GOD loves
you and that never changes. Neither the wrong you do, nor the wrong
done to you, will diminish GOD’s love for you. (Romans
8:35.) GOD loves the world (John 3:16,) but GOD loves His children (John
1:12; 1
John 3:1-2) with a “perfect, saving, eternal love." (Pastor/Teacher
John MacArthur) If you are a child of GOD, He uses whatever happens in your life to move you along the path
of that perfect, saving, eternal
love and into glory. (Romans
8:28) For you this is good news –
GOD uses your suffering for His divine purpose and your eternal joy.
Trials and
sorrows GOD allow into your life are part of His working together of all things
for your good (Romans
8:28. Trials are not
punishment from GOD; even if yours are consequences for which you’re responsible.
Punishment is what JESUS suffered for your sin by His atoning work at the
cross. That has been dealt with – “It is finished.” GOD gives correction and
discipline, when appropriate, to bring you in line with His will – His “perfect,
saving, eternal love" for you.
We all must believe,
even in the midst of these painful and despairing times, that GOD has a divine purpose. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t see or understand “the
good” in any of it. Don’t lose your joy. Be patient, hold tight and keep on praying
(Romans 12:12.) GOD is using any suffering you
experience at this time as a pathway to your victory and joy, and He is right beside you. "I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8 NLT
Keep reading
and meditating on GOD’s WORD, it has everything that you need as you need it. All of
Scripture is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for
training in righteousness, so that the (children) of God may be
complete, equipped for every good work. 1 Peter 3:16-17. To know the WORD
is to know the Father’s love and purpose for you.
GOD tells you how you ought to view your trials versus how the world does:
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the
minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of
the Good News…We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never
abandoned by GOD. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed…We never give
up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger
each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that
will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last
forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds
on the things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:4, 8-9, 16-18 CEV
One of my favorite Pastor/Teachers, Max Lucado, says
it this way, "Choose to trust God’s promises. Choose to believe that God
is up to something good even though all you see looks bad. Choose to believe because God is faithful."
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,
for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 41:2 NLT
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our loving Father, thank YOU for Your
perfect, saving and eternal love that heals us and restores us to righteousness
for all eternity so that we can have joy in our trials and an abundant life here
on earth. Thank You, JESUS, for the gift of peace YOU gave to us so our hearts
are not troubled and we are not afraid. We give all the glory, all the honor,
and all the praise to the triune GOD, and we pray in JESUS’ Mighty NAME. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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