Seeing A Greater Purpose In Adversity
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, January 24 2008
But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" - Acts 16:28
Paul and Silas had just been thrown into prison. An earthquake erupted and the jail cell was opened. It's Paul and Silas' opportunity. "Deliverance! Praise God!" might be the appropriate response. But this is not what Paul and Silas did. In fact, rather than leave, they sat quietly in their cell area. The guard, in fear of his life, knew that it would be automatic death if prisoners escaped. Paul and Silas did not leave because they saw a higher purpose for which they were in prison. They were not looking at their circumstance; they were much more concerned about the unsaved guard. The story goes on to explain how Paul and Silas went home with the guard and his family. Not only did the guard get saved, but his entire household as well.
What a lesson this is for us. How often we are so busy looking for deliverance from our circumstance that we miss God completely. God is looking to do miracles in our circumstances if we will only look for them. Sometimes as workplace believers we become so obsessed with our goals we miss the process that God involves us in, which may be where the miracle lies. What if that bill collector who has been hounding you is unsaved and he is there for you to speak to? What if a problem account has arisen due to something God is doing beyond what you might see at this time? Our adverse situations can often be the door of spiritual opportunity for those who need it.
I saw this personally when God allowed me to go through a number of adversities. It took some time, but I saw some great miracles as a result of those adversities. When God said that "all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purposes" (see Rom. 8:28), He meant all things. It is up to us to find the "work together for good" part by being faithful to the process. In the next adversity you face, tune your spiritual antennae and ask God for discernment to see the real purpose for the adversity.
24 January 2008
14 January 2008
Psalm of Comfort
I like Psalm 23. Brings me comfort.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
12 January 2008
Jesus is Lord!
Psalm 118
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and He answered by setting me free.
People will fail us, it cannot be avoided. we must learn that God alone is our Saviour and Salvation. '
Call out to God and He will save you (v5). No matter the wrong that others do to us, no matter how much people don't care or misunderstand us - God is with us, don't be afraid (v6)!
In times of confusion and trouble, call out to God, run and hide under the shadow of His wings, under the shelter of His love.
God won't let you fall (v13).
When anything comes against you, cut it off in the name of Jesus! proclaim Christ is Lord over all, rebuke evil and the devil in the mighty name of Jesus!
In everything, I proclaim the Lordship and Goodness of Our God!
To Him be the Honour, Power, Glory and Blessing; Now and Forever!
Amen!
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and He answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
People will fail us, it cannot be avoided. we must learn that God alone is our Saviour and Salvation. '
Call out to God and He will save you (v5). No matter the wrong that others do to us, no matter how much people don't care or misunderstand us - God is with us, don't be afraid (v6)!
In times of confusion and trouble, call out to God, run and hide under the shadow of His wings, under the shelter of His love.
God won't let you fall (v13).
When anything comes against you, cut it off in the name of Jesus! proclaim Christ is Lord over all, rebuke evil and the devil in the mighty name of Jesus!
People are attacking me because I believe in Jesus - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Troubles and persecution are pushing me down - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Darkness and confusion block my path - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
My family is in financial trouble - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Laziness and spiritual indifference is pulling me away from God - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Hurts and unforgiveness are stopping me from loving others - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Troubles and persecution are pushing me down - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Darkness and confusion block my path - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
My family is in financial trouble - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Laziness and spiritual indifference is pulling me away from God - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Hurts and unforgiveness are stopping me from loving others - but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
To Him be the Honour, Power, Glory and Blessing; Now and Forever!
Amen!
02 January 2008
LifeWords
The Work of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, January 01 2008
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us -- yes, establish the work of our hands (Ps 90:17).
Martin Luther brought the word of God back to the people. Today, God is bringing the work of God back to the people. God never intended the clergy to be the primary distribution channel of His Gospel. You and I are the distribution channel -- those of us in the workplace.
The local church is simply the franchise to equip and release His army into the world to effect every aspect of society. Today, God is establishing mini-franchises in the form of prayer groups and Bible studies in the workplace. He is igniting the silent remnant of workplace believers who have never realized, until now, that their work really is their ministry. It is a holy calling on par with vocational ministry.
Our local franchises (churches) should be viewed as mini battle ships designed to raise an army of qualified warriors who can pray, create, and influence their workplaces and industries with a biblical worldview. We must be reminded of God's perfect plan found in Ephesians 4:11-13.
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
The next time you are tempted to pass ministry responsibility to your pastor, remember what Ephesians 4 says. After all, there are no part-time Christians in His Kingdom. We may get our checks in secular fields, but our ministry is full-time.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, January 01 2008
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us -- yes, establish the work of our hands (Ps 90:17).
Martin Luther brought the word of God back to the people. Today, God is bringing the work of God back to the people. God never intended the clergy to be the primary distribution channel of His Gospel. You and I are the distribution channel -- those of us in the workplace.
The local church is simply the franchise to equip and release His army into the world to effect every aspect of society. Today, God is establishing mini-franchises in the form of prayer groups and Bible studies in the workplace. He is igniting the silent remnant of workplace believers who have never realized, until now, that their work really is their ministry. It is a holy calling on par with vocational ministry.
Our local franchises (churches) should be viewed as mini battle ships designed to raise an army of qualified warriors who can pray, create, and influence their workplaces and industries with a biblical worldview. We must be reminded of God's perfect plan found in Ephesians 4:11-13.
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
The next time you are tempted to pass ministry responsibility to your pastor, remember what Ephesians 4 says. After all, there are no part-time Christians in His Kingdom. We may get our checks in secular fields, but our ministry is full-time.
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