Bending and Stretching

Bending and stretching are painful and uncomfortable but necessary for growth. God has been bending and stretching me lately for He has a good purpose.  I may not understand His ways, but I trust Him that He works out everything for my own good.  I may have been resisting to change, but now I welcome change, for I know that God is sovereign and I am in good hands.  God will take care of me and others who are close to me.

I trust God that He will put everything into its place in His proper time.  My God who is alive, powerful, unchanging, trustworthy, and all-knowing is orchestrating billion ways of circumstances and events to work out for my own good according to His plan.

All for Your glory, Lord God! This is all for Your glory alone!

[August 29, 2011]

Would You?

Photo courtesy: unefilleelegante.blogspot.com

If you were working for a company for six years, and have been praying to God for a promotion and have been expecting it, but was never granted, would you still love God?

If you had been battling an illness, and have been praying to God for healing, but was never granted, would you still love God?

If your marriage was in trouble and you have been praying to God for a resolution but was not granted, would you still love Him?

If you and your spouse were trying to have a baby for quite a time and have been praying for one, God granted your request but only later you found out your baby had an abnormality, would you still love God?

You Won’t Take Your Job to Heaven

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces, perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

- Romans 5:3-4

Photo courtesy: californiaemployeeadvocate.com

[Copied from Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional]

You’re not taking your job to heaven.  You’re not taking some gold watch or achievement award to heaven.  You’re taking YOU, so you want to build your character because God is more interested in what you become rather what you do.

The Greenhouse of the Heart

Photo courtesy: suite101.com

 

Copied from Experiencing the Heart of Jesus daily devotional book, page 223; an excerpt from "Just Like Jesus."

Think for a moment of your heart as a greenhouse... And your heart, like a greenhouse, has to be managed.  Consider for a moment your thoughts as seeds.  Some thoughts become flowers.  Others become weeds.  Sow seeds of hope and enjoy optimism.  Sow seeds of doubt and expect insecurity.


The proof is everywhere you look.  Ever wonder why some people have the Teflon capacity to resist negativism and remain patient, optimistic, and forgiving?  Could it be that they have diligently sown seeds of goodness and are enjoying the harvest?


Ever wonder why others have such a sour outlook? Such a gloomy attitude?  You would, too, if your heart were a greenhouse of weeds and thorns.

[Journal entry: February 4, 2012]

What Should Be

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

- Romans 12: 12-16

Father God, thank You for reminding me today of the hope I have in you.  Thank You for reminding me on how I should be and on how I should be treating others.  Lord, I have hope in You -- I should be joyful for that.  I have affliction -- You have allowed it and I should be patient with it.  I have access to You through prayer; I should be faithful to it.  Thank You, Lord, for showing me Your way; I often forget.