"Given License" - To

 "And this we will do, if God permit." (Hebrews 6:3 KJV)

  "As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, "A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live." But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up and suddenly drop dead. But when they waited a long time and saw that he wasn't harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god." (Acts 28:3-6 NLT)

  Rather interesting situation, but one that is true to form! Here we have a little example of what it means to trust God and believe that He will do what He has said He would do, no matter what might happen to us along the way. Paul knew that he was going to Rome, because the Lord had told him that was where he was going; so, he wasn't going to let a little snakebite make him think that the journey was over! 

 As it is for every one of us, as we are going through a storm or dealing with something that seems too much to bear; God will always find a way to complete His promises, in one way or another. We just need to trust Him, knowing that in this world we will have tribulation, but no matter what, He will get us to the other side! 

 Yesterday, Pastor Bryan was sharing on this exact thing. Not surprising to me at all, but it did cause me to pay attention. He mentioned the difference between happiness and joy; saying the if you are looking for the Lord to give you happiness, then you will most likely be disappointed; but through everything, having joy is that which we maintain, as it comes from the Lord. 

 As it is, none of us really know what lies ahead in the journey; but we can be secure in knowing what will be happening in the end! No matter what, I believe that whatever trial is set before us, God has allowed whatever it is, to be for our benefit; even if it results in our death; after all, we have been promised eternal life...

"And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear." (Philippians 1:12-14 NLT)