July 24, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- GOD WORKS IN ALL THINGS (1)
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, July 24, 2020.
GOD WORKS IN ALL THINGS (1)
Read: Romans 8:28-32
Romans 8:28-32 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].
What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
MEMORISE: We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Roman 8:28)
EXPOSITION
God works in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even though evil is prevalent in our fallen world, God is able to turn every circumstance around for our ultimate good. Even though bad/sad/evil/wicked things touch our lives, God will use them to ultimately bring about good, both in our lives and in the world. Amos 3:6 makes it clear that nothing happens anywhere without the knowledge and permission of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Whatever He allows is for our immediate and ultimate good. He is not a sadist who takes pleasure in the pains of his subjects. He works for our good.
There was once man named Billy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 35. Because Billy believed God could use even something as destructive as a brain tumor, he responded in faith and trust. He told his family, “Even though this is not what I planned for my life, I trust God to use it for good.” His unshakable faith and peace was so profound that church leaders asked him to shear his story at men’s event. When Billy finished telling his story, many people, including his younger brother who thought that Billy’s faith was a crutch, came to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Billy didn’t survive his battle with cancer, but because he chose to respond in faith and trust, Billy’s cancer wasn’t good, but God used it for good to make him more like Christ and to draw others into a faith relationship with Himself.
What is it you are passing through now? It is that scary medical diagnosis? Is it that terrible financial situation that you didn’t cause? Is it that marital crisis? What exactly is yours? Imagine when the 3 Hebrews were being thrown in the fiery furnace. What were they thinking? Trust in God who is able to save them, and if He didn’t save them, they trusted Him that it was time by His time to take them home to eternal bliss. Your faith matters, Now!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Holy Spirit, empower me to believe that God works in all things for my good and His purpose, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, grant all Your children that are experiencing any terminal disease an unshakable faith and peace on mind, in Jesus name.
3. Almighty God, turn every circumstance in our nation around for our ultimate good and to the glory of Your name, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Job 7-8; James 2