Luke 8Wealth, the prosperity gospel, asceticism, monastic life, The Kingdom is not yet, hear akouo, lamps, YHWH Rebuked The Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters?, Wind and waves obey Him, Wings in heaven?, friends, What is death?BIBLE IN FIVEPastor Dave KooyersValley Bible FellowshipBox 433Boonville CA 95415http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org

(707) 895-2325God bless you as you examine His Word,Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge. Matthew 10:8 Freely you received, freely give.

http://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Manual-Doing-Church-Growth/dp/097170094X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=a+pastor%27s+manual+on+doingLet's read Luke 8:1-3There are two main errors that have crept in over the years regarding wealth. The prosperity gospel.Asceticism, monastic life.nullLuke 8:3, Jesus Was Not Wealthy, Dave HuntThere is no indication in Scripture that Jesus was wealthy. What He did have was through the generosity of those who ministered to him. Luke 8:3 indicates where the Lord Jesus may have obtained not only the robe but much of His earthly support: "Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others...provided for Him from their substance." In Scripture, we see several wealthy women who had a role (no doubt moved by the Holy Spirit) in giving to Jesus' ministry. Since the giver was likely wealthy, the garment given to Jesus would naturally reflect that. Such scriptures document that Jesus was not rich in earthly possessions. He relied on others in order to support His travels and earthly ministry. Furthermore, Scripture teaches us how He lived and how the apostles who were trained by Him lived. Paul wrote that he knew both how to "abound" and how to be "abased." The "abasing" part is what the word-faith teachers do not teach other than to say that it reflects a lack of faith [Lk 9:57-58]Dave Hunt, The Berea CallLuke 8:3 Psalm 22:18 Luke 9:57-58 2 Cor. 11:27Let's read Luke 8:4-15nullLuke 8:4, He Began To Teach NAU Luke 8:4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:The parallel passages are in Matthew 13, and Mark 4:1 He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land.Matthew 13:1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea.What house? What sea?When I see house, or the land I think= IsraelWhen I see sea I think= gentiles (very large crowd)Mark 4:1, Matt 13:133, Luke 8:4

Luke 8:4, The Kingdom Is Not Already by Dr. Stanley Toussaint, Kingdom Parables

Psalm 78:2 Luke 5:36, 8:4 Mark 4:2 Matthew 13:3, parables , The Kingdom Is Not Already by Dr. Stanley Toussaint, Kingdom Parables Matthew 13 Kingdom parables kingdom now Dr. Stanley TousaintGrace In Focus magazinewww.faithalone.orgJuly and August 2012Luke 8:5-15, The Parable Of The Sowergracethrufaith.comA. The parable of the Sower inMatt. 13:3-9represents the Lord sowing the Gospel into the world. The four kinds of soil on which the seed falls represent four kinds of people. Jesus explained the four kinds inMatt. 13:18-23.The first kind of soil is the hard packed path. It represents people with hardened hearts that dont allow the Gospel to penetrate their heart. The birds, who represent the enemy, eat it up before it can take root. These people will not be saved. In2 Thes. 2:9-10Paul said they will perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.The second kind is rocky soil. It represents people who initially accept the Gospel intellectually, but like the first group, it never penetrates their heart. These people will soon fall away. They are not saved.The third kind is covered in thorns, which choke http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/parable-sower/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29Thursday, March 6th, 2014Once Saved Always SavedParables

Q. You may have answered this before, but would you explain the parable of the Sower, in relation to OSAS?Luke 8:5-15, The Parable Of The Sowergracethrufaith.com out the seed making it unfruitful. Since salvation is not a fruit bearing event, these people are saved. But because of their preoccupation with the things of this world they never accomplish anything of value for the Kingdom. Most born again Christians in the US today fall into this category.The fourth kind is good soil. These people are both saved and fruitful.Where OSAS is concerned the first two groups were never saved, and the second two are forever saved. (Remember were saved because of what we believe not because of how we behave.)You can read my full 4 part study on the Kingdom Parables ofMatt. 13here.http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/parable-sower/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29Thursday, March 6th, 2014Once Saved Always SavedParables

Q. You may have answered this before, but would you explain the parable of the Sower, in relation to OSAS?Luke 8:5-15, The Parable Of The SowerI wish we could take a field trip to my ranch at the very end of spring, and start of summer, and I could show you all four of these soil types in real life.On the rock roads, and hard packed cattle trails trails seed cannot even germinate. Let alone grow. (the devil takes it)Where there is a large mass of rock the weeds will grow right up to it, but the soil is too shallow for the plants to survive long enough to make seeds and prosper. (received joyfully but no root)Our ranch has many patches of thorny, blackberry bushes, and the grass that spreads within them starts out fine, but cannot prosper because of the brambles, and the light is darkened. So it perishes before it grows healthy or bears seeds. (the rich young ruler listened to Jesus but his materialism kept him from salvation)However in the places with rich soil, that's not trampled down, that can allow deep roots, the grass is growing high and bears seed to reproduce. Truly, 100 fold. (They hear, believe, receive, and make disciples)nullLuke 8:8, hear akouoNAU Luke 8:8 "Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great." As He said these things, He would call out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus is quoting Scripture;NAU Ezekiel 3:27 "But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.Revelation 2:7 Luke 8:8, hear akouoMartha C. Kaptan, Calwell, Idaho.Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."Luke 8:8, hear akouoNAU Luke 8:8 He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Rev 2-3 uses ear, let him hear 7 XsEnglish gets acoustics from akouo akoustiksLXX in the BGT Deuteronomy 6:4 uses akouo akouoMeaning: to hear, listenOrigin: from a prim. word mean. hearingUsage: come to...ears(1), every(1), give heed(2), grant(1), hear(115), heard(216), hearers(1), hearing(24), hears(21), heed(2), listen(24), listened(1), listeners(1), listening(14), listens(5), reached(1), reported(1), understand(1) Martha C. Kaptan, Calwell, Idaho.Christian Reader, "Lite Fare." Luke 8:10,NAU Luke 8:10 And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.Anagrams, THE EYES:When you rearrange the letters:THEY SEE Ecclesiastes 1:8 Mark 4:12 Luke 8:10 John 9:7 Acts 4:14 Hebrews 11:27 2 Peter 1:3 Proverbs 20:12, Anagrams Luke 8:10,NAU Luke 8:10 to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.This is that major continental divide that we found in Matthew 13, where Jesus changes his ministry outreach and does not reach out to the lost Jews anymore. Before this point in time this ministry was summed up in;NAU Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. NAU Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.Christs message is advancing towards fulfillment in; NAU Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations Ecclesiastes 1:8 Mark 4:12 Luke 8:10 John 9:7 Acts 4:14 Hebrews 11:27 2 Peter 1:3 Proverbs 20:12, AnagramsLuke 8:15, PerseveranceNAU Luke 8:15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Romans 2:7 2 Thessalonians 1:4 2 Timothy 3:10 Titus 2:2 2 Peter 1:6 Revelation 2:2 Luke 8:15, PerseveranceLet's read Luke 8:16-18nullLuke 8:16, Lamps2 Samuel 22:29 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; And the LORD illumines my darkness.NAU Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.When Jesus said in NAU John 9:5 I am the Light of the world. What was he saying?What was he saying when he told his followers in NAU Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world1 Kings 15:4 But for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;Mark 4:21 And He was saying to them, "A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?Leviticus 24:2 2 Samuel 22:29 1 Kings 15:4 2 Peter 1:19 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:34 John 1:4 Psalm 119:105Lamps

Luke 8:16, Bible and Spade, Lamps

Bible and Spade, Vol. 26, No. 4, Fall 2013, page 98, The Lamps of Khirbet elMaqatir, by Brian N. PetersonLeviticus 24:2 2 Samuel 22:29 1 Kings 15:4 2 Peter 1:19 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:34 John 1:4 Psalm 119:105, Bible and Spade, LampsLuke 8:16, Bible and Spade, Lamps

Bible and Spade, Vol. 26, No. 4, Fall 2013, page 98, The Lamps of Khirbet elMaqatir, by Brian N. PetersonLeviticus 24:2 2 Samuel 22:29 1 Kings 15:4 2 Peter 1:19 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:34 John 1:4 Psalm 119:105, Bible and Spade, LampsLet's read Luke 8:19-25nullLuke 8:23, DangerNAU Luke 8:23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.Corrie ten Boom said, If a bird is flying for pleasure, it flies with the wind, but if it meets danger it turns and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher.Luke 8:23, He FellAsleep,We Should Not

Luke 8:24, YHWH Rebuked The WindNAU Luke 8:24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. [Matthew 14:32]Psalm 107:21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! 22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. 25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. 29 He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!Luke 8:24, Satan Is Real, So Jesus Rebukedcompass.org, Good Morning Lord, says "The might and fury of a hurricane is a sight to behold, and it's interesting to note that Satan is tied somehow into the weather. On the Sea of Galilee with His disciples, Jesus "rebuked" the storm, rather than simply commanding it to stop.And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.Mark 4:39 The weather was quite different prior to Satan tripping up the human race with sin (Genesis 2:6). And a major change also took place during Noah's flood when the mountains were formed (Genesis 7:11), which affects our current weather patterns today. During the future seven-year Tribulation period, all but one mountain will be flattened (Revelation 16:20), which will change the weather back to pre-flood days during the 1000-year Millennial Reign of ChristHosea 13:14-15 Daniel 2:35 Luke 8:24 John 6:18 Matthew 14:24-33 Ezekiel 13:11-13 Ecclesiastes 8:8 Amos 4:9-13 Jonah 1:4 Mark 4:39 Job 1:19 Ephesians 2:2, Satan Is A Real, Jesus Rebuked, Satan is a real and present force in the world.MINI BIBLE STUDY FOR THE DAYLuke 8:24, Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters?Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, wildfires, and other natural disasters? Tragedies cause many people to question Gods goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed acts of God while no credit is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earths plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy11:17and James5:17. Numbers16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans8:19-21 tells us, The creation waits in eager Mark 13:8 Matthew 14:24 Luke 21:11, 8:24 1 Kings 19:11 Haggai 2:17 Jonah 1:4 Jesus Rebuked Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.com

Recommended Resources:Where Was God? Answers to Tough Questions About God and Natural Disasters by Erwin LutzerandLogos Bible Software.

natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamisMark 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Answer:Luke 8:24, Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters?expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to frustration and decay. Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans8:28).

Mark 13:8 Matthew 14:24 Luke 21:11, 8:24 1 Kings 19:11 Haggai 2:17 Jonah 1:4 Jesus Rebuked Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.com

Recommended Resources:Where Was God? Answers to Tough Questions About God and Natural Disasters by Erwin LutzerandLogos Bible Software.

natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamisMark 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Answer:Luke 8:24, Wind And Waves Obey HimNAU Luke 8:24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.NAU Psalm 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. 9 Thou dost rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, Thou dost still them.Jesus is Jehovah, LORD God of hostsPsalm 65:5-7, 107:28-31, Matthew 8:26, 14:32, Jonah 1:15Luke 8:24, Why Does god Allow Natural Disasters?NAU 2 Corinthians 4:4 the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospelAnd we find that "the god of this world is the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14).Why don't insurance policies, and everyone else blame "the god of this world the devil when natural disasters occur? Answer, because the devil has blinded the minds of the unbelieving!Jesus rebuked the storm because it was not doing His will, it was doing the will of the evil one.Mark 13:8 Matthew 14:24 Luke 21:11, 8:24 1 Kings 19:11 Haggai 2:17 Jonah 1:4 Jesus Rebuked Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.com

Recommended Resources:Where Was God? Answers to Tough Questions About God and Natural Disasters by Erwin LutzerandLogos Bible Software.

natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamisMark 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Answer:Luke 8:25, Even The Winds Obey Him

Luke 8:25, Keep The Faith BabyNAU Luke 8:25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"Matt 6:30You of little faith!Psalm 146:6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; Who keeps faith forever;

Let's read Luke 8:26-39nullLuke 8:32, Swine, Deviled Eggs Ham,NAU Luke 8:32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.

Matthew 8:30 Mark 5:11 Luke 8:32, Swine, Deviled Eggs Ham,Luke 8:32, Wings?Where do this pastor and so many others get the idea that we will have wings in heaven?Yes cherubim and seraphim do have wings but we will never be angels, we will judge the angels. NAU 1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?NAU Hebrews 13:2 some have entertained angels without knowing it.nullLuke 8:37, Be Careful What You Ask ForNAU Luke 8:37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.These folks had the very Son of God, infinite Deity, in their presence, doing extraordinary miracles, and they asked Him to leave because of their great fear.The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, yet apparently it can also be the end. You're prettynullLuke 8:37, Be Careful What You Ask ForNAU Luke 8:37 And all the people asked Him to leave them Martha C. Kaptan tells that, My granddaughter overheard conversations about an occasional heart problemloud beatingI experienced when I would try to sleep. One evening her father heard her concerned prayer: "And Lord Jesus, please make Grandma's heart stop so she can get some rest.

Martha C. Kaptan, Calwell, Idaho.Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."Let's read Luke 8:40-56nullLuke 8:47, This Woman Was HealedNAU Luke 8:47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.I think this is a summary of every true Christians testimony;saw that she had not escaped noticeshe came tremblingfell down before Himdeclared in the presence of all the peopleshe had touched Himshe had been immediately healedHer reaction is exactly the opposite of the people in 8:37 who ..asked Him to leave themDo you think she may have been healed of more than her bleeding? Do you think we will see her in heaven?nullLuke8:51, FriendsNAU Luke 8:51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl's father and mother.Jesus had close friends, and we also need close friends. A true friend loves at all times, even when that love includes a rebuke, or a time when you are not very lovable. NAU Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed.True friends may be even closer than our family members. NAU Proverbs 18:24 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.A true friend may have to hurt you with the truth. NAU Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend Jesus had circles of friends. Peter James and John, the inner circle, then the Twelve, then there was the 70 He sent out, and then finally the multitudes that followed Him.Luke8:51 Exodus 33:11 Mark5:37 Proverbs 27:9, FriendsLuke 8:55, What Is Death?Many books have been written trying to identify the definition of death". The legal definition, medical definition, and theological definitions very greatly.So what is death?This girl went from death to life when "her spirit returned".NAU Luke 8:55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.Think the biblical definition is when the soul and spirit leaves and does not return.nullLives are at stake so we need to listen very carefully.

So In Conclusionnull

THE ENDnull

Luke 8:4, The Kingdom Is Not Already by Dr. Stanley Toussaint, Kingdom Parables

Psalm 78:2 Luke 5:36, 8:4 Mark 4:2 Matthew 13:3, parables , The Kingdom Is Not Already by Dr. Stanley Toussaint, Kingdom Parables Matthew 13 Kingdom parables kingdom now Dr. Stanley TousaintGrace In Focus magazinewww.faithalone.orgJuly and August 2012

Psalm 78:2 Luke 5:36, 8:4 Mark 4:2 Matthew 13:3, parables , The Kingdom Is Not Already by Dr. Stanley Toussaint, Kingdom Parables Matthew 13 Kingdom parables kingdom now Dr. Stanley TousaintGrace In Focus magazinewww.faithalone.orgJuly and August 2012Luke 8:24, Jesus Rebuked Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"

Answer:Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, wildfires, and other natural disasters? Tragedies cause many people to question Gods goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed acts of God while no credit is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earths plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy11:17and James5:17. Numbers16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Romans8:19-21 tells us, The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to frustration and decay. Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of thousands of people? For one thing, such events shake our confidence in this life and force us to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during the course of natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people who are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans8:28).

Recommended Resources:Where Was God? Answers to Tough Questions About God and Natural Disasters by Erwin LutzerandLogos Bible Software.

natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamisMark 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.Mark 13:8 Matthew 14:24 Luke 21:11, 8:24 1 Kings 19:11 Haggai 2:17 Jonah 1:4 Jesus Rebuked Wind, Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923GotQuestions.orgviaicontactmail3.comLuke 8:16, Bible and Spade, Lamps2 Samuel 22:29 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; And the LORD illumines my darkness.1 Kings 15:4 But for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;Mark 4:21 And He was saying to them, "A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?Bible and Spade, Vol. 26, No. 4, Fall 2013, page 98, The Lamps of Khirbet elMaqatir, by Brian N. Peterson

Bible and Spade, Vol. 26, No. 4, Fall 2013, page 98, The Lamps of Khirbet elMaqatir, by Brian N. PetersonLeviticus 24:2 2 Samuel 22:29 1 Kings 15:4 2 Peter 1:19 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:34 John 1:4 Psalm 119:105, Bible and Spade, LampsDeuteronomy 29:4, Ears To HearTODAY'S CREATION MOMENTFLAGELLUM FASCINATIONinHumansListenLuke 8:8And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.The electron microscope was developed over 80 years ago and enables us to probe the secrets of Gods creation. One of the most surprising discoveries shows an incredible similarity between those little whips called flagellum which some microbes use for swimming and the inside of your ear!The electron microscope has shown that there is but one master pattern for all flagella. These tiny threads are always made up of a pair of fibers surrounded by nine protein fibers running inside a tube. It is thought that the contraction of these protein fibers causes the flagellum to move. But though these tiny structures are identical, different creatures use them in different ways.Inside your ear and the ears of all vertebrates are tiny, hair-like structures that come together in a point, something like an Indian tepee. Each of these structures has on it one projection exactly the same as the microbes flagellum. But in this case, its purpose is not to move, but to be moved by sound waves. These structures are hooked up to nerves, and their purpose is to detect sound waves. They are so sensitive, they can provide your brain with many different kinds of information, all of which you finally hear as sound!Have you used this generous gift of hearing to hear the Word of God today?Prayer:Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I give thanks to You for all my senses and abilities and ask that You would, through the teaching of Your Word, help me to make use of them in ways which glorify You. Amen.Notes:Margaret Helder, Ph.D., Marvellous Evidence of Design, Creation Ex Nihilo, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 14-17. Photo: Physical model of a bacterial flagellum. Courtesy of Alan Wolf. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Ezekiel 12:2 Luke 8:8 Romans 11:8The Parable Of The Sower. More Follow UpWednesday, March 12th, 2014JudgmentSalvationSinQ. You made a comment on one of the questions about theParable of the Sowerrelating to the third kind of seed sown where thorns choked out the seed making it unfruitful. You summed it up by saying were saved because of what we believe not because of how we behave. Though I understand in principle, saved by grace not by works, doesnt what we believe produce how we behave? I have always understood that a true believer will always bear some fruit. Isnt it possible that the group you referred to as Most born again Christians in the US today fall into this category, profess to be Christians but in actuality are not true believers?A.InJohn 6:28-29Jesus said the only work God requires of us is to believe in the one He sent. InEphesians 1:13-14Paul said our salvation is guaranteed from the moment we believe (before weve had a chance to do anything good or bad). InEphesians 2:8-9he said our salvation is by grace through faith and not by works. Therefore salvation and fruit bearing are two different things.In1 Cor. 3:10-15Paul described the Bema judgment where the things we do as believers will be separated into two groups. One group is compared to gold, silver, and precious gems indicating things that have value. The other group is compared to wood, hay, and straw, indicating things that dont. The second group will be burned up in the fire of judgment. Paul said even if everything the believer has to his or her credit is burned up in the fire he or she will still be saved (1 Cor. 3:15). To me that means even a believer with no fruit will be saved.I think it was for this reason that in1 Cor. 4:5Paul cautioned us against judging anything before the appointed time, but to wait until the Lord comes. He said,He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the hidden motives of the heart. At that time each will receive his praise from God.From this I have concluded that its the motive of our heart in doing something that determines its value to the Lord and not the external appearance of value that can be seen by man. Therefore, only the Lord is capable of evaluating a persons spiritual condition. That doesnt mean we have to approve of every kind of behavior we see, it just means that our perception of another persons behavior does not qualify us to pass judgment on his or her spiritual condition.http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/parable-sower-more-follow-up/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/parable-sower-more-follow-up/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29Luke 8:3 Psalm 22:18 Luke 9:57-58 2 Cor. 11:27Q&AQuestion: I sent a copy of your recent TBC Update on Joel Osteen [author of the bestseller,Your Best Life Now](http://www.thebereancall.org/content/joel-osteen-unsure-if-jesus-was-poor)to a friend of mine on staff with Joel's ministry asking if he had any thoughts in regard to the article. He stated [excerpts from a long reply], "To be honest, I can't really discern what [the writer's] point is. Does he have some inside knowledge that I don't regarding the actual amount of funds that were carried in the treasury that Judas oversaw? Like Joel [Osteen] says, it's curious that the robe Jesus was wearing was valuable enough that the soldiers were dividing it up. But also like Joel, I don't really think about it much."Why is it so important that Jesus be poor? Is that like a tenet of faith? If so, I never got the memo. As for the 'foxes have holes' quote, I don't see how that refers to financial wealth. To me it's far more likely about the fact that He was not stationary. He was on a mission and on the move. That to follow Him meant that one would have to do the same, forsaking all and going with Him wherever the Spirit led them.... Joel simply believes, as do I, that God has promised to supplyallour needs. He believes...that the apostle John meant what he said when he wrote, 'I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.'"Response:Our concern here is the distortion of what the Bible teaches about biblical prosperity. Those who are word-faith/healing and prosperity gospel teachers (including Joel Osteen and his father, John, in his ministry) have all supported the unbiblical idea that the spiritual hallmark of a faithful follower is riches and good health. According to their claim, if a person lacks those things, it's due to his or her lack of faith. They also mistakenly use Jesus as the model of the result of such beliefs, especially wealth.There is no indication in Scripture that Jesus was wealthy. What He did have was through the generosity of those who ministered to him. Luke 8:3 indicates where the Lord Jesus may have obtained not only the robe but much of His earthly support: "Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others...provided for Him from their substance." In Scripture, we see several wealthy women who had a role (no doubt moved by the Holy Spirit) in giving to Jesus' ministry. Since the giver was likely wealthy, the garment given to Jesus would naturally reflect that. Such scriptures document that Jesus was not rich in earthly possessions. He relied on others in order to support His travels and earthly ministry. Furthermore, Scripture teaches us how He lived and how the apostles who were trained by Him lived. Paul wrote that he knew both how to "abound" and how to be "abased." The "abasing" part is what the word-faith teachers do not teach other than to say that it reflects a lack of faith.A common argument in support of Christ's wealth is the fact that He wore a seamless garment, supposedly of greater value than a two- or three-piece one would have been. Yet a study of history reveals that Roman soldiers were allowed to "supplement" their income by confiscation. The point of the seamless garment being mentioned was that it could not easily be divided. The soldiers gambled for it, thus fulfilling Psalm 22:18: "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." Therefore, even if the one-piece garment was more valuable, that hardly supports the belief that Christ was wealthy. It may have been a gift.Regarding the "foxes have holes" quote, Jesus said in Luke 9:57-58, "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." In fact, this states that the Lord had no earthly home to return to, let alone a mansion. Christ was indeed "on a mission and on the move," as your friend notes, and to follow Him meant that one would have to do the same, "forsaking all and going with Him wherever the Spirit led them."Certainly the Lord provides faithfully, but that provision is often diametrically opposed to human expectation and the distortion the "faith" teachers give it. Everything the Lord provides for a believer is according to His will. That fact, however, rails against the teaching that God's provision works according to spiritual laws, which the practitioner must learn in order to implement them. If that doesn't produce the desired result, then the fault lies with the one misapplying the laws. That delusion is no different from witchcraft.Some prominent word/faith ministries have not one but two Gulfstream jets, which means that not only must they purchase two planes, but they must also pay two trained flight crews for each one, not to mention ongoing hangar costs and maintenance. Is that what constitutes biblical prosperity? Consider Benny Hinn's take on God's provision: "Years ago they used to preach, 'O we are going to walk on streets of gold.' I would say, 'I don't need the gold up there. I've got to have it down here'"(Praise-a-Thon, TBN, April 2, 1991).Yes, the Lord provides all things necessary for us, but emphasizing the "abounding" that Paul on occasion experienced, we miss the point that the Lord is teaching: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." He states that at times he was "in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness"(2 Cor. 11:27). Was Paul out of God's will? No. God had allowed him to experience such conditions for his growth in the faith. Learning to be content in every state doesn't come about when one is only prospering materially.The saddest part in all of this is that many who follow Joel Osteen's "positive" gospel are not taught the Bible's clear warnings that we will suffer on this earth, and therefore they miss the biblical truth that such suffering provides excellent opportunities for spiritual maturity (see "The Value of Suffering"www.thebereancall.org/content/value-suffering)