"Divine Providence" By: Authur Pink

"How countless are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures! Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust!" Psalm 104:24, 25, 27-29

The providence of God is His care of and provision which He makes for His creatures; with His supervision and superintendence of them. The providence of God in His government of the world is a subject of deep importance to the Christian, for by proper views thereof, he will learn to see God's activities—in the daily works of His hands. Yet, though Christians assent to this truth, nevertheless they are prone to overlook it in exercise, and thereby to be deprived in great measure of that poise of mind and comfort of heart, which a deep and constant improvement of this doctrine is calculated to impart.

Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian—than for him to be enabled to discern his Father's hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs, and controls all creatures in it, "working all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).

God is not troubled by anything that is now taking place in His world—either in its political, social, or religious sphere; nor should we be troubled. The helm is still in His hand; and Satan himself cannot so much as touch a hair of our heads, without His direct permission.

"We ought to see the hand of God in the most trifling things. Nothing is so small as to be below His attention! Nothing is too great for His Providence to effect!"

Strength for each day

The Rainbow in the Clouds
by: John MacDuff

"Trouble not yourself regarding an unknown and veiled future; but cast all your cares on God. "Our sandals," says a saint now in glory, "are a proof against the roughest path." He whose name is "the God of all grace" is better than His word. He will be found equal to all the emergencies of His people; enough for each moment and each hour as they come. He never takes us to the bitter Marah streams, but He reveals also the hidden branch. Paul was hurled down from the third heavens to endure the smarting of the "thorn", but he rises like a giant from his fall, exulting in the sustaining grace of an "all-sufficient God."

The beautiful peculiarity in this promise is, that God proportions His grace to the nature and season of the trial. He does not give an 'advance supply of grace', but when the needed season and exigency comes, then the appropriate strength and support are imparted. He does not send the rainbow before the cloud, but when the cloud appears, the rainbow is seen in it! He gives sustaining grace for a trying day, and dying grace for a dying day.

Do not morbidly brood on the future. Live on the promise! When tomorrow comes with its trials, Jesus will come with tomorrow and with its trials too. Present grace is enough for present necessity. Trust God for the future. We honor Him, not by anticipating trial, but by confiding in His faithfulness, and crediting His assurances, that no temptation will He send greater than we are able to bear. Even if you should see fresh storm-clouds returning after the rain, be ready to say, "I will fear no evil, for You are with me!" Insufficient you are of yourself for any trial, but "your sufficiency is of God." The promise is not "Your grace," but "My grace is sufficient." Oh, trust His all-sufficiency in all things."

Hard Things

"Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great test. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials."

This morning as I woke up, I could not help but to just smile. Last night before going to bed I read a few chapters in a book I just bought titled : Do Hard Things, which was written by Alex and Brett Harris.

For me, especially in the past few months, it seems like my whole life has been about doing hard things. I do know I have it easier than most, and am maybe just a big baby, labeling some things 'hard' that others may find small and easy, but big or small they were hard for me.

I must remind myself that God isn't glorified when His children limit themselves to what comes easily for them. He isn't glorified when His children aren't willing to do hard things. The Christian calling is hard, but it is also the only calling worthy of such extraordinary effort.

History tells us that our best life is not our easiest life. Those men and women who were of the greatest service to God and to mankind were those who gave the most of themselves; those who endeavored, not to avoid difficulties, but to overcome them; not to seek comfort, but to do what was necessary, no matter how hard.

Our greatest joy and satisfaction comes not from avoiding hard things but from joyfully embracing them. This is how the same Jesus who said, "If anyone would come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me," could also say, "for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Following in Christ's footsteps is hard, but it's good, and He is the ultimate example to us of a life spent doing hard things for the glory of God.

Help Me Grow

I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow
By: Arthur Pink

"Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. Psalm 25:4-5

There are two ways of learning of Divine things. The one is to acquire a letter knowledge of them from the Bible, the other is to be given an actual experience of them in the soul, under the Spirit's teaching.

Many suppose that by spending a few minutes in a concordance, they can discover what humility is; that by studying certain passages of Scriptures, they may obtain an increase of faith; or that by reading and re-reading a certain chapter, they may secure more love.

But that is not the way those graces are experimentally developed. Humility is learned by a daily smarting under the plague of the heart, and having its innumerable abominations exposed to our view. Repentance is learned by feeling the load of guilt, and the heavy burden of conscious defilement, bowing down the soul. Faith is learned by increasing discoveries of unbelief and infidelity. Love is learned by a personal sense of the undeserved goodness of God to the vilest of the vile. Patience cannot be learned from books—it is acquired in the furnace of affliction! It is thus with all the spiritual graces of the Christian.

Ah, my reader, we beg the Lord to teach us—but the fact is, that we do not like His method of teaching us! Fiery trials, storms of afflictions, the dashing of our carnal hopes—are indeed painful to flesh and blood; yet it is by them that the heart is purified.

We say that we wish to live to God's glory—but fail to remember that we can do so only as SELF is denied and the Cross be taken up. God's ways of teaching His children are, like all His ways, entirely different from ours!"

Lord thank you for helping me grow over the years and especially over the past few months. My prayer is that I grow into the trusting, humble, patient, loving, and God seeking man you want me to be. I pray that I can be the leader that you want me to be in every aspect of life (Job, Future Family, Friends, etc). Thank you for the variety of ways you have taught and showed me your love and direction for my life. Forgive me for ever lacking trust or being inpatient and trying to do things on my own. Forgive me for ever seeking self glory and being prideful and forgetting that without you I have nothing. Forgive me for ever doubting you in times of trials and wondering why. I thank you for this new season in life I am about to enter in which I have looked forward to for some time now as you know, and whatever this new season brings... I pray that I bring glory to you and apply all that you have taught me over the years. I pray this all in Jesus name, Amen.

Persistency

If you have ever seen the previews for any of the ICE AGE movies, you will know the little guy above named Scrat. One thing about Scrat that you need to know is, that he is the most persistent little guy ever. All he wants is his Acorn and to bury it, and every time he is about to get it something bad happens; whether he causes and then gets caught in an avalanche, or gets attacked by a mob of hungry barracudas, or gets his acorn stolen by an immodest female squirrel that tricks him. However, regardless of what happens he keeps on keeping on, and continues to be persistent in getting his acorn.

"The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running." Among other things, fulfilling God's will for our lives is reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don't have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.

God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us. To achieve it, it won't happen without sacrifices, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, "It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work ... and so we never give up."

Lord I pray that in the midst of waiting, setbacks, and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be and in the challenge to keep on doing what you want me to do. I also pray Lord that you help me stay persistent in other things as well such as prayer, devotions, and reaching out to others. I thank you for the relationship that I have with you and thank you for never giving up on me. Amen

Shades in the Picture

It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body is healthy, the business is profitable, and the desires of our hearts are met; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when desires are not yet received, and the light of our Father's countenance is hidden.

"If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test."

"When "tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope," the Lord is honored by these growing virtues. We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass." Spurgeon

One thing I have noticed is that present afflictions tend to heighten future joy. As the saying goes, "There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights."

232 Down.... 1 To Go

Last night as I was trying to study, I could not focus to save the life of me. Earlier my roommate had asked me what were the three biggest things that you will remember about UCF. As I started thinking about that it was then that it started to hit me. This was my last week in college. This day that I have been so looking forward to for the past few months is finally here. After this week I will be graduated and moving to Jacksonville and entering into a new season of life.

So, I decided to put some thought into his question before I answered it and these were the three biggest and most important things that I will remember about my time at UCF.

1. The sports. Flag Football and Intramural sports have been such a big part of my life over the past few years while being here at UCF and have just been a great way for me to have fun. I know that sounds selfish but playing sports is fun for me and I am thankful to God for them. They have also been a great way for me to meet people such as my roommate and other close friends.

2. My friends. My friends are what I will miss most from UCF, but I know that I will stay in touch with them so it will be all good. Being at UCF I have made a lot of friendships that mean a lot to me and I truly am grateful to God for each of those, that he has placed in my life.

3. God's work in me. The one thing that sticks out most to me as I look back is just how God has used this time for me at UCF to grow in my relationship with him. Coming to college I was really not in a good place faith wise. At the beginning I would have seen me as 'Stuck' going to UCF but see it different now. I now see that it was all part of God's plan for me and I was never stuck, but exactly where I was suppose to be. Graduating from UCF will truly be a 'beautiful thing behind a black mask' and I would not have wanted it any other way.

Lord I pray that you give me the strength to get through one more week here at college. I pray that I stay well rested and healthy as I am already starting to feel fatigued. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for saving me from the path that I was once heading down. Forgive me for ever being discontent with being here at UCF and forgive me for ever asking why and thank you for all the work you have done in me, while I was here at UCF. Amen

A Beautiful Face - Under a Black Mask

Lately I have been seeing all that God is doing in me, all through things that to begin with I would have found 'ugly' or unwanted. I found an article and liked the analogy of a beautiful face under a black mask, because sometimes things that come into our lives we find ugly and don't want, and when these 'undesired' things occur, how we can at first see no good outcome, no beauty, and no reason for the situation at hand. God's Providence has a beautiful face under a black mask. To me that means that even though the trial, affliction, moment of delay, or troublesome may seem ugly to us at first, what we will learn from this will be such a beautiful thing and only bring us closer to God and all work for our good.

"That is a choice artist--who can play well upon a broken instrument. To be impatient with our affliction--and patient with our corruption; is to be angry with the medicine which heals us--and in love with the poison which kills us! Beloved, it is sometimes a mercy to us--that God removes outward mercies from us! He never wounds a saint to kill him--but to heal him! God does but take that out of your hands--which would thrust Him out of your heart!

Too many think that God is cutting down the whole tree--when He is but lopping off its wasteful branches. They imagine that He is demolishing the superstructure, when He is only laying a right foundation. Poor souls, He is not nipping the flowers--but plucking up the weeds! He is not laying your land fallow--but ploughing the field!

God's Providence has a beautiful face--under a black mask! "

Little Things

J. R. Miller

"Littles make perfection," replied the artist to one
who asked him why he spent so much time in giving
the little finishing-touches to his statue. There can
be no perfection in any kind of workmanship, unless
attention is paid to the minutest details of construction
or finishing. One smallest flaw or incompleteness left
in the work, in any part of it—leaves a blemish on the
finished endeavor.

Life is a mosaic, and each small stone must be polished
and set with greatest care—or the piece will not at last,
be perfect. One whose daily life is careless—is always
weak in Christian character. But one who habitually walks
in right paths, no matter how small and apparently trifling
the things may be—grows strong and noble. Littles make
perfection. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do—do everything for God’s glory."
1 Corinthians 10:31

:)

Lord this morning let my prayer be that where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is injury, let me bring forgiveness. Where there is discord, let me bring harmony. Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth. Where there is doubt, let me bring faith. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, let me bring light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. Thank you God for all of the trials, for all of the tough times, and for all of the things that you have placed in my life that have made me who I am today. I also pray God that from my past I can help others who will face the same trials, or who will face the same temptations, or struggles and sin. Thank you for all you have done and all that you will continue to do for me and for just giving me a peace this morning that everything is all going to work out and be well. Amen

In His Steps

I found the following article written by J.R. Miller

"Every truly consecrated life, with all its faculties, has been given over to Christ. Faith implies full surrender. "You are not your own." "You are Christ's." Christ owns us first by right of creation, then by right of purchase. We acknowledge His ownership and all that it includes, when we receive Him as our Savior and Lord. The first question, therefore, of the new believer is, "What will you have me to do, Lord?" We want to begin to work for our new Master. A heart of love for Christ, makes the sweeping of a room, the plowing of a field, the sawing of a board, the making of a garment, the selling of a piece of goods, the minding of a baby—as acceptable to God, as the ministry of angels!

One way of working for Christ, therefore, is to be diligent in the doing of life's common daily tasks. The true giving of ourselves to God, exalts all of life into divine honor and sacredness. Nothing is trivial or indifferent, which it is our duty to do. We are never to neglect any work, however secular it may seem—in order to do something else which appears to be more religious. There are some people who would be better Christians, if they paid more heed to their own daily business, attended fewer church meetings and did less religious gossiping.

We need a religion which puts itself into everything we do! The old shoemaker was right, when he said that when he stands before the great white throne, God will ask, "What kind of shoes did you make down on the earth?" We must do all our work for the judgment day—our common everyday tasks—as well as our religious duties. The carpenter must get his religion into the houses he builds; the plumber must get his religion into his plumbing; the tailor must get his religion into his seams; the merchant must get his religion into his sales. All our work—we must do for God's eye!

It is the little things which all of us can do in Christ's name, which in the end leave the largest aggregate of blessing in the world. We need not wait to do great and conspicuous things. A life that every day gives its blessing to another, and adds to the happiness of some fellow being, by only a word of kindness, a thoughtful act, a cheering look, or a hearty hand grasp—does more for the world than he who but once in a lifetime does some great thing which fills a land with his praise. Nothing which is done for Christ is lost! The smallest acts, the quietest words, the gentlest inspirations which touch human souls, leave their impress for eternity! "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42".......

Intramural Sports

So today is kind of a bitter sweet day for me. Tonight will be my very last intramural(IM) sports game at UCF. For the past 5 years at UCF, IM sports has truly been a blessing from God to me. From the friends I have made, to the fun I have had, to the accomplishments achieved, but most of all from the ways God has used IM sports and flag football to work in me.


I think the most important thing I have learned and have tired to keep my main focus on was the before I step onto the field or court, as a Christian I must realize this isn't just simply or solely a field or court but, a context for worship. Scripture is clear in that we are to worship and glorify God in all in life, which includes sports. This perspective transforms the playing field into a context to worship and to glorify God, not to impress others or draw attention to myself. This view transforms the game into an opportunity to honor God, express ones love for God, reflect the character of God, and to bring glory to God, which I hope I have done and hope to continue doing.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to play flag football and other IM sports over the years. Thank you for giving me the ability to walk so I can play, the ability to see so I can play, the ability to run and so much more. Thank you for all of the people you have placed around me on and off the football fields and for the friendships that I have made from that. I pray that I have set a good example of being humble, patient, a good leader, and all of the things that as a Christian I should be doing. Lord thank you for the opportunities you have given me to reach out to the people I have met through IM sports and flag football, and forgive me for not taking more advantage of those opportunities over the years until now. Most of all Lord thank you for dying on the cross so that I could be saved and thank you for the relationship that I have with you. I pray that tonight no one gets hurt and that everything goes well. Amen.

Self Reliance

I found the following from one of Spurgeon's old sermons where he was talking about Peter's presumption and self-confidence and how it led to his sin...

"He reckoned that he could never stumble and for that very reason he speedily fell. A haughty spirit goes before a fall. Oh, that we might look to the roots of bitter flowers and destroy them! If 'presumption' is flourishing in the soil of our hearts, we shall soon see the evil fruit which will come of it.

Reliance upon our firmness of character, depth of experience, clearness of insight, or maturity in grace will, in the end, land us in disgraceful failure.

Christians are Christlike. None deserve the name of Christians, who are not Christlike in their prevailing character. True Christians are clothed with the meek, quiet, and loving temper of Christ. They are attended with the lamblike, dovelike spirit and nature of Jesus Christ. They naturally beget and promote a spirit of love, humility, quietness, forgiveness and mercy, as is manifest in character of Jesus."

Strong Faith

I found the following article titled "The Practical Believer Delineated" written by J. A. James.

"And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and
are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Strong faith has a firm persuasion of God's over-ruling
Providence—so comprehensive as to include the destinies
of empires and worlds; and so minute as to extend to
individuals. Strong faith believes that God's Providence is . . .
ever active,
ever directing,
ever controlling, and
ever subordinating
all things to His own purposes and plans.

Strong faith is a conviction of this great truth—so deep, so
satisfying, and so tranquilizing—as not at all to be shaken
by the chaotic aspect of human affairs, or the prevalence
of gigantic evils.

A weak faith must give way before . . .
the deep mysteries,
the confounding events,
the defeats of what is good, and
the triumphs of what is evil,
which are perpetually going on in our world's history.

The stream of Providence is . . .
so twisting,
so dark,
apparently so murky, and
occasionally so devastating;
that it requires strong faith believe that it is the
work of God and not of chance; and that if it is the
work of God—it must be just, and wise, and good.

In the darkest dispensations of Providence affecting
ourselves, strong faith realizes that it is all from God;
and must therefore be wise, and just, and good. To be
able really say, "It is well. I am sure it is right. I cannot
tell how it is right. I do not understand why this deep
afflictive Providence came. I can find no key to unlock
the mystery. But I am as confident that it is right, as if
God's whole purpose were transparent to my reason, and
I could see the event in all its connections, bearings, and
results. I cannot see how or why—but I believe that my
deep affliction is for God's glory and my ultimate benefit. I
know that God causes everything to work together for good."

Faith assures us that the darker, the more confounding, the
more disappointing events—are all right and just, and good.

Strong faith walks on amid shadows and darkness, grasping
the arm of God, believing that He is leading us, and will lead
us right. Strong faith gives up all into His hands, saying,
"I cannot even see a glimmering of light! I cannot see where
to place my next step! But I can most implicitly trust in the
wisdom, power, and truth of God! I follow like a little blind
child, grasping the hand of his father!"

Times of great troubles and difficulties, are seasons and
opportunities for the exercise of faith. God is always the
Christian's best refuge—and often his only one!

Seeing Things For What They Are

How often do we all regard God's dealings in a wrong light and call them by the wrong name? We frequently speak of certain things as 'afflictions' when they are really 'blessings in disguise'. Lately I have been thinking about everything I have been through and how at the time, I would not have seen certain things as blessings, but in the end thats exactly what they were from the things I learned, to how they brought me closer to God, to helping me see how all things work together for good, to delaying things while He works in me, to revealing things in my own heart while I wait, but most of all just reminding me once again of how I serve a faithful and trustworthy God who will never let me down.

Another area of not seeing things for what they are is in that sometimes we, including myself, don't see our sin for what it really is. Reading "The Enemy within" really helped me see sin in a new way. We must not try to 'sugar coat' our sin to make it appear less bad, or ignore it. The bible is very clear on this, and does not have any 'gray scale' areas about sin.

I found the following in an article written by Theodore Cuyler, where he talks about God's light on dark clouds....

"Let us hesitate before we condole with a brother who is under the chastisement of our loving Father in Heaven. Be careful how you condole with a man who has lost all his money—and saved his good name; or congratulate the man who has made a million—at the expense of his piety. When a Christian is toppled over from a "dizzy and dangerous height of prosperity"—and "brought down to poverty," he is brought down to Christ, the solid rock at the same time. In the valley of humiliation he has more of the joy of God's countenance, and wears more of the herb called "heart's-ease" in his bosom, than he ever did in the days of his giddy prosperity.

The adversary tries hard to break our lamp, and to steal our diamonds in those dark passage-ways of trial. We need good eyesight in such times of trouble, so as not to stumble, or to lose sight of the Comforter, or of the bright light which shines at the end of the way.

I have seen people tenderly condole a weeping mother whose godly child has flown away home to heaven. But they never thought of condoling another mother over a living child who was a frivolous slave of fashion, or a dissipated sensualist, or a wayward son, the "heartbreak of his mother." A hundred times over have I more pitied the parent of a living sorrow—than the parent of a departed joy. Spare your tears from the darlings who are safe in the arms of Jesus—and spend them over the living who are yet dead in sin and obstinate impenitence.

Let us learn to see things correctly—and call them by their right names! We too often drape our real blessings with a shroud—and decorate our dangerous temptations with garlands! The sharpest trials this nation ever knew—have turned into tender mercies. President Garfield in his grave has done more for us than Garfield could have done in the presidential chair. Satan outwitted himself when he armed one of his imps to be an assassin.

Let us all pray fervently for spiritual discernment. Lord, open our eyes! Then we shall see this world to be a mere training-school for a better world; we shall see a Father's smile behind the darkest cloud; we shall see in duty done—our highest delight; and at the end of the conflict—we shall see the King in His beauty, and know Him even as we are known!"

Lord thank you for all the blessings you have given me Lord, and forgive me for not seeing things as I should have from the beginning. Please open my eyes to see my sin for what it is and to see my so called 'afflictions' as blessings, in which they are. Amen

Election 08

"On Sunday I told my church that after the election half the country would be elated, confident that all would be right in the world because their candidate won; the other half dejected and sure that the world had ended because their candidate lost. But Christians should realize that both sides are wrong. If you voted for Obama, he isn't worthy of your ultimate hope. And if you didn't vote for him, don't despair as though Jesus isn't reigning over the world.

Those who call Jesus their Lord can be filled with a quiet peace and confidence in all seasons. Our Savior is never in the White House. Our Savior is Jesus. We must turn to him with joy and faith. And as we do let's pray for our new President Elect that God would give him wisdom and grace to lead our nation in the days to come.

No matter who you voted for--or whether you voted at all--it's important to remember that, as President, Barack Obama will have God-given authority to govern us, and that we should view him as a servant of God (Rom. 13:1, 4) to whom we should be subject (Rom. 13:1, 5; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

• We are to pray for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
• We are to thank God for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
• We are to respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).
• We are to honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

Though I deeply disagree with Barack Obama on certain policy issues (most notably his support of abortion), I am committed to praying for him and his family in the years to come. And I am grateful to God that in his election our country has taken an important step away from its sad history of racism and prejudice."

Joshua Harris

Were You There?

Here you go Brett...

Sins changing God's plan...? Not so much

One thing that was on my mind today, is how our sins play havoc with us, and sometimes we wind up eating the fruit of our disobedience for a long time. Sometimes it can seem like we’ve derailed God’s design for our lives and now he’s had to opt for plan B. But I must remind myself that is simply Not true.

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)

ALL things work together for good, including our sins.

God is in no way responsible when we blow it, for God is not the author of sin. God is so awesome he can take our wickedness and use it to accomplish his purposes. When Jacob duped his father and swindled his big brother Esau, God used it to fulfill his prophecy that the older would serve the younger. When Joseph unwisely boasted of his dreams to his brothers, God used his foolishness to provoke his brothers to sell him to slave traders who dragged him to Egypt where God exalted him to spare thousands from starving, including his scheming brothers.

When Jonah fled in the opposite direction from where God commanded him, God used Jonah’s rebellion to reveal himself to pagan sailors on the ship he’d taken. David began his relationship with Bathsheba with adultery, deception and murder. Yet God gave them Solomon, author of Proverbs and one of Israel’s greatest kings. Not even the worst sins can stymie God’s purpose.

Regret can easily slide into self-pity. And excessive regret is an insult to God, because we are saying what Christ did on the cross was somehow not enough to remove all our guilt. Excessive regret is also an insult to God’s sovereignty, because we are saying that our sins are too hard for God to turn to good.

Now I am not saying we should go out and sin, thinking God will use it for good. For sin has painful consequences. But if you believe your sins have ruined God’s plans for you, know that the cross of Christ and the power of God is infinitely greater than your offenses. God hasn’t opted for plan B, and neither should we.

Secret Sins

"But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

- 1 Samuel 16:12

In Romans it mentions that on that day God will judge the secrets of men. In Ecclesiastes 12, it also says that God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. All sin is an assault against God, whether it is done in public or in secret. And God, who beholds even the innermost secrets of the heart, sees our sin clearly, no matter how well we think we have covered it.

I know for me, sinning secretly in the past actually intensifies my guilt, because it adds the sin of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a grave sin in its own right. It also produces guilt, because by definition hypocrisy entails the concealing of sin. And the only remedy for any kind of sin involves uncovering our guilt through sincere confession.

Now by saying secret sin, I am not just talking about lust, although that could be a secret sin that one has, but I more so talking about sins that we do in our private life, that no one knows about. These sins could be anything from gambling, to cheating on a spouse, to pornography, to the ways you think, to how you spend your time, to the secret idols of your heart, and so on...

I think our secret life is the real test of our character. We should all take a hard look at our private life and be honest with ourselves and confess to God and ask for help. Having accountability partners helping us with our secret sins is extremely important as well. History repeatedly proves that our sin will find us out. We will never regret being transparent about this issue. The longer we wait the farther we’ll fall. The sooner we confess, the sooner we’ll find freedom. In James, we are told to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another, that we may be healed. So let us do that.

The Benefits of Affliction

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

- James 1:2-3

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

- James 1:12

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I found the following from an article written by John Newton from back in the day, so it is worded a little funny, but still good.

"Afflictions quicken us to prayer. It is a pity it should be so; but experience testifies, that a long course of ease and prosperity, without painful changes—has an unhappy tendency to make us cold and formal in our secret worship. But troubles rouse our spirits, and constrain us to call upon the Lord in good earnest—when we feel a need of that help which we only can have from his almighty arm.

Afflictions are useful, and in a degree necessary, to keep alive in us—a conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of the present world, and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this world is not our rest, and to call our thoughts upwards, where our true treasure is, and where our heart ought to be. When things go on much to our wish, our hearts are too prone to say, "It is good to be here!" It is probable, that had Moses, when he came to invite Israel to Canaan, found them in prosperity—that they would have been very unwilling to move out of Egypt; but the afflictions they were in—made his message welcome. Thus the Lord, by pain, sickness, and disappointments, by breaking our cisterns and withering our gourds—weakens our attachment to this world, and makes the thought of leaving it, more easy and more desirable.

A child of God cannot but greatly desire a more enlarged and experimental acquaintance with his holy Word; and this attainment is greatly promoted by our trials. The far greater part of the promises in Scripture, are made and suited to a state of affliction; and, though we may believe they are true, we cannot so well know their sweetness, power, and suitableness, unless we ourselves are in a state to which they refer! The Lord says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you." Now, until the day of trouble comes, such a promise is like a city of refuge to an Israelite, who, not having slain a man, was in no danger of the avenger of blood. He had a privilege near him, of which he knew not the use and value—because he was not in the case for which it was provided. But some can say, I not only believe this promise upon the authority of the speaker—but I can set my seal to it! I have been in trouble; I took this course for relief, and I was not disappointed. The Lord truly heard and delivered me. Thus afflictions likewise give occasion of our knowing and noticing more of the Lord's wisdom, power, and goodness, in supporting and relieving us—than we would otherwise have known.

Afflictions evidence to ourselves, and manifest to others, the reality of grace. When we suffer as Christians, exercise some measure of that patience and submission, and receive some measure of these supports and supplies, which the Gospel requires and promises to believers—we are more confirmed that we have not taken up with mere notions; and others may be convinced that we do not follow cunningly devised fables.

Afflictions likewise strengthen us—by the exercise our graces. As our limbs and natural powers would be feeble if not called to daily exertion—so the graces of the Spirit would languish, without something which was provided to draw them out to use."

- John Newton

There Will Be A Day

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4

I know for me, I have been through things in my life that have caused pain, and been difficult, and there have been times that I have felt like I wanted to give up and there is no hope. But there is a promise that God gives us, of that hope of eternity that there will be no more suffering and no more pain. I know we have all gone through trials and we have all gone through tribulations in our life, but we must remind ourselves it is all part of His plan and His way to work in us.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."
Romans 8:18-19

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
Romans 8:25

Making Decisions . . .

For me, I have always been a go with the flow, I am down for whatever, or satisfied with whatever and wherever other people want to go kind of person. Recently, I have been confronted with a few choices needing to be made where being that 'down for whatever' kind of person, isn't going to work.

I have been praying a lot lately that God would help lead me in the right direction. Just a few of these choices consist of what future Job I will take, where will I live come December, and even dealing with a few family issues that I would rather just avoid.

Writing things out has always been the best way for me to study so today while I was on my lunch break at work, I decided to write out a list of decisions needing to be made. It was during that time today that God gave me a peace and a direction on what I needed to do.

When making decisions I think there are a few things we should consider. For starters, our first priority in life must always be to develop an increasingly intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In our society, we are concerned with accomplishments; what we do, how we perform, what we produce, how busy we are, etc. We may judge the fruitfulness of a pastor's ministry, for example, by the size of his or her church, the number of books written, tapes produced, the presence of a television ministry, etc. Yet Jesus said that all of this doesn't matter unless the person is intimately connected to Him: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:5-6).

Remember that Christ calls us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt. 6:33) not to seek what we can do for the kingdom of God. Being rooted in Christ is a fundamental "prerequisite" to finding God's will for us. I will not be ready or able to find the career path He has designed for me unless I am seeking Him first. He calls us to love Him with all of our hearts, mind, soul and strength--and to love others as we love ourselves. The more passionately we are pursuing these callings, the better equipped we will be to hear His voice and to be the person we will need to be in order to do the things God has created us to do.

Being a Christian does not exempt us from the responsibility to become wise decision makers. Therefore, it is our responsibility to use our God-given minds to learn how to make good choices. If you wanted to buy a computer, most likely you wouldn't pray about it and then just walk into a computer super-store and see which computer you felt "led" to buy. Most people would agree that to do so would be foolish. Instead, most people would agree that it's best to research information about the different computers on the market, identify their specific needs, investigate prices at different stores for the computers of most interest, and then make a purchase. Certainly prayer should be a part of the process, but God expects us to do our part in making wise decisions, as well.

Learning how to make decisions is a part of developing wisdom and maturity, both of which God desires for us. The book of Proverbs is full of admonitions about the importance of gaining wisdom to live a life that is pleasing to God. The proverbs are given to us "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life..." (Prov. 1:1-3). God desires for us to have not only spiritual maturity and wisdom but also wisdom that relates to making decisions in this life.

Living out God's will for your career, life, and your hearts desires will require that you take risks. One thing we must understand is that God doesn't call us to risk-free living, because we wouldn't need to develop our "faith muscles." The typical way God works is to impress upon our hearts and minds a need, a cause, an issue or an interest that we develop a desire to do something about, and then to lead us one step at a time. Jesus' call to His disciples was for them to follow Him, and become fishers of men. They had no idea what was in store for them. When Jesus called the Saul (Paul), He did not reveal to him all that his ministry would entail or require from him.

Learning to take risks is an essential part of following God and living out His will for our lives. Without risks, a person's life becomes a process of digging an ever-deeper rut in which he or she stagnates and cuts himself or herself off from all that God intends life to be. As Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." We know that, as God's sons and daughters, we have already won in this life. God calls us to live courageously, to take risks in order to use our gifts and bring light to this hurting world. We must remember we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Thanking God For Trials

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in Nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
James 1:2-8

~THANKING GOD FOR TRIALS~

When days were drear, and nights were filled with piercing doubts and fears,
And life seemed hopeless while I shed an avalanche of tears,
I never thought to thank the Lord for trials that I faced,
Or felt the need to praise Him for the strength my heart embraced.

But after all the clouds were past, and calm restored once more,
And Jesus seemed to hold me closer than He did before,
I finally looked in retrospect, without a jaundiced eye,
And found a host of answers to the puzzling question, "Why?"

Those bitter days increased my faith, and drove me to my knees,
And gave me hope, as Jesus listened to my heartfelt pleas.
I felt His love in ways that I had never known before,
And found that I was hungering to get to know Him more.

Then from the ashes I arose with burning strong desire
To share His love with all I met, and build in them a fire,
So they could also know the joy that follows endless pain,
And how God's rainbow full of hope is sure to follow rain.

And now when storm clouds threaten to destroy my peace and rest,
I bow my head and thank the Lord for knowing what is best.
And I remember all the trials I never understood,
And how God worked them all together, only for my good.