Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to good people? The age old question we will all ask at some time or another. As a nurse this is a question I get asked frequently when someone is ill, especially with cancer. Even those who will otherwise tell me they do not believe in God will ask the question or make a comment, “If there was a God he would not make someone suffer like this.” I have searched and studied for answers to this question. In my life and through my studies the best answer I have comes through the word of God.

Daniel 3:1-30 tells the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegoin in the fiery furnace because they would not worship the image (false God) that the King had made. They only worshiped the one true God. For this the King sent them to the fiery furnace. (See below for the full scripture of Daniel 3). What does this have to do with bad things happening to good people?

In the fiery furnace (trials, trouble, hard times, and sickness) God is with us. When they looked in the furnace that was seven times hotter than normal a fourth man was there that looked like one of the Gods (Jesus was with them!) When we look at our life we think we are here to have fun, enjoy life, do what we want to do and have a good time. We are not looking at life from the heavenly eternal perspective. That is the part I have to remind myself of. From where God sits he made us to be in relationship with Him! He wants all of us to be in relationship with Him for ever!

He is looking at the eternal perspective. Please hear me, I not saying God “gives” us disease and cancer and bad things. I am saying that Satan exists and he tries anything he can to separate us from God. So in sickness and disease and in any manner of bad things that happen here on earth Satan is using evil, trickery, disease and any weakness we have to get a wedge between us as unique individuals an God. God loves each of us as a unique individual and wants a relationship with us in the good and the bad. Some ask why doesn’t God just kill Satan? He will my friends in the end but we are living in the story that is not complete.

So next time you are in a trial, disease, illness, or some bad time comes call on God, call on Jesus, call on the Holy Spirit they will be there with you in the fiery furnace. Not only that but the Bible says that when they (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegoin) they did not even smell like smoke! Remember, it is ok to be afraid, it is ok to be mad, it is ok to feel what ever you feel – God created those feelings and it is no surprise to Him! Remember, God is always with us! He never sleeps so give him your worries and get a good nights rest!

Prayer for today

God in my times of trouble, when I go through that fiery furnace, for me now being still sick with this sinus condition for going into the seventh month be with me. Lord let me be an example to others in how I handle being sick for so long. Lord let me be a beacon to you for eternity. Lord I know that I may never know this side of heaven why some things happen. But Lord I am firm in I believe in you. I believe you love me and I know that I know that I love and believe in you! I know that I am to lead others to you and if this is what is needed to do that then I shall continue to be bothered by this sinus condition to lead others to you. Lord, I will still ask your healing and allow me to feel better and be healed. Lord I know you will always be awake and taking watch over me so I give my trust to you and look forward to the day when I will be 100% well and see you face to face!

Amen God – I love you so very much - Jan

New International Version (NIV) Daniel 3:1-30
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly
tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal
advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Thanks for Katie and Amazima

http://www.amazima.org/katiesbook.html

“Kisses from Katie”
I am giving you the website for this awesome ministry and book.

Lord,
I feel so blessed and I am only about half way through this book, “Kisses from Katie.” Lord, thank you my ears that can hear the audio book!

Lord, I have been inspired, moved to tears, moved to prayer, and in awe of your greatness. Lord, you never cease to amaze me! When I read of how Katie came to work in Uganda, how she has been inspired by you to see that the children get an education and get their basic needs met I am in awe. That a eighteen year old girl would be willing to follow you to Uganda, make such great changes in her life – this truly speaks of your ability to change us if we are willing. Lord this book, “Kisses from Katie,” has so inspired me that I want to thank you for inspiring Katie to write it and share it with us! Lord, Thanks-you for Katie's parents who taught her to love You!

Lord, I pray that you would inspire each of us to follow your urgings to love others and love you.

I hear Katie’s story and am blessed to hear how she loves you in Uganda by loving those hurting, dirty, needy little darlings that you love! Lord, thank you that Katie loves those children for you! Lord give Katie a hedge of protection and ability to do your work. Lord continue to meet her needs on a daily basis. Lord I know her needs are guided by you and the needs of the children of Uganda. Lord inspire others to help meet the needs of this ministry. Lord thank you for the opportunity to partner with her and be a part of your work through prayer and sponsorship of the children of Uganda!

Lord, please continue to help each of us to show someone in our path your love. We (I) may not all be called to go to Uganda, but we are all called to love others in your name. Lord, I know I love you when I care for and love others. Lord, help me to know who I am to love in an extra special way for you. Are there some I need to give food to in your name? Show them to me. Lord, are there those that need clothing in your name? Show them to me. Lord, are there other needs I am to meet? Show me the need.

Lord, I may never meet Katie this side of heaven, but Lord I want to remember her in my prayers to you! Lord, I want to remember the ways she has inspired me! Lord, help others to read her story and be inspired as I have been! God Bless the children that are being impacted by Katie through Amazima (Truth) Ministries.

Thanks God for eyes that can read and ears that can hear the stories of your work around the world! Lord, thank-you for inspiration and blessing from "Kisses from Katie."
Jan

Names of God

Names of God

God, I am so grateful for your influence in my life. I am grateful that you chose to be in close relationship with me and have so very many ways you let yourself be known to me. There have been times when I struggled how to address you. Over time I have come to appreciate the many names you answer to. It seems when I need a friend, I can call you friend. When I need advise, you are counselor. When I am in awe of all you do I am reminded you are creator. Lately, I have been sick and needed a healer; there you were again bringing me healing. Lord, I am so thankful for you comfort, friendship, and counseling. But Lord God most of all I am thankful for being created by you! You are all of these things and more to me!

Amen – God I am so thankful today! Love Jan still your work in progress.

All Ears!

Thanks for Ears that Hear

God I know my body is a gift from you and I thank you for the whole gift! But for today Lord God I just want to especially thank you for ears that hear. I know Lord when you came to earth as a human in your son Jesus you heard. It occurs to me you hear all the time. Now Lord do not take this the wrong way as I know you know everything. So this is the thing God did you ever not hear? Just curious. God I know you hear all our prayers.

But God lately there is much I have not heard. There are many who are deaf permanently, like Grandma T. I lost enough of my hearing that I could not hear myself pee, I had to put the TV volume on 100 now I hear it at 27. I misunderstood things that have been said due to my poor hearing, I could not hear the doorbell, my turn signal, an airplane, birds, the wind, the rain, and so much more. Thing is God much of what I did not hear I have not recognized until my hearing has come back. For example I was drying after my shower and I kept hearing something. I finally figured out it was the sound of the towel on my skin. Marvelous! Such a small thing
gave me a moment of joy.

Lord, thanks so much for the joy of hearing the small thing. But Lord the thing I notice now in retrospect. Now that my hearing is back I noticed that I heard your voice better without my hearing. I believe the reason is the gift of time. I am not one to watch TV all day to begin with and had to concentrate to hear the TV at 100 so I watched it even less than normal. I did not have to be any where so I chose to spend the time in your word. Lord, I have really enjoyed hearing from you through your word. I know I have to spend time with you to hear from you and I had not been doing that much before I got sick.

God, I was always busy doing something. Working. Watching TV. Working. Doing something for church. Working did I mention I think I was working too much? But with all that gone I have been able to spend time in your word, the Bible, and really hear from you! Lord thanks for the gift of hearing – even when it does not take ears to hear! I know now there are many sounds I will
cherish, but there is that still small voice, that nudge from you that comes from reading and studying your word. Lord, as I go back to work help me to continue to use my time wisely to
hear you!

Amen – God I Love You and love hearing from you in the Bible reading! - Jan

Prayer of thanks in Illness

Prayer of thanks in Illness

Lord God,
I know it may seem odd to thank you for illness. But you have told me in Your word, the Bible, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I have never really experienced what that meant. Lord thank you for helping me understand a little better. When I got sick Lord I decided to see this time as a gift from you. This was a very conscious choice in the first week I was off sick. Lord thank you for prompting me during my time of prayer with you to see this illness and the associated time off as a gift from you. It truly has been a gift of time with you!

Lord, thank You for the many things I have learned during this time off from the busy pace of live. Lord I am not saying it was easy, or that I enjoyed every moment of being so ill. You know that is far from the case as You alone have heard my many prayers. Lord God, I also give thanks to You that I am finally getting better and I will be returning to work on Monday. However, Lord I do not want to loose the lessons I have learned.

Lord, I have been struck with this idea of blogging for many weeks. I have struggled with You about posting prayers. Lord, I shall yield and see this too as a gift from You as well. Lord, use these prayers to You to glorify You alone. Lord, use these prayers in God size ways that I can not imagine. Lord, use these prayers to lead others to you. Lord, give me inspiration as I pray
for others and your will in my life. Lord use these prayers to teach others to talk to you through prayer.

Lord God, I know you like humor as you created it and I have to say I think it a little ironic to use the wireless connection with the internet to have the greatest wireless connection of all time prayer and conversation with You Lord God!

Amen – God I Love You and thank you even in illness! - Jan

Most Important Prayer

Lord I know the most important prayer for each of us is the prayer where we ask You God to be Lord of our life! No matter who we are or what we look like God this is the prayer we all must decide to pray to you to have eternal life.

Lord God, you know my heart belongs to You. As I know others will read these prayers on the internet I feel compelled to tell others that they can talk to you anytime, anywhere. They can speak aloud or in their mind alone and you will hear them. Lord, I know from your word, The Bible, that You love all of us (all humans as you made us). Lord I know sin separates all of us from You God. I know we all sin. I know Your word, the Bible in Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us.”

All of us have sinned (especially me) and that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die for forgiveness of sin, all sin, mine and others. I know that the gift of eternal life in heaven is not something we work for, it is not something you give us because we are “good”. The gift of eternal life in heaven is a gift we ask for and you give in forgiveness of our sins. In the Bible in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord; and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Lord, it is my prayer that each day someone will pray to receive you as Lord of their life. Lord I am giving this prayer as an example of how to have that relationship with you first as that is the most important thing:

First Prayer:

Lord God, I know that I have sinned and that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Lord please take away my sins and forgive me. Lord I know I am not perfect and will continue to be a work in progress. Lord take away my sins as I want to have the wonderful life you have planned for me. I want to thank you God for giving me Jesus as my personal savior and Lord Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, share that decision with me and leave a comment, tell a Christian friend. If you are not already attending a church, find a Christian church where you can continue to worship God, and learn to be a Christian. Recognize that God does not make us perfect when we become Christians he forgives us and gives us other Christians to help us to become more like Christ over time.

Amen – God I Love You! - Jan