The Journey

Week of 03.20.11

It seemed like a good ideaForcing the

Plan
by Michael Maybee
My wife has often commented that I have an amazing ability to focus on a single
task or objective. She doesnt always mean that as a compliment. Sometimes my
singleness of purpose can be a real strength, but at other times it can be a
weakness. Sometimes I can become so focused on achieving my end objective that
I loose perspective and get impatient. Sometimes I am tempted to take short cuts in
order to achieve the objective sooner.
We see an example of this in the story of Abram and Sarai and their decision to
speed up Gods plan to give Abram an heir (Genesis 16:1-4). Their wish was to see
Gods promise fulfilled. The end objective was good and noble. The problem was
that they became impatient. Gods time table did not fit their concept of when
things should happen. Gods ways made no sense to them. They must have thought
that God needed their help. So they decided to force the plan.
There are many other stories in Scripture where a person used mightily by God
decides to do something on their own timing instead of waiting on God; or decides
to do something their own way instead of Gods way. In most cases their intentions
were good, but the consequences were disastrous. In some cases the consequences
befall only the person making the choice. However, in many cases the
consequences are far reaching, impacting generations to come and whole nations.
Waiting on Gods timing and doing things according to his ways can be really
difficult for us. Today we live in a world of instant gratification. We are a people who
pace in front of a microwave. We live in a culture that tells us to have it your way.
But just like Abram & Sarai, our choices have consequences for us and many times
for others. The consequences of our choices to rush Gods time table or divert from
Gods ways hit not only us but can extend to our immediate family and beyond. And
that is where our choices meet Gods mercy and grace.
I can think back to times God has protected me from the consequences of poor
choices, times when he showed me mercy. I recall other times when he did not
spare me but saw me through the consequences and used them to teach me
valuable lessons. The blessings from those lessons are amazing testimony to Gods
immeasurable love and grace. If you have ever forced the plan or diverted from
Gods ways, return to him and receive his mercy and grace.

"It is part of Christian culture to know what God's aim is. In the history of the
Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the
sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of
God's order by a short cut of their own. God's way is always the way of
suffering, the way of the long, long trail."
~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

(You are encouraged to use the SOAP Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer
Method for a guide. Click here to read more about developing your devotional life. Click
here for an example SOAP journal entry. If you dont own a Bible, pick up "The Story of
God" Bible available for free at the Welcome Center in our atrium.)

monday, 3.21
Read:

Genesis 12 13; Philippians 2:1-5

question: Genesis 12:10 20 is another 'it seemed like a good idea at the
time' moment in Abraham's life. While the account feels foreign and hard to
completely understand, can you think of a time in your life where, in
fear, you put yourself before the benefit of others?

tuesday, 3.22
Read: Genesis 14-15, Hebrews 11:8-19

question:
What have you noticed thus far about Abraham's
character both traits you admire and flaws?

wednesday, 3.23
Read:

Genesis 16-17; 1 John 4:16-19

question: What do you see about God's heart for the outcast in the
way He meets Hagar in the wilderness?

thursday, 3.24
Read:

Genesis 18 19; James 4:13-17

question: you have just read through two of the more obscure and difficult
passages in Scripture. If you'd like to better understand these passages, be
sure to check out the resource list below for help. That said, in Genesis
18:10-15, why do you think Sarah laughed? Has God and His plan
ever made you laugh out loud? Do you think God ever laughs at
your plans?

friday - sunday, 3.25-27

Read:

Genesis 20 23, 2 Peter 3:8-9

question: As you think back over your reading for the week, where do you
see the Scriptures foreshadowing (through Abraham, Hagar or elsewhere)
what He will ultimately do through Jesus?
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grow (resources to help you in your study)

Sundays Sermon: Click here for podcast, or video
commentary: Dictionary of the Old Testament Pentateuch somewhat
scholarly resource for the first 5 books of the Old Testament
resource: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, Bruce, and Brauch
a great resource for understanding those difficult passages.
click here for more resources this will link you back to the journey's
main page.
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sample questions:
Make a list of all the places where you see Abraham practicing great
faith and the places where you see him living in doubt.
Per Sunday's sermon, what situation in your life do you need to re-write
your "Now...But...So"?