When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

There are times in our lives where we get an idea that comes from God about something that we can accomplish. Maybe it's a promise from God about things getting better or certain situations changing in our lives. Then as things get complicated or it looks like it won't happen or things get worse we give up.

Let me encourage you today that nearly every person you read about in the Bible experienced things not going as planned or things getting worse before they saw the realization of the promise.

Here are just a few examples:

1. Joseph was promised he would rule over his brothers. But as his life unfolds he is sold into slavery by his brothers, lied about by a woman and winds up in prison for years. Initially forgotten by a person who was set free from prison . But eventually through a turn of events Joseph became second in charge in all the land.

2. Moses was told that God would use him to deliver His people . But when he goes to pharoah and tells him to let God's people go things got worse and pharoah increased their workload. There were many other setbacks before pharoah released the people.

3. David was anointed to become the king of Israel, but he experienced years of being on the run from the current king as that king sought to kill David. Eventually though David became king.

4. Mary was told by a angel that she would give birth to the Son of God. Instead of a palace she had to give birth in a manger. Instead of a life of triumph and ease she had to watch her son die on a cross. But He did rise from the grave.

I could go on and on about people in the Bible who had similar experiences. I would just like to encourage you to not give up on your God given promises. Just because things get difficult doesn't mean it won't happen. 

Here is how another person in the Bible summed up things as he was getting ready to die :

“"Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.”

Joshua 23:14

Not one word failed which God spoke. They experienced difficulties and hardships and setbacks, but God was faithful to His Word. 

May I encourage you today to let you know that God is faithful. He doesn't promise ease, but He will be faithful. Things won't happen as you think , but He is faithful. There will be setbacks ,but He is faithful. Don't give up on Him.

Troy

Grace Notes: God Loves Us At Our Worst

Grace Notes: God Loves Us At Our Worst

Life Is Short

"Life is short even in its longest days"

John Mellencamp 

The above line is a line from one of my favorite John Mellencamp songs. The first time I heard it the truth of it resonated with me. 

The Bible has many verses that talk about the brevity of life. 

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

James 4:14

Whether you are a believer in a personal God or not you can relate to the truth that life is short. All of us can relate to the idea that playing with childhood friends or our days in High School though they may have been decades ago at time they seem just like yesterday. 

I read a quote the other day that talked about life being short and some actions we can take:

"Life is so short. Grudges are a waste of time. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and trust God with what you cannot change."

Glenn Burris 

In my 20 some years of ministry I am constantly amazed at how many people I run into who are holding grudges. Some are short, some have been holding these grudges for years. Yet, they can't see that it's not accomplishing anything good in their lives. Most of them don't see the damage that it is doing to their lives and others who are close to them. 

Laugh, apologize, and trust God I believe is some good advice to follow with our time we have been given. 

Let me sum all this up by saying that since life is short let's be encouraged to choose our actions wisely with the time we have been given. Let's enjoy life and not waste our time with actions that in the long run really don't bring anything good into our lives. 

Troy