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God . . . Used it for Good

Genesis 50:20  “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 

Dave Stone told a story about a soldier during the Vietnam War who got a letter from his girlfriend saying that she was breaking up with him.   To make a painful situation worse, she asked, “Will you please return my favorite picture of myself --- I need to use it for my engagement picture in the local newspaper.”

Tags:  Genesis, Joseph, God, Good

Provided

Genesis 22:14 “So Abraham called that place The Lord will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
 
Growing up I always had an example of a father that provided. My dad is a business owner who started his company when I was a teenager. I watched him work hard, make good choices and provide for his family. In our family we had everything we needed and almost everything we wanted.
Tags:  Providing, Provided, Genesis, Abraham, Matthew

Switching Tracks

Acts 9:5-6  “Who are you Lord?  “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  Now get up and go to the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

Tags:  Switching Tracks, Acts, Saul, Paul, Life's Direction

Prayer - Your Secret Weapon

Ephesians 6:18-20 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
 
During World War 2, the Nazis were working on a secret weapon for conquering England and winning the war. It was called the V-3 gun.
 
The V-3 gun was a huge cannon that was over a football field and a half long. It was so big that much of it had to be built underground.
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, Prayer

A Good Fight

Ephesians 6:10-12  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.  Put on the armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” 

Tags:  A Good Fight, Ephesians, Armor of God, Pittsburgh Steeler

Married for Good

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 
 
Gene and Pat Warrington had a good marriage. The two met when they were in junior high school, got married secretly while Gene was on leave from boot camp in in WWII and lived together for 69 years. In the end they passed away only eight hours apart.  Their kids said that their marriage was more than good and was an example for all who knew them.
 
Marriage is intended to be good and all men want a good relationship with their wife.  It is true that all marriages
Tags:  Married, Marriage, John, Ephesians

One Small Hole

James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
 
I came home the other day to find a near miss in our backyard.  A very large limb from a 50-year old red oak tree fell and just missed our house and deck. This puzzled me because the tree looked so healthy on the outside; but
Tags:  James, Heart Rot, Inside

The Good Life: Vacation

 Ephesians 5:15 ”Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise.” 
 
I love vacation! You probably do too! There are few things better than breaking away from the work and stress of everyday life to get a little rest and relaxation. On a good vacation it feels like time moves slow. The days are packed with memories with those you love and the “real world” seems far away. When I think about the Good Life I think about vacations. The only problem is that the challenges of life do not really go away. They still exist back home, but we just get to
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, The Good Life, Vacation

Live Different

Ephesians 4:17 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do.” 
 
I’m always impressed by “before and after” pictures. Whether they are weight loss, home improvement, or a business flip. When someone or something changes it takes a lot of effort to achieve the goal. 
 
The Apostle Paul understood this personally. Midway through his life he experienced a life changing transformation. For us he is a living example of how Jesus can change a person. The change was obvious. Instea
Tags:  Ephesians, Paul, Live Different, Transformation

The Good Life

Ephesians 4:1  “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” 

What comes to mind when you think of “The Good Life?”   Maybe it’s giving up the rat race early to live on the beach?  Or maybe it’s a life of wealth, pleasure, comfort, and independence.  The reality, however, is that comfort and leisure are fine but we are created for more than that! 

Tags:  The Good Life, United, Ephesians, Paul

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