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This isn't necessarily a sermon, per se. This is just me, sharing my musings.
Do you believe in coincidences? I used to. I used to think that some things that happened by chance. I never really thought that there was something that could have caused it to happen.
Like the lotteries. People just happened to buy the winning ticket, and just happened to choose the winning numbers.
It just happened.
But then, a friend said this one phrase:
Do you believe in coincidences? I used to. I used to think that some things that happened by chance. I never really thought that there was something that could have caused it to happen.
Like the lotteries. People just happened to buy the winning ticket, and just happened to choose the winning numbers.
It just happened.
But then, a friend said this one phrase:
"I don't believe in coincidences."
She said it offhandedly while she was talking to our youth group. After a while, it faded away from me. But then, that phrase resurfaced to me about some months ago. I was going through some spiritual problems, and then, that phrase just stuck with me.
I remember that time, it was a very miserable point in my spiritual life. I felt really weak and helpless. I would feel like I had finally won the battle against lust. Then, the next day, there would always be that guy that felt like he was just a bit too close, just a bit too friendly. Then, it was back on the spiritual roller coaster. It took me time, but I finally realized that it was no coincidence. It wasn't a coincidence that after I was finally spiritually stable, the devil would rock my boat and turn me over into the water. We live in world that is full of spiritual personalities. We are also one of them. There is no way that there would be such a thing as a coincidence.
Of course, the devil wouldn't just let me go after I've been saved. He's always looking for ways to make us fall. But it's a good thing that we are tempted. To be tempted means that we are not with the world. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14, emphasis added).
The key words are 'drawn away', meaning that we have refused it blatantly. All of a sudden, the temptations somehow seem so much more enticing, even more than before. You start to think that maybe you really are missing out. But be strong! Don't let your guard down at all, lest you fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
I remember that time, it was a very miserable point in my spiritual life. I felt really weak and helpless. I would feel like I had finally won the battle against lust. Then, the next day, there would always be that guy that felt like he was just a bit too close, just a bit too friendly. Then, it was back on the spiritual roller coaster. It took me time, but I finally realized that it was no coincidence. It wasn't a coincidence that after I was finally spiritually stable, the devil would rock my boat and turn me over into the water. We live in world that is full of spiritual personalities. We are also one of them. There is no way that there would be such a thing as a coincidence.
Of course, the devil wouldn't just let me go after I've been saved. He's always looking for ways to make us fall. But it's a good thing that we are tempted. To be tempted means that we are not with the world. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14, emphasis added).
The key words are 'drawn away', meaning that we have refused it blatantly. All of a sudden, the temptations somehow seem so much more enticing, even more than before. You start to think that maybe you really are missing out. But be strong! Don't let your guard down at all, lest you fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
But on the other hand, God has also been working through these "coincidences".
I remember the time when I lost my earbuds. I love listening to godly music while I'm working or just relaxing. Needless to say, I was pretty sad over them. After a while, I forgot about them. But then, when I remembered them again, they had been missing for probably about two weeks or more. |
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So, I finally thought to myself, "Maybe I should pray to God about it." I felt it was a weak prayer, but I tried to have faith.
The next day when I wake up, what do I see on my doorknob? Yes, my earbuds. My brother tells me he found them in his room. At first, I think it's just a coincidence. Then, I remember my friend's words.
We're always waiting for God to do something awesome and great. Something that will blow us away. But, then we don't notice that He already is doing awesome things.
They're the things we call "coincidences".
The next day when I wake up, what do I see on my doorknob? Yes, my earbuds. My brother tells me he found them in his room. At first, I think it's just a coincidence. Then, I remember my friend's words.
We're always waiting for God to do something awesome and great. Something that will blow us away. But, then we don't notice that He already is doing awesome things.
They're the things we call "coincidences".