Daily Devotional for Monday September 2, 2013

There are No Coincidences with God

(Proverbs 16:4, 19:21)

***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, I attended a bible study on the Holy Spirit. I witnessed a lady who started laughing out loud, then yelling Jesus' name and spoke in tongues (I think). Then she fell on the floor. I was told that she had the Holy Spirit in her. I would like your opinion on this.

ANSWER: Everyone at the time they are saved, at that instant, receive the promise of the "comforter," or the Holy Spirit. However, it is up to each person to YIELD to that Spirit that indwells them. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we also receive spiritual "gifts." Here is a link to a Devotional I did on the Gifts of the Spirit that will detail what you are asking. http://www.liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=4845

If there is one thing the Bible clearly teaches, it is that there are NO coincidences with God. There are so many outside elements that you have no control over in your life, starting with your birth, ending with your death, and including everything that transpires in between those two events. The reason I want to bring up this issue today is to give you the confidence and assurance, that everything that is happening in your life today is part of His Divine plan for your life.

One of the reasons I stress so much to walk with the Lord daily, be in the Word of God, pray, seek Him each and every day, is so that you will follow His plan for your life. You see, we can bring much unnecessary pain and heartache into our life by exercising our God-given free will to ignore God and rebel. However, that does not stop God from still being in control. When we are in rebellion, when we are not on the path God wants us to be on, that is when we miss the joy, the peace, and the abundance this life can offer. That is when we are missing the blessings of God in our life.

I want you to understand clearly today that it is no accident you live where you live, you work or go to school where you do, you recreate where you recreate, or shop where you shop. It is no accident that the people in your life are there. You see my friend, there are NO coincidences with God, things just don't "happen". There is a Divine purpose and reason for each and everything that goes on in our life. That includes the good AND bad things.

The natural question becomes, why? In many cases there simply isn't an answer. Again, holding onto the fact there are no coincidences with God helps us to build our faith during those times when there are more questions than answers. It also should give us the confidence and boldness to go out each day knowing that God has a reason for everything we are experiencing in our life. Understanding that what we are going through each day is not an accident, but part of His plan, gives us the incredible freedom to live each day for Him.

I realize that many of you are going through difficult times in your life today. You are dealing with death, illness, financial difficulties, marital problems, issues with your parents or children, challenges at work or school; the walls seem to caving in all around you. How this could be part of God's plan may seem beyond comprehension.

This was the same place a man named Job found himself at one day. In spite of everything, he never lost his faith in God, and it was part of God's plan to bless him abundantly. We never know how God will deliver us from trouble, how He will bless us. Our job is to hold on to our faith, continue to praise Him in spite of the problems we face, and know He will never leave us or forsake us.

The Bible tells us that there will be times our faith is tested. It is at those times our faith becomes real to us and grows. We grow more spiritually in the valley than we ever could on the mountaintop. It is in the valley that we recognize God as our only source of hope and learn how to trust Him. It is those times in the valley, where it is just us and God, that we realize how much He loves us.

I love you and care about you so much. Know today that God is with you, that nothing in your life is an accident, that God is in control. I will be praying for you. With God, ALL things are possible. You will never know how deeply I appreciate your love, prayers, and generous support of this ministry that is reaching so many worldwide each day with the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

It is perfect to close today with the theme of "no coincidences with God". It is no coincidence that the Lord has brought our lives together at this time in history. I am always here for you in your hour of need, and I appreciate more than you know how you have stood by me with your prayers and sacrificial support of Liveprayer. This work has been an effort of God's people, taking God's hope and love to those worldwide who are hurting and looking for answers.

Because of the hundreds of thousands who have accepted Christ as their Savior, and the millions of praise reports that we have received over these last 168 months, I know without any doubt that Liveprayer is part of God's plan. It is no accident that God is using this incredible last days technology of the Internet to share His message with the world.

Never think for a second that anything that is happening in your life is an accident. God is still on His throne and still in 100% control at all times!!!

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller