What is the point? Things happen in life that often make us wonder why we even other doing the right thing if bad stuff will just happen. In this recap from 2012 I hope you will find encouragement -In His Word 7-8-12
What does it all
account for? Why bother doing what we should do when other people are out there
being lazy, doing nothing but spending their money foolishly and wasting their
time playing around and being about the Father's Business? Why should we care?
We will live our lives and then we will die, what does it matter I we do
anything 'just' or 'right?
Do you ever just
feel like giving up?
Well, as the
Word says there is nothing new under the sun!
Then
call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me
glory.”
But God says to the wicked:
“Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant?
For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash. Psalm 50:15-17
You have seen what I did to
the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to
myself. Now if you will obey me and
keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the
peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is
the message you must give to the people of Israel.”
Exodus 19:4-6
Jonah wanted to
give up and not follow what the Lord commanded him to do; he didn't get away
with it. (read the book of Jonah) He ended up sitting on a hill watching God's
grace happen.
Then there was
Saul who thought he could do what he thought was best and not follow what God
wanted him to do. He kept back some of the stuff God had given him specific
instructions to leave alone. (read 1 Samuel starting in chapter 9 for more on
this story)
He ended up
dying on his own sword, and David took the throne.
There was
another man named Saul; the one from Tarsus who persecuted the Christians. He
thought he was doing what was right in God's eyes, he planned to kill everyone
who was not following God's commands; or so he thought. God took his sight away
to let him see the eternal life that was waiting for him if he would only
believe. He took away his physical sight so he might see spiritually.
(Acts chapter 9
tells you of his revealing journey).
Esther thought
she was chosen queen for her own reasons; God had a better plan. She was put in
a place for the salvation of a nation. (the book of Esther)
Everything we go
through, the good things and the bad have a purpose in creating in each of us
the person God needs to be bold for the Kingdom; somewhere some time you will
be used of God.
Take stock!
When you go
through doldrums, ask God why?
When you go
through a shallow patch, when you feel as if you are not getting enough of God,
of money or of love itself; turn to the
Word. If you take the time each day to fellowship with God, He will bring you
the fellowship with other believers. If you feel like you know nothing; take
time to read your Bible. When we read the Word of God, we can become not only
knowledgeable in the scripture but it will also enhance other things we study.
It is weird but it works, it really does! Try me and see that it is true.
Reading the Word
gets us more focused each day. Today as I sat and wondered about why I bother
to reach out to you who read this Devotional Article each week He showed me
these stories in the Word and gave me encouragement to continue on.
Paul, Peter, David, Solomon; I am in good company! I can walk in the Word daily
and I can share the word with those who read what I wrote! How cool is that?
Do you know that
you can reach out to those around you without opening your mouth? It is
possible!
Maybe your
purpose is to sit with a scripture calendar at your desk at work. Maybe you
need to write a special scripture on a sticky note and tag someone with it
'just for fun'. You don't even need to write the address, just the words will minister to the
person in one way or another.
My daughter
gives out little scripture cards, she may not see the words she hands out
encourage the person or know the person that they encourage. You can do this
too! Yesterday Pastor Jeff Kenney from Concord Ca, reminded me of a scripture
that says that God's Word will not come back void but it will accomplish
everything that God has purposed it to do. Whatever you do with the scriptures
after you have read them God will do the work. It is not futile!
Our existence
has a purpose, and it is not just to go around drinking energy drinks and
running in 5 ks or marathons; God wants us to be strong and healthy for His
purpose.
So ask yourself, how did that 5k bring God glory? Did you praise Him on the
run? Did you speak a blessing to anyone on the way? If so then Praise God
because He will use that 5k or marathon to bring Himself the glory!
Your life is
worth the trouble God is putting into it; it is worth the trouble you are
putting into it because He has a plan and a purpose for you.
This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But
then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will
bring you home again. For I know the
plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
In those days when you pray, I will listen. If
you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I
will be found by you,” says the Lord.
“I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of
the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Jeremiah 29:10-14
He knows what He
is doing, even if we do not! Surely the Israelis thought God had forsaken them,
and yet He gave them His promise! This proof of a purpose. He speaks it to you
today. He speaks it to me today, every time I hear it I know He has a plan and
a purpose for me personally. Even if it has been to teach my children and feed
my husband for all these years; He has a plan and a purpose for me. Even when
we feel as if it is futile to continue helping someone out; He has a plan and a
purpose in it. Look to God for guidance, and follow the steps He has given us, that's
all we can do. He'll take care of the rest; all we do is trust Him to know what
He is doing with and in us.
Dear Heavenly
Father, give us the strength to continue through the storms of life, the
doldrums and the stressful times when we
think its just no use to continue walking the walk, Show us how to walk it with
your Holy Spirit as our guide, In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested
readings are posted throughout this week’s devotional. Check them out this
week! Jeremiah 29 is another good one to check out the full chapter of!