God Works In All Things

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. — Romans 8:23

We know that God works in all things.

And through it all, He is in control.

In all things, He works for our good.

For the good of all who love Him.

We have been called according to His purpose.

And He is working His purpose out in us.

Using our lives to glorify Himself.

God Has Saved Us

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, — 2 Timothy 1:9 

Tomorrow we'll have a chance to visit Megan's new baby, Daphne.

Her grandpa has been visiting from Ohio to help take care of her.

God has saved us and called us to a holy life.

Not because of anything we have done.

But only because of His own purpose and grace.

This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus.

Before the beginning of time.

God Works for the Good of Those Who Love Him

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. — Romans 8:28 

In all things, God works for our good.

And for the good of all those who love Him.

For those of us who have been called according to His purpose.

For years, Kirk shared with his students some of his characteristics that are uncannily similar to those of Abraham Lincoln.

Kirk was born on February 12, 1959; Abe was born on Feburary 12, 1809 - 150 years apart.

They have a very similar facial profile, with almost the same nose.

Their shoe size and heights are the same.

They both have gray eyes.

Abraham Lincoln’s first adult job was as a store clerk. Kirk's first adult job was as a store clerk for Vons Grocery Company.

Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. Kirk’ s grandfather died on April 15, 1975. Exactly 110 years apart.

This week, our niece Maggie found this geneology chart that shows that Abe is Kirk's 4th cousin four times removed!

God's plan is amazing.

In all things, He works for our good.

Listen to Advice

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. — Proverbs 19:20-21 

God commands me to listen to his advice.

I don't always read my Bible every day, but I try to.

And God wants me to accept His discipline.

That's much harder for me.

He reminds me that I have many plans in my heart.

But not all of them are the Lord's.

And it's the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Whether I'm part of that purpose or not.

Agree Together to End Your Divisions

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree together, to end your divisions, and to be united by the same mind and purpose. — 1 Corinthians 1:10

Our Lord Jesus urges us to agree together.

On some days agreement seems extremely unlikely.

But our God does the impossible!

We can agree to end our divisions.

We can unite behind the same mind and purpose.

Especially when we focus on the mind of Christ.

In the name of our Lord Jesus.

God Works for the Good of Those Who Love Him

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. — Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works things together for our good.

Even when we can't see it.

Even when others try to derail His plan.

He perseveres and continues to work through everything according to His plan.

He works for our good - for those of us who love Him.

And have been called according to His purpose.

He is our hope.

The Lord's Purpose Prevails

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. — Proverbs 19:21    

I have many plans.

But God tells me that His purpose will prevail.

In spite of my plans, God is working His purpose out.

If I'm willing to let Him use me, He will.

If I'm not, He'll simply use someone else.

His purpose will prevail.

Thankfully.

We headed over to Mission Beach for Abby's birthday dinner last month.

This is the shrimp and grits I had for dinner.

With an egg on top.

Called to a Holy Life

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9

God has saved us.

He has called us to a holy life.

We cannot achieve that by our own power.

But only by his own purpose, because of His grace.

His grace was given to us in His Son, Jesus, before the beginning of time.

We are blessed.

And thankful to God that He provides work for us to do.

Wishing you a happy Labor Day!

God Works for Our Good

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. — Romans 8:28

Today I had a chance to talk with sister Becky.

Her plant-based diet has really reduced her auto-immune issues - what a huge praise from just a year ago.

Later, we went for a walk around our neighborhood.

We took a look at the variety of landscapes and yards.

We saw some homes that were our same model.

Some that had been updated and some that looked just as ours did 35 years ago.

This year Kirk painted our garage door. 

Our friends Mary and Gary gave us the plumeria just to the left of the door.

It seems to love that spot!

We know that God works in all things, in every part of our lives. 

We are grateful.

God Has Saved Us

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9

God has saved us.

He calls us to a holy life.

Not because of anything we have done.

But only because of God's own purpose and grace.

Jesus gave us this grace through His death on the cross.

He was with God and was God before the beginning of time.

God has had mercy on us.

We are thankful.

God Works in You

 It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. — Philippians 2:13

Today is Cameron's birthday.

We are celebrating his 24 years on the earth. 

Soon to be 25.

God works in him to fulfill His good purpose.

And God knows the plans He has for Cam.

Plans to prosper him and not to harm him. 

Plans to give him hope and a future.

The Purpose of His Will

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. — Ephesians 1:11-12

In Christ, we were chosen.

God has worked out everything according to His will and plan.

He works out everything to conform with the purpose of His will.

God does this in order that we might live for the praise of His glory.

We put our hope in Christ.

He is the author and perfecter of our faith.

This is June Lake, one of God's creations.

I am one of His creations, too.

And I am grateful.

Praying for You

We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. — 2 Thessalonians 1:11

In Scripture, Paul reminds me to pray continually.

I ask God to help me do that more and more.

I also try to pray regularly for my friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, and people I encounter during the day.

Our pastor Jerry needs healing. So do many others.

My coworkers need encouragement.

The Rogers family needs comfort in the loss of Gary.

And when we remember our times with him, we think of Rita, too.

My sister-in-law Miki needs comfort and healing in the loss of her mom and dad.

My friend Dave lost his dad this year.

So did the Pulliam and McSwain families and many others.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers and answering them.

Give us wisdom, fill us with your power that you may fulfill every good purpose of yours through us.

In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.