God Has A Plan

God’s Has A Plan

8/23/09

Good morning and thank you for choosing to worship with us today here at Central.

It is our desire that you enjoy the warmth and fellowship of the people of God, that you have a life changing experience with God, and that you discover the plan He has for your life.

Let’s make our profession together, this is my bible, God’s holy word, it is a lamp …

ILLUSTRATION

When Kirk and Brandon were young, I, like many Dad’s, spent countless hours with them showing them how to catch, throw and hit a baseball.

I would pitch to them, work with them off a T-ball stand and swing a ball on a rope to them teaching them hand to eye coordination.

They could knock the cover off a baseball.

Kirk was a vacuum cleaner at shortstop, he didn’t miss a ball.

Brandon could stab a ball down then third base line.

I spent years coaching them and teaching them.

I called it, “My Retirement Plan.”

They would turn professional and rake in millions and take care of Dad for the rest of his life.

I thought it was a pretty good plan, don’t you?

One thing I failed to consider, “Was it possible that they could have had a much better coach?”

Where did my plan get us?

Kirk and Brandon are going to school, working and trying to eek out a living and I am saving all I can to prepare for retirement.

Things do not always go as we plan.

Have things ever gone a different way than you had planned?

Turn in your bible with me this morning to the book of Jeremiah, the 29th chapter, and verse 1-11.

While you are turning there, does anyone still remember the first quarterback for the new expansion team called the Houston Texans?

#8 David Carr

David Carr spoke a few years ago at the South Texas Assemblies of God Men’s Ministries banquet at District Council.

I sent Brandon to get every NFL football he could so I could get his autograph on them as an investment to sell when he became famous.

Another bad plan. But we do have a diehard David Carr fan here this morning.

She has an autographed David Carr Jersey that is of no value either except to show her how much her husband loves her.

April Klinkerman, I want to give you this David Carr autographed football that has a value of; let’s just say that Marlys and I love you.

Jeremiah 29: 4-11 NIV

4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." 8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.

10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I want to speak to those this morning that are going through difficult circumstances and are questioning, I don’t know why?

• I’ve done what seemed to be the right thing.

• I have been a good and hardworking employee.

• I have been a good and faithful husband or wife.

• I have given of my tithes and offering.

• I have done my best to take care of my physical body.

• I have been good to my family and friends and treated them the way that I would want to be treated.

We need to remember, the same clouds that bring shade, coolness, and breeze can also bring thunder, lightning, and rain.

1

1. When God says yes, but we are thinking No!

I have never met anybody who I believe truly enjoy trials and tribulation in their lives, although at times it’s questionable.

We all want roses all the way, not all along the way.