It's On My Mind

October 11, 2019 (Friday)

“It’ll all work out” describes my way of thinking sometimes. Am I correct in thinking that way? Or is there more to be considered?

“It’ll all work out” is not the same as saying “God will work it all out,” which is a statement more in keeping with Romans 8:28. Let’s take a look at some translations of that verse:

Bible Gateway compares about 60 translations of this verse. Let’s start with the versions I use most often:

KING JAMES VERSION – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION – 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.
THE LIVING BIBLE – And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
THE MESSAGE TRANSLATION – He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION – We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,

Let us pause here to take a look at the teachings of Romans 8:28. These translations agree on several things we need to know:
1. This verse applies to those who love God.
2. This verse applies to those God calls according to His purpose. His purpose (read the next verse) is for us to be more like Jesus.
3. God is at work in our lives for our good.

God is interested in you.  He is at work in you.  He has a purpose guiding his actions in your life and that purpose is that you become more like Jesus.

When you have a little time, why not look over the many translations of this verse, quoted below? God loves us, calls us, guides us, blesses us, and is always at work within us.

Romans 8:28

KJ21
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
ASV
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
AMP
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
AMPC
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
BRG
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
CSB
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
CEB
We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
CJB
Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose;
CEV
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,
DARBY
But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.
DLNT
And we know that all things are working-together for good for the ones loving God, the ones being called ones according to His purpose.
DRA
And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.
ERV
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.
EHV
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,
ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
ESVUK
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
EXB
We know that ·in everything God works [or God works everything together; or everything works together (see text note)] for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, ·because that was his plan [L …according to his purpose].
GNV
Also we know that all things work together for the best unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his purpose.
GW
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
GNT
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
HCSB
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
ICB
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people God called, because that was his plan.
ISV
And we know that for those who love God, that is, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things are working together for good.
PHILLIPS
Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. God, in his foreknowledge, chose them to bear the family likeness of his Son, that he might be the eldest of a family of many brothers. He chose them long ago; when the time came he called them, he made them righteous in his sight, and then lifted them to the splendour of life as his own sons.
JUB
And we now know that unto those who love God, all things help them unto good, to those who according to the purpose are called to be saints.
KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
AKJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
LEB
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,
TLB
And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
MSG
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
MEV
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
MOUNCE
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love · God, for those who are called according to his purpose,
NOG
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
NABRE
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
NASB
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
NCV
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.
NET
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,
NIRV
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.
NIV
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.
NIVUK
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.
NKJV
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
NLV
We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.
NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
NMB
For we know that all things work for the best for those who love God, who also are called according to his purpose.
NRSV
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
NRSVA
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
NRSVACE
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
NRSVCE
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
NTE
We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good to those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
OJB
And we have da’as that for those who love Hashem everything co-operates toward HaTov for those who are HaKeru’im (the summoned, called ones) according to the etzah (wisdom) of the tochnit Hashem (G-d’s purposeful and willed plan or goal Ro 9:11).
TPT
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
RGT
But we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
RSV
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
RSVCE
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
TLV
Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.
VOICE
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.
WEB
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
WE
We know that God works out everything for the good of those who love him. They are the people who are part of his plan.
WYC
And we know, that to men that love God, all things work together into good, to them that after purpose be called saints.
YLT
And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;

October 10, 2019 (Thursday)

William Cowper (1731-1800) was a victim of depressive illness and suffered throughout his life, attempting suicide several times, but in his times of mental clarity wrote beautiful poems and gave us a hymn that has inspired countless persons for more than 200 years. His most famous poem was, “Light Shining Out Of Darkness:”

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him–and all along he knew who would–should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else? (Romans 8:28-32 TLB).

October 9, 2019 (Wednesday)

John Lennon, (1940-1980) gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Lennon continued as a solo artist and as a collaborator of his second wife’s Ono’s music. In 1957, he formed his first band, the Quarrymen, which evolved into the Beatles in 1960.

Lennon was known for his rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing, drawings, on film and in interviews. He was controversial through his political and peace activism.

His life was cut short in 1980 when he was shot and killed in the archway of his Manhattan apartment building. The group lost George Harrison 21 years later when he died from lung cancer.

The music of the Beatles can be heard today in recordings of the original group and also recordings made by groups wanting to be like them. Many of their songs have been rearranged into crossover orchestrations that can be heard daily on radio and other media.
Paul and Ringo still perform for audiences. The group will go down in music history as extremely influential.

October 8, 2019 (Tuesday)

When God called Jonah into service, the call was specific: “Go to Ninevah and preach repentance.” Jonah refused the call, because the people there were enemies. He therefore took a trip in the opposite direction. Did he really think God would not know where he was?

Years ago God called me into the ministry. My call was not as specific as that of Jonah. The only thing I understood at first was that God was calling me to preach the gospel. I told the Lord, “Yes,” and then I told my pastor and the church. I told my family next, and waited for God’s next word to me. He never spoke in an audible voice, but the call came in various ways, mainly through other people. The next step came right away, as the pastor asked me to preach a sermon to the church.

The Lord’s call kept coming, as the church assigned me tasks of various kinds and opportunities to speak and share the gospel came one after the other. I considered them all the call of God. Little by little I was inching forward in His service, being led, I believe, at every turn, by the Lord.

Within a year, I followed God’s leadership to college, and after that the seminary, and during that time I was led to marry the girl who would be by my side for the next 48 years of ministry. God would give us a wonderful family.

Churches put me to work, calling me to sing and preach. Many asked me to sing or preach in revival meetings. One of them ordained me to the ministry. Others taught me the next thing God wanted me to know as I continued to listen for His continued call.

I worked as staff member or pastor in six churches over a period of 14 years before being called to Rockport for a lifetime of service, and after that I have continued to listen for God’s faithful call to various places of service for 23 years since retirement, always preaching the gospel of Christ.

Here I am now, 88 years of age and awaiting God’s next call. I thought a new pastor was coming to Bethel, but that did not happen. I will continue to serve as interim pastor there, because I am willing to do whatever He wants. “Ready to go, ready to stay.” “Where He leads me I will follow.” “Wherever He leads I’ll go.” “He leadeth me.” “Some day life’s journey will be o’er, and I shall reach that distant shore, I’ll sing while ent’ring Heaven’s door, “Jesus led me all the way.”

Today’s president is
James Madison – The 4th President

October 7, 2019 (Monday)

Yesterday’s blog featured the hymn, “Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul.” It was about being saved by the power of Almighty God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The title of the song came from the testimony of a man who was describing his feelings when he accepted Christ as his Savior.

It seems to me that the Apostle Paul would have been very comfortable singing that hymn. It reflected his Damascus Road experience. He shared that experience with many people. I believe he shared it everywhere he went on his missionary journeys.

His name was Saul of Tarsus. He was a Jew. He was also born a Roman citizen. He therefore was also given a Gentile name, “Paul.” He was known as Saul by the Jews. He became the chief persecutor of Christians and was on his way to Damascus to arrest as many as he could when he suddenly was struck down and blinded by a powerful light. He heard the voice of Jesus and his life was turned around completely.

Not only did he believe in Jesus, he came to love Jesus and was willing to go wherever the Lord sent him to proclaim the gospel of which he was definitely not ashamed, because he saw it as the power of God for salvation, both to the Jew and to the Gentile. He declared that all have sinned, all are loved by God, and all can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ as the one and only Savior of mankind.

His message to the Jews was the same as his message to us: It is found in Romans 10:9-13. Here it is: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

He said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Heaven came down to him one day, and glory filled his soul. Christ knocks at your heart’s door today. Invite Him in. You will never be the same again.