Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
Romans 9:6-18
6 It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel, 7 and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac. 11 Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, 12 not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written,
“I have loved Jacob,
but I have hated Esau.”
14 What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.
Reflect
My grandmother had lost her husband and both of her children due to cancer before God called her home on January 5, 2016. My wife and I were her primary caregivers for the last three weeks of her life because we were the closest, able-bodied, blood relatives. Only problem was she lived in central Texas and my wife and I live in Paducah, Kentucky.
Even though that time was in the top ten hardest times of my life, the inheritance I received from my grandmother’s estate, enabled me to bless others more by remodeling a former Baptist and United Methodist church so that my wife would have a new studio to teach music and expand my wife’s business to include hosting student recitals, weddings, and other events. In addition to a space for me to do major repairs on piano actions, store pianos, and move pianos. I truly feel God has lifted up my grandmother and my family to show his great works and strength. One never knows how God is going to change a situation, just like Moses wanting to cross the Jordan in Deuteronomy 3:23-29.
Pray
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of your blessings. We may not understand what is going on at a particular moment in time, but we know your hand is in the situation. In your son’s name we pray, Amen.
Go with God!