Something Beautiful, Something Good!
10/11/15
Romans 8:28 (KJV) 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
If YOU have been a Christian for any reasonable length of time, I KNOW you are well aware and familiar with the above Verse!!!
If you are like me, you have heard it quoted, PREACHED, counseled, exhorted and many times when things are the hardest.
I am writing today's sermon from the confines and comfort of my home in Georgia.
I "thought/assumed" I was "supposed" to be sitting in Foley, AL. this morning, typing this sermon and preparing to go to Church?
When we arose (PTL for arising!) yesterday, it was pouring down rain, and since we carry Amanda's wheelchair on a bicycle rack hung on the trunk, our plans changed.
Instead of being at the beach, I sat and watched movies I had seen MANY times with Amanda.
I WANTED to feel frustrated and get depressed.
I remembered what Jesus said to Saul BEFORE he became the mighty man of God, Paul:
"
IT IS HARD FOR THEE TO KICK AGAINST THE PRICKS!"
Acts 26:14 (KJV) 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
PRICKS-from
kenteo
(to
prick
); a
point
("centre"), i.e. a
sting
(figurative
poison
) or
goad
(figurative divine
impulse
) :- prick, sting. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Beloved, this life is full of "PRICKS!!"
Things often do not turn out as we "planned."
Mama used to say:
"
THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFTEN GO ASTRAY!!!!"
Can I get an AMEN out there?????
Just like the mighty man of war, Naaman, who "THOUGHT" that his healing would come in "HIS" control:
2 Kings 5:11 (KJV)
11
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the
LORD
his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman "THOUGHT" the Prophet himself would answer the door, but God had HIS way!
2 Kings 5:10 (KJV)
10
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
A few years ago, (I do not know why?), God suddenly blurted out an answer that I had sought several years earlier.
His Voice spoke to me when I least expected it-again, I do not know why?
I had spent 14 years molding and building a congregation, CONVINCED I had heard both the Will of God and "knew" His leading.
I gave it all I had and finally purchased my dream property on which to build the physical plant.
I jumped through all the county's hoops, got proper zoming, designed a building and even had its dimensions staked out in the ground.
EVERYTHING was a GO except for the TIME and TIMING.
The year was 2008 and NOBODY knew THE GREAT RECESSION was upon us!!
The years prior to 2008 were free flowing, and money was cheap and easy to obtain.
The county I wanted to build in was among the top 10 counties in the entire nation for growth.
In fact, a local developer wanted to purchase our property for $100,000.00 MORE than we had paid!!!!
I rejected his offer, fully convinced that ""I HAD THIS!!"
January 1, 2009, I lost the property and my dream evaporated with it.
THANK GOD!!!
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to
his
purpose.
I well know NOW that had I been able to construct that PHYSICAL building, I would be limited in my ministry "OUTSIDE THE WALLS."
In the words of Gloria and Bill Gaither:
"
IF THERE EVER WERE DREAMS THAT WERE LOFTY AND NOBLE
THEY WERE OUR DREAMS AT THE START.
AND THE HOPE FOR LIFE'S BEST ARE THE DREAMS THAT WE HARBOR
DOWN DEEP IN OUR HEARTS.
BUT SOMETIMES THOSE DREAMS TURN TO ASHES AND OUR CASTLES ALL CRUMBLE.
AND OUR FORTUNES TURN TO LOSS.
JUST WRAP THEM ALL UP, IN THE RAGS OF OUR LIVES
AND LAY THEM AT THE CROSS!
LET CHRIST MAKE, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, SOMETHING GOOD
ALL OUR CONFUSION HE UNDERSTOOD.
ALL WE HAVE TO OFFER HIM IS BROKENNESS AND STRIFE
BUT HE MAKES SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL OUT OF OUR LIVES!!!"
Oh, BTW, the ANSWER God gave me YEARS after my dream died.
God spoke to me and simply said:
"
DOUG, YOU REMEMBER THAT CHURCH YOU WANTED TO AND TRIED TO BUILD!!??
THAT WAS NEVER MY IDEA-THAT WAS YOURS!!!!"
SELAH- THINK ABOUT THAT!!!
TODAY, ALLOW CHRIST TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, SOMETHING GOOD OUT OF YOUR LIFE!!!
AMEN!!??
GOD BLESS YOU!
Foley, here we come!!!!
PASTOR DOUG
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
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