Why Does God Allow Storms in Our Life?

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Please enjoy this GUEST DEVOTIONAL by Dr. Charles Stanley.

Why Does God Allow Storms in Our Life?

Jonah 1:1-17

No one likes turbulent times, but until we reach heaven, they will be a part of our life. The underlying foundation for understanding the storms we encounter is found in Psalm 103:19. No matter what the apparent source is, God ultimately directs every situation, because His sovereignty rules over all.

He uses storms to …

Bring us to repentance. Sometimes we create chaotic conditions with our own sinful choices. Yet like Jonah, we’ll discover that the Lord is always with us—even in our disobedience—drawing us back to Himself.

Grow us spiritually. Trials force us to rely on God’s strength rather than our own. We learn to endure, persevere, and submit to the Father so He can make us more like Christ.

Reveal Himself to us. Turbulent times give us a more accurate perspective of God and the way He works. Sometimes this understanding comes when we look back on a storm and see how He brought us through. Then we realize His strength was sufficient and His purpose was good.

Take comfort in knowing that God controls your storms, and His mighty power and unfailing love govern whatever comes your way.

Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 8-10

DISTANCING!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

DISTANCING!

John 6:66-67

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

John 11:53-54

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

           Only twice do we see the phrase “walked no more.” The first time Jesus is abandoned by those who found His teachings hard to accept. It was not that they were hard to understand but hard to apply. Without mental and emotional resolution, they walked no more with Him.

           The second time we see the phrase is when Jesus distances Himself from the Jews and draws even closer to His own disciples. Outreach was over! In-reach had begun.

           As Jesus was preparing to depart this world and return to the Father, there was a winnowing of relationships. Some left Him while others drew even closer to Him. I’ve seen it and I’ve also experienced it.

Near To The Heart Of God

There is a place of quiet rest,

Near to the heart of God.

A place where sin cannot molest,

Near to the heart of God.

Refrain

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,

Sent from the heart of God,

Hold us who wait before Thee

Near to the heart of God.

Dear Lord, when close friends distance themselves, keep me near to the heart of God. AMEN

AND THEY OVERCAME!

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

AND THEY OVERCAME!

Rev 12:10-11

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

           We are ultimate overcomers! We may, therefore, face disaster with stubborn resolve. We may weep, but we will not pout. The tasks before us may seem insurmountable, but we will nibble at them until they are completed. We’ve already won so, let’s go about the task of winning.

Ps 46:1-5

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

“Fight on my men," says Sir Andrew Barton,
I am hurt, but I am not slain;
I'll lay me down and bleed a-while,
And then I'll rise and fight again".”

Dear Lord, let the rain hide my tears. Strengthen my hands and my heart. AMEN