WEBVTT 00:04.672 --> 00:07.564 [SPEAKER_00]: as we continue our first week of the new year. 00:08.247 --> 00:13.669 [SPEAKER_00]: Today we're going to look at how God redeems all that he allows. 00:14.223 --> 00:21.934 [SPEAKER_00]: Each of us faces difficult seasons in our lives, but thankfully, God does not leave us there alone. 00:23.015 --> 00:31.808 [SPEAKER_00]: Even today, even now, God is working to redeem our pain and heartache for His glory and our good. 00:32.769 --> 00:35.353 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcasts. 00:58.722 --> 01:06.014 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 8, verses 28 and 29, Scripture says. 01:07.476 --> 01:17.592 [SPEAKER_00]: We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 01:18.483 --> 01:31.321 [SPEAKER_00]: For those whom he forenew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. 01:33.745 --> 01:38.652 [SPEAKER_00]: What comes to mind when you think about your greatest fears for the future? 01:39.934 --> 01:41.436 [SPEAKER_00]: I could list several. 01:42.158 --> 01:49.348 [SPEAKER_00]: So as we look at trusting the Lord for today and our new year, let's focus on this promise. 01:50.350 --> 01:53.514 [SPEAKER_00]: God redeems all He allows. 01:55.437 --> 02:06.613 [SPEAKER_00]: Our God is a good father who knows all of the problems you face and assures you that in Him all things work together for good. 02:07.960 --> 02:21.717 [SPEAKER_00]: In its original Greek language, this phrase could be literally translated as, every event in your life will cooperate with every other dimension of your life for your benefit. 02:23.587 --> 02:31.099 [SPEAKER_00]: God is working through all things, because He wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son. 02:32.361 --> 02:37.469 [SPEAKER_00]: He uses every area of our lives to make us more like Jesus. 02:38.631 --> 02:42.517 [SPEAKER_00]: And in this way, God redeems all He allows. 02:43.960 --> 02:46.624 [SPEAKER_00]: Let's unpack this fact just a bit more. 02:47.060 --> 02:56.907 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 10, 29 explains that because our God is sovereign, he must allow or cause all that happens in our world. 02:58.130 --> 03:03.364 [SPEAKER_00]: But just because he allows certain things doesn't mean he approves of them. 03:04.390 --> 03:12.128 [SPEAKER_00]: And because God is love, as stated in 1 John 48, He can only want our best. 03:13.471 --> 03:21.690 [SPEAKER_00]: And because He is holy, as Scripture tells us in Isaiah 63, He can never make a mistake. 03:23.341 --> 03:34.282 [SPEAKER_00]: But God would be making a mistake if he allowed or caused anything, he did not redeem for a greater good, either in this world or the next. 03:35.284 --> 03:45.484 [SPEAKER_00]: Since he can't make a mistake, he's character requires him to redeem all he allows to make us more like Jesus. 03:47.135 --> 03:53.404 [SPEAKER_00]: to be clear, this doesn't mean we will always understand God's redemption in this world. 03:54.787 --> 04:06.785 [SPEAKER_00]: I don't fully understand the car I drive or even the phone I use every day, but one day you and I will understand what we can't comprehend today. 04:09.228 --> 04:15.538 [SPEAKER_00]: All that is required of us is to have faith to receive the grace God desires to give 04:17.054 --> 04:25.607 [SPEAKER_00]: those who love God and want to become like Jesus are the ones who most fully experience His redemption in their lives. 04:27.430 --> 04:35.523 [SPEAKER_00]: So today, will you put your life and your new year in the redemptive hands of your loving Father? 04:37.326 --> 04:43.095 [SPEAKER_00]: If that feels difficult for you today, then let's start by asking for His help. 05:16.910 --> 05:17.671 [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin. 05:19.013 --> 05:25.723 [SPEAKER_00]: Meditate on the reality that God redeems every area of your life that you entrust to him. 05:27.766 --> 05:35.577 [SPEAKER_00]: Second Timothy 1 verse 9 says, God saved us and called us to a holy calling. 05:36.181 --> 05:56.738 [SPEAKER_00]: not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 06:08.665 --> 06:34.521 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, ask your father to show you how to be more like Jesus today. 06:35.767 --> 06:42.524 [SPEAKER_00]: pray that he will show you what you need to stop doing and start doing to be more like your Savior. 06:44.168 --> 06:52.830 [SPEAKER_00]: First John 26 says, whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 07:34.357 --> 07:41.210 [SPEAKER_00]: And last, ask God how you can partner with Him in His work of redemption today. 07:42.953 --> 07:55.858 [SPEAKER_00]: Ephesians 210 says, We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 08:15.734 --> 08:22.453 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 08:36.794 --> 08:41.944 [SPEAKER_00]: Becoming like Jesus includes helping others to become like Jesus. 08:43.266 --> 08:52.143 [SPEAKER_00]: Mark 1045 says, He came not to be served, but to serve, and He calls us to do the same. 08:53.425 --> 09:00.118 [SPEAKER_00]: And as we help others follow Christ, we actually become more like Christ as well. 09:01.617 --> 09:08.009 [SPEAKER_00]: There is no greater purpose than being like Jesus and helping others do the same. 09:09.472 --> 09:11.736 [SPEAKER_00]: Will you open the door of your heart to Him today? 09:13.159 --> 09:17.247 [SPEAKER_00]: Is there someone else that you can help know Him better as well? 09:32.752 --> 09:35.015 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's podcast. 09:35.495 --> 09:37.338 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with verse 15. 09:38.399 --> 09:47.391 [SPEAKER_00]: My prayer for you today is that God would begin to reveal his good intentions, even in the midst of anything that may have broken your heart. 09:48.532 --> 09:57.283 [SPEAKER_00]: I pray that you wouldn't feel pressured to get over heartbreak, but instead that you might feel his invitation to process it with him. 09:58.184 --> 10:02.590 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to heal all the parts of your heart 10:03.295 --> 10:08.503 [SPEAKER_00]: If you have a moment, would you do as a huge favor by leaving a rating or a review? 10:08.543 --> 10:17.315 [SPEAKER_00]: Sharing how God is impacting your life through 1st 15 is one of the most effective ways of helping more people connect with our ministry. 10:17.956 --> 10:23.504 [SPEAKER_00]: And if you'd rather just send us a note, you can reach out at podcast at 1st15.org. 10:24.466 --> 10:28.932 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you see Kim.