It's All About His Purpose – Romans 8:28

28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
– Romans 8:28  

It's All About His Purpose

This scripture gets thrown around quite a bit but I think it's only the first part of the scripture that people tend to pay attention to.  It is comforting to know that God works ALL things for our good, because when we hear this scripture from someone, or it comes to our mind, it's usually because something not so good is happening.  It helps ease the circumstance a bit so that we can feel good that there is a light at the end of whatever darkness we are facing.

But there are two qualifiers at the end of the scripture:
   1.) those who love Him.
   2.) those who have been called according to His purpose.

Both of those are a result of the Holy Spirit actively living in us, and the 2nd can only be realized as a result of accepting the purpose for which He has called us to.  It is a choice we make to put off the sinful nature and the desires of our flesh and accept the life our Father has designed for us and called us to – a life of grace, and of love, and of peace.  It's a choice to get off the fence and stop living a double-minded life.  We have to choose to Love God, and to believe and have faith in His Word, and stop giving in to what we are feeling for the moment.

When we are being stressed out; when we are hurting; when we are lonely; when we are victimized; when we are sick; when someone has wronged us, etc.  God will only work any and all of those things for good IF you love Him, are devoted to Him and living your life according to His purpose for you (no matter what you think your life should be), AND if you are walking in the love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don't take for granted the purpose God has called you to.  If you allow Him to, He will take the trials in your life and use them to further His kingdom.  That doesn't mean it will make things easier for you physically, but spiritually you will grow in love, and peace, and forgiveness, and those whose lives you touch will be blessed, and God will be magnified because of it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me that it's all about Your purpose.  I have so many ideas and so many wants according to my own purpose that I forget that it's really all about You!  I am here because You called me forth. Please forgive me for my arrogance.  Allow me to walk in the grace and the love and the peace that Your purpose brings. Help me to reach someone today that You would be magnified through the purpose of my life.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Blending Our Voices – Romans 15:5-6

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 

6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
– Romans 15:5-6

Blending Our Voices
Our God is the God of endurance and encouragement – and boy do we need Him!  In a world that emphasizes promoting individual accomplishments, the Bible tells us that we need each other, so that together, we can glorify God.  It is clear to me though, that in order to be able to do that, we need to be in God's Word everyday, so that we can take advantage of His encouragement; to keep on enduring . . . together, and to put aside our own agendas and ideas of how the world should revolve.  The key is to strive towards harmonious living in unity with Jesus.  It isn't about you, and it isn't about me - it's about you and me IN Christ - that's how we will glorify our Father.

This has always been tough for me because I have always been a by-myself kind of guy.  I have always found it easier to handle things on my own so that I can have control over how things are done.  I guess I just like to have things done a certain way, and of course my way is always the right way (NOT!).  Letting go of pride in my life is not easy, but I am finding that as I move out of my comfort zone and I try to participate in ministries and in things like small groups, Bible studies, and other church activities, I am able to see that if Christ is the center of our efforts, the group thrives and the small part that I can play helps to make it all work.  God can then move and He is glorified through the concerted efforts of the group, and not the individual efforts of the group members.  It takes everyone working together to be successful, and in that, the individuals are then ministered to – by the other members.  It really is a wonderful concert and we are all designed by our Father to work best as members in His orchestra.

Prayer
Father I thank You for helping me to let go of my pride and to be a small part of something bigger than myself.  I am learning how to let go of my own ideas of how things should work and I am growing in You because of my relationships with other people.  I pray that as I continue to join myself to others, that I can bring peace and harmony to the relationships and that together we can grow in You and learn how to live, united in Christ.  

Have an awesome day everyone!

–Richard