THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD

Week Forty-nine. 2020

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

As 2020 draws to a close and we look in the rearview mirror, the perspective is far different from the perspective looking out the windshield in January. Who could have imagined what the year would bring…… more hurricanes than letters in the alphabet, tornados, floods, unprecedented wild fires, the most contentious election in history, homicides and rioting in the streets and the big daddy of them all, the Pandemic.

Thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been infected. Thousands of business have closed, some of them forever. Companies like major airlines are on the verge of bankruptcy and many who had employment cannot now even pay for their rent and mortgage. The experts tell us that it may be years, not months before we totally recover and return to something like normalcy, which will be different than it was before the pandemic.

We don’t live in a perfect world and bad times and tragedies visit Christians and non-Christians. In this world we will have tribulation. (John 16:33). Christian lives have both mountains and valleys.

With some spare time on my hands I decided to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I just finished reading through the prophets, all of whom tried to tell the people the consequences of their sin and idolatry to the people of Judah and Israel. Few listened to the fear of the Lord and dire consequences followed.

In spite of their horrible sins and from turning their backs on God, He said they were still His chosen people and He wanted them back worshiping them, with sins forgiven. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Only God knows what the news will hold as we move into 2021. We can hope and pray for specific outcomes, but our real hope is in the trustworthy promises of the God who loves us and who is working in the world to accomplish His purposes.

Only the Lord knows His purposes and we often misunderstand. God’s purpose is behind everything He does. The best way to understand His purposes is the get to know God better by getting to know Jesus, His only Son.

He is the same Jesus who was born in the manger. The same Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. The same Jesus who resurrected and defeated the grave so that we might have life.

Author and pastor John Ortberg responds this way, “Never try to have more faith – just get to know God better. And because God is faithful, the better you know Him, the more you’ll trust Him.” Then you will understand His plans and purposes better and more clearly.

Quote scriptures of deliverance and positivity and speak against your worries. Get filled with the message of good health, love, joy, and prosperity. Think on higher things [Philippians 4:8], don’t think about what’s been bothering you—that’s for God to do.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THOUGHTS ON ATTITUDE:

Attitude is our mental and emotional response to the circumstances of life.” —Robert Jeffress

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind” —William James

“Life is like baseball; it’s 95% mental and the other half is physical.” —Yogi Berra

“Things turn out the best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out” —Art Linkletter

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” —James A. Allen

“It does not matter what happens to us, but our reaction to what happens to us is of vital importance.” —Fred Mitchell

“It may not be your fault for being down, but its got to be your fault for not getting up.” —Steve Davis

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal, nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude” —W.W. Ziege

“You are only an attitude away from success” John Maxwell

Everyone has their share of troubles and trials. But there is one simple way to turn your burdens into blessings. Change your attitude!

“Put off… the old man and…Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23)

The joy of each day is dependent not on what happens to us, but what happens within us. Not how the day looks at us, but how we look at the day.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying. Amelia Earhart

“Put off… the old man and…Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23)

The joy of each day is dependent not on how what happens to us, but what happens within us. Not how the day looks at us, but how we look at the day.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

But it is vital to remember that God measures success, not by outcomes in our world, but by obedience to his word.