'God working' question

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Nancy

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He is Creator so, I'd imagine He is still creating new and wonderful things that we have never even conceived :) But then, not sure the bible speaks of this.
 
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Charlie24

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)

I think it's safe to say God does many things.

The Scripture says that Satan is walking to and fro the earth seeking whom he may devour.

God is seeking whom He can save from being devoured!

That involves the born-again getting off the backside and in the fight.

I would dare say that God spends the majority of His time baby sitting us in our self thinking, while waiting for us to see the fields white unto harvest!

These times of the Gentiles in which we are living is the time of salvation for the Gentile. That is going to end one day, sooner than we think. Then God turns His focus on His chosen people.

The opportunity to take part in God's #1 focus will end with it!
 

Enoch111

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?
God oversees all of His creation, and even notes when a little sparrow falls. At the same time He is drawing men to Christ, while performing countless miracles of healing every day. Then there is the matter of teaching and guiding and watching over His children. And all that is a lot of work.
 

Aunty Jane

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)
According to my beliefs, God never stopped "working" even after he stopped creating. It was his creative works that he "rested" from.
But in accord with the conclusion of each of the creative "days" God made a declaration as to the success of each completed "day". Creation was divided up into eras (not literal days) where he planned exactly what he would do, and at the conclusion, he was pleased with his efforts thus far.
The 6th day ended with the creation of humans, and he declared it was "very good".

But the 7th day has no conclusion.....no declaration from God as to whether it had achieved what he planned for that "day". We cannot imagine God ever having to say...."that was a disappointment, I didn't get to accomplish what I set out to do".

Now, the scriptures speak about "entering into God's rest" (Hebrews 4:3-4; 6, 9) so we believe that the 7th day has not yet concluded. God set aside the 7th day to 'test drive' creation and iron out any "bugs" that surfaced along the way. Its why inventors make prototypes. When something needs tweaking, they make adjustments until it functions perfectly. God is a purposeful Creator.....not a magician.

If the 7th day was set aside to 'test-drive' free will among the human race, what kinds of things would God need to tweak to make free will a blessing rather than the curse it became?
If the humans had simply followed God's commands and obeyed his directives, the outcome would have been entirely different.

The first rebel, as we know, was not human, so he introduced something into the human psyche that God did not want them to have, (a knowledge of good and evil; meaning that they were to rely on God to tell them what was good and what wasn't. Even today many people still don't know the difference.)....and this created problems that had to be solved successfully before the 7th day ended.

All that God has done to correct the errors made by his free willed children (both in heaven and on earth) without having to withdraw free will altogether, is the "work" that he has been doing all this time. It wasn't that free will was a mistake, but the humans as well as God's spirit sons needed to learn to 'drive it' so that it did not benefit only themselves.....free will had to take into consideration what is best for the other person as well...a balance between the two.

So what have we learned....or should I say who has learned the lesson? Who has succeeded in understanding the reason why God allotted the 7th day to bring problems to the surface and to bring erring mankind back to his original purpose....to have the earth "filled" with people who are always mindful of others and will work towards making peace with everyone. Jehovah is a God of Peace, which is why his son bears the title "Prince of Peace". He is the appointed King of God's Kingdom who will deliver perfected, sinless mankind back to his Father, so that our purpose here can be fulfilled.

Don't we all want to live in paradise conditions forever? I know I do....who said it had to be in heaven? (Revelation 21:2-4)
 
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David H.

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)

A Favorite verse of Mine is Ephesians 2:10 ...
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

He is the Potter we are the clay, take this lump of Clay and make a vessel out of it which is Holy unto the worship and Glory of the LORD.
 

2ndRateMind

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)

Just as Satan and his demons tempt us to evil, so God and His angels tempt us to good. I dare say that is an ongoing project for Him.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
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Space_Karen

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?


Is it fair to say that God's goal for humanity has always been a happy ending where we reach the promised land.

Like the israelites who wandered with Moses in a desert for 40 years.

The biggest obstacle and impediment to us reaching the promised land.

Is the person we see in the mirror everyday.

God's never ending work is striving to save us from our own inaccurate conclusions and misguided choices.

As we often resist and struggle against Him every step of the way.

God's work is that of a Shepherd managing sheep.
 

Dropship

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He is Creator so, I'd imagine He is still creating new and wonderful things that we have never even conceived :) But then, not sure the bible speaks of this.

He might still be tweaking evolution like he's always been doing..:)

"Sorry kiddo, you're on the way out"
rel-jes-dino.jpg
 
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dev553344

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)
He sorts people into paradise or prison. I've heard from one church I attend that he is about the eternal life of man. So I think that is the work.
 
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marks

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)

John 5:17-21 KJV
17) But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18) Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20) For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21) For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

Jesus did what He saw the Father do, so what Jesus did was what the Father does.

Much love!
 
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Aunty Jane

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John 5:17-21 KJV
Sorry to go off topic a bit here, but I am always amazed when people quote the KJV as if it is still the language of the 21st century....
Do any of you speak like that today?
Can you show someone unfamiliar with the Bible any passage from the KJV and have it make a lick of sense?

KJV....
"17) But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18) Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20) For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21) For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."

Seriously.....what is the attraction?
confused0007.gif
The Bible was not written in archaic English, and the purpose of a translation is to convey one language into another so that the readers can easily understand it in their language.....

John 5:17-21 NASB....
17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes."

Which is easier?
confused0036.gif
And why stick to a Bible written in what is now, a dead language?


Jesus did what He saw the Father do, so what Jesus did was what the Father does.
It was really that simple, wasn't it....?
confused0083.gif
 

Marilyn C

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Any thoughts on what type of work God is always doing?

Jesus said- “My Father is always at his work to this very day..” (John 5:17)

Hi Dropship,

I would say some of the things God is doing is -

- Upholding all things by the word of His power. (Heb. 1: 3)
- Building and maturing the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4: 13)
- Protecting Israel from its enemies. (Joel 3: 1 - 3)
- Bringing the nations to His Son`s footstool. for judgment. (Ps. 110: 1)

Marilyn.
 
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2ndRateMind

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...Which is easier?
confused0036.gif
And why stick to a Bible written in what is now, a dead language?



It was really that simple, wasn't it....?
confused0083.gif

You are quite at liberty to use whatever translation you prefer. But I love the KJV for the majesty of it's language and the beauty of it's poetry, and will continue to quote it. And, I might add, it is an important part of our tradition and heritage, and it lives for me.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
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Aunty Jane

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You are quite at liberty to use whatever translation you prefer. But I love the KJV for the majesty of it's language and the beauty of it's poetry, and will continue to quote it.
You too are at liberty to use whatever translation you prefer, but when explaining scripture, you do your readers no favors if they are unfamiliar with a language we no longer speak. Your preference may hinder their understanding....

The principle in 1 Corinthians 14:8-9 comes to mind...(NASB)
"For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air."

Its more about the way people understand what you say or write, than you own personal preference for poetic language that is not so easily understood by others.

And, I might add, it is an important part of our tradition and heritage, and it lives for me.
Who is "our" when you speak of tradition and heritage?
 

2ndRateMind

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You too are at liberty to use whatever translation you prefer, but when explaining scripture, you do your readers no favors if they are unfamiliar with a language we no longer speak. Your preference may hinder their understanding....

The principle in 1 Corinthians 14:8-9 comes to mind...(NASB)
"For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air."

Its more about the way people understand what you say or write, than you own personal preference for poetic language that is not so easily understood by others.

I think most people, familiar with scripture, can make a reasonably accurate guess as to the meaning of passages from the KJV. And if they are not familiar, that is not a fault I can rectify.

Who is "our" when you speak of tradition and heritage?

Widely, the English speaking world. More narrowly, the UK.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 

Aunty Jane

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I think most people, familiar with scripture, can make a reasonably accurate guess as to the meaning of passages from the KJV. And if they are not familiar, that is not a fault I can rectify.
I don't think guesswork should be part of Bible reading or study though....do you?
If I quote a scripture, I like to choose a translation that doesn't need explaining. There are many excellent English Bibles and its a good way to see how a variety of translations render a verse or passage. I like to compare with a concordance.

There are more lurkers than posters on sites like this, so its important to use easily understood speech to those who don't post.
If they didn't understand what is written, they can't ask you to explain.

Widely, the English speaking world. More narrowly, the UK.
Thank you, I didn't notice that you were in the UK....
The KJV served its purpose at the time, but language changes over the centuries and words take on a different meaning.
In order to avoid confusion, a modern English version will state something without ambiguity....especially for those new to the Bible.
 

2ndRateMind

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I don't think guesswork should be part of Bible reading or study though....do you?

Hmmm, whether or not it should be, it most certainly is. Often enough, the Bible (whatever translation) can only hint at eternal truths and leaves us to work out what they are. And, surprise, surprise, we are all apt to arrive at differing conclusions, depending on our background, our knowledge, our experience, and our spiritual stature. The Bible is a light in darkness, not a text book. And I think our differing interpretations are a good thing, for it keeps the faith alive in our conversations. Just take this thread as an example!

Best wishes, 2RM.

PS. I've just realised another reason I like to quote the KJV. When I speak in 'plain English', I am reporting my own opinion. When I quote Scripture from the KJV, I speak with the authority of Scripture. The switch in style, helps, I think, the reader to distinguish between the two.

2RM.
 
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Aunty Jane

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Hmmm, whether or not it should be, it most certainly is. Often enough, the Bible (whatever translation) can only hint at eternal truths and leaves us to work out what they are. And, surprise, surprise, we are all apt to arrive at differing conclusions, depending on our background, our knowledge, our experience, and our spiritual stature. The Bible is a light in darkness, not a text book. And I think our differing interpretations are a good thing, for it keeps the faith alive in our conversations. Just take this thread as an example!
Do you have a "big picture" in your Bible reading? Does the Bible tell you "one story" from Genesis to Revelation? Can you pick up the thread in Genesis and follow it through to Revelation? For me personally that "one story" is how I fit everything in. I used to have bits and pieces but never knew where they belonged in the Bible's narrative. An ongoing study over many years has allowed me to put all the pieces where they fit....perfectly.

What would be the point of God giving everyone a different slant on the meaning of his word? It is the stuff of confusion and argumentation IMO.
 

2ndRateMind

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I do have a big picture, but, I am not ashamed to admit, that picture is equally informed by science, my faith, and my readings around the faith. Scripture, then, for me, is only part of the picture.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
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