Gifts For A Good Purpose

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 KJV; 2nd Sunday after Epiphany; Gifts given to us by God are to be used to grow and edify the Kingdom and glorify God.

Chosen!

Luke 1:46-55 KJV; Mary was chosen for a very great purpose and you have been chosen for a good purpose as well!

The Cross Was The Plan Of God

Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:26; Trust God's plan for you even if you're not sure what it is.

Blessed Is He Who Trusts The Lord

Reading from Jeremiah 17:5-8 KJV The Lord has a good purpose for you. Trust Him.

Saved For A Good Purpose

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

                                                                 (Gen 45:3-8 KJV)

Joseph was favored by his father and that made his brothers jealous enough to sell him into slavery. If we went no further with this story than the betrayal by his brothers it would seem like a very bad thing. But, God did not intend for Joseph to be a slave. His purpose was for Joseph to become a leader. He intended to use Joseph to save the people, including the same brothers who sold him, from death by starvation. Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed him. He forgave and saved them.

Jesus was also sold by Judas. He was betrayed by many. His followers; his disciples deserted him. His suffering was great. Yet, there was a good purpose. His suffering was for our good. That purpose was so that we might be saved from the power of death. 

When his friend, Lazarus, died, Jesus had reassured Lazarus' sister, Martha, that Lazarus would live.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:25-27)

No matter how bad things may seem at any given time, know that God has a good plan for those who love him. (Rom 8:28) In the years to come those who love him will look back to today and see that God led you them these rough times to a better place even a marvelous place.

Be comforted with the knowledge that God is with you and he has a good plan for your life. He will lead you to a better place through valleys of the shadow of death, through green pastures, beside still waters. His goodness and mercy will be with you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  (Psalm 23)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Have Hope In His Goodness

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 

                                                                               (Psalm 119:114-116 KJV)

Since the beginning of time as we know it people have endured much hardship. The troubles often come at the hands of others; sometimes by our own poor choices. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be led astray into some serious "stinking thinking" through social media or hanging out too much with others whose lives are lived in darkness. Sometimes natural disasters are the cause of our grief. 

When troubling times come we often turn to the Lord and either blame Him or  maybe we have enough faith and good sense to trust him to see us through these times. There are definitely times in our lives when the only thing that can keep us up is prayer and hope in His Word; His promises.

We have hope because we trust God and we trust His Word. No matter how horrible things may seem God can work it out for the good for you and already has a good plan for you. Trust him and live with hope in His Word.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

God's Peace - Pr. J.