How We Know God’s Choices!

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 1:1-10, 14 NIV

The role of any educator is to create an environment in which they expect those they are instructing to think–developing critical thinking skills and the best way to conduct that exercise is by asking questions of the questions until a logical conclusion is reached.

I would suggest–for the sake of clarity–that the entire letter be read to really understand the totality of what James is saying and remember–he is writing to the church leaders.

As a foundation to frame what’s being said about how God chooses, I reference the first king the Children of Israel chose for themselves.

Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.” When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.” I Samuel 9:15-17 NIV

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”  So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. I Samuel 16:10-14 NIV

What do we see in how God chose Saul to be king?  He had a heart for God before He was chosen.

What do we see in how God chose David? He was a man after God’s own heart–not flawless, but quick to repent.

When the Spirit of God is no longer on a person’s life, how do we know?

If a person has never demonstrated having a heart for God and understanding of His Word, would God choose them to govern a nation?

Why do we see through God’s Word that every person God uses, is willing to be used by God?

What happens on a broader level to people when God is pleased with what we do?

Does God hold us accountable for what people do or for what we as individuals do?

What is blasphemy and how do we commit blasphemy against God? When we say something is of God when it is actually the spirit of the devil influencing what we say or do, who are we really honoring?

In the beginning, God created all that was ever created and without Him, nothing was created and He did it without any input from us. Why is that? He is a sovereign God, totally self-existent without need of people to do anything, yet He uses who is willing to be used–those who have a desire to serve Him.

Now, since God is sovereign–existing by His own will and dependent upon no one–can any mere mortal oppose Him or interfere with His plans? If they can, they become more powerful than God and since I know that no mere mortal is a god, I would say anything thinking along these lines is foolish.

Is not God all-knowing–omnipotent and omnipresent and omniscient? Does He not see all there is to see and hear all there is to hear?

Since He came down from heaven, lived among men in the person of Jesus Christ, protested the religious leaders and taught the Truth, betrayed by Judas, crucified, died, and rose again and after returning to heaven, sent His Spirit back to dwell within those who received Him, why do we need “mere mortals” telling us anything God says?

Since God knows more than we do and since He is God and does not change, I can only conclude that His method of choosing people to govern nations, has not changed. He also does not force us to obey Him, but allows our choices in order to get our attention.

People have chosen to elect a person who does not know God, has not demonstrated any knowledge of God in his actions or speaking, and yet the religious leaders are claiming Our Sovereign God–the God who existed before any of us–by His own will–could not find any person who knows Him and has a desire to serve so He chose--a bottom-feeder who has no respect for anyone other than himself, has demonstrated multiple personality disorders with his misogynistic, narcissistic, megalomaniac, racist and bigoted behavior and has done nothing but promote fear and hate. You mean–Our Sovereign God had no one else but this person He to choose? If that’s true, what does that say about the rest of us?

In order to believe that lie–a person would have to be totally void of any type of relationship with God or understanding of His Word. Where is the love for others? Where is the sense of unity espoused in God’s Word? Where is the wisdom of God operating in this situation?

I have drawn my own conclusions about the matter and they do not concur with the Evangelical leadership who have lied to their congregations in order to control people. I am praying the veil will soon be lifted and they will repent of misleading God’s people into the chaos we are about to experience. May God have mercy upon their souls!

 

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8 thoughts on “How We Know God’s Choices!

  1. You cannot begin to understand why God does what He does… God allowed Satan to almost destroy him… Why would God do that ?? Because God does what He wills…contrary to what man wants or thinks…

    My problem with all your talk about why Trump was elected, is that you cannot accept God’s choice for President… You say all the evangelicals are wrong !!! We MUST NOT second guess God… God chose the enemies of Israel to defeat them for His purposes…

    I believe God chose Trump to break up the elite, both democratic and republican… Only time will tell if Trump will be successful… But to urge people to unite to try and throw Trump out of office is saying God was wrong !!

    Trump is President, because God is sovereign… Who are we to question God’s motives ??

    Blessings in Christ, bruce

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    • Godsmanforever (GMF) you said; “God allowed Satan to almost destroy him… Why would God do that??” As I read your statement I would like to know when God allowed this to happen. Where can I find it in the Bible? Since I am a Bible teacher I need to know so that I am able to tell my class, this new news.
      GMF, the sovereign God looked over the affairs of man, but allows man to make choices. Even in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve made a choice. When Israel one of the King, God allowed them to make a choice in having a king. In first Samuel the eighth chapter God told Sandra that people rejected Him. “And the Lord said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto the: they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
      Trump is the President-elect, but he was elected by man, and allowed by God. Whether right or wrong, Like it or not, Trump is the President-elect. But if you look at the popular vote, the majority vote, you will see that he did not win the election by the majority of the voters. I will give him the same respect that he gave President Obama. I would like to ask one question to you, if this man was God sent why then don’t he turn over his taxes, and be honest with the people about his life.
      Now you Be Blessed – hear!

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      • First of all Mary…the him in the opening paragraph, as I tried to tell you yesterday, was Job… Please correct your response… I am eager to engage you in this debate…

        Trump was elected because God decided for whatever reason, to allow him to be elected… Again, it is too early to tell whether God prefered Trump, because of the republican pro-life stance…or because God allowed the people to vote Trump in, to give them what they wanted…just like God allowed Saul to become king…

        Either way, we are called to respect the selection of our new President…

        In regards to Hillary receiving the popular vote, I guess I must explain why our founding fathers chose the electoral college system for voting… You see the 10 most populous states like California, and New York helped to make the popular vote for Hillary… But if we knew it was going to be a race by popular vote…the poor stated like RI, and the mid west states that don’t have large populations, who all turned out for Trump would have no say in the election… By using the electoral college process, each and every state’s vote goes toward picking our President…

        Mary, you made 2 comments I disagree with… 1) “I will not accept Trump as God’s choice”… What you are saying, is that you don’t accept who God put, or allowed to be made President… Disagreeing with God is something many people may do…but it is ABSOLUTELY wrong !! Who are we to say God was wrong in this election ??

        2) Mary, you said…” I’m not second-guessing God since I don’t believe He had anything to do with Trump being elected in the first place.”

        Again, there is much scripture to back up the fact that God is sovereign over everything that goes on in this world… Here is an overall site with many links to explain God’s sovereignty ove everything… https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=God+is+sovereign+scripture+verses

        Here is one of the sites that does a good job with scripture to back it up… http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/09/12/top-7-bible-verses-showing-gods-sovereignty/

        And from this link… http://www.allaboutgod.com/sovereignty-of-god-verses-faq.htm

        Sovereignty of God Verses – How does His sovereignty impact me?
        God is in Control of All Things, including human decisions
        “’I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted'” (Job 42:2).

        “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalm 135:6).

        “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12).

        “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalm 135:6).

        “The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4).

        “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30).

        And lastly, on God’s sovereignty… I love John MacArthur, and his clear teaching here… http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/A167/gods-absolute-sovereignty

        Mary, you said…”I do not understand—you think you have a right to control what I say based on your religious beliefs.” Mary, I am not trying to control what you say… I read your post, and use God’s Word to point out where I believe you are wrong… I don’t want your readers to be swayed by unbiblical thinking…

        I am going to ask some of my fellow bloggers to agree or disagree with your statement…”I don’t believe He had anything to do with Trump being elected in the first place.”

        Please change him to Job… It was not HIM as your posted…and change your next sentence please ??

        You are free to ask your followers to defend this non-biblical statement… I am always ready to admit that I am wrong… How about you ???

        Love in Christ, bruce

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      • Bruce,

        I’m glad you see where our differences lie–in what you believe. For the record, I don’t accept another person’s word over God’s Word–no matter what their title is so you could have saved yourself some time.

        And the thing about Job–God did not almost allow Satan to destroy Job–Satan understood from the beginning of his conversation with God, that he was not “given permission” to destroy him–only to challenge Job’s faith because God knew what Job would do–Satan didn’t. Our faith should not tied up with the material things we have or don’t have, but in our trust in God to take care of His own.

        What God puts on my heart to write has nothing to do with your beliefs and as such, should have no bearing on anything. Agree to disagree. And who says I’m wrong about this situation? I accept the fact that God has allowed Trump to be elected–I’ve never said otherwise, but I will never agree that Trump is God’s choice because quite frankly–to accept that premise would mean God had no one better in this vast field of Believers to choose from. I don’t believe that. Your argument has consistently been about Supreme Court Appointments and Roe v. Wade which only prove to me–that you don’t trust God to be God. Trust in God does not mean we have to manipulate truth to get our way. And I have not done that, but I’ve watched others–particular religious leaders, do just that. They’ve done it before–promote fearmongering attempting to get people to believe that God will hold us–as individuals for what others do. That’s a lie from the pit. We all have access to Holy Spirit and when we stand before Him–He’s not going to ask us about what others did, but what we did. That’s attempts to control which is what religious leaders do.

        Now, did God lie, manipulate information and rig the election or did people close to Trump do that? The fact that the election was rigged is no longer a secret but public knowledge, but I rightly interpreted Trump saying it was rigged–though he claimed it was against him, it was actually for him. Therefore, the manner in which he achieved the win was not a victory, but corruption at its finest. And quite frankly, I’m not concerned whether your followers or mine agree or disagree.

        As for asking my followers to take a stance on what I say–you really give me far too much credit for influencing people. Unlike some people, I don’t attempt to tell people what to think or how to think. I accept the fact that God in His infinite wisdom has given us all choice and I respect those choices whether I agree or not.

        I am admonished in The Word to pray for all authority–Trump is not and will never be an authority in my life. And I say again–for emphasis apparently–I will give him the same respect he showed President Obama–none!

        When I’m proven wrong–about The Word through The Word–I have no problem admitting it, but you’re never going to convince me of much of anything with what some other mere mortal has to say. As far as God’s sovereignty is concerned, I’ve already addressed that–self-existing without dependence upon anything or anyone else. God controls what we give Him control over. If He controlled everyone–then everyone would be saved and we would not have hatred and bigotry running rampant in this country right now. If you’re not paying attention to what’s going on around you, that’s really too bad. I am and I see nothing good coming from a Trump presidency.

        I really don’t know how to get this through to you–I hear God when He speaks to me and I respond. When I don’t understand, I question Him and He responds to me. That’s our relationship–we talk. And so far, I have no indication from Him that I’ve not heard what He speaks to me. I know I’m one of His challenging daughters because I seek understanding with a myriad of questions, but He loves me and will never lead me astray. Of that much, I am assured because of His love for me.

        Gotta love you!

        Mary

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    • Dear Bruce,
      I think I finally understand–you think I am threat to someone or something and I don’t know why. But thanks for the compliment. I didn’t know I had that kind of power.

      I’m going to attempt to respond to your most recent response–point by point and in order to do so, I’ve copied and pasted my response so any others reading this will understand why I’m saying what I say.

      In response to: How We Know God’s Choice!
      By God’smanforever

      You cannot begin to understand why God does what He does… God allowed Satan to almost destroy him… Why would God do that ?? Because God does what He wills…contrary to what man wants or thinks…

      Mary: I cannot even fathom God being concerned about Satan trying to destroy Him. A sovereign God—who is self-existing, being concerned about what His creation could do to Him, is beyond me. The reference in Job—proves absolutely nothing since God allowed Satan to test Job. You see that’s the thing—God allows stuff to happen.

      My problem with all your talk about why Trump was elected, is that you cannot accept God’s choice for President… You say all the evangelicals are wrong !!! We MUST NOT second guess God… God chose the enemies of Israel to defeat them for His purposes…

      Mary: Until I hear from God for myself—since I am capable of hearing Him when He speaks to me—I will not accept Trump as God’s choice. Trump is the choice of those who supported him and that was not even the majority. And yes, I say all the evangelicals are wrong because there is nothing they have done except prove their desire to control people. You may not second guess God, but people have been second guessing God for centuries and I don’t think they’re going to stop. I’m not second-guessing God since I don’t believe He had anything to do with Trump being elected in the first place. You’re telling me what you say, not what God says. Yes, I know God does everything for a purpose and I know how He used even the donkey that spoke when the man wouldn’t hear Him.

      I believe God chose Trump to break up the elite, both democratic and republican… Only time will tell if Trump will be successful… But to urge people to unite to try and throw Trump out of office is saying God was wrong !!

      Mary: You’re entitled to believe whatever you wish, just as I am. But what I’ve realized is this: for some reason—I do not understand—you think you have a right to control what I say based on your religious beliefs. I don’t know why you see me as a threat unless you know in your heart, you have been promoting religious ideology and not God’s mandate. But to think of me as a threat—I guess that’s a compliment—of what I don’t know. I will write as Holy Spirit directs me and if by chance someone is inspired to seek God’s will for themselves, then I’ve served God’s purpose for my life. I do not and will not accept the word of men as God’s last say about anything, especially when what the men say contradicts God’s ways. God is never wrong and He never changes how He does things, but people can be wrong and often are and they are always changing how they do things. “God never changes–people always change.” I wonder who’s right in this situation? I’ll stand on my relationship with God over your religious piety, any day.

      Now, unless you can prove to me—in God’s Word—that He was ever concerned about Satan “almost destroying Him,” there is nothing else for us to discuss.

      Trump is President, because God is sovereign… Who are we to question God’s motives ??

      Mary: TRUMP IS PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE CONNED PEOPLE AND HAD HELP RIGGING THE ELECTION—INCLUDING THE EVANGELICALS WHO PROMOTED AND SUPPORTED HIM!
      THAT’S MY STANCE AND NOTHING YOU OR ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR DOES WILL CHANGE IT! We’ll see what happens within the next six months.

      I’m praying that truth will eventually light the way for you to come out of darkness.

      Gotta love you, but I don’t have to agree with you! Jesus Is Lord, not man!
      Mary

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