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Purpose and Side Effects
Labor is a much easier thing to deal with knowing that the purpose of it is to bring forth a child. It is much, much easier to bear when that child is passionately wanted and desired. Those hard and fast contractions don’t seem quite as painful when we hold that living, breathing, bundle of love in our arms. Can you imagine being a woman in the depths of childbirth not knowing that there is a child coming? Being unaware of the purpose of the pain? Having no idea of the end result? I believe most of us would just ask to die, or maybe that’s just me! Purpose makes things bearable. Purpose gives us something to hope for, to hold out for.
So what is our purpose in this life? Why did God create us and give us free will, allowing us to screw up, get into messes, feel pain and grief, experience disease and hunger? His eternal purpose, and yes, it is that we would fill the gap of worship around the throne, but even more simply put, that we would know His love and love Him back!
Wait a minute… The purpose of our pain, grief, disease, hunger is to know God’s love? How does that make sense? Remember that free will? Have you ever given a group of children free will to do whatever they want? What normally happens? Usually, not good things. They eat everything that’s bad for them, they make a mess beyond any you’ve ever seen, they hurt each other, they destroy the things around them… mass chaos is what happens! I don’t think we, as mankind, are much different. So why did God give us free will, causing us to fall into such chaos? Remember His purpose? LOVE. Love is not love without the choice. So in everything we go through and face, we can remember that we have the opportunity to CHOOSE God: to choose His love and to choose to love Him. All the rotten things in this world are simply the side effects of our God-given free will. (That would make a pretty long medicinal commercial! “Side effects may include, but are not limited to, disease, famine, pain, war, death, depression, failure, hatred, impatience, brutality…”)
BUT, guess what? God has a purpose in our lives as well, and here it is: God is determined to persevere persistently with single-minded resolve to work ALL things together for the GOOD of ALL who love Him and are called according to His purpose!! (My own version of Romans 8:28.) So, all of those afore mentioned side effects can now be turned for our good! Because our God, who is greater than ALL things, who created the entire universe and every natural law within it, who loves us beyond measure, is turning that particular side effect into something for our good, our betterment, our growth. No matter if that side effect was caused by our own exercise of free will, an attempt of the enemy or someone else’s exercise of free will.
In everything that we face we can hold tight to the promise of God’s purpose overwhelming every bad, uncomfortable, painful experience. No matter what it may be, we can have faith that in some way, it will contribute to His ultimate and eternal purpose of drawing mankind to Him, so that He may love us and we may love Him, even if it is more about His eternal purpose for our children than it is about ourselves. Hold tight! I believe that one day, even if it is in eternity, you will see how God was at work within your circumstances, or “side effects.”
Staci Pace
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8-17-09 Wisdom for the Trials
Wisdom for the Trials
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
WISDOM:
American Heritage Dictionary – Understanding of what is right, true, or lasting; common sense or good judgment.
Greek word “sophia” – Practical wisdom, prudence, skill, comprehensive insight, a right application of knowledge, insight into the true nature of things.
As I pondered on God’s promise of wisdom, I thought there was an interesting contrast in our definition and the Greek definition of God’s word. We generally think of wisdom as intelligence, good judgment or the “wise old owl”. But God’s promise of wisdom is much richer than that, it is spiritual and the practical of how to apply His knowledge, power, and guidance and an “insight into the true nature of things”.
How often do you find yourself asking, “What in the world is going on with my life, with my family, with my job, etc,”? Most of us probably find ourselves asking those questions often especially when coupled with, “God, what in the world are you doing and how am I going to handle this?”
This promise is given freely as stated in James 1:5, but is preceded by James explaining that there will be various trials and a testing of our faith. God did not decide to put us into situations that we couldn’t handle, but where we would grow in perseverance and faith. This scripture tells us that if we lack wisdom (in our trials, etc.) we should ask of God and He will give liberally without mocking or judging. Now that is a very reassuring promise we can rest on!
Sometimes it is hard to ask for wisdom or think that you just might be able to apply wisdom in a given circumstance, but this is not based on intellect, but on God giving us His knowledge and insight into what is really going on in a situation or with another person. How refreshing that all we have to do is ask God to give us His wisdom and He will direct us generously.
So, how can we go about living in this promise?
• Know that all true wisdom has its source in
God alone
• Relax, God’s wisdom requires no formal education, but the proper application of knowledge which He will provide freely
• Wisdom is available, we just have to ask for it and seek it out in His word and in other godly and wise people around us
• Having a worshipful attitude will cause His wisdom to become ours as we allow Him to be the controlling influence in our lives, living in awe of who He is
• We must desire His wisdom and pray for it as King Solomon teaches, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold” (Prov 3:13-14)
I don’t know what trials you are facing today or where you could use some wisdom or insight into the true nature of things, but I do know that you can ask God to give you wisdom to handle and understand what He might be doing in and around you.
On the journey of persevering faith,
Jenny Loveland
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
WISDOM:
American Heritage Dictionary – Understanding of what is right, true, or lasting; common sense or good judgment.
Greek word “sophia” – Practical wisdom, prudence, skill, comprehensive insight, a right application of knowledge, insight into the true nature of things.
As I pondered on God’s promise of wisdom, I thought there was an interesting contrast in our definition and the Greek definition of God’s word. We generally think of wisdom as intelligence, good judgment or the “wise old owl”. But God’s promise of wisdom is much richer than that, it is spiritual and the practical of how to apply His knowledge, power, and guidance and an “insight into the true nature of things”.
How often do you find yourself asking, “What in the world is going on with my life, with my family, with my job, etc,”? Most of us probably find ourselves asking those questions often especially when coupled with, “God, what in the world are you doing and how am I going to handle this?”
This promise is given freely as stated in James 1:5, but is preceded by James explaining that there will be various trials and a testing of our faith. God did not decide to put us into situations that we couldn’t handle, but where we would grow in perseverance and faith. This scripture tells us that if we lack wisdom (in our trials, etc.) we should ask of God and He will give liberally without mocking or judging. Now that is a very reassuring promise we can rest on!
Sometimes it is hard to ask for wisdom or think that you just might be able to apply wisdom in a given circumstance, but this is not based on intellect, but on God giving us His knowledge and insight into what is really going on in a situation or with another person. How refreshing that all we have to do is ask God to give us His wisdom and He will direct us generously.
So, how can we go about living in this promise?
• Know that all true wisdom has its source in
God alone
• Relax, God’s wisdom requires no formal education, but the proper application of knowledge which He will provide freely
• Wisdom is available, we just have to ask for it and seek it out in His word and in other godly and wise people around us
• Having a worshipful attitude will cause His wisdom to become ours as we allow Him to be the controlling influence in our lives, living in awe of who He is
• We must desire His wisdom and pray for it as King Solomon teaches, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold” (Prov 3:13-14)
I don’t know what trials you are facing today or where you could use some wisdom or insight into the true nature of things, but I do know that you can ask God to give you wisdom to handle and understand what He might be doing in and around you.
On the journey of persevering faith,
Jenny Loveland
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
8-10-09 God's power
God’s Powerful Promises of Power
“The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the Living God.” This is on the foreword page of this chapter on Power. I really had to laugh at the two choices that I have to work with this time: Power and Victory. When I first chose my three promises to write on, I really felt that all three choices were things that I know and lived. Funny how things turn around and we aren’t where we thought we were.
I have not felt very powerful or victorious lately. I realized that I haven’t been standing in the power that I have in the Lord. Since I was not walking in victory at this time, I realized that the power in the Holy Spirit was my stepping stone to my victory. I only had to be led by Him. I have been saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit for 36 years. I have gone through so many things but the Lord has and is always there—“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” Acts 1:8. The Holy Spirit has come upon us and is in us. He doesn’t leave us when things get rough or when they don’t go the way we want. The Holy Spirit loves us, teaches us, guides and directs us in the things of the Lord. That brings us through those hard times. Jesus knew what we would go through and that is why He sent us the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the power from the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.
When do we get God’s power? We get it at salvation and then we get more of this power when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This power helps us in all aspects of our Christian walk. We don’t just keep this power to ourselves. We are to use this power to serve others and to witness. We aren’t to keep this power to ourselves but to tell others what we have seen, heard and learned through God’s word. Just calling out the name of Jesus is power. We are made strong through Him. In writing this devotion, I have realized that I have been trying to do things in my own strength. I have turned this weakness of mine over to the Lord and am exchanging it for His power.
The power that we have is also for service. We are empowered with ‘spiritual gifts’ to help others. We are to put this power to work not hold on to it. Without using it we become weak and inadequate. We need to know and realize the importance of living a Spirit-filled life. To be used by the Holy Spirit we need to be obedient believers—staying on top of things in our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us.
My son, Shawn, and I made a pact to fast ‘negativity’—to not allow ourselves to slip up with our negative communication. I didn’t follow through the way that I wanted to and the way I knew I should have. I allowed myself to believe the lies of the enemy in certain areas of my life. I knew the power that I have in my life but I didn’t stand in victory the way I should have. This allows sin to enter in. We then need to get things right with the Lord by confessing our sin and asking for forgiveness. We need to rely on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to show us the power that we have within ourselves.
The Holy Spirit never leaves us and is fully available to us all the time. We need to remember why we were given this power—to be an example of what God can do in our life. God enables us with His wisdom and His power to minister to others. The less that we try to do things on our own the more there will be of God’s power and limitless abilities. Respond to God’s call to serve. Pray and see what He would have you do.
Just by seeking Him on what He wanted me to write in this devotion He has set me free. I was able to see the errors of my way—not out and out sinning but sinning just the same by not walking in the power that He has given us and listening to Him and staying in His word. Don’t try to walk in your own power but in the POWER of the Holy Spirit.
Diane Harper
“The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the Living God.” This is on the foreword page of this chapter on Power. I really had to laugh at the two choices that I have to work with this time: Power and Victory. When I first chose my three promises to write on, I really felt that all three choices were things that I know and lived. Funny how things turn around and we aren’t where we thought we were.
I have not felt very powerful or victorious lately. I realized that I haven’t been standing in the power that I have in the Lord. Since I was not walking in victory at this time, I realized that the power in the Holy Spirit was my stepping stone to my victory. I only had to be led by Him. I have been saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit for 36 years. I have gone through so many things but the Lord has and is always there—“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” Acts 1:8. The Holy Spirit has come upon us and is in us. He doesn’t leave us when things get rough or when they don’t go the way we want. The Holy Spirit loves us, teaches us, guides and directs us in the things of the Lord. That brings us through those hard times. Jesus knew what we would go through and that is why He sent us the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the power from the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.
When do we get God’s power? We get it at salvation and then we get more of this power when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This power helps us in all aspects of our Christian walk. We don’t just keep this power to ourselves. We are to use this power to serve others and to witness. We aren’t to keep this power to ourselves but to tell others what we have seen, heard and learned through God’s word. Just calling out the name of Jesus is power. We are made strong through Him. In writing this devotion, I have realized that I have been trying to do things in my own strength. I have turned this weakness of mine over to the Lord and am exchanging it for His power.
The power that we have is also for service. We are empowered with ‘spiritual gifts’ to help others. We are to put this power to work not hold on to it. Without using it we become weak and inadequate. We need to know and realize the importance of living a Spirit-filled life. To be used by the Holy Spirit we need to be obedient believers—staying on top of things in our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us.
My son, Shawn, and I made a pact to fast ‘negativity’—to not allow ourselves to slip up with our negative communication. I didn’t follow through the way that I wanted to and the way I knew I should have. I allowed myself to believe the lies of the enemy in certain areas of my life. I knew the power that I have in my life but I didn’t stand in victory the way I should have. This allows sin to enter in. We then need to get things right with the Lord by confessing our sin and asking for forgiveness. We need to rely on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to show us the power that we have within ourselves.
The Holy Spirit never leaves us and is fully available to us all the time. We need to remember why we were given this power—to be an example of what God can do in our life. God enables us with His wisdom and His power to minister to others. The less that we try to do things on our own the more there will be of God’s power and limitless abilities. Respond to God’s call to serve. Pray and see what He would have you do.
Just by seeking Him on what He wanted me to write in this devotion He has set me free. I was able to see the errors of my way—not out and out sinning but sinning just the same by not walking in the power that He has given us and listening to Him and staying in His word. Don’t try to walk in your own power but in the POWER of the Holy Spirit.
Diane Harper
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