HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 254
page A252
Persecution continued
• R E V E L AT I O N 1 4 :1 2 | This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently,
obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Remain obedient to God and endure the persecution patiently, just as Jesus did when he
was persecuted.
PROMISES FROM GOD
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 :5 | The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his
comfort through Christ.
• R E V E L AT I O N 2 :1 0 | “If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the
crown of life.”
Planning See also Decisions; Priorities; Purpose; Work
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Homespun wisdom says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Although you won’t find it
put just that way in the Bible, you will find many stories of both effective and poor planning. The Bible teaches that God is a God of both purpose and planning. His purpose is
to draw all humanity to himself in order to forgive and redeem. His plan—from Creation
to the Law to the Prophets to Jesus and the church—is to send his Son to die for our
sins, take our punishment upon himself, and be raised from the dead so that we can
be rescued from eternal death to eternal life. Our plans won’t be quite so dramatic, but
nonetheless, planning is an important part of our lives. The big question is if, in all our
planning, we ever consult his perfect and eternal plan.
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Does God have a plan, or is everything just happening by chance?
• G E NE S I S 4 5 :5 | “Don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God
who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”
God used even the unjust way Joseph’s own brothers treated him to fulfill his future plan.
• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 2 :7 | The wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that
was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world
began.
God’s plan of redemption was established even before Creation itself.
• E PH E S I A NS 3 :6 | And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News
share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children.
God’s plan to save humankind included a provision for all people, both Jew and Gentile.
If God has a plan, why should I even try to plan? Shouldn’t I just trust God to
lead me?
• 1 C H R O NI C L E S 2 8 :1 2 , 1 9 | David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the
courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the
gifts dedicated to the Lord. . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given
to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”
Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps you put your faith in God into
action. God will lead you, but it is your responsibility to make it happen—to recognize his
lead, make a plan, and follow through. God’s work doesn’t happen simply by chance; he
needs capable people who are willing to plan ahead and do the work.
• G E NE S I S 4 1 :3 5 | Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just
ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be
food in the cities.
Joseph’s willingness to use his gifts to help the Egyptians plan for seven years of famine
also allowed God’s plan to be fulfilled.
• NE H E MI A H 2 :1 6 | The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing,
for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. (See note on page 428.)
