Kisses for the Soul

"In everything God works for the good of those who love Him...because that was His plan."

Romans 8:28 NCV

It's all part of His plan

When you're in a situation where you've got more questions than answers, it takes faith to accept that "in everything God works for the good of those who love Him." What you consider wasted experiences can become confidence-builders and priceless sources of insight - when you make up your mind to learn from them! If yuo don't, they'll keep happening till you do. The Israelites went in circles for 40 years before they finally wised up. Don't let that happen to you.

When you get too comfortable God stirs things up. The mother eagle teaches her little ones to fly by making their nest so uncomfortable that they're forced out of it. Next, they are pushed off a cliff edge. Can you imagine their thoughts: "It's my mother doing this?" Who and where you are at this moment in time has been divinely appointed. God in His wisdom knows that you need the challenge of certain situations to mature and stretch you. The job you dread going to every day is developing your skills, endurance and sense of responsibility. Those people who rub you the wrong way are actually making you more like Jesus! (added by me: if you let them.) Paul says, God "understands...and knows what is best for us at all times" (Eph. 1:8 TLB). So instead of asking Him to change things, thank Him for the experience and the lessons you're learning. And if yuo can't figure out what those lessons are, ask Him. James says, "If...you need wisdom...ask God" (Jas 1:5 CEV). When you do, you'll discover - it's all part of His plan!

...WOW don't we all need to read this everyday? We are all continuously going through "stuff" that gets us down; confuses us; makes us angry or depressed; makes us question God. Don't act like you never question Him!

Certain situations can and will make you or break you. Know that His hand is on your life. What you are dealing with today, March 19th, 2008...or tomorrow or at any point...It is all part of His plan. How you deal with it and perservere through it is what will determine your passing the test.

Kisses for the Soul

Taking the Initiative
(This is taken, in part, from "The WORD for You Today" - daily devotional that our church is reading.)

You can only pray, plan and prepare for so long, then you must step out in faith and act.

The Chinese say, "He who deliberates too long before taking a step, will spend his whole life on one leg." The reason we never get started is because we focus on tomorrow instead of today. The only time over which you have any control is the present. James wrote, "Look here, you people who say, 'tomorrow we are going to a certain town...We will do business there and make profit.' How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone." (James 4:13, 14 NLT)

Edgar Guest wrote: "The greatest of workers this man would have been - tomorrow. The world would have known him, had he ever seen - tomorrow. But the fact is he died and he faded from view, and all that he left here when living was through, was a mountain of things he intended to do - tomorrow."

(Added by me) So what is it that you have been putting off until...tomorrow? Take that step of faith, whether it be at your job, in your marriage, friendships, ministry, etc. Don't be afraid. Trust God and He will guide your way.

Remember, He has called you "for such a time as THIS!"