Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? Our Heavenly Father calls each one of us. With the call God gives grace – grace to say "yes" to his will and grace to persevere through obstacles and trials that stand in the way.

1 Kgs 19:19-21

Psalm 16

L uke 2:41-52  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. (42) And when he was twelve-years old, they went up according to custom; (43) and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, (44) but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; (45) and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. (46) After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; (47) and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (48) And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." (49) And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (50) And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. (51) And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. (52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know the pain and grief of losing someone close to you? Mary and Joseph must have felt anxious and helpless when the boy Jesus disappeared. Nonetheless they returned to Jerusalem with confidence trust that God would guide them in their hour of trial. Why did Jesus stay back when his parents left for home? Just as the prophet Samuel heard the call of the Lord at a very young age, Jesus in his youth recognized that he has been given a call by his heavenly Father. His answer to his mother's anxious inquiry reveals his trusting faith and confident determination to pursue his heavenly Father's will. Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? Our Heavenly Father calls each one of us. With the call God gives grace – grace to say "yes" to his will and grace to persevere through obstacles and trials that stand in the way. Do you recognize God's call on your life and do you trust in his grace and strength?

"Lord Jesus, in love you have called me to live for your praise and glory. May I always find joy in your presence and trust in your wise and loving plan for my life."

Supplementary Reading

The Moment We Pray

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help -  Psalm 56:9

A re you believing for God to do something in your life today? I want to encourage you because God is already working behind the scenes on your behalf! Just because you don't see anything happening, doesn't mean that God isn't working. The moment we pray, God sets the miracle into motion. The thing we have to remember is that God doesn't say, "I'll deliver you in one hour, or next week, or Tuesday at 5:00 p.m." No, He doesn't put a time frame on it. That's where trust comes in. We have to know that our enemies retreat as soon as we call on Him for help. We have to choose to go back to the place of peace knowing that He is working things out.

Today, shake off the temptation to get discouraged during the waiting process. Shake off offense, shake off discouragement. Remember, all it takes is one touch of God's favor to take you years ahead. Keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping because the answer is on its way the moment we pray!

Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing me the moment I pray. Today I choose to trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf no matter what I see in the natural. I will praise You today and always because You are faithful. I love You and bless You. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

For archive of previous Daily Meditation postings, please visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

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GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.