“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV) [Thought questions for Jesus, Provider and Sustainer February 20, 2013] 1. Constantly sustaining. Which is the greater miracle—creating the earth and the cosmos and all its substance or keeping it going? What about the … Continue reading –>
Do you remember that old circus trick? The performer would have about five sticks standing up straight and he’d put a plate on the end of each of the sticks and start it spinning so that the centrifugal force would hold the plate up and on the end of the stick. As long as the … Continue reading –>
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matt. 6:26). Even after Adam and Eve sinned and could no longer enter the Garden, God provided for their immediate physical needs(Gen. 3:21). Sin brought a … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 5:45 and Psalm 65:9-10. How does God act in the creation in order to maintain the creatures that He created? What does this tell us about God’s interest in the created world? We are familiar with sunshine and rain, and scientists have provided explanations for the processes involved in each. Yet, there is more to the … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : God has a purpose and design that He continues to sustain and provide for. [Teaching plan for Jesus, Provider and Sustainer February 18, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Philippians 4:19. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. B. What is … Continue reading –>
Of course, one of the great questions that all believers in a loving God have had to deal with is the question of evil; not just human evil but what is called “natural evil.” That is, when bad things happen in nature (floods, hurricanes, drought, earthquakes, etc.) that cause so much pain and suffering, not … Continue reading –>
Genesis 1:29, 30 show that when God first created living creatures, He provided food for them. Herbs, fruits, and seeds were the food chosen for both humans and animals. Nothing is said of predation or competition for resources. The generous Provider made plenty of food for everyone to partake in without any need for violence. What a … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:16-17. What is the role of Jesus in the ongoing existence of the universe? The implication here is that Jesus continues to sustain the existence of the universe by His power. The universe is not independent; its existence depends on the continuous exercise of divine will. This is a refutation of deism, the … Continue reading –>
Read for This week’s Study: Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17; Job 42; Matt. 5:45; Matt. 6:25-34; Matt. 10:28. Memory Text: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV). God sustains the creation in such regular ways that the universe is sometimes compared to a machine that God left to run on … Continue reading –>
I’m not sure what you call them in your neck of the woods, but where I grew up they were called sticker burs – little globes of pricklies that can cause large amounts of pain to the barefooted and the four-footed. I’ve heard them called sand burs. They’re not like the polite but troublesome burs … Continue reading –>
“I have been warned [1890] that henceforth we shall have a constant contest. Science, so called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other, because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God. These words of Holy Writ were presented to me, ’Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking … Continue reading –>
Prakash was a Maoist terrorist living in the jungles of Asia. Although only in his 20s, he had risen to the position of commander for his political party in his village and the surrounding area. He had been taught to torture or kill anyone who did not follow the teachings of his political party or … Continue reading –>
