Man's Hands, God's Plans

Think back over some events of your life that impacted you greatly, or caused a distinct turning point. Do you recall things occurring, that seemed like chance then, but as time progressed, you realize God was in the situation, orchestrating the events to accomplish a specific purpose?

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child" (Luke 2:1-5).

It has been supposed that this census was for the purpose of setting up a tax roll. Families were instructed to journey to their ancestral home to register. Since Joseph was “of the house and lineage of David” (see 1 Samuel 17:12), he and a very-pregnant Mary had to make the arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered” (Luke 2:6).

God took the edict of Caesar to get His chosen ones to Bethlehem, because that had been prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).

Did God place the idea for the census in the mind of Caesar Augustus (the first of the Roman emperors) to bring the couple to the chosen city? It seems likely that the Lord took the plans of man, and put His hands on them to bring His purposes to fruition.

Man’s plans, God’s hands. Our Lord is always at work, taking what may seem to be an inconsequential happenstance or a life-upside-down experience involving a friend, family member, boss, church leader, or even someone we don’t know – to propel us down the road of experiencing more of His plan for our lives. We have a choice – to let God handle the situation and direct us, or to bow up our neck against it, and maybe miss God’s best. I pray I’ll remember that God is never standing on my life’s sidelines wringing His hands. I want to learn to relax in His strong but tender grip.

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)

"A Dream's Direction"

His plans for beginning a family had come crashing down on him. The woman he loved had delivered some devastating news – she was pregnant. As thoughts of what to do swirled in his anguished mind, he struggled to rest. Finally, sleep gave him some relief. As he dreamed, a startling revelation brought by a heavenly messenger altered his decision and propelled him into an incredible journey.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins”… Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS (Matt. 1:19-21, 24-25 NKJV).

Can you imagine an angel of the Lord appearing to you with a message while you slept? When you awoke, would you have the courage to act on such? Would you second-guess your decision? After all, it was a dream.

Joseph was called “a just man”. Other translations use the word “righteous”. He walked with God, and was the very one the Lord had prepared to fulfill His promise made to Abraham 42 generations before (Matthew 1:17). Joseph knew the Scriptures, and was confident enough in God’s leading to step out in faith, shouldering the biggest responsibility of his life.

Do you have a “dream” God has placed in your heart? No, not one that happened while you slept, but one the Lord has been impressing on your very soul. Is a nagging dissatisfaction about your current Christian service causing you to dig deeper into the Word, pray more earnestly, and seek godly counsel, perhaps for a major shift in your life’s focus?

Joseph carefully – and surely, prayerfully - considered a course of action. And his first decision would have made perfect sense to his friends and family. But not to God. Joseph chose God’s way, and had the privilege of helping mold the young, tender years of our Lord Jesus. No greater challenge and adventure could be given to any man.

Will you follow Joseph’s example, as he “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him”? What challenging and thrilling adventure has God planned and presented for you to say “yes” to?

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)

The Ends of Our Noses

What do you see when you walk out of your church doors? What’s across the street? Next door? Around the block?

I recall Dr. Jim Futral, president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board telling our state Baptist paper’s readers that their witness was to reach from the ends of their noses to the ends of the earth.

So what is at the end of our nose? Whatever it is, we may need to look no further for the starting point to reaching our world - our “Jerusalem” hometown - according to Acts 1:8. One local church campus is right across from a city school and a sprawling apartment complex. My home church is across from City Hall and on the corner of the downtown area. Within less than two blocks are retirement communities, the city’s Senior Center and other dwellings. Many congregations are neighbors to hospitals, nursing centers, shopping areas, and housing communities from mobile home parks to expansive subdivisions. God has a vision and a mission for each.

As you seek to obey God’s call to “look on the fields” (John 4:35), will you ask Him to let you see (with spiritual eyes) beyond the physical structures of your surroundings? As you go to worship services or Bible studies, consider taking some time to prayerwalk through the nearby communities and businesses, asking for God’s direction on ministering to those who live or work there. Invite a fellow member to go with you. Do it regularly. Greet people you meet, tell them what you are doing, and ask how you can pray for them. You may step right into a divine appointment the Lord has orchestrated to bring a seeking heart to Him!

You’ll never know unless you “follow your nose”.

Best wishes from Benreading:)

Creativity

As success is defined by the world, my life doesn't have anything particularly outstanding about it. Hubby and I raised two wonderful children, who have presented to us some precious grand-gals.

After high-school, I went to cosmetology school and earned a hairdressing degree. But when the kids came along, I couldn't see paying a sitter to raise them while I sat around a shop waiting for customers, so that was a short-lived career.

Re-invented myself a few times: clerk, Avon representative, creator of handmade greeting cards, cake decorator, sign langauge interpreter, church worker and volunteer. Several years ago, I stumbled upon my love of the camera about the same time as I began doing a bit of writing. God has opened doors, and I've had the joy of seeing my work published in magazines, newspapers and online, and gained the satisfaction of seeing how my word-crafting and photography have impacted lives, especially in the Christian vein.

As I look back, one word stands out - "creativity". God has uniquely gifted me to see things from an unusual slant (why we often shy away from recognizing, proclaiming, and relishing in God's giftedness, I have no idea). Consider the photo I've uploaded for your enjoyment. While out with some photog buds, I noticed this young boy spending a late afternoon fishing with his dad. Instead of getting a full shot of the two, I chose to focus on this all-American boy, in his dirty-fingernailed, scuffed-armed glory.

I color outside the lines. Maybe it's because my dominant left hand interacts more with the creative right side of the brain. Can hardly read a map, or find my car in a parking lot, but I come up with ways to do things that are quite orthodox (yet effective) at times. And it is something I definitely thank God for!

We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made", according to Psalm 139:13-14. Before we ever became part of God's forever family, He shaped us in our mother's womb (vs. 13), and I believe He smiled as He implanted special natural skills to complement the spiritual gifts we'd receive at the moment of our spiritual birth! I often hear folks say, "I don't have any gifts." They may think they are being humble, but they're actually discounting the very words of Scripture.

Well, I'll never be a CEO (shucks, I don't want to work hard, anyway!), and don't even have an interest in getting a college degree. I'd rather be free to write in my jammies at midnight (or not), play with my grand-gals, take a group of senior adults on a day trip, cover a festival or a mssionary's adventures for a writing assignment, or read to my heart's content.

Are you enjoying a zest for life because you're fitting in the God-shaped niche He's shaped just for you? Be it humble or mighty (according to the world's standards), that's the only way to pure satisfaction. The "have it more abundantly" of John 10:10 looks different on each person; I pray you'll discover and daily live in your Jeremiah 29:11 experience!

Best wishes from Lefthandrightbrain:)