This is a short 15 minute teaching that Steve delivered right from his living room couch about Jesus our Super-Model.  In other words, He is our ultimate example.  This teaching lays this subject right out there in a fresh way that will challenge your thinking.

Ruined for the Better!

The word “Ruined” is strong.  It means damaged and the idea people get is destroyed to a point that whatever was ruined is changed forever.  The term is often used when a precious garment gets bleached or over-dried in the laundry.  The despairing person will often cry out, “It’s ruined!”  Sometimes they’ll even follow this statement with something like, “I paid $50 for that shirt!”  There is a strong sense of loss when something precious is ruined.

 I’ve spent time in places like Greece, Italy and Turkey looking at “ruins”… formerly grand buildings which are now in beautiful disrepair.  When I look upon those ruins, my mind goes back in time and imagines how great those structures were and how proud of them the people of those days must have been. 

There is no doubt that the devil is trying to ruin us.  He comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and he’s not kidding.  (see John 10:10)  Sometimes, he is successful.  When the children of God fail to operate in obedience and faith, when we give in and give up, the results can be disastrous.

As I have been contemplating my life so far… my 46 years on this planet, I have experienced much ruin.  I’m sure you have too!  But I’ve noticed something!  Whenever I get ruined, as long as I cling to Christ, I get ruined for the better!  Someone once told me, “the devil always overplays his hand.”  This is a poker term (a card game favored by serious gamblers).  It means that the enemy doesn’t really have the good cards.  We have the winning hand in Jesus Christ!  But that dirty devil is a bold bluffer.  He uses intimidation and other tactics to try to get us to fold (give up). 

I have news for you friend!  Based not only on my own experience but also on the Word of God!  If you won’t fold, if you won’t give in or give up, you will always be victorious in Christ the end!  (see Galatians 6:9)

Joseph was one of the guys in the Bible that was ruined by the enemy, using his very own brothers and many others.  But he never wavered and never stopped trusting in God.  Many years down the road after he had been promoted from a slave to the number two ruler of Egypt, he had these words to say:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

Was Joseph ruined by the efforts of the enemy?  Absolutely!  The course of his life was directed negatively many times!  He spent a good amount of his life in jail!  But God turned it around!  And because Joseph never gave in and never gave up, he was “Ruined for the Better!”

I have many friends who have been ruined and not for the better.  Many used to be successful, had great family situations, fantastic businesses, careers, even ministries.  Then they were destroyed.  Ruined by situations, circumstances, bad decisions, attacks, you name it.  Today, they are empty, miserable, some have disappeared from Church, from life…  But this is unnecessary!  Sad!

I have many other friends that no matter what happened, they kept trusting Jesus, believing in God, persevering, working through the pain…  Yes, they were ruined.  Permanently changed, but because they didn’t give up, they became even better and more effective than ever before!  Stronger!

Job was ruined!  Completely!  But because he passed the testing, God blessed him all the more!

Many times in my life, I have been ruined.  Either through my own wrong turns, by seeming bad coincidence or through spiritual warfare.  But in those times, the voice of the Lord always broadcasts to my spirit that I will only be destroyed if I allow myself to be destroyed.  I will only be finished if I allow myself to be finished.

My encouragement to you is this.  Embrace the ruining process because it really is a pruning process!  Allow the adversities and the tragedies of life to change, mold and make you!  Don’t give up, don’t give in, keep trusting in Jesus, stay in the shadow of His wings!  Get Ruined for the Better!

I know some of your former friends want you to be ruined!  Former friends are worse than enemies, aren’t they? :-)  But it doesn’t matter!  I know they’re out there talking negatively about you, literally trying to assassinate your character & associate your name with scandal, but it doesn’t matter!  God is on your side and He will be the one to right the wrongs.  Stay positive, keep sowing positively, keep blessing, stay focused on Jesus!  Everyone reaps what they sow…

Everyone I know who is not in ministry anymore, allowed it to happen to them.  God’s calling is irrevocable… He will never take it away!  (Romans 11:29)  God still wants to use you, but you have to believe it and continue to go after Him without allowing the disappointments of life to derail you!  Allow yourself to be ruined for the better, everytime!