How has your week been? If you’re like me, you’ve had some surprises. On Sunday morning, while eating breakfast, one of my teeth came out. I am grateful that I was able to see a dentist on Tuesday and have the root of the tooth removed. Since then I have been chewing on one side of my mouth only, so that the skin will not be irritated where the tooth came out.
Yesterday I received a phone call from a man whom I hadn’t heard from for many years. Alain told me that he had moved to a central district of Montreal since I had visited him. His call came just a few minutes after Jean-Pierre phoned me to ask for prayer that he would feel better. Karen and I have visited Jean-Pierre in the east end of Montreal and he phones our office often. Please join us in praying that Alain, Jean-Pierre and all who contact us will trust in the Lord and grow in His grace.
William sends me devotionals by George Worthy, a servant of the Lord in the U.S. Here is what brother Worthy wrote yesterday: “William, stick to the plan!
Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.’
We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – ‘Just stick to the plan!’ It’s usually good advice.
Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems and ‘situations’ on every side…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.
Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. So the Lord had surprises of His own. Revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph summed it up beautifully: ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.’ (Genesis 50:20)
When our situations are difficult to handle and downright impossible to explain, we need to remind ourselves that God said, ‘I know the plans I have for you.’ Through these situations we discover how faithful and sovereign He truly is. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more. When the test is completed, we come out with character, stronger in faith, more in love, more useful to Him, and ready… for our next test. 🙂 (Oh yeah…)
William, the fact that we have problems is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions – so until then, let’s stick to the plan! His!!!”
May we keep our eyes on the Lord and thank Him for all that He is doing in and through us.
Scripture for the weekend: “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.”2 Corinthians 4:1 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Truth that can be trusted is truth that transforms and also testifies to others.” – Dr. David Jeremiah (from “The Jeremiah Study Bible”)