“Meaning vs No Meaning”
Pastor David Moore
Old Testament reading: Psalm 41
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—He does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.
All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
Last week we studied God’s blessing, God’s adoption of us and that God has redeemed all with a purpose in mind. This week we will explore the subject of what is God doing? What is the point? All history is part of God’s plan and the point of the plan is Jesus. ~D. Moore
New Testament reading: Ephesians 1:7-11
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
God has a plan. Trust it. Live it. Enjoy it.
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It’s a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” ~William Shakespeare (1564-1616), from Macbeth Act 5, scene 5
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing occurs by chance, it’s all part of God’s divine plan. Learn to trust it and go where He leads you. ~Spiritual Inspiration
Ephesians 1:4: He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
Ephesians 5:15-17: Be very careful, then, how you live…making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil…, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
We tend to think linearly, either one way or another – either if 100% our choice or 100% God’s choice. The Bible says it is 100% our choice and 100% God’s plan. ~D. Moore
The plan is:
1. 100% our choice and 100% God’s plan
2. There is a plan; we can be at peace
3. Jesus is the point of the plan.
When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself. ~Charles R Swindoll
Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
If you have ever read a good story, at the end the author starts to bring all these different threads together, into resolution. Paul says that is who Jesus is. We were made for Jesus, to know Him, to live in Him, to find fulfillment, and to find ourselves in Him. Only when Christ is King will all the things that are falling apart will come together again. Only then will things really be healed. ~D. Moore
This week think about who is king in your life. When our relationship with God is put back together by trusting Christ, our lives start to come together. Ask Christ to help you have the faith to trust Him and your plan on earth will take shape.
God bless and have a great week!