Today we are moving into a whole new realm with our discussion on Romans. For those of you who missed it we just completed a five part series on the gifts of the Spirit using Romans 1:11,12 as our spring board. Those discussions can be found on THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.
Today we will begin moving on to Romans 1:13,
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,d that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
There are many words I would use to describe Paul. One of those words is not Fly-by-the -seat- of- your -pants. By his own admission in verse 13 Paul was a planner. By his own admission also in verse 13, some of his plans were “prevented” from coming to pass.
Who or what prevented Paul’s plans from coming to pass? Was it the people? Was it lack of money? Was it Paul’s physical condition? Was it the Devil? Was it Jesus? The answer to those questions is: Yes, maybe, probably, assuredly and ultimately absolutely (in that order).
People can get in the way of our plans for sure and for certain.
Money is always an issue when we are trying to walk out the plans we make.
As far as physical condition goes, the older I get the more this becomes a consideration in what I do for Jesus or how I do it for Him in the very least.
The Devil, He sniffs out my plans on a regular basis and always try to put the old kibosh on anything that would benefit me or God’s kingdom.
But ultimately God is in charge of my plans. Sometimes he allows people, money, my physical state and even the Devil to be used as tools to direct and guide me in the way I should go. Everything and I do mean everything is just an implement in His hand to get me going in the direction I need to head in.
Sometimes when I plan a thing (even what I consider a very good thing) I can almost hear God laughing as He puts his own countermeasures in place to change or modify my course. Have you ever been there? Are you there right now? Don’t despair. Have faith that God is on your side (Read This).
Jesus is pulling for you to succeed and sometimes that means He has to mess with your plans because they aren’t exactly going to get you where you need to go. So stop being angry with God if He seems to be laughing at your plans. Choose to laugh with Him and accept that the course he is charting for you will take you exactly where you need to go even if it is a little different than the course you had planned.
It is so true sometimes I can almost hear Him laughing and you are right, Pastor J it is far better to laugh with Him than to be angry at Him!
It surely is Deb.
God laughs quite often in my world. Most recently when He gave me my word for 2016 and I argued for days about why it should not be that word. I know who always wins these arguments and debates, but I do have my say before the Judge rules.
I am still waiting for my word Patricia. We are about to launch into a season of corporate fasting and prayer I think my word will come during that time. I am asing for the grace not to argue with Him about it. 🙂
I wonder what your word will be? My word usually starts brewing in November and shouts out in late December. When I was praying and arguing about my word Isa 43:1 kept popping up. So as much as I don’t like the word it’s ok.
Last year I got two words victory and battle. They certainly have proved accurate this year.
2015 my word was patience. I thought I was patient but I learned I am not as patient as I thought. 😦
As I have prayed this weekend I think one of my words for the year is “simplify”.
That’s a great word for you busy peeps, but if my life was much more simple I would be dead.
Each of us gets our own word and God is in the middle of them all! That is just so amazing isn’t it?
It amazes me that I have so much to learn. Just when I think I have mastered something I learn that I haven’t a clue.
This Christianity we live is an ever deepening life. There are layers upon layers of all things. I look forward to an eternity of “farther back and deeper in”.
I went to a memorial for a friend today and though it was sad to say good bye it was wonderful to think of her in her new home. We have a good Father.