Good Can Come from Bad?

 {Read Philippians 1:12-26}

 

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News (Phil. 1:12).

 

When things go wrong in your life, try to remember that often, in some way or another, it happens to all people. The important question is how you react to misfortune, disappointment and frustration. You can become panic-stricken and complain, “This is it; I’ve had it!” You can wallow in self-pity and say, “Just look what happened to me. Why?” Or you could say, “This is a bit of a problem; let me find a way to turn it into something I can use to my advantage, and to the glory of God.”

 

Paul used his exceptional gifts and intelligence to advance the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He traveled far and wide to preach and establish congregations. It was in fact while he was planning more journeys to spread the Good News that disaster struck. He was arrested and locked up. Did this mean it was the end of his mission? Not at all - he started working from prison. He used his time in jail to evangelize the guards and other prisoners and to write letters that help and guide us to this day. What some people saw as a disaster, Paul changed into an opportunity.

 

Do not allow misfortune to ruin you. Find a way to use it to your own advantage. Give it some serious thought and ask God in prayer what He is telling you through your misfortune. It isn’t just a technique of looking for the silver lining to the dark cloud, but must be seen as something God wants you to grab hold of and use to His honor and glory.

 

Holy God, open my eyes to spot the opportunities that You hide in my disappointment. Amen.

When God Speaks

 {Read Jeremiah 31:35-40}

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

“I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jer. 31:37).

The act of speaking has a variety of qualities and authority, depending on who is doing the talking. Some people talk a lot and say nothing - they simply can’t stand keeping quiet. Then there are others who say little, but what they say is regarded as wise and worthwhile. They can make the most profound things seem simple because they are such accomplished communicators.

The Bible creates a deep awareness that God is speaking and that when He speaks He has something very important to say. He spoke to Moses at the burning bush; to Isaiah in the temple; to Samuel in the sanctuary. He spoke forcefully at the birth of Christ when His Word became flesh.

In our Scripture passage for today God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah about a covenant of eternal constancy, trustworthiness and grace. It is as if God is saying, “Listen! This is what I want to say to you. This is My promise and when I make a promise I keep it. You can take My word for it.”

Jesus is God’s Word to us and the entire human race. But sometimes He speaks to you as an individual. He may give an order; or a word of caution and correction. It may be a word of encouragement or comfort, even forgiveness or healing. You cannot force God to speak, but you can be ready to listen when He speaks and then obey Him. Are you ready?

Holy God, make me willing and eager to listen when You speak. Amen.

God’s Constant Faithfulness

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

 

“Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them [Israel] away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Jer. 31:37).

 

Every human has a breaking point. Under a certain amount of pressure you will crack, although the threshold varies from person to person. The interrogation of criminals is meant to “break” people so that they will confess or betray their colleagues. Sometimes it works - then people go back on their loyalties.

 

God didn’t and wouldn’t go back on His covenant to love and care for the people of Israel. No human being can measure the heavens, or fathom the depths of the seas, or tear the cloak of mystery from the universe. Since Jeremiah’s day, science has expanded the limits of human knowledge immensely, but there are still unexplained mysteries and undetermined borders, which God will reveal to us when we get to heaven.

 

Jesus is constant in His commitment to you, no matter how flawed your commitment to Him might be. He will not disappoint you or let you down. You can fully trust Him. He will be the same tomorrow as He was yesterday and He will stand by you today, whatever happens. No matter to what extent the mysteries of creation might elude human understanding, God’s constant faithfulness is no secret and this will never change. Can you say the same about your faithfulness to Him?

 

Faithful God, make me just as constantly faithful to You as You are to me. Amen.

The Lord, the Almighty

The Lord, the Almighty

Monday, January 4, 2016

The LORD appoints the sun to shine by day. He decrees the moon and stars to shine by night. He stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the LORD Almighty is His name (Jer. 31:35 NIV).

 

The most amazing fact in the world is not that God saves, loves and redeems. It is the fact that He is. Compared to this small world of space, time, matter and human beings. He is a God of greatness and majesty, of glory and grace.

 

It was necessary for the Israelites to be reminded of this. They had been conquered by a stronger army and exiled to a miserable existence in a faraway land. There they were forced to serve new masters. It would have been easier for them to give up their faith in God and worship the gods of their Babylonian oppressors; to go with the flow. But Jeremiah confronted them with the fact that their God had always been the Lord, the Almighty; sovereign ruler of the nations and Lord of His entire creation.

 

To this day He is still the Lord, the Almighty. In spite of the increasing confidence of humanity to solve their own problems; in spite of the pressure to be independent of God, they still need God and need to be reminded that He is. There is One who is more important, and rises above the daily realities of money, sex, power and human striving, and saved the human race from their worst misery and misdeeds. He bends down to gain access to your small heart and claim you for Himself. He is the Lord, the Almighty.

 

Lord, the Almighty, I acknowledge You in Your omnipotence and glory. Amen.

Forgive and Forget

Sunday, January 3, 2016

 

“I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins” (Jer. 31:34).

 

A group of high-spirited students once played a prank on the principle of their college. The principle overreacted and the whole business caused quite an upheaval. Lectures were canceled, there was an emergency staff meeting and punishment was meted out. During the course of the day, the students in question decided to apologize, and asked for a meeting with the principle. After listening to their story and apology, the principle answered, “Gentlemen, I accept your apology and there will be no punishment. The incident will be removed from the record books.”

 

We human beings sometimes find it possible to forgive, but we seldom forget. God both forgives and forgets. God made it possible for the people of Israel to start over by forgiving and forgetting their unfaithfulness and disobedience.

 

Jesus offers you the same forgiveness. He is ready and waiting to let you start over with no record of past wrongs. If you turn back to Him, repent, confess and decide to break with your wicked ways, He accepts your confession and says, “I will never even give this another thought.” The record is blank and He puts your sins behind you forever so that you can move on with a clear conscience. You don’t need to feel guilty about anything anymore because you are now in the right relationship with God. You are now free to be a new, mature person “in Christ.”

 

Father God, enable me to follow Your example and to forgive and forget. Amen.

To God the Glory and Praise

·Friday, January 1, 2016

 

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God (Phil. 1:11).

Most of us have a childlike need to be acknowledged, accepted and even hugged now and then. Sometimes it becomes a childish yearning for prominence and fame. Someone said on occasion, “Even the greatest long for a gentle touch.” 

 

When writing to the people of Philippi, Paul showered them with praise and appreciation. They made him happy and were his partners in the gospel. God started a good work in them and they had a special place in his heart. His deepest desire was that they would grow to maturity. Everything they had already achieved and everything that was still to happen through their faith and good works dare not make them proud of their spiritual achievements. Their good qualities could be solely attributed to Christ and the Holy Spirit working in them.

 

Don’t pursue honor and glory for yourself. Don’t strive to see your name prominently displayed when you have done something worthwhile for God. Give God the credit and glory. Be prepared to stand aside and let other people praise God for what He did in and through you. Don’t destroy Christ’s work by your efforts to turn the spotlight on yourself. Thank the Lord that you were able to be involved and give Him all the honor and glory.

 

Lord my God, let the glory always go where it is due: to You. Amen.

Read Philippians 1:1-11

What Is It All About?

     I started out in life so carefree and happy. I was like a little butterfly with beautiful wings and a world of flowers to see. Life seemed wonderful as I looked to the future.
     It didn't take long and my views changed. I realized I had to perform to be accepted. Life seemed like a circus. There were hoops held out far into the future. If I jumped through the rings I received approval. If I didn't--well everybody else did.

     Life became a performance. Leap through the rings; make the football team, or the cheerleading squad, or the honor roll. Go to the right college and get a degree. I did some things I wished I hadn't, but everybody else did them--so--go on and hope to forget. Get a good job and make lots of money. At the right time get married, have the correct amount of children, buy a house--a nice big house, and a better car. I think I'm getting tired. Join a club--jump, jump, jump. Retirement, I have to think about retirement--buy stocks--hit some bumps, go, go, go.
     And suddenly, I stand before the last hoop. But, it isn't round, it's rectangular, and it's in the ground. The grass stops at the ragged edges. Here is where it all ends.
     What happened to me anyway? Life wasn't supposed to be this way. Where is the little butterfly with the beautiful wings? What happened to the flowers? Was I truly happy? What about my soul? Is this what it's all about?
     "God, what happened?"
     "I'm glad you finally asked," God said. "I will take you back and show you what went wrong and what your life could have been, if you would have chosen my way.
     When you were a child, I was with you. All children are in my care. (Matthew 19:13-14) Don't you remember the little butterfly with the beautiful wings?"
     My heart ached as I recalled those happy innocent days--gone, forever gone.
     God continued, "The time came when you became responsible for your decisions. Do you remember that argument you had with your Mom? It made you feel terrible, but you wouldn't admit that you were wrong. You chose to take your own way.
     I tried to stop you. Do you remember when your closest friend died? The lonesome feeling you had--that was me, talking to you. Deep in your heart you knew things weren't right, but you were afraid to change. You were afraid of what your friends would think, so you ignored me, and drifted farther away from me."
     God's voice grew sad. "Do you remember your years in college?"
     "Oh! God, don't remind me. I'm trying to forget those days," I begged.
     Gently, God said, "Forgetting doesn't take care of the sin (Ecclesiastes 12:14) I would have been glad to forgive you if you would have asked--but you never asked. (1 John 1:9) All those times you felt lonely and sad, that was me, calling you, but you didn't listen. Do you remember when you landed that good job? The pay was terrific, but did it do for you what you thought it would? (1 Timothy 6:9) I tried to tell you that contentment comes only from me. For a while you did consider taking my way, but it seemed too hard so you followed your own way. Oh, if only you would have come to me, I would have given you what you were searching for--peace in your heart, peace in your home, and confidence about the future." (Matthew 11:28)
     God continued, "You were so busy. I tried talking to you on those cool beautiful evenings, but you didn't hear. I tried to get your attention during the storms. I thought you might be listening, but you weren't. If only you would have listened, I could have helped you solve those problems between you and your spouse. It would have prevented so many heartaches. (1 Peter 3:7)
     If you would have prayed and asked me for wisdom, I would have helped you to deal with your son. It could be so different now. (Proverbs 29:17) But no, you were too busy, too wise, too big a man to turn to me."
     As God turned away, He said, "You wasted your life on your own selfish whims, and now you are lost forever." And then I felt myself slipping away from God, away . . . away.
     Lost--forever lost! What does it mean? It means being away from God--forever--in a place of torment prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 14:41-42) But, you can change this. If you know things are not right with your life, admit it. Turn to God, repent of your sin, and surrender your will to Him. (Acts 2:37-38) God loves you, and wants to forgive you. (John 3:16) The price has already been paid. (Romans 5:8-11) Jesus died on the cross in your place. He paid the ransom so you could be saved. You can have peace and rest in your heart, and in the end--heaven. (John 14:1-3)
     This is what it is all about.