Thought for April 24

 History:

  • 1184 BC: Greeks enter Troy in a Trojan Horse
  • 1800: Library of Congress established
  • 1872: Mt. Vesuvius erupts
  • 1877: Last Federal troops withdraw from the South
  • 1888: Eastman Kodak founded
  • 1898: Spain declares war on the U.S.
  • 1950: Jordan annexes the West Bank
  • 1961: JFK acceptsd responsibility for the Bay of Pigs
  • 1962: First TV signal sent via satellite
  • 2011: Hundreds of Chinese jailed for gathering for Easter services in Beijing Square--their churches had been confiscated.
  • 2013: Deadliest structural failure in history-1134 killed, 2500 injured when building collapses in Bangladesh
  • Born: Robert Bailey Thomas [founded Farmers' Almanac], John Russell Pope [architect, Jefferson Memorial, National Archives], Robert Penn Warren, Justin Wilson [Cajun Chef], Shirley MacLaine, Barbara Streisand, Richard Sterban [Oak Ridge Boys], Cedric the Entertainer, Chipper Jones, Lee Westwood, Kelly Clarkson
  • Died: Daniel DeFoe, Lucy Maud Montgomery ["Anne of Green Gables"], Bud Abbott, Wallis Simpson, Pat Paulsen, Eugene Stoner [M-16 inventor], Estee Lauder
Thought:
Reading John 11:4 this morning. Later this week I have my surgery follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon. Most of you who read this have dealt with illness, pain, injury or for me just growing older. When I see a child suffering with cancer or an injury, I think why? When I see Godly saints suffering and struggling, I ask why? Then I read this verse, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified by it." Takes me back to Job. Satan wants to inflict pain, tragedy, harm to Job claiming that Job will curse God. Despite advice from his wife and friends, Job is steadfast in his faith. God is glorified and Job's faithfulness is rewarded.

So how does God get glory from my illness, injury, pain? 
  • He gets glory when I praise Him despite the suffering. By praising Him in my suffering I testify that I believe that He is good, His grace is sufficient, His plan is perfect, and ultimately I will see Him face to face. 
  • He gets glory when I have joy in my suffering--not joy because of my suffering but a joy that even suffering cannot take away. We have all seen it---how does that person rejoice under these terrible circumstances--because Christ lives in them and they have a joy that nothing on this earth can destroy.
  • He gets glory when I am at peace in my suffering. I have the peace that passes all comprehension. Jesus slept while the little boat went through the storm. He knew who was in control. He knew the end of the story. He was secure. In a similar way, resting in Him through trials and troubles testifies that I believe all God's promises are yes and amen in Jesus.
  • He gets glory when I encourage others who are suffering with me, just as I take courage from others who I watch face circumstances with steadfast faith. 
Like most things in my life, I need to be reminded that this is not about Larry--it is about Him, His glory, His praise, His power, His faithfulness. Thank you Lord for reminding me again that my life is Yours and for Your glory.  Help me in the times I struggle to keep the faith with joy and peace and to encourage others as we walk with and toward You. 

Blessings
Larry

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thought for July 19

History: 1553: Lady Jane Gray deposed after 9 days 1692: 5 people hung during Salem Witch Trials 1848: First women's rights convention -Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Wesleyan Chapel at Seneca Falls NY 1910: Cy Young wins his 500th game 1941: US Army flying school at Tuskegee AL dedicated 1945: USS Cod saves 51 sailors from Dutch sub--only sub-to-sub rescue 1957: Firing of first rocket with nuclear warhead-Nevada 1984: Geraldine Ferraro is first major party female VP candidate 1996: Olympics open in Atlanta 2007: Madmen debuts 2018: Duck Boat sinks in Table Rock Lake killing 17 Born: Samuel Colt, Edgar Degas [painter], Lizzie Borden, Charles Mayo [Mayo Clinic], George McGovern, Al Haig, George Hamilton IV, Vikki Carr, Ilie Nastase, Stuart Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch,  Died: Syngman Rhee [President South Korea], Clyde Beatty [circus animal trainer], Mary Jo Kopechne [passenger with Ted Kennedy], Jack Warden, Frank McCourt [Angela's Ashes], James Garner, Garry Marshall
Read more

Thought for November 23, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving!  1664: Blaise Pascal is converted following a vision. He wrote the date and time of his conversion and said, "Fire. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. Not of philosophers and intellectuals. Certitude, certitude, joy, peace. The God of Jesus Christ." Laid the foundation for the law of probabilities; genius in hydrodynamics and hydrostatics developing Pascal's principle of pressure; taught the experience of God through the heart rather than reason; mathematician and philosopher. 1783: Annapolis Maryland becomes U.S. Capitol until June 1784 1863: Patent for making color photographs granted 1889: First jukebox debuts in Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco 1897: Pencil sharpener patented 1904: Summer Olympics in St. Louis close [1st Olymics in U.S.] 1921: President Harding signs an Act prohibiting doctors from prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes 1923: Cecil B. DeMille's first "The Ten Commandments" premiers
Read more

Thought for April 5, 2024

1722: Easter Island discovered 1792: First Presidential veto 1815: Mt. Tambora erupts. Largest eruption ever witnessed. Created year without summer in 1816--frost and snow in North America in June and July. Largest part of eruption on April 10th. Killed 10,000 in initial blast.  1906: Mt. Vesuvius erupts killing 100 1923: Firestone begins producing inflatable tires 1936: Tupelo almost completely destroyed by a tornado--216 die 1972: Baseball strike costs 86 games 2063: On "Star Trek", earth has its first contact with the Vulcan species Born: Thomas Hobbes, Joseph Lister, Booker T Washington, Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis, Gregory Peck, Arthur Hailey. Gale Storm, Frank Gorshin, Colin Powell, Pharrell Williams Died: Robert Raikes [Sunday School], Douglas MacArthur, Howard Hughes, Abe Fortas, Sam Walton, Allen Ginsberg, Saul Bellow, Charlton Heston, Honor Blackman Thought: Reading Daniel 1:5-7 this morning. Continuing with the thoughts about Nebuchadnezzar's plan. Having brough
Read more