God has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life - Genesis 46-48 and Matthew 13:1-30
Today, we read about the end of Jacob's life. It had a rocky beginning, but it had a glorious ending. I believe it turned out well, because Jacob trusted God, and God was able to bless him in an extraordinary way. He left Canaan with 70 people, and God told him it was His plan for him to go to Egypt. He promised to make him a great nation in Egypt. He promised to bring his descendants out of Egypt. Therefore, Jacob went to Egypt believing God. He was able to bless Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world. However, that shows in God's eyes Jacob was greater than Pharaoh, because the blesser is always greater than the one being blessed. Then, he was not only able to see Joseph again, but he was able to see Joseph's sons. Even in his blessing of Joseph's sons, we see the plan of God. It is not always what we would have chosen, but it is a wonderful plan for those who will trust Him.
I believe we miss God's plan many times because we do not want change. We do not want to suffer. We want only peace and happiness. God's plan for our lives is not free from change and pain. However, He can make a beautiful result come out of bad circumstances if we will trust Him. Israel spent 400 years in Egypt. Part of the time they were living free in an abundant land called Goshen. Part of the time they were in slavery. But think about how God worked it out. In the end 2 million people left Egypt having triumphed over Pharaoh as they walked across a dry Red Sea. What a wonderful plan God had for them, but they had to trust Him.
In Matthew 13 Jesus gives the parable of the sower or the soils. What is the meaning? God wants us to have a fruitful life, but it is based on if we trust His Word. If we fail to trust Him, we will not have a fruitful life. That is why He spoke parables. The outcome was based on faith not on information. If people heard the Word of God, but they did not believe in Him, the Word did not sink in. However, if He spoke in parables, and they believed, the Word would be planted and grow. There will be some who never believe. They are the tares. They look like believers, but there is no fruit. There is no faith in God. They only look like a believer on the outside. That leads to an empty life and separation in Hell. What a tragedy! Some will miss God's wonderful plan, because they refuse to embrace Him by faith. I pray that is not true of you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 49-50 and Matthew 13:31-58.
I believe we miss God's plan many times because we do not want change. We do not want to suffer. We want only peace and happiness. God's plan for our lives is not free from change and pain. However, He can make a beautiful result come out of bad circumstances if we will trust Him. Israel spent 400 years in Egypt. Part of the time they were living free in an abundant land called Goshen. Part of the time they were in slavery. But think about how God worked it out. In the end 2 million people left Egypt having triumphed over Pharaoh as they walked across a dry Red Sea. What a wonderful plan God had for them, but they had to trust Him.
In Matthew 13 Jesus gives the parable of the sower or the soils. What is the meaning? God wants us to have a fruitful life, but it is based on if we trust His Word. If we fail to trust Him, we will not have a fruitful life. That is why He spoke parables. The outcome was based on faith not on information. If people heard the Word of God, but they did not believe in Him, the Word did not sink in. However, if He spoke in parables, and they believed, the Word would be planted and grow. There will be some who never believe. They are the tares. They look like believers, but there is no fruit. There is no faith in God. They only look like a believer on the outside. That leads to an empty life and separation in Hell. What a tragedy! Some will miss God's wonderful plan, because they refuse to embrace Him by faith. I pray that is not true of you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 49-50 and Matthew 13:31-58.