Time And Chance HAPPEN - Part 1 of A Bunch
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May 18, 2009"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all." (Ecc 9:11) In reading this passage, it seems there are seven things that greatly affect the success you achieve in life. (1) Speed (2) Strength (3) Wisdom (4) Understanding (5) Skill (6) Time (Timing) (7) Chance (Circumstances we neither control nor have foreknowledge of) Time and Chance are what I want to talk about in detail but first, let's cover the first five we are most familiar with... Speed has a lot to do with the ability to move forward, to take action, to not hesitate. It has a lot to do with decisiveness. Not that we should be too quick to decide on things, but those who can rightly decide quickest usually win the prize. Remember the game show, Jeopardy? The person who could decide they knew the answer quickest was given first shot to claim the prize. If their decision was wrong and they had the wrong information, they lost money but if they were both decisive and correct, they won. Years ago I asked the Lord to give me Proverbs like Solomon of old. The very first one He gave me was about decision making. "In the valley of indecision lay the skeletal remains of many a worthy plan." He helped me understand that a lot of folks have great plans, great insights, great inventions, innovations and strategies. Their problem is they have no speed. They are not decisive. They are stuck in the paralysis of analysis. They are so afraid of making a mistake; they make the biggest mistake by never stepping out and trying. Winning in business is often about speed, but speed also kills. (He that makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished. Pr 28:20) There is a difference between reckless speed for the sake of speed and prudent decisiveness. If you want to succeed in life, it may be time to add some velocity to your decision making process. It may be time to add some velocity to your actions. Why are you so hesitant? What are you waiting for? Put some speed in your seed! (your idea, your dream)
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Comments (24) - Post a Comment
I just love your blog.
This was great. Short and to the point. Can't wait for the rest.
-R
Raquel at 12:31pm EDT - May 18, 2009
God is Sovereign and no chance. God is in complete control of even our finite decisions.
More on the Unpredictability of Life. While not denying God's sovereign ordering of human affairs (e.g., 3:1–15; 7:14), the Preacher admits that from a finite, fallible human perspective, many things that occur in the world have the appearance of being the result of pure chance (cf. 9:1–6).
Kern
Kern Pegues at 12:34pm EDT - May 18, 2009
Loved this and just shared it with friends in my direct sales company. Not only did it help me but timely for those I shared it with to. Can't wait for the rest!
Betty at 3:32pm EDT - May 18, 2009
Thank you Raquel, Kern and Betty for taking the time to post. When I get to the end of this series, I will address timing and chance which are the great equalizers or advantage givers.
I live in Florida where a young little girl was kidnapped, raped and buried alive by a despicable deviant. She died. Not for one second do I believe that God controlled that deviants decision as some would suggest.
Michael Q. Pink at 6:38am EDT - May 19, 2009
I agree 100% with you it's impossible for God to be behind evil, He's the giver of life and abundant life at that. God is love and love can't kill it gives!
Betty at 9:47am EDT - May 19, 2009
Betty,
Do not read Acts, or most of the Old Testament then. Also he put it into Judas heart and the Bibles also said it pleasured Him to kill Jesus.
Yes, God is love but He also displays His wrath at times.
Kern
Kern Pegues at 9:58am EDT - May 19, 2009
So sorry that's what you get out of reading the Bible if you study it in the light of the true greek and Hebrew and by asking God to give you revelation into what your reading you understand that there are laws that were laid down from the very creation of everything and there is a law that says sin brings death and because sin is in the earth sometimes innocent people become victims. God is all good the best Father ever and He does not kill kids that would put Him in the catagory of a pscho! He is a just God if people sin and won't turn from it then judgement comes but it comes because of that law thats in action, that's the way it works, now our job as Christians is to intercede for the innocent for their protection. I will just tell you if God was not total love I would not be on this earth today it's because of His grace and mercy I live and He has never given up on me even though I haven't deserved it. I will never lay blame at His feet, He deserves glory and praise for He is a good God and deserves it.
Betty at 10:15am EDT - May 19, 2009
Betty,
You misunderstand. I do not blame God, He is just and right in all that He does. I just said that God does kill and yes He did kill kids when He in Eli’s sons- 1 Samuel 2:22-25-for the Lord desired to put them to death.
In Romans 1: 22-28- three times he doesn’t prevent , but turns over.
Sihon the King of Heshbon- Deuteronomy 2:30
c) Cities Joshua fought- Joshua 11:19-20
Why Psalm 115:3- For our God is in the heavens. He does whatever pleases Him.
Why did He not stop the child in Florida from dying, I do not know but I know He could have with just a spoken word.
Blessings,
Kern
Kern Pegues at 10:26am EDT - May 19, 2009
Kern
It's not good to argue over the Word of God so you pray for me and I'll pray for you and I hope you have the best day ever!
Many Blessings to you,
Betty
Betty at 10:58am EDT - May 19, 2009
Betty,
Not argue, just discussing. :-)
Blessings,
Kern
Kern Pegues at 11:00am EDT - May 19, 2009
Great dialogue! There is a time for everything. If you hesitate the opportunity might be lost. I look forward to the rest of the parts to this message.
In the past 3 years, God has been working in/on me. He has caused a process of Bereanization where I find myself questioning all of my charismaniac teachings in light of His word. It is a lot of work.
I am not a theologian or scholar, just a thick headed engineer. Given the dialogue already posted, how does Deut 32:39 fit into the sovereignity of God, free-will of man discussion? I believe that God is sovereign. Does this preclude the free-will of man?
Deut 32:39 ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
Michael B. at 12:42pm EDT - May 19, 2009
Michael B.
In salvation it does.
Justification
a) This is an act of God and God alone.
b) Romans 9: 6-24
c) John 6:44- No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
d) Ephesians 1: 3-6
e) Ephesians 2:1-10
f) Romans 8:28-30
Sanctification
a) A progressive work of God AND man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives. This too ties back to the grace of God.
b) Hebrews 6:1-4
c) Philippians 1:6
Kern Pegues at 1:13pm EDT - May 19, 2009
Michael B.
We can discuss this further if you want. My email address is kern.pegues@gmail.com
That way we do not tie up Michaels blog.
Kern
Kern Pegues at 1:14pm EDT - May 19, 2009
Michael B;
I believe the sovereignty / free will discussion will continue until He returns and not be satisfactorily answered until then. That passage in Deuteronomy doesn't conflict with free will from what I can see. God killed but he never murdered. In the Hebrew there is a distinct difference. The sixth commandment is Thou shall not murder. It does not read, Thou shall not kill.
Kern pointed out that God killed Eli's kids but this is a half truth. They were not kids. Eli was very old and his sons were laying with women that assembled at the tabernacle. God exercising judgment on that situation is in no way similar to what happened to Jessica, the little girl raped and buried alive here in Florida. To suggest as Kern did, that God was in complete control of that deviants thoughts who did that horrible thing to that little girl is perversion and horribly insulting to our Father. (Thank God for His grace.)
Even to suggest He allowed it as if somehow he stood back allowing it to happen for some higher purpose is not true either.
Blessings all, Michael
Michael Q. Pink at 5:27am EDT - May 20, 2009
Michael,
I do not know why God allows things like what happen to that little girl but I do know that we are all capable of doing just as bad or worse if not for the grace of God. Our sins are just as bad to God as what that man did.
I just know that my God is sovereign over every thing and he everything Satan does has to pass through His hands. Ie Job.
They were his kids.
Sihon the King of Heshbon- Deuteronomy 2:30 \"But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by hin, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day. verse 33 And the Lord our God gave him over to us and we defeated him and his sons and all his people.\"
Daniel 4:34-35 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from
generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing; and
He does according to His will among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay His
hand or say to Him, “What are you doing?”
Blessings
Kern
Kern Pegues at 7:58am EDT - May 20, 2009
Thanks for your message. It lifted me up especially in the realm of proscastination! I need to make a definite decision about venturing out on a business. I have been delaying far too long! I pray that God will give me the strength and boldness to step up and do something! Pl. pray for me also.
Jean Gurupatham at 8:27am EDT - May 21, 2009
One last thing and I mean my last,
I believe the biblical answer to a paralysis of low self-esteem is not high self-esteem, it's sovereign grace. Isaiah 41:14. Jacob cries out to God, “I'm a worm, I'm a maggot, I'm worthless.” This is his prayer to God. Here's God's response, “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
It seems like how God heals, how God restores the heart of Jacob is not to say, “You're not a worm; you're a beautiful butterfly.” But instead, He says, “You are a worm, but I'm your God. I will lead you. I will guide you. I will never forsake you. You are a worm, but I'm here.”
Blessings,
Kern
Kern Pegues at 9:08am EDT - May 21, 2009
Hey Kern;
You are stuck under the law and don't know it. I was a worm but then, just like the worm became a butterfly, Scripture teaches, \"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.\"
But because I know you like the Old Testament as do I, perhaps this prophecy from Ezekiel will help \"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.\"
Bottom line Kern, we were all worms at best, but if we are in Christ we are now a new creation, something that was not true of Isaiah.
Blessings,
Michael
Michael Q. Pink at 9:53am EDT - May 21, 2009
Michael,
Thank you for your input. I am stuck under God's mercy and grace. Jesus said, \"you can do nothing apart from me\" Paul said \"my good acts are as filthy rags to God.\" Paul also said \" I want to do good but do not have the ability to do it\"
Yes, we are a new creation but with a very sinful nature and that new creation will not appear until Jesus returns.
I do thank you for your ministry and I still love you brother even through we disagree on some things.
Kern
Kern Pegues at 10:42am EDT - May 21, 2009
I want to add just one thing to what Michael said. You know I didn't put the value on myself, in and of myself I would not be worthy but because Jesus died for me and paid the highest price that could be paid His own life. He made me valuable, He called me worthy and I cannot call myself anything less I would be saying that the sacrifice made for me wasn't enough. He is at work in me right now teaching me how to live a pure life in an impure world, getting me ready for His return!
Betty at 12:41pm EDT - May 21, 2009
I am thankful for you too Kern. We agree on the essentials and learn from our differences.
Blessings, Michael
Michael Q. Pink at 1:45pm EDT - May 21, 2009
Michael,
Once again Kern is STEALING the message you are trying to share. This blog fell off the path it started on. Instead of us all sharing what we just learned we have to listen to Kern AGAIN with his thoughts. Take it for what it is Michael, this man is always trying to manipulate your teaching. He suck the life out of some beautiful things God has shared with you!
It's like we are in church hearing a wonderful teaching that is helping everyone who is there and suddenly Kern stands up in the middle of the service and starts his own dogma or own preaching on a totally different subject stealing the gift you are trying to give us that came from God.
Kern please go away and stop sucking the life out of this blog.
Scott
SWW at 1:04pm EDT - May 23, 2009
Scott,
Done. I am sorry you feel that way. May God continue to bless you.
Kern
Kern Pegues at 1:26pm EDT - May 23, 2009
Dear Scott and Kern;
Part of the purpose of the blog is to give us a chance to express our views and hopefully grow when we respectfully disagree. While I believe Kern's views have a frequently negative tone that sap the life and hope out of the message at times, his comments have also served to invigorate the discussion and cause growth among us as we dig down to understand why we believe what we believe.
In many respects Kern's comments are like the grain of sand in an oyster. They may be irritating at times but when they are finished their work, a pearl of wisdom is often created. I strive to always separate the message from the messenger. Therefore, while Kern's message usually grates against me, he is my brother in Christ and is welcome to respectfully participate. I would hope that in the future his participation would build up and not just take issue with either the content or the fellow bloggers who I deeply appreciate.
Blessings, Michael
Michael Q. Pink at 2:09pm EDT - May 23, 2009