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
God does everything for a reason with a divine purpose! The Bible states that God created the world and everything in it as well as outside of it. That includes the abyss, land, sea and air. Going a little farther, that also includes the heavens, earth and hell. HE has given us the sun, the moon and the stars to include all living things. So, does that not equate to the entire “universe” as we know it? But man has attempted to take the Bible and pick it apart to divide it into subcategories for the purpose of redefining religion into groups according to what others are willing to follow or reject. Man has even gone as far as to use the Bible by distorting and perverting its true meaning. This is an effort for him to project or convey his own interpretation for selfish gain (control). But God tells us to honor and cherish HIS Word of truth by adding nothing to it or taking anything away to mean anything other than what is intended by HIM.
Ye shall not add unto the word which
I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it,
that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your
God which I command you.
~ Deuteronomy 4:2
If everything, indeed, does have its place, then does that not mean that everything good and bad has a purpose? If opposites attract, then do they not compliment one another? God has a purpose for allowing everything that takes place whether we are in agreement with it or not! God has an order to everything HE does and encourages us to do things decently and in order too. If you are able to honestly with great integrity create order and follow it for a more well thought out and structured environment, does that not create structure for your life? If the order of things as we know it start with God and descends downward to Christ and then family, wouldn’t that mean everything is to follow in a systematic order or process?
Order my steps in thy word:
and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
~ Psalms 119:133
God tells us to seek HIM first and all HIS righteousness, then all else shall be added unto us [Matthew 6:33]. So, again, does not everything have its rightful place to include timing? Being in the right place at the right time could be as simple as a matter of life or death. If developing a relationship with the one who has given me life and liberty going to open my eyes to all that is around me to include a better life in the manner in which I am expected to do things, then I am in; all the way in and not half way. However, challenging at first!
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,
that both thou and thy seed may live.
~ Deuteronomy 30:19
What I use to think was hard, on the contrary is so simple! What made it hard was the not knowing and being introduced to everything else first. Finding myself in an environment of people who lacked order and structure with no guidance or idea of their creator to be committed to conducting themselves accordingly, made me want to conform to what was right in front of my face. Being introduced to certain things by way of association and connection to those within my environment, made me want to experience those same things! Mainly, because I had no other point of reference that I was aware of at the time. So, certain cravings developed and grew overtime to yearning and believing there was no other way or possible alternative. It is truly amazing how easy it is for people to cut corners or red tape in an attempt to satisfy the cravings of their flesh. But God wants loyal saints. Those who are not willing to compromise their salvation or calling for the sake of fitting in and being accepted by the world! God would rather us be COLD or HOT; not lukewarm. Either you are going to serve HIM or someone else, but you cannot serve two masters. For you will surely please the one while defaulting on the other.
So then because thou art lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
~ Revelation 3:16
TESTIMONY
I am created by God for HIM with a purpose for a purpose. Knowing the purpose HE has for my life, HE instilled all things needed for me to be successful at carrying-out any and all of HIS assignments here on earth. But as we are birthed into the world through a process (an earthly system referred by some as biology and others evolution), our spirit needs a fleshly body. Taking on this form requires a lot of skill and nurturing while hopefully staying connected to our heavenly father in not losing site of our God-appointed purpose. Without the appropriate guidance to include the right mix of experiences needed to realign us to the FATHER, some, through growing pains, go astray. If in tuned to hearing and not dismissing that inner voice of God that assists you with knowing right from wrong, you can always come back from anything. And when you emerge with an open heart, not extremely bruised or hardened by the pain you endured, but allowing yourself to be broken to serve, you will notice your suffering was not in vain [Galatians 3:4]; without purpose.
Early on during my childhood, I always noticed a strong conviction working in my life. That which made me want something more and made me more determined than ever to keep trying, striving, living and growing. No, I am not perfect; non-pretentious by nature. Yes, I have made many mistakes along the way and I have many faults to include some unresolved issues in my life; naïve at heart. But, I am a working progress. Notice I said “working progress!” One who is committed to putting into action an attempt to workout my issues, improve them and implement change as needed - according to God. Not just talk about it! Do; participate in accepting change, embracing change and applying that change to be the person God created me to be. Having this strong conviction or will to survive and get things right is what makes me notice so intently, the lack of order and structure around me! It is what enables me to identify with Paul when he stated, “when I think to do right, evil (iniquity) is all around me.”
I, unfortunately, get so angry and frustrated by the lack of order around me to include people’s blatant unwillingness to do what is right. As I grow older and wiser in learning more of who God is to include what it is that HE expects of me, I am more apt and willing to be obedient to HIM regardless of the temptation surrounding me while striving to work on my anger. Even working in a human resources environment where policies, guidelines and protocols should be first and foremost but aren’t, the temptation to violate those policies to fit in and be accepted like so many of my co-workers to advance in my career is great. But God through the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT cautions me and reminds me of who I am in HIM and HIM in me regardless of what others do or don’t do. HE tells me, getting ahead in life by appeasing others, outside of HIM, has its consequences and I have come too far! HE reminds me of HIS peace which surpasses all understanding to guard and sustain my heart in not allowing myself to succumb to anger and sin not. HE tells me to hold-on and begins to minister to me by opening my eyes more and more to see beyond the natural. For HE is teaching me HIMSELF and giving me a greater understanding of HIS WORD to teach and encourage others!
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
~ Matthew 6:30-34 [The Message (MSG)]
BE MINDFUL, SOBER AND VIGILANT
When others question my direction and attempt to impose their influence upon me, God always steps in to reiterate that which HE has already put before me. When corruption and ill gain is flourishing around you, you are most surely apt to be tempted as well as influenced by others in following their lead. That leading can be with the best of intentions or with the worst of intentions. So, it is extremely important to investigate your motivation before moving forward. Are you willing to follow man or God? What is it you seek? What do you hope to gain? And are you willing to accept the consequences of your actions in making the wrong choice(s)? Don’t lose your soul in the process of trying to please or prove something to man!
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
~ Ephesians 6:13-18
As much as it may bother me, I am to give no great thought to the things around me in being anxious and worrying. For I must be still in well doing and know God is on HIS throne in allowing all things to happen for my good and HIS glory. Therefore, I must not allow the things deliberately put in my path to discourage me in causing me to lose my focus. If I am working within the will of God, will HE not address any and all of my issues in seeing me through? For HE has said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [The Message (MSG)]
REFERENCES:
http://darrickdmcghee.com/moments/?p=1746 http://darrickdmcghee.com/moments/?p=1747 http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-lure... http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/video-arc... SCRIPTURES:
Deuteronomy 4:29
Isaiah 55:6, 64:1-4, and 65:23
Philippians 3:10
2 Chronicles 7:14
1 Corinthians
Job 9:29
1 Peter, 3:11, 2 Peter 3:14
James 2:16, James 3:17-18
Hebrews 12:14
Philippians 4:7
Ephesians 4:26
Written on March 14, 2013
Posted on July 20, 2013
Ann Gwen Mack
Posted By: Ann Mack
Saturday, July 20th 2013 at 9:02PM
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