4-28-21 THOUGHTS

An interesting thought comes from the Philippian letter in the first part.  It’s something that most of us  have observed in our lives.  Life plays out badly for someone (me?)  for a while, and then some obvious good comes from the perceived poor time period.  
Php 1:12-14     Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13  so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14  and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
What was bad for Paul, produced much good for the Kingdom.  I can’t help thinking of Joseph in this vein.  His brothers sold him as a slave, he was imprisoned for his moral integrity, he was forgotten by one he saved.  Everything looked wrong for him, but God, in time, turned it all out right!
Gen 45:4-8    Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5  "Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6  "For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7  "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8  "Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
2Thes 3:1-5    Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2  and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4  We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5  May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
Rom 8:37   But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Church, good is happening because GOD IS GOD!

My Prayer:
We praise you most wonderful God for the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and for the promises of eternity.  We know that all things are working together for good because we love you.  Thank you for love and for teaching us to love.  Grow us in faith and love O God.  Bring us together as your Church that we might lift up and glorify your great name.  
In the name of our Savior and Lord,     Amen