Friday October 17, 2008 HIS PLAN
"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:10-14 God has a plan, God has always had a plan, and God will always have a plan for His children. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His unfailing love and mercy will never cease to exist. It is always His plan to bring His children home - when they seek Him earnestly. We all know the story of the Prodigal Son. This story represents the repentance necessary to have a true relationship with the Father. We must be willing to be His servants and to be treated as servants. When we approach Him with a heart of repentance He is more than willing to meet us halfway. When working with wounded people, we must always keep this truth in the back of our mind. God sent His children into exile in order for them to see what it was like to live a life without Him. Oh, they prospered for a while in Babylon, but after a season they discovered the emptiness in riches. They hungered for the life they lived back home. If we intervene in the life of a rebellious, wounded person too soon we just might stunt their emotional and spiritual growth. If you know anything about AA one of the things they teach is that before a person is willing to get sober, they must first "bottom out." In the early years of my niece's addiction, my sister Carolyn was constantly bailing her out of situations. She overlooked the thousands of dollars Robin stole from her. Not only did she overlook that, she even went behind Robin cleaning up her trail of bad checks. Years ago D. James Kennedy wrote a book, The Prodigal Child. I loaned my copy to someone several years ago and the book is no longer in print, but Carolyn read it. He stated in that book that we simply have to let go of the child and let them see what it feels like to be totally separated from us. I agree, but Carolyn didn't get it. If you have a child, a friend, or an extended family member who is presently separated from God and you, never cease to pray. Don't ever give up, but don't give in either. God has a plan for their life. His plan for their life is not for them to live in the gutter. His plan is for them to live a life that gives - not takes. Begin to let God develop a picture in your mind of that person walking in wholeness. If by some chance you are the person living a life of mockery, get alone with God. Confess the shallowness of your relationship with Him and let Him take over your life. He will restore you when you seek Him wholeheartedly. He will heal you. You will come out of the pit! Father, I thank You and praise You that it has never been in Your plan for us to wallow in the gutters of this world, but to be seated in the Heavenlies with You. We pray for our loved ones and ask You to keep them safe until they can know You and Your plan for their life. ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] window live messenger: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
