All Things

While a Christian is undergoing trial, he must always keep the final outcome in view. Though the immediate disruptions are very discouraging they are but first steps that can lead to blessing.

For the Christian who loves the Lord, there is a good purpose in every adversity. Sometimes it is not clearly seen in this life, but even then we are able to say through our tears, "While I do not understand, I know that whatever God allows to happen is working for my good (Romans 8:28) - and that includes all things." (DB)

Thot: GOD-SENT CLOUDS ARE FOLLOWED BY HEAVEN-SENT RAINBOWS.

How to Fail Successfully

For us as Christians, failure is never final. This is because the Holy Spirit is constantly working in us to accomplish His purposes. God's standard of success does not coincide with the world's standard. For that reason He does not shield us from the consequences of our actions just because we are His children. He may let us fall on our face, but He always urges us to view the humiliation of defeat as a steppingstone toward maturity. Here are 3 suggestions for turning failure into success:(1) Honestly face defeat; never fake success. (2) Exploit the failure; don't waste it. Learn all you can from it; every bitter experience can teach us something. (3) Never use failure as an excuse for not trying again. You may not be able to reclaim the loss, undo the damage, or reverse the consequences, but you can make a new start - wiser, more sensitive, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and more determined to do right. (DB)

God is always working for our good in every situation, and we must act on that good in order to grow. Knowing how to benefit from failure is the key to success!

Life's direction

There are times where we may receive a very specific instruction from Christ through His Spirit about what we are to do. At other times we appear to be left to work out specific directions for ourselves. But this does not mean that in having to do this we don't hear from Christ. For if Christ has captivated our heart and we desire to please Him above all else, then the struggles that we may experience in coming to particular decisions will not be without Christ's guiding influence. In both clarity and obscurity Christ has promised to be with us! (SD)


From Christ alone must we know what we should do!

Blessing and conflict

We might think that God's blessings should always lead us into the way of peace and happiness. But this is not always the case. God's blessings can also be the preparation for battle, the strength for fight, the provision for the difficult journey, the enabling for the challenge, the power to face the enemy and the grace to resist the temptation. While we may wish for the smooth pathway, even in the rugged places God has promised to go before us. (SD)

PRAYER: Lord, I expected peace, but instead the battle rages. Help me to change my expectation of what ought to be so that i can face reality without bitterness or fear, but with the hope that you will see me through. Amen