GOD’S DIVINE APPOINTMENTS
1 Thessalonians 2:2, 4-6, 9-10, 12-13 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
[4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
[6] Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
[9] For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
[10] Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
[12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
[13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
We see in our text that the Apostle Paul had to live with and preach the gospel to others, even when there was contention. Paul preached to some that did not want to hear it, or receive God’s Word and or the life he tried to live in front of them. Paul preached the gospel and lived a Christian life, NOT for the glory of men but for the Glory of God! People can be great challenges causing great conflict in our lives and then at other times seem as though they were taken right out of Heaven and put in your life. Good or bad, difficult or easy, heartbreaking or joyous, people will come into our lives some for only a season and others for a lifetime. Make no mistake friend,regardless of the length of their stay, even if only in passing, they all have their purpose for crossing our paths. There are no accidents with God and I am a firm believer in HIS Divine Appointments with putting people in our lives. Whether it’s a difficult co-worker, a nosey neighbor, an exhausting church member, an unfriendly cashier, or a mean postman, each and every one serve a purpose, and have a reason for having contact in our lives. Our job is not to choose them and decide which ones to get rid of or which ones to put on our “don’t be nice to” list.
The Lord is fully in control and is working all things out for HIS good and for HIS glory. Believing that we can trust Jesus, we are to thank HIM for every person asking HIM to give you more of HIM in your life through others. Some of the greatest lessons God has ever taught me has been through challenging people. Through God’s Word, I have learned that with every new truth the Holy Spirit imparts, every baby step God gives me in my Christian growth, HEwill create an environment in which I can choose to apply it. Growth does not come by studying God’s Word alone, but it comes when we take those truths and live them out in flesh and blood in our everyday lives. God reveals truth to us in order to transform our minds, change our living, and shape our hearts in the likeness of Jesus. In order for Jesus to transform us into HIS likeness, HE will put others into our life that will give us the opportunity to see the power and realness of HIS Word in action. Friend, why does the Lord do this? Because God’s Words are NOT dead ordinary Words on a page, BUT they are active and ALIVE! God’s Word is supernatural and they were given to us by God Himself.
Are you battling with a relationship, a person that is a challenge to your faith, to your Christian character? We all have them, but with each one comes an opportunity to take the truth of God’s Word and let it live in us and through us! If God’s Word is living, AND IT IS, then let it live; let it come alive in your life so others, no matter who they are, may see the life and richness of God’s Word through you. May your prayer today be…Word of God, live IN ME and through me so others may see Jesus!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth
Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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