Day 27 - Monday, August 11

Note: This gentleman has been hired as the part-time youth minister along with his wife for our youth younger than 6th grade. However, he (as a deacon) and his wife have been doing the job without pay for several years. He is a high school music teacher and band director. He is a remarkable trumpet player and has been on a world-wide tour with a symphonic troupe.

Bible Verse - Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

My Thoughts

Sometimes problems arise. They can be health, financial, family, spiritual, or any number of categories that affect our peace of mind. Too often this has an effect on our faith as well. We look to ourselves for the answer. “If I can just do this” or “If I can figure out the solution, then it will be alright.” “I can fix it by myself.” We forget God’s role in our problems.

Whether times are good or bad for us, God is always working on our behalf. It is only our shortsightedness that prevents us from realizing His plan. If we believe this verse to be true, then what do we have to worry about? We should take comfort in the knowledge that our Father is always looking after our best interests.

My Prayer

Father,
I pray that You will help me to have faith in You in times of trial. I want to see Your plan in my life every day. Take my worry and my fears and replace them with the understanding that You love me and are taking care of me. I want to trust in You more. Father, help me to do that each day, whether good or bad.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.F.

Additional Thoughts... It is so easy to say, "Okay God, I trust you to do what is best for me." But, do we really believe it? We want to carry our own burdens on our backs. Only when we get broken down do we say, "Okay God, I really need you now!" We need to trust God with all things.

I am at that point right now. Two years ago when my grandmother had to either move in with someone or go to a nursing home, we bought a duplex, renovated it, and put a "for sale by owner" sign in the yard of our little 2 bedroom house. I "knew" that God would not let us down. I "knew" that He would bring us a buyer to give us the price we wanted. Well, we are still trying to sell that little house. I've been through wanes of faith. I wonder if God is really looking at what I need. We've used all our savings and have been living off credit. I wonder sometimes, "Is God really listening to my prayers?" I'm still praying, but I know that for some reason God is waiting. Maybe it is not the right time for us to sell. Maybe there is someone who needs the little house to call their own. I don't know His reasons and I know that he WILL bring us a buyer... in His own time, I just wish He would hurry up!