Friday, June 15, 2018

The Competition

God is Faithful

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

Life is a constant competition. We are always trying to win at something – whether it is in sports, a work opportunity, a relationship, or our own acceptance. Our desire to compete makes total sense because that is how we were raised – how the world is wired.

But from God’s perspective, the game is over. We have already won. With Jesus in our hearts, no longer is there a need to compete because we have all we need to be accepted, to be confident that our needs will be met, and to be guaranteed a place with the King for eternity. We can spend the rest of our lives trying to win and never be satisfied, or we can approach life by faith – faith that accepts that through Christ we have already been declared victorious in all things forever. So, more than how you play the game, it’s who you play the game with that really counts!

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Because God is faithful, by faith in Jesus Christ we have been given victory over all things.

Friday, June 1, 2018

The Master Plan

God is Sovereign

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4-5

Most of us have a plan – whether it is simply for today or a long term strategy to take us through the next five to ten years. But what happens when something unexpected pops up? How do you react? Do you see it as an opportunity or as an inconvenience? Do you take the time to help and become engaged when it does not fit in with your original plan?

Jacob’s youngest and favorite son Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers when he was 17 years old – a far cry from Joseph’s plan to rule and reign over his family. But, after 17 years of captivity in Egypt, Joseph finally saw the wisdom in God’s plan. Israel would have perished and never have become a great nation if it was not for Joseph’s diversion. God’s plans for our lives are often quite different than our plans, but His desire is that we surrender to His will and trust that His ways are best.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Because God is sovereign, with Christ, we can trust His plan for our lives.