by donfinto | Feb 21, 2018 | The Good Report
God works everything for our good.
Really? Everything?
Bad things? Evil? Accidents? Sicknesses? Pain? Deaths? Divorce? Our own failures?
Everything!
It’s easy most of the time to believe this. I can generally push through and know that – somehow in some way – God weaves it all together for my good if I will just keep on loving Him and trusting Him.
But there are those times when there seems to be no way. That is when I have to go back and re-read not only Romans 8:28, but 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:4-8:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Notice Paul does not say to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. And Paul says that God works in all things for our good.
So – rejoice in the Lord always (it’s a command). I will say it again: Rejoice! … Do not be anxious about anything (another command!), but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (pause and ponder the thanksgiving part), present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding (you’ll never be able to figure it out) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-8).
Amen!
by donfinto | Feb 7, 2018 | The Good Report
The Path to Faith
Someone recently asked me how I came to believe.
Interesting question. In my case, like many people, I had what might be called an “inherited childhood faith,” but inherited faith is not sufficient for life. When, as a young adult, I had that crisis of faith that comes to most if not all of us, I considered the world religions and saw one difference in faith in Jesus – the historical evidence that he actually arose from the dead. His tomb was empty on that third day. Otherwise, his enemies would have paraded his decaying body publicly to prove that he was still dead.
And then there is this “evidence from within.” God promised that we would find Him if we seek Him with all our hearts. John talks about the true light that “true light to everyone” (John 1:9). Paul talks about the “faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3). We need only to be genuine seekers of truth at all costs, and He will reveal Himself to our inner person.
But where do we go from there? If Jesus really is who He says He is, then He will have kept for us Scripture that is essential for following Him. I must, therefore, listen to those early disciples and to the prophets to whom Jesus Himself referred and allow His Spirit to enter me and change me, rather than allowing my desires to rule my life.
That’s where I found peace and an increase of faith.
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Psalm 119:9
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Verse 10
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Verse 11
This is the only path to genuine heart-filled peace. Turn to Him with whatever faith is within you, however little. Choose to trust Him. Listen to Him speak both through the words of Scripture, and in that inner nudge within you. Joy and peace will continually grow within you.
Declare His Word over your spirit, emotions, and circumstances. Believe them, and let your faith in God arise, redeem and make you new.
by donfinto | Jan 31, 2018 | The Good Report
“Be joyful in Hope”
Romans 12:12
The Bible is a book of hope.
Depression moves in rapidly if we lose hope.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). That’s good!
“Those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9). I like that too!
“God gave us eternal encouragement and good hope” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Gave us? Then let’s pause and receive.
“I have put my hope in your word” (Psalm 119:147). Yes, Lord. Give me a continual hunger for more of Your Word.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you (Ephesians 1:18). There is a call of God on your life. Joy comes abundantly as we find that place to which we have been called and walk in His will. I pray that for you today.
“Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope” (Romans 5:3-4). I have not spent much time pondering the progression of suffering to hope, but when we walk with the Lord, suffering that is surrendered to Him ultimately produces character. But also continues with hope.
“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).
So – “may the God of hope fill [all of us] with all joy and peace as [we] trust in him, so that [we] may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Pause. Pray. Surrender. And get so full of hope that you overflow to everyone around you.
We followers of Jesus are to be the world’s ultimate optimists.
