Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we don’t spend all
our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t
see. What can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen
will last forever."
We have all come to points in our lives where we feel like giving up and quitting. I think it is during those times that we get too focused on the things that are seen. Maybe our job is not going well, or you are having trouble with your grades in school. Maybe there are issues in your marriage. In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks a lot about an inner strength that we can call on from the Holy Spirit. Remember it is only through our weakness that God can be made strong in our lives.
Our ultimate hope during times of trouble or discouragement is the realization that this life is not all that there is. We have life after death. Knowing that we will live in a place with God forever where there is no more sin, no more trouble, no more problems should give us great encouragement. So let us not forget all that is waiting for us that we cannot see right now. It is "earning for us a glory that will last forever."
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Showing posts with label discouraged. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discouraged. Show all posts
Friday, July 26, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
God's Master Plan
Scripture Reading: Click to read: Romans 8: 18-30
Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand. Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us. Our human mind wonders about God's plan? It doesn't make any sense to us. Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us. We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him. We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.
I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl. God did not allow that to happen. I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake. God saw the master plan and I could not. Romans 8:28 is a great promise. God is working out all things for good when we love Him. Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.
God has already seen tomorrow. He already knows next week. And His plans for next year have been made. He knows what is best for us because we are His children. On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust". We can trust that God has our best interest at heart. So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Because He has a master plan for your life. So, trust Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand. Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us. Our human mind wonders about God's plan? It doesn't make any sense to us. Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us. We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him. We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.
I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl. God did not allow that to happen. I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake. God saw the master plan and I could not. Romans 8:28 is a great promise. God is working out all things for good when we love Him. Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.
God has already seen tomorrow. He already knows next week. And His plans for next year have been made. He knows what is best for us because we are His children. On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust". We can trust that God has our best interest at heart. So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Because He has a master plan for your life. So, trust Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Encourage the Children
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Focus Verse: Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21
Samantha Garvey is a precocious 18-year-old high school student who was a semifinalist in a national talent search competition for her research in marine biology. She was invited to attend the president's 2012 State of the Union address, and the next morning she appeared on NBC's Today TV show. While Samantha's accomplishments would be noteworthy under any circumstances, her family's situation is unique: they are homeless. In December 2011, Samantha and her brother, sister, and parents lost their home. They are living in a homeless shelter while waiting for rent-subsidized housing to become available. In spite of their situation, Samantha's father said he and his wife have always encouraged their children to study hard and pursue their goals. Their encouragement obviously paid off.
Encouragement may be the most important emotional ingredient in raising children who have the courage to overcome obstacles in life. Paul warned about the dangers of provoking children to anger and frustration (Ephesians 6:4). The opposite strategy is the one that works: Encourage them to become all God created them to be.
More people fail for lack of encouragement than for any other reason
~David Jeremiah
Turning Point
Focus Verse: Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21
Samantha Garvey is a precocious 18-year-old high school student who was a semifinalist in a national talent search competition for her research in marine biology. She was invited to attend the president's 2012 State of the Union address, and the next morning she appeared on NBC's Today TV show. While Samantha's accomplishments would be noteworthy under any circumstances, her family's situation is unique: they are homeless. In December 2011, Samantha and her brother, sister, and parents lost their home. They are living in a homeless shelter while waiting for rent-subsidized housing to become available. In spite of their situation, Samantha's father said he and his wife have always encouraged their children to study hard and pursue their goals. Their encouragement obviously paid off.
Encouragement may be the most important emotional ingredient in raising children who have the courage to overcome obstacles in life. Paul warned about the dangers of provoking children to anger and frustration (Ephesians 6:4). The opposite strategy is the one that works: Encourage them to become all God created them to be.
More people fail for lack of encouragement than for any other reason
~David Jeremiah
Turning Point
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