Tag Archives: Romans 8:28-32

May I Be Like_____??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #387

14 Sunday Sep 2025

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May I Be Like______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #387

May I be yielded to my Lord, allowing Him to work in me to make me more like Him.  God has promised to work in us, to conform us, to shape us and equip us to the work that HE has called us to. We are called to yield to and desire His work to be done in us as we cling to and abide in our vine—Jesus! (See John 15:1-5)

“Search me, O God, 

and know my heart: 

try me, 

and know my thoughts: 

24 And see if there be 

any wicked way in me, 

and lead me 

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

This must be the prayer of our heart, and it will be reflected in the way that we choose to live each day!  As Jesus said in His sermon on the mount (as we call it, yet He taught these things continually).

“No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, 

and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, 

and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

As Paul reminded us, we must not let the things of this world consume, control and direct our lives; and while that sounds easy to say, I understand that it is a daily battle, and I fight it just like you do!  But the thing I want us to understand is that it is a winnable battle!  The things of this world will continually try to distract, disable and disarm our testimony for Jesus!  We are called to stand fast “in the evil day”!  And believe me my friends, the “evil day” is here!  What will you do?  Serve God or the world?

Jesus gave the Apostles instructions about the work that would be ahead of them when He talked with them after the resurrection.  What He said to them is basic but absolutely essential to our comprehension of and adherence to the Gospel and, as Paul said, not being “ashamed of the gospel”!  We are called by Jesus to stick to the biblical gospel—not water it down to reach a people who don’t want to hear the truth.  Only Jesus saves—ever has—ever will!

“And he said unto them, 

These are the words which I spake unto you, 

while I was yet with you, 

that all things must be fulfilled, 

which were written in the law of Moses, 

and in the prophets, and in the psalms, 

concerning me. 

45 Then opened he their understanding, 

that they might understand the scriptures, 

46 And said unto them, 

Thus it is written, 

and thus it behoved Christ 

to suffer, 

and to rise from the dead the third day: 

47 And that repentance 

    and remission of sins 

should be preached in his name 

among all nations, 

beginning at Jerusalem. 

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.”  Luke 24:44-48

We have been called to share “repentance and remission of sins” to all nations!  Don’t miss what Jesus is saying, salvation can’t come when we are not willing to see sin as sin, repent of our own sin (not anyone else’s), and seek the forgiveness that only Jesus can give to remit our sins to the blood that HE has already shed for sin!  Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 15.  Let’s look at it.  (See Colossians 1:12-14)

“For I delivered unto you first of all 

that which I also received, 

how that Christ died for our sins 

according to the scriptures; 

4 And that he was buried, 

and that he rose again the third day 

according to the scriptures: 

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, 

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Until we see our sin and understand that only Jesus can save, we have no hope.  Only God can save us, and when He sends the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin, we are being drawn to The Lord who saves, through His blood, don’t miss His voice!

“No man can come to me, 

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up 

at the last day.”  John 6:44

And:

“All that the Father giveth me 

shall come to me; 

and him that cometh to me 

I will in no wise cast out. 

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me. 

39 And this is the Father’s will 

which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me 

I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again at the last day.”  John 6:37-39

This is what Jesus came to do, even as the angel revealed to Joseph at the beginning announcements of the birth of our Savior.

“And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name JESUS: 

for he shall save his people 

from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

And in closing, who or what are you seeking to be like?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test.  But aside from the test, the blessings that we have IN JESUS are immeasurable!  The blessings of God are beyond measure.  Are you pursuing His blessings, grace and provision, or are you doing your best to be like this hell-bent world.  Please choose wisely, I’m praying for you!  (And please take time to read all of Romans chapter 8—it can bless your soul!) May you join me in praying, Lord, I want to be like you?

“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? 

32 He that spared not his own Son, 

but delivered him up for us all, 

how shall he not with him also 

freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28-32

To God be the glory—great things HE has done—He is doing—He will do!  Jesus is coming again soon, my prayer is that you will be ready.

Amen and Amen

Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Born Again, Looking Unto Jesus, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Remember, Renewing or Reviewing, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

I have what will probably be a short post for today as we’ve been out several times today in the heat and it is treacherous!  I’m hot and tired, but I have a few things I’d like to share this evening for your consideration.  A word that I hope will challenge and encourage each of us to ‘examine’ ourselves before God and be sure that we know whose we are, and what we’ve been called to be and do (if we’ve answered God’s call to salvation)!

As the title implies, I want us to consider the difference between ‘recycling’ and ‘Revival’!  I like to recycle and yet it is often hard to find places to recycle items that need recycling. We often try to apply ‘recycling’ principles to our spiritual life; we want to ‘try over’, ‘try harder’, as a once popular quote implied, putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t’ change the pig!  We often apply these kinds of ideas to life–we don’t want to face God the way we are, yet we don’t really want to live HIS way.  We don’t want to face our sin, we just want to justify it, clean it up, call it something else, or convince ourselves that “everyone else is doing it” so that makes it OK!  God has a different perspective–and revival and recycling are two very different things.  When we sing “Revive Us Again”, we need to understand that revival can only come to people who have ‘come to life’ IN Jesus.

Paul paints an amazing (yet often offensive) truth about sin and life.  I’d like us to consider this truth today.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

To begin with, “quickened” means to make alive, and the only way for us to have spiritual life is to be “born again” so that we have Jesus’ life IN us (being “born again” is referring to “life” from Jesus, in Jesus, and through HIS blood sacrifice).

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but

of God.”  John 1:12-13

And as John went on to record the very words of our Lord, I’d like to simply compile some truths from various portions of scripture.

“….Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3

“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God”. John 3:5

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10-11

One of Jesus’ most profound statements of “truth” is that “life” is found only in HIM, and from ‘the beginning’, all life came from God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”   John 14:6

“All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.    

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.”  John 1:3-4

 So, let’s consider what we have observed; Paul makes it clear to the Ephesian believers that their “new” life came from Jesus, because we were all “dead in sins” until God, through Jesus “when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;”.  We were “dead” in sin, and only Jesus can and will give “new life”!  According to John 1, we see that we can’t work up this “new life”–we can’t inherit it by DNA–we can’t work it up by our “will”–and we can’t receive it because someone else “worked it up” for us!  Only Jesus can give LIFE!  And only those who have life can be ‘revived’!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?”  Psalm 85:6

Jesus gives us new life, for the merciful God of the universe “gave HIS only begotten Son” that by HIS sacrifice we could have “Life” –real life, abundant life, eternal life!  And HE will revive us when we stumble, because He is ever working to conform us into the image of Jesus!  Oh, what a delight to know that The God of the universe is ever working in/on me.  He’s not recycling sin–but making us into the “image of HIS SON”!

“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.”  Romans 8:28-30

Are you settling for ‘recycling’ or are you pursuing God’s purposes and revival so that we can experience a move of God among HIS own, and then to see the lost affected by the work of God in HIS own! We can see lives changed and transformed by the power of Jesus’ blood and the work of The Word of God!  Not “BY” works, but unto good works, that Jesus might be seen IN US!  Remember we are in a battle, and we must “suit up” to be prepared!

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.”   Ephesians 6:11-13

Suit up my friends, we need revival not just recycling!  May Jesus Christ be praised by our living for HIM–revived, renewed and equipped for the battle.  Remember, we win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Hope IS Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

11 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Encouragement, Glory of God, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's got you and me!, God's love, God's provision, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, Gospel, He IS Alive!, HE who began it will complete it!, Holy Living, HOPE, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, It's All About The Cross, Look UP, Look up and Praise The Lord, Now is the time...., Press ON!

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Hope IS Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

….6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them

that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Faith by the biblical definition says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for”, yet it isn’t just vain “wishing” but it IS “the evidence of things not seen”!  I didn’t see the resurrection of my Lord Jesus, but I trust to the word of God and the witness and testimony of those who did see HIM.  And why would I do that?  Because the Word is of God a precious love letter to those who will receive it; and through that Word, receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives.

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach

the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith,

Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then

faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”   Romans 10:13-17

(Just a side note, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21–not entertainment, or gimmicks, or programs but PREACHING of the GOSPEL, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

I heard that voice speaking to my heart some 50 years ago, and responded in repentance of MY sin (yes, a church-member but lost!), and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin, and received the forgiveness that Jesus paid for at Calvary, and HE has never failed me to this day, and HIS WORD has never missed a beat of truth as I have learned to lean upon it, to trust its advice, wisdom, direction and HOPE for today and tomorrow (however many of them I have), yet my call is to live in the ‘today’s’ with gratitude for yesterday and pressing on today (regardless of its circumstances– remembering that God orders my steps!) knowing that God is The Sovereign God over all!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

I press on with this prayer of the psalmist in my heart (but remember if you don’t put The Word ‘in’–“member it” — you won’t “re”member it)!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,

because they keep not thy law.”   Psalm 119:133-136

Jesus Himself reminded us that HE came to give us life–real life–with hope in The One who not only created us but gives us joyous life, no matter our circumstances; and while HE didn’t promise that our circumstances would always be pleasant, HE is faithful to be with us to work them for our good, and HIS glory!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Paul said it amazingly:

“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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

Yet there is even more encouragement in the close of chapter 8!

“For I am persuaded, that

neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                  Romans 8:38-39

There is so much more that I could share about the assurance of hope that we have in Jesus, but I simply want to close with one of my favorite verses of assurance that lights my hope anew again and again.  May Jesus comfort your heart today with HIS truth no matter the battles that you may be facing, the discouragement that may be haunting your soul, or the uncertainty of life’s issues coming at you–remember that Jesus knows, Jesus cares, and Jesus will provide the perfect provision!  I pray that you will find the same comfort, encouragement, and hope that I find in HIM no matter how I “feel” –God works on truth and certainty and feelings change with the wind (and in Oklahoma we know all about the ‘wind’) so look up, walk forward in faith, and cling to HIS WORD not those ‘feelings’!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear what man

shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

I pray blessings of hope and encouragement on your heart and life today.

Amen and Amen!!!

What Greater Joy??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 24

12 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?, The Things of God, The Word, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Truth, Truth is True, Words Matter

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What Greater Joy???         Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 24

“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius,

whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things

that thou mayest prosper and be in health,

even as thy soul prospereth.

3 For I rejoiced greatly,

when the brethren came and testified

of the truth that is in thee,

even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy

than to hear

that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:1-4

While I know this sounds like a strange Christmas message, I wanted to take this time to remind each of us (myself at the top of that list!) that Jesus IS TRUTH! Why does that matter?  Because if we aren’t walking in Jesus–IN TRUTH–then we aren’t walking the way that God would have us to walk.  It was Jesus’ prayer for His own before He left this world, along with His declaration in John 14, that HE IS TRUTH!  And truth is not only important–it is vital to LIFE!

“I have given them thy word;

and the world hath hated them,

because they are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not

that thou shouldest take them out of the world,

but that thou shouldest

keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them

through thy truth:

thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world,

even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes

I sanctify myself,

that they also might be sanctified

through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father, art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.”  John 17:14-21

(or as I just wrote ‘accidentally’–JESUS 17:14-21, as this is His High Priestly prayer for His disciples, but also for you and me who follow Him!)

Why the focus on “truth”?  Because contrary to popular belief, truth IS NOT subjective to man’s whims, but God has set truth in HIS Word, and HIS Son, whose incarnation we are celebrating at this time of year.  Jesus IS truth and it’s what He has called us to walk in–with HIM, for HE IS truth!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Not to oversimplify, but if we claim the name of Jesus and walk in anything other than the “truth” we are being hypocritical!  Yet, how can we walk in the “truth” if we don’t know “truth”, Jesus Himself?  We can’t!  Truth isn’t just a set of facts, although it includes facts, but it is founded in and based on the ultimate expression of “the truth” —JESUS!  So, I think the question becomes rather simple; do I know truth?  Do I know Jesus, and if I do, I need to know HIS Word so I can walk obediently with Him, and see God work that Word into me! (See Phil. 2:5-12)

“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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

And just as amazingly, Paul reminds us of the assurance, power, and authority we have IN Him, and IN His Word when we walk according to its precepts and truth!  May we take some time during this celebration and exam ourselves and see how our lives align to the life that Jesus has empowered us to live according to The Word of God.  For remember, IN JESUS, we WIN!!

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed

all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                   Romans 8:33-39

Yet, there are a few other thoughts that I’d like to share for our consideration; Jesus told us that it wouldn’t be easy to follow Him, just as it wasn’t easy for Him to walk this earth and proclaim God’s truth to people who didn’t want to hear it!  He calls us to stand fast in this “evil day”!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

And praise God we don’t have to do it on our own, don’t even try!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5. AMEN!!!

Thankful For HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04

15 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Comfort, Confidence, Dependence, Follow Jesus, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, TODAY, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04   Thankful For HIS Care???

 

Today I’d like to share a bit of personal testimony as well as God’s Word; sometimes knowing that others are or have been in the same boat as we have been is a help and an encouragement.  I pray that we can encourage one another!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able

to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul was sending this second letter to the believers at Corinth to encourage them after his first letter and their response of obedience to his instructions in a most difficult situation.  He was also reminding them that he had suffered trials and difficulties himself, and he is reminding them as well as us, that we are to be an encouragement to one another as we all face difficulties in life, and God can and will use all our trials to minister to others along with ourselves.  God’s comfort and provision isn’t to be “hoarded” but shared for God’s glory, our growth and good as well as good for others.

I have wrestled with a lot of life changes and challenges of late, and while it is just that “a challenge” to know what, when, where, or how to respond to the issues that we deal with almost daily, and to maintain a godly, kind, and honest demeanor to the things that seem to assail us with a vengeance.  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers to remember how God had comforted them, and to realize that our experiences are sent and/or permitted by God for our good and HIS glory!  In fact, it brought me to a new understanding of another passage about God’s sovereign work in our lives.

“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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up

for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28-32

Even as Paul states in verse 26, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”, we can have absolute confidence in God’s work in our lives, and the overflow of HIS work into the lives of others, if we will but trust HIM in all things and obey as we see HIS direction and hear HIS Spirit speaking to our heart and mind—and as we feast on HIS Word!  Just as it says above, the Holy Spirit is ever working in my life and yours, in fact in the lives of every born-again believer—working in us and helping us to know how to walk “according to the will of God”!

Oh, how grateful I am that I don’t have to depend on my own wisdom, for sometimes it is in pretty short supply, but God is never delinquent to supply HIS wisdom to all who will “ask…seek… (and)… knock”!

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.”  James 1:5-7

Paul also gives us insight into the wisdom that we are to seek.  But remember that “godly wisdom” isn’t always welcome, but it is where we must stand by HIS power, grace, and provision—trusting the consequences to our Father and Lord!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us

which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy

the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Paul goes on to share even more about the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.  Oh, that we would learn to recognize the difference!

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you

seemeth to be wise in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,

that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men.

For all things are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

I want you to know that as I face the difficulties that come my way, my greatest resource is Jesus Christ my Lord!  I go to HIM in prayer continually, seeking to know how HE wants me to respond in every situation, and going to HIS WORD as the standard for all things.  The Word of God is the standard that God has set, and if we don’t know what it says, we won’t know what God expects.  When I know HIS Word, I will find the confidence and power to run to Jesus instead of the world!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

I pray that this will help you today and encourage your heart to press on with the greatest Lord and friend, Jesus!  For remember, we win!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.”  John 14:1-4

And if you don’t know Jesus today, you can come to Him today by repenting of your sin, and trusting to HIS substitutionary (He took our place), atoning sacrifice (He paid our debt) for your sin (The problem we all have and cannot cure.), and receive HIS gift of eternal life.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!