But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, 

the purposes of his heart through all generations.

 

Psalm 33:11

1 Corinthians 8:6 – New Living Translation

As I was driving home, there came a commercial on the christian radio station that I was listening to and it really got me thinking. (This will not be an exact quote as I couldn’t write it down at the time)

You shouldn’t be living as though to put your mark on the world, but as to put the mark of Christ on the world.

Think about that for a minute.

Don’t we go about our daily lives trying to be somebody, or accomplish something special?  Or maybe it’s not about us, it could be our spouse, our children, or our friends.  You know what?  You are already special, set apart even, in Christ’s eyes.  How much greater can you be?  Christ has left His ”mark” (the Holy Spirit) with you, now you need  to let the world see it.  We are told to spread Christ’s love to others and to live a life that is encouraging to those around us.  Leaving a legacy of how He has made us who we are, through His forgiveness and redemption.  Whatever “mark” I could possibly leave will never compare to Christ’s love and sacrifice.  He is our reason for living.

But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

 

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My husband and I were discussing the other day about things we would like to do in the next couple of years.  Places to go, thing we want our kids to experience, and such.  I mentioned that I would like to get a degree or certificate of some sort.  He of course encouraged me in what I wanted to do, but really I had no idea what I wanted.  It did get me thinking about why would I feel the need to do this.  Was is for show?  To make myself feel better about not finishing college?  Or just a new experience?

Lately I have felt the need to do something different, whether this is God pushing me in a new direction, or my new-found discontentment showing, has yet to be determined.  Feeling discontented is a surprising emotion for me.  It is not an area that I struggle with, and I do not like it at all.   Honestly, this is hard, just admitting it makes me sick to my stomach.  Another truth be told, I think I know the area that God wants me to delve into and I am turning Him down as soon as the thought enters my head.  Have you ever tried to tell God that He is wrong?  I don’t recommend it.  I am not ready to share with you yet what it is, as this would make it official.  Trust me though, I am in no way even remotely qualified or able to do this task on my own.  So if (when) I finally feel that this is what I am being called to do, it will only occur through God’s power.  Which is the reality of all “great” things that are done by Him, through us.  Our failings allow God’s greatness to shine. Now if only I can remember this, and not be afraid of utter humiliation and failure.  A tough task for sure.

And then I remember that God really enjoys calling the unqualified, or more accurately the grossly under qualified.  (Oh boy, am I in trouble.)  Moses and I have a lot in common.  “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” ~Exodus 4:10

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:69 (NIV)

I have known Christ for long enough to understand that when I follow His guidance, peace will be the end result.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.  1 John 4:17-18 (The Message)

God does not expect me to be qualified, He wants me to be obedient and unafraid.  Please pray for me in this endeavor, and feel free to share your struggles, so that I can pray for you.

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I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord!

He is most worthy of praise!    

No one can measure his greatness. 

 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 

 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

Psalms 145:1-7 (NLT)

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign: He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

(from Christ Arose! by Robert Lowry)

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Mark 11:9

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

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Today as I was reading in my “Daily Walk Bible” and I wanted to share with you what was written  in a box with a small devotion in it beside Isaiah chapter 40.

  MY DAILY WALK

Today, rather than looking for a practical project in which to pt God’s truth to work, spend some quiet moments contemplating the greatness of the God who made you.  Here are some thoughts to prepare your mind for worship and refection:

The oceans of the world contain more than 340 quintillion gallons of water – yet God holds them in his hand (40:12)

The earth weighs 6 sextillion metric tons - yet to God it represents but dust on the scale (40:12,15)

The known universe stretches more than 30 billion light years (200 sextillion miles) – yet God has measured off that great expanse with his fingers (40:12)

That same universe contains at least 100 billion galaxies, each made up of approximately 100 billion stars-yet God knows them all by name (40:26)

Now do you see why it is absurd to offer the God of heaven your advice rather than your worship?  Even so, he says to you: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you:…you are mine”  (43:1)

God is not made greater when you worship him, but you are made greater when you serve him.

I just thought this was an amazing concept, that we all seem to under value.  God’s Greatness is beyond anything we can understand.  But it is not necessary for us to understand it all, our task to worship Him whole heartedly.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?  Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,  and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

“To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength,  not one of them is missing.

Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40:12-14, 40:25-26, 40:28-31 (NIV)

Ephesians 1:10

In two days time I will be attending the funeral of a beautiful, wonderfully spirited       10-year-old little girl.  Just writing that makes tears well up in my eyes.  I keep repeating to myself  “God has a plan, I know it’s His plan”, but I will tell you right now, I really don’t appreciate the plan.  This plan hurts deeply.   Our small church family has lost a lot of dear friends these past couple of years and we has been in what seems to be a continual grieving cycle.  We seem to get back to our everyday lives, and then a tragedy will happen.  Sick and Tired of it,  that is how I am feeling about this whole plan.

“God has a plan, I know it’s His plan”

Words keep failing me, as I am trying to come up with positive things that come after the tidal wave of a loss.  So I will let scripture begin.

1 Chronicles 28:9

• New Living Translation “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.

Psalm 33:10-12

• The Message God takes the wind out of Babel pretense,  he shoots down the world’s power-schemes.  God’s plan for the world stands up,  all his designs are made to last.  Blessed is the country with God for God;  blessed are the people he’s put in his will.

Psalm 119:57-64

• The Message Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise  to do everything you say.  I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,  be gracious to me just as you promised.  When I took a long, careful look at your ways,  I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.  I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,  was quick to follow your orders.  The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—  but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.  I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;  your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!  I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,  of those committed to living by your rules.  Your love, God, fills the earth!  Train me to live by your counsel.

Isaiah 28:29

• New International Version All this also comes from the LORD Almighty,  whose plan is wonderful,  whose wisdom is magnificent.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

• The Message Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:25

• New Living Translation This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

New Living Translation

And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

Because of these events, I have made some wonderful friendships.  Close friendships.

Appreciating my family has become more of a priority.

Being content with what I have, and getting rid of the stuff that just gets in the way becomes easier.

Waking up each morning and realizing that each day is a gift, and I should act like it.

That crying is not a sign of weakness, but instead it is a sign of how much you care.

And finally coming to terms with the idea that God does have a plan, I may not understand it, I may not like, but knowing that there is someone wise and sovereign loving me enough to make a plan just for my life (and yours too!) is amazing.

Going through these scriptures doesn’t  lessen the great sadness I feel for these families, but it does bring me a sense of comfort.  Our God is The almighty God.  His ways are perfect, maybe not in our eyes, but in reality our ways are not what we need to be focusing on in the first place.  We need to accept them and grow through them.  I am trying.

Numbers 6:24-26

New Living Translation (NLT)

‘May the LORD bless you and protect you.

 May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’

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Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.             James 1:2-6 (NIV)

 

Each of us face trials everyday, sometimes they are tough, sometimes just a moment that quickly passes.  James tells us that these events in our lives are to be appreciated because they make us stronger in our faith.  

per·se·ver·ance

1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

2. Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

We are to ask for wisdom in dealing with troubles that come our way, so that we can persevere with God’s guidance.  I don’t know of any other way of overcoming difficulties that would end up with the results or changes that God had planned for us.  As you are going through the trials of life, remember to ask for the wisdom as this in itself is a maturing process that each of us must go through.  By asking and then being confident that He will show you the way, you make yourself available for His new and improved you.  To be made complete.  That is worth the pain and uncertainties we face every day, knowing that we draw closer to our Savior and therefore ready to face the next chapter He has in store for us.

Even though life throws doubts, sadness, anger, and many more things our way.  Remember you have a Redeemer who loves you and want you to be mature and complete in Him.