• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
    • Receive Excerpts
    • See Full Collection
  • TV
    • Remnant Fellowship TV
    • Weigh Down TV
  • MEDIA
  • DEVOTIONAL
  • CONTACT

Our Circumstances have a Purpose

September 07, 2020
by Gwen Shamblin Lara
Gwen Shamblin, hardships, hope, love, peace, Remnant Fellowship, suffering, why me
8 Comments

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:26-28

 

If this is true—that God has put us in a certain space and time to encourage us to connect with Him—we must not despise our circumstances because they have purpose. First Corinthians 7 is clear:

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches…Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. I Corinthians 7:17, 24

Though we hear lies from satan…do not pay attention to what the dark world is saying, for we are God’s workmanship and NOT just an afterthought or a mistake. There are powerful persuasions that prevent one from ever perceiving God’s Love. Lies center around you and get you to focus on pride, projection, and how your situation is far worse than others. We must see that there is a God who is there and who has a plan of love for you, to encourage you to reach out, to connect with Him in love forever. It is all for your ultimate good and salvation.

May I ask you an important question that should not be dropped and one that should be asked every day until you meet your Maker…have you reached out to God enough? What have you done with your last 24 hours, weeks, months, years? Have you acknowledged and thanked God for your circumstances sufficiently? If not, you have missed valuable time and wasted years simply because you have interpreted troubles as punishment rather than purposeful.

Read more in The History of the Love of God, Volume II

Gwen Shamblin Lara
About the Author
Gwen Shamblin Lara was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, with a strong faith and foundational values. She grew up with a medical background, making rounds with her father, Walter Henley, M.D., who was a General Surgeon. She received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Masters Degree in Nutrition with an emphasis in Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Gwen was an Instructor of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Memphis for five years, and she worked with the city's Health Department for an additional five years, helping specifically in the areas of overweight, obesity, pregnancy, and child health.... Read More
Social Share
    8 Comments
    1. Avatar
      Lisa M. Peters August 2, 2019 at 7:57 am Reply

      I love this ! Thank you for this powerful devotional to start the day focused upwards!!

    2. Avatar
      Amy August 2, 2019 at 8:47 am Reply

      Love this!

    3. Avatar
      Barbara Martovitz August 2, 2019 at 10:08 am Reply

      Thank you for the encouragement, god bless

    4. Avatar
      Robin Straley August 12, 2019 at 7:37 am Reply

      Love this powerful devotional! A beautiful way to start the day

    5. Avatar
      Dustin Hertz September 7, 2020 at 8:24 am Reply

      Just read this and it’s so comforting to know that nothing is by accident and is designed to help us find GOD.

    6. Avatar
      Carol anger September 7, 2020 at 9:03 am Reply

      A Perfect encouragement to start every day! Thank you

    7. Avatar
      Mark Eades September 8, 2020 at 5:34 am Reply

      This is a simple but profound message from God. I used to think that the trials that God allowed in my life were just punishment. But now I can understand that these “trials” only cause me to be more conformed to God’s will.

    8. Avatar
      Marsha Peart September 9, 2020 at 9:44 am Reply

      Inspiring me every day with your daily devotional thanks Gwen.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    *
    *

    Sign up for the Gwen Shamblin Lara Devotional Daily E-mail

    Sign up to receive free encouraging e-mails from Gwen Lara.
    * = required field
    unsubscribe from list

    Search


    Recent Posts

    What Happens When You Eat Past Full
    Feb 27, 2021
    How to Stop Binge Eating
    Feb 26, 2021
    How to Know What "Full" Is
    Feb 25, 2021
    How to Eat Out at a Restaurant and Still Lose Weight
    Feb 24, 2021
    How to Stop Eating When You Feel Satisfied
    Feb 23, 2021

    ** Read Before Starting Weigh Down: General Medical Information


    Get to Know Gwen

    - Follow Gwen on Facebook
    - Follow Gwen on Twitter
    - Follow Gwen on Instagram
    - Read Excerpts from Gwen's Books
    - Read Gwen's Daily Blog
    - Join the Weigh Down Facebook Group
    - Watch Gwen on YouTube
    - Life with Gwen and Joe
    - Weigh Down TV
    - Gwen and Weigh Down in the Media
    - Watch Gwen on the You Can Overcome Show
    - Try a Weigh Down Class for Free
    - Shop

    facebook
    twitter
    youtube
    instagram
    Copyright 2020 Gwen Shamblin Lara