The beginning of a new study of the Book of Romans was
introduced to our adult Bible Class this past Sunday am. As part of the lesson,
in talking about the apostle Paul, the teacher pointed out God’s very own words
from Acts 9:15 to Ananias about him: But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he (emphasis mine-msm) is a chosen instrument of
Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…”
Paul had persecuted and killed the Lord’s people and was on his way to Damascus
to do yet more . . .but . . .God had a surprise, a very different plan for him.
Couldn’t anybody have done whatever God had planned? THAT was God’s decision,
BUT from the many people available at that time and in that place, God chose
Paul, a particular individual, not just like all the others. Even today as we read
and study the New Testament, we find that Paul was, in part, the answer to
Jesus’ prayer in John 17: 20-21, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through
their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and
I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You
sent Me.” Paul came to believe because faithful men were available to do and to
teach God’s will by deed and by word.
The Bible is God’s LOVE LETTER to each individual. Please note:
The Simple Truth is that you and I were and are included in that prayer also. God
has a plan for each of us.
But wait! There’s more!
Jeremiah 1:4-5 says, “4 Now the word of the Lord came to me
saying, 5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born
I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.’”
That’s pretty plain, isn’t it? As best you are able, put
yourself in Jeremiah’s sandals and think how it must have felt to have the
Creator of the whole world (and way beyond!) telling YOU He had this specific plan
for you from before He Himself had fashioned your unique body inside that of
your mother, and now you were about to live the life He had planned for you.
Are you going to say, “Uh, no, I don’t think so. Sounds too complicated. I’d
rather stay away from Your plan for me and do my own thing, God.” Some of us do
exactly that, in deed, if not in word. Next time you’re tempted to go your own
way, remember the words GOD spoke to Jeremiah; actually, try remembering and
taking to heart most personally, God’s words TO Jeremiah BEFORE being tempted
to go your own way. . .
And more . . .
. . . “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand
so that we would walk in them.”
Ephesians
2:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Are we going to remember the SIMPLE TRUTH that God, the
Creator of the whole world and lover of our souls, designed and created us
individually, desired and developed personal plans just as He did and had for
Paul, Jeremiah, and others we know by name and character from our Bible studies
?
Oh-oh, I just heard “Little Voice”: “But they were special people with
particular purposes.”
THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS:
SO ARE YOU!
SO AM I!
And until you and I listen
to God by studying His Word and hearing what He has to tell us personally, we
won’t know what it is He wants each one of us to do. Let’s each decide to
personally be the answer to Jesus’ prayer, remembering:
there’s not one of us that’s just like the
other.
God has a special plan and place for each one
of us.
“I do not ask on
behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that
they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17: 20-21
M Sue 8-17-16
No comments:
Post a Comment