Update 256

On August 12, 2006, Norbert Link will give the sermon, titled, “Why Not Heaven, Part 2.”

The first part of this two-part series was given on March 4, 2006, and is posted on the Web.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at 12:30 pm Pacific Time (which is 2:30 pm Central Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

WHY would someone cry?

There are many reasons–some cry for
great loss or for fear, and some cry in a crowning moment of joy! Jesus
Christ experienced this emotion, and we find a record of at least two
occurrences in His life when He, also, wept.

In one instance,
Jesus shed tears as Martha, Mary and their friends mourned the death of
their brother, Lazarus. In the record of this account, found in John
11, it is shown that Jesus was very close to these people–they were
His friends: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (verse
5). Even knowing that He would resurrect Lazarus through the power of
God, Jesus was deeply moved and felt empathy for those who were so
distraught over their loss (John 11:35).

Another time, the Bible
also records that Jesus wept: “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and
wept over it” (Luke 19:41). In this case, Jesus clearly understood the
horrific future that lay ahead for Jerusalem and its people. He knew
that His countrymen were about to face God’s punishment for their sins,
and even though He also knew that His fellow Jews would seek His death,
He agonized over what they were about to suffer.

In a similar
way, we who are ambassadors of Jesus Christ know what lies in store for
this world! We also know that our fellow citizens–even those who call
themselves “Christians”–may soon seek to kill some of us (Compare
Matthew 24:9-10). Nonetheless, we must do as Jesus did and that is to
deeply love and care for even those who would stand as our enemies
(Compare Matthew 5:43-48).

We live in the beginning events of the
end of this age–in a time of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6).
As we watch unspeakable savagery and violence filling the earth, we
might become calloused and hardened to the barrage of news events that
report nothing but greater and greater turmoil all over the world, but
we must not!

Ours is the ONLY message of hope. It is the GOOD
NEWS of God–of the fact that He will intervene by sending Jesus Christ
to SAVE THIS WORLD! As we deliver this truth, some of us will face an
increasing onslaught of terrible trials both personally and in our
communities and nations.

Stay tender hearted! Care deeply!
Recognize, as Jesus did, that there does arise–even a time to cry
(Ecclesiastes 3:4; Romans 12:15).

Mass Murder on an Unimaginable Scale!

BBC News reported early Thursday morning of yet another terrorist plan: “A plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit ‘mass murder on an unimaginable scale’ has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.”

The article pointed out that 21 individuals have been arrested. Widespread news coverage also indicated that other suspects were being sought. Additionally, fear of alternate plans by embedded terrorists cells has been voiced.

This latest plot has had immediate and wide-ranging consequences. Bloomberg.com reports: “European airline schedules were disrupted and passengers inconvenienced after U.K. anti-terror police said they foiled a plan to blow up airliners traveling to the U.S. and imposed travel restrictions.

“Delays and cancellations were most severe at London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest. Flights from European destinations were canceled and some outbound flights were dropped as well. Extra security procedures are causing serious delays on the ground. British Airways Plc canceled all short-haul Heathrow flights.”

In the U.S., stringent new security checks were implemented forcing travelers to avoid many carry-on items. Lines at terminals–both pedestrian and automobile–grew ponderously across North America.

Indeed, nations all over the planet are being affected by this latest terrorist plot. The relative safety and freedom to travel that was enjoyed in the recent past has been severely damaged. People are fearful, and these events are evidence of prophetic warnings found in the Bible. For more information , please read our booklet, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America.”

Earthquake Changed Earth’s Gravity

UPI reported on August 3:

“U.S. scientists say they’ve determined Earth’s gravity changed as a result of the giant 2004 Sumatran earthquake… The 9.1-magnitude December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in the Indian Ocean produced a tsunami that killed approximately 230,000 people, while displacing more than 1 million others. The event followed the slipping of two continental plates under the seafloor that raised [the] ocean bed in the region by several feet for thousands of square miles.”

The earthquakes, which we have been experiencing so far, are only tiny forerunners of earthquakes which are prophesied to occur in the future. For instance, we read in Revelation 16:18, 20:

“…and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth… Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found…”

Shiites Against Israel and the USA

The Associated Press reported on August 4:

“Hundreds of thousands of Shiites chanting ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America’ marched through the streets of Baghdad’s biggest Shiite district Friday in a massive show of support for Hezbollah in its battle against Israel… The demonstration was the biggest in the Middle East in support of Hezbollah since Israel launched its attacks against the guerrillas in Lebanon on July 12. The protest was organized by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr… Al-Sadr followers painted U.S. and Israeli flags on the main road leading to the rally site, and demonstrators stepped on them–a gesture of contempt in Iraq. Alongside the painted flags was written: ‘These are the terrorists.’ “Protesters set fire to American and Israeli flags, as well as effigies of President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, showing the men with Dracula teeth… Iraqi government television said the Defense Ministry had approved the demonstration, a sign of the public anger over Israel’s offensive in Lebanon and of al-Sadr’s stature as a major player in Iraqi politics… Although the rally was about Hezbollah, it was also a show of strength by al-Sadr…”

The wrath of the Muslim world is turning against Israel and the United States of America. To understand why, please read our free booklets, “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America,” and “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.”

Civil War in Iraq

The BBC stated on August 3:

“Civil war is a more likely outcome in Iraq than democracy, Britain’s outgoing ambassador in Baghdad has warned Tony Blair in a confidential memo. William Patey, who left the Iraqi capital last week, also predicted the break-up of Iraq along ethnic lines… BBC correspondent Paul Wood said although the document does not contradict government denials that civil war is imminent, ‘it is a devastating official assessment of the prospects for a peaceful Iraq, and stands in stark contrast to the public rhetoric’…

“Talking about the Shia militias blamed for many killings, Mr Patey added: ‘If we are to avoid a descent into civil war and anarchy then preventing the Jaish al-Mahdi (the Mahdi Army) from developing into a state within a state, as Hezbollah has done in Lebanon, will be a priority.’ The cable says that ‘the next six months are crucial’–an assessment which is shared by the coalition’s military commanders. Senior military sources told the BBC it was ‘make or break’ time in Iraq. The Americans are sending thousands of extra troops to Baghdad, starting next week. “

A King of Germany?

Bild Online reported on August 4, that the respectable Count of Wuerttemberg, Carl Herzog von Wuerttemberg, recommended that Germany embrace a monarchy under a German king. He stated that for him, the monarchy is the best form of government. He added that a king, who would be ruling for life, could accomplish much more than temporary politicians. He also recommended that the new king should be Georg Friedrich Ferdinand von Preußen (30). He would not only be King, but also Emperor (Kaiser), as his great-great-grandfather was Germany’s last Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II., who reigned from 1888 to 1918.

If one is tempted to dismiss this idea as too far-fetched, let’s consider that the Minister President of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Günther Oettinger (52, CDU), showed sympathy for the concept. He was quoted by Bild Online as saying: “I can understand this idea. If we had a king, we could rule under him in a democratic fashion.”

Although it is not necessary for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy that Germany, as well as other European countries, will be ruled again by literal kings or even emperors, this possibility cannot be ruled out. Revelation 17:12 talks about a coming United States of Europe, comparing its ten leaders with ten horns. The passage states: “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast [a future European military leader].” The next verse predicts that these ten kings–European leaders who MIGHT be literal kings or emperors–“will give their power and authority to the beast.”

For more information, please read our free booklet, “Europe in Prophecy.”

Germans Interested in Islam

WorldNetDaily reported on August 5:

“More and more Germans are converting to Islam. Last year approximately 4,000 persons became Muslims. According to the Central Islam-Institute in Soest, the numbers have been rising since the turn of the century. Up to the year 2000 the annual number of conversions stagnated at 300, but it has been rising ever since…  there are 3.2 million Muslims in Germany. Most of them are Turkish immigrants… Currently there are 143 full-fledged mosques, with 128 more in the planning or building stages. In addition Muslims gather in 2,600 prayer and meeting places…”

The article continued to state:

“Approximately two-thirds of the 82 million inhabitants [of Germany] are church members. The Protestant Churches have 25.6 million members and the Roman Catholic Church 25.8 million. Approximately 500,000 Germans belong to smaller, often evangelical churches such as Baptists or Pentecostals… It has been noted by the churches that interest in religion is rising in Germany, but it is not focused on Christianity. Today, the citizens in Martin Luther’s home country are equally fascinated by esoteric practices, Buddhism and Islam.”

Today, German “Christianity” is evenly divided between Catholicism and Protestantism, and some Germans are looking for alternatives by embracing non-Christian religions. But in the near future, the religion of Germany–as well as of Europe and the entire world–will become united under the influence of one strong religious power. Revelation 17:18 explains that a worldwide religion, symbolized by a woman who is also identified as a city built on seven hills (verse 9), will reign “over the kings of the earth.” We are also told in the same chapter that she will sit “on many waters” (verse 1), which are “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues” (verse 15).

Hell On Earth–Again?

WorldNetNews reported on August 7:

“As tens of thousands of people gathered at Hiroshima in Japan to mark the 61st anniversary of the day an atomic bomb created ‘hell on Earth’, Iran yesterday rejected a United Nations resolution calling for Tehran to halt its nuclear programme. Iran said it would expand its efforts to develop nuclear power, which the United States and Europe fear is aimed at making a bomb, and warned that any UN sanctions aimed at halting its uranium enrichment would bring a ‘painful’ response, possibly including a cut in oil exports.

“The news came amid reports that Iran had tried to import bomb-making uranium from the African mine that produced the material used to make the Second World War Hiroshima bomb, which killed 140,000 people. Speaking from near the epicentre of the devastating blast, Tadatoshi Akiba, the mayor of Hiroshima, called for the destruction of all nuclear weapons and expressed concern that a growing number of countries were developing them… A bell rang at 8:15am, marking the time when an American B-29 bomber, Enola Gay, dropped its deadly payload on Hiroshima on 6 August, 1945. It was the first atomic bomb ever used in war.”

The sad news is that we will experience NUCLEAR WAR in the future! Man has not learned the bitter lessons from history, and so he is bound to repeat his past mistakes. In fact, man’s futile attempts to bring peace through war–including nuclear war–will result in the potential destruction of this earth and the potential annihilation of mankind. Christ said that if He was not to return to end the madness of human endeavors, no human being would be saved alive (Matthew 24:21-22). But the good news is that Christ will return to save us from ourselves, by destroying those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18). For more information, please read our free booklet, “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

Israel’s Leading Author Speaks Out

On August 7, 2006, Der Spiegel Online published an interview with Israel’s leading author, Meir Shalev. Shalev is the son of poet Itzhak Shalev. He studied psychology at the Hebrew University and has produced and hosted several radio and television programs; he is also a regular columnist in the Israeli press. Apart from his novels, some of which have been bestsellers abroad as well as in Israel, Shalev writes books for children and non-fiction. Shalev has received the Bernstein Prize (1989) and the Juliet Club Prize (Italy, 1999). His work has been translated into over 20 languages.

In the interview, Shalev discussed the situation in the Middle East, as follows:

“The cause of the war was a just one, but the conduct has not been. And by this I do not just mean the tragedy of Qana, but also what already happened in the first days: Attacking Beirut like this, killing civilians in Lebanon. From the very first day we should have limited ourselves to attacks against the Hezbollah strongholds along the Israeli-Lebanese border… (Hezbollah leader) Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah drives everybody crazy in Israel… Even if they [the Israelis] warn the people, many people are not able to leave their towns, especially since roads, bridges, ports and the airport have been destroyed. But it is not only a question of morality. These Lebanese are going to be our neighbors forever, but many people are now against Israel. These citizens would support us if we had conducted our fight with the Hezbollah in a more measured way…

“Many Lebanese people were against the Hezbollah. It is a danger to their whole country, especially in a city like Beirut which is very open and liberal. Because the fundamentalists one day will try to forbid this Western way of life. At the beginning of the war you could see from the declarations of various Lebanese leaders that even they were quite satisfied that Israel took care of the Hezbollah. But we went into Lebanon like angry bulls into the arena, attacking anything that moves… In a true democracy, a leader with enough self-assurance does not talk the way [Israel’s Prime Minister] Olmert does… Olmert should have defined the objectives of the war from the beginning. But all he said was: ‘We will be victorious’ without defining what victory means. Also with defense minister Amir Peretz we cannot win… Olmert and Peretz behave like two bullies in a pub… Despite that, we will win at the end, because the Israeli society is smarter than its political leaders.”

The bitter lesson of history is that human wars don’t bring lasting peace. Mankind, including the intellectuals, politicians and brilliant minds of this world, has not yet understood this godly wisdom, erroneously believing that human violence works. But Jesus Christ told us: “Put your sword in its place, for ALL who take the sword will PERISH by the sword!” (Matthew 26:52). Revelation 13:10 confirms that those who kill with the sword “must be killed with the sword.” The passage continues to tell us that we can only deal correctly with challenging situations, when we have “the patience and the faith of the saints.”

The time will come when Christ will rule on this earth, teaching man that human wars don’t bring peace. At that time, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they LEARN WAR anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

Christ is already teaching those who have open ears and eyes and who are WILLING to LISTEN to God, that human wars are WRONG. For more information, please read our free booklet, “Should YOU Fight in War?”

Proposed UN Security Council Resolution

Der Spiegel Online reported on August 7:

“The UN Security Council resolution drafted by the United States and France at the weekend calls for Hezbollah to stop all hostile operations and for Israel to stop its military drive into Lebanon. But already being questioned by other Security Council members, the proposal would allow Israel to strike back if Hezbollah were to break a cease-fire. Other Council members have suggested amendments because they feel the draft doesn’t take enough account of Lebanon’s concerns. Lebanon has urged the Council to revise the resolution to demand that Israel pull its forces out of the country once hostilities end and hand over its positions to UN peacekeepers. The draft makes no mention of an Israeli withdrawal…

“Left-wing Die Tageszeitung calls the draft resolution a diplomatic victory for the United States and Israel, but adds that it won’t do much good… The newspaper predicts: ‘The war will continue, despite or because of this resolution. The Shiite militia will nurture its role as resistance army against the invaders and will go on fighting. Even after almost four weeks of fighting it still has enough… fighters. And Israel will continue to justify further offensives by saying they are in reaction to these attacks, but is really fighting to decimate the ranks of Hezbollah…’

“Conservative Die Welt writes that if the Security Council had taken its last Lebanon resolution seriously, Hezbollah wouldn’t have any rockets now. ‘But the UN left it to Israel to put Resolution 1559 into force and disarm Hezbollah. Now it has a war on its hands.’ The paper adds: ‘Perhaps the new document will fare better than 1559. It won’t do any harm. It might end up bringing a peace force into Lebanon. But caution is warranted here too. The soldiers mustn’t operate like the current blue helmets in Lebanon who were smoking and playing cards while Hezbollah fired off rockets and abducted Israelis.’ “Center-left daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes that America has undermined its credibility in the region by waging, and losing, the war in Iraq. ‘America’s weakness has laden Europe with new, unanticipated burdens. Take Lebanon for example: helping to rebuild it will not only cost French, Italians or Germans money but will also cost some of their soldiers’ lives.'”

Austrian Governor vs. Jewish Community

On August 8, The Gulf Times published an article about an ongoing controversy in Austria between Carinthian Governor Joerg Haider and Jewish Community president Ariel Muzicant. The article stated:

“Without naming Haider directly, Muzicant charged in the government paper Wiener Zeitung on Sunday that in Austria, ‘anti-Semites’ were commenting on the ‘tragedy in the Middle East’ by accusing Israel of ‘war crimes’ even though they knew better. These same people regarded the date of the Nazi capitulation, May 8, 1945, as the beginning of Allied ‘occupation’. They also had difficulties putting up a few bilingual signs, Muzicant said, referring to a struggle between Haider and the Supreme Court, with the governor resisting rulings for more German-Slovenian urban signs in his province.

“Haider reacted promptly. He accused Muzicant of being ‘among those Zionist provocateurs in the West who defend the murder of dozens of children and hundreds of civilians, the blowing up of bridges to cut off flight and aid routes, and the killing of UN soldiers, and thereby justify a senseless war by Israel’. Haider earlier demanded the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador in Vienna, and war-crimes trials for ‘warmongers in Israel.'”

Israel Accused of Preventing Humanitarian Aid

The German press, including Der Stern Online and Der Spiegel Online, have accused Israel of deliberately preventing humanitarian aid and food supplies from reaching the Lebanese people. On August 7, Der Stern ran an article, titled, “Israel Prohibits Humanitarian Aid.” It continued to allege that Israel revoked any permission to humanitarian aid organizations, such as the Red Cross, to distribute food and medical supplies to civilians in southern Lebanon, and tons of food and supplies have been stored at harbors for several days. The Red Cross also charged Israel with having broken their word to provide humanitarian aid organizations with military protection. According to the Red Cross, there are presently 100,000 civilians in southern Lebanon and up to 67,000 civilians in Tyre, who are in dire need of food and medical supplies. It is also charged that Israel prohibited a Greek ship with food and medical supplies to enter the harbor of Tyre.

Der Spiegel Online added on August 8 in its article, titled, “Helpers Accuse Israel of Massive Obstruction,” that Israel is deliberately sabotaging any attempts to bring food or medical supplies into places like Tyre, which has been totally isolated from the outside world.

Whether these reports are true or not, they will assist in turning world opinion against Israel. Ultimately, Israel might find itself in a totally isolated position–a development which is strongly indicated to happen in Biblical prophecy.

VJ Day in Japan

On August 9, The Times Online published an article about Japan’s forthcoming VJ Day on August 15. It was stated:

“There are still six days to go until August 15, the anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Second World War, and already the right-wing activists are out on the streets in their pseudo-military uniforms emblazoned with the Japanese imperial symbol of the rising sun… It is against this backdrop that the outgoing Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, has said that he is minded to keep the promise he made during his 2001 election campaign to visit the Yasukuni war shrine on August 15. Mr Koizumi has visited the shrine five times during his tenure as PM, and on each occasion it has sparked a fairly serious international reaction–particularly in China, where there was rioting, and in South Korea, both of which countries suffered badly from Japanese imperialism. None of those visits was, however, made on the actual anniversary of VJ Day, Japan’s surrender, as Mr Koizumi promised he would if he became Prime Minister. Were he to do it, it would be a real bonus for the right-wingers, as most previous PMs have studiously avoided visiting Yasukuni.”

The article continued:

“Japan was fascinated to read leaked memos in the last three weeks that finally explained the reason why neither the current Japanese Emperor, nor Emperor Hirohito, who died in 1989, have visited Yasukuni since 1978. In the memos, Hirohito is quoted in conversation with his chief chamberlain, saying that he can’t understand why the High Priest has recently decided to incorporate into the shrine the names of 14 Class A war criminals convicted at these trials–Japan’s equivalent of Nuremberg–as this has posed a real problem and made a visit unpalatable. Mr Koizumi is stepping down as PM next month, so he has six days in which to decide whether to keep his promise.”

No, it does not mean that at all. Quite to the contrary, we are
clearly told in Scripture, so that we CAN know, what our destiny is. We
read in Ephesians 3:14-19 that it is our destiny to become spirit
members within the Family of God, and that we KNOW that we are to be
filled with “all the fullness of God.”

1 John 3:2 does not tell
us something different. In fact, this passage CONFIRMS, rightly
understood, that we DO know what our destiny is. When we read this
passage in context, it states:

“Beloved, now we are children of
God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we KNOW
that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as
He is.”

This passage tells us that we KNOW that when Christ is
revealed or manifested at His Second Coming, we will be LIKE Him.
Christ will return in glory (Matthew 24:30), and so we, too, will
appear or be manifested with Him in glory (Romans 8:17). Right now, we
are not yet filled with God’s glory, as we are still flesh and blood.
That is, it has not yet been revealed or manifested what we shall be,
because we are not yet powerful glorious God beings. But we do KNOW
that we will be glorious God beings–at the time of Christ’s return.

Notice the following Scriptures which make this understanding perfectly clear:

(1)
We read in 1 John 3:2 about the time when Christ is revealed. We read
about Christ’s revelation–talking about His RETURN–in many additional
places:

— 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 says that when Christ is
“revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” He will take vengeance
on those who disobey God.

— 1 Peter 4:13 tells us that when Christ’s glory is “revealed,” we will also be glad with exceeding joy.

— Luke 17:30 compares the time when Christ is “revealed” at His return with the time of Noah and Lot (verses 26-29).

(2)
We also read in 1 John 3:2 that when Christ is “revealed,” we will be
LIKE Him. That is, when Christ is revealed in glory, we, too, will be
revealed in glory. Again, note the following additional passages:

—
Romans 8:29 tells us that God “predestined us to be conformed to the
image of His Son,” with the ultimate goal of our glorification (verse
30).

— 1 Corinthians 15:49 adds that we “shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man”–Jesus Christ.

— Philippians 3:21 says that Christ will “transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.”

So,
we have been TOLD WHAT we will be! But it has not been revealed yet–as
we have not been revealed or manifested yet in power and glory. But we
KNOW that we WILL be REVEALED or manifested as born-again God beings in
the near future. Notice Paul’s words in Romans 8:18-19:

“For I
consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the GLORY which shall be REVEALED in us. For the earnest
expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the REVELATION of the
sons of God.”

Again, when is our glorious revelation going to
take place? At the time of Christ’s Second Coming! Note Colossians 3:4,
as it is correctly translated from the original Greek:

” When
Christ who is our life is manifested [or revealed], then you also will
be manifested [or revealed] with Him in glory” (compare Elberfelder
Uebersetzung). The New Revised Standard Version and the Revised English
Bible translate accurately: “When Christ who is your life is revealed,
then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”

Other
translations say, “when Christ… appears, then you also will appear
with Him in glory,” giving thereby the intended meaning that Christ’s
revelation will occur when He appears at His Second Coming. But all
renderings make it clear that we will be revealed or appear with Him in
glory, when He is revealed or appears. That is why we are to eagerly
wait “for the REVELATION of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians
1:7).

We can and do know our potential. That knowledge has been
revealed to us by God, but it has not been revealed yet to the world,
as we are still flesh and blood–not yet immortal God beings. Rather
than teaching us that we cannot know what we will be, 1 John 3:2 tells
us the exact opposite: We can and do know our potential, but the
manifestation of our potential has not occurred yet. That is, we are
not yet glorified! But when the glorified Jesus Christ is “revealed” or
appears at His Second Coming (1 John 2:28), we KNOW that we will also
appear with Him in glory–provided, however, that we have remained
faithful to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

For more information on our destiny, please read our free booklets, “The Mysteries of the Bible,” “God Is a Family,” and “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Shelly and Frank Bruno, of Boulder, Colorado, have announced the
forthcoming birth of their first child, and would appreciate prayers for a healthy pregnancy. The due date is March of 2007.
Our congratulations to the Bruno family.

by Shelly Bruno

When I was in college I formulated ideas about
what I wanted to do with my life after graduation. It wasn’t too
detailed—just a basic timeframe for what I wanted and when I wanted to
achieve it. It goes something like this:

Graduate, focus on career
Marry at 28
Have kids around 30
Raise kids
Resume work when kids are in school
Focus on artistic career for retirement

So far my timing hasn’t really worked out—things didn’t happen when I
planned. The older I get the more I realize that my timing isn’t as
important to God as it is to me. He hears my requests, but He grants
them according to His plan for me. That was the case with having kids.
I had almost given up on the idea of having children even though I
continued to ask. And when I was starting to think the answer was no—it
turned out to be a surprising yes! This happened later in my life than
I imagined. And I have to wonder what crossed Sarah’s mind when she was
expecting a child much later than she had thought. God had a definite
plan for her life, and I take comfort in the fact that He has a plan
for mine.

So as I continue looking ahead to the rest of my
list, I’m going to focus more on God’s plan and timing for my life. He
knows far better than I do what is best for me and when the time is
right. I can be sure that with God in charge of the plan, everything
will work out.