His plans...our plans

God's ways are not our ways...Thankfully!  It is always interesting how we make plans and want to do things our way...and then we watch our plans often fall to pieces.  Many times our plans don't work out because we didn't first seek the Lord and what His plans are for us.  We don't consult the Lord because we have big ideas and just know what we want to do and the way we want to do it.  But that isn't the right way to live life as a Christian.  I think that David completely got that.
In 2 Samuel 7, we read about David.  He had a good heart...we know.  He wanted to do the right thing.  He had become King.  He was looking at the wonderful house that he lived in and then looking at the tent that the ark of the covenant was in.  He compared the house he dwelled in to the tent God dwelled in.  He saw a disconnect.  He wanted to build a temple for the Lord.  Good intentions...good motive...good idea.  He even told Nathan the prophet about it and Nathan thought it was a good idea.  But, that wasn't God's plan.
God told Nathan that this wasn't what He had in mind for David to do.  Yes, He wanted the temple built, but not David and not right now.  He had dwelt in the tent and He was good with that.  David was a leader, a warrior, a conqueror, but not a builder.  He didn't want David to build the temple - But, did have wonderful plans for David and for his heirs.  Solomon would later build the temple.  God had a plan and He simply wanted David to fulfill it.
David could have responded in anger, or jealousy, or any other range of emotions that we, as humans, sometimes do when our plans get changed.  But, he responded with "Who am I, that You even think of me?"  David was in awe that God had such a wonderful plan and that He cared for David and his family.  David realized that God was so much bigger than his plans and that God had a plan for his life and beyond.
God has a plan for you and me too.  He has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives.  We mess it up when we try to do things our way and forgo His plan.  Why??  God is God and we are not...We should listen to Him and follow His plan! 
Maybe it is time that we take a few moments to STOP, listen, and then follow.  Stop what we are doing and stop the plans we have made.  Stop our talking and trying to figure it all out.  Listen to what He has for us.  Listen to Him talking and leading and guiding our lives.  Listen to what He has for you and for me.  THEN, go out and do what we are called to do.  Our plans are nothing compared to the plans of the Lord.  Remember that our ways are not His ways.  Just listen to the Master and follow.

Standing on Something

This past Sunday, we looked at Daniel 3:8-18.  A very familiar story for those of us who grew up in the church, and quite a powerful story at that.  Three Jews working for the King aren't willing to bow to a golden image set up by the King.  They are instructed to and their life depends on it.  They aren't going to compromise.  They will not bow.  Even when given a second chance, they still didn't back down.  They even tell the King that the God they serve can rescue them - but even if He doesn't, they STILL aren't going to bow down.  And, well, you know the rest of the story - if not, take time to read it...it is awesome!
Many people over the years have risked their lives while standing up for what they believed.  Some have been saved from death while standing...some have lost their life while refusing to back down from what they know to be so true...Some people have even died for false gods or religions. 
I find it interesting that Christians have trouble standing for what we believe.  I think it is because many don't really know what they believe.  We live in a world that constantly calls for compromise.  We live in a world where we are taught to believe there are no absolute truths.  I am saying that isn't at all what we know from the Word of God!  We have a lot to stand on and we have absolute truths.  There may be things that Christians debate or differ on.  But, there are main, unshakable, firm foundation truths that we all stand on.  So, what do you believe in?  What are you willing to stand on and NOT compromise??
I am standing on:
-The Bible is the inerrant Word of God - no errors, sharper than any two edge sword, for instruction, correction and so much more
-I believe in One God - three persons - God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
-Jesus is the Son of God - came to earth by birth of the virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried.  On the third day, He rose again.  He ascended into Heaven.
-Jesus is coming again.
NO Compromise - Just truth...Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life...no one comes to the Father except through Him.
What do you stand on?

Do we need to grow?

Last week, we looked at the importance of the resurrection and how we should bow the knee to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This week, we look at how we are taught about restoration and growth.
We know that the disciples lives had changed - DRAMATICALLY...They had given up everything they had known to follow Jesus.  They had given up their lives, their families, their careers, everything to follow.  Then, he died.
Yes, He arose - but where does that leave them?  They have given their lives to follow...and fled...What do they do now?  Well, we see in John 21 they went fishing.  They went fishing and didn't catch anything at all...nothing...nada...zip...zilch.  They didn't catch anything until Jesus, standing on the shore, tells them to cast their nets on the other side.  This had to be a familiar thought to Peter (like when he was called to follow).  Peter swims to the shore.  The others follow as they collect the fish and bring them in for breakfast.
Up until the time of the crucifixion, the disciples had depended on Jesus to be there physically.  They had looked to Him and could ask Him questions.  Jesus needed to get them ready to serve and obey without Him physically being there, but with the help of the Holy Spirit.  They needed to grow.
How did He help Peter to grow (and how does He help us for that matter?)
Jesus helped Peter to grow by pursuing him - He waited for Peter at the shore.  He wanted to see Peter succeed.  He loved Peter and knew what He could become.  Jesus loved Peter way more than Peter could ever love Him.  He does the same for us - He loves us and wants us to grow and to commit ourselves to Him.  He wants to see us succeed.
Jesus knew what Peter was capable of and He knew that Peter would grow in different ways than the rest.  Jesus knows that all of us grow differently.  Our growth is individual.  We may use the same methods and disciplines to know Him better, but He helps us to grow in different ways.  He made us all special.  We shouldn't compare how we serve to others.  We should seek what He has for us!
Peter probably grew the most in the time from his denial of Jesus until the time on the shore that morning.  We grow from our failures.  We mess up.  Jesus helps us up.  He restores us - and we grow.
Finally, we grow when we are absolutely devoted to Him!  We can't be half hearted in our devotion - but we must become fully devoted to Him.  We grow when we give ourselves completely and totally to Him!!
How about you?  Are you growing or not?  Are you serving as He calls or not?  Are you becoming more like Jesus?  Think about how much Peter grew in order to become the servant of God he became.  The Lord wants you to grow to be His servant too!!

*outline/ideas from "Follow Me" by Jason Hayes