Delay Not Denial

DELAY NOT DENIAL

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." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

The story is told about a lone shipwrecked survivor who landed on a lonely, uninhabited island. He managed to build a simple hut and stock it with items he was
able to save from his sinking ship.

He prayed that somehow God would send someone to save him. Day by day he anxiously watched the horizon to hail any passing ships.

He was devastated when his hut caught on fire and he lost all that he had. He felt utterly forsaken by God.

The very next day a ship arrived to rescue him. "We saw your smoke signal," said the captain.

God’s delays are not denials. He can turn tragedy into triumph.

From DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas. available from amazon.com

GRATEFUL FOR HER WHEELCHAIR

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

Dr. Hubert Davidson visited the noted poetess, Myra Brooks Welch, who perhaps is best known for her masterpiece, "The Touch of the Master's Hand." As he turned to leave her home, Myra patted the arm of her wheelchair and said, "And I thank God for this."

Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! But her talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose a better way, and a wonderful ministry opened new doors of blessings for her. Her poems have blessed people around the world.

Joni Eareckson said exactly the same thing when sharing her testimony at the Billy Graham Conference in Amsterdam. She said that many people had offered to pray for her during the conference and she appreciated it. “But,” she said, “this handicap has opened many doors of opportunity and drew me closer to the Lord than anything else.”

DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas Available from amazon.com

Strength Out of Weakness

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10, NLT)

Often suffering provides an opportunity to know the presence and upholding the power of Christ in a way we otherwise would never know it. This was the experience of the apostle Paul. In his second epistle to the Corinthian church, he states that three times he asked God to remove his affliction, and God said, No.

We need not fear suffering! God is in control of every circumstance. When He permits it, He will use it for His glory and our good. And He will be with us.

God wants us to trust Him—not our gifts or abilities, our experience, or our “spiritual reserves.” Just about the time we feel self-confident and able to meet the enemy, we fail miserably. “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

From DAY LIGHTERS - 365 devotions to ignite your day. Available from amazon.com

Testing

But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10, NKJV)

Sometimes things come into our lives and there seems no purpose, no sense in them. We wonder how any good can come out of them. We may at the time be overwhelmed. We may feel a sense of desperation. We may find ourselves questioning God and His goodness to us. "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:11, NLT)

James urges his readers, " when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:2-4, NLT)

DAY LIGHTERS - quickfire devotions available from: amazon.com

Blessings Out of Buffetings

"Every detail in our lives is worked into something good. " (Romans 8:28, The Message)

Former US President Theodore Roosevelt was very near sighted and always carried two pairs of glasses, one for close-up work and the other for seeing things at a distance. While speaking in Milwaukee during his last great political campaign, he was shot by a man named Shrenk. Later, when a surgeon was examining his wound, he discovered that the steel spectacle case in his vest pocket had saved his life, for it had deflected the bullet from his heart.

“That’s remarkable!” said the President as he carefully inspected the bent container with its shattered contents. I’ve always considered it a nuisance to carry two pairs of glasses, especially those thick heavy ones I keep I that metal case. Yet tonight, God used it to save my life.”

The ways of God are not always our ways. What we feel is a burden may well prove to be a blessing.

From the book, DAY LIGHTERS by Nico Bougas available from Amazon.com