Good Plans

I have a situation at my house with my neighbor's cat.  He is the sweetest boy.  My neighbor does not let the cat in her house.  He has a little food and water set up in her garage, but is not allowed to come in her home at all.  The cat decided about four or five months ago to start hanging out on my deck.  I have five cats (indoor only) of my own and I guess he figured it was a cool place to be.  

Problem is he wants in.  I believe he is lonely and done with being an outdoor only kitty.  If he was a stray I would have adopted him into the family by now. But since he belongs to my nextdoor neighbor, I can't do that.  And he cries to come in with us.  It absolutely breaks my heart.  We sit with him, love on him and even share a few treats with him, but we cannot bring him in without my neighbors okay.  

Yesterday, he was especially vocal and I just wanted to cry.  I cried out to the Lord, "Why are You allowing this!  I just want to die, I feel so bad for this cat!"  (Yes, we humans can be very dramatic).  But my heart was breaking for this cat and the situation was overwhelmingly sad.  Instantly, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind, "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 29:11  

The cat was just the icing on the cake yesterday.  We finally had the bathroom repaired and it was okay, but it would never be completely right.  I had spent hours cleaning and trying to get rid of any excess grout and sealer that was left in the wrong places.  I was tired and feeling sorry for myself.  And yet, our sweet heavenly Father took the time to comfort and reassure me.  Wow.

This morning I went into my "31 Days of Praise" devotional by Ruth Meyers.  And it just kept the God visit going.  "Thank You for giving us priceless promises, great beyond measure--promises that apply to Your work in me, in my loved ones, in my situation, in my service,and in the whole world...and not one single word of Your good promises has ever failed.  I glorify You because no human problem, however hopeless or impossible, is too hard for You.  You are able to give life to the dead and call into being that which does not exist.  So I need not stagger at Your promises or waver in unbelief.  What You have promised You are able to perform"  What a mighty God we serve.  Promise keeper!  

No matter what our situation is, small or great...He is faithful.   And He will complete the good work in us and in our lives.  He loves us with an everlasting love and has drawn us to Himself with unfailing love.  (Jeremiah 31:3)  And with that kind of love holding us, we can be at peace and rest in the knowledge that God is for us and not against us.  (Romans 8:31)

This was such a reassuring visit from the Lord.  I so needed the uplift yesterday.  I am praying that these words will be the uplift for someone else that help encourage them through their day and situation and discouragement.  

2 Peter 1:4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

1 Kings 8:56 Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.

Jeremiah 32:17 O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard
 for me?

Romans 4:17-21 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.  20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Lord, thank You for this beautiful God visit.  Thank You for reminding me, and through me, the readers of this, that Your love for us never fails and Your plans for each of us is good and filled with hope.  I pray that You will encourage those who read this words today, just as You encouraged me yesterday and this morning.  I am so blessed by being Your child.  It's in the saving Name of Jesus that I come to You today.  Amen. 

God is faithful.  Ask God to show you some promises that apply to you and stand on them.