plans

Psalm 138:8a God will work out His plans for my life...

GOD will work out His plans for my life...

God WILL work out His plans for my life...

God will WORK OUT His plans for my life...

God will work out HIS plans for my life...

God will work out His PLANS for my life...

God will work out His plans for MY life...

God will work out His plans for my LIFE...

No matter how we emphasize it, it's a quiet, strong, extraordinary 9 words in a short psalm toward the end of the book.

in line with His will

1 John 5: 14 We can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will. 15 And we know if He is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.

weakness & strength

Judges 6: 11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!"
13 "Sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, 'The LORD brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites."
14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!"
15 "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!"
16 The LORD said to him, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man."

Here we've got another conversation like the conversation God had with Moses & the burning bush...
God saying, "do this" & the person He's speaking with basically saying, "but God... how!"
And God says 5 words: "I will be with you."

God said some interesting things here.

When Gideon asked how he could do what God asked him to do, Gideon said his family was the weakest his tribe & he was the weakest in the clan. Iow, Gideon thought of himself as the lowest on the totem pole of life.

God was undaunted. He just said, "Go in the strength that you have." & "I'm sending you."

And when Gideon did his, "but, God...!" again, God made the earth shaking response: "I will be with you."

I feel like Gideon this morning. In about 7 hours we're gonna be having our 1st pre-kickoff get-together for the Sunday Morning Gathering at The Warehouse.

I have no illusions - I know what I'm getting myself into here.

Like Gideon, I feel like the weakest of the weak this morning.

But as I read Judges 6 this morning, I feel like God is saying to me what He said to Gideon:

"Go in the strength that you have..."
Iow, do what I say with who you are; with who I made you.

"I am sending you."
You're not doing this because you woke up one morning & decided it would be cool to have a Sunday Morning Gathering. That ain't your idea - it's Mine.

"I will be with you."
Iow, I got you covered.
I precede & follow you.
I'm out ahead of you, preparing the way, while mopping up behind you.
Me, the God of the universes, Who keeps the galaxies from bumping into each other, am gonna give you (less than a nano-speck in the cosmos) my personal attention by being with you every step of the way.

You may say it was a coincidence that I read that this morning.

I've been getting up to read the Bible & listen every morning since January of 2003.

Because of what I've experienced with God showing up to say the right thing in His Word at the right time in the right way at the right time...

I don't believe in "coincidence" anymore.

So, I guess I need to take a big breath, put on my big boy boxers, & go to it...

...

sometimes, when frustration is so strong, it's best to be quiet

obey

2 John 2:3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. ⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. ⁵ But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. ⁶ Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Methinks obedience is important?

light & dark

1 John 1:5 God is light, & in Him is no darkness at all.

What's the "darkness" that each of us has in our lives?The essence of who God is light. His presence in our life chases away the darkness.

This isn't just metaphorical. Anyone had the darkness of depression besides me? Daily contact with our Abba can chase that darkness away. I've experienced it, more than once.

What's your darkness?

Make contact with Him & let His light fill up that dark place.

others

Psalm 131
1b I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
just as a child is quiet with its mother. (NLT)
*****
¹God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.
² I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content. (The Message)

There are people in my life who frustrate or just simply drive me crazy. I don't understand why they can't see the stupidity of their actions, the self-centeredness of their lives, the counter-productiveness of their choices, or the harm all these things do to the people around them.

And I wonder sometimes why the people who have more influence or authority with these irksome individuals don't call their hands on their thinking or actions.

But I have to remember that I'm not in charge here. God is. Sometimes it's usually not my place to police the behavior of others, or stand in a place of correction.

Sometimes it's a waste of my time to try to alter the actions of others. Not everyone I know thinks wisdom & truth fairly drip from my mouth! ;-)

And sometimes I don't see the big picture. There's more going on than I know, or need to know.

And finally, sometimes I have other things that need to command my attention than the inappropriate actions of others.

Is this easy for me?

Nope.

It also helps to remember that I'm that irritating or frustrating person for others.

;-)

what some things done in "freedom" can bring

2 Peter 2:14 For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

results of faith

2 Peter 1: 3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.

My Life Application Bible, in reference to particularly vs 5-7, that if we don't exercise our faith, it will die.

promises

Psalm 128
¹ How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways!
² You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
as they sit around your table.

I've dated verse 2 in my Bible on 12.29.06. That means that on that date, it seemed that was a promise God made me.

That was in the middle of some really dark days for me. It seemed impossible that that could come true.

It's interesting the season that I find myself in now, just 2 1/2 years later.

downtown

Psalm 127: 1a Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless.

easy stuff

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

Anybody besides me have a hard time not retaliating, not defending yourself, or paying them back with a blessing?!

living in our world

1 Peter 2: 11 Be careful how you live your life among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior & they will believe & give honor to God when He comes to judge the world

here's the deal, according to Peter

1 Peter 1: 13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,

"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."

Woot!

attentive

Psalm 123: 1 I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
2 We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

The trick is to keep your heart turned toward God that much.

endings

2 Timothy 4: 1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.*
22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

These are the last written words of Paul, written to his adopted son. I know all about adopted sons. ;-)

There's so many poignant, personal things included in these few lines.

I wonder if I was writing what I knew was the last letter I would ever write to him, what I would say to my adopted sons & daughters, as well as my wife & daughter, or my dear friends, or anyone I had contact & influence with?

wow

Psalm 121:1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

7 The LORD keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

8 short verses, but the truth therein is HUGE!

clean

2 Tim 2:21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, & you will be ready for the Master to use for every good work.

transition

2 Timothy 1: 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Here's what my Life Application Bible says about this verse...

"Timothy was in a time of transition. He had been Paul's bright, young helper; soon he would be on his own as a leader of a church in a different environment. Although his responsibilities were changing, Timothy was not without help. He has everything he needed to face the future if he would holf on tightly to God's resources.

"When you are facing difficult transitions, it is good to follow Paul's advice to Timothy & look back on your experience.

"Who is the foundation of your faith?

"How can you build on that foundation?

"What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you?

"Use the gifts you have already been given."

I believe I underlined that part of this footnote a couple of years ago. Interesting that this verse came up off the page right now, as I'm facing trainsition into who knows what downtown.

Psalm 139:5 God both precedes & follows me.

guard

1Timothy 6:20a Guard what God has entrusted you.

words to live by

1 Timothy 5:1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father.

;-)

promises

Psalm 119: 49 Remember Your Promise to me.
for it its my only hope.
50 Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.

a hope

Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don't give up on me!

who do you trust

Psalm 118:6 The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Vs 8 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to put confidence in people.
Vs 9 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to put confidence in princes.

You don't know how I needed to hear that...

too sinful

1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Some think their sins & sinfulness is too great for God to forgive & forget.

Nope.

Not possible.

Good to know for ourselves, even better to know for friends , acquaintences, or anyone we encounter.

God's patience, mercy, forgiveness, & love covers it all

simple, profound words

2 Thessalonians 3:3

The Lord is faithful;
He will make you strong,
& will protect you from the evil one.

simple, elegant words that state profoundly the basic nature of the One we live for.

words to live on...

Promises I believe God gave me about downtown back in August, 2008...

Joshua 1:1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:

"Moses my servant is dead.

Get going.
Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel.

I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on — just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours.

All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you.

In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you.

I won't leave you.

Strength!

Courage!

You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.

Give it everything you have, heart and soul.

Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it.

Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going.

And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.

Then you'll get where you're going;

then you'll succeed.

Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage!

Don't be timid;

don't get discouraged.

God, your God, is with you every step you take."

remember this...

1 Thessalonians 1:11b ...our God will make you worthy of the life to which He called you.

Does anyone besides me get any comfort from these words?!

Does anyone besides me appreciate the truth that all we have to do is say yes to what God asks of us & He provides the strength, power, wisdom, good sense, patience, ideas, or whatever else that we need?

Lemme know if this speaks to you as much as it speaks to me.

checklist

Here's Paul's checklist for Christ followers. Let's see how we measure up...

1 Thessalonians 5:
12 Dear brothers and sisters,
*honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work.
They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
13 Show them great respect
and wholehearted love
because of their work.
And live peacefully with each other.
*14 we urge you to warn those who are lazy.
*Encourage those who are timid.
*Take tender care of those who are weak.
*Be patient with everyone.
*15 See that no one pays back evil for evil,
but always try to do good to each other
and to all people.
*16 Always be joyful.
*17 Never stop praying.
*18 Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
*19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
*20 Do not scoff at prophecies,
21 but test everything that is said.
Hold on to what is good.
*22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace
make you holy in every way,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
24 God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.