mamallama
November 20th, 2006, 12:43 PM
BEAUTY FOR ASHES devotional
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes..." Isaiah 61:3
http://www.lifepointcc.org/ladiesnewsletter.asp
November 20, 2006
Jeremiah 15:11 NIV
The Lord says "I have saved you for a good purpose."
In the NCV it says "I have saved you for a good reason."
Listen to the Amplified version
The Lord said, "Truly your release, affliction, and strengthening will be for good purposes."
I was reading in my quiet time and this verse popped out at me. How wonderful and beautiful, at the same time, when it comes to me. What a miracle!! My God, my personal God saved me for a good purpose. Put the verse above together with Genesis 50:20 "As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil." I wonder if you feel your whole life has been wasted by past mistakes, and still your future haunts you. No...it's all in His plan just for you. The afflictions strengthen you for the next step with Him. That's why Paul said again and again, "Don't give up," and at the end of his life, "I fought the good fight." Oh, let's look at our afflictions differently. Let's see them as strengthening for HIS good purpose in our lives.
Isaiah 48:10-11 says "I have refined you, but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. I will rescue you for my sake...yes, for my own sake."
How do we prepare to fight the good fight? I'm glad you asked! Ezekiel 3:10 says, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself." What is the word? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17 It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
Before the afflictions come we must be full of HIM. Our lives will be turned to an overcoming faith such as Paul.
Let our lives be consumed with HIM. Let our hearts be full of the TRUTH. Let our praises go up to our HEAVENLY FATHER.
I wonder what good purpose He is preparing you for?
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
— Isaiah 61:3
A ministry of LifePoint Community Church in Greenville SC
Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes..." Isaiah 61:3
http://www.lifepointcc.org/ladiesnewsletter.asp
November 20, 2006
Jeremiah 15:11 NIV
The Lord says "I have saved you for a good purpose."
In the NCV it says "I have saved you for a good reason."
Listen to the Amplified version
The Lord said, "Truly your release, affliction, and strengthening will be for good purposes."
I was reading in my quiet time and this verse popped out at me. How wonderful and beautiful, at the same time, when it comes to me. What a miracle!! My God, my personal God saved me for a good purpose. Put the verse above together with Genesis 50:20 "As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil." I wonder if you feel your whole life has been wasted by past mistakes, and still your future haunts you. No...it's all in His plan just for you. The afflictions strengthen you for the next step with Him. That's why Paul said again and again, "Don't give up," and at the end of his life, "I fought the good fight." Oh, let's look at our afflictions differently. Let's see them as strengthening for HIS good purpose in our lives.
Isaiah 48:10-11 says "I have refined you, but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. I will rescue you for my sake...yes, for my own sake."
How do we prepare to fight the good fight? I'm glad you asked! Ezekiel 3:10 says, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself." What is the word? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17 It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
Before the afflictions come we must be full of HIM. Our lives will be turned to an overcoming faith such as Paul.
Let our lives be consumed with HIM. Let our hearts be full of the TRUTH. Let our praises go up to our HEAVENLY FATHER.
I wonder what good purpose He is preparing you for?
"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
— Isaiah 61:3
A ministry of LifePoint Community Church in Greenville SC
Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.