When God Messed Up My Plan

Isaiah 55:6-11 >> 6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

# What are the differences between my plan and God’s plan? Take a moment to ponder on your personal experiences with the verses above.
# What should I do when my thoughts start to plan bad or wicked things? What do I need to do when I hear any bad or wicked plans from the people that go around me? [read verse 7]

1. The differences between my plans and God’s plans are that He holds the past, present and future in His hands. He knows everything. He is omniscient, while we are limited. Plus, in all His wisdom and mercy, He knows the best for us, while only we can work with the limited information and ability we have. God is unlimited everything. Plus, God is love, whereas we need to strive for it everyday because we get tempted daily to think and do evil.
2. When my thoughts start to plan bad or wicked things, or when I hear it from people around me, I should rebuke it in the name of Jesus in my head, and then turn to things that are good to think about. I should not encourage them, but if the Holy Spirit leads me to, I should also lead the conversation and their motives away from evil to good.

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LESSON:

Sometimes God ‘fails’ our plan whenever we try to understand His will/purpose. It seems that we have so many plans, but He keeps on intervening them either through situations, conditions, or the people around us [parents, leaders, etc]. We often become angry – insisting to continue or even rebel to whoever’s trying to hinder/block our plan. Yet when we obey, we then will understand that He has a better plan or even the best plan for us.

Does is seem like God is ‘failing’ your plans? Maybe He is trying to lead your steps or even to save you from the lure of the enemy. Maybe He is teaching and molding your character. Open up to God’s plan, and learn to be obedient to God’s voice inside your heart – even though many times our logic and flesh tells us a different story. Sharpen our awareness towards his leading. He is going to use and bless us.

To Live for Christ, Not for Oneself

Romans 5:1-6
Peace and Joy
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

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I learned about how I need to live for Christ, not for myself. So some things, such as our character need to be molded to become more like Christ’s. This means that we should rejoice in trials because it will develop endurance which will develop strength of character in us. And we also need to keep hope alive in us. And also have mercy and love for others, just as Christ was willing and made himself to die for us, the ungodly. Thank You Jesus.

What Christ Does in My Life

Luke 4:17-21
17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18″The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

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1. When Christ comes into my life, He is goign to anoint me to bring Good news to the poor, proclaim that captives will be released, and the blind and oppressed will be set free. It’s also time of the Lord’s favor.
2. Some changes He’s going to do in my life is anoint me and appoint me for a special task He’s purposed in my life. He will put me on the right path.
3. Some changes I’ve brought to others’ lives is try to set an example by my love and serving the Lord.

The Encounter with Christ Brings Transformation

Luke 2:25-35
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29″Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

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1. Some changes that took place in Simeon’s life the moment he met Christ were that now he was ready to die in peace because that moment was the hope he had been waiting for.
2. YES, my life has experienced change and continues to change from the first time I’ve met Jesus until now that I continously meet him daily, I am also being changed daily. My character and desires are being molded to liken His.
3. In order to experience true changes, I should keep my hope in Christ alive. Whatever He has promised me and has declared in His Word, whether or not I see them already coming to pass, I need to hold firm to His Words (and commandments) and believe that God is seeing and will reward those who are faithful to the end. I musn’t lose hope, but rather share His light, the truth of His salvation to all the earth.

Who Do I Worship in Life?

Luke 2:8-18 >>
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory
surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.
“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah,
the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by
this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly,
the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to
Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the
manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel
had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.
Isaiah 9:6 >> For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace.

1. When the wisemen heard about Jesus’ birth, they went to worship him. They visited him from far away lands and brought with them gold, frankincense and myhrr.
2. When the shepherds heard about the good news of Jesus’ birth, they hurried to see him. And after seeing him, they told everyone what had happened and what the angel said about the child. And the Bible says “all who heard were astonished (v.18).”
3. I wanna offer to God my thanksgiving and my best everytime I come to Him. This is especially relevant today, on Christmas, as I celebrate His birth today.

Be it Unto Me According to Your Word

Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34″How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God.”

38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

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1. Mary’s reaction upon receiving the task that God gave her was that she said “I am the Lord’s servant,” and something along the lines of may God’s will be done. She humbly accepted the task with faith and initiative to declare God’s will in her life. She was not bratty either, but humble.

2. If I was Mary, I’d think, “Whattttt???” hhaha, but Mary simply was meek and declared her faith> I should be like that too.

3. In order to have a character like Mary, I should not think, “What’s the “cool” way to respond?” but rather “How does God want me to respond?” and “How can I respond with a character of Christ?” Also, don’t think I’m all that, but know that everything is because of God’s grace, mercy and love for me. Thank You Jesus.

What does Christmas mean to me?

Matthew 2:1-10 >>

Visitors from the East

1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5″In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6′And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

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1. The difference between King Herod and the wise men from the east is that the wise men wanted to worship Jesus while King Herod only pretended, while deep down in his heart he was jealous and wanted Jesus dead.
2. Christmas to me means many things. A lot of things happen like the annual church Christmas drama, buying gifts, etc. Yet I want to ask God this year to allow me to really understand and appreciate and come before Him in worship, adoration and praise for the real meaning of Christmas, which is God’s gift to us – His Son Jesus.

Compassion = Kindness

Ephesians 5:8-10,
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord.

Proverbs 3:26,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.

Colossians 4:1,
1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

James 4:17,
17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

Philippians 4:5
5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near

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As children of the light, the light inside us produces what is good and right and true. We do good; we are fair to those below us (remembering that we also have a master in heaven- God); we are also considerate.

Compassion Requires Sacrifice

Mark 6:30-37
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

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1. Jesus had compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. That’s why He began to teach them. Jesus also wanted to care for their physical beings, too, by feeding them. The disciples’ reaction to feeding the five thousand was asking how that was possible with their limited resources. They didn’t realize that God owns an infinite amount of resources!

2. I think God also wants me to have compassion on “spiritually abandoned” people (like sheep without a shepherd) and care for them too.

3. Upon seeing people I see in my day to day life, I do have compassion on people but not enough. I want to take more action.

True Repentance Brings Restoration and Mercy from God

Luke 15:11-21
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13″Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17″When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21″The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]‘

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1. When the son “came to his senses,” he realized that even his father’s servants have abundance, and that he should stop trying to do things his way and return to his father. He was “kapok.”
2. His father had compassion and love for him and embraced him when the son came back.
3. When I’m wrong toward God and others, I think I realize it but sometimes I can be faster in showing repentance with my actions. I should not delay anymore in the future!