Hungry for God

Wednesday

What Romans 8:28 DOESN'T Mean

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” is probably one of the most memorized and quoted verses in the New Testament. It brings comfort, direction, and hope to Christians every day. Sadly, though, it’s also one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. Today, instead of telling you what Romans 8:28 means, I’d like to tell you what it DOESN’T mean.

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It doesn’t mean we can live any way we like, and God will fix our messes.

To understand the truth of Romans 8:28, we can’t just pull out the part of the verse we like: “And we know that in all things God works for the good. . .” and skip the rest, “of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”

Romans 8:28 is a promise for believers. Real believers. Those who are living their lives for Christ. Not those who claim to believe in God but are living like the devil.

So how do we know if we're real believers?

“This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 3:5-6).

Romans 8:28 says to those who love God and are doing their best to follow his commands, “Even though bad/sad/evil/wicked things will touch your lives, I (God) will use them to ultimately bring about good, both in your life and in the world.

Joni Erickson Tada said, “God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.”

And what is the ultimate good God wants to accomplish in the lives of his children? “For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

If we surrender our lives to God, he promises to redeem everything that enters our lives in two ways:

He will use it to conform us to the likeness of his Son,

and He will use it to draw others into a relationship with himself.

And what about those who prefer a hearty serving of the world with a spritz of God?

You reap what you sow. You reap more than what you sow. You reap longer than what you sow. The natural consequences of our refusal to live our lives according to God’s direction are the gifts that keep on giving.

To make my point, I’ll use two biblical examples—Judas and Peter.

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Judas spent three years hanging around Jesus. He ate with him, learned from him, even pledged his loyalty to him. But he never fully committed his life to Christ. Even while he was pledging to die for Christ, he was stealing from the moneybag and plotting to betray him when the first good offer came along.

He loved the world and the things of the world—fame, fortune, and popularity—more than he loved God. When the time came to take a stand for Christ, he caved to public opinion and the lure of riches and betrayed him. When it all fell apart, there was no Romans 8:28 moment when God waved his magic wand over the mess Judas had created and fixed it all.

Judas was filled with remorse and regret over the results of his actions, but he never demonstrated true repentance that brought about a change of heart and action. Judas ended his life like he had lived it – separated from God.

“But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born"(Mark 14:21).

Peter, like Judas, also spent three years with Jesus. He, too, ate, learned from, and pledged his loyalty to Christ. He even promised to die for him.

And then fear overcame him, cowardice ruled, and Peter caved. He also betrayed Christ.

Unlike Judas, though, who had never fully committed his life to Christ, Peter was all in. He was all in before he sinned, and he was all in after.

Did Peter sin against the Lord when he allowed fear to overcome his faith? Yes. But did this type of behavior characterize Peter, or was it a moment of weakness, a brief stumble in a long history of faithfulness?

We know the answer, because we know the rest of the story. Instead of only feeling remorse and regret, like Judas, over the unfortunate results of his betrayal, Peter wept bitterly, humbled himself before the risen Christ, and allowed him to restore and reinstate him (John 21:15-17). For the rest of his life, Peter lived in obedience, courage, and faith despite overwhelming opposition. He demonstrated the truth of Romans 8:28—he was “conformed to the image of Christ.”

So what is the true message of Romans 8:28? Allow me to reorder this priceless promise: “For those who love God and are called according to his purpose, God works in all things for the good, in order to conform them to the likeness of his Son, so that Christ can be the first fruits of many (spiritual) brothers.”

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Are you all in, like Peter, or straddling the fence? Your answer will determine whether the promise of Romans 8:28 belongs to you.

If this post encouraged you, you might enjoy Lori's book, Joy in the Journey ~ Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms.

Homeschooling is HARD!

With a devotion for every week of the school year, Joy in the Journey helps remind you that God wants to be a vital, active part of your homeschool. Each chapter contains devotions specific to what a homeschooling mom encounters each month, application questions, an action step, and a prayer. It's suitable for personal devotions or for use by your support group for meeting topic ideas.
You've invested in wonderful curriculum for your children's new school year, why not invest in something for yourself?

To read more about Joy in the Journey and what other homeschooling moms are saying about it, click here.

To order a paperback copy, click here.

Back to School Special Ebook - $1.99 (Click the link in the sidebar.)

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Sunday

Are You a Gracious Getter?

“For each one should carry his own load” (Galatians 6:5).

And we do.

We live responsibly, work hard, and do without when necessary. We help, serve, and sacrifice to be contributing members of our families, churches, and communities.

But then there comes a time—a weak, needy, humble, broken place—when we can’t be givers. Or doers. Or servers. And we must yield and be served.

There’s provision for this time, in God’s infinite wisdom and grace: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). On good days—strong, abundant, healthy days—we carry both our burdens and those of our sisters and brothers. It is the Christian way. The American Way. The responsible way.

But there are other days, days when, as fellow writer and speaker Tammy Whitehurst says, “life takes a bite out of your heart,” or your health, or your finances, and we can’t serve others because we can’t even serve ourselves.

These are the days when we must bow our pride to the altar of need and say, “Help.”

It’s a beautiful, awful, pride-less, humble place. And it’s a place to see God.

We see him in the hands that reach out to help, the knees that bow to pray, the eyes that cry with us, and the easy, gentle words: “Come, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

We’re taught often and well how to give: generously, cheerfully, enthusiastically, whole-heartedly.

We’re not often taught how to receive: graciously, humbly, thankfully.

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

“I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort” (Psalm 119:71).

Whether this is a serving time or a time to be served, a giving time or a time to be given to, we can rest in the knowledge that God has made provision, and God is here. We can accept the grace and goodness he offers and commit to glorify him in whatever state we find ourselves.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever” (Philippians 4:12-20).

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy "Is Your Life Charmed or Charred?"

If this post encouraged you, you might enjoy Lori's book, Joy in the Journey ~ Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms.

Homeschooling is HARD!

To read more about Joy in the Journey and what other homeschooling moms are saying about it, click here.

Thursday

Does he REALLY love you?

How do you know someone loves you?

Because they say they do? Talk is cheap. We’ve all known those who talk one way and act another. Nope. Saying “I love you,” isn’t enough. Fifty percent of marriages today begin with “I love you,” and then end, usually within the first seven years.

We know someone loves us by their actions. Actions trump words every time.

We’ve all heard the words God loves you. But does he?

Let’s compare his words: “For God so loved the world. . .”

with his actions: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

When circumstances cause us to doubt God’s love for us, all we have to do is look to the cross.

When we look at our day-to-day struggles against the backdrop of the cross, we can no longer doubt his love. If God didn’t withhold his precious, perfect Son, but allowed him—nay—appointed him to a torturous death on a criminal’s cross for us, how can he not freely give us everything we need? Not everything we want (foolish that we are), but everything that he, in his infinite wisdom, knows we need to be conformed to his image and brought into a rich and full relationship with him.

Shame

On

Me

for ever doubting his love.

He spilled the blood of his precious Son to buy my pardon, and I whine that he doesn’t love me because I experience sorrow, disappointment, or hurt. Because interpersonal relationships are challenging or money is tight. Because my health fails or my husband isn’t always kind.

“There is no need to plead that the love of God shall fill our hearts as though He were unwilling to fill us. . . Love is pressing around us on all sides like air. Cease to resist it and instantly love takes possession.” ~ Amy Charmichael

God doesn’t have to prove to me, day after day, that he loves me. The trial doesn’t have to start when I open my eyes every morning. “Lord, if you love me, show me today. Help my children make me proud, let there be enough money in the checkbook, and people treat me kindly. If you love me, prove it by making me happy.” God’s love for me, and for you, was settled long ago. Once and for all. On a cruel Roman cross.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. . . “

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Once we’ve settled the fact that God loves us, we can move forward into the abundant life by resting in this glorious fact. Never again will we put God’s love on trial. Never again will the winds of circumstance cause us to doubt. Never again will we crucify God anew—“Lord, if you loved me, you’d . . .”

It’s settled.

“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.”

“Tho He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

If you haven't settled it, do it today.

He loves you.

Monday

I Got a Face Lift!

Not me personally. I'm waaaaaaaaaaaay too young for that.

What I meant to say is, Hungry for God got a facelift.

Many of you know I have a book series proposal on the table at several different publishing houses. It's called (surprise) Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time.

Each book in the series is a 30-Day devotional targeting a different group of busy women--young moms, new believers, married women, working women, and those struggling with tough issues. Like the blog posts you enjoy here, each devotion takes less than five minutes to read and contains rich spiritual nutrition women can take with them into their days.

A few months ago, on the advice of my agent, the wise and wonderful Les Stobbe, I changed the title of my blog to more accurately reflect my message and to dovetail with my book proposal. Yesterday, the amazingly talented Gail Purath of Bible Love Notes fame, helped me redesign the template to match the theme.

If you're like me, you don't like change. I hated to say goodbye to my reflective, peaceful daisy design, but let's face it, at some time or another, we're all hungry for God and starving for time. I hope you like the new design. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think (be nice).

And if you're new to Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time, I hope you'll enter your email address in the box below to subscribe. I'd love to encourage you twice a week with solid food from God's Word that will feed the hungry achings of your soul.

If you're reading this by email, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about -- your email doesn't look any different than it ever has. I invite you to CLICK HERE and take a peek at HFG's new design as it appears on the web page. If you like what you see, would you pick out your favorite post and share it with a friend? You can help me spread the message of HFG to those who could use a word of encouragement.

Blessings to you this good day!

Lori

Sunday

Two Brave Women - A Mother's Day Post

I saw two brave women today.

One was walking her dog, and the other was driving a garbage truck.

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Yesterday, four men shot another man in my neighborhood. As I looked longingly out the window at the sunshine and felt the cool air of the morning, I wondered if it was safe to take my daily walk. The latest news reports were inconclusive, and it sounded like at least some of the suspects were still at large. That’s when I saw my neighbor, walking her dog up the road like she does every day. Her presence was a comfort to me. It said, “This is my neighborhood, and criminals and thugs aren’t going to keep me from enjoying it.” In light of the recent crime, she was brave, and I admired her.

I saw the next brave woman in a most unexpected place—behind the wheel of a garbage truck. As I hauled the recycling bin out one morning, I saw the noisy rattletrap coming down the hill. Because I appreciate my trash men, I always make an effort to smile and wave at them. Pausing as the truck approached, I stopped in surprise as I caught a glimpse of a bright smile, curly hair, and gold hoop earrings on the very attractive lady behind the wheel.

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She was definitely a female in a man’s world, and I chuckled as the man riding the tailgate shouted and waved his arms to direct her to her next turn. Her presence reminded me of the many women who braved social pressure, family disapproval, and economic barriers to prove that women were intelligent enough to serve in male-dominated professions.

Today the brave women aren’t the ones going to work. They’re the ones staying home.

They’re saying no to the latest electronics, newest cars, or biggest house so they can be ones raising their children. They want to be the ones who hold them when they cry, discipline them when they sin, and instruct them in the ways of the Lord.

Many of these stay at home moms endure the ridicule of colleagues who scold them for wasting their intelligence by staying home. They resist the pressure of family members who comment that finances wouldn’t be so tight if they’d just go back to work. And on bad days, they refuse to listen to the discontent in their own hearts that remind them they could be doing something more high profile and glamorous.

All moms are brave, and many don’t have the option to stay home and raise their children. The purpose of this post isn’t to condemn them. It takes great courage to juggle a job and all the responsibilities that come with committed parenting, especially single parenting.

My intent today is to give a shout out to all the mothers who are serving their families in relative obscurity, day in and day out, with little recognition. Be encouraged. Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, says this: “It is one thing to go through a crisis grandly, but another thing to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, no one paying the remotest attention to us.

“It takes God’s Spirit in us to make us so absolutely humanly his that we are utterly unnoticeable. The test of the human life,” Chambers says, “is not success, but faithfulness in human life as it actually is.”

You’re investing your best time and talent in children with impressionable hearts, eager minds, and eternal souls. They will one day take their places in the world, and you will have given them the tools with which to glorify God through their lives. Be encouraged with God’s words today and press on, claiming the promise of Galatians 6:9 that you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

Happy Mother’s Day.