God's Plan, Not Mine

God's Plan, Not Mine

Have you ever found yourself trying to control the outcome of a situation, only to realize that God had other plans? I know I have. It's easy to get caught up in our own desires and expectations, but the truth is, God's ways are not our ways.

A Lesson in Trust

In Deuteronomy 31:8, Moses reminds the Israelites that God will always be with them, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. This verse has been a source of comfort for me, reminding me that I don't have to have all the answers.

When Chaos Ensues

In Acts 23:9-11, we see Paul's life in danger, but God intervenes and rescues him. This passage shows us that even in the midst of chaos, God is sovereign. He can bring order out of confusion and provide a way out of seemingly impossible situations.

The Refining Fire

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:25-26 about the many hardships he faced, from being beaten with rods to being shipwrecked. But despite these challenges, Paul remained steadfast in his faith. His experiences remind us that following God's plan doesn't guarantee an easy life, but it does promise that He will be with us through every trial.

Trials and Tribulations

In Psalm 119:66-76, the psalmist writes about the value of trials in teaching us knowledge and good judgment. This passage reminds us that our struggles are not in vain. God can use them to refine us and teach us valuable lessons.

Confidence in God

Hebrews 13:6 reminds us that our confidence should be in God, not in our own abilities or plans. When we trust in Him, we can face the future with courage and assurance.

Surrendering to God's Plan

So, what does it mean to surrender to God's plan? It means letting go of our need to control and trusting that God knows what's best for us. It means being open to unexpected twists and turns, and trusting that God will use them for our good.

Reflection Questions:

What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God's plan?
How can you trust in God's presence and provision during uncertain times?
What lessons can you learn from trials and tribulations?

May God give us the wisdom to trust in His plan, even when it's not our own.

Credits:

This blog post was inspired by a Bible study led by Keith M. Craddock. Special thanks to Meta AI for assisting with the writing and editing of this post.

Bless Family and Home

 "Bless Family and Home"

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

As followers of Christ, we are called to be a blessing to our families and homes. But what does that look like in practical terms?

Choosing to Serve the Lord

In Joshua 24:15, we read:

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua is giving the Israelites a choice: they can serve the Lord, or they can serve other gods. But Joshua makes it clear that he and his household will serve the Lord, no matter what.

The Spiritual Battle for Our Homes

In Ephesians 6:12, we read:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

This verse reminds us that there is a spiritual battle going on for our homes and families. Satan wants to destroy our relationships and our faith, but God wants to bless and protect us.

Blessing Our Families and Homes

So how can we bless our families and homes? Here are a few ideas:

Pray for your family: Take time each day to pray for your family members and ask God to bless and protect them.
Serve your family: Look for ways to serve your family members, whether it's cooking a meal, helping with chores, or simply listening to them.
Create a peaceful home environment: Make your home a peaceful and welcoming place by playing uplifting music, displaying encouraging artwork, and keeping a tidy and organized space.

Conclusion

Blessing our families and homes is a choice we make every day. We can choose to serve the Lord and prioritize our relationships with our family members. We can pray for our families, serve them, and create a peaceful home environment. Let us commit to blessing our families and homes today.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways you can bless your family today?
How can you prioritize your relationships with your family members?
What does it mean to you to create a peaceful home environment?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to bless our families and homes. Give us wisdom and guidance as we navigate the challenges of family life. Protect us from the spiritual forces of evil and fill our homes with Your peace and love. In Jesus' name, Amen

Selling Your Soul: The Cost of Compromise

 Selling Your S

oul: The Cost of Compromise

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock 

What does it mean to sell your soul? In a world where material possessions and fleeting pleasures often take center stage, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that success and happiness can be bought. But the truth is, there's a far greater cost to pursuing the world's definition of success.

What Does It Profit a Man?

In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks:

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"

Jesus is pointing out the absurdity of prioritizing worldly possessions and pleasures over our spiritual well-being. What does it profit a man to gain everything the world has to offer, only to lose his soul in the process?

Fleeing the Corruption in the World

In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul writes:

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

As believers, we're called to flee from the corruption in the world and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. We can't afford to get caught up in the world's definition of success, because it will ultimately lead to spiritual bankruptcy.

Being Led by the Spirit

In Romans 8:14, Paul writes:

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

As children of God, we're called to be led by the Spirit of God. This means prioritizing our spiritual well-being, seeking God's guidance and direction, and living according to His purposes.

Conclusion

Selling your soul is a costly business. When we prioritize worldly possessions and pleasures over our spiritual well-being, we risk losing everything that truly matters. Let us remember that our souls are worth far more than all the world's riches combined.

Reflection Questions

What are you prioritizing in your life? Are you seeking worldly success or spiritual significance?
How can you flee from the corruption in the world and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace?
What does it mean to you to be led by the Spirit of God?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to prioritize our spiritual well-being and to seek Your guidance and direction. May we not be tempted by the world's definition of success, but instead may we seek to live according to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.