Thursday, April 25, 2019

Reflection - God 'Repents' - God is unchanging

Source (book): "God in Pursuit", Chapter 7, Question 1, Page 99.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


In what ways is God unchanging, and what reassurance does this truth give us when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble?

PHOTO: In what ways is God unchanging, and what reassurance does this truth give us when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble?
Scripture seems to tell us that our God does not change His mind:
  • "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19).
  • "He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind" (1 Samuel 15:29).
  • "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed" (Malachi 3:6).
  • "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).
In his now-classic book Knowing God, evangelical theologian J. I. Packer explains how God is unchanging. These characteristics of God do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble: His life (for it is eternal); His character (for He is always holy and loving); His ways (for He does not act out of character); His truth (for His word is eternal truth); His purposes (which are set from eternity); and His Son (who is the same yesterday, today, and forever). All this is true of God, and we must hold on to this truth. Otherwise, we may get the wrong idea of God, and think that He is evolving and changing in response to the world He has created, as some modern process theologians suggest. Or we may get the idea that God is mercurial (unpredictable), and we never can predict how He would relate to us. Such errant understanding of God can lead to the idea that the God of the Old Testament is an unpredictable, temperamental, and vindictive (revengeful) tyrant.


Recall your own experience and reflect on them.
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40). "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).

There's something special about our first love. Usually it's a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby. It holds a special place in our heart. Does the Lord hold that special place? It's easy for us to say "yes", without really thinking this through.

The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself. In the letter God inspired John to write to it, there were a lot of things to commend the church. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were very patient, and yet also uncompromising when faced with false teachers. These were all very good things, but the Lord had one thing against them, and it was so significant it threatened to undo all the good. They had left their first love, and, if they didn't repent quickly, God Himself would remove His presence from the church.

Notice that they hadn't 'lost' their first love. They knew where it was, and what it was. They had just left it. Other things had slowly taken away its pre-eminence in their lives. They were full of good works, and they had much sound doctrine, but the love of God had just got crowded out. It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects). We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
 
Or do we allow God to be crowded out by 'me time' on social media, engrossed in TV programmes, or watching sport. I'm not saying those things are bad in themselves, but have we allowed them to crowd Jesus out?

In a 2011 interview with Billy Graham, he said, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd spend more time in meditation and prayer, and just telling the Lord how much I love Him." I find that an amazing and challenging comment. This man had served God in so many ways, preached to hundreds of millions of people, and led untold numbers to Christ. Yet, looking back on a long life, he wished much more of it was spent with Jesus.

Let me take you to Acts 4:13, 'Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus'. Wow! Don't you wish that were you? I know I wish it were me. The truth is that it can be you and me. The question is, where is our first love? Is Jesus first, last, or somewhere in the middle? Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love. He hasn't moved. He hasn't deserted us. He isn't angry. He's where He's always been, where we left Him, and He's waiting patiently for us. Let's hurry back today.
Picture posted by Karen Garst, The Faithless Feminist on 30 August 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEipaEXA1w5DXrJBIifO8z9jVhWIolRc4TC3CCyHlHLxYSTnuzNz-nRDs7fupzvLRFhSnns_JAgAWEFL7dLf_XU99lqb91FdGiato9k07Iht1_SbtYUBiz6qP7GvJdDZEcg0g3cN4MC8/s1600/AdobeStock_120049706.jpeg
https://faithlessfeminist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/AdobeStock_120049706.jpeg
https://faithlessfeminist.com/blog-posts/was-jesus-a-real-person/


In what ways is God unchanging, and what reassurance does this truth give us when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble? Recall your own experience and reflect on them.

In what ways is God unchanging, and what reassurance does this truth give us when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble? [1]
When God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of impending doom, the prophet probably thought that it was absolute. There was no "if" in the message: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown" (Jonah 3:4); it was an unconditional pronouncement of judgement, not a conditional threat. It appeared that God was not going to change. His decree, and whatever He said would happen, no matter what the Ninevites did. After all, the Ninevites were the enemies of Israel - they deserved it!


When God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of impending doom, the prophet probably thought that it was absolute.
PHOTO: When God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of impending doom, the prophet probably thought that it was absolute. There was no "if" in the message: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown" (Jonah 3:4); it was an unconditional pronouncement of judgement, not a conditional threat.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKWc3HAVOsV2ee_hvujUzZDtmJ5P1t9qI3KlQRM_qnSz1PijQX2mIKTVA2Fgyc3veXHRtxRpQoR-1anVo389zZJYDNSlEOA9of_9OjJYSqTwyTKU3oGhyYpKa2FGfbcMNMhT3uQb_0nw/s1600/1102013260_univ_cnt_3_lg.jpg
https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102013260/univ/art/1102013260_univ_cnt_3_lg.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/true-faith/jonah-learned-mercy-nineveh/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-gods-call-receiving-and.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html


The king and people of Nineveh, however, were hoping otherwise. They were clinging on to a hope that God would have mercy (Jonah 3:9). Perhaps they had heard of how God had forgiven His people and spared them punishment when they repented. God had told King Solomon, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In Nineveh, this was exactly what happened. When the Lord saw how its people turned from their evil ways, He responded with mercy and compassion. He did not carry out His threat.


The king and people of Nineveh, however, were hoping otherwise.
PHOTO: The king and people of Nineveh, however, were hoping otherwise. They were clinging on to a hope that God would have mercy (Jonah 3:9). Perhaps they had heard of how God had forgiven His people and spared them punishment when they repented.
Picture posted by Flickr Hive Mind
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4uHUu4K3zarr0Z4pegKglBbUodoBb6pc9hBQBvaT9rlCO_YYhBI1pbK_DWNnBtItimb8fJ2nYzMntZm9Ir5ti_ztf-4n5CPPBTSHJcBjRgzONuXdJQjTIxvLrNNOBd3fq-zjo2a2hh8/s1600/29786337788_89d7f4c5a3_b_1.jpg
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/855/29786337788_89d7f4c5a3_b.jpg
https://hiveminer.com/Tags/神的爱
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html


The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible puts it more starkly: "'Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?' And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (Jonah 3:9-10, KJV, emphasis added). The Revised Standard Version (RSV) uses the same word, repent. People can - and should - repent. But can God do the same? Can God repent?

An Unchanging God [1]
Scripture seems to tell us that our God does not change His mind:
  • "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19).
  • "He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind" (1 Samuel 15:29).
  • "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed" (Malachi 3:6).
  • "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Scripture seems to tell us that our God does not change His mind:
PHOTO: Scripture seems to tell us that our God does not change His mind:
"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19).
Picture posted by Diane Pearson, Spiritual Life
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a_OHkbJoKfHXRRYmhzc_zXqUV4-WsNvgKE7q_dpwk5ijU-VWva8lquvoJT_4Tlimit20U7d-BsV2AiqVp1rHmfRUYJCIinRZj8wT79GgodL41TzUQDpxwl84kv4SvniZraMdJdjrjfQ/s1600/doves-clouds-heaven_si.jpg
http://www1.cbn.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_xl_640x480/public/doves-clouds-heaven_si.jpg?itok=HMBE6zg4
http://www1.cbn.com/devotions/are-you-homesick-heaven


Our theological understanding of God also says that He is immutable (without change). This is the reasoning: if God changes, then He cannot be God, because if He changes to a new state or thought, then the implication is that His previous state or thought was not perfect. And how can a God who is already perfect change to something else? Either the new state of God is less perfect, or His previous state was.
Our theological understanding of God also says that He is immutable (without change).

PHOTO: Our theological understanding of God also says that He is immutable (without change). This is the reasoning: if God changes, then He cannot be God, because if He changes to a new state or thought, then the implication is that His previous state or thought was not perfect. And how can a God who is already perfect change to something else? Either the new state of God is less perfect, or His previous state was.
Picture saved by Krystal Birnel to paintings Jésus-Christ
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIFEJmDCE7S0Nz9SLNKTulq8SExuFa3BucFIVfQUj5r779FEPI685YK3-GB56V83f6wc0jDagtocFGGm9tlbKzjd0Wtq4oJ4iSmYXcA1_5hs1_li7xFCAZ_QPKeEVfOnsIkXN7ZNAm4I/s1600/5f3cc3d2b8dfe3ed203031de4dec0cba.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5f/3c/c3/5f3cc3d2b8dfe3ed203031de4dec0cba.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/238901955216550357/


In his now-classic book Knowing God, evangelical theologian J. I. Packer explains how God is unchanging. These characteristics of God do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble: His life (for it is eternal); His character (for He is always holy and loving); His ways (for He does not act out of character); His truth (for His word is eternal truth); His purposes (which are set from eternity); and His Son (who is the same yesterday, today, and forever). All this is true of God, and we must hold on to this truth. Otherwise, we may get the wrong idea of God, and think that He is evolving and changing in response to the world He has created, as some modern process theologians suggest. Or we may get the idea that God is mercurial (unpredictable), and we never can predict how He would relate to us. Such errant understanding of God can lead to the idea that the God of the Old Testament is an unpredictable, temperamental, and vindictive (revengeful) tyrant.


These characteristics of God do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in troublePHOTO: These characteristics of God do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble: His life (for it is eternal); His character (for He is always holy and loving); His ways (for He does not act out of character); His truth (for His word is eternal truth); His purposes (which are set from eternity); and His Son (who is the same yesterday, today, and forever).
Picture saved by sam bandy to jesus
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ASmYS4dpXKftwUBTkKw9ewvD7ZrMqAVVf0fx0AsOFf-WvNeuJdFr2Y30Uwn1OuSCwIdsi8v1ysPdniBbABDIUrRTGwsDf33WjDwikmgAw7JCV0F0_rHoP8MIA_E9g5ontfpYetlxd5g/s1600/f27be89342c38771de5c936571e38650.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/f2/7b/e8/f27be89342c38771de5c936571e38650.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/563935184589021897/


So is Scripture contradicting itself? On one hand, it declares that God is unchanging and does not change His mind. On the other hand it contains passages like these in Jonah 3:10, which tell us that He does change His mind.

Part of the problem may be due to this: we have not thought more deeply about what it means to say that God does not change, and what it means to say that He changes His mind. We need to gain a better understanding of these terms, which will show us that the two statements are not mutually exclusive - they might both be true. Then we will recognise God's greatness and His wonderful way of relating to us.
Part of the problem may be due to this: we have not thought more deeply about what it means to say that God does not change, and what it means to say that He changes His mind.

PHOTO: Part of the problem may be due to this: we have not thought more deeply about what it means to say that God does not change, and what it means to say that He changes His mind. We need to gain a better understanding of these terms, which will show us that the two statements are not mutually exclusive - they might both be true.
Picture saved by Janario Mckinney to life
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq__HcxWP4QK_Wc37hI0LTOGfK4blSP9PUM7QeydE3vpB3CkW8jvTsx0mXb6Xji8EdPLhspiqu0KWldKz_aQ0nafdE73sDyiYjgpB7dcmfFQvEqcW059-ZhzA64BPhDPFehq1Bu5YwJ4/s1600/0ddcd1e98a57ee3781c92bd00ef8aac4.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0d/dc/d1/0ddcd1e98a57ee3781c92bd00ef8aac4.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/683421312183160450/


Recall your own experience and reflect on them.
Our First Love [2]
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40). "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4).
Our First Love

PHOTO: Our First Love
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40). God's commandment remains unchange. It is we who change.
Picture posted by Ellel Ministries - Faithful One So Unchanging
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcjLZegE8ZCFHvL7iPioPoS18nQIgeduzM6mDn16kJPnC0cHVNaemITEE1ZIlySfJ2lN5ZEGrNMgKgTHOXAtzP4y5zKtCjNre75Y9Rp4DUacjBDtZbn7KQy0rXAtbXbs_mqMZBIXqU5E/s1600/loveneighbour.jpg
https://colwynbenefice.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/loveneighbour.jpg
https://colwynbenefice.wordpress.com/reflection/


There's something special about our first love. Usually it's a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby. It holds a special place in our heart. Does the Lord hold that special place? It's easy for us to say "yes", without really thinking this through.
Our first love is usually a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby.

PHOTO: Our first love is usually a person, but it can be almost anything; a car, a sport, a place we always find ourselves returning to, or a hobby. It holds a special place in our heart. Does the Lord hold that special place?
Picture posted by Bob Skiles, State of Texas (retired) on 06 June 2017 - The Denial of Saint Peter (Caravaggio, 1610)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUEeDVono9mSRvfxliIAJKCuZz1VV0hKVOgYs1BXzEd03p7S-BdDcx_nnwsRu_3rD3oKGOpvJmZdW_81SXqKlDsbHSLoYAgHn3lzRHcPIdlu3umU9oTEODHJ8Cenfg_TCJbvIx2Vvxmg/s1600/The_Denial_of_Saint_Peter-Caravaggio_1610_1.png
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bob_Skiles/post/Why_were_the_Disciples_armed/attachment/59d651c379197b80779aa330/AS%3A508907504271360%401498344412725/image/The_Denial_of_Saint_Peter-Caravaggio_%281610%29.jpg
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_were_the_Disciples_armed


The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself. In the letter God inspired John to write to it, there were a lot of things to commend the church. They weren't afraid of hard work. They were very patient, and yet also uncompromising when faced with false teachers. These were all very good things, but the Lord had one thing against them, and it was so significant it threatened to undo all the good. They had left their first love, and, if they didn't repent quickly, God Himself would remove His presence from the church.


The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself.

PHOTO: The Church at Ephesus was founded by Paul, and had many great preachers there, including the Apostle John himself. In the letter God inspired John to write to it, there were a lot of things to commend the church. They weren't afraid of hard work. But the Lord had one thing against them. They had left their first love, and, if they didn't repent quickly, God Himself would remove His presence from the church.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Paul and Barnabas would not let the people worship them
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZykJpHO61k1vELuiV6pIjQKZsFmyTFBAS-6eXCMq7pJLltRJgpl2oRjv2QhUJREXGdVnR6X6EFOqYXB2UevSzGQ-q_72dK3Z_kICbbCuu_XgA8MopMfomEXs0Lzlfs_Vb4bRfOkZ87o/s1600/304_1.jpg
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lr/2003/304 - (304_1.jpg)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102003047


Notice that they hadn't 'lost' their first love. They knew where it was, and what it was. They had just left it. Other things had slowly taken away its pre-eminence in their lives. They were full of good works, and they had much sound doctrine, but the love of God had just got crowded out. It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects). We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.


It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects).
PHOTO:  It happens slowly. It happens insidiously (gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects). We think we need to attend all those church meetings, and we need to spend lots of time preparing sermons and Bible studies. So, we find ourselves busy with 'doing' the works of God, when He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
Picture posted by God's Minute Station Network
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxERJ6fSEo18Q6GU7qz2DG5GorjGj3o-VhgnoAHXZyOyn7dOtCxnN0YTX4OKMe6jhmvL5OxkV7yqOPyJyFKQsq_X6HwWLy93o9aHGnFdAwy6fj5lqGaBuXw3LSw_bruHDGuO8i0Y_uLA/s1600/ninos-jesus.jpg
http://minutodedios.fm/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ninos-jesus.jpg
http://minutodedios.fm/una-imagen-vale-mas-mil-palabras-142/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/11/reflection-challenges-and-hopes-in.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/03/reflection-solution-to-worn-out-lives_26.html
http://veryfatoldman.blogspot.sg/2018/01/reflection-making-sure-you-go-to-jesus.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/01/reflection-making-sure-you-go-to-jesus.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/09/reflection-letting-christ-live-in-us_22.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/09/people-not-saving-enough-for-retirement.html


Or do we allow God to be crowded out by 'me time' on social media, engrossed in TV programmes, or watching sport. I'm not saying those things are bad in themselves, but have we allowed them to crowd Jesus out?

In a 2011 interview with Billy Graham, he said, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd spend more time in meditation and prayer, and just telling the Lord how much I love Him." I find that an amazing and challenging comment. This man had served God in so many ways, preached to hundreds of millions of people, and led untold numbers to Christ. Yet, looking back on a long life, he wished much more of it was spent with Jesus.

In a 2011 interview with Billy Graham, he said, 'If I had to do it all over again, I'd spend more time in meditation and prayer, and just telling the Lord how much I love Him.'

PHOTO: In a 2011 interview with Billy Graham, he said, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd spend more time in meditation and prayer, and just telling the Lord how much I love Him." Looking back on a long life, he wished much more of it was spent with Jesus, instead of allowing too much good works to crowd Jesus out. God hasn't change, He would rather we spent time with Him, just 'being' like a little child talking to Him, and listening to Him.
Artwork by Tim Beasley - Billy Graham (1918-2018, passed away at age 99)
Picture posted by Tim Beasley, Fine Art and Portraits of People, Pets and Places
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDYigCShoaDJ1xD-W64PRpyaNkni4DAomWi4JEsJzoq03rKU3xkHCDuDW7UxQhsF5NMpuVlZskmStiLj6AJL7yX7UQsiqao9Iquj8KynTDjL5fsoeMTJ_pP4rXDbPVq60dvSDHfJJt3Q/s1600/billy-graham-06.jpg
http://timbeasley.net/images/billy-graham-06.jpg
http://timbeasley.net/people-gallery-1.html


Let me take you to Acts 4:13, 'Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognised that they had been with Jesus'. Wow! Don't you wish that were you? I know I wish it were me. The truth is that it can be you and me. The question is, where is our first love? Is Jesus first, last, or somewhere in the middle? Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love. He hasn't moved. He hasn't deserted us. He isn't angry. He's where He's always been, where we left Him, and He's waiting patiently for us. Let's hurry back today. [2]


Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love.

PHOTO: Today, let's begin that journey of returning to our first love. He hasn't moved. He hasn't deserted us. He isn't angry. He's where He's always been, where we left Him, and He's waiting patiently for us. Let's hurry back today.
Picture posted by reddit
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEKOp-bBf0Qp59C32JlMalpycNz_-9-eNsDyQ-dS1PXjbS_W3DR0ebKoGvqiUm8jupJQkKDNZJA5ZedOTpHasUIaRqXlBL1WjR8rQM3QhqLOw1YE0suxABxQ7ehf8_a4jGGn7Xy7CdzU/s1600/39689329_1.png
https://me.me/i/go-ahead-reject-me-my-love-for-you-is-still-fd71003ca09e44a8b96dc5ade5941dac


Dear Lord, we learn that Your holy and loving characteristics do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble.

Dear Lord, we learn that Your holy and loving characteristics do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble.
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we learn that Your holy and loving characteristics do not change, and this truth give us assurance when we are in doubt, and comfort when we are in trouble. You do not act out of these characters for that is Your ways for eternity. Your words are eternal truth, and Your purposes are set for eternity. Your Son, Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Especially when we are in doubt and in trouble, please help us to hold on to this truth and not to get the wrong idea, and think that You are evolving and changing in response to the world. Stop us from such errant understanding which lead us to the idea that You, of the Old Testament is an unpredictable, temperamental, and vindictive tyrant.

Oh Lord, please forgive me for neglecting You, my true first love. You've never left me, but I've left You. I've been caught up in the busyness of doing so much stuff, when in reality only one thing is necessary, and that's spending quality time with You. The rest flows out of that, not the other way round. Please help me to return to You today.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
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Reflection - God 'Repents' - God is unchanging
Question from source (book): "God in Pursuit", Chapter 7, Question 1, Page 99.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

 

Reference
[1] From "God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-1-62707-801-6, Part III: Jonah 3:1-10, Chapter 7 "God 'Repents'", Page 91-95.

[2] Philip Asselin, the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor, Our First Love, https://colwynbenefice.wordpress.com/reflection/

[31] J. I. Packer, Knowing God (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1973), 79-86.


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Samuel 15:29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A29&version=NIV

2 Chronicles 7:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7%3A14&version=NIV

Acts 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+4%3A13&version=NIV

James 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A17&version=NIV

Jonah 3:1-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A1-10&version=NIV

Jonah 3:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A4&version=NIV

Jonah 3:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A9&version=NIV

Jonah 3:9-10, KJV - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A9-10&version=KJV

Jonah 3:9-10, RSV - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A9-10&version=RSV

Jonah 3:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+3%3A10&version=NIV

Malachi 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+3%3A6&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 22:37-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-40&version=NIV

Numbers 23:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+23%3A19&version=NIV

Revelation 2:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+2%3A4&version=NIV
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