First place

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26 AMP

This morning I have the blessing of sitting outside as the day dawns and watch the birds start talking and finding their breakfast. They just arrive and trust that what they need will be there. The Message Bible puts it this way...

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Matthew 6:26 The Message

The passage goes on to say, 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?  Matthew 6:30-31 AMP

God has everything covered for us. He has thought about it all, every single thing that we would ever need, for each one of us. And whatsmore He has already made provision for us. Just as He has for the birds who fly around, swoop down and find exactly what they need. We just need to seek Him out first, not the things we need, that's all He asks of us.

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Matthew 6:33 AMP

He asks that we put Him first in all we do. That we yearn for His presence. That we love Him above all else.

And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. Matthew 22:37 AMP

Question for today, are you loving God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul? Let's take some time today to ask God to show us what needs to change in our lives to enable us to love Him more.

Jesus said, "Love the Lord you God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence." This is the most important, the first on any list. Matthew 22:27 The Message

Come close to God

Come close to God and He will come close to you. 
James 4:8a AMP

What does it mean to come close to God?

The second part of this scripture gives us some keys ...
 

[Recognise that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. James 4:8b AMP

and some more in verse 9 ....

[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. James 4:9 AMP

The scriptures are reminding us to come close to God with the reverence that He is worthy of. They are reminding us that while God has always been there for us, we have not always been loyal to Him. We have, either intentionally or unintentionally, replaced His role in our lives with other Gods (eg people or things).

The New Living Translation puts it this way ..

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter and gloom instead of joy. James 4:8-9 NLT

In a world today where boundaries are blurred and seem to be getting less and less distinct, I believe it is important to take time to do what the scripture says and meditate on our relationship with God, thinking about Who He is, what we have done and what He has done for us. I don't mean that we should be feel condemnation about our sins, but rather have a healthy awareness that we are sinners, and it is only by God's grace that we are able to come close to Him today.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2 NLT

And in that process of humbling ourselves and coming close to Him, look at what He promises to do ...

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. James 4:10 AMP

Questions for today, What does coming to closer to God mean to you? What will you do today to humble yourself before the Lord? 

He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. ..... The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. Psalm 25:9,14 AMP

 

Trust

When I get really afraid I come to you in trust.

Psalm 56:3 The Message

Over the past six days I have spent a lot of time with our daughter Victoria. Not doing hospital visits, but rather taking her to Sydney based sporting events that she was competing in, and then again to Sydney on a school excursion. 

Throughout these days I thought how different our lives are now. It wasn't that long ago when I would spend a huge amount of time with Victoria in hospital and at therapy appointments. While some of that still goes on, it is no where near the amount of time it used to be. What a journey it has been of learning how to trust God with her life. 

There have probably been a handful of times in the past six years when I have genuinely feared for her life. Times when the outlook hasn't been great and I have been really afraid. Times when I have desperately gone to God in trust. Fully believing that He loves Victoria more than we do and that He has a plan for her life. Fully believing that I, Wendy, could draw near to God and petition Him on behalf of our daughter.

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22 AMP

The Message bible simply says,

So, friends, we can now - without any hesitation - walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it - full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. 

Hebrews 10:19-23 The Message

Questions for today, is there something you are feeling 'really afraid' about? Are you able today to say, "God, I trust You," and then rest, knowing He is trustworthy. If not, ask God to help you to come to that place where you can completely trust Him, and then be open to what He wants to teach you. It is a continual life course, each of us graduating with an increased level of trust after each lesson.  It is a course well worth sticking with, I can testify to that.

God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. My help and glory are in God - granite-strength and safe-harbour-God - so trust him absolutely people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. Psalm 62:5-8 The Message

A whole, healed, put-together life

But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Romans 6:22 The Message

Have you discovered the delight of listening to God telling you what to do? For me I have found this to be a long process of learning, a process that still continues today. But a process well worth sticking with. It is a process of taking each thought that comes into my mind, asking myself, is this a God thought, or is it a 'Wendy' thought?

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 The Message

When we do take every thought and consider how it aligns with God's Word and we find there is a misalignment (ie our thought is wrong) sometimes it is easy to lay down our thoughts, humble ourselves before God and accept His truth and His ways. I believe when we do this we are opening ourselves up to more of what God wants to do in us and through us.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;

You will prepare their heart;

You will cause Your ear to hear, 

Psalm 10:17 NKJV

Sometimes though it is not so easy. It can take a lot of soul searching on our behalf to come to the place where we can let go of the thoughts and let Jesus be Lord of our thoughts. Thankfully God is willing to help us with that process. We just need to humble ourselves and ask Him for that help. He is so gentle with us, in revealing His truth and helping us get to the place where we are indeed delighted to listen to Him.

Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;

I listen to them as to good neighbors 

Psalms 119:24 The Message

Question for today, do you want to discover more of the delight of listening to God telling you what to do? I know I do, as I have learnt that His way of doing life is so much better than mine. And I am not ashamed to say that I want that whole, healed, put together life that is promised to us through Jesus. Do you want that too?

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 The Message

The future starts now

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and everything to live for, including a future in heaven - and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all - life healed and whole. 1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message

Our Heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a Father full of love and mercy freely available to us. 

Thank you God for your love and mercy. Thank you that you continually watch over us now and in the future. Thank you for that the day when we will be with You - life healed and whole. Amen

Let's just go back to four words in that scripture - "The future starts now!"

What does that mean to you? 

To me, it means that we have access right now to Jesus. We have the authority, In Jesus Name, to the do same or even greater works that He did.

The person who trust me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do. John 14:12-14 The Message

By God's grace we have this authority, to be a vessel to bring God's love and freedom into the lives of others. Earlier this week I had the privilege of being on the team at our church's healing service. We witnessed people come with their hearts open ready to receive from God. The Holy Spirit ministered hope, love and healing to many. As I reflect on it now, I do think, Wow, what a God we have, for each of those people that were open to Him, He met them right where they needed Him.  We have a God who cares about us an unique individuals, because He created us, and He wants to see us live our lives as He planned them.

"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. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Question for today, what does, 'the future starts now' mean to you? If you are not sure, why not take some time now to ask God and be expectant that He will tell you, because He is for you.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31 NLT

His deep love

This morning I was talking to God, praying for others who have a great need of His touch today, listening to some beautiful worship music... No longer slaves (Bethel), Good Good Father (Chris Tomlin), It is well (Bethel) and Wonderful Name (Christy Nockels). I was asking God what do you want me to share about today and I felt Him say, 'Tell them about my love.'

Where do you start? Other than, I am broken and without His love I am nothing. In His love is everything we need - forgiveness, mercy, grace, joy, strength, provision, and of course eternity with Him. Absolutely everything. 

Psalm 107 gives us a picture of it all - our needs, answered every time with His love. As you read this psalm I pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to you and remind you of God's deep love for you.

Oh, thank God—he's so good!

His love never runs out.

All of you set free by God, tell the world!

Tell how he freed you from oppression,

Then rounded you up from all over the place,

from the four winds, from the seven seas.

Some of you wandered for years in the desert,

looking but not finding a good place to live,

Half-starved and parched with thirst,

staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.

Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.

He got you out in the nick of time;

He put your feet on a wonderful road

that took you straight to a good place to live.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

He poured great draughts of water down parched throats;

the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.

Some of you were locked in a dark cell,

cruelly confined behind bars,

Punished for defying God's Word,

for turning your back on the High God's counsel—

A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy,

and not a soul in sight to help.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He led you out of your dark, dark cell,

broke open the jail and led you out.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;

He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors,

he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks!

Some of you were sick because you'd lived a bad life,

your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;

You couldn't stand the sight of food,

so miserable you thought you'd be better off dead.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He spoke the word that healed you,

that pulled you back from the brink of death.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;

Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,

tell the world what he's done—sing it out!

Some of you set sail in big ships;

you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.

Out at sea you saw God in action,

saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:

With a word he called up the wind—

an ocean storm, towering waves!

You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;

your hearts were stuck in your throats.

You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,

you didn't know which end was up.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He quieted the wind down to a whisper,

put a muzzle on all the big waves.

And you were so glad when the storm died down,

and he led you safely back to harbor.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

Lift high your praises when the people assemble,

shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!

God turned rivers into wasteland,

springs of water into sunbaked mud;

Luscious orchards became alkali flats

because of the evil of the people who lived there.

Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water,

arid earth into springs of water,

Brought in the hungry and settled them there;

they moved in—what a great place to live!

They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards,

they reaped a bountiful harvest.

He blessed them and they prospered greatly;

their herds of cattle never decreased.

But abuse and evil and trouble declined

as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away.

He gave the poor a safe place to live,

treated their clans like well-cared-for sheep.

Good people see this and are glad;

bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks.

If you are really wise, you'll think this over—

it's time you appreciated God's deep love.

Psalm 107 The Message

He is calling you

And Jesus stopped and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, telling him, Take courage! Get up! He is calling you. And throwing off his outer garment, he leaped up and came to Jesus. Mark 10:49-50 AMP

He is calling you. 

This is true for me and you too. Jesus is calling us, every day. Calling us to draw closer to Him. In the words of the song, Softly and Tenderly 

Softly and tenderly

Jesus is calling

Calling for you and for me

See all the portholes

He's waiting and watching

Watching for you and for me

He is calling us closer to Him so that, in His strength and grace we can be and do all that He has wants us to. We can trust Him.

Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you.] 1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP

The Message Bible simply puts it this way....

The One who called you is completely  dependable. If he said it, he'll do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The Message

But what about our response to His call? Is it like the blind man's response when Jesus called him ....

Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50 The Message

The blind man's response poses a couple of questions for us ...

When Jesus calls us, are we willing to throw off our coats? That is, are we willing to let go of the things are familiar and make us feel comfortable?

When Jesus calls us, are we willing follow at once? That is, are we trusting that He is completely dependable, so we obey and go in His timing, not our?

It is easy to say yes to these questions now, in a hypothetical sense, but what about when Jesus does call you. 

Next time Jesus calls us to do something, let's remember the blind man and his response, and have courage to do as he did - throw off our coats, get on our feet at once and go. And remember, at that moment, God's grace is sufficient for each of us.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just head, we pray for you all the time - pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 The Message 

Jesus

Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious life God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24 The Message

The sinners - that's me and you. God - He's the creator of the universe and our creator. He knew we would be sinners. But He always had a plan to help us.....

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Jesus Christ when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24 NLT

His plan was Jesus. His Son. His Son whose birth we are getting ready to celebrate as Christmas approaches. His Son who sacrificed His life so we could live.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 NLT

Jesus. Grace. Life. Forever.

Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life. John 4:13-14 AMP

Today, let's choose Jesus. Let's choose to drink of the water that He freely gives us. Let's choose to live out of His grace and be a blessing to all around us.

 

He is greater

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 AMP

Our God is greater. The Scripture tells us that as children of God we have overcome.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NKJV

The Scriptures so often remind us that God is for us. Jesus is actually interceding for us.

Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Romans 8:34 AMP

He is on our side, and through Him we are more than conquerors.

Even as it is written, For thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:36-37 AMP

We don't have to shrink back and be afraid, no, because we belong to those who have faith.

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV

We belong to Jesus, who tells us that He has come so that we may have life and have it to the full.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 AMP

Jesus, the one who made a way so that we can come directly and boldly into God's throne room. 

Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, by this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20 AMP

Today, let's not waste this access we have been given. Let's draw closer to God, and receive His love and a greater understanding of all He has done and who He has made us to be.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 NIV

 

Let's not waste that 

 

Question Time

I'm not saying that I have this altogether, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wonderously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong; By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. 

I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! 

Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Philippians 3:12-16 The Message

Today, a few questions to consider and talk to God about as we read this passage of scripture ....

1. Who or what are you reaching out for today?

The New Living Translation says it this way, 

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12 NLT

2. What goal have you got your eye on?

The Amplified Bible puts it this way,

but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. Philippians 3:13b-14 AMP

3. Do you have any blurred vision?

Let's keep our hearts teachable to what God wants to show us to ensure we are aligned with Him.

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. Philippians 3:15 NLT

4.  What causes you to stray from the right track?

This is definitely one to discuss with God, as sometimes we can stray and not even realise it. 

Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. Philippians 3:16 AMP 

In my experience if you honestly ask these questions of yourself and listen to God's responses, it can be a bit confronting. It is important to always remember that God loves us regardless of what we think, do and say. He knows we are sinners. But there is no condemnation when we are in Christ.

Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. Romans 8:1 AMP

Rather, asking these questions of ourselves allows us to draw closer to God, becoming more aligned with His purpose for our lives. 

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

 

The morning

And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. Genesis 1:5 AMP

Morning. How I love the quiet of the early morning. Praise God for the morning. Imagine for a moment that there was no evening and no morning - no time set aside for rest, no time for newness.....

GOD's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great is your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-23 The Message

The morning, an opportunity to commune with God before doing anything else in our day. An opportunity to hear His thoughts on the day ahead.

In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]. Psalm 5:3 AMP

The morning, time to reflect on all God is and has done, to praise Him in song.

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress. Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17 AMP

The morning, time to submit and listen to God's directions.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8 NKJV

I know we are not all 'morning' people, but if we think of morning as whatever time we awake to start a new day, let's consider what we do when we wake up. How much of our morning routine involves talking with God, finding out what His plans for the day are? If you feel some changes are needed, ask God to help you. Remember He is always ready and waiting to talk to you.

Every morning you'll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. Psalm 5:3 The Message

Trust in the LORD

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV 

A little story today ..... about six weeks ago Victoria started complaining about pinching pain in her shoulder. The pain was restricting her ability to move her left arm and having a direct impact on her ability to swim - one of the activities that she loves doing. And one of the activities that is critical for her body's well-being. Victoria would cry in pain. I would cry in secret, amid the tears, crying out to God, "Please don't let the one thing she loves doing and is so beneficial for her, be taken away from her."

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognise, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC

There were a few words directed at the enemy too. "Get your hands off her, she is a child of God. You have no authority over her life."

Victoria's beautiful physiotherapist came to one of her swimming training sessions to see how she could help. She tried taping the shoulder, but Victoria could not tolerate that. We left the pool that night with no solutions.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

The next week, Victoria probably made it to school for a total of 1.5 days as the pain was so debilitating. On the Thursday morning her physio phoned me to say, that she wasn't able to help Victoria as shoulders were a very specialised area. My heart sank. 

But she then went on to say that her boss had recommended another physio who had experience with children with similar physical disabilities as Victoria and he would probably be the best person to call. So I phoned him immediately. His receptionist advised that he no longer did physio work, but she would get him to call me.  Disappointed, doesn't really describe how I felt. Again I cried  out to God, 'Please, we need your help here, there has to be someone who can help her. Don't let what she loves be taken away from her.'

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

An hour or so later, he called me. I explained the situation. He says...... I am no longer registered as a physio, but my wife will be able to help you. She is a physio who has worked with paralympic swimmers who have similar disabilities as Victoria. There is an appointment available on Saturday.

Thankfulness, doesn't really describe how I felt after that phone call. All I could think about was God's grace on our lives. God had a plan all the time. 

During that Saturday appointment the physio manipulated Victoria's shoulder and released what was causing the pain. She talked to Victoria about pain and muscles and gave her some exercises to do to help strengthen her shoulders. We had a second appointment with her yesterday and she is amazed at the improvement in Victoria's strength and movement since the initial appointment.

Praise God that He once again worked all things together for good. Through this circumstance He has bought a person into Victoria's life who is likely to play a very important role, should she want to continue pursuing the sports she loves, swimming and running. He has provided someone who has the knowledge and experience with people who have gone where Victoria has a dream of going -  to the Paralympics.

Question for today, is there something that you are crying out to God about, trusting that He has a plan? I pray that this story I have shared today will encourage you to keep talking to Him about it and keep trusting Him. He has a plan and it is good.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV