I will not be ruined
I Will Not Be Ruined
(#337 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
My friend, my brother, my confidant, and the co-author of this devotional journey; I cried to him on the phone; “I lost my family Jeff. It’s my fault; I lost them Jeff.” He listened to my weeping; he always does, and then he spoke. “I kind of see it like an investment Michael. If you sell while the markets are down, then of course it’s a loss. But if you hold on… [and at that very moment the mind of Yahweh came into my conscious thoughts] …if you hold on until the market turns…” Jeffrey and I talk about everything. For me, he is that friend who sticks closer than a brother; be warned, ruin awaits those who have unreliable friends (Proverbs 18:24). But, I will not be ruined.
“Don’t sell Michael; don’t quit.” Those words resonated in my mind later that afternoon, and do so even now, as my pen meets paper. I’m still here, my body still imprisoned. But, I will not be ruined. I still have hope, I still have dreams. I have followed the patterns and I am reminded today that obedience always leads to Spiritual fruit first, and the physical shadow will appear later. I will not be ruined. I am reminded of the fear I experienced battling to be free within, even though I remain slain in my physical existence. Though my body remains in captivity, yet will I serve Him! Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him! (Job 13:15) I will not be ruined.
To grow spiritual fruit often requires significant physical sacrifice (Romans 12:1), with no concern for return on investment for your flesh. Jeffrey spends many hours each day seeking the Father in prayer and then in editing the devotions in this body of work. Through that process he decides what the final work will say, piece by piece. It’s Kingdom economics loved one. The world would never ascribe to such unsound business practices. But, my friend Jeffrey does his accounting on a spiritual balance sheet in an upside down Kingdom.
If you have been reading along with us, hopefully you have met the Father, Son, and Spirit in a more intimate way. You have certainly met me. And, today I am glad that you get to meet a little more of Jeffrey. He’s your brother and perhaps a friend. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) I will not be ruined.
Do not be deceived: the Almighty cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10)
Note from Jeff: Michael wanted this included, so I do so humbly and with my eyes ever focused upward. It is not I who lives… JH