DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS:

MONDAY - VERSES: Jeremiah 39:15-18; Think of people in the Bible who faced disastrous events and perhaps even died to further God's plans to bring salvation. PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the things He has worked for good for you and others in the past.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 30:3-9 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you recognize the good that can come even from negative events.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Jeremiah 24:1-10 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to continue watching over you and your loved ones to work things together for good even through difficult times.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Ezra 8:18-23 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God's forgiveness for those times that you have not trusted Him to bring about the things that are good.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Jeremiah 29:10-14 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God for strength to trust Him more during the times when bad things are happening and you can't see what good can come from it.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Jeremiah 21:8-14 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you remember that the promise of His providence is only for those who love Him.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. At least once a day read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it often throughout each day.

3. Think of times in your life God has caused good to come from bad.

4. Daily write the ways you have seen God's providential working.

5. Plan to tell how God has brought good from bad happenings in your life, or tell how God worked in this way in someone else's life.

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My daughters sometimes gather around, telling me how they need shoes, money for music lessons and for many other things. At times I have been compelled to say, "Go easy! I am not made of money. We will just have to get what we can afford and go without the rest."

But I never read in God's Word where He ever said, "Go easy! I don't have much. I strained Myself giving to others. I cannot give as much as you ask." No! One of our greatest sins is not praying for enough. We do not take what God is willing to give . . . God forgive us our little, stingy, unbelieving prayers! - John R. Rice

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 15

PROVIDENCE - 10-28-12 TO 11-03-12

SCRIPTURE - (Rom 8:28) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

COMMENT - Everything that happens to us is not good. However God causes good to come from bad with those who love God.

SONG – GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

1. God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.

2. Deep in unfathomable minds Of never failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs, And works His gracious will.

3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.

4. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding ev'ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

5. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

THOUGHTS

A seriously ill missionary did not receive her check and had to live on oatmeal and canned milk. She received her check thirty days later. After mentioning this incident while on furlough a doctor asked the nature of her illness. She described the intestinal digestive trouble she had been having and the doctor said, "If your check had arrived on time and you had been eating your current diet you would now be dead, because the best treatment for your illness was a thirty-day oatmeal diet." Our problem is that we do not wait upon the Lord. We forget that it's by faith and patience that we obtain God's promises.

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During a flash flood, volunteers tried to rescue victims. One old man was up to his knees in the fast-rising waters when a rowboat came. "Hop in, we'll save you!" "No thanks, the Lord will provide."

Later a motor boat offered to save him. The waters were over his waist, but again he declined: "No thanks, the Lord will provide."

Soon the water was up to his chin, so a helicopter was dispatched at the last minute. "Climb aboard, this is your last chance!"

"Thanks, but I don't need you, the Lord will provide." Moments later, he was banging on the pearly gates. He griped to Peter, "I was in trouble, praying up a storm, why did God let me drown?"

Peter looked at him, shook his head, and explained: "We sent you two boats and a helicopter. What more do you want?"

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Gladys Talbot tells the story of three little trees who wanted to be something in life. The first tree wanted to be a pretty cradle when it grew up. One day some people came to the forest and cut the tree down. The tree was hewn into rough pieces and carelessly put together to form a manger in a stable in Bethlehem. The little tree was disappointed because it was shoved into a dark cave with no one to see it but some cattle. One day however, God laid there His own Babe -- the Son of God. the manger quivered with delight. "Oh, this is wonderful! In all my dreams I never thought to hold a Baby like this. This is better than all myplanning. Why, I am part of a miracle!"

Years passed by, and men came to the forest to cut down the second tree. This tree aspired to be a great ship when it grew up. But the little tree did not do great things. It was not made into a great vessel, but instead it became a tiny fishing boat, owned by a simple Galilean fisherman named Peter. The little boat was most unhappy. One day it stood by the shores of the Sea of Galilee dejected and disappointed. A crowd had gathered by the shore and because of the multitude, a Man, called Jesus, stepped into the little boat and taught the people from it. "This is wonderful!" it whispered. "In all my dreams and planning I never thought I would be used as part of a miracle."

After some months, men came to the forest to cut down the third tree. This tree just wanted to remain on the hillside and point to God. But men did not leave the little tree alone. They tore away its branches; they cut into its bark, and deeper, into its very heart. They hewed it apart and put it together again, in the form of a crude cross. The little tree quivered through all its being. "This is terrible!" it whispered. "They are going to hang someone. Oh, I never wanted this to happen to me -- I only wanted to point to God! This is awful!"

One day, Jesus was nailed to the cross. The little tree heard words of forgiveness and peace that were offered to the whole world. Then Christ completed His work of redemption and "gave up the ghost."

And the cross began to understand! "This is wonderful!" it whispered. "In all my dreams I never thought to point to God in this way. I am part of a miracle. This is better than all my planning." -- Talbot, G.M., Stories I Love to Tell, Chicago: Moody Press

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FORTUNE OR MISFORTUNE?

One day, a farmer's horse ran away.	His neighbors offered their condolences, "What a shame. Now your only horse is gone. How unfortunate you are!. You must be very sad. How will you live, work the land, and prosper?" He replied: "Who knows? We shall see".

Two days later the old horse came back with twelve new horses which followed the old horse into the corral. Word got out of the old farmer's good fortune and people stopped by to congratulate the farmer on his good luck. "How fortunate you are!" they exclaimed. You must be very happy!" The farmer softly said, "Who knows? We shall see."

Then one morning, the farmer's only son set out to train a wild horse, but he was thrown and broke his leg. One by one villagers arrived during the day to bemoan the farmer's latest misfortune. "Oh, what a tragedy! Your son won't be able to help you farm with a broken leg. You'll have to do all the work yourself, How will you survive? You must be very sad". Calmly the farmer answered, "We shall see"

Several days later a war broke out. The Emperor's men arrived in the village demanding that young men come with them to be conscripted into the Emperor's army. As it happened the farmer's son was deemed unfit because of his broken leg. "What very good fortune you have!!" the villagers exclaimed as their own young sons were marched away. "You must be very happy." "Who knows? We shall see!", replied the old farmer as he headed off to work his field alone.

As time went on the broken leg healed but the son was left with a slight limp. Again the neighbors came to pay their condolences. "Oh what bad luck. Too bad for you"! But the old farmer simply replied; "Who knows? We shall see."

The other young village boys died in the war and he and his son were the only able bodied men capable of working the village lands. The old farmer became wealthy and was very generous to the villagers. They said: "Oh how fortunate you are, you must be very happy", to which the old farmer replied, "Who knows? We shall see!"

ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD

SCRIPTURE - (Rom 8:28-39) 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. {31}What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? {33} Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. {34} Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." {37} Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. {38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, {39} nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

INTRODUCTION - SHOW BACK SIDE OF TAPESTRY AND ASK WHAT IT IS

I. WE KNOW - HOW DO WE KNOW ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD?

A. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: LOSS OF A JOB, INJURY, DEATH ETC.

B. FROM BIBLE EXAMPLES

1. JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY - (Gen 50:19-21) Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? {20} "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. {21} "Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

2. JOB - (Job 42:10-13) And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. {11} Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. {12} Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. {13} He also had seven sons and three daughters.

II. ALL THINGS

A. ALL THINGS THAT BRING US SUFFERING: PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL ETC.

B. NOT SOME THINGS BUT ALL THINGS

III. WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

A. ULTIMATELY GOOD WILL COME FROM THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO US AS CHRISTIANS

1. SOMETIMES IN THIS LIFE - JOSEPH, JOB

2. SOMETIMES IN THE LIFE TO COME - (Rom 8:18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

B. BAD THINGS ARE NOT MADE GOOD BY GOD. BUT GOOD CAN COME FROM BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

1. A CHILD DIES BECAUSE OF PARENTAL NEGLECT AND THE PARENTS

LEARN FROM THAT TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THEIR OTHER CHILDREN

2. A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CAUSES YOU TO BE A MORE CAREFUL DRIVER.

IV. TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD (OBEDIENT CHILDREN OF GOD)

A. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE GOD - (Mark 12:29-30) Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. {30} 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.

B. GOD HAS PREPARED UNIMAGINABLE THINGS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM - (1 Cor 2:9) But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

C. GOD HAS PROMISED LIFE TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM - (James 1:12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

D. GOD HAS PROMISED THE HEAVEN TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM - (James 2:5) Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

V. TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED

A. MANY ARE CALLED - (Mat 20:16) "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

B. WE ARE CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT - (1 Pet 2:9-10) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; {10} who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

C. WE ARE CALLED TO BE CONFORMED TO JESUS' IMAGE - (Rom 8:29-30) 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.

D. WE ARE CALLED TO SUFFER - (1 Pet 2:21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

E. WE ARE CALLED TO BE SAINTS - (1 Cor 1:2) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

F. WE ARE CALLED BY THE GOSPEL - (2 Th 2:13-14) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, {14} to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

VI. ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE

A. GOD USES EVEN SINNERS TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE

1. (Rom 9:17) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."

2. (Rev 17:16-17) "And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. {17} "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

B. HE WORKS all things for his purpose - Eph 1:7-11 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace {8} which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, {9} having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, {10} that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in Him. {11} In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

CONCLUSION

A. How do you respond to the bad things that happen to you? Do you see god working behind the scenes to bring good out of the bad?

One ship sails east and another west, while the selfsame breezes blow;

'Tis the set of the sail and not the gale that bids them where to go.

Like the winds of the air are ;the ways of fate, as we journey along through life; 'Tis the set of the soul that decides the goal, and not the storm or the strife. Ella Wheeler Wilcox

B. Remember that even when we don't understand why things seem to be going badly for us; when we are God's obedient children he works all things together for good.

C. Are you a child of God? Are your sails set in the direction of god and heaven?

Romans 8:28

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.

________ ____________ WORK FOR GOOD

INTRODUCTION - ROMANS 8:28-39

I. WE _________ - HOW DO WE KNOW ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD?

A.

B. FROM BIBLE EXAMPLES

1. JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY - GENESIS ___:19-21

2. JOB - JOB ____:10-13

II. ______ THINGS

III. WORK TOGETHER FOR _________

A. ULTIMATELY ________ WILL COME FROM THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO US AS CHRISTIANS

1. SOMETIMES IN THIS ________ - JOSEPH, JOB

2. SOMETIMES IN THE LIFE TO COME - ROMANS 8:_____

B. BAD THINGS ARE NOT MADE GOOD BY GOD. BUT GOOD CAN COME FROM BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

IV. TO THOSE WHO _________ GOD

A. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT IS TO ________ GOD - MARK 12:29-30

B. GOD HAS PREPARED UNIMAGINABLE THINGS FOR THOSE WHO ___________ HIM - 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

C. GOD HAS PROMISED LIFE TO THOSE WHO _________ HIM - JAMES 1:12

D. GOD HAS PROMISED HEAVEN TO THOSE WHO ___________ HIM - JAMES 2:5

V. TO THOSE WHO ARE ____________

A. MANY ARE CALLED - MATTHEW ____:16

B. OUT OF DARKNESS INTO ___________ - 1 PETER 2:9-10

C. TO BE CONFORMED TO JESUS' __________ - ROMANS 8:29-30

D. TO ___________ - 1 PETER 2:21

E. TO BE ___________ - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:2

F. BY THE _____________ - 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13-14

VI. ACCORDING TO HIS ________________

A. GOD USES EVEN ______________ TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE

1. ROMANS 9:17

2. REVELATION 17:16-17

B. HE WORKS ALL THINGS FOR HIS PURPOSE - EPHESIANS ____:7-11

CONCLUSION