Romans 8:28

Happy HIMdependence Day!

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

Happy HIMdependence Day! Final

The older I get, the more and more truth I find in the old saying, “time flies.” In fact, every year the old tick-tock seems to sprout bigger and faster wings, hijacking the moments and carrying each one of them far, far away.

If we’re lucky, the good ones land somewhere in the recesses of our memories to be retrieved and enjoyed many times in the future, while the not-so-good just keep floating into the dark abyss of time never to be recalled again. Better yet, they wind up in God’s toolbox where He repurposes them and turns each into something useful.

Actually, the truth is, God promises to always use our stuff. He says so many times throughout the bible and most expressly so in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to his purpose.”

I hope you’ll notice that He says ALL things; not just some things, but ALL things. All He really wants in return is our unwavering love, another fact that He reminds us of throughout His word, such as in Matthew 22:3, when Jesus himself spoke the greatest commandment of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

My prayer today is that all of us learn to love God just like that—with all our heart, soul and mind—for I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is that kind of love that leads to full trust, obedience and dependence on Him and full dependence leads to guaranteed fulfillment of the purpose for which our Father created us.

And that, my dear friends, will ultimately lead to the words we all long to hear straight from the lips of our Awesome God: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done!” Oh, how incredible that will be! I know it’s July 4th weekend here in the United States, but this year, I say let’s forget Independence Day and start celebrating Himdependence Day!

Amen and Ehmen!

Every life matters, every purpose precious.

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

purpose image from internetDid you know that you are just as important to God as anyone that lives or has ever lived? He loves you just the same as He loves the preacher, the president, the Pope or even one of His 12 disciples.

Doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. He loves you the same. No more, no less.

And did you know that the purpose and plan that He has for your life is just as important to Him as the purpose and plan He had for Noah, for Moses, for David and anyone else that has ever lived?

The purposes and plans He has for you are just as important to Him as the purposes and plans He has for the famous evangelist, the respected world leader, a well-loved purpose image quote from fred buechnerChristian musician.

Not one of us should waste another minute selling ourselves short or underestimating our value to Him and His Kingdom, for we never know when our minutes on earth are up.

Every life matters. Every purpose matters. Always has. Always will.

Take your place in His story and know to the depths of your soul that His story is the ultimate happily-ever-after story. And, best of all, it’s already written.

And the Word of God says…

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16).

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5).

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9).

Happy HIMdependence Day!

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

Happy HIMdependence Day! Final

The older I get, the more and more truth I find in the old saying, “time flies.” In fact, every year the old tick-tock seems to sprout bigger and faster wings, hijacking the moments and carrying each one of them far, far away.

If we’re lucky, the good ones land somewhere in the recesses of our memories to be retrieved and enjoyed many times in the future, while the not-so-good just keep floating into the dark abyss of time never to be recalled again. Better yet, they wind up in God’s toolbox where He repurposes them and turns each into something useful.

Actually, the truth is, God promises to always use our stuff. He says so many times throughout the bible and most expressly so in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to his purpose.”

I hope you’ll notice that He says ALL things; not just some things, but ALL things. All He really wants in return is our unwavering love, another fact that He reminds us of throughout His word, such as in Matthew 22:3, when Jesus himself spoke the greatest commandment of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

My prayer today is that all of us learn to love God just like that—with all our heart, soul and mind—for I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is that kind of love that leads to full trust, obedience and dependence on Him and full dependence leads to guaranteed fulfillment of the purpose for which our Father created us.

And that, my dear friends, will ultimately lead to the words we all long to hear straight from the lips of our Awesome God: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done!” Oh, how incredible that will be! I know it’s July 4th weekend here in the United States, but this year, I say let’s forget Independence Day and start celebrating Himdependence Day!

Amen and Ehmen!

He Is Working Behind The Scenes

/ Bybrendat

Having things up in the air in your life can be very stressful, especially if when you lose Giving up is Where Hope beginssight of the fact that God really is in control.

Over the last few weeks, I have sometimes done just that–lost sight amid the craziness and the many unknowns surrounding my work life.

But, in true Father fashion, God just keeps gently pulling me back to Himself and reminding me of all He has done for me. Why, I wonder, do we always forget Him when he never, ever forgets us?

His children have been doing it since the very beginning. Literally, since Genesis! Over the last couple of weeks (I am sure by His design), I have been studying Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers and have often found myself “judging” the Israelites for continuing to grumble to Moses and God. How could they do such when they had seen such miracles–strolling through the Red Sea; eating food from Heaven; drinking water from a rock; defeating enemies that outnumbered them; watching powerful nations fall while they remained safe; having God Himself lead them?

Then, I realized I do the very same thing. Oh, the miracles I have seen; the comfort and reassurance that God has given me, all of my needs met and, still, I grumble and worry.

All I can say is that it is a good thing that our Dad loves us unconditionally and is willing to keep reminding us to be still and know that He is God.

This morning, he reminded me of this special teaching moment that He and I shared back just a few months ago. I am reposting it today to remind myself and my co-workers and friends that our God is always, always working behind the scenes for the good of those of us who love Him! Amen and Ehmen!

Stopped In Their Tracks… 

As I rode along praying from the deepest reaches of my heart, I suddenly became overwhelmed with this feeling that I was in danger. Completely out of the blue, I sensed that there were deer in the …

Source: Stopped In Their Tracks

The Predestined Path

/ Bybrendat / 1 Comment

Purpose Path from Stone Mountain My Pic with Scripture

When you learn to have complete faith in God and the plan that He has for your life, then and only then will you poise yourself for true success and fulfillment. Will it always be easy? Absolutely not. Will it always be worth it? Absolutely and positively yes.

The trick is in learning that nothing in your life is a surprise to God. He knows what happens to you before it happens and is constantly shaping and melding those experiences so that through them you can fulfill His purposes. What an honor.

It is true. Just as His word says, God uses everything for good. Those painful times become valuable, one-of-a-kind, critical ingredients for the end result that God has planned. Truth is, if you never had such experiences, there would be no ingredients for God to work with. Yes, you may miss your husband, your wife, your job, your child, your youth, but remember and take solace in the fact that those things and even the loss of those things are the very ingredients that are propelling you straight ahead into God’s purpose for your life and, ultimately, His Kingdom.

Instead of dwelling on your hurt, focus on being thankful for the gift and for the fact that God still finds you worthy of fulfilling His purposes here on earth. Take the attention off of yourself and realize—as hard as it is to do—that this life is not about you, but Him, His Purpose and His Will. Fortunately, it is also in Him, His Purpose and His Will that we are promised to find complete joy and fulfillment which could never be rivaled by anything or anyone on earth, no matter how great. Now, that’s an awesome promise.

Count me in! Amen and Ehmen!

 

And the Word of our Almighty God says…

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. –Jeremiah 29:11

 For we are God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us…that we should walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. –Ephesians 2:10

Now to Him Who…is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. —Ephesians 3:20

 It is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and  delight.–Philippians 2:13.

Of Love and Purpose

/ Bybrendat / 2 Comments

Did you know that God not only loves you, but He has loved you since the day of creation; not your creation, but the creation of the very world upon which we live? Did you know that He knew you before He even breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils?

My dear friends, you are not an accident. You were planned that long ago. The fact is, our Father in Heaven knows no time; so, technically, you have always been and you have always been a part of His plan. I can only imagine how hard it must be for God to understand why His own children don’t see their value and role in the grand scheme of things.

Trust this. If He went to the trouble to plan you that long ago, don’t you see that it would make absolutely no sense for you to not have a purpose? He does not waste anything. Not one single second. Not one single breath. Not one single heartbeat. Not one single person.

Oh, how I wish all of us would recognize this and see that living with and for Him is so much better than living in the world. He is coming again one day and He is bringing paradise with Him. The Promised Land is not just for the Israelites. Once He came and died for us, our names were added to the deed. The Promised Land is heaven and heaven is ours for the taking.

But, my friends, heaven is not yet perfect. He is still building and preparing it for me, for you and for all of His children. What’s missing, you ask? The hearts of too many. Too many lost sheep. He can’t open the doors of heaven until all hearts have had a chance to choose to be a part of it all. That’s where we come in. That’s our purpose. Praying that we all follow our purpose today and every day.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done….on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen and Ehmen.

And the word of God says:

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139: 13-16

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

Every Cloud…

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

every cloud silver lining artwork created

Just the other night, I stood outside and looked up at the sky.

There were no stars; just a slight glimmer of light riding upon a low hanging cloud. Not sure where it came from, whether a moon beam that had somehow broke through or maybe even a stray beam from a nearby street light. Regardless, it was pretty; made me think of the metaphorical cloud with a silver lining. You know, I think every cloud really does have a silver lining. Why? Well, because I think it’s just another way of saying what His Word already tells us in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Yep, God is busy right now sewing a silver lining in the clouds of our lives. Believe it. Believe His Word. Believe Him. Thank you, God, for loving us so. Amen and Ehmen.

Prayer to the Almighty Puzzle Master

/ Bybrendat / 1 Comment

Writer’s Note: This is an excerpt from my personal God Journals written several years ago as I was going through a particularly rough patch. Things were changing in my life, some painful, some confusing and all of which would turn out to be the beginning of a whole new journey for me, an exciting journey that has brought me to this place at this time, a place in which I live and breath closer to God than I ever imagined was possible. Never give up on God, my friends, because He never gives up on you! This I can promise.

Hey, God, it’s me again.puzzle pieces heart

It’s 5:11 in the morning and though I’m concerned about not getting enough sleep, I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit that I should go get my computer and write a little this early morn. I had prayed last night for the Holy Spirit to come upon me and inspire my writing so that I am writing what you need me to write. So here I am.

When I look back on my life at the difficult times, I can always find positive things that came out of the hardships I faced. All believers can do this, if they truly have faith and trust in You. That faith and trust is what allows us to give up dwelling on the negative and firmly grasp the positive. It has been my faith and trust in You that has gotten me through this most difficult year. And, though, I am still in the midst of trials and tribulations, I can actually see Your masterful and powerful hand moving throughout my life, shifting the puzzle pieces around, snapping them in place, one at the time. It’s my faith—my  ability to see the puzzle picture of my life slowly coming together—that keeps me going.

I’m finally learning that we can’t just grab puzzle pieces from anywhere and try to force fit them into our lives, because if You didn’t put those pieces in our puzzle box, they’re simply never going to fit. And, who wants a puzzle that doesn’t fit together? No, I don’t want to create my own picture anymore. I want You, the Creator of the universe,  to be my artist, because I know that Your picture for my life is better than anything I can possibly come up with on my own. Indeed, the sooner I give You full reign and complete creative license over my life, the sooner my picture will emerge as the true work of art, the truly purposeful life I was created for.

God, I wholeheartedly, give it all to you. Right now. Take me and take my talent, work through me. I only want to write your words, words that please you, words everlasting.

Thank you for giving me these gifts. I commit them all to you.

I love you, God.

Amen and Ehmen

And our Almighty Savior says:

Isaiah 14:24: The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

Jeremiah 29:11:  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 55:8:

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything your could imagine.”