Tag: God’s Plans

Devotionals

Have you hardened your heart towards God?         

Loring Schultz

Read: Job 9:1-12 ESV – Job Replies: There Is No Arbiter – Then – Bible Gateway

“He is wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?” Job 9:4 ESV

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Life throws us many nasty curveballs, to use a baseball analogy. We may be in the batter’s box, expecting a fastball down the middle of the plate, but the Lord God is on the mound, and He has a variety of pitches to keep us guessing. We don’t always get the pitches we would like, but they are from the hand of the Lord God and for our good. We may even get a brush back if we try to crowd the plate. God doesn’t like that; it’s His territory.

Job asked the question, ‘who has hardened himself against him (God), and succeeded?’ (Job 9:4 nlt) No answer is required. It is obvious, no one! Now it is true in baseball that both the pitcher and batter succeed against each other, but when the Lord God is on the mound or has a bat in His hands in the box, we don’t stand a chance. His purpose will prevail.

During times of struggle and unexpected occurrences in our lives, there may be a tendency to harden our hearts toward God. We may even do it unconsciously, not realizing it. We drift away from Him. Some of us automatically distanced ourselves from God, and then others simply question God. There’s nothing wrong with questioning God or asking ‘why.’ He understands but be careful to take note of the condition of your heart. Don’t let it become calloused with doubt, bitterness, or unbelief.   

When struggles and confusion begin to consume our days, what is needed most is listening ears and a soft heart towards the Lord. We can’t go off on our own without Him and expect to succeed in overcoming our problems. So, while you’re looking for that fastball, just take the strike and look unto the Lord God. He’s got it covered.

Devotionals

We didn’t get there 

Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 15:23-29 NLT – Paul’s Travel Plans – But now I have – Bible Gateway

“I will come to see you on my way to Spain. And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.” Romans 15:28-29

Photo biblestudy.org

In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he told them to expect a visit from him on his way to Spain. Paul had confided to them how eager he was to spend some time with them. He first needed to make his way back to Jerusalem to deliver a gift to the poor Christians that was collected for them by the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. His plans where then to set out for Spain by way of Rome.

Paul’s good intentions didn’t work out as he thought. He did make it to Rome, but not in the manner he had planned. He went there as a prisoner when he made his appeal to the emperor after being brought up on charges by the Jewish leaders. (Acts 25) Paul was able to meet with many people during his first imprisonment in Rome, but he never made it to Spain.

We all can relate when our plans don’t materialize as we thought. My wife and I had planned to visit family over a period of time but do to circumstances we were not able to do so. It may not be we won’t get together, just not in the way we had anticipated. Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” (nlt) Paul found this out as he planned to visit the church in Rome and then the people of Spain. Paul made his plans, but the Lord directed according to His will.

Let this not hinder us from making plans, we should continue to be engaged in planning our future events according to God’s will, just remember we may not get there.

Devotionals

What Are Your Plans?    

Loring Schultz

“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT

Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

How often have you been asked by someone ‘what are your plans?’ It could relate to a number of issues. The question is usually prompted by a change of circumstances in your life whether good or bad. This change could have been long anticipated or has come along suddenly. Whatever the case, plans need to be made for your current situation.

So, what are your plans and have you included the Lord in your plans, whatever they may be? If not, it is important that you do so. You may have not included God in your plans, but He has included you in His plans. ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer.29:11 niv)  It only stands to reason to include God for he knows what you’re going to do anyway. It would be smart for us to have our plans coincide with His.

Our plans can only be accomplished by the Lord giving us the ability. Solomon has a couple of Proverbs we can point to help us understand this. “We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer……Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” (Prov.16:1, 3 nlt) Working out plans on our own is never a good idea. Submitting our plans to God and committing our work fully to Him will result in success. His success for us, not what we think success looks like, but what gives God all the glory. May we include the Lord in all our plans having Him adapt them to His perfect plan.   

Devotionals

Procrastination; it’s not time yet

Loring Schultz

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Haggai 1:2 NLT

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To procrastinate is to put off doing something until later. Unless it’s for a good reason, procrastination could be disastrous even deadly. When knowing there is a need and we do not respond looking out for our interests first, a callous attitude towards others and the things of God will quickly develop. We’ll start making excuses and getting very astute in them. Soon it becomes all about us and only if we have time then we will help others and seek what God has for us to do for Him.

The returning exiles in Judah had gone back to their land after seventy years of captivity and were to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They encountered some push back from people who had settled in the land and soon the work stopped. Over time the work of rebuilding God’s Temple was no longer important to them, but building their own homes and neighborhoods were. People started saying that it wasn’t time yet to get back to work. Perhaps the hostilities were still there, or we still have work to do securing our homes and farmland, or the economy may not be strong enough to support the effort, were likely excuses to procrastinate. The actual reason was they were selfish and did not care about the things of God.

As Christians when a need arises that the Lord God is directing our hands to the work, may we not procrastinate and say ‘it’s not time yet’ for I have things to do first. God knows our responsibilities and He will not direct us to a work we have no time for or incapable to perform. When the Lord calls, it is always time.

Devotionals

God’s Plan Despite Our Sin      

Loring Schultz

“For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13 NLT

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I must admit there are some things I do not understand about God. Noticing the ways God has worked overtime the best authors, playwrights, and screenwriters couldn’t conceive such stories. God works in ways we could never imagine. He even takes our sin and works His purposes through it. That doesn’t leave us off the hook of responsibility. We are still accountable for our sin and there will be consequences. But I do not understand it and need to take it by faith trusting in the holy God of the universe.

King David probably never thought when God promised that one of his ancestors would build the Temple it would be a son from a wife he took from one of his soldiers after he had him killed. The story of David and Bathsheba is well known and there is no need to repeat it here, (2 Sam.11) except to say it was a grievous sin. Yet, before that unconscionable moment, God told David, “I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.” (2Sam.7:12-13 nlt) That son was Solomon.

The Bible tells us David repented of his sins, (Ps.51) but there were consequences for his actions. The child that was conceived in the adulterous affair died, and David would live the rest of his life with the memory of it. However, God’s grace and mercy upon David and His steadfast love for him and his throne would be forever. “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” (2Sam.7:16 nlt) David was promised this at the same time he was told his son would build the Temple. We may not understand how or why God works His plan the way He does but let us be grateful He does.

Devotionals

Movin’ On 

Loring Schultz

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

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Our world has become a mobile society. People move about freely moving from one place to another. There are many circumstances behind someone’s decision to move on. Some we may know of, but there are times we do not know the reason why. Modern means of transportation and the advancement of face time communication on our cell phones have made it easier to accept when a relative, a dear friend, or a close neighbor moves away or leaves your church, workplace, or organization you belong to. You’ll miss them and perhaps feel abandoned, even though no one’s at fault. It’s called life, and doing what is best for all involved.

Christians have a unique bond with one another, or at least we should, in that as brothers and sisters in Christ even when we’re apart, we are together in Christ. We also have the assurance that God is always with us through the Holy Spirit, and we have His promise He will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb.13:5) It’s hard to see those we love to move away due to job transfers, seeking different employment, or needing a bigger home for a growing family, to a growing list of any number of concerns leading them to move on. But we can encourage each other as we both go through this process of moving on.

As Christians we pray for each other in God’s leading and for His hand of protection on us. We continue to encourage each other that we are one in Christ, and He is with every one of us simultaneously. We pray for God to use us through the experiences we shared together until we see each other again. So, it’s ok to move on, and it’s ok to miss one another.

Devotionals

Nothing Prevents the Fruition of God’s Plans

Loring Schultz

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.” Matthew 27:66 NLT

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Have you ever felt you messed up God’s plans for your life? You say to yourself, ‘Obviously, God’s plans didn’t work out or I wouldn’t be in the situation I am in. I messed up along the way throwing the plans off course.’ It may be true that you messed up, I’ve done it myself but rest assured God’s plans for you are still in tack. There is nothing you can do to alter the plans the creator of the universe has for you since before you were born. It’s hard to understand, I know. Take heart, you may have messed up, but it didn’t mess up God’s plans.

Every Christian should be thankful nothing prevents the fruition of God’s plans especially His plan of salvation for all who believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. God’s plan of salvation was for His only Son to come to earth, live a perfect life, die as a sacrifice for sins, be buried, and rise again on the third day. Nothing was going to mess that up. The leading priests and the Pharisees also had a plan that worked, but it didn’t turn out the way they thought it would. They asked to Pilate to have the tomb in which Jesus was buried be guarded and sealed. The religious rulers were afraid the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and claim He had risen from the dead as Jesus said He would after three days. The seal remained in place for no one tried to steal Jesus’ body, but Jesus did rise on the third day.

Many of those who followed Jesus didn’t understand all they witnessed during His arrest, trials, and crucifixion. It seemed a master plan had gone terribly wrong. Yes, it was a master plan, but everything about it was right. You can trust God for the plans he has for you. He sent His Son to die as a sacrifice for your sin. It was His plan for you and me. “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Ro.8:32 nlt) Rejoice that God has a plan for you. You may not understand it, but He does. Trust Him that nothing will prevent all His plans from coming to fruition.

Read: Matthew 27:62-66 NLT – The Guard at the Tomb – The next day, – Bible Gateway