What Can God Do With Difficult Circumstances?

As I was catching up on my devotionals this morning, I came across this particular one that blessed my life tremendously and I wanted to share it with you because I know it will be a blessing to you as well.

The title is: What Can God Do With Difficult Circumstances? By: Samantha Evilsizer

This question often leads us to two things, faith or doubt. We either believe and have faith that God can restore a difficult situation; or we give up and doubt that anything can be done. This devotional will enlighten and bring clarity to this question we often ask; What can God do with difficult circumstances?

 
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (ESV)

This past year, people I love have had to grapple with some very difficult things—home foreclosures, loss of businesses, empty cupboards, and dry gas tanks. Family and friends have endured marital affairs, children sentenced to jail, another year of unemployment, cars breaking down, churches falling apart.

In the midst of such hardships, it’s easy to doubt God can redeem the pain, recover what’s lost, heal all that’s broken. Can He truly fit the pieces of our suffering into a hopeful future?

If we rely on what our circumstances imply, we may believe the Lord isn’t able to make something good come from our hardships. Or that He won’t. But the truth is, God can and does change our circumstances.

Whether or not God alters our current situation, His power to give a future and hope never changes! We know this based on His Word that stays the same. That’s why it’s important to take action when difficulties weave doubt in to our faith in God’s authority. How do we do this?

For me, refocusing on the truth found in Job 42:1-2 makes a big difference, “Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

Reading accounts of God’s faithfulness bolsters us up when all that is around us is crumbling down. When we focus on what God did for others, it reminds us He is able to work on our behalf as well. Take a look at God’s redeeming plans for some of His people throughout the Bible…

While Job’s family, home, crops and health were demolished, God was preparing to give him double of what was killed, stolen, lost and damaged. (Job 1 and 2; Job 42:10)

While Joseph was a slave and prisoner, God was planning for him to be second in command over Egypt. (Genesis 39:19-21 and 41:41)

When Ruth was a homeless, childless widow, God was creating a home in Boaz’s heart for her to be his wife. God also knew she’d one day be a mother and years later a great, great, great-grandmother to Jesus. (Ruth 1:4-5 and 4:13-17)

When David lay down in adultery, God was laying the groundwork for him to rise up and repent. (2 Samuel 2:4; Psalm 51)

When Peter lost faith and denied Christ, God knew Peter would be instrumental in growing the Christian church by proclaiming Christ to thousands. (Mark 14:66-72; Acts 2:38-41)

While Mary watched Jesus dying on the cross, God had full knowledge of Jesus being resurrected and seated on His heavenly throne! (John 19:25-30; Revelation 3:21)

No matter what the dire, dreary circumstances, God turned each into a hopeful future.

God can reverse, restore, revive, and renew. Be on the lookout for His plans that are already in motion right now, even in the midst of your difficult time. Trust Him. He can take any circumstance and use it for your good and His glory.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

Keys that unlock worship

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed over things that happen in our lives that are totally out of our control.  It is at that moment when we have a choice to make.  What are we going to do?  Are we going to dwell on our circumstances or are we going to worship God?  That is where true worship begins, when we are able to give an honest and true worship to our Creator, despite what we may be going through.  No wonder the bible says that He is looking for people who will worship him in Spirit and in truth, meaning that there are those who "worship" but it's enough.  God is looking for people who can really push through their situation and give Him the best. It's all or nothing!

Ruth Rodriguez is a friend who was introduced to me by my husband and she has been such a blessing to my life.  Talk about someone who can provoke the floodgates of heaven to be opened and allow God's presence to take over a space.  I'm talking about someone who is passionate about worship despite the hiccups she has encountered along the way, in this journey called life. Ruthy as we call her is a woman of God with a heart of worship.  That is all God is looking for, someone who can surrender completely to Him and can say: Lord, use me.

When God has a calling over someone's life, there is nothing that can stop it and no one who can detain it.  It is written not by man, but by God.  And this young woman has been so instrumental in the christian music industry. She's been able to bless a lot ministries with her many talents such as being a producer, songwriter, musician and vocalalist. She also currently is the Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor at The People's Tabernacle of Worship church in New Jersey and God is lifting her up in a mighty way through the word as well.

What really captivates me about Ruthy is not her many gifts and abilities but it is her sensibility, her passion will always outweigh any obstacles that may try to hinder her along the way.  And that is a great lesson to be learned.  You can still carve out to what will be a great legacy on earth no matter what curve balls life has thrown at you. One thing she says is: "Don't feel sorry for me, let's focus on the strength." And today I say to you, don't feel sorry for yourself, get up! God wants to do great things in you, through you and for you.

When we surrender ourselves completely to the Lord and say to him: I am yours, use me as you please, you will begin to see God take you to places where you never imagined you would be. But it all begins with a willing heart that is completely and utterly willing to get lost in worship.  When we realize how powerful worship is in our lives and understand that worship is the golden key that allows us to unlock the blessings from above, we will start to see unbelievable things happen.

Through worship we receive our breakthrough, through worship we receive healing, through worship our lives are changed. Worship is everything!  Understand that you have been given a golden key to unlock blessings that are reserved just for you, they carry your name and only through worship will you be able to see the complete fulfillness of them in your life.

Your circumstance shouldn't break you, it should make you. -Ruth Rodriguez

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥