From: Bayless Conley Ministries
Job 42:2 "I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be hindered."
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God? The thing you are embroiled in right now did not take God by surprise. He did not look at your situation and say, "Oh no! I didn't figure on that! Gabriel, do you have any suggestions? What are we going to do?"
Over the years of my Christian life, I have come to have great confidence in God's ability to work things out. No matter what is going on or how obscured my understanding of a situation is, I believe God is always working things according to His great sovereign plan. I sometimes get caught up with the temporal things and the stuff that is happening, but God reminds me, "Hey, nothing is taking Me by surprise. I'm weaving all of these things into this great pattern. Your mistakes, the stuff that happens to you, it is all going to turn out alright!"
I know that sometimes in my microscopic view of things I have said, "Lord, such and such has got to happen." And God has replied, "Well, you don't have the big picture." Then, as time went on, God pulled the camera back, and I got the wide view, and I realized God was up to something very cool—totally apart from what I thought "had to happen."
Whatever your situation, you can rest assured that God has plans to work things out. God is working all things after the counsel of His own will. So relax! Even if your present circumstances have totally taken you by surprise, God saw it coming and made provision far ahead of time.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
God Is In Control
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
1 Chronicles 29:11 "Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord … we adore You as being in control of everything."
Why do we worry? Because we try to do what only God can do. We try to control the uncontrollable, explain the unexplainable, do the undoable, stop the unstoppable, fix the unfixable, bear the unbearable; and then we wonder why we are messed up.
God is in control. That may leave you wondering, "If God is in control, why doesn’t He change this, or do that, or make this thing better?" Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know that I trust Him. And I have found time and again that He is trustworthy. This world is not all there is. There is an eternity to come where everything will be made right and just.
God has allowed evil for a time, but it will not be forever. So I’m going to put my trust in Him because He is the only one in control.
In the meantime, what should you do? Jesus says, "Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time." (Matthew 6:34)
This doesn’t mean you don’t plan for the future. You should continue to set goals; in fact the Bible says it’s wise to set goals. But once you set those goals that might guide your direction, then you live one day at a time. If you decide to worry about what is going to happen tomorrow, you’ll miss out on what God wants you to do today.
1 Chronicles 29:11 "Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord … we adore You as being in control of everything."
Why do we worry? Because we try to do what only God can do. We try to control the uncontrollable, explain the unexplainable, do the undoable, stop the unstoppable, fix the unfixable, bear the unbearable; and then we wonder why we are messed up.
God is in control. That may leave you wondering, "If God is in control, why doesn’t He change this, or do that, or make this thing better?" Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know that I trust Him. And I have found time and again that He is trustworthy. This world is not all there is. There is an eternity to come where everything will be made right and just.
God has allowed evil for a time, but it will not be forever. So I’m going to put my trust in Him because He is the only one in control.
In the meantime, what should you do? Jesus says, "Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time." (Matthew 6:34)
This doesn’t mean you don’t plan for the future. You should continue to set goals; in fact the Bible says it’s wise to set goals. But once you set those goals that might guide your direction, then you live one day at a time. If you decide to worry about what is going to happen tomorrow, you’ll miss out on what God wants you to do today.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Comfort In Our Trials
From: BBH Ministries
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in affliction, Your promise that gives me life."
When we feel the despair of sorrow, pain, or loss creeping into our soul and stealing our joy, the last thing that we sometimes feel like doing is sitting down and perusing the Bible. The frustration and grief feel too real, and reading seems too insufficient as a remedy.
But this is the wonder of God's Word — when we are in the midst of affliction, it is only this Book, with its wonderful promises, startling standards, and exalted view of God, that can give us hope and help and healing. This is because God does not avoid the reality of our suffering, but rather infuses it with purpose and meaning. When we see that God is actively at work in His creation, and is molding His people into the image of His Son, then suddenly suffering takes on a silver lining.
May David's comfort be your comfort, dear reader, in the midst of your affliction. May God's Word quicken your crushed and despairing heart. May you see, in the pages of His epistle to you, that His love is just as true and full, His rule is just as good and powerful, and His wisdom is just as perfect and right in our times of affliction as it is in our times of prosperity.
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in affliction, Your promise that gives me life."
When we feel the despair of sorrow, pain, or loss creeping into our soul and stealing our joy, the last thing that we sometimes feel like doing is sitting down and perusing the Bible. The frustration and grief feel too real, and reading seems too insufficient as a remedy.
But this is the wonder of God's Word — when we are in the midst of affliction, it is only this Book, with its wonderful promises, startling standards, and exalted view of God, that can give us hope and help and healing. This is because God does not avoid the reality of our suffering, but rather infuses it with purpose and meaning. When we see that God is actively at work in His creation, and is molding His people into the image of His Son, then suddenly suffering takes on a silver lining.
May David's comfort be your comfort, dear reader, in the midst of your affliction. May God's Word quicken your crushed and despairing heart. May you see, in the pages of His epistle to you, that His love is just as true and full, His rule is just as good and powerful, and His wisdom is just as perfect and right in our times of affliction as it is in our times of prosperity.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nothing Is Too Difficult For Him
From: Joel Osteen Ministries
Psalm 27:13 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
David was going through a tough time when he made the declaration in today’s verse. Things weren’t going his way. But he said in effect, "I’m not worried. I’m not upset. I am confident I will see God’s goodness." In other words, "This situation I’m in may be rough, but that’s not going to steal my vision. That’s not going to cause me to give up on my dreams. I am confident that this year, I will see God’s favor in a new way."
That’s what our attitude needs to be today because what you focus on is what you will see. No matter what the medical report says, no matter what your finances look like, no matter how bad that relationship may seem, be confident that you will see His goodness!
He is the all-powerful, omniscient, Creator of the universe, and He holds you in the palm of His hand. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Take hold of this truth by faith and focus on His goodness today. Allow His peace to settle in your heart and mind as you move forward in His blessing all the days of your life!
Psalm 27:13 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
David was going through a tough time when he made the declaration in today’s verse. Things weren’t going his way. But he said in effect, "I’m not worried. I’m not upset. I am confident I will see God’s goodness." In other words, "This situation I’m in may be rough, but that’s not going to steal my vision. That’s not going to cause me to give up on my dreams. I am confident that this year, I will see God’s favor in a new way."
That’s what our attitude needs to be today because what you focus on is what you will see. No matter what the medical report says, no matter what your finances look like, no matter how bad that relationship may seem, be confident that you will see His goodness!
He is the all-powerful, omniscient, Creator of the universe, and He holds you in the palm of His hand. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Take hold of this truth by faith and focus on His goodness today. Allow His peace to settle in your heart and mind as you move forward in His blessing all the days of your life!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
God's Cameras
From: Joe Gibbs - Game Plan For Life
Proverbs 5:21 "For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths."
It used to just be celebrities who had to live with the possibility that someone could be filming or taking pictures of them at any moment. But today, we're all fairly accustomed to knowing that a camera is likely trained on us at every store entrance, every ATM machine, perhaps even when we're trying to decide whether to run through a yellow light or not.
We're a watched society—which can be troubling when we imagine how far some people could take these surveillance capabilities. But be that as it may, there's an element of this that keeps us accountable. It keeps us honest, keeps us careful of our actions. In fact, it's sort of a reminder that God's cameras are always rolling—that He sees it all, even when no one else is looking. "For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths."
We may not always be happy about that. There are parts of our average day that we'd just as soon keep private. But the fact that He's watching is true just the same. Our job is to live in such a way that this knowledge is more comforting than convicting—to be glad that He "sees what is done in secret" (Matthew 6:6), to know that our desire is to please Him and stay in close fellowship with Him every minute of the day.
Proverbs 5:21 "For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths."
It used to just be celebrities who had to live with the possibility that someone could be filming or taking pictures of them at any moment. But today, we're all fairly accustomed to knowing that a camera is likely trained on us at every store entrance, every ATM machine, perhaps even when we're trying to decide whether to run through a yellow light or not.
We're a watched society—which can be troubling when we imagine how far some people could take these surveillance capabilities. But be that as it may, there's an element of this that keeps us accountable. It keeps us honest, keeps us careful of our actions. In fact, it's sort of a reminder that God's cameras are always rolling—that He sees it all, even when no one else is looking. "For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths."
We may not always be happy about that. There are parts of our average day that we'd just as soon keep private. But the fact that He's watching is true just the same. Our job is to live in such a way that this knowledge is more comforting than convicting—to be glad that He "sees what is done in secret" (Matthew 6:6), to know that our desire is to please Him and stay in close fellowship with Him every minute of the day.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Strength And Encouragement
From: BBH Ministries
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."
It is not uncommon in human experience to run up against things that are bigger than we are, that we simply cannot overcome in our own strength. It is also not uncommon to try to grit our teeth, hunch our backs, and seek to make it through by shear determination. We tell ourselves we can overcome if we just try hard enough. Isn't that what being a good Christian means?
Yet here is the mighty apostle Paul admitting that his strength does not come from himself, or from his own willpower. He is not trying to do it on his own. Rather, he is looking to Jesus Christ for the power and deliverance he needs.
How can you make it through this trial? Through Christ. How can you overcome that temptation or addiction? Through Christ. How can you rise above your grief or depression? Through Christ. There is nothing that you cannot do through the strength that Christ has promised to you. Turn to Him, beloved, and find for yourself the confidence, the joy, the strength that Paul found through Christ.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."
It is not uncommon in human experience to run up against things that are bigger than we are, that we simply cannot overcome in our own strength. It is also not uncommon to try to grit our teeth, hunch our backs, and seek to make it through by shear determination. We tell ourselves we can overcome if we just try hard enough. Isn't that what being a good Christian means?
Yet here is the mighty apostle Paul admitting that his strength does not come from himself, or from his own willpower. He is not trying to do it on his own. Rather, he is looking to Jesus Christ for the power and deliverance he needs.
How can you make it through this trial? Through Christ. How can you overcome that temptation or addiction? Through Christ. How can you rise above your grief or depression? Through Christ. There is nothing that you cannot do through the strength that Christ has promised to you. Turn to Him, beloved, and find for yourself the confidence, the joy, the strength that Paul found through Christ.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
No Reason To Fret Or Fear
From: In Touch Ministries
Philippians 4:6 "Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude."
Stressful situations come in a variety of forms and intensities, and in this earthly existence, we will never be totally free of them. However, the important issue is, what are we going to do with our anxiety? If we let it dominate, fretfulness can become a way of life. But if we believe what the Bible says about God and His care for us, we will experience an awesome liberation from worry.
At times we let ourselves get all worked up and stressed out because we're trying to change something that is beyond our control. Just as no one can add a single day to the length of his life, so there are some situations that we are powerless to alter. (Matthew 6:27) But the sovereign Ruler of the universe loves us and holds everything in His hands—including our stressful and seemingly out-of-control situations. Therefore, we have no reason to fret or fear.
Perhaps the biggest reason we worry is because we don't completely trust the Lord. The Bible is filled with God's promises to provide, but so often we doubt that He will. If you can trust Him for your eternal security, can't you also trust Him for your earthly needs?
Philippians 4:6 "Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude."
Stressful situations come in a variety of forms and intensities, and in this earthly existence, we will never be totally free of them. However, the important issue is, what are we going to do with our anxiety? If we let it dominate, fretfulness can become a way of life. But if we believe what the Bible says about God and His care for us, we will experience an awesome liberation from worry.
At times we let ourselves get all worked up and stressed out because we're trying to change something that is beyond our control. Just as no one can add a single day to the length of his life, so there are some situations that we are powerless to alter. (Matthew 6:27) But the sovereign Ruler of the universe loves us and holds everything in His hands—including our stressful and seemingly out-of-control situations. Therefore, we have no reason to fret or fear.
Perhaps the biggest reason we worry is because we don't completely trust the Lord. The Bible is filled with God's promises to provide, but so often we doubt that He will. If you can trust Him for your eternal security, can't you also trust Him for your earthly needs?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
We Have A Helper
From: In Touch Ministries
John 14:26 "The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you."
Throughout the Old Testament, God's Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell permanently within each believer. Consider what this means: If you're a Christian, God is living inside of you, available to help all through life by providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment.
Obedience to Christ is too difficult for anyone relying on his own strength. And discerning what to do in every situation is far too complicated for a fleshly mind. For some reason, though, Christians often try to live life by depending on their own energy and reasoning. Defeat and failure are unavoidable without His power in our lives.
Do you recognize your need for the Lord? Begin each day confessing your dependence upon Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, and say will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways through you. Watch what almighty God can do.
John 14:26 "The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you."
Throughout the Old Testament, God's Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell permanently within each believer. Consider what this means: If you're a Christian, God is living inside of you, available to help all through life by providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment.
Obedience to Christ is too difficult for anyone relying on his own strength. And discerning what to do in every situation is far too complicated for a fleshly mind. For some reason, though, Christians often try to live life by depending on their own energy and reasoning. Defeat and failure are unavoidable without His power in our lives.
Do you recognize your need for the Lord? Begin each day confessing your dependence upon Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, and say will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways through you. Watch what almighty God can do.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Not Always A Straight Line
From: The Boyd Bailey Ministries
Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long."
Do you find yourself in a wilderness, unsure of your next steps? Are you overcome with doubt and uncertainty? If so, do the next right thing and trust God with the future. Remind yourself of His history of faithfulness to lead you into the very best plan. The timing may not be to your liking, but you can trust the Lord that His timetable is for your best.
If it’s a job transition—let go and let God be in charge—because He is your pilot to navigate your next steps. If it’s relational upheaval—figure God in—and He will figure it out. If you still wallow in anger from past hurt—get over it by God’s grace and forgiveness—and get on with your life. Above all, follow, by faith, your heavenly Father’s gentle leading. Remain in the palm of His protective hand, as you traverse up and down His trusted pathway.
The Lord’s path for His people is not always a straight line from point A to point B. In His wisdom He may allow us to go through the wilderness, before we arrive at the promise land. He knows preparation precedes the blessing of the destination. He desires that we learn to trust in Him—along the way to where He wants us to go.
Lastly, make the Bible your roadmap for righteous living. It is in His holy writ that the Lord lays out clear boundaries as you travel through life. The route of His will involves exit ramps to rest, driving at night with limited vision and occasional car wrecks. But throughout your travels in this life keep an eye on eternity’s prize in the person of Jesus Christ. Keep your faith in Jesus for He will never let you down. Get directions from Him.
Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long."
Do you find yourself in a wilderness, unsure of your next steps? Are you overcome with doubt and uncertainty? If so, do the next right thing and trust God with the future. Remind yourself of His history of faithfulness to lead you into the very best plan. The timing may not be to your liking, but you can trust the Lord that His timetable is for your best.
If it’s a job transition—let go and let God be in charge—because He is your pilot to navigate your next steps. If it’s relational upheaval—figure God in—and He will figure it out. If you still wallow in anger from past hurt—get over it by God’s grace and forgiveness—and get on with your life. Above all, follow, by faith, your heavenly Father’s gentle leading. Remain in the palm of His protective hand, as you traverse up and down His trusted pathway.
The Lord’s path for His people is not always a straight line from point A to point B. In His wisdom He may allow us to go through the wilderness, before we arrive at the promise land. He knows preparation precedes the blessing of the destination. He desires that we learn to trust in Him—along the way to where He wants us to go.
Lastly, make the Bible your roadmap for righteous living. It is in His holy writ that the Lord lays out clear boundaries as you travel through life. The route of His will involves exit ramps to rest, driving at night with limited vision and occasional car wrecks. But throughout your travels in this life keep an eye on eternity’s prize in the person of Jesus Christ. Keep your faith in Jesus for He will never let you down. Get directions from Him.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
It Is Not Negotiable
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman
Psalm 139:1-4 "O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord."
Your purpose in life is chosen by God. It is not negotiable. It is like calling water wet-there is no changing that fact, and there's no changing God's purpose for your life. While you may not fulfill the purpose for which you were made, you still have a purpose that God intends for you to fulfill.
This doesn't mean, however, that there is one highly specific niche for you to fill and that if you miss it, too bad. It is my belief that you can achieve your purpose in many different and creative ways. This should take the pressure off. You won't throw your entire life off course by choosing the wrong college, job or mate. God is much bigger than any miscalculation or disobedience on your part.
Defining your purpose will help you to determine the activities that you should be involved in. Like Jesus, you should not involve yourself in activities that contradict His purpose for your existence. Jesus' purpose was to do the will of the Father and become the salvation for mankind.
Each of us must ask why we are involved in an activity. Is it a God-activity, or just a good activity? Today, take steps to insure you are aligned with your purpose.
Psalm 139:1-4 "O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord."
Your purpose in life is chosen by God. It is not negotiable. It is like calling water wet-there is no changing that fact, and there's no changing God's purpose for your life. While you may not fulfill the purpose for which you were made, you still have a purpose that God intends for you to fulfill.
This doesn't mean, however, that there is one highly specific niche for you to fill and that if you miss it, too bad. It is my belief that you can achieve your purpose in many different and creative ways. This should take the pressure off. You won't throw your entire life off course by choosing the wrong college, job or mate. God is much bigger than any miscalculation or disobedience on your part.
Defining your purpose will help you to determine the activities that you should be involved in. Like Jesus, you should not involve yourself in activities that contradict His purpose for your existence. Jesus' purpose was to do the will of the Father and become the salvation for mankind.
Each of us must ask why we are involved in an activity. Is it a God-activity, or just a good activity? Today, take steps to insure you are aligned with your purpose.
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