"INSPIRATION FOR THE WEARY TRAVELER"

For this week's Stephen's Gate I want to share with you something that Kristen wrote. She has been writing a weekly post based on the book she wrote. It is posted on For God's Glory Alone Ministries website each week. She has been doing a great job and they are a great encouragement. Be encouraged this week!

Life is but a journey, we are all on one.  From time to time during the journey, we get weary and need a little inspiration to get through those weary times. For the Bible says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

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Today we will be in Chapter Four, this chapter will finally tell you why the title of the book is 45 minutes.... Let me give you a little summary of what has taken place up until now, all of Crickets family knows about Anthony, now at the hospital, Cricket and her older sister Deborah sit and are waiting for the doctor to come in and speak to them.

"The doctor walked into the small room and sat down. He was a young, thin, nice looking man. He had a look of, confidence, a man on a mission.

"Hello, I am Dr. Gabe. I was the one here when they brought your father in. I have no idea how you are going to take what I am about to tell you. When they brought your father in, he had been dead for at least 45 minutes, if not longer. I saw your father's face, and I noticed he was a young man. I thought to myself, "God, this is a young man, if he is to live, let it be." The doctor kept talking, not giving anyone a chance to talk. He had something to say and he was going to say it. "That was all I said. Your father was not hooked up to any machines, only a heart monitor, and when I said, 'God let it be', that heart monitor started to beep. Your father is alive." A clap and a shout of excitement came from Al. The girls on the other hand, looked at each other and laughed, saying in their sarcastic way, "Of course he is." The doctor didn't react to the girls' response other than, "Your father is alive for a reason. God wants him alive," and just as the doctor came in, he soon was gone. The nurse returned to let the group know they were airlifting Anthony to a bigger hospital three hours away, and they would need the girls to be there for paperwork when he lands. They would also need someone there to make important decisions, when and if needed."

"This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours. As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field-all the world around you-will rejoice." ~ Isaiah 55:8-12 Living Bible (TLB)

After reading the portion of 45 Minutes and then the scripture Isaiah 55, there was no explanation to why God decided to let Anthony live, just one simple pray from a man that knew the power of God.

Now let's bring this into mine and your situation, there is no explanation for God to answer your prayer, but His plans are not our plans, neither are His thoughts the same as ours.... God has a plan and purpose for us all..... Let's purpose to keep moving forward, keep moving toward the prize, life is hard, life is tough, but we know a God that wants us to prosper and live in joy and peace. I love how the message writes it in 1 Peter 5:8-10

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ-eternal and glorious plans they are!-will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

*45 Minutes was published and was available for purchase all over the internet and kindle but just recently it has been backlisted by my publisher and is no longer available. Pray with me as I seek out a new publisher and hope it will be available sooner than later.