God Is Working Everything for Your Good

Dr. Mike Knowing God, Life in Christ

Romans 8:28 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

god work

How do you define good? When do you determine something is either good or bad?

If life throws a curve ball at you when you were expecting a fast ball, was that a good pitch or not? Don’t our shortsighted expectations sometimes blind us to reality?

Generally, we believe something is good almost immediately after its impact. For example, when we slam on our brakes at the last second to avoid a serious head-on-accident by inches. Or when we been looking for a job and an offer comes our way with a higher salary and responsibilities than you ever imagined. Or when you feel a lump on your breast and receive that phone call from your doctor acknowledging it is benign.

All these events end with immediate good news.

Yes, the news is good. And for the minute we celebrate. Yet what about those times when the events stink.

When your fiancée breaks up with you one week before the wedding.

When your tire goes flat ten minutes away from an important interview for the job of your dreams.

When the candidate you lobbied for and voted for fails to win the election.

At times like this you feel your world has come to an end. You are disappointed and maybe even angry at God for not protecting you from such “harm.” But are these events necessary “bad.” Or are they temporary, eye-opening moments to refocus our attention on the God of the universe who is constantly working for every person’s best; even when they don’t want it.

Your trust in God will be constantly challenged by the unpleasant events in your life. You will come to know him more intimately and personally as you place your undivided trust in Him. Whether you are thrown into a fiery pit, stand before a large army attacking your front while a large lake blocks your retreat in the rear, or your nine-foot goliath stands in front of you with heavy military armor and you only have a sling shot. Your immediate response may be “this isn’t good,” Yet, you will recall all the times your God intervene and the outcome was better than you could ever expect. Or the times you may have suffered for years. But in hindsight you realize those were the best years of spiritual growth and interpersonal relationship time with our Heavenly Father.

When you come to realize that no matter what happens in this journey through life on planet earth, God is constantly at work for your good and mine. Sometimes we have to wait longer than desired, but other times He delivers before we even know what happened.

God is good. All the time. Just sometimes it takes time to realize the goodness of the situation.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

Evil. Suffering. Death.

Dr. Mike Jesus Christ , , , ,

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

evil suffering death

Modern technology and science are amazing. In my short lifetime, I have witnessed the advent of the computer, smart phone, and internet. I have seen medical breakthroughs; spaceships to the moon and beyond; and pictures of galaxies millions of miles from earth. The knowledge and pace of new inventions just keep on growing.

Yet I have also seen the austerities of evil between people and the unfruitful suffering of helpless parents and children. Like those who have gone before us, I have also experienced the brevity of life. Bodily death awaits us all.

As a people, we are taught the solution for all our problems are through science or a better form of government, or more education. Yet evil, suffering, and eventually death continues to freely express themselves throughout our neighborhoods as each of these areas grow.

There are those who want a one-world ruling government but can’t agree on the form of government. Would it be a democracy or socialist or communistic?  What would the prevailing religion be – Christianity, Muslim, Judaism, Hindu, etc.? Which language would prevail?

Then there are those, like myself, who realize the solution lies with Jesus Christ. But most people poo-poo the solution. What can a man who lived 2000 years ago provide a practical solution today they ask? Christianity has been around for 2,000 years and what has it produced? Religion is the superstition of the people many world leaders have claimed. What makes Jesus Christ different?

Imagine if Jesus Christ was properly taught and lived-out in the classroom today in every country? They would come to realize who He truly was, is, and will be. They would recognize his kingship and domain. His family connection with God the Father and Holy Spirit. The rule of love and justice and mercy would prevail. Instead of serving one’s desires, one would learn to love Father God that Jesus introduced us too. The culture would seek solutions to live life to the fullest without causing damage to the minds and souls of their inhabitants. Business would focus on providing services and products worthy of the monetary investment without causing harm to the environment.

Every person would fully understand their purpose for life and how they can best serve others in the process. Nations would help nations to grow and prosper. Everyone would acknowledge Jesus as King; the earth his domain; and we his subjects. His decrees built from a position of love and truth would prevail. Lies, deceit, and murder would be banished along with the chief instigator – Satan.

What we have here is God’s solution to our temporarily problem of evil, suffering, and death. Jesus Christ is returning. And with him is the full establishment of his Kingdom. This is what I look forward too. When mankind and the divine walk hand-in-hand and fully express life together in a world where everyone flourishes and lives in peace and harmony.

Meanwhile today we are blessed to create small heavenly colonies where we now have a foretaste of the world tomorrow promised by our God; and privileged to witness those around us what life with God is all about. There is a time for every purpose under heaven…and yes even one day evil, suffering, and death will be no more.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Favor of the Lord

Dr. Mike Knowing God , ,

Luke 1:26-31

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.  And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

favor2

Sometimes we hold unto blissful expectations which eventually become painful disappointments. Take the concept of wanting to experience the favor of the Lord. Most humans would desire the favor of the Lord. We picture ourselves sitting on a royal chair with subjects, having a life of ease and comfort, and all our desires fully satisfied. Yet reality speaks differently as Mary experienced through her life.

Yes, she was favored by the Lord to be the birth mother of the Son of God. But life wasn’t really a bowl of peaches because of it. Think of all she had to endure through the process?

She was an unmarried woman pregnant with child living is a small village where everybody generally knows everyone else’s business. Per the old Jewish oracles, a woman without a husband and pregnant was to be stoned to death. How favored of a life would you say living out each day hiding your condition from your parents and siblings and neighbors is? What about spending the last month of your pregnancy riding a donkey and/or walking for 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to take part in a census? And of course, to give birth in a non-sanitized environment without the support of family or friends. Is this the favored life?

To be favored by God is a blessing. You know He has your back. But the process of every day challenges and threats still remain. To be favored by God is an adventurous life and not necessarily a safe one. Yet to know you are being held in His Grip through all the ups and downs life throws your way is a blessing and comfort to the soul.

Even with suffering or pain that comes our way, we rather be favored by God than not. How about you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
*  Great Business Emulates a Good God
*  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved