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E-pistle

FreeWay Foundation            March 1, 2013

 

The Hand of God

                        Ezra 7 – 8

 

I.  WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS GOD'S HAND ON?

            1.  Prepared Mind – "skilled scribe", 7:6

                 to be educated, equipped, experienced

            2.  Prepared Heart – 7:10

                 to seek God's law (read, study, meditate, listen)

            3.  Prepared Will – 7:10

                 to obey (practice what you preach)

            4.  Prepared Spirit – 7:27, 28

                 to worship (praise and thanksgiving bring encouragement)

II.  WHAT DOES A PERSON, TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF GOD DO?

            1.  Fast, 8:21, 23

            2.  Humble self and seek God's will, 8:21

            3.  Pray, 8:23

            4.  Receive "word" from God; follow it, 8:22

III.  WHAT DOES GOD'S HAND ON A PERSON PRODUCE?

            1.  Opened door of opportunity (answered prayer), 7:6

            2.  Sense of purpose and destiny (begin; arrived), 7:9

            3.  Committed followers (dedicated associates with godly wisdom

                 and touched hearts who encourage the leader)

            4.  Providential protection (deliverance from enemies until God's

                 purpose is accomplished), 8:31

 

 

 

 

"I know the plans I have for you"

Jeremiah 29:11

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

"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."  Jeremiah 29:11.

 

I.  God's plan includes PROVISION . . . "to prosper you"

            There have been times when FreeWay Foundation has a "lean and skinny" finances. 

But during these time intimacy with the Lord has increased because we have been driven to

Our knees in fervent prayer.  No doubt, you have had similar experiences in your life and work.

Through difficult days, we come to experience more deeply the faithfulness of God's providential

care.  Matthew 6:33 reminds us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all

these things (basic necessities) shall be added unto you."  And Philippians 4:19 has proven to be

absolutely trustworthy:  "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by

Christ Jesus."  Therefore, we should be confident that God will continue His provisions for us

and our ministries.

II.  God's plan includes PROTECTION "not to harm you"

            Not only does God promise not to do us harm, He also promises to protect us from Satan

and his followers who want to "steal, kill, and destroy" . . . steal our joy, kill our witness, and

destroy our ministry.  Isn't it wonderful how Scriptures which are extremely familiar sometimes

take on new vitality and meaning when difficulty arises?  Psalm 23, for example, has brought me

new faith to replace fear recently.  "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I

will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  And Hebrews

13:5, 6 also spoke a fresh word:  "He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you,'

so we may boldly say:  'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?'"

Therefore we may confidently know that God's hand is upon us to do us good.

III.  God's plan includes PERSPECTIVE . . . "to give you hope"

            Paul talks about being "hard-pressed . . . perplexed . . . persecuted . . . struck down,

(II Corinthians 4:8, 9).  Such emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical attacks tend to throw us into

doubt, depression, and despondency.  BUT GOD . . . doesn't that phrase thrill your heart? . . . But

God gives His children a different outlook . . .  a new perspective.  His word affirms that "His abundant

mercy has begotten us again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from the dead,"

I Peter 1:3.  Paul in Romans 8L:24, 25 writes "For we were saved in this HOPE, but HOPE that is seen is

not HOPE . . . but if we HOPE for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

Therefore, we have renewed HOPE; not yet seeing clearly, but persevering because we know God wants

us to see and to know His plan for us.  (See James 1:5)  I'm praying that God's enlightenment may

give us all an every brightening HOPE.

IV.  God's plan includes PURPOSE . . . "to give you . . . a future"

            I heard someone say, "A man of God is invincible until God is finished accomplishing His

purpose trough him."  I believe that's true of God-called people and of God-ordained ministries.

Our future is as bright as the purposes of God.  Psalm 138:8 proclaims:  "The Lord will perfect (fulfill)

that which concern me."  And Philippians 1:6 also witnesses that God's plan includes a set purpose

which shall be accomplished:  "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of

Jesus Christ."  Therefore, we are people of destiny, with an assurance based not on knowing what the

future holds, but on knowing Who holds our future. 

NOW A FINAL AND PERSONAL WORD:

            God has a plane for YOUR life!  A plan that includes His provision and His protection . . .

a plan through which He brings you a new perspective and a renewed purpose.  Find that plan . . .

follow it . . . and true fulfillment will be yours. 

 

"Whatever you are be a good one!"

--Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

         

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