Thanks to Crystal for forwarding these to me and to Sue who typed them up.
The apostle Paul’s intention was to go and preach the gospel in Spain but instead he ended up in prison.
He said, Phil. 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.
Paul wrote the prison epistles.
Certainly Paul wasn’t thinking how wonderful this is, that he gets to write these epistles, that he will bless people down through the ages with his words.
When we go through our most difficult moments we don’t think about what a blessing it will be when we can minister to others through this.
Just know that God is up to something.
He wants us to understand that He is in control (not us).
Gen. 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, “you meant it for evil but God meant it for good.” Joseph, Job, David all learned that.
Understanding it may be bad now but God means it for good.
Do I believe that nothing comes my way without first going through God’s loving, compassionate hands?
The things that happen to us happen to strengthen our dependence on God.
2 Cor. 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead.
You’re not really calling the shots. You can’t have it both ways. If you’re in control then you’re not allowing God to be in control.
Psa. 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance.
When the heat is turned up, all the impurities and dross rise to the surface so that it can be removed.
We’d never have known these things were in us if He hadn’t turned the heat up.
God’s goal is not to make us happy but to make us holy.
He wants to toughen us up so we are prepared for each trial that comes.
Every time you dodge a trial that God sends, you are less prepared for the next one.
God is very patient. He will wait a lifetime to do what He wants to do.
We need every trial that comes our way.
He always means it for good.
