The Plan of God

28. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our text for today is:

 Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

  Our text today opens up with “from that time on” referring to the time following Peter’s revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the Living God.   Jesus tells his disciples about the things that they were about to see him experience as he travels into

Peter is astonished by the news as any one would be who loves someone.  It is very difficult to hear in advance that someone is going to die.   I remember when my mom died a couple of years ago, she was trying to tell us that her time on this earth was over and that she felt she would be leaving us soon, but I would not listen and I would constantly say, “Momma, please…. You’re not dying; you’re going to be around a long time.”    In our text, Peter actually rebukes the Lord.  He actually reprimands Jesus for saying that he will suffer and ultimately die.  Jesus immediately attributes his actions to being influenced by Satan.    Jesus tells Peter that he does not have in mind the things of God but of men.   Peter is being selfish in his attempt to save Jesus’s life but Jesus says to save it would be in direct opposition to the plan of God.   

Sometimes there are difficult things that we have to accept and embrace in life but to have it any other way could possibly mean we are in opposition to the plan of God.   You may notice that I have this favorite saying which is;  “All is well, “Everything is Safe,  and Everything is as it should be.”   I believe that with all of my heart.  No matter what happens in life.  God knows.  God knew it was coming and God has a plan before it even came to get us through it.  The problem is that we aren’t privy to that information so we sometimes panic but we just have to trust him.  

During this economic challenge that our country is facing, please know that God knew it was coming and God has a plan to sustain us no matter what it looks like and no matter what we may or may not have lost already.   God promises that his people would be satisfied in the time of famine and restoration is so sweet………

Jesus then goes on to tell his disciples that if any man wants to hold on to his life and loves it more than the things of God then he will loose it.   Despite all the “New Age” and “Spiritualists” teachings, there is a destiny for our soul and those of us who are in Christ will live with him for ever and we will be rewarded according to our deeds.   That’s why the Apostle Paul writes “O death where is your sting and grave, where is your victory.”   In death, we live………..    How powerful….

 Stay encouraged!!!!!!!!! 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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