Scripture:
Romans 8:28-30 NKJV
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Observation:
Anyone who knows me knows that this is my life verse. First, I have to apologize. I woke up an hr late, so I will try not to short change on the SOAP. The book of Romans is the plan of salvation for those who might have a hard time understanding it. I know I did when I first encountered Jesus Christ that day in that little church in asher. It was had to comprehend how GOD could love a person like me. Romans chapter 8 and verse 28 says ALL things WORK TOGETHER for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose. Paul is spelling it out for those who don’t understand. GOD has been directing. Their steps. HE has been calling them through the trials and the hard times HE has been drawing them. In each situation, the LORD has been like a potter with a lump of clay. Shaping and molding through pressure. Steadily make them more and more like HIS Son. It’s been part of HIS plan all along. The bibke say no one comes to the father lest HE draw them. So those HE knew HE those whose names would be in the lambs book of life HE has been drawing calling they are predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS son. Changed from death to life. Molded shaped justified sanctified, taken out of the darkest moments of their lives and set on a path to HIS glory.
Application:
I remember the day I heard HIM call me out by name. The stone was rolled away from the door of the tumb, and all the guilt from all the things I had done became tools for HIS purpose. The shame from the things that had happened to me became the same kind of tool. I could see how HE had brought me to that very moment. Where surrender was the only option. What is even greater is that I could see how the story HE had written with my life could impact others. What an amazing GOD we serve. HE wastes absolutely nothing. My pain became my purpose, and my weakness became my strength. As the sin in my life started to lose the battle to HIS grace. I could see that HE loved me all along. HE had directed my path to a little church in asher 2000 miles away from anyone I knew so HE could get my attention. So HE could use the story HE wrote to build the kingdom. So here is my encouragement for you. If you are in the middle of the mess and you don’t know what to do, look up… HE is calling you… yes, it may hurt right now, but HE has a purpose for that pain. Let HIS shape you let HIM mold you. When HE is done, you will be conformed to the image of HIS Son. Don’t give up… surrender to HIS plan for you. HE has called you out by name. Pick up the phone.
Prayer:
Father, I know that nothing happens in your world by mistake. You are the master craftsman. You make a mosaic out of all the broken prices of our lives. That’s something we could not do. The more we tried, the more we messed things up. To find out that it was all part of how you were drawing us to you is a relief. You knew our name before time began a d at just the right moment you said Eric cone out of that tumb and my broken dead in sin body stood up and walked out from death to life in Christ Jesus. You have wasted not one broken peace, and to look back at it all, I see your mighty hand in every moment. All I can say is thank you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.