I AM SOOOOO …………………. TIRED!!!!!!!!

Over the past few weeks we have really been paying close attention to both the conversations and comments of Jesus. So to be honest I have read and reread the stories found in the gospels over and over again. And so I’m reading through Matthew’s Gospel, again, and I have zeroed in on a time that Jesus is praying. And after he finishes his prayer he makes this comment to the multitude.

The comment itself is pretty amazing. But the comment in light of the fact that Jesus just finished praying sheds a whole different light on a passage that I have quoted so many times. The pray is in Matt11:25, check it out, “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. Not to get bogged down in this prayer, because the prayer is not the point of my thoughts. However, I feel that the prayer illuminates the comment that Jesus makes in the very next verse. Ok, so Jesus prays and I’m going to take some literary liberty here just to make it interesting. Jesus prays in my words mind you “Hey Dad, I know you have every thing in this world under your control. I want to give you a big shout out for that. Dad I want to especially thank you for hiding truth from those folks who think that they have all the right answers. And you know Dad, I want to especially thank you for only revealing truth to those who posses a child like faith, because I know that is what truly brings you pleasure.

Ok, now Jesus prays this prayer to his father then he makes this next statement to the multitudes, check this out Matt11:28 “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light”

So then, in light of Jesus prayer, the one who submits to the yoke of Christ is the one who has a Child like heart. The infant, the babe at heart he/she surrenders over the controls of his/her life to God. A baby a child has a heart that’s trusting. If you give a baby a bottle it’s not going to test the bottle for arsenic. The child the infant takes the bottle because it trusts the one who gave it to drink. I get the sense from this passage that Jesus wants us to trust him the same way an infant trust it's mother.

God’s burdens are not heavy and his yoke is light because his love for us is the measure he uses whenever he gives us a load to carry. We know this scripture all too well don’t we “God will not tempt us above that we are able to endure.” So if his yoke or will for us becomes hard and his burdens become heavy, then Love is no longer the measure or the weight of my load of burden. I have added on to my load of love, Pride, selfishness, self centeredness and all these make a light and sometimes difficult load from our God seem so very heavy. If you have become tired and weary then listen to a great but simple truth you are bearing a load that God did not give you to carry.

Jesus expects me to be………….perfect

For the past several weeks I’ve been focusing on the gospels during my quite time with the Lord. I’ve been really paying close attention to what Jesus both said and taught. To be transparent the reason that I have focused on the teachings of Jesus because I’ve had this feeling that my idea of what it means to be a God follower are different than what Jesus actually taught and to be honest my suspicions to some extent were correct.

Not sure what goes through your mind when you think of the word perfect, but I can tell you what thoughts of grandeur go through my mind. Perfect to me means: flawless, no mistakes and unblemished you get the picture. I can’t tell you how many times in my mind that I have rewrote a sermon or relived a moment again and again because things didn’t turn out “perfect” meaning the way I envisioned that they should.

However, in my reading this morning I ran across a conversation that Jesus was having with a group of folks and Jesus used the word “perfect.” Jesus used this word to describe what God the Father expects from us as God followers. Check this out Matt5:48“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Ok, did you see that? Now I know context is everything but there is also another part of reading the bible that is as important as context and that’s “language.” So, before you throw your hands up in desperation and say that infamous phrase “nobody’s perfect.” Let’s get the context first and then will look to language.

The context of the statement that Jesus makes is really setup in verse Matt5:43-44 check it out, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Now the reason this is the context is because Jesus wanted his listeners to become or be the person that Loves his enemies and prays for the person that persecutes them.

So then, what twisted kind of individual loves their enemy? Oh hang on, I’m not done yet, what sick or demented individual loves that person who is trying to hurt them on purpose. Well the answer to that question is found in verse 48 where Jesus says “Be ye therefore perfect.”

So then If your like me, your wondering if I road the short yellow bus when I was in school. Well I didn’t, because if I did I wouldn’t know Greek. Let me give you a language lesson in Greek. The word “perfect” in Greek is translated “teleios and the meaning of this Greek word is similar to the English word mature.” So, the people listening to Jesus didn’t hear perfect what they heard was “be ye mature.” I’ve been having a lot of fun making up list, so I’m not going to disappoint you today either. So let me leave you with six things to look for and work toward as you are on that road toward maturity.

· A mature person has learned that they don’t always have to be right

· A mature person is ok with saying “I’m sorry I was wrong”

· A mature person will listen, hear and understand another person’s perspective even if they don’t agree

· A mature person knows how to give Love when what they would rather give is Hate

· A mature person will always seek out Wisdom

· A mature person understands the value of the word “NO”

Now that I have a better understanding of the word perfect, I can honestly say that I am moving toward perfection every day. Are you?

Change is Good……. I Think!!!

Summer has ended today and cooler days are ahead. Autumn is the season that we have just transitioned into. I don’t’ really know for sure why, but I always seem to forget that autumn is even a part of the four seasons. I think at least for me I forget about autumn because it’s not much different than, say, a late summer. However, according to the calendar summer has ended and winter is sure to come soon. As I write and think about today’s season of change I get the impression that God gave us autumn to give us a few more days to prepare for winter. And if you have lived through a winter in Missouri you definitely need some time to get ready for those blistering cold days ahead.

I think about my life as a God Follower and it seems like I’m always in a constant state of transition. Not preparing for winter necessarily but always it seems preparing, you know what I mean, moving, evolving, converging and modifying.

I remember playing football as a running back in college and being told by several coaches that it’s more difficult for a defender to hit a moving target. So if you want to be successful at this position they would remind me “William you have to keep moving your feet at all times.” I was thinking about that and relating that truth to my Christian life. I just feel that it’s important for any God follower to make sure that they are always moving, transitioning and changing from that old nature into their new nature. And according to scripture that old nature should always be in a constant state of transition. I’m not big on list but I use them occasionally. Lists are useful in helping folks organize and remember their thoughts. So I want to give you six reason why change is good, because most folks if their honest would have to admit that their extremely afraid of change. Ok, six quick things to help you remember why CHANGE is good.

· Change usually means a fresh start

· Change forces you to evaluate the past honestly

· Change helps you to appreciate your past experiences and look forward to knew experiences

· Change gives us new opportunities to impact our future

· Change helps you to see clearly that the way you done it wasn’t the best way to do it

· Change is always going to occur for certain so don’t fight change embrace it

“Be the change you want to see in the world” is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. This is a really awesome way to view change. So let me leave you with this thought. Instead of complaining about the world and its problems, you become that reason why this world is a better place to live.

All Love is not Created Equal

I have spent the last several weeks really focused on the teachings of Jesus. What has surprised me the most has been the strength of Christ love for all of humanity? I know that Jesus love for people shouldn’t be that surprising given the fact that he gave his life for humanity. But truth be told, it really has been a surprise to me. Especially as I have pondered the magnitude of Christ love. How could Jesus, why would he and for what reason would anyone suffer so much If the thing fueling them could not be categorized in a single word “LOVE.” I have been guilty of using the word love in the same sentence with a lot of things. I love ice cream, football and my family. However it goes without saying that I love my wife and kids more than “butter pecan ice cream with chocolate chip cookies stacked all around the ridges of a big bowl………….I think.” Listen to this simple truth all joking aside all love is not created equal.

I just finished reading through John’s gospel. And John’s descriptions of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus are riveting to say the least. John describes for us how Jesus was falsely accused. He describes how that Jesus was beat with a leather steal strap. And the strap used literally tore the skin away from Jesus bones. I’m reading through this in my quite time and to be honest getting a bit overwhelmed. Thinking about the fact that Jesus did all of this because he loves me. But I can’t help but wonder. What did I do to deserve it? What can I do to pay for it?

Jesus own words as he taught his disciples just days before his own death gives us incredible insight as to what Christ thought about the subject of love. Check this out John15:13-14a“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14Ye are my friends” You see that, this verse confirms for us that Jesus knew that his love for us was going to cost him his life. And Jesus thoughts on the subject of love were very simple. If you love someone you will lay down your life for them.

Now I know that Christ loves me and I know that I love him. But I sometimes wonder, if my love for Jesus equates to a willingness to lay down my life. I realize that I could never repay Jesus. But to me it only makes sense to evaluate my love using some kinda measure. I think that Jesus feels the same way checkout the second half of the verse we looked at earlier in John15:14“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

Ok, okay, let’s discuss what all this means to the one who says that he Loves Jesus. If you truly loved God, your love for him would be the fuel that the Holy Spirit uses to compel you to honor Jesus by leading a life of obeying his commands. So if I claim to be a God follower and I don’t follow Christ teachings then it’s true “All Love Is Not Created Equal………….ice cream anyone.”

Can I move a Mountain……..Really?

I’ve been really having a good time reading through the gospels for the past few weeks. I think for the first time in my life I’m not just reading through the gospels to gain understanding only. But I’m also, paying close attention to the things that Christ said.

Jesus is certainly the central character of the Christian faith so then it only makes sense to pay close attention not only to what he did, but what Jesus said is equally as important. Jesus I think had a wonderful sense of humor and I’m beginning to see a pattern in how he dealt with the many different groups of people. It seems to me at least, that when he spoke to his disciples he would answer their questions with clarity and preciseness. It almost seems as if he handled the disciples with kit gloves. Meaning he handled them with a lot of care and to some extent a softness. I think it might have been because Jesus was training them to continue his work of advancing the Kingdom once he went to heaven to be with his Father. But and that’s a big BUT, notice the pun there J. Whenever, Jesus saw that the disciples lacked faith he would correct them sharply to say the least. There was an occasion that the disciples were afraid that they where gonna die. Because they were caught in bad storm notice Jesus response Matt8:26 “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the storm.” You might remember the time Peter was walking on water, because Peter wanted to go and hang out with Jesus on the water. He starts to sink and Jesus said to him Matt16:31”Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” And then there was that time Jesus told the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And the disciples thought he meant that they were gonna run out of food. And Jesus says Matt16:8 “ O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?”

Ok, clearly Jesus saw that having faith was critical for all believers to possess especially his disciples. In fact the scriptures teach us that without faith it is not possible to please God. So let me give you a biblical definition of faith. Remember we always use the bible to define it self. So check out Hebrews11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

So, with this definition in mind let me try and give you some biblical revelation. My “Faith” is not the agent that brings about the change. It’s critical that you absorb that truth. God and God alone is the one that brings about the change that I desire. My faith simply is the agent that God uses as reason to take or not to take action. Taking action is solely up to God. Overtime my Faith in God grows based on the evidence that I see and experiences as God works in my Life. I hope you got that.

So, Jesus is having some teaching time with his disciples and the disciples asked him a question. How does my Faith Grow? Notice what Jesus says. It’s really cool given every thing that I have just given you Luke17:6“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” So does Jesus really mean that his disciples could move a tree with a spoken word and cast it into the sea? Remember the question from the disciples was “how does my faith grow?” Jesus response was really telling. Because Jesus never really answers the question directly, but what Jesus does say has nothing to do with growing your faith. After all Jesus uses a mustard seed and compares it to the only amount of faith needed to be able to move and plant a TREE into the sea. So then to think that I need more faith to Change something is really quite silly. What we really need is more of God. So then let me ask you a question “Can YOU move a mountain……Really.”

He could not be Serious……could he!!!!

I have begun teaching through a new series focusing in on the teachings of Jesus. I titled this series “The Gospel According to Jesus.” This morning in my quite time with the Lord I noticed that Jesus made some comments to his disciples. I’m sure that Jesus comment left them scratching their heads. Well maybe not them but to the average Joe, he’s probably thinking “is this guy serious?” Well maybe not the average Joe, put to the person sitting in the pew on Sunday listening to some preacher read from the bible, he’s thinking. “There has got to be some other meaning to that passage.”

Ok, have I sparked enough curiosity in you yet? Good. Check this out these are some words from Jesus as he’s doing his thing that strike me as offensive. We are going to pick up Jesus in mid stride. Mark9:42”And whosoever shall “offend” one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” So much for thinking that Christianity is only a religion of peace. The author and finisher of our faith Jesus is obviously pretty passionate about his little ones. The word “offend” could also be translated to mean; to cause to fall way, to entice one to sin, to put a stumbling block in ones way. You get the sense that Jesus took it serious whenever a person became a stumbling block to one of his little ones. But did he really mean that a person is better off being hung or even worse cast into the sea? Whether are not he meant what he said literally the fact is he did say it.

Ok, let’s keep reading It gets even more offensive Mark9:43 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Jesus obviously has not attended the Ethical School of Political Correctness. In these few verses of scripture Jesus has talked about hanging and drowning folks. He is talked about cutting off hands, plucking out eyes and hell and fire what in the world is going on here.

I am being facetious here of course but I think it’s important to honestly pay attention not only to what Jesus said or why he said it but also the way in which he said things. If Jesus was here today and walking the streets of Kansas City. We could be sure that he would talk about at least these two topics Hell and Sin. So that you don’t run out and get a sharp blade or screw driver. Allow me a minute to pour some meaning into what Jesus is teaching.

Jesus wanted us to know beyond a shadow of doubt that he takes Sin of any kind pretty serious. He takes it so serious that he says if you have a foot that’s causing you to Sin cut it off. If Jesus were on earth today and said that any other way that could have possibly taken away from you and I understanding just how much God Hates Sin.

God hated Sin so much that he sacrificed his son own son Jesus. The Sacrifice of Jesus was the only way to deal with God’s hatred of Sin. Let me give you a verse that explains what Christ death and Resurrection meant to those who believe. The scripture says2Cor5:21“For he hath made Jesus [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we (believers in Jesus) might be made the righteousness of God in him.” And then God takes it a step further and offers Grace to all that believe. Paul gives us more insight about this gift of grace. 2Cor6:1“We (believers in Jesus) then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” So then cutting a foot off or chopping off a hand or chopping off some other part of your body is not the cure for dealing with Sin. But Christ gives us a very truthful and blunt reminder that if he did not die and rise again then the only cure for Sin would be to cut it off. Well then understanding that is enough to make you wanta Shout Alleluia!!!!

What was He Thinking

I have for the past several weeks spent some time reading through the Synoptic Gospels. It seems like my attention has been really attentive to the many conversations of Jesus. I am aware that the Gospels themselves are a general view of the same story being told by four different men. But what I find really cool is the four different takes on the same stories.

I’m going somewhere with this just wanted to share my heart a bit before I try and write out what I’m feeling. Ok, let me se if I can get this off my chest without sounding too confused. Given the dialogue that Christ had with certain folks, I sometimes get the impression, that if Christ were to show up in main stream American Churches that he would not be accepted by its Pastor or Parishioners. I need to pause for minute and include my own church in that category.

Ok, let me just give you a few examples of Jesus teachings hopefully you can feel what I’m feeling. Luke 6:19-20 “And the whole multitude sought to touch Jesus: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” Ok, okay I need to define some words here. The word “blessed” means happy. So then Jesus is saying “Happiness there is for you who are poor, because heaven is yours.” Now if what Jesus is saying is true, then why do we “Christians” spend so much time and energy pursuing prosperity and wealth?

Look at the next few verses they are as bizarre as the previous ones. Luke 6:21“Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” What, that doesn’t sound like a Sunday morning message. Hang on to your blue jeans it gets worse; 22-23“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” I don’t know but I think Jesus is preaching here. He is saying that we are to rejoice when people do us wrong even to the point of hating us. He is teaching us as Christians that we are in good company whenever this happens. The ancient prophets suffered at the hand of men for following God. So then it only seems right that we will suffer some discomfort also as we follow God.

If rejoicing is what our response should be when men hate us and rebuke us for doing right or wrong whatever the case. Why do we always seek to get even? Why do Christians fight and bicker so much. I know that we are human but how long will we use that excuse before we take some responsibility. I hope what Jesus teaches here is blowing your mind because I’m certainly being challenged even as I write. Let’s look at a few more verses. Luke6:24 “But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.26Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.”

Ok, Jesus has gone too far. He is teaching that for that person who is rich, they have their reward. The person who is full now, they will be hungry later. The one that is laughing now will mourn later. This is so rich in content I can hardly write without wanting to jump for joy right here by myself in my office. Jesus is simply using an extreme example to teach us a simple truth. This is called a hyperbole. Let me tell you what Jesus is Thinking. Jesus is thinking that nothing in this world nor in the world to come is more important that KNOWING HIM. No amount of wealth can bring me more joy than knowing Jesus. No food, no relationship, no job, not your dream car, not your dream home. Nothing, I mean nothing, is more important than KNOWING JESUS.

My Easy Button God

You ever wish that connecting with God was as easy as pushing that “Staples button.” I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten up off my knees or put my bible down and thought to myself, God I still don’t know what your will is for me in this thing, while at the same time thinking “if I only had one of those easy buttons.” Think about that for a minute, say your children start acting out and you’re thinking well I will just grab my “God made easy button” push it and like magic the problem just disappears.

Well all of us who genuinely know God personally understand that God simply doesn’t work that way. But you listen to these examples and if you’re honest you have to admit that there have been many occasions that you have personally behaved as if God was an “Easy Button God.” You know, push the button and it’ll all get better.

I didn’t get in the word this morning but I have been praying and thinking about some of my own personal struggles for the past few hours even as a write this blog. To be honest God and me have been having some Father and son time, and I have spent the last few hours, days, weeks even trying to push that easy button and God just refuses to make my personal struggles any easier. However he did give me some revelation from his word. I want to share it with you 2Corinthians3:16-18“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord from his sins, then the veil is taken away.17The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where he is there is freedom[from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God]. But we Christians have no veil over our face; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.”

Ok, I know you’re dying to know what in the world does all that have to do with and easy button, glad you asked. Paul is teaching us that “My God made easy button” is in knowing Jesus. Listen carefully to what that means, when I have major problems, issues and or concern in my life, instead of panicking and looking for the easy button I simply need to “press into Jesus.” My problem itself may not go away but I am guaranteed to reflect the Glory of God in my life. And as God works in me I will become more and more like him. So don’t wait for problems to come up before you press into Jesus just simply “Press into Jesus everyday.”

Famous Last Words

I often wonder what will be the last words that I speak before I die. Hmmm….not just my last words but the words that I’ve spoken in life that people remember. Clearly the verdict is out, everyone dies, no one will escape this fate. Unless of course you believe in the Rapture the (catching away of Christians), which is another discussion for a different day.

However, this morning I was finishing up Mark’s Gospel and John Mark gives to us the words that Jesus speaks right before he takes his final breath. Mark15:34“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And of course you have to look at this statement in light of everything else the scripture teaches us about Jesus. But just for a minute listen to this statement as you read these words aloud and you’ll get the sense that Jesus life was consumed with pleasing his Father. I guess it would make sense for me to put this statement into context so that you can feel what I’m feeling. Jesus had spent the last three plus years teaching and preaching about the Kingdom being at a hand. In short, he is living out his Fathers will. For those of you paying attention, Jesus was following the Fathers plan for his life, and wouldn’t you know it. God’s plan for Jesus took him to a brutal cross. And that cross cost Jesus his life, literally.

But if you’ve read the rest of the story, you know that it doesn’t end there. Jesus essentially rises from the grave and God’s plan for him, though it seemed unbearable at the time, turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened. And so now we get to the end of Mark’s Gospel and Jesus gives to us his second last words after his resurrection Mark16:15-16 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Ok then we can all agree that the last words you speak are certainly very reflective as to what was important to you in life and what’s important now that death is staring you in the face. Now with that lets look for a minute at the last words of a few famous folks; Elizabeth I, Quean of England 1602 All my possessions for a moment of time; Winston Churchill, 1965 I'm bored with it all; Georges Clemenceau, French premier 1929 This time it will be a long one. Joan Crawford, actress, 1977 Damn it . . . Don't you dare ask God to help me. The last one Charles Darwin said I am not the least afraid to die.

There is enough here to spend the rest of the day reflecting. Jesus last words definitely taught us that nothing was more important to him than finishing the plan that God had given him. I wonder what will you’re last words be. There is no way that we can fake what the heart speaks when we are facing the end of our life. I have lived long enough and seen enough death to know that when you face death how you lived will matter. So start living out you’re last words today remember Jesus dd.

She Looks Just Like Me

I remember the day we first took our new baby home from the hospital. Everyone who saw her would always say how much she looked like her daddy. I think my wife was secretly jealous of that, “not really.” Aubrey, my daughter, that’s her name, went to her first college football game before she was two weeks old. I could remember the older parents giving me and Carolina dirty looks because we brought such a brand new baby outside into the elements, to a football game to say the least.

My wife Carolina and I were such young parents, we really didn’t know any better. Of course, like any child does she grew up and as kids grow from new born, into their young teens you hope and pray that they grow into becoming Godly if you’re Christian and if you’re not you just hope they grow to become responsible.

I often think about God as my heavenly father what are his desires for me? I had so many secret quiet dreams that I held close to my heart for my daughter. I can’t help but wonder in the very same sense “what are Gods plans for my life, really?” I was so excited when we brought her home from the hospital. How did my heavenly father react when I gave my life to him late one Friday night? How did he react when I said yes to his son Jesus Christ?

I know it’s hard to believe but just as a young parent I had so many dreams and plans for my children. My heavenly father too has plans for all of his children who have chosen to follow him. This of course, is a very difficult concept for so many of God’s people. We are so independent in our thinking we actually think that “We are the master of our fate captain of our soul.” I know that that sounds really good “Invictus” for those of you poets out there, it’s just not biblical.

God spoke through Jeremiah the prophet as he dealt with the nation of Israel while they were trying so hard to live independently of God and follow their own plans Jer29:11-12“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” God is clearly telling his people that he knows the thoughts that he has for them so he tells them in so many words to quit fighting his plans and thoughts and just surrender.

Is that not awesome news? God knows what he is doing with me in my life. And he is going to work out his plan in me no matter what I do, and If, I would simply stop living so independent of him I could see more clearly the end results that he is wanting to accomplish in me.

The poem “Invictus” would be more correctly stated “God is the master of my fate and he is the Captain of my soul.” For those of you running your own life quick question for you how is it working for you sense you’ve been in charge? God knows what his plans are he knows what the end is supposed to look like. Just call upon him in prayer and then take it a step further and listen quietly for his instructions.