Part of a Plan

I have been reading through the book of Joshua lately mostly like I would read a book. Most of the time I read a few verses several times and meditate on them but I wanted to get a big picture view for a change. I am starting chapter ten and in the first nine chapters Israel has come from the desert into the promised land by way of the second parting of the waters, entering the promised land the way the entered the desert, and have been on a rampage of cleaning house. Of course only through the power of God.

I see so many lessons even by getting the big picture. Lessons such as, through God anything is possible. That even great leaders can be deceived sometimes and when God has a plan, if we will let him and are obedient, he will use us to accomplish it and reap the rewards.

Among many other lessons, this thought of a plan above all has stood out to me. I think of different people in the account of Israel taking the land. There is the God fearing prostitute in Jericho that hears of the Lord being on the side of Israel and protects the spies who in return protect her. God spares a prostitute because of her faith.

Then I see all the kings that are killed by sword, by hanging and many other ways of dead. And what about all the people that are destroyed in the many cities that are conquered. That of course includes children. So many died to fulfill a plan. Even soldiers of Israel died in battles even though they won. All of those souls into eternity to bring about God's plan. Each person was born as a part of a plan God had. If the people of Ai had not been born and established a city there would have not been a city to destroy. All of these people filled a role. Lives characterized by living then dying by the sword never to be mentioned by name or remembered.

The reality is we are a part of a plan. Most of us will never be mentioned in a newspaper except in death and we will live and die fulfilling a small part of a bigger picture. That is very sobering to me. The reality is that God has a plan for each of us. For some of us his plan is for us to live a quiet obedient life, while others do great things for God and yet others he takes away in car crashes and some from cancer leaving young children behind.

When one looks at that reality in the light of being such a small part of a huge plan it has to bring us to a place of awe and worship. I have to praise God that he found me and loved me and called me to himself. I'm on that narrow way I wrote about.

No matter what part I play or how big of an impact I make in Gods plan, it is after all HIS plan. I am just honored to be a part of it in some way and especially to be on His side of the plan.

The Seat at the Top of the Stairs

"I'm not sleepy.", he said with a sigh
"Just be still.", I said in reply.
My patience is waning so very fast
Over an hour has already past

My back is hurting and My head is nodding
Carefully my escape I am now plotting
Is he still enough now to make the trip down?
I dare not make the slightest sound.

"Daddy" he calls out, "where are you going?"
I thought I made it without him knowing
"No where son, right here I am staying."
I really dislike this game we are playing

Every night this scene will play out
I have no idea what it's about
"Why", I ask others "does this occur each night?"
Could it be a childhood fright?

It really doesn't matter, it's for his sake
This nightly sacrifice that I make
It's what we do for the little ones we love
Like our heavenly Father does up above

Patiently waiting I have plenty of time to think
These days will be gone in a blink
One day I'll look back and wish I were here
Able to easily dispel all his fears

I look one more time to see if he's asleep
Thankfully I don't hear a peep
He's finally sleeping now free from his cares
Because I stayed at the top of the stairs

CT. 2/09

God is on my side. The side of the narrow minded

This thought occurred to me today. The train started in my mind with the verse found in Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it

Lately I have become more and convinced that the narrow way is much more narrow than even we as believers realize. There are so many who claim to know Christ as their Savior and yet they never show fruit in their life and I have a hard time believing that they are truly converted because they say things that are contradictory to the word of God while claiming to be a follower of Christ. They throw out portions of scripture that they don't like because it confronts their sin or the fact that believing the scripture as wholly true, inspired by God and not open for "Private Interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20) means they cannot live the way they desire, forcing them to be under the authority of God not their own mind and personal desires.

Well this makes me very unpopular and what many people call narrow minded. Christ himself said that the way is narrow. Why is it narrow? Because it requires submitting your will to a higher authority. Sinful man doesn't want that. Being a subject or slave to something means you have a master and your will is not your own. EXACTLY!

I am not my own! I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23), the precious blood of Jesus Christ who gave himself in my place to satisfy the wrath of a Holy God who was at war with me until Christ stepped in, laying down his sinless life for me. NOW I am Gods child. I have the same rights as His only Begotten Son (Jn 3:16) How can I NOT be a servant, a slave to the one who has set me free and given me eternal life with Him? I'm compelled to do as He commands. I want to serve and obey out of gratitude, not duty or obligation.

People have such a hard time with that. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5). That does not sit well with people. They want to do it their way. "I am the way", Christ says (Jn 14:6) "No man comes to the Father but through me." No other way.

My belief labels me as an elitist, and narrow minded. Praise GOD! Why? Because I have the truth. Truth is not relative like so many want us to believe. Truth comes from God. You don't have to believe that. I'm not forcing anyone to believe that. You have the choice to reject truth. One day someone will be right and someone will be wrong. I'm very comfortable with what I believe and willing to take the "chance". Are you? If you are wrong, when truth is revealed are you willing to accept the consequences? I am!

So if Christ is my Saviour making God my Father, then He is watching out for me and has my best interest at heart (Jer 29:11). He is on my side. I sort of feel like the kid who says, "my Dad is better than your Dad". So many people are lost and without Christ because they do not accept the truth.

All around me there are people losing jobs, struggling financially and physically. As I think about that I return to the thought that I belong to God. He is on my side. If God is for me who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? How cool is that? He is no longer against me like he was before Christ entered my life. I'm on the side of the winning team!

Yes we may be a small team, but we are already the winners. God is on MY side. Won't you join? Step on the side of God. Be a part of the winning side. The side of truth. It will cost you. You will have to give up things you may want to hold on to. You will be called narrow minded. But you will have God on your side. There is nothing worth being His opponent.

I don't say any of this with a haughty spirit. Yes I am proud to be called God's child, but not in a prideful way that excludes others out of a spirit of hatred or piety. I wish everyone would come to the side of Truth and forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9). My heart hurts for the majority that snub their nose at God and say, "I'll do it my way". "I can't accept that a God of love would send someone to a place of torment forever."

You see, not only is He Love but He is Holy. He can't be near sin. We don't like holiness because it reveals our wickedness. But there is a solution. He LOVED in providing a Way. But you have to accept that way, otherwise you too will suffer eternal punishment.

I don't understand why people just can't accept that. It's so easy. It is amazing how we will sacrifice the eternal on the alter of the immediate. We want it our way for 80 years (if we get that) here on earth and give up eternal happiness. All for a blink of fleeting pleasure by doing it our way. How foolish.

On the flip side, how awesome it is to be a narrow minded child of the One True God! I am in awe that he chose me from the billions who have lived throughout history, and shown His light of truth on my heart, causing me to see my sin and accepting me when I came running to Him for forgiveness and reconciliation. He's on MY side because I'm on HIS side.

I think I will start singing now.