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 In the depths of our hearts, we often yearn to believe that we are worthy of receiving the abundant blessings God has in store for us. We desire to see breakthroughs and victories, to witness our dreams take flight, and to be surrounded by goodness in every aspect of life. Yet, the journey can be filled with setbacks, rejections, and an overwhelming chorus of “no” …
Set Apart
All my life I’ve longed to belong. Early on, I followed the wrong crowd. I chased after broken dreams. I would try anything to be accepted. This led to many years of searching, only to end up in dead end places. I was looking for others to make me happy. I thought happiness was out there waiting on me to claim it. Until I was in the pit, looking up, did I realize that happiness wasn’t in people, it was in Jesus. Each one of us has a purpose. Everyone has a unique personality, set apart from anyone else. Jesus …
Mistakes
There have been times when I think that I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life, but it turned out to be the greatest blessing. Never neglect the power of God. Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, God steps in and miracles happen, plans get changed and nothing else matters. Are these all a result of our own mistakes or a miscalculation of God’s timing? You decide. Matthew 6:26-27: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are …
God’s Ways Are Higher
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the Lord’s declaration. For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (CSB) God can do anything He wants to do and work in any way using BIG dramatic events or simply in a still, small voice. God can provide for His people through unusual circumstances. He can use famous, powerful people like a prophet or king; he can even choose to work through unnamed, insignificant slaves or servants. …
The Joy of Hope
Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” Everyone needs something to look forward to. Without a path, we wander aimlessly and without purpose. A friend once gave me a paper weight with a wise saying on it: “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” I keep that paper weight on my desk at home to remind me to always have a purpose, the one God has for me. After my husband passed away a …
God Knows How To Provide
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them. So they loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed from there. And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of the sack. Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their …
Praising God as Designer
I Samuel 16:7 “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (CSB) Yes, God’s creativity is displayed in nature. In addition, His creativity is also displayed in each one of us as He designs His plans for us. Consider the story of David to illustrate how life experiences, giftedness, family, friends, and interests are developed into a purpose-filled life to give God Glory. David – poet, musician, shepherd, giant-slayer, and …
Remember the Past
Those who fail to remember the past, miss out on experience’s greatest gifts. Mistakes and things considered failures, though unpleasant to remember, are often life’s most valued teachers. Nostalgia, fond memories, they serve a higher purpose than normally recognized. These memories provide not only comfort and healing warmth, but also help us to document some of life’s most daring ventures. Just think of those first flights at Kittyhawk, or the first polio vaccine, or the first time a person looked at a computer screen and had access to the information highway… God has a plan for each …
Will You Trust His Perfect Timing
Ecclesiastes 8:6 (ESV) “For there is a time and a way for everything, Although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.” Surprisingly the first backup camera was used in 1956 on a Buick concept car and it wasn’t until 2014 the US Department of Transportation announced the camera requirement for new cars. This technology made it easier for drivers to have wider views and see rear images clearly, which assisted drivers maneuvering their cars in a safer manner. As in life, clarity often comes when looking back through the rear-view camera or mirror. Living with a mental health diagnosis and …
Sock Ministry Blessing
Hubby needed fresh socks to go with his clothes for today. I was in a hurry so I grabbed some clean ones out of the laundry and knew he could pick out a matching pair. Socks have a way of causing a mess. They either lose their pairs through the laundry or they lay around right where they’ve been taken off. But you know what? This morning I am reminded that socks laying around means life. Oh beloved, do you know? Have you heard? This life you have is wonderful. You get to pick up socks, wash dishes, prepare meals …
Diligence Has a Reward
“But without faith, it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 AMPC In this fast-paced era, with people living instagrammable lives, I can assure you, the pandemic has certainly not slowed people down. What you do not see behind ‘microwave’ results is the effort that goes into it. Very few people, especially in the church, are willing to reveal the effort behind a testimony. Mind you; …
Trusting That He Knows
“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 God has a plan for us. It is a plan for our good. His plan includes prosperity and hope. Is it enough that we know that He knows what the plan is? Do we insist on knowing all the details in advance? Knowing that He knows and being okay with not yet knowing ourselves is choosing to walk by faith. By its definition, faith includes an element …