Playing Within the Game Plan

Have you ever seen a player who has hurt his team by trying to do more than he has been asked to do? It winds up frustrating the player who is trying too hard, as well as his teammates, and isn’t a productive way to achieve the team’s goals.

Peter cut off the ear of a Roman soldier who came to arrest Jesus (John 18:10-11). Jesus told him “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Annanias and Sapphira wanted to look good by claiming to give the church all of the money from the sale of their property (Acts 5:1-11). They had actually held some money back for themselves. Their deceit led to both of their deaths. Moses striking the rock and David committing adultery with Bathsheba are yet other reminders in the Bible of people thinking their plan is better than God’s.

What area of your life do you think you know better than God? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Won’t you trust your next decision to the God who gives you hope and a future?

Encouragement in the Face of Doubt

Have you ever been to a lecture or press conference where the speaker just got hammered with questions? These situations result from the audience strongly disagreeing or questioning the opinion of the speaker. Whether directly said or not, the audience is thinking “Are you serious?”, “That will never work!”, or “How can you be so sure you are right?”.

God is bigger than our fears and doubts. Moses thought he was inadequate to present God’s case to Pharaoh due to his speaking troubles and the unbelief of the Israelites. Instead of giving up on Moses, God provided Aaron to speak for him (Exodus 6:28-7:2). Gideon asked God for several signs before he believed that God was going to use him to save Israel from attack (Judges 6:37-39). Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead when the other disciples told him. Jesus showed mercy on Thomas and allowed Thomas to see, feel, and believe in His resurrection soon thereafter (John 20:19-29).

We all have doubts at times in our lives. God welcomes people bringing honest doubts and questions to him. He has shown us a track record of using people who have doubted to glorify His kingdom. So, what is it that you want to ask God today?