It's comforting to know that the same God that's in control of the good times of life is still in control in the tough times of life. Our difficulties are not a surprise to Him. God will not allow a storm unless He has a divine purpose for it.
Romans 8:28 promises us, "That in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
God will direct the winds of the storm to blow you where He wants you to go. We see storms as being negative, but God uses the storm to move you from point A to point B. The winds may be strong, the circumstances may look bad, but those winds will blow you to a new level of your destiny.
It's easy to focus on others' faults and what we would like to change about them. But, God is the one that put the talents, creativity and strengths into each person.
Isaiah 64:8 says, "We're the clay and you're our potter: all of us are what you made us." (The Message)
Our job isn't to change people. Learn to accept that God is the one directing their steps, making them and molding them into who He wants them to be. If you'll learn to love, honor and accept people for who they are right now, your relationships will go to a whole new level.
God loves and uses imperfect people. We all make mistakes. But because Jesus died and rose from the grave, every mistake we will make or ever make has been paid in full. Don't let shame and guilt keep you from receiving God's love any longer. Psalm 103:12 (NIV) says, "As far as the east is from the west, our sins are removed from God's memory." Since God has removed them from His memory, it's time we do the same and move forward with God and receive His love and mercy.
You may have made mistakes, but God still believes in you, loves you and has an amazing future in store. Keep your heart toward God, and He will show Himself strong on your behalf!
When God laid out the plan for your life, He laid out the right people, breaks, opportunities and open doors.
But on the way to these marked moments are "no's" —closed doors, setbacks and disappointments. It's easy to grow discouraged and give up when we face these times; but, it is after the "no's" in life that a "yes" will eventually come.
God is in divine control of everything happening in your life. The no's we face are not a surprise to Him, they are simply a test of our faith. To pass the test, stay focused and press through the no's when they come. If you do, you are going to come into the abundance of what God has in store!
If we are going to reach our highest potential, we have to be "now" people.
Many today live waiting to get started. They have incredible gifts, talents, ideas, books and inventions on the inside, but keep putting off the action of moving forward. They think, "One day, I'll take a step of faith. One day, I'll be more disciplined. One day, I'll start that business." Don't live waiting for one day. Start doing what God has placed in your heart today.
It's easy to be consumed by problems and difficulties in life and become ingrown and only think about our own situation. But Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper." (NIV)
When you're in a time of need, sow a seed. If you need happiness, make someone happy. If you need help, help someone else. Have a problem? Help solve someone else's problem. When you not only trust God but do good to others, that's the seed God will use to bring a harvest in your own life. As you refresh others, God will refresh you.
