Category Archives: Circumstances

Bible, Called, Calling, Circumstances, Good, Names, Romans, Scripture

SOME CONDITIONS FOR GOD’S CARE

ROMANS 8:28

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Today’s verse is probably one of the most recognizable verses in the book of Romans. But it is probably also one of the most misunderstood ones. It is true that God cares for everyone, even the vilest person alive. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for every person. But God will not and, because He is a just and holy God, cannot bless those who are not following Him. It goes against His nature.

Paul says two things in today’s verse which clarify His care. He does cause “all things to work together for good” to 1) those who love God and 2) those who are called according to His purpose. You really can’t make that any clearer. God puts some conditions down for His blessings. If you love God and have responded to His calling on your life, He will be there through thick and thin. You are His. That’s just the truth.

APPLICATION

So, how do you live with this truth? You have to believe, first of all, that God desires good in your life. Carl, you don’t know what I’ve been through. How could God make anything good out of this? Short answer – I don’t know. But God does. I have to believe that the God of the universe, Who took dirt and created man, Who made all of creation in six days, can make my circumstances into something good for my life.

Secondly, I believe if He has called me, He knows my name. Do you understand that? He knows YOUR name. He knows every freckle on your skin and every hair on your head. Because He knows you so completely, He knows exactly how to orchestrate your circumstances to turn anything you are facing into something good. You may not see that good for years, but He is faithful.

May I encourage you today to do a deep dive into this verse. Dissect it. Tear it apart. Look at what all the words really mean. Don’t just quote this verse lightly. It has such profound truths in it. Don’t use this verse to justify your bad choices and then expect God to make it good. The good may mean you have to live with some consequences in order to learn. But if you are a follower of Jesus, He does desire only good for you. Trust Him with that.

O Father, this verse is such a comfort for any who trust You with their life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Circumstances, Gospel, Prison, Progress, Scripture

IS THIS AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE?

PHILIPPIANS 1:12

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”

Today is April Fool’s Day, a day when people try to pull pranks on others. Sometimes they are funny. Other times – not so much. I have been the perpetrator of pranks and the victim too. Being a jokester myself, I kind of like this day. If you pull a prank today, make sure it is harmless and demeaning. Just saying!

Paul was NOT pulling a prank when he wrote this verse to Philippians. He wrote this epistle from prison, so how could his “circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel”? That just doesn’t make sense to me. But Paul knew something about his circumstances. God would use them to spread the message of Jesus far and wide. He was sure of that.

APPLICATION

Today we have a very interesting word that is used by Paul. We translate it “progress.” You have to see what HELPS Word Studies says about this word. “Prokopḗ (from pró, ‘in front of’ and kóptō, ‘cut, chop down’) – properly, advance (progress) – literally, ‘advancement by chopping down whatever impedes progress’; furtherance. For the believer, this means going forward in sanctification, cutting through obstacles by the Lord’s power. [This root (prokop-) is also used in antiquity of pioneers and armies – clearing away (chopping down) forests in order to reach their destination.]”

Prokopḗ is only used two other times in the New Testament. Later in Philippians 1:25 we read, ”Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,” And in 1 Timothy 4:15, Paul tells Timothy, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”

To borrow the definition we saw in HELPS, are you chopping and clearing a path with the Gospel? We have been given the Sword of the Spirit, God’s Holy Word, to do just that. Memorize, meditate and apply His Word today in all your interactions with others. Look for ways to say as Paul did that you see a greater progress of the Gospel.

Father God, use me today to be Your instrument to share Your Word with others.

Standard