GOD’S PLANS (part-12)

GOD’S PLANS ARE UNAFFECTED BY OUR EMOTIONS OR INTELLECT

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit
within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of
God except the Spirit of God”
(1 Corinthians 2:11)

MEDITATION:
Sidlow Baxter (pastor/theologian/evangelist) once said,
    “Your emotions are the shallowest part of your nature.
      Salvation is the deepest work of God. And He is not
      going to do His deepest work in the shallowest part.”

We may think we know someone because we hear the words they speak,
but we cannot look deep down into their spirit and know who they really
are. From the time a person gives their heart to Jesus Christ, there is a
stamp of authenticity upon their heart from God that says,
‘you belong to Me’.

It is not an emotional feeling, because emotions have nothing to do with
our salvation. It is also not an intellectual thing, because salvation cannot
be rationalized. Salvation is a God thing, which cannot be changed by any
whims of man.

God’s plans for those who belong to Him are not affected by our emotions
or intellect either. Why? Because God created plans for us before we were
even born.
    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.
    (Jeremiah 29:11)

What we feel, what we prefer, our wants, our aspirations, how much we
know, and even our faith – none of these affect the plans God has for us.
However, all of these can affect how we respond to His plans. We can
choose to ignore His plans for us, or reject them because they don’t fit
our lifestyle, but we cannot change what God has created.

So, where do we go from here? If God created plans for us, then we
need to diligently search for His specific plans for us individually
and commit to doing what He wants us to do, regardless of how it
may change our daily routines, habits and lifestyles.

Is it a test of our faith? Of course it is. It means that we choose
to replace our will with God’s will. Are we qualified? Would our
Creator have plans for us without equipping us for completing
them? That doesn’t sound like a God with wisdom, does it?

Will it be easy? Leaving our comfort zone is not always easy, but
when we do, we will discover the blessings of our choices (maybe
not initially, but when we stick to our commitment and persevere
we will discover blessings we never expected). Some of our blessings
will be witnessing the impact the Lord has on others because we
are following His plans for us.

So, where do we begin our search for His plans (will) for our lives?
God equips us in at least two ways for following His plans. He has
given us the Holy Spirit to help us in our efforts to do what He wants
of us, while navigating a world that has little interest in God and His
will for mankind.

Knowing that we have an advocate (Holy Spirit) to help us, gives us
the courage we need to follow God’s plans for our lives. Additionally,
God gives us at least one spiritual gift specifically designed for each
of us. We need to discover what spiritual gift (or gifts) we’ve received,
so we will have confidence in pursuing His plans for us.

One more thing to consider. Since God wants us to follow His plans,
He needs to remove any obstacles of discouragement or distraction.
We are blessed to know that when we belong to Him, He is busy with
His lifelong effort to sanctify us – which means, God will purge us of
unrighteousness and fill us with righteousness so we will become more
like His Son, Jesus, and we will have a close fellowship with our Father.

Think about what that means. God loves us so much and has such a
strong desire for us to follow His plans for us, that He will help us to
overcome the things that try to pull us away from Him. We absolutely
cannot do on our own, so God intervenes to help us in our efforts to
resist and repel temptations and sin.

We need to realize that sometimes God’s sanctification can be difficult
because it takes us out of our comfort zone and most of us don’t embrace
change very well. In addition, sanctification can be painful at times. Why?
Because there are some things that we are reluctant or unwilling to give
up, and God may have to resort to drastic measures to break the chains
that are binding us and preventing us from following His plans for us.

We might experience times of emotional and/or physical pain because
that’s what is required for separating us from the things that have been
controlling us for many years. We need to understand that discipline is
one of the ‘tools’ God uses to transform us into productive members of
His ministry plans. Rather than resisting or rebelling against discipline
from the Lord, we need to realize He is doing it from a heart of love for
us and His desire to draw us closer to Him.
    In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to
    the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely
    forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as
    a father addresses his son? It says,
        “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
          and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because
          the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens
          everyone He accepts as His son.”

    Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His
    children. For what children are not disciplined by their
    father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes
    discipline), then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
    daughters at all.

    Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined
    us and we respected them for it. How much more should
    we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined
    us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines
    us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness.

    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
    however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for
    those who have been trained by it.
    (Hebrews 12:4-11)

In summary, God created us, and when He did, He had plans for
us. They are good plans and will have a positive impact on us, and
on others, as well. He loves us and gives us an opportunity to show
our love for Him, as we seek the spiritual gift He has given us and
commit to following His plans for our lives.

Since God has a desire for us to be successful in His plans, He will
transform us from who we are into who He wants us to be. That, in
itself, is a blessing because it is our assurance that we belong to Him
and are growing in our relationship and fellowship with our Father.

ACTION:
Questions to consider:
    – Am I a member of God’s family?
    – Do I know the spiritual gift (or gifts) He has given me?
    – Am I actively using the spiritual gift(s) I have been given?
    – Do I know the plans God had for me before I was created?
    – Have I committed to following God’s plans for me?
    – How is God sanctifying me?
    – Have I embraced God’s plans, sanctification, transformation
       and discipline, or am I resisting and rebelling against His
       efforts to make me more like His Son, Jesus?

Our salvation was made secure by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
Praise God that this Truth stands, no matter how we may feel. Read
the following passage and thank God for His Spirit that has made us
‘alive in Christ’!
    When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision
    of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us
    all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,
    which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away,
    nailing it to the cross.
    (Colossians 2:13-14)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan of salvation which does
not change based on how I feel, what emotions I might have, or my
circumstances or intellect. Thank You for providing an anchor and
a foundation that I can always depend on. People may change, but
Your salvation plans remain the same. Some may choose to withdraw
their love, but Your love remains and is unconditional. Others may
look for the flaws in me, but You see the good in me, and encourage
me in all that I do. I praise You for how You bless me in so many ways,
and how You lift my spirits even though some may try to discourage
me. Some may disappoint me, but You never do! You show me genuine
love, which makes me love You more each day! Thank You for Your
plans for me. Help me to discover the spiritual gift You have given
me, and the plans You have for my life. Teach me to embrace the
changes You make in my life as You transform me to become the
person You want me to be. Give me courage and confidence for
following the plans You created for me, so I can fulfill Your will
for me.”

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