ONE*
The Comeback: God is Working in Your Life Even When You Don’t See It
Locations & Times
ONE*
15601 E 24th Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
God prepared us for good things and He designed us to live the good life.
What do you do when you feel like God isn’t up to something good in your life? What do you do when all the circumstances in your life don’t seem like God at all?
In the book of Acts, there is a story about two men by the name of Paul and Silas who probably wondered what God was up to in their lives.
Their story begins in Acts 16:16:
In the book of Acts, there is a story about two men by the name of Paul and Silas who probably wondered what God was up to in their lives.
Their story begins in Acts 16:16:
This seems like it would be a good thing doesn’t it? But the girls master didn’t like it at all. Now she was unable to make him money so he grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace.
He told the authorities,
He told the authorities,
I don’t know about you but this doesn’t seem like “plans for good and not for disaster.”
A friend of mine traveled to Rome and visited one of the prisons used during Paul’s lifetime. The “inner prison” was a room beneath the ground positioned below the other cells. All of the sewage from up above ran down to this area. It is possible that Paul and Silas are chained to a rock while standing in sewage and waste water.
My friend said, it is difficult to describe the foul stench that remains to this day.
Then the story takes a turn. Paul and Silas begin praying and singing.
My friend said, it is difficult to describe the foul stench that remains to this day.
Then the story takes a turn. Paul and Silas begin praying and singing.
I’m sure Paul and Silas didn’t understand that God was working in and through them during what seemed like a setback to them. They were beaten and thrown in prison.
God had a plan from the very beginning to save this jailer and his entire household. Even when it didn’t look like God was working He was. Even when it didn’t look like God was up do something good, He was!
Why is it important that we believe God is working for good in our lives even when we don’t see it?
· It keeps us moving forward even when things don’t seem to be positive.
· It helps us reach people when we are in our valleys and when we are on the mountain top.
· It keeps us moving forward even when things don’t seem to be positive.
· It helps us reach people when we are in our valleys and when we are on the mountain top.
We can learn a lot from Paul and Silas.
· They didn’t question God or blame God for their imprisonment.
· They didn’t cause a prison riot when all the doors were opened.
· They didn’t reject the one who locked them in chains but instead they loved him and lead he and his entire household to Christ.
What is my part in God’s plan for my life?
· They didn’t question God or blame God for their imprisonment.
· They didn’t cause a prison riot when all the doors were opened.
· They didn’t reject the one who locked them in chains but instead they loved him and lead he and his entire household to Christ.
What is my part in God’s plan for my life?
1. Don’t give up! Paul and Silas didn’t quit serving God just because they didn’t understand. They kept praising God and loving God no matter what.
2. Pick up your bed and walk, sing in prison, step out of the boat or cast your net on the other side. Like the mother of Jesus told them during the first miracle, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 [The Message]
Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”
Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”
3. Live how He created you to live. Do the next best thing you know to do.
For the woman caught in adultery it was, “Go and sin no more.” For the rich young ruler, it was “Give all you have to the poor and come follow me.”
Like the girl in the lead in video, “Run back to God.” Don’t allow any darkness, power or thought, keep you away from Him. Run back to His plan and purpose for your life. Remember, He is up to something good for you.
For the woman caught in adultery it was, “Go and sin no more.” For the rich young ruler, it was “Give all you have to the poor and come follow me.”
Like the girl in the lead in video, “Run back to God.” Don’t allow any darkness, power or thought, keep you away from Him. Run back to His plan and purpose for your life. Remember, He is up to something good for you.
I know it may not feel like God is working in your life but He is. I know you may not understand His plan but He has one and He’s working His plan. I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
God has a plan for you. He is always working for your good even when you don’t see it our feel it. Let that truth comfort you and encourage you when the path gets difficult.
Maybe you strayed off God’s path. What will you do this week to get back on track this week?
I know you may be experiencing a setback that is difficult for you. Like Paul and Silas, you may be in one of the darkest places of your life. Don’t give up! God has a plan for your comeback. Keep singing His praises because God is always up to something good in your life.
Even when you don’t see God working in your life you can be confident of this one thing, He is.