Best Laid Plans

@anormanwalker

Reading for today: Acts 16:6-15

In general, our plans don’t always go as intended. Yet God is always directing us to the people, places, and circumstances he has planned for us.

For Paul, Silas, and Timothy, their plans to work in Asia were stopped more than once by the Holy Spirit. Not because their plans were bad, but because God’s plans were better. God had a very special woman and her family in mind. Lydia and her family were waiting to hear and ready to accept the amazing words that Paul and his friends had dedicated their lives to share.

Lydia and her purple cloth, “Purple Girl” photograph by Barry Perks

Some of us, like Paul and his friends, may be fortunate enough to glimpse God’s reasoning behind an unexpected or unwanted life-turn. Others of us can only trust that God has his best, our best, and others’ best in mind with each turn in the road.

My favorite moments, though, are the ones when I get to see the blessing. Every time that happens, I thank God for directing me when I would have otherwise walked away.

Recognize God’s directing. Life will become deeper and fuller as you learn to see the people, places, and circumstances around you as strategically positioned in time and space by God himself and for his better will.

Oh God, I want to want your will to be done. Give me trust. Give me wisdom. Give me strength. Guide me according to your best plans. Amen.

Day 2: Psalm 139

Day 3: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Psalm 138:8; Psalm 143:8

Day 4: Proverbs 19:21; Psalm 33:10-12

Day 5: John 10:3-4; James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6

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Love in the Time of Barley: The Ruth Story

“Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17).

(This week we will read the book of Ruth.)

The book of Ruth opens with the introduction of an Israelite woman named Naomi. Naomi, her husband, and two sons had moved from Israel to a foreign place (Moab) to escape a famine. While there, Naomi’s husband tragically died. Her sons married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. And after a time, both of Naomi’s sons died as well, leaving all three wives destitute.

Unable to take care of herself, Naomi prepared to return to her homeland. She graciously encouraged both Ruth and Orpah to return to their families to seek a better life. Orpah followed Naomi’s advice, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law. The opening chapter concludes with Ruth’s resolve and the two of them traveling together to Naomi’s hometown, Bethlehem.

They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Israel divided its year into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The barley harvest normally occurred at the end of the rainy season.

Naomi and Ruth were both literally and figuratively coming to the end a rainy season: a season that had initially left Naomi hurting, empty and bitter. Yet God was not fit to leave these women in such a state. He was about to bless them both immensely.

While gleaning in the barley fields as a pauper, Ruth met a man named Boaz. He owned the fields where she gleaned and took an interest in her. He kindheartedly made sure she was safe and asked his reapers to leave extra stalks for her to collect.

The story quickly develops into a selfless love story between Ruth and her “kinsman-redeemer,” Boaz. Ending with the couple’s engagement at the threshing floor for six measures of barley. Their marriage not only saved Ruth and Naomi from extreme poverty, but also continued the lineage that would eventually lead to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

I don’t know whether God causes rain to fall in our lives or if he just uses it. Regardless, whenever I have experienced a time of rain, whether it was a light drizzle or a torrential downpour, the experience has inevitably brought me closer to God. And as I arrive at the other side of a rainy season, I can look back and be grateful to God, because I know that if there had not been a change in weather, I would not be sitting in the center of God’s harvest.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.” Romans 8:28

Dear God, You know that _________________ is going on in my life. Give me peace. Give me help. Take me through this and lead me to the other side. Amen.

Let’s read Ruth’s story this week.

Day 2: Ruth 1

Day 3: Ruth 2

Day 4: Ruth 3

Day 5: Ruth 4

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Top 3 Favorite Bible Stories: #2 Philip and the Ethiopian

Reading for today: Acts 8:4-8; 26-40

“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is my second favorite Bible story. A new favorite of mine, recently added to my list as I prepared for a difficult family move.

Over the course of my life, I have experienced many moves. Six of those moves (including the most recent) were life changing. For each of those difficult moves, things were going well and I wasn’t ready for the inevitable transition. I liked where I was; I loved our neighbors and my friends. Specifically during my more recent married-with-children moves, my kids were happy, we were happy. So why move?

The Book of Acts tells of another dramatic move. Philip, an early Christian, was successfully running a ministry in Samaria. The people of Samaria responded overwhelmingly to his teaching. The Bible says, “there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). Yet in the middle of all that joy, God moved Philip from a place of excitement and growth, to a dry, secluded desert road. Again the question, why the move?

The simple answer is: for God’s good purpose. An Ethiopian court official happened to be returning home down that same desert road. He was reading from scripture and was confused by what he was reading. Philip joined him and explained the ancient scriptures and how they tied into the recent good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Ethiopian was so moved by Philip’s explanation that he asked Philip to baptize him right then and there. After he was baptized, God miraculously moved Philip, yet again, to a new place and the Ethiopian went away rejoicing. No doubt ready to return to his country with a story to tell.

Moving and transition is never easy. You may be facing a great change in your life. You may feel sad and even confused to leave what you have come to know and love. But like Philip, allow God’s Spirit to guide and lead you in this. You will not be disappointed.

And if you are fortunate, you’ll see not only the blessings God has in store for you, but also the blessings he has in store for the people with whom you come into contact. Look to see what new joys God has in store for you as he works out His good purpose in your life.

“Just seems like when you’re obedient, there’s something beautiful waiting.” ~David Crowder

Dear Lord, Sometimes it is so hard to decipher your will in our lives. Please give us ears to hear you and hearts to follow. Amen

Let’s dive in deeper this week:

Day 2: Isaiah 53 (the passage the Ethiopian was reading)

Day 3: Romans 10:9-15

Day 4: Romans 1:16-17 and Jeremiah 29:11-13

Day 5: Ephesians 6:18-20 and 1 Peter 3:15

 

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Reckless Generosity: Part 1

Reading for this week: Luke 10:25-37

“Which proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “Go, and do likewise.” ~ Luke 10:36-37

There is generosity – that of giving above what is expected. And then there is reckless generosity – that of giving in such a way which seems unreasonable, irrational, or even dangerous.

The story of the Good Samaritan is an example of reckless generosity. The Samaritan is generous because he helps a man in need, who may never be able to repay him. But he is recklessly generous because that man is his enemy.

The Samaritan passerby had no moral, legal, or cultural obligations towards this dying Jew in the road. Anything he offered this man would immediately fall under the category of generous. Yet because he offered everything – compassion, time, gentle care, medicinal bandages, food, water, transportation, continued medical care, shelter, and financial support – his generosity became absolutely reckless.

Jesus tells this story to address a lawyer’s question: Who is my neighbor? Yet Jesus’ answer reveals a deeper understanding of his own ministry of compassion. A ministry he has passed on to us.

Reckless generosity is not a requirement of our faith, but an outpouring of it. When we understand what we owe God – total righteousness. And then understand that it is impossible to pay Him that. It is in that moment that we recognize his reckless generosity towards us. Only by his generous mercy are we saved. Only by his outpouring are we even able to come before him.

It is in grateful response that we turn to our neighbors and joyfully offer that same kind of reckless love.

Dear God, I thank you for your saving generosity towards me. Remind me daily of your mercy. And in that mercy, make me compassionate and generous to those around me. Amen.

Throughout this week, use the following passages to meditate on God’s reckless compassion on us.

Day 2: 1 John 4:7-12, 19

Day 3: Luke 15:1-7

Day 4: Romans 5:1-11

Day 5: Romans 8:31-39

Next week: In Reckless Generosity: Part 2, we’ll discuss what it looks like to love our neighbor. I’ve got a great story of reckless generosity from a woman I just met this weekend.

*Additional sources: While writing this devotional, I listened to a Timothy Keller sermon based on the Good Samaritan passage entitled Blueprint for Revival: Social Concern. If you have 40 minutes, it’s thought-provoking.

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New Year’s Goal

Reading for today: Matthew 2:1-12 (Click on the passage to read online.)

“…and they fell down and worshiped him” ~ Matthew 2:11

Retrieved from: roweig.deviantart.com

Just a few days ago my mother sat at her dining room table helping my frustrated son complete a maze. He was about to throw down his pencil when she calmly advised him saying, “Sometimes you need to start at the finish to understand where you need to go.”

In Matthew 2, a group of foreign scholars were trying to solve a puzzle. They had seen an astrological phenomenon appear in their skies and believed it would lead them to a king. They had only prophetic hints of where they could find this king. Some scholars believe they even traveled 900 miles, following this star. The journey was no doubt long and frustrating, especially as they arrived only to find themselves in the wrong city.

But as they fumbled their way through this puzzling journey, two things are very clear. The first is that the finish for them, the end-goal, was to worship the king – Jesus. They started with that goal in mind and worked backwards until the way became clear. The story of these international wise men begins and ends with worship in mind. In verse 2, they explain to King Herod, “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” And then at the end in verse 11, upon finally seeing Jesus, the baby king, “they fell down and worshiped him.”

The second thing that is clear is that God was leading them to worship the king. The supernatural star that guided them had been foretold in Scripture (and possibly in foreign writings) hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ birth. Because of these prophetic writings, the wise men and the chief priests and scribes were able to understand where Jesus could be found. Not only did the foretold star appear, but it moved, leading the wise men. It stopped only as “it came to rest over the place where the child was” (verse 9). The place where they finally could worship the king.

As you begin this new year, make worshiping Jesus your goal. Make worship a daily journey, understanding that you will need God’s help along the way. Remember that God will lead you to worship because it is his goal for you as well.

Dear God, Thank you for calling us to worship you. Help us, guide us, and protect us as we make worship our daily goal. Amen.

This week, ponder what it means to worship God and the importance of making worship a part of your daily life. (Click on the passages to read online.)

Day 2: Psalm 95:1-7a

Day 3: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Day 4: Ephesians 5:14-21

Day 5: Psalm 150

 

*Special thanks to my mother, my father, and my husband, each of whom helped to create this week’s devotional.

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