Gtcotr/ss071220
Since
the day we first began our journey together, I have continued to confirm that:
·
God has a plan …
·
He will succeed …
·
You have a chance to participate!
We
cannot always know God’s plan and often we find it difficult to imagine how God
allows things we do not agree with. We understand our vision is limited and
that God has the advantage of seeing the end from the beginning.
From
social injustices to sudden death, life challenges us and leaves us with more
questions than answers. The only thing we have to console us and comfort our
souls is our faith in the Bible. We believe God is a good and loving Father and
that He knows best.
The
Bible teaches that you were born with a purpose and that you have been given a
grace to accomplish that purpose. However, what you do with your life is your
choice. These truths are confirmed over and over in story after story
throughout the Bible.
Take
for example the young lady named Esther. You can
find her story in the book of Esther. Although she was an orphan from a
disfavored people group living in a foreign land, she embraced her calling and
saved her people from certain annihilation.
Esther 4:14 “For if you
remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for
the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet
who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
It
was not an easy decision for Esther. It was a life and death decision. She did
not feel special and she was not auditioning to become a Bible character. She
faced daily decisions just like you and me. Esther had no guarantee that
everything was going to work out in her favor.
As
we read the account of her life, we see she faced her fears and used the
position God gave her to make a difference. It was not easy, but she just chose
to do her best for God, and He gave her the grace to do it.
You
were also born with a purpose. You face no greater challenges than did Esther
or Ruth. Remember Ruth, she was the barren widow
of a lower-class immigrant. She was no one and had nothing except she mattered
to God. Ruth was given a part to play in God’s plan and God was willing to help
her do it … but … the choice was hers. Would she take the easy way out or would
she face her fears and do what’s right?
Others
around Ruth did not understand or support her decision to selflessly serve her
mother-in-law. Even her closest friend went another way. Ruth had no promise of
any reward greater than simply knowing that what she was doing was the right thing.
Naomi, her mother-in-law, told Ruth to go back home to her own country because there
was no other hope for her future.
Ruth 1
16 But Ruth replied,
“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever
you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my
God.
17 Wherever you die, I
will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I
allow anything but death to separate us!”
Ruth
had to work hard. Life is not just one right decision and then it is all easy.
Ruth was given a part to play in God’s plan and God also gave her the grace to
get up every day and go out to work in the field and pick up the little bit of
grain others dropped or left behind. It was hard work, hot work, and dangerous
work. But, because she was willing and faithful, God made her able.
You,
just like Esther and Ruth were born with a purpose by the will of God. We
cannot always know the plan of God and how we fit but, if you are willing and
faithful, God will give you all of the ability you need to play your part. He
will give you the grace to make every right decision no matter what others
think about you. Esther and Ruth were not superheroes with superpowers … but …
they did serve the One True God and He is super! Do you remember a young boy
named David?
David’s
father and brothers thought very little of David and sent him to the backside
of the desert to tend a few sheep. The rest of the family entertained the
Prophet Samuel and enjoyed a feast in the comfort of their wealthy surroundings
while David fought with a bear and a lion to keep his father’s sheep safe. David
was not even invited to the party.
However,
God had given David a part to play in His plan. God saw David’s heart and God
made David able to do things beyond anyone’s imagination.
Acts 13:22 “And … He
raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I
have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who
will do all My will.’”
David
was not perfect, but he was forgiven. The only perfect man that ever lived was Jesus,
and the world crucified Him. What do you think they will try to do to you if
you stand up for Jesus? You do not have to imagine … Jesus already said that
“All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” God uses imperfect people … they are all He has.
David
taught us to lift our hands and bow our knees to the One True God who made
heaven and earth and to trust in Him even after we fail. The greatest failure
is to let fear keep you from doing your part for God.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not
given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Before
time began God purposed to make you a part of His plan and He knew you would be
challenged by fear, feel powerless, and maybe even confused about what to do
when it came your turn. Well, it is your turn now! Do not fear; Do not be
confused; Do not feel powerless … God is with you. The Bible is a lamp to your
feet and a light to your path …
You
were born with a purpose. You have a part to play in God’s plan. God has called
you and given you all the grace you need. It is your turn and you can make a
difference. Take a step of faith!
Like
Esther, Ruth, David, Moses, Gideon, Samson, Mary the mother of Jesus, the
Apostles, you have been given a superpower that, if you choose to use it, will
enable you to do the work of God. All you will need to supply is the
willingness and the faithfulness, stand up and shine the Light. God is not the
one trying to make you afraid … that is the devil.
7 For God has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the
sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called
us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His
own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
You,
yes you! You matter to God and you matter when it comes to the lives and the
eternal lives God hopes for His children. The devil is trying to destroy our
lives, divide our families, disrupt our communities, and drive our nation into
chaos and disorder. Do not be fooled …
John 10:10 “The thief does
not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they
may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
You
have a part to play in God’s plan … You matter to God … Do you trust Him? Are
you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Who is pushing your buttons … Jesus or the
devil? What does the Bible say?
James 1
19 ¶ So then, my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 for the wrath of man does
not produce the righteousness of God.
I
challenge you, decide today and begin playing your part in God’s plan. Speak
the name of Jesus and bring the peace of God into every conversation. One word
from God changes everything. Hold the people you love accountable … you may be
the only one who can …You! Yes you!
