God Is Ever At Work???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #375

We all deal with everyday life, and sometimes it’s relatively simple; other times it is a mass of uncertainty, confusion and wondering what choices we should make.  I would like to share a couple of passages with you today, for they have ministered to me this week, for I have choices, decisions and ministry opportunities to discern.  How about you, could you use a reminder that God is ever working on our behalf.  I’ll start with a familiar one, but one that we may quote, but often fail to apply to our “right now” situation!

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

 as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

 for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

Oh, how I love this portion of Paul’s letter to the believers at Rome (I love all of Romans—all scripture, in fact!) for he is reminding them that God loves us enough to not only save us but to also be working to make us into the image of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!!!  Amen and amen! For so many years I knew verse 28, but I never realized for so long that there was verse 29!  That’s why contextual and inductive Bible study is such an important part of my life now—don’t miss out on the context!  It really makes a difference!  Paul reminds us that not only is God “for us”, but He has imparted to us the Holy Spirit to intercede for us, to be our helper, our guide and our resident teacher!  Don’t let Satan rob your job in doubt and fear, The Spirit is ever at work on our behalf even when we are uncertain, confused and filled with torment!  Don’t lose sight of this truth that God is ever at work; that even when we’re not sure how to pray, The Spirit is making intercession for us!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

 it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Don’t lose your focus, keep those eyes on the One who saved us by grace—not works!  Keep your heart, mind and eyes on the work of grace that God never stops His continual work in us, that Jesus might be seen in the good work that we walk in; after all God has set our place in eternity and our works are totally from Him and to His glory.  You’re not left to your own devices!  It’s all by His grace unto His glory.  Even as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, for “God so loved the world, that He gave…”

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief,

 that he might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge of God!

how unsearchable are his judgments,

and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:32-36

And one last passage, that I pray will encourage you as much as it did me this week.  It met a need in my heart, and I pray that God will speak to you as well.

“For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

 than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing

whereto I sent it.

12 For ye shall go out with joy,

and be led forth with peace…” Isaiah 55:9-12a

I hope you will take heart in this reminder of God’s faithful work on behalf of His own—to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin!!  God cares!  God is ever working for us!  Are you one of His own?  If not, you can be!  If you are, then fix your eyes on the prize—Jesus–and remember we win.  Won’t you press on with me?  I’m praying for you!

“I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

And just a reminder, if you don’t know Jesus, be listening for His voice—His knock!  Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you from Hell!

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

 if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!