I do not like to be interrupted. When my mind is set on completing a task whether it be reading a book or writing a paper, watching a movie, eating dinner, I want to finish what I started. Unfortunately this is not the way my life has been. Instead there are times that I feel like my life is just one big interruption. The minute I start down one path or make plans to do something new, life throws a curve ball. Now normally I would have thrown a big tantrum and let every one around me know how unhappy I was. But I have learned over time that an interruption is a setup for divine intervention. It is at this moment that God shows up and reminds you that 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 4:6) I can do nothing by my own strength but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13) I had to learn that even though my short-term goals may say this and my long-term goals may say that, if it is not what God has planned for my life at that moment then get ready for an interruption.
When I think of interruptions I am reminded of one of the most important moments in history. You know the story. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise,when his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child by the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18) Talk about an interruption. Think about Mary sitting at home one day working on wedding details and all of a sudden she starts having morning sickness and her body starts changing. She starts thinking. "How am I going to be able to fit into my wedding dress?" Then real panic kicks in. Engaged to be married and then you have to go to your husband and say, "Oh by the way, I'm pregnant and the baby is not yours." You may not have had anything as drastic happen in your life but I think that I can stand on firm ground saying that you have had some interruptions. Maybe a child out of wedlock. A sudden illness. A divorce. In-laws have to move in. Child has to move back home with your grandchildren. None of these things planned.
So how do you deal with interruptions? What does the Bible have to say about situations like the ones listed above? Above all else, TRUST GOD. He has His hands on you. Whatever the situation He will see you through and your life will be better. I know that it doesn't seem like it right now. You had plans. But right now your plans don't matter. You must learn to look at the big picture. 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future'. Mary and Joseph may have sat around thinking how are we going to deal with this. Mary was probably embarrassed. Joseph upset. But they dealt with it. They trusted God and stuck it out. I can only imagine the bond that was created. An even deeper bond than the one they had before. I can hear Joseph saying, "Baby it was rough but I'm glad we are hear together. Our love is stronger. Now we know we can make it through anything." You have to be the same way. It is not about understanding everything. (Say it again...aloud this time) "It is not about understanding everything." When God created the heavens, where were you? He know what He is doing. All you have to do is trust Him.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I must admit that I don't know what is going on right now. Things were going so smoothly and now this. But I am going to trust You Lord. I know that you have plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future, so I am calling on You Lord. I give You complete control. Thank You for caring enough about me to order my steps and direct my path. I will continue to give You all the glory, honor and the praise. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.
Showing posts with label Jeremiah 29:11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeremiah 29:11. Show all posts
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
How Do You Measure Success?
What does New Year's Day make you think about? Does it give you hope about what is ahead of you? Have you already spent time writing down your New Year's resolutions? If so, I have a question for you. Did you remember to include God? For unless He is at the center of your life and all your decisions then you are setting yourself up for failure. After all, have you not learned that without God you can do nothing. There is nothing wrong with setting goals, but did you remember to consult God and ask Him if your goals are in line with His plans. 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'---Jeremiah 29:11.
How do you measure your successes? Many of us will reach success by the world's standards but do they measure up to God's standards. Man measures success by educational levels achieved, importance of a job performed, amount of money earned, the quality and quantity of things that money can buy— such as clothes, a car, and a house as well as an abundance of food and delicacies on the dining room table— and, even by the woman on his arm: beautiful, perfectly formed to the eye, and possessing an impressive background. Do you even know how God measures success?
When thinking about this question God led me to Noah. Most of the time when we think of Noah we think of the flood. But why was Noah chosen? The answer is found in Genesis 6:9. '...Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God'. Noah had found favor in the eyes of God. His favor had nothing to do with his good works or what he possessed. Noah believed in God. He believed that He was the Creator and Savior of the world. The fact that he was considered righteous meant he lived by God's righteous standards. He was not perfect. He simply recognized his need to be a better person and that could only come through a righteous God. He was blameless, again not meaning perfect. This meant that he made every attempt to live a sincere and upright in his heart and life. These two facts set him apart from others in the eyes of God. And that is the only thing that matters. How many of us fight so hard to achieve success in the eyes of man? But what is it costing us? We are taught to get ahead by any means necessary. We neglect our families in the name of 'I have to work to provide'. But where is the love? How many toes have you stepped on to drive that pretty car or live in that neighborhood? Should you have said yes to that promotion that means your children may see you a few hours a week? And now they want you to travel on Sundays and you have to miss church? On top of all this, how much quality time do you get to spend with God? The fact that Noah walked with God reminds me of Enoch. It meant that he walked according to his will and his way. He placed God at the center and consulted Him about everything. This did not mean that he didn't slip up sometimes but he knew where his help came from. He enjoyed spending time in communion with the Almighty. Before you sit down and make a long list of goals for this next year, stop and ask God where He wants your focus to be? In what ways can you be a better witness for Him? Let Him know you want to love better and forgive more. Ask for help being a better man, woman, husband, wife, brother, sister, son, daughter, friend. God measures our success by how faithful we are at doing the things he requires of us. It's all found in His Word. Although we may treat it as a book of suggestions, it is not. It holds the guidelines for a successful life.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
As I embark upon a new year, Lord I come to You first wanting to say thank you for keeping me in 2010. Thank you for Your grace and Your mercy. Thank You for Your Word. Help me to use it for its intended purpose. Let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway. Help me to hide it in my heart during this new year so that I can use it as a resource and as guidance in every decision. Forgive me for all of my sins. Help me to love as You love and to forgive as You forgive. Help me to look past my own shortcomings in order that I may become the person You created me to be. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
How do you measure your successes? Many of us will reach success by the world's standards but do they measure up to God's standards. Man measures success by educational levels achieved, importance of a job performed, amount of money earned, the quality and quantity of things that money can buy— such as clothes, a car, and a house as well as an abundance of food and delicacies on the dining room table— and, even by the woman on his arm: beautiful, perfectly formed to the eye, and possessing an impressive background. Do you even know how God measures success?
When thinking about this question God led me to Noah. Most of the time when we think of Noah we think of the flood. But why was Noah chosen? The answer is found in Genesis 6:9. '...Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God'. Noah had found favor in the eyes of God. His favor had nothing to do with his good works or what he possessed. Noah believed in God. He believed that He was the Creator and Savior of the world. The fact that he was considered righteous meant he lived by God's righteous standards. He was not perfect. He simply recognized his need to be a better person and that could only come through a righteous God. He was blameless, again not meaning perfect. This meant that he made every attempt to live a sincere and upright in his heart and life. These two facts set him apart from others in the eyes of God. And that is the only thing that matters. How many of us fight so hard to achieve success in the eyes of man? But what is it costing us? We are taught to get ahead by any means necessary. We neglect our families in the name of 'I have to work to provide'. But where is the love? How many toes have you stepped on to drive that pretty car or live in that neighborhood? Should you have said yes to that promotion that means your children may see you a few hours a week? And now they want you to travel on Sundays and you have to miss church? On top of all this, how much quality time do you get to spend with God? The fact that Noah walked with God reminds me of Enoch. It meant that he walked according to his will and his way. He placed God at the center and consulted Him about everything. This did not mean that he didn't slip up sometimes but he knew where his help came from. He enjoyed spending time in communion with the Almighty. Before you sit down and make a long list of goals for this next year, stop and ask God where He wants your focus to be? In what ways can you be a better witness for Him? Let Him know you want to love better and forgive more. Ask for help being a better man, woman, husband, wife, brother, sister, son, daughter, friend. God measures our success by how faithful we are at doing the things he requires of us. It's all found in His Word. Although we may treat it as a book of suggestions, it is not. It holds the guidelines for a successful life.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
As I embark upon a new year, Lord I come to You first wanting to say thank you for keeping me in 2010. Thank you for Your grace and Your mercy. Thank You for Your Word. Help me to use it for its intended purpose. Let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway. Help me to hide it in my heart during this new year so that I can use it as a resource and as guidance in every decision. Forgive me for all of my sins. Help me to love as You love and to forgive as You forgive. Help me to look past my own shortcomings in order that I may become the person You created me to be. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Possibilities
'With God all things are possible'. Matthew 19:26
I read an interesting quote today that said "Truth must become heart knowledge for transformation to take place." We can claim to know something all day but until it becomes a living, breathing part of us, it is just words. I have been blessed with the gift of memorization. This makes it quite easy for me to memorize scriptures. However, with all of the scriptures that I have memorized in thirty-six years, it has only been here recently that the words have become alive. My faith has grown. It has been the difference between me saying, "I think I can" versus "I know I can". The believer should spend time everyday in communion with God. The time spent in prayer and meditation is then made real to us by the Holy Spirit. The transformation then begins to take place in our hearts. Through the Word He reveals to us His plans, his purpose, and His provisions for us.
Let's begin by talking about His plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says it best. 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. He didn't say that you would be rich and never get sick. The word prosper means to make steady progress. This progress can occur in many different areas of your life, not just your finances. It also means to reach a high point in historical significance or importance. I can't speak for you but every time I have went through a different tests or storm, the results have been historical. I have learned things that will last my lifetime. Things that I desire to share with my children and those around me whom I love. God's purpose for our lives is simple 'to do what is perfect and pleasing in the eyes of God so that He is glorified. Everything we do should be so God can get the glory. Nothing should be done out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. After all, we can do nothing on our own. It is through God that all things are possible. Now I cannot talk about God's plan and His purpose without talking about His provision. 'And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus'. Philippians 4:19 Whatever it is that you need, God's got it. And the God I serve is not a selfish God. He gives willingly and generously to His children. All that He asks is for our obedience to His Word. He asks that we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. When we do this the possibilities for our lives are endless. All we have to do is trust Him.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the plan, purpose and provisions you have set aside for my life. Help me to be obedient and to do Your will, that which is good,perfect and pleasing in Your sight. Help my unbelief in situations that seem impossible. Help me to know that with You all things are possible. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
I read an interesting quote today that said "Truth must become heart knowledge for transformation to take place." We can claim to know something all day but until it becomes a living, breathing part of us, it is just words. I have been blessed with the gift of memorization. This makes it quite easy for me to memorize scriptures. However, with all of the scriptures that I have memorized in thirty-six years, it has only been here recently that the words have become alive. My faith has grown. It has been the difference between me saying, "I think I can" versus "I know I can". The believer should spend time everyday in communion with God. The time spent in prayer and meditation is then made real to us by the Holy Spirit. The transformation then begins to take place in our hearts. Through the Word He reveals to us His plans, his purpose, and His provisions for us.
Let's begin by talking about His plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says it best. 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. He didn't say that you would be rich and never get sick. The word prosper means to make steady progress. This progress can occur in many different areas of your life, not just your finances. It also means to reach a high point in historical significance or importance. I can't speak for you but every time I have went through a different tests or storm, the results have been historical. I have learned things that will last my lifetime. Things that I desire to share with my children and those around me whom I love. God's purpose for our lives is simple 'to do what is perfect and pleasing in the eyes of God so that He is glorified. Everything we do should be so God can get the glory. Nothing should be done out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. After all, we can do nothing on our own. It is through God that all things are possible. Now I cannot talk about God's plan and His purpose without talking about His provision. 'And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus'. Philippians 4:19 Whatever it is that you need, God's got it. And the God I serve is not a selfish God. He gives willingly and generously to His children. All that He asks is for our obedience to His Word. He asks that we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. When we do this the possibilities for our lives are endless. All we have to do is trust Him.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the plan, purpose and provisions you have set aside for my life. Help me to be obedient and to do Your will, that which is good,perfect and pleasing in Your sight. Help my unbelief in situations that seem impossible. Help me to know that with You all things are possible. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
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