Godward Thoughts

Whatever happens to us, we can be confident that it is for our ultimate good and God’s glory. At times, this may be hard to see or understand, but it is reality. Notice a number of blessings from suffering in the Scriptures:

• Suffering softens your heart towards God’s Word
  “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Psalm 119:67
• Suffering opens your heart to make you more teachable
  “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71
• Suffering teaches you to be compassionate
  “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• Suffering strengthens your heart to make you more mature
  “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
• Suffering humbles your heart
  “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7
• Suffering shows our weakness so we can rely on Christ’s strength
  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Suffering makes you desire eternal things
  “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

Currently, I am preaching through Ephesians in our Wednesday night services. This morning I read a great quote while doing a little reading on the chapter I am preaching from over the last month or so (ch. 4):

a minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more. – John Owen

quoted in The Ephesian Church, p. 64 of the pdf available here: http://www.febc.edu.sg/assets/pdfs/febc_press/The%20Ephesian%20Church.pdf

May God help me to be much on my knees before God!

Evangelism has God’s backing. This may seem obvious, but our lack of prayer for evangelism indicates that perhaps we do not really believe it. God doesn’t just approve of evangelism. He works alongside us, enabling us to understand and express the gospel, giving us opportunities, emboldening us to take them, and moving in our friend’s heart to bring him to faith. From start to finish, evangelism is God’s work. There are a few specific things we can ask God for: Read more »

original image from www.essential-architecture.com

The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to Artemis. The original structure was completed around 550 BC at Ephesus (in present-day Turkey), and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It features prominently in Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts 19. Read more »

God: Who He is

“God that made the world and all things therein…he is Lord of heaven and earth….he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth…that they should seek the Lord” (Acts 17:24-27)

The Bible explains that God created us and sustains us and, therefore, has the right to absolute authority in our lives. Out of His love, He made us in His image so that we would seek to honor Him as the true Creator.  Read more »