Romans 8:28

 

 

 

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. ~ Barbara De Angelis

 

 

————————

4 Worms in Church

 “A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.

 

Four worms were placed into four separate jars.

 The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.

The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.

 The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.

 The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

 At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

 The first worm in alcohol – Dead

 The second worm in cigarette smoke – Dead

 Third worm in chocolate syrup – Dead

 Fourth worm in good clean soil – Alive .

 So the Minister asked the congregation –

 What did you learn from this demonstration?

 Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said,

‘As long as you drink, smoke, and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!’

 That pretty much ended the service.”  😉

————————————————–

The last few days I have been thinking some about how God uses pain and suffering.  I don’t believe He causes it but He allows it and sure does use it.  This sin-cursed world has things that make no sense, that hurt real bad, that “stink” when it comes right down to it.   

– innocent babies are born with AIDS by Moms who took drugs

-bystanders get killed by drunk drivers

– spouses ditch marriages and leave their mate and kids devastated

-hurricanes, tornados, floods, and fires maim and extinguish lives and strip of all possessions

– drive-by shootings, rape, incest:  evil sometimes seems to prevail

– years ago my two year old nephew drowned.  I heard this song yesterday http://www.cmt.com/videos/kenny-chesney/62075/who-youd-be-today.jhtml and thought of dear little Sean as I prayed for my sister-in-law, his Mom, who also has breast cancer and is scheduled for a mastectomy on Monday

-missionaries diligently serving the Lord in remote jungles are martyred by guerrillas

-with each of my four miscarriages my heart felt like it had been run over by a truck

These are just a handful of terribly hard things–there are lots more. Each one of us goes through difficulties.  How can it be that any good can come out of bad things?  Somehow, in God’s economy He can take the worst, lousiest, stinkiest, rottennest, most un-fair, hunk-a-junk messes, and use them for our good and His glory and honor. The truth is, sometimes life is downright painful and hard and doesn’t make sense but God is ALWAYS up to something good in our lives, ALWAYS and no matter what.

God will never let me down.  This is a verse I am hanging my hat on:

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

———————

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

331.  I am assured and know that God is working ALL things together for good to and for those who love Him and are called according to His design and purpose.(Romans 8:28) This verse is for me and I know it to be true.  God has something beautiful in mind for all He is allowing and orchestrating in my life.

 

332. I am alive and still have more time with my family.  By God’s grace I will not waste His gift of each day He gives me here.

 

 

Paula