Hi, Everyone.
I guess I was really tired last Friday, because I got up and posted today's Life Plan Devotion #127 rather than the Flashback Friday Devotion #28. Later, I went back and posted #28, which created a dilemma--what to post today.
I decided to post Devotion #127. If you read it Friday, please go to my profile blog and read Devotion #28. If you read Devotion #28 on Friday, then you're right on track. :)
I'm heading out to Oklahoma for my first post-op bloodwork. I'd appreciate your prayers for a safe trip there and back. I fasted for this, of course, so I'm hungry but all plumped up with water, so there should be no troubles with getting multiple vials of blood. For a woman of my size, I have teeny tiny veins, but God will help. :)
Have a great day, everyone. If you reply, just know that it will be perhaps 5 hours before I can respond. I love hearing from you.
Here's the intro. and devotion I accidentally posted last Friday but was meant for today:

I don't know about you, but I don't deal with "heat and drought" cir****tances very well. I want my life to be easy and free of pain. Basically, I'm a "weenie." I'm slowly learning, however, that even in those difficult cir****tances, God is worthy of my trust (I know He is, of course, but sometimes my lack-of-faith actions and thoughts and words speak otherwise), and He is working on bringing about the expiration date for those cir****tances. Can anyone relate?
I love today's promise. How about you?

Life Plan Devotion #127 [Deep roots]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit" (NLT).

     In the two verses prior to Jeremiah 17:7-8, God says that if a person trusts in man rather than God, he is cursed. Instead of prospering, that man will wither away like a desert bush. That man will be unfruitful, sooner or later.
     A righteous person is blessed because his/her "confidence" and "trust" is in God, rather than self, another person, or even a thing (like a job). A righteous person will flourish like a tree planted by the water, with roots that go deep, directly into the water.
     The picture seems perfect, doesn't it. It's not, of course, and those difficulties are represented figuratively by "heat" and "drought." Even though "heat" and "drought" cir****tances may come, the righteous person will not react with worry or fear.
     Because the righteous person refuses to worry or be afraid, God promises that he/she will continue to prosper. Even when it seems to go against the cir****tances (heat, drought), the righteous person's "leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."
     When cir****tances come, that present the opportunity to either trust God or worry, which do you tend to do? God blesses the one who trusts in Him, for God has proven Himself trustworthy.
     Righteous one, when you are tempted to give in to fear or worry, think back to the times that God "came through for you," and praise Him that He will do it again! With every praise, with every determined thought of "I trust You," your "roots" go deeper and you will "produce fruit," even when you do not see a drop of rain.

What this has to do with weight loss: I have been amazed at the stories I've read, of those who have suffered post-weight-loss surgery complications. The ones whom I most admire are resilient and attribute that resiliency to a deep, abiding faith and trust in the Lord. They have learned that their "heat" and "drought" difficulties have an expiration date, and they patiently wait the Lord's move in that regard. If you are that person, dear reader, please know that I'm praying for you. If you are struggling, unable to trust in the Lord, please know that I'm praying for you, too, that you will come to know that He is worthy of your trust.

Confession:
No matter the cir****tances that come my way, I will trust and put my confidence in God, for He has proven Himself trustworthy. Because I trust in the Lord, I am blessed.

Blessings,
Mary

I thought you meant Kingdom bound, as in Heaven bound, which I am...but no, never heard of your deal, but I hope the youth group has a great time. :)
Blessings,
Mary

Madeline We are praying for you. I personally have grown so much closer to God and I now know that is the main reason He sent me to have this surgery. I can tell you two things for certain: 1. God is awesome and He can and will bring you through this. 2. This forum is filled with prayer warriors and wonderful people who love God as much as you do and will do all that needs to be done for anyone who needs it. God Bless you. We are covering you in prayer and we are here for you when you need it.

In Christ
Karyn

Monica,
I know I'm about 24 hours behind time, but I am praying just the same.
Grace & Peace,
Linda

Hi, Trish.
I've been wondering how things turned out with your sister. Do you know?
Blessings,
Mary