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The Soft Pillow for a Tired Heart
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).
God’s Great Purpose for You. This verse has been called “the soft pillow for a tired heart.” This world is largely a wilderness of suffering, sorrow and disappointment. But God is working toward a greater purpose… His purpose. But what is His purpose? We can know with our heads but only the Holy Spirit can make it real to our hearts. Charles Spurgeon of the late 1800’s in London used to say, “I do not need anyone to tell me how honey tastes; I know.” In the same way God wants you to know that He loves you and He is watching over you with an expected end in mind (Jer.29:11).
God’s great purpose for you is this: for you …to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29). In other words, Christ is not going to be the only one in eternity who is holy and pleasing to the Father. But, Christ is going to be the first one and after Him will be “many brethren” who are like Him.
Is this a brand-new thought for you? You’ve heard it before but it has never really come home to your heart? God’s great purpose for you is not only to save you from Hell but to make you like His Son. That’s why all things work together for good when you are hurting and confused. God has you on the potter’s wheel. You are going around and around and being managed in a way that you would not choose. And then you end up in the oven and the heat is turned up. Not this Lord! Not this! And you feel like God has forsaken you. Maybe you even think He is against you to destroy you. Is that how you feel?
It’s darkest just before dawn. God wants you to know that regardless of what comes your way, He is looking straight at you, watching over you and He never takes His eye off of you. You may be tempted to say: “Wait a minute! I may not want to be like Jesus if this is the way it’s done!” Couldn’t I be a little less like Him with a little less pain? No, the Father has determined that you are going to be like Jesus and He is the firstborn of many brethren. When God is finished with you, you are going to be like His Son. This may be more than you can take in or more than you want to take in, but that IS the plan, my friend.
It is not in God’s plan for you to enter Heaven smelling like a skunk. If you didn’t have some tough days would you ever pray? The ideal life is not experienced in the Mall. There’s something beyond that. Lift up your head and go along with God’s program and purpose for you. Rejoice in the Lord today because He is in charge and He alone knows the way through the wilderness. Give Him your hand and let Him lead you.
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. (Jeremiah 18:1-10)
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
(Key of F)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
October 13, 2017 - FRIDAY
A.M. Isaiah 50-52 P.M. 1 Thess 1
(BIBLE GATEWAY will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Good Verses to Memorize:
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (confess). (Isaiah 45:22-23)
Song for Today:
Nearer My God to Thee (5:06) (Sharon Mennonite Singers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLl5nY5WPI&index=3&list=RD2UnFNHWJ0tA
(Wait a few seconds for it to come on.)
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father…
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