OVERCOMING EVIL

We are familiar with Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." It is a wonderful thing God does when He is given something that is very painful and destructive and then weaves it into a thing of beauty in our lives.
When Andrew Murray faced a painful thing that came into his life he penned these words. He brought me here, It is by His will that I am in this difficult place. Next He will keep me here and give me grace to behave as His child. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He means me to learn. Last He will bring me out in His time. Let me say I am here by God's will, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.
I remember Bill Gothard doing a chalk drawing in his seminar that made quite an impression on me. He did a beautiful drawing and then took a heavy black chalk and made a large black mark across the drawing, and then proceeded to incorporate that black mark to make an even more beautiful drawing. He pointed out that God can take those destructive things that come into our lives and produce greater beauty.
Satan brought one of those destructive black marks into our life. I feel a responsibility to testify to God's grace in taking that thing and producing a beauty that I doubt would have ever been in our lives without that black mark. It is truly amazing what God can do with that which is placed into His hands.
I am not saying that God purposed that black mark, but I am saying that God has taken it and produced a thing of beauty beyond the ordinary.
The awful treatment by Joseph's brothers opened the way for God to do a wonderful thing in Joseph's life and in his family. Joseph's godly response opened the way to a thing of beauty. Joseph told his brothers after God's mighty working in his family: "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive." Gen. 50:20
If some painful thing comes into your life, place it into God's hands and allow Him to weave it into His greater plan for your life. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

GOD LED ME TO BEREAN

I just returned from our Saturday night prayer time at Berean Baptist Church. It so happened I was the only one tonight. Now days there are 2-4, but this was a rare occasion. I found myself thinking back over the years and what has taken place there. It was probably 40 years ago this fall that I was asked to fill the pulpit on a Sunday morning. Then they asked me back on Wednesday night and here I am 40 years later. Berean is a small place, but much has taken place there. I read years ago: "Is your place a small place, tend it with care, God set you there". I would never have dreamed then, that I would still be there so many years later. I thought of some of the special privileges God has given me there. It seemed God was helping me reminisce.
It was there that our children were dedicated to the Lord
It was there I had the privilege of baptizing them.
I baptized my mom and dad there.
I married our four daughters there.
I married our dad to John's mother-in -law.
I married my sister to Don.
It was there that God opened my eyes to the spiritual battle.
That opened up a ministry that has become a part of the churches ministry
We have seen some of our people head to the mission field.
This "small place" has been of significant blessing my life and in my families life. I am grateful for what God has done there. I have learned how important it is to wait on God's leading. It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps. Whatever God has accomplished there, He is to be credited.