When We Don't Understand
Pastor Adrian Rogers
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good!
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good!
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
The Remnant
Bayless Conley
Today, I want you to read Romans 11:2-5,
God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
When Elijah pleads with God, he is physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Jezebel is after his head and he has run into the wilderness. He is sitting down under a tree, and he is crying to God, "I'm the only one. Nobody else is serving You."
But God says, "Hey, wait a minute, Tiger. I have seven thousand more who haven't bowed their knee to the false idol. You're not the only one."
God is saying, "I have a remnant." And then Paul brings it right into present day, and says, "Just like God had a remnant then, God has a remnant today."
A remnant is a small group that has remained. That is where the word remnant comes from. It comes from the root "to remain." God always has a remnant. A remnant that remains faithful, committed, on course, obedient to God. That does not get discouraged, quit, or give up because of life's many turns.
Life has its share of setbacks and unexpected turns, and many people give up because of those setbacks. But those who stay on course and remain faithful will experience God's richer blessings.
God blesses all of His children. But those who stay the course are rewarded for their faithfulness.
So stay on track, hold course, stay steady, and remain faithful. Be a part of the remnant.
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
The Remnant
Bayless Conley
Today, I want you to read Romans 11:2-5,
God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
When Elijah pleads with God, he is physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Jezebel is after his head and he has run into the wilderness. He is sitting down under a tree, and he is crying to God, "I'm the only one. Nobody else is serving You."
But God says, "Hey, wait a minute, Tiger. I have seven thousand more who haven't bowed their knee to the false idol. You're not the only one."
God is saying, "I have a remnant." And then Paul brings it right into present day, and says, "Just like God had a remnant then, God has a remnant today."
A remnant is a small group that has remained. That is where the word remnant comes from. It comes from the root "to remain." God always has a remnant. A remnant that remains faithful, committed, on course, obedient to God. That does not get discouraged, quit, or give up because of life's many turns.
Life has its share of setbacks and unexpected turns, and many people give up because of those setbacks. But those who stay on course and remain faithful will experience God's richer blessings.
God blesses all of His children. But those who stay the course are rewarded for their faithfulness.
So stay on track, hold course, stay steady, and remain faithful. Be a part of the remnant.
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
Obeying God
Dr. Charles Stanley
Daniel 1:1-8
The story of Daniel illustrates some key elements of obedience. We see the wise young man doing what the Lord com-manded, in the right manner and timing.
Daniel knew that God's law prohibited eating food that had been offered to idols. But he was living in captivity in Babylon—a nation that worshiped false gods—and soon faced a hard decision. King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered that the choicest of foods be sent for Daniel's meals after first being presented to idols. Was it better to obey the Lord and risk angering the king—or to disobey God and please the ruler?
On the surface, the question for Daniel was about unacceptable food. But the underlying issue was allegiance to God. He could have rationalized breaking the divine command by telling himself he was a servant and had no choice. Instead, Daniel resolved not to eat the royal food and sought a way through the dilemma that would honor the Lord and keep His law.
Today, many things that our world finds acceptable are outside God's protective boundaries for His children. Some are not good for us while others do not honor Him. Our desire as Christians is to obey the Lord, but our fleshly side wants to please ourselves and others. Yet denying self and obeying God is always the right choice.
To become like Daniel, we must make a wholehearted commitment to follow the Lord and consistently apply Scripture to our decision making. Then, when challenges come, we'll have the courage to obey God's commands. Our Father is pleased when we choose a lifestyle of obedience like Daniel's.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.
Prophecy in the News: Psalm 2 - Continued Crisis in the Middle East
Psalm 2
The World in Rebellion
1Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD and against his Anointed One.
3"Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."
7I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have become your Father,
8Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession,
9You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
1Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD and against his Anointed One.
3"Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."
7I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have become your Father,
8Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession,
9You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2 is the first Messianic Psalm in the book of Psalms, meaning that it contains a prophecy about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
It prophesies the coming kingdom, with Christ as King, and warns that those who do not bow to Him will be judged. No author for this Psalm is mentioned in the book of Psalms, but Peter ascribes this Psalm to David when he cites it in Acts 4.
This Psalm is organized into the following four sections:
This Psalm is organized into the following four sections:
1. The rebellion against the Messiah's kingdom by the rulers of the earth (v. 1-3);
2. God the Father's reply in word and deed (v. 4-6);
3. The coming King and Kingdom described by the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Himself (v. 7-9);
4. An exhortation to submission to the coming King by the Holy Spirit (v. 10-12).
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