"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah
29:11
There is a shop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which sells hot sauces.
Now, when this shop, which is known as the Pepper Palace, sells hot sauces, they
mean hot sauces. One of their premier palate burners is a variety they have
named FLASHBANG. Composed of a blend of Carolina reaper, scorpion, ghost, and
habanero peppers, FLASHBANG is downright destructive to the taste buds.
The stuff is so dangerous the owners of the Pepper Palace make people sign a
waiver if they want to sample the premier concoction. Illinois resident, Randy
Schmitz, signed the paper and tasted.
Almost immediately, Schmitz was on the ground and having a convulsion.
He was taken to the hospital, a scan was run, and the results showed he was in
the early stages of a malignant brain tumor. Back home in Illinois, Schmitz
underwent surgery, had chemotherapy, and finished up his treatment right before
he got married.
Schmitz believes tasting the sauce triggered the seizure, which ended up saving
his life. Indeed, he even sent a letter to the Pepper Palace to thank them and
apologize for his mother who, when the event was taking place, had screamed the
store's sauce was "killing her son."
Most of us, looking back on our lives, can remember a time when we were in
Schmitz's shoes.
By that I don't mean we have tasted a host of hot sauces; nor do I think all of
us have had brain tumors. On the other hand, most of us have found ourselves in
situations where we might think the Lord has it in for us. You remember, you
were enjoying the good life and then Bam! Something unexpected happened, and
your whole world was turned topsy-turvy.
At such a time it was easy to blame God and question His intentions for your
life.
If that has ever been the case for you, then I encourage you to pay attention to
what the Lord tells us through His prophet Jeremiah. He says, "I know the plans
I have for you." No matter what you may think, they are plans for your welfare
and not your destruction. The things I do are not to bring evil into your life.
On the contrary, it is My desire to give you a blessed future and hope for
today, tomorrow and eternity.
If anyone has any doubt about the sincerity of God's statement, all he needs to
do is look to Bethlehem's manger, Calvary's cross, and Jerusalem's empty tomb.
In these places they will see the love and grace of God that came to us in the
Person of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Having seen all that God has done for us through the Redeemer's many sacrifices,
we ought to be assured that He will always do for us that which is right and
good.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive those times when I have questioned Your care and
compassion. Let me see the Savior and believe that You, my loving Father, will
take care of me in every situation and circumstance. This I ask in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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