In All Things

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
(Romans 8:28)

 

Before you act way too typical and say to yourself, 'Oh, I know that one,' and move on -- I urge you to slow down for a minute & actually read that verse, word for word.

It says, In - ALL - things.

We sometimes seem to ignore or "forget" such truths when tragedy strikes. We simply don't want to hear it in those worst moments. But God's word does not change when our emotions change. God is good -- all the time. There's that word again: ALL

When you don't comprehend WHY something 'bad' happened in your life or the life of someone you care about -- remember that God tells us, "In all things."

Then, too, remember this verse, which may help comfort you as well (and again, try not to be typical and simply skim over it saying you 'know that verse'):

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 --

"’For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.’"

 

Despite the tragedies and stresses He allows in our life, He loves us, and is working for the good of all who love Him.

Thank You, Lord.

 

Are You 'All In?'

In the Book of Judges, chapters 19 & 20 the Israelites went up against the Benjaminites. In the 1st 2 battles, the Israelites lost -- even though the leaders had prayed before each battle.

Before the 3rd battle, all, not just some, of the Israelites went up to pray. That's when God gave the Benjaminites over to the Israelites. They won that 3rd battle in such a way that there was not a 4th.

 

More often than not, I believe most of us probably are on the other end of the scale from, "All in." Have you given yourself over to God yet? Truly? He's waiting. Keep in mind, though, that while He is an amazingly patient God, none of us is promised tomorrow.

We so often treat God like He's Santa Claus -- asking, asking, asking. Rather than giving just to get, why not try simply giving, today? Give yourself over fully to God. I believe you'll be amazed at what you get in return, when you're not asking.

Make the choice. Go "All In" today. There's no better time.

 

The Crux Of It

Why, still today, do people not want to believe in the miracles Jesus performed, if nothing else?

Scripture answers this question quite clearly below. Immediately after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, here's what the Holy Bible says happened. John 11:45-48 (MSG) says:

 

"That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. 'What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.'”

 

They admitted Jesus was doing things that could only be from God. "God signs." Yet they feared losing the "power and privilege" they had and desired.

They wanted their power more than they wanted God.

And that's the exact same problem we have this very day. We want our autonomy, our "self" -this and self-that. We want what we want, and we don't like being told what to do or what we should not do.

Most of us are, essentially, 3-year-olds emotionally.

In fact, it's likely you reacted negatively against that statement upon reading it just now. And so we continue to rebel against God.

God is your Father, He is your Daddy -- whether you rebel against Him or not. One day, we will all stand before him and be held accountable for our actions.

Consider making the wise choice today, rather than the typical, emotion-based choice that leads us to rebellion -- just as it did with the religious leaders of Jesus' day.

 

Willfully Choosing Rejection

You know, it just doesn’t get much clearer than this…

John 12:47-50 (MSG) says:

 

“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

 

And yet, as the Holy Bible says, some still will simply not get it, will not have their eyes opened to it. They will remain in darkness, with hardened hearts.

 

A Praise & A Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for letting us know you, those of us that already do. Thank you for those whose eyes you have yet to fully open, as well. Glorify yourself through our lives, Lord, please? Use us to bless others. We thank You for Jesus, and it’s in His name we praise you and pray to you, Father. Amen.

 

My Apology for the Absence -- I'm Back

I hope you'll forgive me. I really am sorry for neglecting this blog.

I have not neglected scripture, just this blog.

Once I finally got on FB, I found it much easier to post each day's insights and scripture to Facebook and began doing that much more. Rather than formatting each post for a blog, I mean. I became lazy is what it boils down to.

But, too, the fact that I quickly gathered hundreds of 'Friends' there, and very few subscribers here thus far, played a part in my changeover as well.

However, I never felt quite right not posting to this blog, which I believe was originally inspired by the Lord as a place for me to share what I love to share: His truth, and insight into it.

So I'm back. I'm going to still be sharing on FB -- but will also be posting regularly here again, too. Much of the same stuff, but while I post little blurbs and big posts on Face Book, I won't be sharing every bit of it here. Much of it, yes -- but not all. Some of it is just a note in passing, or a comment here and there on scripture.

While I'll be posting all the larger pieces here, if you want more, feel free to Friend me on Facebook. It's my personal account, at www.facebook.com/everettgavel.

Now, back to posting on this blog on a regular basis! ;-)