From Meet Me in the Meadow, Roy Lessin. Posted 01 Oct 2010
No one is good but One, that is, God. Matthew 19:17 NKJV
Because God is good, everything that comes to us from Him is meant for our benefit. God’s good is the highest good; after His goodness there is no better or best. The Gospel is the “Good News” because it comes to us from God. We are also assured that He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly before Him.
We are told in the Scriptures that God is able to work all things together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. In ways that we may not fully know or understand, God is able to take even the hard and difficult things we go through and use them for the good. Goodness, not evil, will always have the final say in our lives as we trust God to fulfill His purposes for us.
After years of hardships, unfairness, rejection, and isolation, Joseph was able to say, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 NKJV. Joseph understood the goodness of God because he was able to witness the purpose of God fulfilled through all he experienced. The good purpose of God was something much greater than just the life of Joseph, it was to save the lives of the children of Israel and the lives of the Egyptians, in whose land they had come to dwell and grow into a great nation.
Our lives are not just about God being good to us, but also about God using us to extend His goodness to others. We can see this in the lives of people like Corrie Ten Boom and Amy Carmichael. God used the incredible hardships of Corrie Ten Boom for the good purpose of bringing hope, comfort, and encouragement to people all around the world. Amy Carmichael came to understand that God was able to use her pain for the good purpose of ministering, with empathy and compassion, to others who were hurting and going through great suffering.
Whatever you may be going through today, no matter how dark the sky may be, or how deep the valley takes you, be assured that God has not abandoned you, and because He is with you, goodness has not abandoned you…it will follow you all the days of your life, and goodness will prevail in the end.
Today's devotion affirmed my last thoughts last night before I went to bed, about the Yeo family in Labuan, their hardships and loss and how God did a Genesis 50:20 and brought Kong into our lives, my life.
Friday, 1 October 2010
Victory and Rest
"There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God" (Heb. 4:9).
The rest includes victory, "And the Lord gave them rest round about; ...the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand" (Joshua 21:44).
"He will beautify the meek with victory" (Ps. 149:4).
From Streams in the Desert, Devil's Burden
The rest includes victory, "And the Lord gave them rest round about; ...the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand" (Joshua 21:44).
"He will beautify the meek with victory" (Ps. 149:4).
From Streams in the Desert, Devil's Burden
Turning Your Pain Into Purpose
Is God withholding something from your life? If so, it could be that He is preparing you for ministry - a ministry that will turn the bitter areas of your life into a blessing.
What are you still waiting for God to bring about in your life? The accomplishment of a dream? Could His area of withholding be your place of ministry as well?
Here are three principles to help you direct your desperation into a delightful end that will bless others and bring blessing into your life, as well:
1. Realize God Knows What He's Doing in Your Life
Although Nicole was disappointed to be divorced and desperately wanted another man in her life, she realized that she could continue to make mistakes and get into another bad relationship if she insisted on her way. So she chose to trust that God is in control, that He knows what He's doing in her life, and that His timing is far better than hers. God knows what He's doing in your life, too. It's all about trust.
2. Reflect on What God Has Already Given You
Nicole was able to see her blessing among the bitterness: a beautiful daughter that came out of a miserable marriage and a closer relationship with God that she hadn't known before. Focusing on those blessings, she moved forward as a single mom who was determined to make the best of it. What do you have right now that is a blessing in your life? Focus on that and ask God how He wants to use you right now with what you have.
3. Redirect Your Focus onto Others
Instead of continuing to dwell on the fact that she was lonely and lacking, Nicole chose to be a part of a ministry that ended up not only making a difference in others' lives, but hers as well. God has a way of blessing us when we choose to bless others. Look around at other women who may be longing for the same thing you are and ask God "How can I minister to women who are in similar circumstances?"
Are you a woman who is still desperately seeking something? Then, like Nicole, be a woman who desperately seeks God. As you take your desire for fulfillment and lay it at God's feet, He will give you a heart of gratitude for what you have and contentment in your circumstances. And He just may give you a ministry out of it, too.
From Crosswalk, 30 Sept 2010. Cindi McMenamin
What are you still waiting for God to bring about in your life? The accomplishment of a dream? Could His area of withholding be your place of ministry as well?
Here are three principles to help you direct your desperation into a delightful end that will bless others and bring blessing into your life, as well:
1. Realize God Knows What He's Doing in Your Life
Although Nicole was disappointed to be divorced and desperately wanted another man in her life, she realized that she could continue to make mistakes and get into another bad relationship if she insisted on her way. So she chose to trust that God is in control, that He knows what He's doing in her life, and that His timing is far better than hers. God knows what He's doing in your life, too. It's all about trust.
2. Reflect on What God Has Already Given You
Nicole was able to see her blessing among the bitterness: a beautiful daughter that came out of a miserable marriage and a closer relationship with God that she hadn't known before. Focusing on those blessings, she moved forward as a single mom who was determined to make the best of it. What do you have right now that is a blessing in your life? Focus on that and ask God how He wants to use you right now with what you have.
3. Redirect Your Focus onto Others
Instead of continuing to dwell on the fact that she was lonely and lacking, Nicole chose to be a part of a ministry that ended up not only making a difference in others' lives, but hers as well. God has a way of blessing us when we choose to bless others. Look around at other women who may be longing for the same thing you are and ask God "How can I minister to women who are in similar circumstances?"
Are you a woman who is still desperately seeking something? Then, like Nicole, be a woman who desperately seeks God. As you take your desire for fulfillment and lay it at God's feet, He will give you a heart of gratitude for what you have and contentment in your circumstances. And He just may give you a ministry out of it, too.
From Crosswalk, 30 Sept 2010. Cindi McMenamin
Turning Your Pain Into Purpose
Is God withholding something from your life? If so, it could be that He is preparing you for ministry - a ministry that will turn the bitter areas of your life into a blessing.
Waiting to be Born
Waiting To Be Born (from Sound Bites, 30 Sept 2010)
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner
All Heaven Waits
From: Connection! (Devotions for Every Day Life) posted 01 Oct 2010
“All heaven waits with bated breath for saints on earth to pray,
Majestic angels ready stand with swords of fiery blade.
Astounding power awaits a word from God’s resplendent throne.
But God awaits our prayer of faith that cries, “Your will be done!”
Father, Your throne room must be a spectacular place of expectation! Teach me to continually remember that my prayers are a fragrant incense offered to the One I love the most. May I never take the power of prayer for granted, but always expectantly await Your will to be accomplished in the lives and situations for which You lead me to intercede
“All heaven waits with bated breath for saints on earth to pray,
Majestic angels ready stand with swords of fiery blade.
Astounding power awaits a word from God’s resplendent throne.
But God awaits our prayer of faith that cries, “Your will be done!”
Father, Your throne room must be a spectacular place of expectation! Teach me to continually remember that my prayers are a fragrant incense offered to the One I love the most. May I never take the power of prayer for granted, but always expectantly await Your will to be accomplished in the lives and situations for which You lead me to intercede
Enthroned as Intercessor
From: Connection! (Devotions for Every Day Life) Posted 30 Sept 2010
But Christ is the ultimate intercessor not only because He prayed on earth but even more because He continues His intercessory ministry in heaven today. Though Jesus’ “cross work” is complete, his “throne work” goes on. The author of Hebrews reminds us that, “because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. . . . He always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:24–25). Similarly the apostle Paul notes, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
Jesus’ primary task as our enthroned intercessor is not simply to forward our prayer lists on to the Father. It is rather to intercede for the issues on the Father’s heart: His glory, His kingdom, and His will, as well as for our provision, our pardon, and our protection.
But Christ is the ultimate intercessor not only because He prayed on earth but even more because He continues His intercessory ministry in heaven today. Though Jesus’ “cross work” is complete, his “throne work” goes on. The author of Hebrews reminds us that, “because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. . . . He always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:24–25). Similarly the apostle Paul notes, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
Jesus’ primary task as our enthroned intercessor is not simply to forward our prayer lists on to the Father. It is rather to intercede for the issues on the Father’s heart: His glory, His kingdom, and His will, as well as for our provision, our pardon, and our protection.
Promise
Amos 3:8
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
He has turned back your enemy
Encouragement from Doreen:
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (New International Version - UK)
Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
On that day they will say to Jerusalem, Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.
At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honour in every land where they were put to shame.
At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (New International Version - UK)
Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
On that day they will say to Jerusalem, Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.
At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honour in every land where they were put to shame.
At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the LORD.
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