Tag: God's plan

You Have the Power to Go! | Answering the Call

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“And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” Judges 6:14

Gideon heard the message but he felt unqualified. He supposed he was inadequate for what God called him to do, stating that his family was “poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” Judges 6:15.

Have you ever been there? Questioning your ability to do something beyond your normal scope of operations?

You are not alone. Many struggle daily with feelings of overwhelm, believing that this is just beyond my personal capabilities.

But can I tell you, where we see inability, God sees a victor in the making.  Where we see someone who can’t, He sees someone who can. Where we feel we would lose, God sees one who is built to conquer. It is not, nor has it ever been about what we see, think, or can do within ourselves.  It’s all about what God can do through us.

Gideon going up against the Midianites (read Judges 6:1-8:21) and winning against his enemies with an unusual victorious battle plan seems just as ludicrous as a skinny teenage boy like David going up against a great warrior like Goliath (both were outmatched and outsized).  But, anytime God places a call on someone’s life, He doesn’t measure their ability to do the job by the individual.  He doesn’t measure it by some fantastic gift they have in them, or their stature, or anything else one might use to determine the probability of success on the outside.  God measures it by what He knows He can do through that life on the inside; that person who will just “go” at His calling.   

The victory He had in mind for Gideon was so great that it was going to be as if “one man” (Judges 6:16) took down a whole army.  In our walk of faith, we must take our eyes off what we can do and focus more on what God can do through us, answer His call on our lives, and just “go”, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” – 1 Timothy 1:9

My friend, you can do this. His holy Word reminds us:

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” – 1 Peter 2:9

And let us also remember:

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” – Romans 11:29

Are You Willing?

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My friend, if you are willing, that means you have a heart prepared to go and do what others may not be willing to do.  You see the possibilities and enthusiastically embrace and receive what may be ahead simply because the Master wants to use you.

Willingness for what?  Ah, my friend, only you can answer that question because only you can know the call you have been hearing or the pull in a certain direction that you have been feeling.  But it is not until the feet of faith have moved to the fulfillment of those things does your willingness shine through.

And shine you will.  For those who respond to God’s drawing in to follow and fulfill – that one, moving in obedience, shines, for “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:14, 16.

That three-letter word “let” is asking for your permission to be allowed to be used by Him.  It’s asking are you willing?  Are you ready to respond in the affirmative with a steadfast “Yes”?

Second Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver.  Stretch that possibility beyond the gathering of an offering to be worked out in our everyday lives.  Are we cheerfully giving of ourselves?  Are we allowing the Master to use us as vessels fit for the job, “prepared unto every good work” 2 Timothy 2:21?

Many are agreeable in tongue, but has our willingness reached the point of being ready, pliable, and active in services to our King?  Paul implored the Roman church, and us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1.

Are you willing?

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When God Turns It Around

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To appreciate a good turnaround story, you must first appreciate the history behind the story.  For the returning captives, their story is simple, and yet, not so simple.

In a short simple version: they sinned (repeatedly), ignored warnings (often), and as a result they went into captivity to serve their years of their disciplinary sentence.  After the allotted time, they were released to return home and rebuild.  Rebuild their homes, their lives, and their worship.  And so, it came to pass.

The not-so-simple version shows in detail many behind-the-scenes factors that came into play for them to get from point A to point B. 

One fascinating factor was Cyrus himself, who was prophesied by name some 100 years before as the one who would initiate this returning plan before they even went into captivity.  It was his decree, which he gave credit to God, for instructing and supporting the return. 

By and by, they faced setbacks, the authority of the kings was transferred, and enemies consistently interrupted the work, instigating trouble for the people to halt their rebuilding efforts (Ezra 4). 

Even the complacency of the once-captive people who were now experiencing freedom settled in until they were encouraged once again to get on with rebuilding (Ezra 5:1; Haggai 1).

And build they did, but of course, this progress once again incited trouble.  So, those who were set on discouraging the work appealed to the now, King Darius, to investigate this matter of rebuilding in hopes of stopping it again as before. 

But God used their unrighteous complaint to propel the work forward in a way quite unexpectantly to the people and enemies alike.  What the enemy meant for evil, God made something good out of it.  He performed a complete turnaround from the enemy’s expectations, as Darius’ response indicates:

“Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.” – Ezra 6:6-12

When God does a turnaround, support can be found in unlikely places.  In this story, it was through a pagan king, and eventually, the very enemies that instigated the matter were forced into a position of giving assistance and help to the people.

The king’s command was set, and it would not be altered – they were to leave it alone.  Leave the people alone.  Leave the work alone.  Stop getting in the way and let the house of God be built.

The Bible reminds us, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.  The seasons of adversity, challenge, and change are never a season where God is taken off guard.  When the Lord is on our side, He, being the Sovereign Rule overall –  really think about this point, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? 

They may come.  They may form weapons.  They may hatch plans.  They may try to discourage your efforts.  Ultimately, it is God who will have the last say. 

Enemies can only go as far as He gives them permission (Job 1), and even then, they must stay in the confines of the limits the Lord places upon them.  And if He commands it, as we see in the story above, they could even be forced to further His work whether they like it or not. 

With God on our side, we are never a product of our circumstances.  Circumstances can only tally up so much in our lives, but when the Lord is ready to turn it around, it shall be turned and there is nothing that anyone, anywhere can do about it.

Friends, no matter how discouraging the journey may be toward your turnaround, be encouraged today in the God who is on your side.  Be encouraged that the times and seasons are at His command and disposal.  Be encouraged that whatever you face, this too shall pass because ultimately, our heavenly Father is in charge and when He turns it around, it will be turned around.  

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𝑾𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉!

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Habakkuk tells us, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry,” (2:3). Shortly after that in the next verse, he says, “The just shall live by his faith,” (2:4b). Every word of God for good or for bad, for happy or for sad, for those who believe or for those who don’t believe, it will come to pass! Our heavenly Father knows what He is doing. We may not always understand the pause in the plan, but wait. We may not fully comprehend how this is working out for our good, but wait. In the waiting, our faith is becoming more active and alive. In our waiting, faith is speaking on our behalf that we trust God and His perfect plan for our lives.

The Bible reminds us:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” – Psalm 37:7

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” – Psalm 27:13, 14

So this is my declaration for today: “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

It may not look like…

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It may not look like what we want it to look like or turn out according to our plan, but trust God through the steps, and His plan will lead us where we need to be.

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.