love you neighbor.

I have been asking God to provide me with some type of ministry here/something to do here. It didn't take long for God to answer. I remember one time at a particular Bible study, Jared Mitchell saying something about if we are ever in need of something to do, all we have to do is flip through the Bible.  It was impressed upon my heart to simply love my neighbor meaning all ppl. I want to simply be available to anyone. So I decided to make cookies for my actual neighbors. After several days of wanting to go over there, gaining some encouragement from some friends, and reflecting upon the life of Abbie Short, I finally did today. I introduced myself and said if she ever needed help with her daughter to let me know. It was a very short conversation. About twenty minutes later, my door bell rings and it is her. She wants to talk more. I invited her in. After talking for a bit, she asks if I am baptist. I said yes, and asked her if she went to church anywhere. She said she and her husband are in search of a religion. They have been attending a Jehovah's Witness church (I think only because someone invited them), so I invited her to church. She said she would tell her husband. She seemed interested. 

Please continue to pray for them (Jasmine and Luis) and for Mark and I.

God is so good. Good isn't even enough to describe Him.

the "good" life

For some reason, I have the mentality that everything in life is going to or should be good and easy. Well, I am wrong. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit helped me this morning understand God's Word better and about this type of thinking. 

God never promised easy. He did however promise good (see Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28 at bottom), but what does that mean? Life doesn't always seem "good." 

I did  a little bit of research about this, and in my study Bible, the comment on Jeremiah 29:11 says, "this does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, and hardships, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion (Life Application Study Bible)." This makes sense because Jesus, the only perfect person to walk the earth suffered a torturous death on the cross.  

Moving on...

In Romans 8:28, again my study Bible said about the verse "this does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good" (Life Application Study Bible).  

How true...evil seems to be ruling our world; just look around if you don't believe it. However, the powerful God that I serve is able to turn that into something greater for His glory. There is however one catch in Romans 8:28. It says that He will work all things for the good of those who love him and are His children. 

The ESV Study Bible says the following about Romans 8:28. "The "good" in this context does not refer to earthly comfort but conformity to Christ, closer fellowship with God, bearing good fruit for the Kingdom, and final glorification." 

One last quote - "God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill His purpose" (Life Application Study Bible). 

I'm clinging to the Romans 8:28 promise. How about you? 
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Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

Romans 8:28 " 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."