Plan for the Ordinary

One of the first Bible verses to impact my life was the familiar words in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm to, plans to give you hope and a future." I received these words during a weekend retreat at church. These words still speak to me whenever I am in the midst of change in my life.

The comfort from believing a greater plan exists and I am not in charge of that plan, enables me to sleep better each night. I enjoy peace that's gained from the knowledge my daily life is important and mapped out for me. I can drop off to sleep at night knowing I will wake up - either in my bed or in eternity; and I am fine with either one.

"Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us..." (Ephesians 1:11 MSG)

I remember the day my husband went to see his doctor, a Christian man, following the terminal diagnosis. The doctor greeted Dave by saying, "There is good news and good news. Either you will get well, or you will see Jesus." What a wonderful way to view the situation. No fear in death or in sleep.

God knew what he was doing from the beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. (Romans 8:29 MSG)

There is power in living each day doing ordinary things knowing these everyday practices are part of God's plan for us. These common place things we do each day: brushing teeth, drinking tea, waiting in traffic, working hard, etc., are ways we Praise and Worship God.

Ephesians 1:11-14

A Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10

Many masterpieces have been created over the centuries. Michelangelo’s sculpture of David; Shakespeare’s Hamlet; Handel’s Messiah; Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, just to name a few.

 An argument could be made that God has created His own masterpieces in nature. The beauty of a sunset; the wonder of the Grand Canyon; the power of Niagara Falls; the gale force of a hurricane; the serenity of a mountain stream. But have you ever considered that you are one of His masterpieces?

 ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. NLT

The NLT introduction to Ephesians states: “Every once in a while, God grants his people a glimpse of their place in the grand scheme of history. There is a brief moment when they can assess who they are, where they have come from and where they are going. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians provides the church with such a vision.”

God has a plan to create a masterpiece, and you are an integral part. In addition to the verse above, consider these.

 ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1 NLT

 ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    Philippians 1:6 NLT

¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.        Psalm 139 NIV

Have you considered whose you are, where you have come from and where you are going? Without even knowing you, I can say with certainty that you have God given gifts that He wants you to use for His work. You are His masterpiece!

Cycle of Life

Philippians 2:12-13

When I went away to college, my Dad told me he expected a letter a week from me. I’m not sure if he said this because he was going to miss me, or if this was his way to try to control me… or maybe both.

 Paul had a very close relationship with the Philippian believers. Like a parent, he had invested himself deeply into their lives. Now he was separated from them so that all he could do was pray for them and write this letter.

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.      NLT

Paul had invested himself in the Philippians, and now they were to do the same with others. In a very real way, God’s plan is for you to be involved in this same spiritual cycle. A cycle where God is as much involved as you are.

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    Philippians 1 NLT

 ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.             Philippians 2 NLT 

The “cycle of life” includes preparing your children for the day when they will leave your home with the intent that they will become an independent, mature adult. Then, possibly someday, they will raise a family of their own.

God has called us to be involved in the spiritual “cycle of life”. The first person He called to this was Abram.

“I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.”       Genesis 12:2 NIV

This cycle of life promise is still valid today for you and me. Whose life are you involved in? Who is God using you to bless?

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together

Ephesians 1:11-14

I love watching a plan come to fruition. There’s a feeling of accomplishment; of satisfaction; of victory. It’s exciting!

What gets you excited? The beginning of football season? Watching your children succeed? Helping someone accomplish their goals? Selling an account to a customer? Leading someone to faith in Christ?

What excited Paul was seeing the big picture of God’s plan of evangelism. He presented the Ephesian church with a vision of how God’s plan was being fulfilled through them. In fact, the Bible is a living history of God’s plan. The amazing thing is that He uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect plan.

 ¹¹ All things are done according to God's plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning.   GNT

 To be honest, I don’t know how this verse works exactly.After all, how can God’s plan include a still born; a school shooting; cancer; an addiction; or other catastrophic circumstances? How can a loving God allow evil, injustice and extreme poverty in His plan? I don’t have the answer.

What I can tell you is that God does love you, He has a plan for your life and He is always at work to fulfill that plan. And when He does that, it’s time to get excited.

And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. ¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.            NLT

 This is how God grows His Kingdom, one person at a time. His Spirit moves your heart, your mind, your soul. His Spirit brought you into His plan, moves you forward through it and guarantees you the final outcome.

 Therefore, if He has put something into your heart to do; don’t ignore it. That’s God’s Spirit at work in your life to build His Kingdom; to fulfill His plan. So take the first step. Then you too can say, “I love it when a plan comes together”.

But Really, It’s the Beginning

Matthew 24:22-31

One day this past week, just as I was leaving the office, the sirens went off. It was a tornado warning. We’d already had heavy rains accompanied by high winds. Now the sky was dark. The trees were still. It was all very ominous. But I wasn’t going to wait until 6:30 when the warning was supposed to be over.

 During my drive home, I listened to the talk radio station. A local meteorologist was on the air. As the sirens were screaming to “run and hide”, he was warning everyone to “find your safe place”.

He went through the list. “If you have a basement, go there. If you don’t, go to a room without a window. And if you’re in your car”… you’re screwed. He didn’t really say that, but it’s what I thought.

He was on the air for over thirty minutes dispensing a message of fear; of impending disaster. Afterwards, the announcer on the following program shared how when he was a little boy he was so afraid of thunder that when he heard a loud clap, five seconds later he would throw up. It was like clockwork.

You’d think it was the end of the world. Maybe it was.

²⁹ “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.          NLT

I’ve never been that interested in the “end times”. The guys who carry a sandwich board declaring the end of the world, are an oddity to me. It’s not that I don’t believe; it just seems irrelevant to right now. Following Jesus is difficult enough without worrying about something that’s been predicted since Jesus was on earth.

 I think that the question to ask is, “Who is in control”? The answer is Jesus. Knowing that he is in control, makes life bearable; makes life meaningful; makes life hopeful. And when he does return, it will be apparent to all.

 ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west... ³¹ The great trumpet will sound, and he will send out his angels to the four corners of the earth, and they will gather his chosen people from one end of the world to the other.   GNT

 THE END…

But really, it’s the beginning.

Shiny Gem Stones

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

 (Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%202%3A6-10&version=NIV;NLT

 

When I was a little boy, my parents took me on a vacation out west. We stopped at a

tourist trap where a small, clear plastic box of gem stones caught my eye. They had been polished and were shiny. My parents bought one of the boxes for me. With my interest peaked by those shiny gem stones, I later decided to become a geologist.

 

Flash forward to college; it was a technological school with 10 guys for every one girl. Not very good odds if you didn’t already have a girlfriend. Not to worry though because I had one; until she dumped me.

 

The downward spiral that followed was life changing. Eventually it led me to commit my life to Christ. A year later, I dropped out of college briefly and moved. This resulted in a dramatic shift in what I wanted to do with my life.

 

From a small town white boy who wanted to be a geologist, I spent 25 years in full time urban youth ministry. A lot of independent, unforeseen pieces fell into place as a result

of that clear plastic box of shiny gem stones.

 

They say that God works in our lives in mysterious ways. I’d have to agree, and I think Paul would too.

 

⁷ …the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God — his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.                 NLT

 

The Bible tells the story of God’s plan of redemption. He revealed that plan, piece by piece, through His Spirit, until at just the right time, Christ came.

 

Oftentimes, God’s plan is revealed piece by piece to us. A little boy who saw a box of shiny gem stones had no idea what God’s plan was until years later. Don’t miss the shiny gem stones in your life.

 

¹⁰ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.    NLT

 

²⁴ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.          1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genesis 46:1-47:12

With God's Plan-Nothing is Wasted

As this story of Joseph continues, we are reminded once again of “the big picture” and how trusting in God’s plan is our best option for living a peaceful life as the Lord intended. So many things are out of our hands, yet we attempt to control them. We want to change things to suit our circumstances and bring us comfort like Joseph's brothers did. They likely didn't live in peace after what they did.

Our dear daughter and son-in-law were expecting their third child. They were overjoyed, and anxious to welcome another tiny gift into our family. Upon learning the infant was not developing normally, they began adjusting their minds and hearts to caring for a child with special needs. That however was not part of God’s plan.

They were told this little boy would not make it to delivery. He did. Our dear Malachi Joshua was born. He cried, and we cried tears of joy that he was with us. Our precious little guy brought the entire family happiness yet concern as he had many health issues. We loved, held and cuddled him for forty hours. Then the Lord took him home.

We were all devastated, but of course none could be as heartbroken as his parents. In their mid-twenties, they were so young to have to endure such tragedy. Grief and mourning was real, raw, and heart wrenching. Through it all Malahi’s parents held tightly to each other and God’s word. His daddy was up all night the eve of the funeral, preparing to share his son’s brief yet beautiful life.

Though overwhelmed with sadness he created an amazing presentation that had everyone in awe.  Before displaying what he had prepared Malichi’s father spoke of their journey together; mommy, daddy and baby. He struggled to continue as tears welled up in his eyes and his breaking heart pounded. He concluded with how in the final moments, Malachi reached his little arms into the air as if reaching to God, took his last breath, and then settled into the arms of the Lord.

That day it was shared that “Nothing is Wasted.” Malachi’s life had great meaning and impact reaching far beyond what we will ever know. The message of hope in Christ delivered by the pastor was taken in by some in great need of a Savior. More awareness was spread on the condition of Trisomy 13 and other birth defects. Malachi’s parents became advocates for a variety of causes including adoption, ending abortions, sharing the message of God and so much more!

When we live today with the big picture of God’s plan in mind for tomorrow and beyond, we have an awareness that few others do. Each interaction and experience we have impacts others in ways unknown to us. Everything is a long-range chain reaction for good. Nothing is wasted.

God’s work through Joseph preserved a whole nation and surrounding regions from a great famine, Though Jacob mourned the death of Joseph for years, he was finally able to rest in peace. God’s promise of working for the good in Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean everything that happens to us will be good, but we can be confident in God’s power to reclaim whatever happens for a better purpose when we leave things in His hands. 

Nothing is Wasted by Jason Gray

Read/Listen to Genesis 46:1-47:12

Why God?

Genesis 39:13-23

 

 

In this story, Joseph finds himself between a rock and a hard place. If he gives in to the aggressive advances of his bosses’ wife, he betrays the trust of Potiphar and sins

against God. On the other hand, if he resists Potiphar’s wife, he runs the risk of finding the truth of the saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.

 

From the text we read that he did indeed resist her, but with apparently disastrous consequences as Potiphar’s wife makes up a boldface lie.

Here’s how the Living Bible states it.

 

¹² …she came and grabbed him by the sleeve demanding, “Sleep with me.” He tore himself away, but as he did, his jacket slipped off and she was left holding it as he fled from the house. ¹³ When she saw that she had his jacket, and that he had fled, ^14-15 she began screaming; and when the other men around the place came running in to see what had happened, she was crying hysterically. “My husband had to bring in this Hebrew slave to insult us!” she sobbed. “He tried to rape me, but when I screamed, he ran, and forgot to take his jacket.”

 

Joseph was in a situation where he could have easily cried out, “Why God? Why did you let me be thrown into prison even though I was being faithful to you? Why did you let my brothers sell me into slavery bringing me to this god-forsaken place? Why have you turned your back on me? Why God?”

 

You may have cried out like this yourself at some time. “Why God did you let our child die? Why did I lose my job when I have a family to provide for? Why did you let my marriage fall apart? Why did our house burn to the ground? Why did my spouse contract cancer? Why do I struggle with this addiction? Why God?”

 

And yet, being thrown into prison was not the end of the story for Joseph. Although he could have responded by turning away from God or dwelling on his desperate circumstance, he didn’t. Instead he remained faithful to God, and was eventually placed in charge of the whole prison. God didn’t forget him. God didn’t leave him. God had a plan even in the midst of hopeless circumstances.

 

Therefore, the next time you find yourself in a situation where you are crying out “Why God”; remember this. God is in control and He is always at work in your life drawing

you towards Him. He is always with you. He loves you unconditionally and nothing can separate you from His love. He has a plan for your life and is faithful.

 

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039%3A13-23&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.39.13-Gen.39.23


 

At Just the Right Time

Life on Mission: Share

Romans 5:6-8

 

If you Google “at just the right time” these images, amongst others, will appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The same Google brings up these verses:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”            Romans 5:6 NIV

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”      Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”      

2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

 

You may have observed something similar in your own life; that is, sometimes things seem to happen “at just the right time”; like there is a plan. The fact is, the Bible is the story of God’s plan of Redemption where things happen “at just the right time”. The

corollary to this fact is, that YOU and I are a part of this plan.

 

God has worked in your life and in mine to bring us into faith in Christ. He brought people and experiences into our lives that changed us. In turn, He continues to work by bringing you and me into the lives of others to use us in their life.

 

It might be when you are talking around the water cooler at work, having a cookout with your neighbors, at a church dinner, sitting at a Buckeyes game or playing in a golf outing through work. We don’t live in a vacuum. God is always at work, and His work is “at just the right time”.

 

In today’s passage, Paul wrote, ^“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

“While we were still sinners”… You have the best story ever to share with a dying world. It’s your story of how God has been at work in your life. He did it “at just the right time”, and now He is ready for you to be there for somebody else. How does it feel to be a part of God’s plan of redemption?

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%205%3A6-8&version=NIV;NLT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Rom.5.6-Rom.5.8

 

 

 

 

The Story - Chapter 3 - Genesis 39

Joseph had a rough start in life, going from pampered and favored son of Jacob to a slave of one of Pharaoh's officials, named Potiphar. Even as a slave, the Lord blessed all Joseph did. These blessings did not go unnoticed by Potiphar and Joseph soon advanced in position.  He was given full charge of Potiphar’s entire household.

God was using this time to grow his servant, Joseph, into a man he would use in a great way some day. But, Joseph still had trouble waiting for him. His master’s wife had eyes for him and did not take kindly to rejection. She took revenge on Joseph by lying to her husband, saying, "That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house." (Genesis 39:17-18 NIV)

Joseph was put in prison, but he thrived there as well. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” (Genesis 39:20-22 NIV)

Have you been mistreated by someone near you? Do you reside in a prison; captive to your feelings, thoughts and pain? Like Joseph, we too can experience blessings as we exist in a foreign place. God surrounds us, especially the broken-hearted. He wants to heal our wounds and bind-up our hearts. God had a major undertaking waiting in the wings for Joseph; He has a grand plan for you too.

Read Genesis 39 here

Listen to Genesis 39 here

The Story - Chapter 3 - Genesis 37

Why did God give Joseph's those dreams if they would only get him into trouble?  I have so many questions about this story.  Pride, preference, deception, and violence greet us early on in the story.  Talk about family dysfunction, this story has it all.  I know favoritism exists in families, having experienced it myself.  My father’s parents did little to hide the fact they loved the children of one of their daughter’s more than the rest of the kids.

Genesis 37:3 (NIV)
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.”

But, by the same token, my mother’s parents favored us.  So the story of Jacob’s preference for Joseph over his eleven brothers is credible.  The fact that Joseph was the baby of the family just adds fuel to the flame.  While this is normal in families, most similar situations do not end in attempted murder.

The significance for me in this story is in the questions it raises for me.  If this situation did not exist, if the brothers had not sold Joseph into slavery, what would our life look like today?  Did this action thousands of years ago impact history?  I am sure that how I act today not only affects those around me now, but my descendants also.

Genesis 37:36 (NIV)

“ Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.”

Slavery changed Joseph, and he grew up and matured, losing the selfish ways of a child. Had he been allowed to grow up at home he most likely would have grown out of his exasperating behavior, most of us do.  Regardless, Joseph was used by God in a very big way, but he had much to endure before the entire story would unfold.

Picture a parallel; we have much to endure, many hardships to face before God uses us fully.  He has a plan for each one of us and every morning we wake up and place our feet on the ground, is one more opportunity to fulfill that plan.

Read Genesis 37 here

Listen to Genesis 37 here

Angel Speaks to Mary - Luke 1:26-38

Do you ever feel like God just threw you a curve ball? Recently I was scheduled to share a talk with a MOPS group, when my husband became ill. I ended up taking him to the ER. They admitted him and began running tests. This major distraction was not part of my plans.

The Scripture verses from Luke came to mind, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:31-33)

Talk about a curve ball, Mary was engaged to be married, her future looked good. How was she to handle this dilemma? We can be sure this was not part of her plans. I thought about this and came to realize that perhaps the plans I have for my life, the plans for my future, and even my plans for the talks I share are different from the plans God has. I have learned that God’s plan and God’s timing are always better – not necessarily welcomed warmly at the time – but definitely better.

The greatest blessings in our lives come as intrusions requiring our surrender.

To read  the text for today click here.

Peter Tries to Save Jesus - John 18:1-11

Jesus and His disciples gather in the garden where they have gone many times. Jesus is aware Judas knows they will be there. As Jesus enters the garden with His disciples, Judas brings the Roman soldiers and police.

Jesus goes to meet them. What awesome courage, love, and obedience he displays as He willingly prepares to go to the cross! He presents himself to the crowd and confirms He is the one they are looking for.

At this difficult time, Jesus isn't concerned about Himself. In His endless love and selflessness He makes sure Peter and all His disciples, His own, are protected. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." (vs 8)

Jesus is in charge. He can touch and destroy everyone there, but this isn’t His plan. Peter compulsively jumps in and cuts off the ear of Malchus, the Chief Priest's servant. Jesus tells Peter to stop interfering. There is nothing he can do to keep Jesus from fulfilling God's plan.

Today's text prompts me to consider my own actions. How many times does the Lord say to me, "Stop, get out of my way. Let me do My work?" I tend to jump ahead, take charge, and sometimes mess things up. I am reminded of the wisdom of letting go and allowing the Lord to carry out His plans.

Because of Jesus' unselfish sacrifice on the cross I receive His endless love. He sets me free and protects me every day. I am grateful for His presence in my life.

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