Join us Thursday night for our monthly Men’s Fellowship Night. Our speaker this month is Dr. Dan Stott, Calvary Grace Church in Shipbottom, NJ. Dinner is at 6:15 PM followed by the worship teaching times and fun in the Activity Center. Come, bring a friend. Please call for information – 800-453-7942

He Uses It All

²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 ESV

You know, I love the promises of God especially the one that he is working all things together for good.  I have been thinking for a while now about the all things mentioned in the above verse.  What does God mean by all things?  Well let’s start out with all the good things, the easy things, and those things that look, smell, feel, and taste good.  Yeah those things work together for good.  Then there are those hard things, those difficult things (like bad news, or a tragic event, etc) the things that make you just want to give up on God and life.  Yes, all things truly does mean all things. It also means, all past things, present things and future things.  ALL means all.

Have you ever thought about why the word of God says some of the things that it says?  This is one of those passages that God wants us to know that whatever happens in life He is working for these things for good.  Now, I want you understand, because it is important.  All things in the past that has happened to you, or that you did that were not necessarily good, God is working good in them and has been since they occurred.  God is the Sovereign God of the universe and there is nothing that gets by his desk that does not get his stamp of approval on.  Many of us struggle with that when we have been sinned against or wronged but this is what the word of God tells us.  These are comforting words from our Father.  Notice that he is isn’t just working things out, he is working them out for good.  What good?  Our good, because our good will be for His glory.

I included verse 29 here, because there is a catch in this promise.  It is to those who love God.  Many people say that they love God, but they really do not.  Do you remember Jesus’ words about those who love him?  He said in essence, “if you love me, you will obey me”.  So, it is not just about feeling love for Jesus, it is about loving him, with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength.  It shows up through our obedience to him.  None of us are perfect in our obedience, but we are moving forward in our obedience towards God.

So, what is the take away here?  1. Remember God is at work for the good. 2. He is at work in all things. 3. Everything in my life has God approval stamped on it. 4. Is my obedience to the Lord, proving my love for the Lord?  Have a great week.  Talk to you next week.  I love you guys and I hope you are walking with the King.  He wants to be walking with you. – Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministry at Bethesda Mission. You can write to Doug at dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 1

Think About This: Some people do the best they can and then leave the rest up to God when they should be giving it all to God, and then doing the best they can. Bronwyn Ashcroft

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10