Good Morning Devotion :-)❤️

Blooming in the Right Spot
-Tim Gustafson

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David. 1 Samuel 20:16

1 Samuel 20:30–34

Numbers 9–11; Mark 5:1–20
“A weed is any plant that grows where you don’t want it,” my father said, handing me the hoe. I wanted to leave the corn plant that had “volunteered” among the peas. But Dad, who had grown up on a farm, instructed me to pull it out. That lone cornstalk would do nothing but choke the peas and rob them of nutrients.

Human beings aren’t plants—we have minds of our own and God-given free will. But sometimes we try to bloom where God doesn’t intend us to be.

King Saul’s son, the warrior-prince Jonathan, could have done that. He had every reason to expect to be king. But he saw God’s blessing on David, and he recognized the envy and pride of his own father (1 Samuel 18:12–15). So rather than grasping for a throne that would never be his, Jonathan became David’s closest friend, even saving his life (19:1–6; 20:1–4).

Some would say that Jonathan gave up too much. But how would we prefer to be remembered? Like the ambitious Saul, who clung to his kingdom and lost it? Or like Jonathan, who protected the life of a man who would become an honored ancestor of Jesus?

God’s plan is always better than our own. We can fight against it and resemble a misplaced weed. Or we can accept His direction and become flourishing, fruitful plants in His garden. He leaves the choice with us.

Lord, please forgive us for those times when we act as if You have planted us in the wrong place. Help us see what You have for us to do today.

God invites us to participate with Him in taking the gospel to our world.

—�ODB (Our Daily Bread)

(Source: from my friend's ODB & devotional materials)

Good Wednesday morning, my dear steemit family and friends. I am so happy that today's devotion is from my friend's ODB(Our Daily Bread). I have several copies I bought from PCBS back then, others are gifts from loved ones and friends.

"Human beings aren’t plants—we have minds of our own and God-given free will. But sometimes we try to bloom where God doesn’t intend us to be." These lines struck me and I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. I must admit that there were instances that I was blooming but not where God wanted me to be. I was excelling in the wrong place therefore, leading these innocent people in the wrong way. I was influencing them the negative way. This is a clear abuse of my free-will and as a believer, I should do the right thing to glorify God.

Let me end with this powerful encouragement and motivation, "God’s plan is always better than our own. We can fight against it and resemble a misplaced weed. Or we can accept His direction and become flourishing, fruitful plants in His garden. He leaves the choice with us." This is very true and it is my prayer that we should always keep this prayer and say it from the bottom of our hearts, "Lord, please forgive us for those times when we act as if You have planted us in the wrong place. Help us see what You have for us to do today." In Jesus' Name, Amen. :-)❤️

Let us be blessed and be a blessing to others. :-)

I am @sashley a.k.a. shirleynpenalosa, a recipient of God's love, mercy and grace. ❤️

Have a blessed L❤️ve Month 2018 everyone :-)❤️

I am forever grateful to God every day of my life for giving me everything that I need and praise Him all the more for not giving me everything I want. To God be all the honor, praise and glory ❤️ :-)

@surpassinggoogle is such a generous person and has a very big heart for all of us here. Please support him as a witness by voting him at https://steemit.com/~witnesses and type in "steemgigs" at the first search box.

(Photo credits: from sir @surpassinggoogle's post footer)

If you want to give him witness voting decisions on your behalf, visit https://steemit.com/~witnesses again and type in "surpassinggoogle" in the second box as a proxy.

@paradise-found is a wonderful person, a very humble and generous encourager, let us also support him by voting and typing in "gratefulvibes" at the search box

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Other good witnesses to recommend:

@yabapmatt
@teamsteem
@bayanihan
@jerrybanfield
@hr1
@acidyo
@blocktrades
@curie
@cloh76.witness
@rcarter.witness
@reggaemuffin
@arcange

They need our support

Follow us on #gratefulvibes discord channel (positive and uplifting attitude)
https://discord.gg/7bvvJG

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