Left Hand?

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Matthew 20:21 James and John's mother asks Jesus that her sons will sit next to Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. Jesus tells them that they don't know what they are asking but then goes on to talk about being "baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with" which (martyrdom) He says they will indeed suffer, but that sitting on His right hand or left is not given by Jesus but by the Father who prepares each of us for it (Matthew 20:23)

In doing a word search, being on the right hand is often mentioned. Do a word search with the Blue Letter Bible or E-sword and see what you come up with. It is a very fruitful study. The left hand is where the goats go to in the sheep and goats judgment (Matthew 25:33) so for mom to ask Jesus to give her sons a place on the right and a place on the left....her request was off track right from the start. This reminds me of the saying "he is my right hand man" (someone that is so helpful you cannot do without him).

He goes on to say that these things are decided and prepared by God the Father. We can ask, but the final decision rests with God.

Is God REALLY Sovereign?

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Has God created us for a purpose? Or did He leave everything up to our decisions and chance? That is a question that comes up time and again on message forums, and I must admit that I've joined in the fray many times. Ma alerted me to a conversation at a forum I once was a part of, and I am thankful that I am relieved of the duty to have to wrestle there anymore, lol.

Here is an excerpt posted by Mr. White at the Watcher Meetup Forum:

Did Peter have the free will not to deny Christ trice? Could Peter have done anything other than what the Lord said he was going to do, even if Peter wanted to (and clearly he wanted to)? Is it possible for God to be wrong or make a mistake or is God sovereign over all things? Did Judas have the option of not betraying the Lord? Did Pharaoh have free will to let the children of Israel go out of Egypt (Ex 11:10)? Did Mary have a free will choice to name her Son any name she wanted (Luke 1:31)? Did Paul make a free will choice to accept Jesus as his person savior? Did the Lord say, "For you did not choose me, but I chose you."
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? Is it possible for man to direct his steps (Jer 10:23)?

See the full discussion here

That post sums the power, majesty, and complete sovereignty of God very nicely. What God does in this world, and in our lives, is not left up to our random choices and fallen desires and flimsy ever changing whims of what we think we want. It is in God's perfect and powerful hands to do His will which is perfect.