Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Thoughts as we prepare for Easter

LENTEN DEVOTION
This is not mine but wanted to share. A colleague from NYC is sending a daily Lenten Lesson out to his church members. Very insightful today.

Lent: Day 28
God Specializes In Mixing Your Successes & Struggles Together

The story is told of a conversation between a mother and her daughter. The 16-year-old told her mother that her life was basically falling apart. She said that everything was going wrong, that she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her, and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake, and asks her daughter if she would like a snack. The daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake." 
"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?” "Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?” "Mom, those are all yucky!"  

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! 

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times, but God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! Like that cake we must go through the hot fire of the stove to rise up into something wonderful.

You can believe this way, because God specializes in mixing your successes and your struggles together. He is the Master Baker, and He will fulfill His purpose in your life. Psalm 57 was written by David while he was on the run from Saul. After finding shelter in the cave he sought the refuge of God. Psalm 57:2 says:

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”

Coming to God in a passionate prayer free of the nonsense of pretense will yield a correct confidence that this verse shares. David knew that God will use his struggle to fulfill the purpose he was called to.

God will do the same in your life as you seek after and cry out to Him.
Rev. Ray Parascando
Crossroads Fellowship, Staten Island, NY 

For devotionals during LENT, go to My Daily Inspiration

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