For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.–Romans 8:18

When parents see their child receive a college diploma … when an athlete wins the race … when a new business turns a profit … when treatments result in a clean bill of health — these are moments in life when we think, “It was all worthwhile.” All what? All the hard work, the pain, the long hours, the practice, the harsh treatments — whatever it took before the final result was realized.

A day is coming when every Christian will realize that it was all worthwhile. All what? The choices, the discipline, the obedience, the sacrifice, the sufferings of living in a fallen world. Life can be hard, no doubt about it. But Paul says that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory” that is to come (Romans 8:18). He also calls our temporary “afflictions” the preparation for an “exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). That which is in the future for the Christian makes everything in the present worthwhile.

If you are a Christian who sometimes grows weary, remember the glory to come. The glory makes the grind worthwhile.–“Turning Point”

Glory for the Christian is more certain than the grave.–John Blanchard

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. — Eph. 3:20
Business consultant Peter Drucker often said, “The customer never buys a product. By definition, the customer buys the satisfaction of a want”. So,if a company can convince you that they can provide what you need they’ve just made a sale.

Successful businesses spend large sums of money and countless hours getting people to sense a need for their product or service. And they know all the tricks in the book. They often convince people that they need something that they don’t need at all. They also address genuine needs, but cannot always deliver on their promises to meet them. Then there are needs that no man can provide.

We need to realize that not all our needs can be met by others— regardless of how convincing their arguments. Our need exceeds their ability, and ours. Let’s face it, we have needs that neither we nor others can meet. The good news is that God is able to do what man can’t! He can, in fact, “do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”! That ought to be a “Wow!” moment in your life. We need not worry about the nature or number of our needs— there are none that God can’t meet.

Don’t look to the world for the solution to your problems or the source of your supply. Acknowledge your need, admit your inability, and ask God for help. If you are submissive to His will, you can rest assured that He will provide what you need— even if you do not realize it as a need. God doesn’t always give us what we desire–He loves us too much to do that, but He gives us what we actually need. Because of His love, wisdom, and faithfulness we can be confident that if God doesn’t give us what we want, it’s because He has something better in mind.

Whatever trial you are facing, or burden you are bearing, or enemy you are fighting, or temptation you are resisting, or pain you are enduring—remember, God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”. Rest your weary soul on His faithful promise!

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind-— Rom. 12:2
Several years ago there was a popular little song that said, He’s still working on me”—we need to think about that. Pastor Jack Graham said:

“There was a 7th grade Sunday school teacher who told me about a time when she was working with boys one Sunday morning. One in particular was really cutting up quite a bit. He wouldn’t stay in his seat, wasn’t listening to the teacher, and was disrupting the whole class.

So the teacher took the boy outside and asked him, “Who made you?” to which the boy replied “God did.”

The teacher responded, “That’s right. So why aren’t you acting like it?” The boy thought for a second and said, “Well, maybe He’s not done with me yet!”

You know, there’s a lot of truth in the words of that little boy. That’s because as long as we’re here on this earth, God is still working on us, conforming us to His image and making our hearts more and more like His!

So if you’re struggling today with any hurts or bad habits, keep moving forward. Remember that God isn’t finished with you. He’s taking the old and making it new day by day. Live with hope knowing you’re growing more and more like Christ as you obey Him daily!”

For those who never heard the song, I’ve included the words below:

He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.

1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don’t judge her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.

CHORUS:

2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.–Ecc. 5:5

As a wealthy oil tycoon lay on his deathbed, his pastor talked of God’s healing power. “Pastor,” he gasped, “if God heals me, I’ll give the church a million dollars.” The pastor gave a wry grin and said, “Yes, sir, I’m sure you would!”

Miraculously, the man was healed and within a few short weeks was out of the hospital. One day several months later, he and the pastor were chatting on the sidewalk in front of the church. “You know,” the pastor laughed, “when you were in the hospital dying, you promised to give the church a million dollars if you got well. We haven’t got it yet.”

“Did I say that?” the tycoon asked. “I guess that goes to show how sick I really was!”

It’s interesting how in times of desperation, people tend to become more spiritual, promising God this and that. Yet when those times of desperation pass, they’re left with unkept promises and a waning spiritual life.

Instead of living life on a spiritual roller coaster, stay close to God in good times and in bad. Don’t treat God like a cosmic Santa Claus who you turn to when you need something. See Him, rather, as a faithful friend who is always with you no matter what you’re going through!

Pray that God would give you consistency in your walk with Him in good times and in bad.–(Senior Living)

backsliders– and that’s a dangerous state.