Why Did God Destroy Sodom?

God was visiting at Abraham's home. He had just eaten a meal with him and told him he was going to have a son next year. God rose up to leave and then said to himself, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" God decided he would tell Abraham why he had come down to earth.

"The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to me; and if not, I will know."

Since the Bible says over and over that God knows and sees everything, why would God say he had come to see if what he had heard was true? I believe he came down to show us that he is a righteous judge and will only do what he has to do to help the world. Some people are so evil they have to be put away from society, the Sodomites were people like this.

What outcry had God heard that he would come down himself? If the Sodomites treated everyone the way they treated the angels who came to visit, then there would have been a great outcry from the strangers and aliens who passed through Sodom. The families of people they harmed may have asked God to intervene.

In Ezekiel 16:49-50 God says, "Behold, this was the guilt of you sister Sodom; she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it."

The men of Sodom were not homosexuals, they were rapists. There is a huge difference between the two. These men were violent and obviously liked to hurt people. They were harming people who had innocently walked into town. What if this happened in your city? What would the government do? I think the National Guard might be called in and there would be a curfew. People would be arrested and go to jail.

Sometimes God has to step in and stop evil from continuing. I trust God that he knows what he is doing. He told Abraham he would not destroy the city if only ten good people lived there, but he did not find ten. He found one: Lot, Abraham's nephew. The angels took hold of him and his daughters and wife and dragged them out of Sodom in order to save their lives.

A Question for God.

Last night I was at the casino with my mother. I went outside for a cigarette and while I was smoking I asked God, "I love to gamble, I love to drink, I love to smoke and I love to swear (the F bomb). What kind of a Christian am I?"

I didn't really expect an answer. I was just sharing my feelings with him. But he did answer. He said to my heart a verse from the Bible, "But we are saved through faith, and even that doesn't come from ourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, lest any man should boast."

I looked that verse up this morning. It is found in Ephesians 2:8.

I know that few Christians would think I was a Christian because of some of the things I do. But thank God he is different. "For the Lord sees not as man sees. For the Lord looks at the heart." I am so thankful to God that he doesn't judge harshly, that he is merciful, forgiving and kind. Thank you God for loving me just the way I am.

The Bible

Jesus said, "You search the scriptures, because you believe that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39-40

The men Jesus was talking to were experts on the Old Testament. They were the scribes, Saducees and Pharisees. They seemed to think that by obeying the letter of the laws, they would be saved. Jesus told them this was not true. In concentrating on the rules they had missed out on the intent of God.

"You are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law - justice, mercy and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things." Matthew 23:23

We must all be careful of doing this. We should do what Jesus said and lift up justice, mercy and faith. Jesus also said that love was the greatest commandment. As we read the Bible, let us remember that.

Under God's Wings.

Joyce Meyer wrote this wonderful piece on seeking God. It is found in her book, "New Day, New You."

"But seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you." Matthew 6:33

"Too often we spend all of our time seeking God for answers to our problems when what we should be doing is just seeking God.

As long as we are seeking God, we are staying in the secret place, under the shadow of His wing. Psalm 91:2 says, "Under His wings shall you trust and find refuge." But when we start seeking answers to all the problems and situations that confront us, trying to fulfill our desires rather than God's will, we get out from under the shadow of His wings.

For many years I sought God about how I could get my ministry to grow. The result was that it stayed just the same as it was. It never grew. Sometimes it even went backward. What I didn't realize was that all I needed to do was to seek the kingdom of God, and He would add the growth.


Do you realize that you don't even have to worry about your own spiritual growth? All you need to do is seek the Kingdom, and you will grow. Seek God, abide in Him and He will cause increase and growth.

A baby just drinks milk and grows. All you and I have to do is desire the sincere milk of the Word and we will grow. We can never experience any real measure of success by our own human effort. Instead, we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; then all these other things we need will be added to us."

Do We Deserve to be Sick?

John Chapter 9.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?"

Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."

"While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Then Jesus healed the blind man.

While Jesus was in the world he was showing what God was like. He healed every person who asked. He does not do that now. Jesus went back to heaven and he hears all prayers, yet he does not heal everyone now.

My husband has Carcinoid Syndrome, I have fibromyalgia, some people are paralyzed, and some are blind. I have known some Godly women who have died; one of diabetes and one of breast cancer. They both had small children. Many prayers were said for these women. They were anointed with oil, yet God did not heal them.

Sometimes I hear sermons on TV and preachers say that God doesn't want us to be sick. God will heal us if we will only believe. But I disagree. I think the reason God doesn't heal everyone now and didn't heal everyone before Jesus was a man on earth is because if he did - all sick people would come to God just to be healed. No one would die, because if faith can always heal us then we would never die.

We are not sick because of our sins. Jesus himself said this. We are not being punished and God is not mad at us. Jesus said that that this man's blindness was so God's works might be displayed in him. What did he mean?

My husband has been asked time and again why he is so cheerful when he is always in pain and constantly feels weak. This has given him the chance to tell people how God has helped him through his illness. God has given him peace and joy in spite of how he feels. He has learned to lean on God for strength and patience. What Jesus said has happened; God's works have been displayed through his illness.

Many people come to God when they are sick or dying. The pleasures and trinkets of this life pale in comparison to the unknown ahead of them. God can take something negative, like illness, and use it to bring people to an eternal life with him where there is no pain, no sickness and no death. Therefore, God's works are displayed.

Life can make us bitter. Chronic illness can make us bitter. Both my husband and I wish we weren't sick, we have both been tempted to feel angry about it and bitter about all the things we can't do any more. But we have both talked with God about our feelings and he has given us peace and acceptance. We believe God will always bring good out of evil for people who trust him.

At the Right Time.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a good person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Colossians 5:6-

Hope

"May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope." Romans 15:13

Joy is never released through unbelief, but it is always present where there is belief. Believing is so much simpler than not believing. If we do not believe God, his word, and his promises, then we are left with the labor of reasoning and attempting to work out matters ourselves. (From the book, New Day, New You, by Joyce Meyer)

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and over burdened, and I will cause you to rest." Matthew 11:28

I have been a Christian for many years, yet hope eluded me. So many awful things had happened in my life, I just gave up and hoped for nothing. But Joyce Meyer taught me to hope again by believing God could give me good things.

I began trusting God and believing he would work for me, that he would make my life happier. I started quoting the Bible each morning with words of praise for God and his power and goodness. Very soon I experienced happiness and hope, and soon God brought things and people into my life that made me happier and gave me the feeling of accomplishment. I no longer believed my life was useless.

Believe God loves you, believe he wants nothing more than to help you, and you will see some marvelous things happen.

The Whole Armor of God.

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for you feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Jesus Asks Questions.

This is the last post on questions that God and Jesus have asked people. I conclude with Jesus and a few of the questions he asked.

"Why were you afraid, you men of little faith?" Matt. 8:26

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt. 16

Faith is important to God. Jesus asked both these questions when he was on the sea with his disciples. In the first instance, they were all afraid of their boat sinking. There was a fierce storm at the time. Jesus was asleep and they woke him asking if he cared they would all die.

Jesus implied a person of faith would not have been afraid. Why? Why does it show faith when you believe you are about to drown and you are not afraid? I think that faith would say, "Trust in the Lord, if it is his will for you to die now then accept it. If it is not his will, no storm on earth could kill you."

The second verse came from Jesus when Peter came out onto the water to walk with Jesus. But Peter looked away and became afraid and began to sink. He looked at the storm instead of at Jesus. This it to teach us to look at God when we are in trouble. If we do, we will not doubt or be afraid.

Saul (later named Paul)was persecuting Christians; he was arresting them and taking them to jail. As he was going to Damascus a great light shone around him, he saw a heavenly person (Jesus) who spoke to him and asked him this question,


"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

Paul had an open mind, he asked, "Who are you Lord?"

Jesus answered, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."

Paul was converted that day, he repented and became one of the greatest Apostles.

If God ever questions you or I, how will we answer him? Will we be rebellious or will we open our heart to him?

A Question for Isaiah and Questions for All of Us.

Isaiah, like Elijah, was another great prophet of God. One day God took him to heaven and Isaiah saw, "the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted..."

God now asked a question of the ones in heaven, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?"
Isaiah answered and said, "Here am I, send me." What a wonderful answer! After seeing the majesty of God, Isaiah must have been strengthened for his great work in giving God's messages to the people of Israel.

Reading through the book of Isaiah, God asks the people many questions. Sometimes questions push us to examine why and what we are doing.

"What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor?"
This is an important issue with God; it is mentioned time and time again in the Old Testament and the New.

"To whom will you liken me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.

"Why do you say, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God?'"

"Is my hand short that it cannot save? Have I no power to deliver?
Behold, I dry up the sea with my rebuke. I make the rivers in a wilderness."

"Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?"

The Lord God wants to talk with people. He doesn't just want a one-sided conversation, he wants us to hear what he says in the Bible and he listens to what we say to him. If we have questions for God, he will answer them. Sometimes, like with Job, he will not explain all his reasons for doing things, but he will show us that he is trustworthy.

God Questions Job.

The book of Job tells the story of a man who endures terrible psychological and physical suffering. God shows us in the first chapter how Satan tells God Job only loves God because he has given him many gifts: children, money, lands, animals, and servants.

Satan tells God if he lets him take away all Job has then Job will curse God and leave him. God tells Satan he can touch everything of Job's but cannot take his life.

When Job loses everything and everyone but his wife, he cannot understand why he is suffering. Job's three friends tell him he must have sinned greatly for God to punish him in this way, but Job can think of nothing he has done. He wishes he had never been born and wishes he could talk with God and question Him.

God appears to talk with Job. He never explains why Job has had these tragedies. Instead, he asks him a long list of questions which I won't quote since there are too many. I will quote four of them.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"

"Will the fault-finder contend with the Almighty?"

"Will you really annul my judgement?"

"Will you condemn me that you may be justified?"

God explains his great wisdom and power by pointing to all creation. He is trying to tell Job he knows what he is doing.

Job answers God, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted...Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know..."

"But now my eye sees you; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."

The Question for Elijah.

Elijah was a mighty prophet of God, one of the greatest who ever lived. Yet, even he could become discouraged and fearful. When Jezebel announced she would have Elijah killed he ran into the desert to hide. He ran until he became hungry and tired; he sat under a tree and asked God that he might die, then fell asleep.

God sent an angel who woke Elijah and said, "Arise, eat." When Elijah looked there was warm bread and a jar of water. This happened twice, he regained his strength and went further into the wilderness until he found a cave in which to hide.

Now God himself appeared and asked Elijah a question, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah explained to God all that had happened and told God he was the only person left in Israel who believed in him and they wanted to kill him. But God told him he was wrong, there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not worshipped Baal (an idol that demanded human sacrifice).

He then asked again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He asked this because he had not sent Elijah into the desert. He had not told him to flee Jezebel. He now told him to return to Israel and Elijah obeyed.

I love how God deals with his people. He is so patient and understanding. "May everything that breathes praise the Lord!"

Questions II

Yesterday, I blogged about how God asks questions. I studied some more and found quite a few more examples.
Most people know the story of Jonah and the whale, but did you know that Jonah was angry with God when he didn't destroy the people of Nineveh? He probably didn't think they deserved to live, and also that he might be thought of as a false prophet.

So God came to visit Jonah and asked him, "Do you have a good reason to be angry?" Jonah 4:4

Isn't it wonderful to see the patience of God. Someone was angry with him, yet God didn't yell or punish, he simply asked a question. And what was Jonah's reply? "I have good reason to be angry, even to death." He was so angry, he wanted to die rather than accept what God had done.

Again God shows patience in explaining to Jonah his reasons.

"Shouldn't I have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who don't know their right hand from their left, as well as many animals?" Not only does God care about the people, he cares about the animals that would have died.

You may ask, "If God loved Nineveh so much why would he threaten to destroy the whole city?" The Bible has long lists of evils that push God to punish nations. The most prominent reason is child sacrifice. In many religions of that day the people laid babies and children on an alter and burned them to death. The other reasons were cruelty to strangers, murder of innocent people, sexual sins, robbing the poor, widows and orphans and not helping those in need. God will let nations go so far, and then no farther.

To those who turn to God, he will gladly accept and forgive. He will give them a new heart that loves to do good and not evil.

Paul

I was reading II Corinthians yesterday and it hit me how much Paul had suffered for preaching the gospel. Some preachers tell us God will bless our lives with money and other comforts is we ask him. Compare that to what Paul went through.

"Five times I received 39 lashes, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." These are some of Paul's words taken from Chapter 11.

Paul said he also had a "thorn in the flesh" that he asked God three times to remove. But God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." I take this to mean God can use our weaknesses to show forth his power.

If we think God will protect us from all trouble, we are mistaken. But, he will be with us in that trouble. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 I love that verse. In tribulation - look at what Jesus did and know he is with you. "Behold, I am with you until the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

I Press On.

Philippians 3:12-14


"Not that I have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

When mountain climbing you don't look down, you look up. You forget what happened on the way up, you keep looking up towards the prize of reaching the top. So it is with us and our walk with God. Don't look back at your mistakes, don't look back at the hard times, look up and keep your eyes on Jesus.

The Value of Jesus.

Philippians 3:8-11


"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death in order that I may obtain the resurrection from the dead."

Put On Love.

Colossians 3:12-15


"As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Seek the Things Above.

Colossians 3:1-4


"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you haved died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Jesus

"Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for he knew what was in man." John 2:24-25


"Our Lord never put his trust in any person. Yet he was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because he put his trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for others.

If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be - absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God."

I don't know what book this quote came from. I hope whoever wrote it won't mind if I print it.

Suffering

This is an excerpt from the book, "Where is God When it Hurts?" by Philip Yancey.

"It seems to me that suffering involves two main issues: 1) whoever caused my discomfort, and 2) my response. Most of us expend our energy trying to figure out the cause of our pain before we'll decide how to respond...

In the book of Job, the portion of the Bible which most vividly poses the question "Who causes pain?" God deliberately sidesteps the issue. He never explained the cause to Job. All the way through, the Bible steers from the issue of cause to the issue of response. Pain and suffering have happened - now what will you do? The great discussers of cause, Job's three friends, are dismissed with a scowl. The Bible is so clear on this point that I must conclude the real issue before Christians is not "Is God responsible?" but "How should I react now that this terrible thing has happened?"

I remember reading a book by Viktor Frankl who was in a concentration camp in Germany during World War II. He said that his captors could take everything away from him (and they killed his wife and parents) but his attitude.

My attitude during suffering is that I want to just die. Yet God doesn't answer this prayer, he keeps my heart beating. Therefore, I now try to have the right attitude towards suffering - that God is with me, he suffers with me, and he loves me. This makes all suffering bearable for me.