33 Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:22-33, CEB)

Lord if it is you…Is ie in the Greek which is either if or since. Jesus just told them who it was and Peter realized that Jesus was walking on the water.

And if I was Peter I would be thinking, Hey if he can walk on water, maybe he can make me walk on water…

So Peter said,, “Since it is you call me out to you.” And Jesus did. And the moment Peter started to think about what he was doing and where he was he started to sink. Because he was not focused on Jesus. When we don’t focus on Jesus we sink.

Stay focused on Jesus and walk on the water.

Are you focused on Jesus?

Demand for a sign

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. In order to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But he replied, “At evening you say, ‘It will be nice weather because the sky is bright red.’ 3 And in the morning you say, ‘There will be bad weather today because the sky is cloudy.’ You know how to make sense of the sky’s appearance. But you are unable to recognize the signs that point to what the time is. 4 An evil and unfaithful generation searches for a sign. But it won’t receive any sign except Jonah’s sign.” Then he left them and went away. (Matthew 16:1-4, CEB)

An evil and unfaithful generation searches for a sign. But it won’t receive any sign except Jonah’s sign. But did they get Jonah’s sign?

Would we have gotten Jonah’s sign?

Do you get it now?

Jonah was in the belly of the big fish for 3 days. Like he was dead, and then three days later brought back to life, like Jesus in the tomb.

Do we get the signs that the Bible tells us, or that God gives us?

Sometimes we want it to be super clear there is no room to get it wrong. But that isn’t how God works.

Watch what is happening and see the signs.

Apollos and his ministry

24 Meanwhile, a certain Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria and was well-educated and effective in his use of the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke as one stirred up by the Spirit. He taught accurately the things about Jesus, even though he was aware only of the baptism John proclaimed and practiced. 26 He began speaking with confidence in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately. 27 When he wanted to travel to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples so they would open their homes to him. Once he arrived, he was of great help to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate, using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:24-28, CEB)

God works in and through many people even if they do not know everything.

God uses us with what we have, how we have been gifted to make know God’s love to the world in the place we are.

So are you letting God work through you?

Don’t think that God can’t use you or won’t use you.

Just let God in and God will change the world through you!

examined the scriptures

10 As soon as it was dark, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas on to Beroea. When they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 The Beroean Jews were more honorable than those in Thessalonica. This was evident in the great eagerness with which they accepted the word and examined the scriptures each day to see whether Paul and Silas’ teaching was true. 12 Many came to believe, including a number of reputable Greek women and many Greek men. 13 The Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul also proclaimed God’s word in Beroea, so they went there too and were upsetting and disturbing the crowds. 14 The brothers and sisters sent Paul away to the seacoast at once, but Silas and Timothy remained at Beroea. 15 Those who escorted Paul led him as far as Athens, then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible. (Acts 17:10-15, CEB)

When Paul and Silas went to Beroea, the Jews there listened to what they had to say, and then they looked at the scripture to see if what Paul and Silas were preaching was in line with the Bible. How many of us do that?

Well what if it is a new interpretation, as Paul and Silas were giving? There would still be clues in the scripture that what was being said that was different was in line with God’s word.

We need to examine the scriptures and know them so that we know when someone is preaching the word of God or leading us astray.

Know the word of God and examine it. Make it a part of your day.

Feeding the Four Thousand

32 Now Jesus called his disciples and said, “I feel sorry for the crowd because they have been with me for three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry for fear they won’t have enough strength to travel.” 33 His disciples replied, “Where are we going to get enough food in this wilderness to satisfy such a big crowd?” 34 Jesus said, “How much bread do you have?” They responded, “Seven loaves and a few fish.” 35 He told the crowd to sit on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish. After he gave thanks, he broke them into pieces and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 Everyone ate until they were full. The disciples collected seven baskets full of leftovers. 38 Four thousand men ate, plus women and children. 39 After dismissing the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan. (Matthew 15:32-39, CEB)

Now here again we do not know how many people were fed, because they counted 4000 men, but women and children also ate, so we don’t know how many the 7 loaves and few fish fed. In fact, we don’t know how many fish there were to begin with. But they all were fed and there were 7 baskets full leftover.

Jesus cam take a little bit and make it go a long way. That is why we should never think that we do not have enough. Jesus will always provide in the time of need what is necessary.

Know that it has happened and it will happen. Believe and trust in God.

Community of Believers

37 When the crowd heard this, they were deeply troubled. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.” 40 With many other words he testified to them and encouraged them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day. 42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. 44 All the believers were united and shared everything. 45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. 46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. 47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. (Acts 2:37-47, CEB)

I knew of a worshiping community called Acts 2:42. “The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.”

Isn’t that what every community should be? A group that gathers to hear the teachings of Jesus, to uplift each other, to break bread, and to pray? That is what a community of believers is and everyone should be.

And God added to the number of the community. Did you notice that the community was focused on learning and each other, and God added to their number. They didn’t go out looking for others to join but were open to those who came and invited them in and involved them in the community. God did the bringing and the community made room and included them.

Imagine if our worshiping communities did this. What would the world be like?

Paul’s Plan to Visit

8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the news about your faithfulness is being spread throughout the whole world. 9 I serve God in my spirit by preaching the good news about God’s Son, and God is my witness that I continually mention you 10 in all my prayers. I’m always asking that somehow, by God’s will, I might succeed in visiting you at last. 11 I really want to see you to pass along some spiritual gift to you so that you can be strengthened. 12 What I mean is that we can mutually encourage each other while I am with you. We can be encouraged by the faithfulness we find in each other, both your faithfulness and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I planned to visit you many times, although I have been prevented from coming until now. I want to harvest some fruit among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles. 14 I have a responsibility both to Greeks and to those who don’t speak Greek, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 That’s why I’m ready to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. (Romans 1:8-15, CEB)

I get the sense from this passage that Paul really wants to go to Roman. He is writing to them before he makes it there to let them know who he is and that he is hoping to one day be with them so that both Paul and those gathered in Roman can be lifted up and brought closer to each other and our God. I actually think a lot of us now know what Paul was thinking and going through. Wanting to go somewhere he hadn’t been, like on vacation, or back to a Mexican restaurant. This shelter in place and kind of opening is getting to all of us. I know it is different in places where you might be reading this. But here, only a few restaurants are open for dining in and a lot of places have restrictions on the number of people allowed. So we can’t go where we want to or do what we want. We plan to do things and we can’t.

But even in all of this, we can mutually strengthen each other in the faith and pray for each other. We are separated by distances physically, but we can be and are socially and spiritually connected. Do not lose the hope that God has given you and live in that and lift up your brothers and sisters daily.

Always plan, but know even in the disappointments that God is always with us.

Feeding Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. 15 That evening his disciples came and said to him, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “There’s no need to send them away. You give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. 21 About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten. (Matthew 14:13-21, CEB)

So how many were actually fed this time? 5000 men, plus women, and children. If 3/4 of the men were married and they had only 1 wife, that would be another 3750, so we are up to 8750. And let’s say that 3/4 of the couples have 2 kids, that’s another 5625, for a total of 14,375, plus 13 for Jesus and the 12 dudes who did…

So around 15000 people ate that day from 5 loaves and 2 fish and there were 12 baskets left over, and again we could ask how big the baskets were…

All of this to say that when we think it isn’t possible, Jesus will show is the way.

What is impossible in your life? Have you asked God how it can be done?

Ask, and watch in amazement.