From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Yes, He does work ALL THINGS for good – no matter how hard a trial or experience in our lives may have been or still is. This word by Malina Enlund from Extreme Prophetic is an excellent reminder to us. Patricia King writes a brief intro below.
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Malina Enlund:
All Things For Good
Malina Enlund serves with the XP Ministries as Missions coordinator. She is a powerful, passionate woman of God with a heart to see justice served for children who are oppressed around the world. This month's prayer directives, All Things For Good, will bring encouragement and blessed assurance to the Body of Christ that God truly works all things together for good. Even in life's challenges there are hope and triumph in Him. Get ready to be blessed and uplifted!
Patricia King
Cofounder of XPmedia.com; XPministries
All Things For Good
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God...
One of the last things Jesus ever shared with the disciples was that in the world there would be trials and sorrows, but always to remember no matter what we face, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Some wonder why the Lord would ever allow hardships or challenges in life. I believe it is so that we can learn to overcome them through the victory He has given us at the Cross, and in overcoming them we can learn to be more like Him – the Overcomer!
Hebrews 4:15 talks about how Jesus understands us all because while He was here on earth He faced all the challenges we do and overcame them. As we allow the Lord to carry us through the pain and difficulties in our lives, we learn humility and develop a heart for people going through their own heartaches. The battlefield is often where we not only win victories but also where we gain wisdom and compassion. It is not so much in the times of peace but in the times of suffering that we gain the greatest understanding of the unconditional love of Christ. And when we come to know that love for ourselves, we gain the ability to give it away to others. As one puts it, "Don't waste your pain; use it to heal others."
God never promised us that we will not go through hardships; He promised us that He will be there for us in the midst of them. Remember when Jesus told Peter that satan was going to try and sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31)? The Lord assured Peter that He would carry him through and that on the other side of the trial Peter would be able to strengthen his brothers. Isn't it interesting that the Lord did not say to Peter, "Don't worry – I am not going to let the enemy touch you." Instead, Jesus let Peter know that no matter what the enemy sent against Peter, Jesus would be with him, bringing him into victory, and the experience would give Peter a greater ability to care for others, just like Christ had cared for him. God does not send pain, difficulty, sickness or sorrows, but when the enemy attacks with these things, there are times the Lord uses them to transform and conform us more into His image.
I remember when I was going through a very painful breakup a few years back, and I was calling out to God. Never have I felt His presence so strong and tangible. God led me on a journey of forgiveness and healing. It took me two years to let go of the pain and watch my dreams for that relationship die. But through this journey I learned to forgive, I learned to love like Jesus, and I got closer to God. Even though it was difficult and painful, God blessed me with an incredible ministry and a wonderful new life. I would never have been gifted with the compassion and humility to serve others and help children at risk if I hadn't experienced the pain of that trial and the triumph of God's healing power for me. The Lord did not send the pain but, oh, how He used it to grow my faith, teach me to lay hold of His victory, and transform me more into His image. The most important lessons that God teaches us are usually found in our darkest times.
Beauty for Ashes
God will give us beauty for ashes, but we have to let go of the ashes first. Sometimes the enemy convinces us that the pain we experience is part of us, that the suffering is our identity. Many people wrongly stay in a victim mentality because they identify with the pain. Many are so used to having abuse in their life that they think that's what they deserve. Jesus died for us so we don't have to live within the walls of the prison of pain the enemy tries to trap us in. We just need to stop clinging to what is broken and embrace the new wineskin. None of us can fix the past, but all of us can enter our futures and create a much better world for ourselves and our families.
Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Power from Pain
The most powerful leaders are Believers who have gone through the most persecution. They know what it takes to overcome, and they know the One who gives the victory! When people are in the darkest places of their lives, they usually reach out to people who can understand them. In our outreaches in Asia, I often meet women who have left a life of prostitution only to become powerful evangelists and leaders in their community. Yes, they have been through so much pain and hopelessness, but their triumph is what gives other women hope. You are God's tool to heal others.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
With Wisdom Comes Responsibility
God uses EVERYTHING for our good. Sometimes God uses the most painful journeys in our lives to prepare us for authority and bigger responsibility. Joseph went on to become one of the most important men in Egypt. Some of the most powerful people in the world, such as Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa, faced persecution, danger, and suffering as they stood up for what is right.
When we triumph over our pain, we develop passion for others to see victory also. This is the heart of God. He overcame sin and death so we might walk in the victory through faith. When He brings us through a test or a trial – whether it lasts a day or a decade – there is a fire lit within us to see others freed from the oppressions of the enemy. That passion, combined with our gifting and character, brings forth wisdom. Godly wisdom is the combination of revelation and understanding. When we realize what God is capable of (because we have seen Him do it in our own lives), we understand what He can do through us for others. Jesus put it like this, "Freely give what you have freely received."
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Often we reach out to people around us who have gone through similar circumstances to help us on our journey. We need to share our pain and the overcoming victory we have seen through Christ with people who are able to understand it. This inspires and motivates them to believe, because there is someone who shares their experience, can relate to what they are going through, and has a message of hope.
Now it is time for you to inspire someone. When God restores and heals you, He also gives you the tools to help others. The most powerful tool you have is your life testimony. The Bible is filled with amazing men, like Joseph and Jeremiah, who endured painful years of their life but triumphed at the end. God used their pain for His purposes.
Genesis 39:21-23 But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
Prayers For the Body of Christ
• Pray that the Body of Christ will have a deeper revelation of God's love.
• Pray that through obedience we will hear His voice and follow His command.
• Pray that our destiny is not determined by where we live but by our personal relationship with the Father.
• Pray for more open doors for the Body of Christ to spread the Gospel and help the lost.
• Pray for wisdom and revelation for people in authority and leaders around the world.
May God's light fill your life every day of the year!
Much love,
Malina Enlund
XP Ministries
Email: malina@xpmissions.com
Malina Enlund serves with the XP Ministries in Thailand and Cambodia. Her passion for children and their wellbeing has resulted in the development of projects that aim to save and heal trafficked children in the region. The projects work in conjunction with local homes in Cambodia and Thailand. They are designed to help abused kids and allow them access to school and medical care while providing restoration and spiritual guidance.
