Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "The Power of Love" with the subtitle, "Climbing without Compromise. The Word of God is alive! Just like the writer of Hebrews wrote, "For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are." Hebrews 4:12 (Living Bible) Week after week, things that I have experienced, studied, and listened to are confirmed by the word preached. It happened again this week. Dr. Winston's title may be the same but the content was fresh and timely.
Dr. Winston said, "Problems are the avenue for promotion". I've been listening to Pastor Duane Sheriff's series on patience all week. We, and I mean me especially, want a life free of problems, obstacles, and difficulty. As the old church folks would say, "we want to walk through life on flower beds of ease". This desire is totally contrary to the word of God. The Word says in Romans 5:3-5, "We are glad for our troubles also. We know that troubles help us learn not to give up. When we have learned not to give up, it shows we have stood the test. When we have stood the test, it gives us hope. Hope never makes us ashamed because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us." (New Living Translation) Did you see that? Patience is vital and must be added to our hope and faith. The Apostle Peter wrote, "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (Message)
Dr. Winston used several bible stories as examples today, but my favorite was the story from 1 Kings 17. The prophet Elijah has just prophesied that there would be no rain for several years. I think we miss some of the points when we read this story. It wasn't like Elijah was going to have miraculous rain on his property during this period. He was going to have to experience the effects of the drought too. BUT, he trusted God for his provision and God used some of the most unlikely people to make sure his servant, the prophet had everything he needed. Read it for yourself. God even instructed ravens to bring the prophet food. When that food was gone, he said, "Go to the town of Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I’ve told a widow in that town to give you food.” Verse 9 (Common English Version) Don't miss this! God told the prophet to go to another town because he had already instructed a widow there to give him food! A widow! Not the owner of a thriving business, or a farmer with grain stacked high in his barn! He used the most unlikely person to bless the man of God, but don't miss this either! The widow, the woman whose husband had died, the woman without any means of support was blessed by being obedient to the Word of God. Read verses 15 and 16, "The widow went home and did exactly what Elijah had told her. She and Elijah and her family had enough food for a long time. The Lord kept the promise that his prophet Elijah had made, and she did not run out of flour or oil." (Common English Version)
That's the Power of Love. When we know how much God loves us, and we walk in love, God can use the most surprising and incredible circumstances and situations to bless us. We don't have to worry about the evil people in this world. We just have to respond to them with and in love. Jesus was our perfect example. 1 Peter 2:20-24 says, "Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it, and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" (Living Bible)
Be encouraged. Everything that happens is not good, but God can work everything out for your good.
Walking in Love, with patience...love and prayers, Cynthia
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