What the Enemy Meant for Evil…

The disciples of Jesus were to know the tragedies of tragedies soon, for it is taught that it was on the Wednesday of Holy Week when our Lord was officially betrayed by one of His own. A disciple, Judas Iscariot, called to walk alongside Him for the past three years, turned on Jesus and sold Him for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it for good. We’ve all heard it quoted before, and may have even made it our declaration at times.  It comes from the book of Genesis, where Joseph declares the same thing due to the previous actions of his brothers after they feared retaliation for selling him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28; 50:20).

Little did Joseph’s brothers or Judas know that the pain they would cause would eventually lead to a glorious future. While silver was exchanged from hand to hand, the setup to have a life exchanged for life was underway (compare John 11:50). Joseph was set up to save a people from famine and preserve a posterity for God’s people in this world. Jesus was set up for the saving of souls for all eternity, preserving a people for God’s Kingdom to come.

Rest assured, no matter what the tragedy may be, God always has the final say. In that, it is His plan that will prosper and win. The enemy may come at people in a myriad of ways, but everything must be filtered through the hands and plan of God. Just ask Job (see Job 1-2). In the end, we see God always has the last word in the matter (see Job 42:1-10).

Friend, not many of us are called to carry the burden of Joseph or Job. And none of us will ever know what it is to bear the burden of Jesus. But one thing we can be assured of is that if God had a plan for the pain they experienced, whatever tragedy one may face, God can make the painful produce something advantageous for us as well.

Take time through this Easter Week to remember all the Lord has done to secure your salvation. We are blessed because He was betrayed. We receive new life because His was taken away. And one day, we will rise because HE IS RISEN.

Nobody can flip the script like God can! What the enemy meant for evil, God can work it for our good. Because of what Christ has done for us, our hope for a better future will never be lost.

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20

“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.” Romans 8:28

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

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Living Beautifully

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…” Ecclesiastes 3:11

There is a time, a place, and a season for all things, Ecclesiastes 3 tells us. The scope of one’s life and days travels down many pathways. Although some paths may be littered with the less-than-beautiful side of life, it is on this walk where our living is carried out.

How appropriate in times of loss to find tears? And for times of gladness are we met with rejoicing? It is all a part of this wonderful life we live.

Every part may not bring fond memories or the fulfillment of future dreams, but living life beautifully says I trust God even when I do not understand all the paths upon which my feet stand. Whether the heart is in sadness and sorrow, or lifted in jubilation and joy – wherever and whatever part of life I am living, Lord, help me to know that this is just a little piece of the bigger picture You have in store for me and it is all beautiful in its time.

The varied seasons of life will come and go, but God’s sovereign plan and hand are steady and faithful through them all. He is the one who takes the not-so-beautiful and the beautiful and makes all of them work together for good (Romans 8:28).

Blessings~

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Be Patient | Words to Live By

When it doesn’t go your way… be patient.

When it doesn’t fall into place as you imagined… be patient.

When it doesn’t seem fair… be patient.

“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.” Romans 8:28

Everything that is not like God will fade away, but you who endure to the end and remain patiently in hope, will see the reward of your perseverance. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7

In the Good and the Bad

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

Let’s talk about bad days because we all have them.  Bad days are like clouds that block out the sun.  When they move in, they overshadow the beauty around them.  If they hang around long enough, the dreariness accompanying them can settle in your surroundings, obscuring your view, and warping your perspective.

People tend to shift their perspectives based on experience.  Experience can be subjective due to knowledge and/or feelings.  In all, it is easy for one to think or feel a certain way regardless of what the actual fact says.

Here’s what is true for the Christian, if the Bible says something, then that’s a fact.  With that as our springboard, let’s unpack Ecclesiastes 7:14 to gain a better understanding of whatever kind of day, the season of life, or challenges you may be facing.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider.”  Know this, we will have both good days and bad days.  Yet, we are always surprised when our good days are interrupted by the bad.  Part of that comes with the shock and awe of the adverse moment.  And it’s not as if we are totally divorcing ourselves from all the feelings we feel when facing difficulties, but we are also to realize that this is a part of life.  Peter writes, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12).  Some days, hard stuff will happen, if for no other reason than we are living.  We are alive.  In that, our experiences in the ups and downs of life may vary from day to day.

Ecclesiastes tells how to handle those variances: in the good days, when everything is fine and prosperous, going your way – rejoice.  Be “joyful!”  Be thankful for those moments.  Live with an appreciative heart in gratitude for them.

And in the bad, when things don’t look so rosy – those days you want to hide from the world, he says to “consider.”  There are fewer things in life that will slow you down and give you a long pause to reflect, like adversity.  It provides a place to mull over some things and to deeply think about this life and the many facets it brings.

The word consider is used in a specific way in this verse that I will deal with in more depth when we get to the next section.  But to know for a fact that both experiences of good days and bad days are just a part of our human living, can be almost liberating.  In that, it allows us to prepare our hearts and our responses in how we want to act for either/or during those times, even if we sometimes do it imperfectly. 

“God also hath set the one over against the other.”  God is sovereign over any and all days.  One of the things we like to say is that a situation may have taken us by surprise, but it sure didn’t take God by surprise.  And that’s so true!  I can write a book on the verses of Him ordering the days, and times, and seasons – oh wait, they already did that.  It’s called the Bible, and in it, we see from the first page to the last, God’s sovereign hand moving.  In the middle, there are a lot of lives, with a lot of stories – some good, and some not so good.  But our God, who Ecclesiastes 7:14 assures us regarding these differences of days, “hath set the one over against the other.”

Our God, who is the Creator of the world, is the Creator of our days.  And even when the days don’t look right or feel right to us, we have this promise: “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” (Romans 8:28). 

Did you see what I saw in that verse?  Even if it doesn’t appear good to us, God is able to make something good out of that experience.  It doesn’t say that everything that happens to us is good, but whatever happens, God can use it for good.

“To the end that man should find nothing after him.”  You never know what’s ahead, so strive to thrive in all seasons and days you experience.  Life is a gift, and while we may not like some of the things and days we face, and we may wish they were all full of joy and celebrating, we can remain in hope in our God who has never failed.

The children of Israel experienced many days of a time of prolonged captivity under the rule of their enemy when they thought it would never get better.  Because of what they were experiencing, some struggled with the picture of their future God provided through the prophet Jeremiah when he said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

My friends, when the days are good, we claim to see the hand of the Lord moving in all kinds of ways in our lives.  But when approached by the bad, we fail to realize He’s still there, and no matter what we are facing, good or bad, our reliance, dependence, and hope are securely anchored in God alone and in what He can do and has done for us – not in ourselves, our present circumstances, or experiences. 

And while we may struggle to see the end, our trust is to always be in the God who knows the end.

Purpose in the Struggle | Another Look at the Hardships Faced in Our Christian Journey

Why, we may wonder, why God does not just remove every obstacle and resistance to our faith?  Why in this journey must we fight?  Why must we strive against adversity in reaching where we are aiming to be?

Can a faith that is not exercised truly be called faith?  For if the road traveled is always smooth and the pathways are always leveled plains, how then will we ever learn to climb?  How will we learn to exert our muscles and pull our weight to mount upon the top? 

More strength only comes by using more strength.  More faith only comes by being forced to use more faith.  We can only learn to climb by experience.  We can only learn to push ahead by continuing to push ahead.  We can only learn to fight by being made to fight.

There are things that God knows His people will only learn by going through them.  That’s why Judges 3:2 says, “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;”. 

When choosing multiple services in life we tend to want to choose those with experience.  Take getting a simple hair cut for example.  We want those who have had plenty of practice perfecting their skill before attempting to put scissors near our heads which could alter the way we look for good or for bad.

God has many plans and purposes for His people but what we fail to see or have the patience for is the seasoning of the saint, the molding and perfecting that goes on behind the scenes.

I guarantee no one whom you have read about or seen doing great exploits for the Lord, just fell into that role ready to go.  There was some teaching.  There was some humbling.  There was some learning along the way.  It may have been behind closed doors and away from the eyes of the public, but God takes the time to make sure His vessels are properly prepared to go forth and hold all the potential and purposes He has for them.

The children of Israel might have been concerned as to why certain enemies were left in the neighboring surroundings.  By them, God was testing His people.  By them, God was teaching those to war who had never known war before.  God was causing faith muscles to be exercised.  He was training hearts to not focus on what they see in the enemy but on what they know about their God.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Peter 4:12).  There is no struggle or contention that does not come without a purpose.  Though it may not be pleasant it is plentifully seasoning your walk with the Lord.  Like the children of Israel, it is teaching your hands to war.

One can never be a good soldier without ever facing contentions.  One can never learn to fight unless they have been made to fight.  One can never learn to pray in earnest if they never had that petition that would draw them to the knee with fervency.  And one could never learn to seek and lean on Him if their heart were never stirred to do so through the challenges faced.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6-7).  It may not always feel like it, and it may not always feel good, but there is purpose in the hardships we face, especially when it comes to our faith which is found more praiseworthy in the eyes of Christ than gold that will perish.

Sometimes we may not understand everything and we may ask, “Why?”  But as we journey, may our eyes never leave Him who promised and is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).  Take heart, dear friend.  Through it all, at the end of our Christian race, we may look back and see the fruit those hard times produced, and we may see the purpose in the struggles.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“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.” (Romans 8:28).

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

The Cup, the Kiss, and the Kingdom

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“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,” Romans 8:28.  How many times have we reflected upon or claimed that verse over our own lives?  How many are the troubles we have endured when we pull this promise out of the pocket of Scripture to reassure our hearts during tumultuous times?

And, my friend, why would we not?  This, as with too many promises to name, support us through the many difficult situations we face.  They fill our hearts with a hope that we may not physically be able to see, yet through faith in Him, our faith in God’s promises let us know our hope is not without a firm foundation.  Our hope has its source in One.

One who never fails.  One who will not suffer one jot or tittle to fall without the performance of what was written and hoped for, Matthew 5:18.

Our hope is in Him who took it all upon His person that He might secure it all for our person.

The cup would not go down like sweet juice, Matthew 26:42.  It was filled with bitterness.  It was filled with hurt.  It was filled with wrath.  It was filled with the sin of humanity.  Jesus Christ would drink every drop, leaving no remnant of moisture behind in the cup, for it was for complete salvation – it was to be the complete offering He has come to this moment in time.

Our Lord did not forsake the cup that was given to Him.  He drained its contents upon His very life, counting God’s will to be higher, determining the Father’s will to be accomplished above all.

The drowsy disciples saw Him praying.  They feel the earnestness of His resolve and soul.  Even the three closest to Him still could not wrap their heads around the contents of that cup He drank.  So, they slept.

Nevertheless, He submits wholly to emptying its fullness upon His life.

There was one who cared not about the suffering in the cup He drank.  This one’s focus was on selfish gain.  Going to the private place where Jesus shared close companionship with His disciples, a place usually of respite has now become a place of betrayal and a kiss would be the telling sign.

“Hail, master,” he spoke as if this were an ordinary day of greeting.  As if subterfuge was not in his heart, Matthew 26:49.

He made his deal.  The silver jingled in his pockets as he embraced the One who could give him riches in glory untold, Matthew 26:14-16.

“Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Jesus questioned, Matthew 26:50.  Both of these men have arrived at this place in the garden at this point in history.  Each is there though to fulfill very different purposes.  Judas has come in selfishness.  Jesus has come in selflessness.

Jesus has come to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10.  He has come to this point in time to “give his life a ransom for many” Mark 10:45.  Their reasons for being there on that night are as vastly separated as heaven and hell.  Judas wants to finance an earthly kingdom or himself.  Jesus Christ has come to build a Kingdom not made with hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1.

To His disciples, He often taught on the nearness of the kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7; Mark 1:15).  Parables were told to give those who would listen, not just with their ears, but with their hearts, a clearer glimpse into who would be in that kingdom and what it would be like (Matthew 13:24-53; Luke 18:16).

Securing souls for the Kingdom, and giving mankind a fighting chance, was the reason for this pivotal moment in this garden of conflict.

This conflict that brought so much pain to total innocence was not without purpose.  As horrible as this night appeared, and as horrific the events which followed would be, Jesus knew that God would work something good, even out of this evil.  It was “for the joy that was set before him [He, Jesus] endured the cross. . .” Hebrews 12:2.

Christ had many joys to look forward to when this was all over, but one of His greatest joys, I believe, is to see the Kingdom full of believing saints.  Hearts, who in their lifetime, believed and surrendered, will pass through those heavenly gates.

Jesus did not come to earth for Himself.  He did not go before multitudes to convince them of a better way for Himself.  He did not climb Calvary’s cross and submit to death for Himself.

No.  No.  A thousand times, NO!  But for you.  For me.  For us, He became “the way, the truth, and the light” John 14:6.  For people such as us, He was the greatest gift of love manifested, John 3:16.

He became sin that we might be freed from sin, (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 9:28).  He became our precious Lamb of God, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The cup that was filled with wrath opened the gate for forgiveness and restoration.  The kiss of betrayal put in motion the events that led to the cross.  And it is at the cross, you will find the Key to the Kingdom.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

According to His Purpose…

“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.Romans 2:28

Don’t you know that God has a special plan in mind for every one of us? You and I are uniquely designed by the Father with a beautiful, heavenly intent. Whether or not an individual chooses to get on board with His plan for their life is up to them. But, the plan is there.

And in that plan, God can make “all things work together for good…” (Romans 2:28), “according to his purpose” regardless of how it appears to us presently.

Keep in mind, how we view something as working out for our good and how God views it could look very different. Something that may bring sadness now, God may see a better benefit down the road. After all, He did say in Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD,” (55:8). Therefore, we know that His thinking on any subject and circumstance is far more advanced than our own. 

When God looks into the meat of our lives He’s looking beyond the here and now. He often operates with one’s future in mind; in a realm we cannot yet see. Therefore, faith compels us to hold on and believe that something will come out of the current messiness of life. That something beautiful will arise even out of these ashes. We are assured of and know that what God has spoken in His word concerning His people and His plan will always come to pass, and in His eyes, it is always good. 

Therefore, let not your hope be in the current circumstances you may be facing today. Rather, let it be in our great God whose purposes will never fail in and for our lives. 

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

Purpose in the Struggle

Why, we may wonder, does God not remove every obstacle and resistance to our faith? Why in this journey must we fight? Why must we strive against adversity to reach our aim?

Can a faith that is not exercised truly be called faith?  If the road traveled is always smooth and the pathways are always leveled plains, how will we ever learn to climb?  How will we learn to exert our muscles and pull our weight to mount upon the top? 

More strength only comes by using more strength.  More faith only comes by being forced to use more faith.  We can only learn to climb by experience.  We can only learn to push ahead by continuing to push ahead.  We can only learn to fight by being made to fight.

There are things that God knows His people will only learn by going through them.  That’s why Judges 3:2 says, “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;”. 

When choosing multiple services in life we want to choose those with experience.  Take getting a simple haircut for example.  We want those who have had plenty of practice perfecting their skill before attempting to put scissors near our heads which could alter how we look for good or bad.

God has many plans and purposes for His people but what we fail to see or have the patience for is the seasoning of the saint, the molding and perfecting that goes on behind the scenes.

I guarantee you, that no one whom you have read about or seen, who is doing great exploits for the Lord, just fell into that role ready to go.  There was some teaching.  There was some humbling.  There was some learning along the way.  It may have been behind closed doors and away from the eyes of the public, but God takes the time to make sure His vessels are properly prepared to go forth and hold all the potential and purposes He has for them.

The children of Israel might have been concerned about why certain enemies were left in the neighboring surroundings.  By them, God was testing His people.  By them, God was teaching those to war who had never known war before.  God was causing faith muscles to be exercised.  He was training hearts to not focus on what they see in the enemy but on what they know about their God.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Peter 4:12).  There is no struggle or contention that does not come without a purpose.  Though it may not be pleasant it is plentifully seasoning your walk with the Lord.  Like the children of Israel, it is teaching your hands to war.

One can never be a good soldier without ever facing contentions.  One can never learn to fight unless they have been made to fight.  One can never learn to earnestly pray if they never had that petition that would draw them to the knee with fervency.  And, one could never learn to seek and lean on God if the heart were never stirred to do so through the challenges faced.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6-7).  It may not always feel like it, and it may not always feel good, but there is purpose in the hardships we face, especially when it comes to our faith which is found more praiseworthy in the eyes of Christ than gold that will perish.

Sometimes we may not understand everything and ask, “Why?”  But as we journey, may our eyes never leave Him who promised and is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).  Take heart, dear friend.  Through it all, at the end of our Christian race, we may look back and see the fruit those hard times produced and we may see the purpose in the struggles.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“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.” (Romans 8:28).

No matter what it looks like, God is faithful!

Our circumstances never matter as much as the faithfulness of our God. Yes, we may not wholly understand the reason and season for tears, but when one takes to heart the providence of God; when one leans back and views the previous encounters of His loving hand at work in their life, the realization that if He worked in such a time as that, then by faith, in this, I can declare too that with God, nothing is impossible, (Luke 1:37).

His working hand may not appear to maneuver things in the same fashion as He did before – but He’s still here. The disbursement of His blessings may not rain in showers as they did before. Perhaps there is another way He wants to move our hearts into new territories of faith. Perhaps we have clung to our preconceived perceptions too long, and our good Father wants to show us that no matter what it looks like. No matter how the fight formed may appear, it does not negate His faithful stance for His people.

Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. And, His holy Word declares there is nothing… no thing shall be able to separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).

Circumstances, unsettling things, and unknown situations will periodically appear in our lives. And while that is true, we must remember that our God is not a “periodical” God. He doesn’t just show up in times of happenstance. He doesn’t make His rounds to see who or what He wants to attend to and deal with at that moment.

No. But He is forever faithful. Never let what you’re dealing with shatter that wonderful truth: GOD IS FOREVER FAITHFUL! Cleave to Him because, my friend, He is cleaving to you. You are engraved in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). You are never far from His mind (Psalm 40:5). You are never forgotten (Isaiah 49:15). You are never left on your own (Hebrews 13:5). Your life and future are part of a beautiful plan He has laid out for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Never stop believing in the One who fights for you (Romans 8:31); the One who is on your side (Psalm 118:6).

He was faithful in the yesteryears of life. He will be faithful in the todays of life. And, He will always be faithful in the future of our lives (Hebrews 10:23).

“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.” (Romans 8:28)

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom

worry-does-not-empty-tomorrow-of-sorrows-corrie-ten-boom

Encouragement in the Word:

“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.” Romans 8:28

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

” . . . I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10