Problems = Promise

FAITH:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – “Just stick to the plan!” It’s usually good advice.

Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems and “situations” on every side…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.

Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. So the Lord had surprises of His own. Revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph summed it up beautifully:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive. .” (Genesis 50:20)

When our situations are difficult to handle and downright impossible to explain, we need to remind ourselves that God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” Through these situations we discover how faithful and sovereign He truly is. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more. When the test is completed, we come out with character, stronger in faith, more in love, more useful to Him, and ready……….. for our next test. (Oh yeah…)

The fact that we have problems is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions – so until then, let’s stick to the plan! His !!!

FRIENDS:

Father, in our present need, help us to believe that You are aware of all our anxiety and will do what is best for us. Give me the strength to trust You and put the present and future in Your Hands. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
10. JOHN 9:26-41; 1 JOHN 2:1-11; JOB 9:1-20; EZEKIEL 27-28

11. JOHN 10:1-10; 1 JOHN 2:12-17; JOB 10; EZEKIEL 29-30

12. JOHN 10:11-21; 1 JOHN 2:18-23; JOB 11; EZEKIEL 31-32

13. JOHN 10:22-42; 1 JOHN 2:24-29; JOB 12; EZEKIEL 33-34

FOOD:

Here we are again, at the beginning of the holiday season. Time to bake to share and give for gifts. Here is a great one to start.

Hello Dolly Bars
1 1/2 cups crushed cinnamon graham crackers (about 8 graham crackers)

2 cups of chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut

1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans

1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup of butter
Method:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Melt the butter in a saucepan.Pour melted butter into an 11x7 or 8x8 cake pan.Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs into pan, and mix well with melted butter to form a crust.Layer on top of graham-cracker crust chocolate chips, coconut and pecans.Evenly pour sweetened condensed milk over everything.Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, top should be light brown.Let cool in pan for at least half an hour, cut into bars and serve.
Variations: Some recipes use butterscotch and chocolate chips. Likewise, you can use walnuts or any other nut you like as well. I used cinnamon graham crackers because that's what I had in my pantry, and while plain graham crackers are more traditional, I thought the cinnamon added a nice touch.

FUN:

Can you figure these out? Read this when you really have the time to think, I bet you can figure most of them out.
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is the safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together.. How can this be?
3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?
4. Can you name three consecutive days with out using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!

DON'T PEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Answers:
1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it and hung it up to dry.
3. Charcoal.
4. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
5. The letter "e" which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph.