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opening “Where is God?” we often ask.

The book of Job asks the same question. Job did not expect to find God close at hand when his troubles multiplied. For him, prosperity signified God’s presence. But, ultimately, Job had to admit that in health and prosperity, he did not know God at all. It was through suffering that Job experienced God personally.

Like Job, we prefer a God who follows our rules of fairness. From a human point of view, it seems grossly unjust that it is not ours to know “why?”

But God answers us. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Through Job’s story comes an opening in the heavens, a window for those of us who struggle with suffering. His suffering had nothing to do with his own righteousness before God. Neither was his suffering an excuse for him to forsake God’s ways.

God answered Job out of the whirlwind. The Lover of Job’s soul spoke words through Job’s suffering that Job could not previously understand – things too wonderful, things that he did not know.

God was precisely where Job least expected to find Him. And that’s where we will find Him, too.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.44. Live for God, on purpose, regardless of how the outward circumstances may seem.

kingdom Kingdom Contradictions

When a statement is made in which one part seems to disagree with another part, where it seems to be inconsistent with itself, it is said to be a “self-contradiction.” It is considered to be a statement of contradiction. In classical language, we find “Aristotle’s law,” which states that “One cannot say of something that it is and that it is not in the same respect and at the same time.”

Sound confusing? Here are some common examples of statements that contradict themselves – “The only thing you are sure of is that nothing is sure.” “Never say never.” “The only thing constant is change.”

As Christians, one of our most fundamental beliefs appears to be a self-contradiction – “Jesus Christ is both God and man.”

There are a number of statements that seem at first to be self-contradictory, but are nonetheless absolutely true. Further, it is critically important that believers recognize, understand, and apply these truths to our everyday life.

The Bible gives tells us the real reason why there are things that seem self-contradictory to the natural man, but are critical for the Christian to believe. In Isaiah 55:8 it says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.”

We will examine these critical self-contradictory statements this Sunday at WFA, as we share our message “Kingdom Contradictions.” Don’t miss this look at how what seems right in the eyes of man is so very wrong in the eyes of God!

ready Are You Ready for Bigger Things?

“You... enlarged me when I was in distress.” – Psalms 4:1 AMP

Did you know that the hermit crab looks for a shell that fits him, and then lives in it until he outgrows it? At that point he has to scurry along the ocean floor and find a bigger one; it’s a process that repeats itself throughout his entire life.

Are you clinging to something that no longer fits you, just because it’s easy and familiar? David said, “You... freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress.” To develop and grow spiritually you must be willing to move out of your comfort zone and deal with a little ‘distress.‘ What worked for you yesterday may not work today.

Maybe it’s a job you’ve outgrown, a relationship you need to re-examine or a behavior you need to change. Regardless of what it is, never become so ‘settled‘ that you can’t let go and move on when you need to. Patience and persistence are admirable, but they won’t work in situations you’ve outgrown. Instead of hanging in and trying harder, at certain points you have to stop and ask yourself, “Is this situation good for me?” If you’re not sure, ask God for “an understanding heart [to]... know the difference between right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:9). His Word says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5).

When God says it’s time to move on, it’s because there’s another shell out there that will fit you even better. But you can’t take occupancy until you vacate the old one. So how about it – are you ready for bigger things?

wrong When It Seems that Wrong is Winning

by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Does it seem that your unethical co-workers prosper? That you try to live according to God’s ways and yet you are always overlooked? Taken advantage of? Does it seem that the wicked prevail? And the righteous get stepped on? In your child’s school, do the cheaters prosper? And the honest students get lower grades? Do you wonder why some of the superstars who continually have brushes with the law are allowed to continue in their professions, making even more money in the process? Doesn’t it seem useless at times to stand for God when those who live contrary to His will receive all the benefits and you don’t?

Don’t lose hope! Although it may seem that God is allowing people to get away with evil today, He is coming back! And He will judge all men, all women, and all children with equity... with righteousness... and according to His Truth, His standards! At that time, those who have been living contrary to God’s Word and His ways will have to account for all their thoughts, decisions, and actions. God’s judgments will “set things right,” punishing the wicked, but helping and protecting those who have a relationship with Him (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14; Revelation 20:12-13).

The next time that it seems that wrong is winning out, that the unethical prevail, and that evil has dominion over good... know that Jesus is coming back! He will exercise His divine kingship...He will judge... and the day will come when ““at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

buisness A Business Problem Leads to a Call

by Os Hillman

“Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.’” – 1 Samuel 9:3

The people of Israel wanted a king. God finally agreed. Samuel was the prophet of Israel who was to anoint the man God had chosen. God selected a young man to be the first king of Israel-his name was Saul.

It is interesting to look at the circumstances in which God called Saul into his new vocation. It seems that Saul’s father had a business that used donkeys. During these times, donkeys were often used for commerce. It was obviously important to the father to find these lost donkeys, so he sent Saul and his servant out to find them.

They went from region to region, unable to find the donkeys. Finally, Saul told his servant that they should go back. He thought that his father would be worried.

But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take” (1 Samuel 9:6).

Saul took his advice. Near the town they met some young girls who told them that Samuel had just come to their town that day.

When they arrived, they met Samuel who told them that the donkeys were safe and he would also tell Saul the next morning all that was in his heart. He then informed Saul of his new calling to be the next king of Israel.

Can you see what circumstances led to Saul’s receiving his call? It started with a business problem – lost donkeys. It led to connecting Saul with Samuel through a number of divine appointments and circumstances. God still does this today.

God will provide the necessary circumstances to accomplish His purposes in your life. You must realize that a business problem may lead to a new calling for your life. Saul had no idea lost donkeys would be the instrument used to change his life. So, too, we must realize God’s ways are not our ways.

as seen in Os Hillman’s email devotional, “Today God Is First.”

smoke Smoke Signal

by David Jeremiah

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

There is a story told of a shipwreck survivor who washed up on a deserted island. After he had been there a few days, he built himself a hut and prayed to God for rescue. Each day he anxiously looked out over the horizon as he waited for God’s deliverance in the form of a passing ship. One day, after returning from a hunt for food, he discovered that his hut was consumed in flames. He was devastated and believed it to be the worst thing that could have happened to him on the island; everything he had was gone. The next day however, a ship arrived and the captain said, “We saw your smoke signal.”

Sometimes, when it seems our whole world is crumbling, it is difficult to believe that God is at work on our behalf. But just when we think all is lost, God unfolds His plan and teaches us that He had it under control the whole time.

Friends, God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts are unlike our thoughts; His plans are so much bigger than we could ever imagine or dream. Let Him work in His unique way and watch as His beautiful plan is revealed in your life.

from Dr. David Jeremiah’s “Today’s Turning Point” daily devotional. www.TurningPointOnline.org

Trusting God in the Unknown

Mary and Martha were upset that Jesus didn’t come until their brother Lazarus was dead. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). But instead of giving them reasons, Jesus replied, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham didn’t understand, but later he witnessed God’s faithfulness when Isaac was restored to him.

Moses didn’t understand why he had to spend 40 years in the wilderness, but later when God called him to lead Israel to freedom, he got it.

Joseph didn’t know why his brothers mistreated him or why he was imprisoned unfairly, but later he saw God’s Hand in everything. His father questioned why Joseph had been taken away from him, but later, looking into the face of the man who had been made governor and who’d saved the lives of the nation, God’s purposes became clear.

Just like your children don’t always think your decisions make sense, we don’t understand God’s ways. That’s why Jesus said to Mary and Martha, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will” (John 13:7). God doesn’t expect you to understand, but He does expect you to trust Him. In spite of his boils, bankruptcy and bereavement, Job said, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Is God testing you? If He is, what are you learning? Is the experience making you bitter, or making you better by causing you to draw closer to Him?

last The Last Impression

Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, one day a student nurse was working, and found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn’t need any help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let the student nurse wheel him to the elevator. On the way down, she asked him if his wife was meeting him. “I don’t know,” he said. “She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

This Sunday, we enter our newly renovated WFA Sanctuary for the very first time. You will be amazed and the change, and how beautiful it is! But, we will only have a partial experience, as the delivery of our new seating has been delayed for a few weeks. This means that we will be sitting on older, non-matching chairs moved in from other rooms in the building. So, we will have a second major unveiling when the new “comfy chairs” arrive! In the meantime, enjoy the blessing the Lord has given us, and be sure to give thanks to Him – and to all the crew that has labored so tirelessly to bring us this great new worship environment!

See you this Sunday at the new WFA!