Monday, February 20, 2017

Not Playing Favorites

Peter fairly exploded with his good news: It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! 
Acts 10:34 The Message

Years ago, I had prayed and prayed for God to supernaturally deliver me from a nicotine addiction – to just take away the desire because I’d heard so many testimonies of how He had done that for others. After all, He plays no favorites, right? So why didn’t He just do that for me?!? But that’s not the way He chose to deliver me from it. Why? I think it's because I'm rather headstrong and stubborn-willed, and He didn't want me to think I could do it on my own. I learned a very valuable lesson about relying on God because I couldn't do it in my own strength.

Hebrews 12:10b-11 NLT, reassures us; God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way

Do I think cigarettes will keep someone out of Heaven?  I’m not God, but here’s what you and I both know. Scripture tells us to work out our own salvation, and I believe that means God will work on us as individuals regarding the things that He wants OUT of our lives and what He wants IN our lives and what He wants done in our relationship with Him…because He loves us.

Be encouraged today. He will see you through - no matter WHAT it is you're going through or trying to go through. No, He doesn't play favorites, but He loves us all the same. That’s what we have to recognize. ALL that He does, ALL that He speaks to our hearts, ALL... Everything is because He loves us. 

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross to save us from our sins, and to redeem us back to You. I don't know how You could love us so much after all we've sinned, but You do. Your mercy and grace overflow and overwhelm us. Your peace truly surpasses our understanding. Help us, O Lord, to walk faithfully in what You have provided for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen


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