Jeremiah 29:11-14 New International Version (NIV)
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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.
A plan, a promise and a future is what the Lord told Jeremiah. God has planned his life far before he knew it. God has the same plan for our lives. We must call upon him in prayer and he will hear us. The past is a crazy thing, because we can't do nothing about it and sometimes want to change it. Wasted time thinking over and over again about it. There are many good times I can recall and sometimes things I wish I could experience again. A changed mindset takes us into a change lifestyle. Pointing out the good things about the past and even the now. Maybe looking forward to a special occasion, date or time with someone makes life exciting. Turning our thoughts and lives over to God makes for a better lifestyle.
Romans 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
A Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
THE PAST ~
Lessons learned and blessings beyond measure
The past has lead me into my now of life. So many things that changed me as a person and a trust that began with God. Leaning to him for things I just don't understand and begin to pray. Prayer changes you which changes things. I've learn that my prayer life makes difference. It is just like spending time with a best friend and learning how each other works. Reading the Bible opens my mind to positive scriptures and seeing how God brought people through impossible situations to the normal eye. Think about it, who opens the red sea but God. Who gives a blind man his sight, but God. The list goes on and on but I think you get it. God does miracles and he continues to do them this day. I have seen too many miracles to doubt his power. I have also walked through life in wonder of why and trusting without seeing the answers.
The past can grow up into a stronger person for God. Yes, bad things happen, but look at all the good things too. Within one storm, we can see the rain and wind, but one day it all calms down and we see how the rains brought green grass and hills. A purpose and yet a wonder. The wind can suddenly pop up or suddenly be still. Who controls all of that, but God. I hope you see today that importance of your life and what you were born for in life. There was a plan far before you were born and continues today. Let God use your life and tell the little miracles of your own life to others. It helps spur others on and who knows what one story can do for one life.
I remember taking kids to youth camp for church. Somehow the kids always brought back the one negative things instead of all the positive things. I would tell them to share the goodness of God to their parents and I would hear back the one negative story of the kid who didn't listen or got in trouble. Where did all the positive go from their minds? I was told they are just kids and that's what kids do. I wonder if trained kids to see the positive, what might happen. Just a thought about our own lives, see the positive today and thank God for all you do have in life. So much can change suddenly and it's faith in God that holds us strong. Purpose this a good day!
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. Thank you for taking time to read this today and share hope with someone.
~ Sparkie