God Can Use It All

There are many things that happen in the life of people that are obviously negative. Heart-rending instances of events that at the time just slay us. Cause us to wonder, to doubt, to question why God would put us through them. Literally for years we can look back and have those feelings wash over us again. Was just sitting here wondering why, in the face of all the experiences of people in the Bible we are given to learn from, why do we not immediately give those tough times into God's hands.

The story of Joseph for example. He goes from most favored child to slave, from slave to manager, from manager to prisoner. He has a gift for interpreting dreams. He uses it and the guy he helps says"I won't forget this" and then promptly does. Instead of release, he suffers a relapse. But the story ends in triumph and praise for God. Joseph tells his brothers who had sold him into slavery:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. Gen 50:20 (NLT)

Yes that event in your past was awful, but God can use it.

Just had another example of that this week when a teacher prepared a lesson for a class that cut one pupil to the quick - even caused him to question how the teacher could know his circumstances. The teacher didn't, but God did. And the circumstances were almost identical to something the teacher had experienced in their own family years earlier. When they happened, hearts were broken. But many years later, God used that experience to speak Holy Spirit powered truth into the heart of someone in a way they were open to hear.


We're apt to see God everywhere when things are going well, but I'm here to tell you, God can use it all.

Grace and peace,

David

When the Storms Come

We've been enjoying our Airedale pups since we adopted them from Airedale Rescue in November. They haven't replaced the irreplaceable Henley the Great Dane, but they've added their own special antics and lovable clown expressions to our everyday life here.

Stevie (after Stevie Nicks) and Mick (after Mick Fleetwood) are pretty neat pups. They travel across the back yard at light speed, play hard, and sleep deeply. Well, they both sleep deeply until thunderstorms come and Stevie gets upset. The first time it happened we awoke at 3 AM with Stevie standing between us on the bed panting incessantly. I tried to hold here and pet her until the storms subsided. At 7:30, they finally did.

Last night as a line of storms moved through, Stevie jumped onto the love seat with me and tried to climb me like a tree. She put her head under my arm and shivered and shook. So I held her tighter and she calmed somewhat. She stayed as close as she could for over an hour and then climbed down. It rained for a while longer, but she fell asleep on the floor. I guess she just needed someone to hold her tightly until the storms ceased.

Have you been there?

I have.

There are times in many of our lives when the storms roll across our lives. Health issues, job losses, relationship hurts, could be most anything. But it shakes you and causes you to experience emotional turmoil. Where do you run? To God. David wrote this in one of his times of trouble.

5 For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Psalms 27:5 (NLT)
Notice the personal knowledge God has of the psalmist's needs and the personal nature of God's care. "He will conceal"; "He will hide"; "He will conceal."

When you place your trust in God, He becomes your comforter and your strength. In times of trouble, move closer to Him. Put God between your troubles and you.

Grace and peace,

David