Category Archives: God’s Plan

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March 10, 2014

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Bible Stories, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Obedience, Trusting God

What Chutzpah!

The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” Then Gideon said, “Sir, if the Lord is with us, why are we having so much trouble? Where are the miracles our ancestors told us he did when the Lord brought them out of Egypt? But now he has left us and has handed us over to the Midianites.” [Judges 6:1 (NCV)]

If we need an example of real chutzpah, it would be Gideon. When the angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon, instead of kneeling before him in awe, Gideon had the insolence to immediately complain about his troubles. When the Lord told Gideon he would be the one to save his people, Gideon tried to weasel his way out of it by pointing out that he was the least of the least. When the Lord reassured him, Gideon asked for proof that he was really speaking with God. Once satisfied, Gideon did as he was told and pulled down his father’s altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah idol. He then gathered an army to do battle with the Midianites. Gideon, however, continued to doubt God and had the audacity to demand that God pass not one, but two, more tests again. Now that’s chutzpah!

Are we so different from Gideon? When God speaks to us, do we recognize his voice? Instead of praising and thanking him, do we complain when life doesn’t go well? When He gives us an undertaking, do we try to get out of it by listing all of the reasons we can’t do it? Most of us use every excuse in the book to convince God we’re not up to whatever task he gives us. Once convinced the mission is from God and that we are capable, do we still have misgivings and question His way?

Father, forgive us when we doubt you, your message and your power. You’ve proven yourself to us countless times; don’t let us doubt you. Reassure us that we are, indeed, capable of great things when you are the one sending us.

The Lord turned to Gideon and said, “Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.” [Judges 6:14 (NCV)]

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February 25, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Plan

Don’t Make Him Get Out the Big Guns

donkeyI know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. [Job 42:2 (NIV)]

God has a plan for us and He can be relentless in trying to get us to follow it. Unfortunately, much of the time, like stubborn mules, we are obstinate and ignore His guidance. As steadfast as He is, God will do whatever it takes to get our attention. It may be a simple heavenly nudge or a tap on the shoulder. If we continue to ignore Him, however, He may find it necessary to get our attention with a whack from a mallet or even a sledge hammer. Let’s not be so stubborn that the Lord needs to get out the heavenly jack hammer or bull dozer before we follow His plan!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)]

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February 20, 2014

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God's Plan, Prayer

The Butterfly Effect

butterflyOh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? [Romans 11:33-34 (NLT]

A simplified explanation of the “butterfly effect” is that a small change to one thing can result in a large change to a seemingly unrelated thing or condition somewhere else. In theory, the flap of a butterfly’s wing could cause a hurricane several weeks later. When we say our prayers and ask for something or someone to change, we need to remember that God is the only one who can see all of the ramifications of that alteration. While we have a very limited concept of what the future will bring, God’s view is all-encompassing. He has a perfect view of yesterday, today, and tomorrow all at once. He sees not just our lives, but all of the lives before us, with us and that will come after us. He knows exactly what will happen if he grants our prayers, not just to us but to everyone else, too.

Thank you, God, for your limitless vision and infinite wisdom when answering our prayers.

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February 18, 2014

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God's Plan, Obedience

How Will We Respond?

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. [Jonah 1:1-3a (NLT)]

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)]

When God calls, will we hear his voice or turn a deaf ear? And, once we hear his voice, will we be willing to heed his call? Like Jonah, will we run the opposite direction or, like Isaiah, will we respond, “Here I am. Send me!”?

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February 8, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Prayer

He Promises

Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. [Matthew 21:22 (GW)]

How do we reconcile this promise to God’s frequent denials of our petitions? We ask God for what we want but what He gives us is rarely on our timetable and frequently is not what we specifically requested. God may not give us what we want right now but He will give us everything we need, not just for now, but for the future as well. He probably won’t pay our credit card bills, make our teenagers behave, fix our cars or relationships, or get us that raise; he may not even heal us. He will, however, ease our fears, give us wisdom to solve our problems, guide us in our relationships, encourage us when we are weary, strengthen our faith in a crisis, bless us with inner peace, and provide courage enough to face any challenge. We will, indeed, receive what we have asked for in prayer.

Don’t pray to escape troubles. Don’t pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation. Nothing else is worth praying for. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

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February 7, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Joy, Thanks & Praise

It’s a Wonderful Life

You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count. [Psalm 40:5 (GW)]

I’ve heard people complain that life hasn’t turned out the way they had expected. I respond, “Thank God!” If we’d gotten exactly the life we’d expected, we would have seriously short-changed ourselves. We could never have imagined all of the blessings that would come into our lives: the joy, love and laughter that have been ours. Of course, we made more than our share of mistakes and experienced heartbreak and disappointment along the way. Moreover, it is likely that the future will bring its share of difficulties for us as well. Yet, along with those difficulties will come unimaginable blessings as well. Let us lift our hands and thank the Lord for the life with which we have been blessed. Let’s raise our voices and sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. [Annette Funicello]