King David’s men had chased a troublemaker by the name of Sheba to the city of Abel-Beth-Maacah. There they built a siege ramp and were attempting to bash down the city’s wall when this woman called out to them, “We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel, Why are you doing this?” She became that voice of reason and in doing so saved the entire city from destruction. It could be you’ve been pounding on a door to gain entry into something God has never ordained…forcing your selfish desires onto His plan…all the while knowing deep down it’s not what He desires. Today it’s time to listen to that voice of reason when it asks, “Why are you doing this?” and then respond honestly.
Tag: perfect plan for your life
Mark 11:51 ” What do you want Me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see.”
Jesus already knew what the blind man wanted before he even spoke. It was also quite obvious to the crowd as this poor beggar groped and fumbled his way to Jesus what he needed. But it wasn’t until the blind man spoke, “I want to see.” that God’s merciful kindness and Will came into his life. Do you lack God’s vision in your life right now? Is He calling you into a new season, a new work and you’re hesitating because it’s going against all sound reasoning? Do you desire His perfect purpose and plan in your life? Then like that blind beggar, tell the Lord, “I want to see.”
Isaiah 47:10 ” I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”
God’s plan and purpose…His Will for us, has been set in stone since before the dawn of mankind. His Will is that all may come to a saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. He has established His Will for our well-being, that as long as we obey, we can only benefit from it. So it’s preposterous for us to think that we can somehow manipulate God’s Will. In Proverbs 19:21 it says, ” Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We can ignore Him, mock or defile Him…but we’re never going to change His Will for our life.
Jeremiah 29:11 ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Sometimes it’s because of serious illness or loss…sometimes it’s the result of circumstances way beyond our control…but regardless, we can find ourselves without hope. There standing before us is no bright promise for things to come…only the bleak darkness of the here and now. But God’s intent…His plan and purpose for each one of us, is to give us hope and a future with Him. For God’s Will is only about doing good…His plans are perfect, His purpose for us, only the very best. So in place of our hopelessness, God promises joy… and in place of fear, He promises peace.
Philemon 6-7 ” I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
This was one of Paul’s loveliest and most personal letters directed to the leader of the Colossian Church. Here Paul was encouraging Philemon to continue sharing his faith. For when faith is shared, the Word of God is unleashed to successfully accomplish its plan and purpose in people’s lives. Never be afraid to share the reason for the hope you have. (I Peter 3:15) For you may never know the impact it may have on someone. And the wonderful benefit of sharing your faith with others is that every time you hear it yourself…your trust and confidence in God is built up a little bit more.
Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
Everyday God is using us for His purposes…just as He used Jesus Christ in the supreme purpose of our salvation. But if we seek greatness for ourselves…we stop God from using us. As long as we have personal interests and ambitions…as long as we attach “I” or “Mine” to our work…we can’t be completely aligned and identified with God. It’s not until we can honestly say, “My purpose in life is now God’s purpose.” that the Lord can pour into us divine thoughts, plans and intentions that will further His Kingdom.
Lamentations 3:37 ” Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? “
As it tells us in Proverbs, the Lord’s purpose always prevails…for no pivotal event in the course of history happens unless the Lord first ordains it. And for the human mind this is far too difficult to take in and understand. But to add to this confusion, the next verse goes on to say, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Lam. 3:38) That’s when we need to be reminded that God’s ways are not our ways, but that God is always in control. For it tells us in Psalm 33:9-11, “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the people. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
Psalm 118:8 ” It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
For all of you that enjoy Bible trivia, the middle Scripture of the Bible is this verse, Psalm 118:8 . It’s the very center point of God’s Word. So was it placed there by chance or divinely inspired? Many times I’ve prayed to find God’s perfect plan and purpose in my life…to be in the very center of His Will. For I know that’s the safest and very best place to be. And if I look at the fundamental truths in this verse, it makes that search easier. Where am I placing my faith and trust…whose promises am I putting stock in…and where really does my confidence lie? If it’s in man, I’m going to be disappointed…but if my trust is in the Lord, I will find His ultimate plan and purpose for my life.
Romans 12:6 ” We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
God’s free expression of His loving kindness is shown us when the Holy Spirit imparts unique gifts to each one of us…not for our benefit, but to edify others. These spiritual gifts follow closely along the lines of our character and personality…the distinctive things that make us who we are. The Holy Spirit gives varies gifts to different people according to His divine plan and purpose in their lives. We all have different gift combinations, but they all are given us that we may serve others.
Galatians 5:25 ” Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Our Christian journey isn’t perfect, for everyday we mess up. We say things we shouldn’t…or out of anger and frustration we act unkindly. Holiness isn’t something that we’re suddenly bestowed with when we say “Yes” to Jesus…it’s a process…a daily effort towards perfection. Philippians 1:6 tells us, “That being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This journey towards holiness – towards perfection, is God’s purpose for you. And as you walk in the Spirit, you’ll discover that His ultimate plan and purpose for you is that process towards holiness.
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