Monthly Archives: February 2018

God’s Way is Perfect!

TODAY

Then the LORD did exactly what he had promised…It all happened at the time God had said it would…And Sarah declared…“who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby?”—Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. —That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 

God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in [Jesus Christ]. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God. 

Amen!

We wait to see what God will do and HOW?!  We wait, judging Him to be slow about managing our crises…slow about reclaiming the wanderer…slow about making all things right…but His Word assures us (and illustrates repeatedly!!) that God is not slow at all.  His timing is perfect.  His agenda far exceeds our small thinking.  The One who gave us Jesus to meet our deepest needs, will He not perfect everything else that concerns us? We can rest, knowing His ways are the best.

–LS

Amazed–Phillips Craig & Dean

Gen.21:1-2,6-7 NLT; Josh. 21:45 NLT; Eph. 3:20-21 NKJV; I Cor.2:9-10 NLT;
II Sam.22:31 NLT; II Cor.1:20 CSB

First the suffering, then the GLORY

TODAY

Jesus’ final prayer before His betrayal and arrest is replete with talk of GLORY, but also acknowledgment that before glory comes suffering, because the world we inhabit is hostile to the God we adore.  In being made one with Jesus we are made enemies of the prince of this world.  The very Word that keeps us from falling for Satan’s deceptions puts us at odds with those who have not believed it.  Being discipled ourselves by this Word is  how we bring the Father glory.  Proclaiming what we have learned is bound to bring us trouble, but making it known is God’s way of inviting the world to change its allegiance, believe the good news, and live!   As you set about doing what God has called you to do today, consider these passages.  And take joy in the glory we have yet to fully see!

Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you….I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do, and now glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.  Jn.17:4 ESV

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. —Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 

Heb 2:10 NIV; II Tim.3:12 NKJV; II Tim.4:6-8 ESV;   Rom. 8:16-18 ESV; Rom.10:14 ESV