Archive for the ‘God’s Plan’ Category

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THE TESTER

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Day 222

“And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart”
Deuteronomy 8:2

What is in our heart? The circumstances of life, trials and tribulations quickly can show us what is in our heart. Why me? Anger, bitterness, grumbling, etc. may show itself – or even worse attitudes and actions. Our Father is very interested in our reactions; not because He needs to know –you do.

There is no being static, standing still in the Lord. We are to grow every day more and more like our Lord. Maturity is being in the fullness of Christ and to walk in the light as He is in the light. It means a continual cleansing and purging of all that does not conform to Him and His glory. To attain this means being refined through testing. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He was tested—“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted [tested] ….” And it is our God who leads us.

We have a good Father who understands our frailties. He leads us to His pasture and proves (test) us so we will be mature sons and daughters in Him and to enjoy His fullness and glory. Testing will humble us and we will come to understand that we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5b). We are to live on His bread alone. And as a good Father, He has gone before us to show us the way.

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’”
Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3

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WE ARE INVITED PARTICIPANTS

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Day 218

“He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name”
Genesis 2:19-20

A small glimpse into the mystery of our God and eternity is seen in Genesis 1:26-27 where a decision is made. One can only imagine that when it says, “Let us make man in our image …” that a conversation took place resulting in the decision to share the Divine nature with man. We became invited participants of His nature, as Peter states, “you may participate in the divine nature …” [2 Peter 1:4].

Right from the beginning man was a participant in God’s work. When God made man, He gave him dominion over all creatures and that was immediately executed when Adam was asked to name “all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.” The psalmist declared, “You made him ruler over all the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet” [8:6].

We go all the way to the final revelations given to John, and we find we will participate with Christ in bringing His kingship forth in the kingdom of God, “…and they also shall conquer that are with Him, called and chosen and faithful” [Revelation 17:14]. God will even have us judge the world and angels [1 Corinthians 6:2-3]. How often we forget the value God places on man and how He desires us to take our rightful position as His sons and daughters and have dominion over His works. How glorious it is that He has granted us a position as participants with Him.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26

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GOD DETERMINES OUR COURSE

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

Day 217

“The lot is cast into the lap,
but its ever decision is from the Lord”
Proverbs 16:33

There is an inherent belief that we are masters of our own destiny, but it is clear that God our Father controls all things by His sovereign will. Politics, for instance, often creates a lot of discussion. Great passions are expressed over choices for head of state, but Proverbs says, “The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord: he directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases”[21:1] and Daniel states, “He sets up kings deposes them”[2:20-22].

Another occupation is our health and longevity of life. Yet, again, it is in God’s hands. Job says, “Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set the limits he cannot exceed” [14:5]. The psalmist says, “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” [139:16].

Jesus said, “I tell you, do not worry about your life” [Matthew 6:25]. If we will trust God, His promise to us is that all our needs will be met. They will not only be met, but because of who we are in Him, we will be taken care of far above all other things He created. We can cast all our needs, cares and anxieties on Him, because He cares for us. Because of His love and sovereign will, we are free to praise and worship our glorious Father.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens”
Psalm 68:19

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THE THRONE

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Day 206

“And there before me was a throne in heaven
with someone sitting on it”
Revelation 4:2

The Apostle John was permitted to look into heaven. There was a door standing open and he heard Christ say, “Come up here.” The Lord speaks; “I will show you what must take place after this.” What does John see?

He saw the Throne with One sitting on it. The Throne is the center of all things and Christ ascended to sit at the right hand of God. He entered heaven in exaltation and took His seat by His Father, and now John was permitted to see this. It is from here that everything may be understood. It is here where God governs. The Throne is the Holy of Holies. Where once there was a Tabernacle in the Wilderness for God to dwell with His people, as a representation of what was in heaven, now there is access to God Himself. Everything led to the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat, and now John saw it.

Why did the Lord permit John to see the Throne and record minute details? It was His love being demonstrated towards us who are His children. He opened the door to heaven so we could see the Throne and know what must take place. And this is a great comfort to us for we gain understanding to God’s Divine plan and see the outcome of it. It permits us to have an assurance and knowledge that God has dominion over ALL things, for He created them. It means that every minute detail of our life is in His hands.

“Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool;
He is holy” Psalm 99:5

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AN OPEN DOOR IN HEAVEN

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Day 205

“And there before me was a door standing open in heaven”
Revelation 4:1

After His resurrection Christ showed Himself to the disciples over a period of forty days. At the end of that period they began to ask Him about the times and dates of restoring the kingdom to Israel. They still had their eyes on an earthly reign. Jesus told them they were to wait for the Holy Spirit, who was to baptize and give them power. He would empower them to be witnesses, testifying of Jesus. After He told them this, He was taken up before their very eyes ascending into heaven.

The cross and resurrection were not the end of His ministry, but the beginning leading to His exaltation and reign under which those who believe are reconciled to the Father. A short time later He opened a door in heaven for us to see the continuation of His ministry. He permitted us to see the present and future and gave us assurance of the divine plan. Many find the Book of Revelation hard to understand or confusing; it really is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is His letter of love showing us the completion of His work.

And what does the door open to? The Psalmist declared it centuries before: “The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake” [Psalm 99:1]. There is only one thing to see through that door; the Throne. “He sits enthroned…” This Throne is at the center of the universe, for He created all things. It is our assurance of victory and completion in Him.

And the Baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers us to be a light, light-bearers, that shine on everyone in the house (Matthew 5:14).

“Great is the Lord in Zion [the church]; He is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name—He is holy” Psalm 99:2-3

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OUR GUIDE

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Day 199

“…in Him we live, and move, and have our being”
Acts 17:28

We all agree that God has a plan. But, most of us wrestle with knowing God’s will. From that point on it gets more difficult. Some believe that you must know each point of that plan so you will not miss the mark. And to “miss the mark” is to be out of the will of God. It seems to suggest that God creates a robot state of life for His children.

What kind of a Father would He be if we had to precisely fulfill every minute detail of a plan to be in His will? This is a gross misunderstanding of our Father and His purpose for us. He leads, we follow. This is how easy it is. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). By focusing on Him is how we walk in His will. Everything else will take care of itself. It is why Christ and the Apostles were able to say “do not worry”, “do not be anxious.” We have a good Father who leads us each day of our lives and we know His voice.

God guides His own. “When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). This refers to several flocks of sheep kept together at night, but in the morning each shepherd would lead out his own sheep. His own sheep, and they alone, would respond to his call. He then goes ahead of them and the sheep follow. He leads. He does not drive. For He is our Father and within His plan there is freedom.

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

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HIS INTENTIONS

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Day 183

“I know the plans I have for you . . .
to give you a future and a hope”
Jeremiah 29:11

The Amplified Bible opens this verse up even more; “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. It cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it – a hope that reaches further and enters into the very certainty of the Presence within the veil.

You can get a glimpse of the thoughts your Father thinks about you from Isaiah 30:18. The children of Israel were rebellious children, faithless, and yet Isaiah records,-”the Lord earnestly waits – expectant, looking and longing to be gracious to you and therefore He lifts Himself up that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you; for the Lord is a God of justice.”

He has an expected end to give you. His intentions and plans for you are freedom, peace and rest in Him. Imagine – He has it already for us to appropriate in our lives. It is our full provision that keeps us secure in our walk. And God’s greatest gift to us is Christ in us, the hope of our glory. What are you expecting?

“Blessed are those who wait (who expect, look and long)
for Him to help them (for His victory, His favor,
His love, His peace, His joy and His matchless
unbroken companionship)” Isaiah 30:18

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SHARING IN THE WORK

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Day 160

“You can be sure that the one who brings
that person back will save that
sinner from death”
James 5:19-20

Did you know you could save a sinner from eternal death? Yes, as a child of God you have the tremendous privilege of sharing in the work of the kingdom of God. Can there be any greater privilege than to save people from eternal death? Can there be any greater joy than bringing someone to Christ? All of heaven rejoices at the birth of each new kingdom child.

Paul said, “We are all Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” [2 Corinthians 5:20]. Just as we were saved and have received His life, we now can be ministers of reconciliation. Your age, education or status doesn’t matter. God’s love has been shed abroad in your heart. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. That love, through the power of the Holy Spirit is not just for ourselves, but to be brought to others that they may see His light in us.

Think about this; we have been trusted with a great eternal treasure. God has made us partners in His kingdom so we can share in the work and rewards. We can extend the kingdom. More importantly, we can save those that are lost by introducing them to our Friend. What better work is there?

“For Christ’s love compels us”
2 Corinthians 5:14

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MY FATHER

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Day 140

“For Thine is the kingdom”
Matthew 6:13

When you are a small child, your dad is everything. He earns the income, takes care of the problems in the house, protects you, and helps guide your life. He oversees you and there is a certain security in that. It isn’t until much later in life that you begin to realize, although dad ruled in the house, he didn’t have the power to do everything.

It’s true in earthly countries also. A president or king may rule over a nation, but they do not have the power to do with their country what they wish. And they do not have the power to change external circumstances that can deeply affect a country. That’s true for the United States and all other countries. Leaders have a kingdom, but not the power. And it’s true for us as individuals. We can rule over our life and body, but the older you get you realize you do not have the power to do as you wish. If you believe otherwise, show how you have power over fatal diseases, accidents and death.

But not so with our Father and King of Kings. His is the kingdom and the power. He rules over all things and holds absolute power. And what is impossible for men is possible with God. There is no limit to the kingdom of God. Psalm 103:19 says, “His sovereignty rules over all.” He never sleeps or slumbers [Psalm 121:3-4]. This is our Father who is in heaven.

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen,”
Matthew 6:13

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SEEING GOD

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Day 134
“Having his eyes open”
Numbers 24:4

Balaam’s career was somewhat checkered. It seems he tried to use God to his own selfish purposes, but always ended up doing what God had instructed him. Interestingly, the scriptures give accounts of others doing the same. Jonah was assigned a mission, but ran away. God dramatically delivered him right back to where he had to go and after fulfilling his mission successfully, he sat under a tree depressed and complaining.

Esther wasn’t interested in putting herself on line with the King to save her people. Elijah ran away after carrying out a major mission for God. Joshua got his men killed because he didn’t take counsel with God. Moses killed a man and later in life struck a rock in anger. Two disciples wanted to call fire down from heaven. Peter denied knowing Christ three times. The list goes on and on.

The acts of these men and women varied in depth. But everyone had their eyes opened to see their God. He didn’t strike out in anger, punish them or reject them. Instead, God met them in patience, tenderness and love. He took time to reason with them. He led them to His way.

“The Lord redeemeth the soul of His
servants; and none of them that
trust in Him shall be desolate”
Psalm 34:22

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