Something Good Is Coming From This!

This is the title of the latest sermon from Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church.

It took me two viewings to actually understand what he was saying.
That might sound a bit silly, as it’s a very simple message, but the bit I missed was ….the who, he was saying this to.

It makes a big difference when you realise just who, the who is.
Yes, Steven did effectively say that, this is a statement for those who are Christians.
But I do believe that the statement applies most to those who are actively seeking Father.

I do think that it’s not so much for those people who go to church on a Sunday and do all the right things on a Sunday, to then go and forget it all on the Monday, and the rest of the week, only to begin the process on the next Sunday. (I do hope that I’m not describing myself here 🙂 )

I do believe that the statement applies, most of all to those who take the Lord with them, all throughout the week.
The ones who try to apply what Father is speaking to them at all times.
(I did say try and not do, I fall short on this one as well.)

When you understand the who the statement truly applies to, then it starts to make sense.

It applies to those who are looking to follow Fathers promptings!

Lets look at the Israelites as they left Egypt.
Steven did speak about the Israelites plundering Egypt, when they left.

How did they plunder Egypt?
They were told to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. Exodus 12:35
The Lord had made the Egyptians favourably disposed towards the people, and they gave them what they asked for.

The Israelites were given an instruction….(and here’s the important bit) they followed the instruction.

Simple, really, isn’t it.

The Israelites could have been told, whilst still in Egypt, under bondage,…. Something Good Is Coming From This!

How many would have believed it, if they were told this message?
We are in bondage.
We now also have to go and get our own straw (and the like) and your trying to tell me that something good is going to come from this???
Are you sure???

For those who DO TRUST and OBEY, then the answer is a resounding
YES and AMEN!!!

If there were some Israelites who were too frightened to ask the Egyptians for the the silver and gold….. then how much would they have left with.
None, most probably.
I wouldn’t want to be that person.
Could you imagine the conversation on the way out.

Wow, look at all that the Lord has given to me, What did you get?
Nothing, I was too frightened to ask for anything .  😦
Oh dear, looks like you made a mistake there then…???

Obedience leads to blessings whilst disobedience can lead to missing the blessings.

This is why the who he is saying, “Something Good Is Coming From This!” matters so much.

So going forward, what can we take from this?

Seek the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body, strength and soul, and then, know that, ….
Something Good Is Coming From This! (What ever this may be.)

If you are in a place where you feel that your all is next to nothing, and worth very little, then you need to know that, that thought is a lie from the enemy!
It doesn’t matter how big your all is, it’s what you do with it that matters the most.

I think about the widow who put in two very small copper coins into the offering. Mark 12:41-44
Jesus himself praised her, for her actions, because out of her poverty, she gave her all.
Father is not looking at the size of your gift.
He just wants all of you.
He wants you to Trust and Obey Him.
If we can do that, then blessings Will follow, …. and then ….
Something Good Is Coming From This!

Romans 8:28
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.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

___________________________

I have just re-read and re-thought about what I wrote yesterday.
I do still think that it is valid, but I also now understand that it is not what Steven said.
He said “Something Good Is Coming From This!” and he applied it to all who are Christians.
That was his only validation for who the message was for.

So am I wrong in what I have just written???
I think yes and no.
I may be wrong, in that Steven was claiming the statement as a promise for all Christians, where as the above thinks slightly differently.
Steven did claim it for those Christians who felt that they could not claim it for them selves.
But I do still stand by the idea that Father will bless you that much more if you will seek and follow him.

I do think that this is one of those cases where Steven is correct and so am I.

I can say this as, I have been in the place where I couldn’t claim Gods promises for myself.

I thank Father for all those who stood by me (the seen and unseen) and kept me standing, when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own.
I am thinking about the time when me putting my two small copper coins into the offering was to just turn up on the Sunday morning and then just survive the rest of the week.

I thank Father for the people like Steven who will claim Gods promises for others when they are unable to claim them for themselves.
I am here to tell you that no matter how dark it looks to you, it can and will get better.
So please, just try to put your two small copper coins into the offering, whatever they may be.
They are acceptable and Father will honour you for it.

Father,
Thank you that You are for us.
Thank you that You Love us.
Help us to trust You with all things.
In good times and also not so good times.
Help us to look to You in all things and to be able to Trust and Obey You. Our Lord God.
Amen