June 11 - For my good!!!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  (Romans 8:28, New Living Translation)

I had an appointment at 6pm today and had planned my route to the minute, however; I ended up being late...which may have saved my life.  I couldn't leave until my husband got home and he had stopped at the grocery store.  Somewhat rushed, I hurried out of the house and proceeded on my way to my appointment.  I was coming around 70West approaching the Livingston Avenue exit when the traffic started slowing abruptly.  Looking ahead, I could see that the traffic was at a standstill past the exit so I changed lanes to exit at Livingston.  With a little detour, I was able to reenter the highway at the Miller on ramp and that's when I saw the accident.  There were three cars involved, one fairly damaged, another smashed up pretty good and spun around facing east from the impact, and then the final car which was so badly crumpled it looked like a crushed soda can. 

I thought about the fact that had I left when I planned to leave; I could have very well been right in the  midst of this accident...and then I felt grateful.  I was slightly irritated with my husband for going to the grocery store and tacking on a few extra minutes to my commute...but if he had been on time and I had left on time...and then I felt grateful. 

Thank you Father for keeping me from danger seen and unseen!  Thank you for orchestrating my path today and moving me at just the right pace.  The lesson in this was not just for me, but to me because You showed me that even when I can't see or know what's in my path...You do and the same is true for my children!  You are all-seeing and all-knowing and even when I forget to pray or when I'm not specific with my prayer for my son/daughter; You still hold the world in Your hands.  I know that all things work together for my good and for my children's good.  We love You and we embrace Your purpose for our lives.    #GRATEFUL  In Jesus name, Amen!

June 2 - He has prepared some things for you!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

The word "prepared" means "to have ordained; of blessings".  So there are ordained blessings that have not been seen, heard or even thought of, that God has for us and our children.  No wonder the enemy is constantly trying to distract us and tempt us with sin...it's hard to receive a blessing while in the midst of sin.  However, I believe that the blessed thing about an "ordained blessing", is that its' been predestined by God and in His sovereignty He can still bestow the blessing on us...even if we have not "lived up to it".  Now that is not a license to sin, as the bible says; "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."  (Romans 6:15) 

Nevertheless, the best way to ensure that we receive what God has prepared, is to be prepared ourselves.  One of my favorite male vocalists has a song called "He's Preparing Me".  In the song, Daryl Coley delivers an "explanation" for some of the things we encounter in our lives as believers, i.e. maturing, arranging, rearranging, training, tuning, purging and pruning as "preparation".  God is getting us ready for the next level in our lives...for what He has prepared.  If we're not prepared; we can easily abuse, misuse and as crazy as it sounds, refuse the blessing...all because we weren't ready for what was waiting on us!   A perfect example is the single person who claims to want a spouse, but has not addressed his/her trust issues; his/her bad credit; his/her selfishness; his/her own insecurities.  Now why would God give the person He has prepared to the unprepared person?!?  #ItJustGotReal

Lord, we pray that we will submit to the process of preparation for each and everything You have ordained for us.  Help us to lead by example so that our children will also embrace preparation as the process of getting to the next level.  And Lord, even if the preparation is not for the next level, but more so to be effective for the battle that's at hand; let us understand the strategy of preparation is necessary in order for us not to have so much to do later.  Preparation is necessary so that we may enjoy the blessing.  Thank you for what You have prepared and for taking the time to prepare us to receive.  In Jesus name, Amen!

He's Preparing Me!
http://youtu.be/4WcwZO9htds