I am in England for Thanksgiving this year where it is presently 339am. This devotion is based on a devotion that I read today.
How quickly do we forget God's blessings when bad things happen?
When we lose our jobs, do we thank God for a loving family? Do we thank God for a loving church family? This is why God created the church. Do we thank God that He has a better plan for us?
When we lose our health, do we thank God for the comfort of His Word? Do we thank God that he can use us to show others how to minister? Do we thank God that He can use us to show others how to pray for each other? Do we thank God that when we receive bad health news, that His promise of eternal life and glorified bodies has not changed one little bit? This is why Jesus needs to be Lord and Savior of your life. Trust Him.
When we lose a loved one to sin, do we thank God for His forgiveness? Sons, daughters, parents, friends, have all made mistakes and disappointed us in some way in the past. But God forgave you first. So why not forgive others? I remember an old saying: “Hate the sin. Love the sinner.” Separate the sin from the person. Forgive because we are forgiven. The sin is dead. It went to the Cross with Jesus. The Bible says that while we were still sinners Christ died for us and gave his life for us. Can’t we see past a person’s sin and see the person God created?
Sadly, our eyes can often focus on the trials of life rather than on God's blessings in life.
Matthew 6 shows us Christ's words about God taking care of His children. Jesus' simple answer was, "If I care for the smallest of birds, don't you think I will care for you?" Jesus tells us not to worry about what will come tomorrow. He tells us not to be concerned about how we will get through a difficult time. He tells us not to focus on what we think others are doing to us in their sin or how that person has hurt us by their sin. How many times did Jesus say, “Your faith has healed you? He has promised to provide for our every need.
Many Christians fail to trust God because they cannot see Him working. As human beings, we like to have a plan. We want to know what to expect. We do not like surprises in life. We like to know ahead of time how things will work out, and what will happen. For example, how many of us often peek to the end of a good book? We like to know the ending. How many of us will plan a trip down to the last minute of detail?
But when it comes to things that happen in everyday life, God often requires us to trust Him without knowing how He is going to work out the things He has planned for us. Notice that does NOT say how WE want Him to work things out in HIS plan. He requires us to place our faith in Him alone for what we need.
Do you have some need that must be met? Are you stuck worrying about how things will work out? Don't bother worrying; God already has a plan! Take time to give God your worries, and allow Him to take care of you. Remember Jesus' words, "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Thank God that He knows our needs and promises to provide for them in His time.
Hello Again!!
7 years ago
