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.