God is in control!

The UpWords Weekly Email Devotional
http://MaxLucado.com/email/

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PROBLEMS HAVE A PURPOSE
by Max Lucado

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Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
Psalm 50:15 NLT
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God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems. My dying dad in West Texas.

The last three years of his life were scarred by ALS. The disease took him from a healthy mechanic to a bedbound paralytic. He lost his voice and his muscles, but he never lost his faith. Visitors noticed. Not so much in what he said but more in what he didn’t say. Never outwardly angry or bitter, Jack Lucado suffered stately.

His faith led one man to seek a like faith. After the funeral this man sought me out and told me. Because of my dad’s example, he became a Jesus follower.

Did God orchestrate my father’s illness for that very reason? Knowing the value he places on one soul, I wouldn’t be surprised. And imagining the splendor of heaven, I know my father’s not complaining.

A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward.

Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God. . . .

Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end—the glory of God.

—from It’s Not About Me

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Heavenly Father, when problems and pain come my way, help me to remember that nothing comes into my life without your approval. Rather than complain and cry about the challenges I face, help me consider them as opportunities to bring glory to you. Give me the strength and patience to bear my burdens in a way that will honor you. I will lift my eyes off the trials and keep them fixed firmly on you, amen.
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Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us.
Daniel 3:17

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
Joshua 21:45

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19
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From Lived Loved: Experiencing God’s Presence in Every Day Life
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado
http://maxlucado.net/_product_30313/Live_Loved_(Hardback)
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Thor update

Thor is still not doing well. Responded good to mange treatment, but it's the parvo that's killing him. He's having bloody diarrhea and very lethargic. I can't get the vet to call us. We call and talk to a secretary only. Daniel is very sad. 
We go tomorrow to take our pets for checkups and preventive treatment. I would like for someone to tell us whether or not at this point if he has a shot at living or are we just grasping at straws and delaying the inevitable...

A new edition to the Foister family...

Meet Thor, a 9 week old German Shepherd puppy.  We rescued him from the Morristown Hamblem Animal Shelter yesterday.  Daniel and I fell in love with him immediately and knowing how big and what he would look like when he grew older- we named him THOR!!

Moxie and Salvador seem to be tolerating him fairly well with the cat only slinking off and disappearing half the night. After spending the rest of the day with us and into this morn, we noticed that he was not playing and interacting like a puppy should. So we decided to take him to our family Vet.  To all of our horrors, we found out that he has the Mange and Parvovirus.  Both very contagious and fatal if left untreated.  We agreed to start a rigorous plan of meds, fluids, dips and close medical attention.  We won't be able to pick him back up until Monday and are trying to leave him in God's hands.

I ask that you pray for little Thor's health and well being and for our sanity as well.  God bless you all!