Making the Most of the Good & the Bad – Rom. 8:28
Illustration:
DETOURS
The year was 1920. The scene was the examining board for selecting missionaries. Standing before the board was a young man named Oswald Smith. One dream dominated his heart. He wanted to be a missionary. Over and over again, he prayed, "Lord, I want to go as a missionary for you. Open a door of service for me." Now, at last, his prayer would be answered. When the examination was over, the board turned Oswald Smith down. He did not meet their qualifications. He failed the test. Oswald Smith had set his direction, but now life gave him a detour. What would he do? As Oswald Smith prayed, God planted another idea in his heart. If he could not go as a missionary, he would build a church which could send out missionaries. And that is what he did. Oswald Smith pastored The People’s Church in Toronto, Canada, which sent out more missionaries than any other church at that time. Oswald Smith brought God into the situation, and God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service.
Brian L. Harbour, Rising Above the Crowd.
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STATISTICS AND STUFF
Detours, when we get off the main road, can be frustrating and time consuming. Yet in the spiritual life, God seems to allow us to be detoured. One of the longest detours of all time happened to the children of Israel in the wilderness. What should have taken them eleven days to enter the Promised Land turned into a forty-year detour in the desert. That detour was due to their deplorable lack of faith in God’s conquering power. On the other hand, there were those who may have thought they were being detoured by God, but who later found they were on God’s perfect road of blessing all along. Consider: 1) Moses was detoured into submission. Those forty years in the wilderness tending sheep were not a waste, but actually a training ground for tending Israel later on. The desert experience took all the trust in the arm of flesh out of Moses (Exodus 3,4). 2) Paul was detoured into learning. "I went into Arabia...then after three years I went up to Jerusalem" (Galatians 1:17,18). Those years were good for Paul, so that he might learn of Christ and be trained for service. 3) Philip was detoured from many, to one. He went from winning multitudes, to winning one man, the Etheopian eunuch; from a great revival to a singular witnessing experience. This story shows the Lord’s estimation of the value of one soul. 4) Enoch and Elijah were detoured into heaven (Genesis 5:24, II Kings 2:11). Is today the day we will experience the same?
The Daily Bread.
Quote: DISCONTENTMENT
"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin.
Illustration:W. H. Griffith on p. 467 on his outlines in Acts gives this great illustration:
"An elderly Christian woman, very poor but noted for her constant activity, was laid aside by illness and her neighbors asked her how she could bear it? She answered, "When I was well, the Lord, said, "Betty, go here and Betty go there, but now He says, "Betty, lie still and cough! She had learned the lesson of life in relation to the will of God; and something like this must have been Paul’s experience as he was cut off (and unjustly so) from his desired activities for the gospel." Still, Paul wrote, "God works all things together for good for those who love God and to those who are called according to His purposes." (Rom. 8:28,29)
1. LOVINGLY ACCEPT WHATEVER GOD ALLOWS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE KNOWING HE CAN WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD. (ROM. 8:28,29)
Illustration:Hurricanes
I had always thought of hurricanes as something mankind could do without. But recently I learned that they are necessary to maintain a balance in nature. These tropical storms, with winds up to 150 miles an hour and accompanied by torrential rains, glaring lightning, and rumbling thunder, can be devastating. Yet scientists tell us they are tremendously valuable. They dissipate a large percentage of the oppressive heat which builds up at the equator, and they are indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Meteorologists therefore no longer use cloud-seeding techniques to prevent them from being formed. They are convinced that hurricanes actually do more good than harm.
The Bible teaches us that the afflictions of God’s people are like that. Though they bring temporary pain and grief, they can produce eternal dividends. (Psalm 119:75)
See: Eccl 1:6; 2 Cor 4:17
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2. ASK GOD FOR THE GRACE TO NOT INTERNALIZE HURT
A. YOU MAY BE CONDITIONED TO BE CRITICAL
Illustration: Value of Life A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read ’Puppies for Sale.’ These signs had a weird way of attracting children. And sure enough, a little boy appeared at the sign. "How much are you gonna sell those puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied" Anywhere from $30-$50." The little boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37, can I have a look at them?" The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said "What’s wrong with that little dog?" The store owner explained that when the puppy was born, the vet had said that the puppy had no hip socket and would limp for the rest of its life. The little boy got really excited and said "That’s the puppy I wanna buy!" The store owner replied "No, you don’t wanna buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll give him to you." The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger and said, "I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as the other dogs and I’ll pay the full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now and 50 cents every month until I have him paid for." The store owner countered, "You really don’t want to buy this puppy. He is never gonna be able to run, jump and play like other puppies!" To this the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and said softly, "Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands." IN LIFE, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO YOU ARE, BUT WHETHER SOMEONE APPRECIATES YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE.
B. DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY CIRCUMSTANCES BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD (LOVE, TRUST & TRUTH: ROM 12:21)
Illustration: One preacher always seemed to find a way to be thankful regardless of the circumstances. One snowy day that was miserable day by by most peoples’ standards the chief elder said to his wife, "I doubt the Pastor will be say anything good about this weather!" The first thing the Pastor said, after bidding good morning to his congregation was, "We can be thankful that we do not have to battle this weather every Sunday morning!" Look for ways to be thankful in all circumstances and enjoy being an overcomer.
3. BE FORGIVING AND ACCEPTING AS CHRIST IS WITH US
A. ACTIVELY PUT ASIDE FEELINGS OF ANGER AND REPLACE THEM WITH ATTITUDES OF COMPASSION (EPH 4:22-32)
B. ADMIT THAT THE SOURCE OF MOST CONFLICTS COME FROM OUR OWN SELFISH DESIRES (JM 4:1-4)
4. GIVE ALL YOUR FEARS, DOUBTS AND ANGER TO GOD’S CONTROL (I Pet. 5:7-11)
Illustration:Title: Treasure in the Tragedy
A Christian man lost his home and mill when a flood washed them away. He was broken-hearted and discouraged as he stood surveying his loss. Just then he saw a glittering object that had been uncovered by the waters. It was gold! The disaster he thought had made him a beggar had actually made him wealthy. So, too, the Lord often works through our troubles to strip away certain cherished possessions to show us the better treasures of His love and power. How thankful we should be that in every storm of affliction we have the assurance that the Lord has a good purpose in view!
See: Jer 29:11; Rom 8:28; Phil 3:7-8
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Title: Norman Vincent Peale’s Advice On Problems ...
A problem is a concentrated opportunity. The only people I have ever known to have no problems are in the cemetery. The more problems you have, the more alive you are. Every problem contains the seeds of its own solution. I often say, when the Lord wants to give you the greatest value in this world, He doesn’t wrap it in a sophisticated package and hand it to you on a silver platter. He is too subtle, too adroit, for that. He takes this big value and buries it at the heart of a big, tough problem. How He must watch with delight when you’ve got what it takes to break that problem apart and find at its heart what the Bible calls, "the pearl of great price." Everybody I’ve ever known who succeeded in a big way in life has done so by breaking problems apart and finding the value that was there.
-- Personal Selling Power, 12/92.
See: Phil 1:12-14; Jam 1:2-4
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Title: Fanny Crosby
The famous blind songwriter Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 songs. This fact and other interesting highlights in the life of Miss Crosby were revealed by Warren Wiersbe in his book Victorious Christian. Wiersbe explained that when Fanny was only 6 weeks old a minor eye inflammation developed. The doctor who treated the case was careless, though, and she became totally and permanently blind.
Fanny Crosby harbored no bitterness against the physician, however. In fact, she once said of him, "If I could meet him now, I would say thank you, over and over again for making me blind." She felt that her blindness was a gift from God to help her write the hymns that flowed from her pen. According to those who knew her, Miss Crosby probably would have refused treatment even if it could have assured the restoration of her sight.
Wiersbe concluded by commenting: "It was said of another blind hymnwriter, George Matheson, that God made him blind so he could see clearly in other ways and become a guide to men. This same tribute could be applied to Fanny Crosby, who triumphed over her handicap and used it to the glory of God." Yes, this talented woman allowed her tragedy to make her better instead of bitter.
See: Isa 42:16; John 9:39; Rom 8:28
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5. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF BEING VULNERABLE AS GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER YOU FROM ANY DIFFICULTY (MT 6:13)
Illustration:Dr. James Gills, is an outstanding Christian ophthalmologist in the Tampa Bay area. He is a fine example of one who has allowed himself to be used of Jesus Christ and for His greater kingdom priorities. He writes about how he learned to allow the trials of life to make him and his ministry better regardless of the bitterness of his rivals. He writes, “I’ve seen God at work in my own struggles. About 30 years ago, when I first started my medical practice in the Tampa Bay area, I developed a large referral practice with optometrists. Things have changed since then, but in those days, it was unheard of for ophthalmologists to take referrals from optometrists. Other opthalmologists got upset that I was working with optometrists and they thought I was getting a bigger share of the patient pie than I should have. Their jealousy shaped me. It made me determined to do an excellent job, always performing far above anything that could be criticized. I move to a different part of the area and established myself there. I knew that if I didn’t move, the jealousies of my colleagues would hurt me. So I prayed for them and wished them well. I also used the situation to the glory of God and to the benefit of His kingdom. I dedicated my practice to God and He has worked through me and those at St. Luke’s Eye Hospital to help thousands of patients through the years.” Dr. Gills has given generously to many evangelical causes through the years as a testimony of his deep commitment to the Christ and His kingdom priorities. He has written more than thirty books that have been distributed to more than 3 million people.
6. ALLOW THE LORD TO WORK GREATER MATURITY, HOLINESS AND FRUITFULNESS AS HE CHOOSES (DEUT 29:29)
7. RECONFIGURE YOUR PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT IS IDEAL (ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI’S PRAYER, "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference")
Illustration:
Title: Accepting humbly
Early in my ministry, I met a man named Worral. He had been stricken with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15, and when I met him 30 years later, he was totally paralyzed except for 1 finger, could barely speak and was totally blind. But he had a string tied to that one mobile finger that could turn on a recorder. He wrote for national magazines, authored books and led a happy and influential life from his bed. This was possible because after initial prayers brought no healing, he accepted his lot graciously and said, "Well Lord! If this is the size plot in life you’ve staked out for me, let’s you and me together show the world what we can grow on it."
Down the path of humble acceptance, Worral achieved a happier and more useful life within the limitations of very restricted circumstances than most people ever will manage with excellent physical health.
-- Dr. Floyd Faust
See: John 9:3; 2 Cor 12:9
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Title: Death does not stop influence
The "homegoing" of slain Wycliffe linguist Chester Bitterman was not a setback to the work of translating the Scriptures into the world’s remaining 3,000 unwritten languages. It was, said William Cameron Townsend, 84, founder-patriarch of Wycliffe and its Summer Institute of Linguistics, "a tremendous advance. Young people have been awakened in a new way."
That this is not pious sentiment or wishful thinking became evident at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Wycliffe in Anaheim, California, last month, when 7,500 Wycliffe supporters paid tribute to "Uncle Cam" and Wycliffe’s 4,255 members who work in 750 languages in 35 countries. Since the 28-year-old Bitterman was kidnapped, then murdered 48 days later in Bogota, Columbia (CT, April 10, p. 70), about 100 students at Columbia Bible College in North Carolina, where Bitterman was graduated, have pledged themselves to missionary service. Chet’s widow, Brenda, has vowed to return to Bible literacy work, and his younger brother, Craig, 21, has applied to Wycliffe, hoping to be a Bible translator. And a new chair of linguistics and Bible translation has been established at Biola College in La Mirada, California, in Chet’s memory.
Said Chet’s father, Chester Bitterman, Sr., who, with his wife, Mary, and Chet’s five brothers and sisters were special guests at the Golden Jubilee: "On a human level, Chet may have lost his life. But we believe that God is not finished in this. We haven’t read the last chapter yet."
See: Psa 116:15
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8. LET SADNESS BE A PATHWAY TO GREATER JOY. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO DISCARD PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE LESS THAN PERFECT. Live victoriously through the ironies of life. "I am sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing, yet possessing all things." (2 COR 6:6-12)
Illustration: Leonardo DaVinci decided to take revenge on one of his most bitter rivals. He painted the face of his chief nemesis for the portrait of Judas Iscariot on his famous Lord’s Supper painting. However, this act did not go without its consequences. Whenever DaVinci tried to paint the face of Jesus Christ his mind drew a blank. Finally, he asked a friend why he could not finish the painting. When his best friend ask him if he had any unconfessed sin in his life he admitted what he had done to his chief rival in using his face for the infamous Judas Isacariot. When DaVinci erased the face and replaced it with a fictious image immediately his mind’s eye saw exactly the face of Jesus Christ that we see in the Lord’s Supper painting that is unquestionably the most valuable painting in the world. Only when we confess our sins and allow the Spirit to cleanse us from all unrighteousness are we able to clearly see the Lord. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." (Matt 5:8)
9. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOOD THINGS YOU HAVE, ARE BEING GIVEN AND CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE (I Thes 5:16-18) PRAISE GOD FOR HIS VICTORIOUS ATTRIBUTES. Rejoice always, praying and praise without ceasing and in everything give thanks."
10. PROCESS AND VALUE NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES KNOWING THAT IT IS NOT THE SITUATION BUT ONE’S REACTION THAT HELPS PLEASE GOD & BEAR FRUIT (COL 1:9)Paul wrote most of his sermons from a jail cell but he used it to produce letters that have brought great benefits to billions in a myriad of ways. Follow the example of the apostle Paul.
Illustration:
Title: Castro Sends Out Missionary
Bogota, Columbia -- The keynote speaker at the Advanced Evangelism Explosion Seminar in Bogota, Columbia, was Rev. Rodolfo Loyola, a pastor from Madrid, Spain. His testimony was shared with UPDATE by Rev. R. Craig Strickland of Second Presbyterian Church of Memphis, TN., who accompanied Woody Lafara to the Seminar as a Clinic teacher.
"Sixteen years ago, Rev. Loyola was a pastor and professor in Cuba. The Cuban government instructed him to either abandon his faith or quit teaching school. They gave him 15 days to decide. Rev. Loyola said, "I don’t need 15 days. I don’t need 15 minutes. I won’t be back to teach tomorrow."
Several days later, in the middle of the night, he was abducted and imprisoned in a Cuban concentration camp for over two years. In part because of his dedication to sharing the gospel with those around him, he was transferred 13 times to new concentration camps.
Finally, he was told by Castro’s government that he had 30 days to find two thousand dollars to take his family out of Cuba. Over the weekend, he and his wife prayed for guidance, writing to family and friends in other countries. Thirty days later, there was two thousand and ten dollars. So with ten dollars in his pocket, Rev. Loyola and his family were sent to Spain where he now joyfully exclaims that he is a missionary to Spain sent by Castro!"
See: Acts 1:8
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Title: Analogies
I rejoice in knowing that...
There is no oil without squeezing the olives,
No wine without pressing the grapes,
No fragrance without crushing the flowers, and
No real joy without sorrow.
See: 2 Cor 1:5-7; 2 Cor 7:9; Phil 3:10-11; Col 1:24
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Title: What it Means to Be a Christian Leader
Cal Thomas found himself called a "Christian leader" by a leading Christian magazine and he wondered what that meant ("Dear God, Please Don’t Let Me Be a Christian Leader," Fundamentalist Journal, May). More speaking engagements? Perhaps an appearance on a Christian talk show?
"It would certainly give me the right to start putting Scripture references under my signed name in books I have written. I would surely sign more Bibles, which I find a curious practice since I didn’t write that Book."
Thomas wonders if we have reversed things. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. "In a church I once attended, there was a man of tremendous faith. His wife is an alcoholic. His daughter has psychological problems. He was often poor in health. Yet, week after week, he never complained. He always smiled and asked me how I was doing. He faithfully brought to church a young blind man who had no transportation. He always sat with the blind man, helping him sing the hymns by saying the words into his ear. That man was a ’Christian leader’ if ever there was one."
See: Luke 22:26; Acts 20:18-21; Phil 2:3-4; Col 3:12-13; 1 Pet 1:22
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Title: Why do you need this illness?
Bernie Siegel, M.D., shocks his cancer patients when he asks them, "Why did you need this illness?" He claims that our bodies break down to give us a message, and many times it is a message that we have been ignoring. According to Dr. Siegel, while nobody wants to be ill, many patients say that cancer was the best thing that ever happened to them. They learned to appreciate life and to express their feelings to their loved ones. They were able to pick up the paintbrush they previously had been too busy to hold. Even illness can be a blessing.
-- Caurie Beth Hones, Jesus, CEO (Hyperion, 1995), p. 48-49.
11. SET BOUNDARIES WITH PEOPLE YOU ARE UNABLE TO HABITUALLY BE AT PEACE WITH (ROM. 12:9-21)As far as it is possible, be at peace with all men." Ask the Lord to deliver you from some abusive people and situations so that you will not be able to bear the temptation to sin by retaliating. We need to have a sane estimates of our abilities and limitations.
