| God Is in Control Even When Your Plans Stall |
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| By Rick Warren — May 9, 2015 |
“Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” (Romans 4:17 NLT, second edition)
There are certain dead-end words in life, including cancer, divorce, bankruptcy, infertility, and unemployment.
How do you know when you’re at a dead-end? You know it when things get out of your control and you can’t do anything about it.
When you’re stuck in phase 5 and you’re waiting for deliverance, you need to remember what God can do. The situation may be out of your control, but it’s not out of God’s control. When you face a dead-end, don’t focus on what you can’t do. Focus instead on what God can do.
Romans 4:17 says, “Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing” (NLT, second edition).
There are two things God does that you can’t do: He can give life to the dead, and he can create something out of nothing. If God can give life to a dead man, he can give life to a dead career. He can bring life to that dead marriage. He can bring life to that dead dream. He can bring life to that financial dead-end.
It wasn’t just positive thinking that Abraham believed in. I recommend positive thinking, because what’s the alternative? Negative thinking doesn’t work. But positive thinking is not faith. They are two very different things. Positive thinking works fine in situations you have control over.
But in situations that are out of your control, positive thinking is worthless. It’s just wishful thinking. It doesn’t change the situation. When you face things that are out of your control, you need something more than a positive mental attitude. You need faith in God, because he can control it when you can’t. Most of life is beyond your control, so you need faith far more than you need positive thinking.
The Bible says in Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (NIV). God specializes in the impossible. It’s called a miracle, and he can do it in your life! He is ready to turn your dead-end into deliverance.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick.
Talk It Over
- What dead-end are you facing today? Do you still believe that God is in control?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to admit that something is out of your control?
- What do you think the result is of having faith in God even at a dead-end? How does it change you? How does it change your circumstances?
Stay Faithful
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
"Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one other, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
Hebrews 10:25, NLT
TODAY'S WORD:
Scripture encourages us to come together with other believers. That's for our own good and protection. When we come together, we are strengthened and encouraged. We are empowered to stay strong in faith day after day. When we are connected to a group of like-minded believers, we can pray for one another and help each other through the difficult times.
Make sure that you stay faithful to a good, Bible-based church. Be consistent to serve in any way you can. Whether you are a greeter, usher or children's worker, you play a vital roll in the body of Christ. Together we are His hands and feet in the earth!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
"Father, thank You for a church family of believers. Show me where to serve and help me to do my best. I want to be faithful to You always in Jesus' name. Amen"
PS. To all mothers, grandmothers and soon to be mothers…
Happy Mothers’ Day =)
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