Sometimes This Verse is Hard to Believe

By Allen White

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers Romans 8:28-29 (NIV).

There is nothing that has happened to you that God doesn’t know about. Now, before you start wondering why God doesn’t start doing something, let’s look at the story of Joseph.

Jealous brothers faked Joseph’s death and sold him into slavery. Joseph prospered. Then, he was falsely accused by his employer’s wife and went to jail. Joseph interpreted dreams for Pharaoh’s servants, then “when two full years had passed” (Genesis 41:1, NIV), Pharaoh had that dream. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. There would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph to oversee the strategic preparation for the famine. Joseph’s ability saved not only his family, but also the people of God who ultimately gave us the Messiah.

Did Joseph have a “good” life? In many ways, he had a terrible life. Everything was not good. But, consider the conclusion: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen. 50:20, NIV). What is God up to in your life? He’s up to something.

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What If You Had Nothing to Lose?

By Allen White

I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. Philippians 1:20-24 (MSG)

Do you catch Paul’s drift here? Pleasure and rest are in Heaven. Working for the benefit of others is a believer’s job on earth. Both are life-giving and good. Heaven is certainly not a place on earth. The freedom we have in Christ is to give all of ourselves away knowing that the vast majority of our existence will be spent in a place where there is no sorrow, no mourning and no pain (Revelation 21:4). There is opportunity all around us every day to give of ourselves. We might have to put pleasure off for a little bit, but one day, we will reap the reward.

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Hurray for TV Preachers!

By Allen White

It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. Philippians 1:15-19

Have you ever visited a church and wanted to walk right out as soon as you walked in? Or, have you ever started to listen to a TV preacher, then quickly grabbed the remote and moved on? It just wasn’t your style.

I can’t explain the reasons behind what some churches do or what some TV preachers intend. Paul’s words point us toward a little more understanding. Paul didn’t agree with everyone’s methods or motives, but he did agree with the Good News. We can be thankful for those we agree with. We can also look for the similarities between us and those we disagree with. We can pray that God will use all of us to reach the world.

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When It All Settles Down, I Will...

By Allen White

 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

What would you feel like if you were in Paul’s situation? You’ve completely given your life to Christ. You have left behind your former way of life. You have supported yourself and traveled from place to place spreading the Good News, yet you are met with opposition more than acceptance. Now, you are imprisoned for doing what God has led you to do. How would you feel? Maybe resentful. Maybe confused. Possibly disillusioned. You’d think: “You know when I get out of here; I’m going to take some time to reevaluate my life’s path. When it all settles down, then I will see what God wants me to do.”

Paul didn’t have time for things to settle down. He knew that God called him to share Christ where Christ had never been preached. This was certainly one of those places.

What you’re in the middle of is exactly where God wants to use you. Do you see how God can use you where you are? If not, then today as you pray ask God to reveal that purpose to you.

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What If We Had Less Stuff?

By Allen White

Jesus tells us, “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” Mark 8:35 (LB).

The idea of sacrifice is somewhat foreign to American culture in many ways. In the Bible, sacrifices were given to atone for sin or to offer praise to God. The sacrifice was usually an animal. It was an all or nothing proposition. Just like a woman can’t be little bit pregnant. Well, a sacrifice can’t be a little bit committed.

Fortunately, Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system with His death at Calvary. Now, God calls us to be “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1-2).  We are to be fully committed. As Americans we live in abundance to the point of our detriment. Our stuff takes our money and our time. Our stuff not only takes today’s money, but also tomorrow’s money by way of our credit cards. Our sacrifices to the god of stuff don’t bring satisfaction, but bring bondage.

Should we get rid of all of our stuff? Maybe. Just imagine actually parking your car in your garage. Maybe your stuff could help the poor. Maybe less stuff would free you up. Maybe you’d even have time to talk to your neighbor.

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The Path of Least Resistance

By Allen White

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 10:9 & 20:7

“The path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked.” I don’t remember who said that, but I do know its truth.

Some might look at these proverbs and get the impression that people with integrity think they are better than everyone else. The reality is, people with integrity are better than those who lack it, but that’s not a prideful thing to them.

What is integrity? Integrity is simply presenting yourself as you actually are. Now if you were truly honest about presenting yourself as you truly are, your reputation would certainly decline, but, boy, your integrity would go way up.

The great thing about being a genuine, honest person is that you are secure in who you are in Christ. You don’t need to pretend. Who you are is good enough because of who He is.

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Lessons from Captain Sully and Captain Phillips

By Allen White

So I am all the more anxious to send [Epaphroditus] back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people, like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away. Philippians 2:28-30

Courage seems to be a rare, but much needed quality these days. We celebrate the courage of a pilot who carefully landed his ailing craft on the Hudson River. We honor the captain who willingly followed the demands of pirates and exchanged himself for the freedom of his crew. We are in awe of Navy Seals who took perfect aim on the rolling sea to liberate the boat captain. These men stand out for their calm under pressure.

Epaphroditus was a man like these. His resolve was to follow Christ regardless of the consequences. “He risked his life for the work of Christ.” Most of us will not face life-threatening circumstances regarding our faith. But, the question here is not only: “Would I die for Christ?” The other side of that coin is the question: “How will I live for Christ?” Both demand courage. Much of that courage is only as the Lord provides.

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