Category Archives: God’s Plan

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July 3, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Word: The Bible, Sharing Our Faith

WHAT’S YOUR MISSION?

But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness. [Acts 20:24 (GW)]

“Mission: Impossible” was a television series that aired in the late 60s and early 70s. In the opening segment, we’d hear a recorded voice saying, “Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it is…” The assignment followed and then the voice said, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” Mr. Phelps always accepted the assignment and, typical of television, the IMF team was always successful.

Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, Timothy and the rest of the apostles all had missions: to seek God’s will and follow it. Like the IMF team, they had to travel and endure hardship and danger. For many, accepting their assignment meant suffering and death. Yet, they willing accepted it.

God didn’t stop assigning tasks to His people 2,000 years ago. In fact, God’s voice, unlike the recording heard by Mr. Phelps, hasn’t self-destructed. It remains in black and white in our Bibles. God has something great planned for us. Will we accept His assignment?

…We sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith [1 Thessalonians 3:2 (GW)]

 

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May 20, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, God's Promises

What Does Tomorrow Bring?

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. [Isaiah 46:10 (NLT)]

If we could see everything that was to happen in the future, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and defeats as well, would we ever get out of bed in the morning? God doesn’t just see tomorrow or next week; he sees the whole picture. I, for one, am glad that it’s God and not me who knows what that future holds. If we had known about the grief and pain or the betrayal, heartbreak, and disappointment of our lives would we ever have loved, committed, cared, taken a risk or strived? Looking back, however, I wouldn’t trade any moment of my life for someone else’s; any of the pain I endured was worth it.

Lord, when I feel bogged down by the challenges of this day and the next, help me trust you with my future.

Our suffering is not worthy the name of suffering. When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death, thinking what are they in comparison of the sufferings of my blessed Savior Christ Jesus. [Martin Luther]

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May 12, 2014

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God's Plan, Trusting God

Our Tomorrows Belong to Him

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6:10b (NLT)]

O Lord, help us remember it’s your will we’re talking about and not ours. Help us recognize, accept and embrace your plan for our lives. Keep us from trying to rewrite it our own way. You hold our destinies in your hands. Our lives are yours; thank you, God.

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]

 

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April 11, 2014

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God's Plan, Thanks & Praise

Waterford or Corning Ware, Lamborghini or pick-up truck?

You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. [Psalm 139:13-14 (GW)]

Forgive us, Lord, but sometimes we don’t feel so “amazingly and miraculously” made. No matter how blessed we may be, sometimes we look around and feel a bit short-changed in the looks, smarts, health or talent departments. Some people seem to have everything put together perfectly while we seem so flawed and disjointed. Other people’s lives look so exciting and glamorous while ours, on the other hand, seem rather drab and commonplace. Give us grateful hearts, O Lord, for the way you made us and the lives you gave us. Help us be the best we can be with the gifts we have been given.

Who do you think you are to talk back to God like that? Can an object that was made say to its maker, “Why did you make me like this?” A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. [Romans 9:20-21 (GW)]

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March 25, 2014

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God's Plan, Wisdom & Guidance

Who’s the Boss?

God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. [1 Corinthians 1:25 (GW)]

Thank you for reminding us that we’re not the ones with the answers, Lord; it is you. Our very best plans are nothing when compared with yours. Let us not forget that no matter how hard we try to make our plans successful, unless they are also part of your design, our plans will fail. Truly, what you want for us is infinitely wiser and better than anything we could conceive of by ourselves. You’re the boss!

”My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9 (GW)]

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March 11, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Trusting God

He Will Provide

I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God and have given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work. … I have given skills to all the craftsmen, and they will be able to make all these things I have commanded you… [Exodus 31:3,6b (NCV)]

The Lord instructed Moses on the construction of the Meeting Tent, the Ark of the Covenant, the lid that covered the Ark, and everything that would go into the Tent. He also assigned tasks to specific craftsmen. More important, God provided those men with the skills they needed to do their work. Sometimes, we’re hesitant to accept God’s call to a task because we doubt our abilities. It’s good to remember that when God calls us to do something, He will give us the necessary expertise to achieve His goal.

I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.” [Isaiah 41:13 (NCV)]