Pastor Curt

Matthew 7:11 (LSB) 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

As we walk out our faith and trust in Christ, there are many things that we may learn that we never expected to know or understand.

But some of these things are critically important to our relationship with God, who created us in His image and called us unto Himself by His Spirit.

One of those things is God’s absolute, irrefutable sovereignty.

When we become His child, we are claiming the offer of fatherhood extended by the one true God.

This is not something to be taken lightly. And we may not fully understand this when entering into the relationship with Him, but we learn it over time as we draw near to Him and begin to mature as a believer.

Part of this newfound understanding is that God is bigger than everything. And there is a path that He has for us to walk out in life.

And on that path, we will experience many things that we likely never expected. Let me explain.

Life brings trials and tribulations. These can range from very minor to gut-wrenching. And what we need to understand is that none of these can happen to us without God’s approval.

Now you may be shocked at such a suggestion. But God’s word proves it repeatedly.

One example is Satan requesting permission to “sift the disciples like wheat”. Another is Satan requesting permission to touch Job on two different occasions (Job 1:6-12 & 2:1-8).

But we must understand that, as a child of God, none of this takes place in our lives as punishment.

His ultimate purpose is discipline, refinement, and causing us to draw ever closer to Himself.

Just as importantly, we must recognize the fact that God will allow uncomfortable things to happen to us, some of which may be carried out by evil people, or even by Satan himself, but only with His permission.

Does it mean He doesn’t love us because He allows these things to happen?

Not at all. It shows us that He knows us better than we know ourselves. And in that infinite knowledge He will use whatever means are necessary to bring us to a place of surrender and complete trust in Him.

If we have surrendered ourselves to Him, we can trust that He is a good Father, who knows how to give good gifts, and has only our best interests at heart.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Hebrews 12:6 (LSB) 6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He flogs every son whom He receives.”

In yesterday’s devotional we established the fact that Jesus told Peter that Satan had demanded (requested God’s permission) to sift the disciples like wheat (attack them viciously).

Today’s let’s discuss why this happens, and how God’s sovereignty plays a massive role in our lives, even when we may not understand it or recognize it.

In the scripture from yesterday’s devotional, Luke 22:31-32, Jesus stated that Satan had “demanded” that he be able to sift the disciples like wheat.

So, before we go any further, let’s look at the word “demand”, and see what it really means.

The Greek word used for demand is exaiteomai (ἐξαιτέομαι). It is a rare verb, and strong in its overtone or implication.

In his demand, Satan is requesting of God a “handing over” of the disciples, much like what happened to Job during his time of great trial (Job 1:1 – Job 2:7).

With that clearly understood, let’s look at Hebrews 12:6, above.

When we submit ourselves to God as His child, we are doing more than simply accepting an invitation to dwell in His presence for eternity. That eternal dwelling is the end result.

But for most of us there is a lot of earth-focused living that we must walk out before breathing our last breath and surrendering our spirit to Him.

And it is during that period here on earth that we live in human skin as a child of the Most-High God. It is also during this time that we must learn to surrender ourselves to Him, willingly accepting His discipline as part of being His child.

Discipline, no matter the type, or by whom it is doled out, is never comfortable. This is true with God as well.

But it is that same discipline (chastening) that causes us to become who God desires that we be, provided we submit ourselves wholly to Him instead of resisting it, kicking and screaming every time we run into difficult circumstances.

Seasons of difficulty and trials refine us, teach us perseverance, and build our character. But they also teach us to lean on and trust God.

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Please join us tomorrow as we complete this series.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

Luke 22:31-32 (LSB) 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed earnestly for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.”

Sift you like wheat.

Consider those three words. Ponder their depth, and try to comprehend what was being implied when Jesus spoke them.

The obvious implication here is that Satan would viciously attack each of the disciples, doing everything he possibly could to try to destroy their faith. And he did attack them; with fury.

But what was less obviously stated?

That Satan had demanded it.

Think about that statement and let’s consider what it really means.

Jesus said that Satan had demanded that he be able to sift them like wheat.

This should tell us much about God’s sovereignty. And it should speak volumes about the fact that nothing happens without God’s approval or permission.

Our lives are not random. We do not appear here by chance.

And the events we walk through in life are not coincidental. God’s fingerprints are all over them. Yes, even the trials that can sometimes feel like they will kill us.

Now, that may raise some eyebrows. But bear with me so we can be sure to understand this.

You see, God never promised that, as his children, we would live lives of luxury and easy comforts.

His word tells us that he chastises and disciplines those whom He loves. And that chastisement takes place in the form of trials and difficulties that refine us, as gold is refined in the fire.

Let’s look at this more closely tomorrow.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page.