Post by JasonPensa on Dec 5, 2003 20:59:41 GMT -5
Trusting God with My Future: Letting God do His Work.
Have you ever had trouble trusting God with your future?? With your life?? I know I often do, it's something I struggle with constantly. Sure, I want to live for Jesus, I want to be used by God... but far too often, that means I want to be the captain of my own ship. Even if I'm doing something for God, let's face it, I like being in charge. Problem is, far too often God's ways of doing things are not the way that I would do things. But then again, I'm not God... and I don't see everything, know everything, have all power and all wisdom... but still, if I were God, I would not be doing things the way He does them...
"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker--An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?' Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: 'Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.' 'It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host. 'I have aroused him in righteousness And I will make all his ways smooth; He will build My city and will let My exiles go free, Without any payment or reward," says the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 45:9-13)
I love the anologies that the LORD speaks through Isaiah with, it makes things so clear. Will a piece of clay say to the potter, 'what are you making?' Think of it... ask any pregnant woman, 'to what are you going to give birth to??' I'm sure the answer you'll get will be anywhere from a stare that will make you feel uncomfortable, to a slap in the face, if she's having a bad day. Kind of silly isn't it? Well, that's how God takes our impatient questions... 'Lord, what are you doing in my life??' 'Where is this going??' 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!!' Don't get me wrong, I believe God loves honest-sincere-heart-felt questions from those seeking Him. Habakkuk had many such big life questions (check out the book of Habkkuk). But what I'm concerned about is when such question demonstrate our lack of faith and trust in Him.
Hear God's answer into your life today: God's like, "Chill it, dude... I'm doing what I do best... I'm preparing you, ussing you, to do some great and mighty things for My Kingdom." Note that it's not like these dumb questions just tick God off, but He says woe to him who asks them. Uh-oh... I'm in big trouble now... could it be that our kind and compasionet God can get annoyed and ticked off at our questions?? Look at the passage again.
God says, "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.' 'It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." I love that. Commit to God the work of His hands. God's like, "Trust Me, I got everything under control, I'm the one who made the world, made you, and everything else." You and I need to learn to trust God with those dumb questions... "What are you doing??" We need to learn to trust God with our future. We're the clay, God is molding us into something great... if we'd just let Him do His work.
Keeping things in Perspective
You know, it's strange, we often think that all the space craft, shuttle missions and satellites all are to further space exploration, to "boldly go where no man has gone before...", right?? A little research and thought on the matter tells a different story. Most of the satellites sent up into space are not viewing the inky blackness of space, but rather are pointed right back on earth. We are constantly looking, watching and observing none other then ourselves... Sound familiar?? Yep... we are consumed with ourselves. It has been said that when man found out that the earth was not the center of the universe, he was disappointed.
God has a different perspective on things. In fact, did you know that God Owns You?? Have you ever thought about that?? Again, our main passage in Isaiah, God reminds us: "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." I'm reminded again and again that this world is God's and everything in it is His. He created it for Himself. It never ceases to amaze me how we all can get so consumed with ourselves.
"On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21)
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;" (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Trusting in God
So now we see that God is indeed the one who is at work in us. He is the one who owns us, the one who created us, and wants to use us to further His Kingdom and His glory. But it would sure be nice to know some stuff about my life. What will tomorrow bring? Will I get accepted at this college?? Who will I marry?? Will people like me?? Will I get this job?? Will I win this tournament? Will I get that promotion at work?? How will God use me?? Will He even use me?? What will God do?? How can I fulfill His work?? What is His plan in my life?? What is He doing?? I mean sometimes life seems unbearable! Is God really into both small and big things in my life?? Sometimes I wonder if God has really got everything together.
I’m here today to tell you that, God does have it all together.
• Circumstances – God works All things together for Good.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
• Me – It is God who is at Work in Me.
"For it is God who is at work in you, according to His will and His purpose." (Philippians 2:13)
• Faith - We have to Walk by Faith.
God is interested in even the minute details of your and my life... we just need to have faith in Him. Even when we can’t see. "For we walk by faith not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
God is for you. He's working all things together for your good. He will use you. For His glory.
"[God] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose[/u] and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." (2 Timothy 1:9)
So the next time you begin to wonder, to worry about what the future holds for you, the next time you want to question God about what He's doing, remember this: God is at work in your life.
You stand on the edge
You followed the call
No turning back you are risking it all
He whispers your name
In a moment of truth
The rocks fall around you
The ground starts to move
You step out on faith
It's all that you know
You jump into darkness and hold onto hope
When the mountains fall
When the rivers rise
Security crumbles before your eyes
The one thing you know
In faith you'll find
Something to stand on or you will be taught to fly
So dream your dreams
And live your life
Knowing there's more than to merely survive
Don't give up, don't give in
Fight through the rain and lean into the wind
'Til you come to the edge of all that you know
Run right through the dark knowing you're not alone
When you walk through the fire
It will not consume you
Though the water will rise
It won't overtake you
Though the mountains will fall
Oh, still I am with you
I've called you by name
And I will not leave you
There’s a bigger picture that you can’t see
You don’t have to change the world, just trust in Me
Cause I am you’re Creator, and I’m working out My plan
And Through you I will show them that I am.
Lyrics from the songs "When the Mountains Fall" by Mark Shultz and "I am" by Ginny Owens
Godis4u! - Romans 8:28, 31
His Servant,
Jason
Have you ever had trouble trusting God with your future?? With your life?? I know I often do, it's something I struggle with constantly. Sure, I want to live for Jesus, I want to be used by God... but far too often, that means I want to be the captain of my own ship. Even if I'm doing something for God, let's face it, I like being in charge. Problem is, far too often God's ways of doing things are not the way that I would do things. But then again, I'm not God... and I don't see everything, know everything, have all power and all wisdom... but still, if I were God, I would not be doing things the way He does them...
"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker--An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?' Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: 'Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.' 'It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host. 'I have aroused him in righteousness And I will make all his ways smooth; He will build My city and will let My exiles go free, Without any payment or reward," says the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 45:9-13)
I love the anologies that the LORD speaks through Isaiah with, it makes things so clear. Will a piece of clay say to the potter, 'what are you making?' Think of it... ask any pregnant woman, 'to what are you going to give birth to??' I'm sure the answer you'll get will be anywhere from a stare that will make you feel uncomfortable, to a slap in the face, if she's having a bad day. Kind of silly isn't it? Well, that's how God takes our impatient questions... 'Lord, what are you doing in my life??' 'Where is this going??' 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!!' Don't get me wrong, I believe God loves honest-sincere-heart-felt questions from those seeking Him. Habakkuk had many such big life questions (check out the book of Habkkuk). But what I'm concerned about is when such question demonstrate our lack of faith and trust in Him.
Hear God's answer into your life today: God's like, "Chill it, dude... I'm doing what I do best... I'm preparing you, ussing you, to do some great and mighty things for My Kingdom." Note that it's not like these dumb questions just tick God off, but He says woe to him who asks them. Uh-oh... I'm in big trouble now... could it be that our kind and compasionet God can get annoyed and ticked off at our questions?? Look at the passage again.
God says, "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.' 'It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." I love that. Commit to God the work of His hands. God's like, "Trust Me, I got everything under control, I'm the one who made the world, made you, and everything else." You and I need to learn to trust God with those dumb questions... "What are you doing??" We need to learn to trust God with our future. We're the clay, God is molding us into something great... if we'd just let Him do His work.
Keeping things in Perspective
You know, it's strange, we often think that all the space craft, shuttle missions and satellites all are to further space exploration, to "boldly go where no man has gone before...", right?? A little research and thought on the matter tells a different story. Most of the satellites sent up into space are not viewing the inky blackness of space, but rather are pointed right back on earth. We are constantly looking, watching and observing none other then ourselves... Sound familiar?? Yep... we are consumed with ourselves. It has been said that when man found out that the earth was not the center of the universe, he was disappointed.
God has a different perspective on things. In fact, did you know that God Owns You?? Have you ever thought about that?? Again, our main passage in Isaiah, God reminds us: "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." I'm reminded again and again that this world is God's and everything in it is His. He created it for Himself. It never ceases to amaze me how we all can get so consumed with ourselves.
"On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21)
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;" (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Trusting in God
So now we see that God is indeed the one who is at work in us. He is the one who owns us, the one who created us, and wants to use us to further His Kingdom and His glory. But it would sure be nice to know some stuff about my life. What will tomorrow bring? Will I get accepted at this college?? Who will I marry?? Will people like me?? Will I get this job?? Will I win this tournament? Will I get that promotion at work?? How will God use me?? Will He even use me?? What will God do?? How can I fulfill His work?? What is His plan in my life?? What is He doing?? I mean sometimes life seems unbearable! Is God really into both small and big things in my life?? Sometimes I wonder if God has really got everything together.
I’m here today to tell you that, God does have it all together.
• Circumstances – God works All things together for Good.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
• Me – It is God who is at Work in Me.
"For it is God who is at work in you, according to His will and His purpose." (Philippians 2:13)
• Faith - We have to Walk by Faith.
God is interested in even the minute details of your and my life... we just need to have faith in Him. Even when we can’t see. "For we walk by faith not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
God is for you. He's working all things together for your good. He will use you. For His glory.
"[God] who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose[/u] and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." (2 Timothy 1:9)
So the next time you begin to wonder, to worry about what the future holds for you, the next time you want to question God about what He's doing, remember this: God is at work in your life.
You stand on the edge
You followed the call
No turning back you are risking it all
He whispers your name
In a moment of truth
The rocks fall around you
The ground starts to move
You step out on faith
It's all that you know
You jump into darkness and hold onto hope
When the mountains fall
When the rivers rise
Security crumbles before your eyes
The one thing you know
In faith you'll find
Something to stand on or you will be taught to fly
So dream your dreams
And live your life
Knowing there's more than to merely survive
Don't give up, don't give in
Fight through the rain and lean into the wind
'Til you come to the edge of all that you know
Run right through the dark knowing you're not alone
When you walk through the fire
It will not consume you
Though the water will rise
It won't overtake you
Though the mountains will fall
Oh, still I am with you
I've called you by name
And I will not leave you
There’s a bigger picture that you can’t see
You don’t have to change the world, just trust in Me
Cause I am you’re Creator, and I’m working out My plan
And Through you I will show them that I am.
Lyrics from the songs "When the Mountains Fall" by Mark Shultz and "I am" by Ginny Owens
Godis4u! - Romans 8:28, 31
His Servant,
Jason
