When God put man on earth, He wanted to have a forever relationship that would see mankind walking and talking everyday with Him. A personal, loving, trusting commitment to each other developing over the years. That was God’s plan!
I had planned to do this message last week, but God had a different plan and He gave me the message “Have Faith in Jesus – He Calms the Storms!”
Considering all the fear and panic happening due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the major correction in the stock market, God wanted me to tell you to trust Him again. He is still here, the same loving God who put us here. You can read that message outline in the sermons tab on this website and soon the video version will be up.
What happened to God’s plan for us? We happened! Mankind decided that we knew better than God how to live and that we did not need God to guide us through life. So, we struck out on our own to prove we were right. Some would say “it is our right,” others would cry “freedom at last,” and still others would say “it’s an adventure – let’s explore the possibilities.”
Throughout the Bible history, mankind took their own path so many times and every time God waited patiently for them to return to His plan and when they did not turn back to Him, God intervened to show them the way back.
Last week I stated, “Even with so many crises in this book of history, still here we stand, proof that mankind will persevere, and God will intervene. God tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. God promised to lead us out of our distress and to calm the storms.”
Revelations 21:3-4 NIV
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
God promises us a new place to live if we follow Him in His plan for us.
That is God’s commitment to us! God has always wanted the best for us and unfortunately, we have thumbed our noses at Him, countless times over. What an awesome Father God is to still love us after all our lack of trust.
Back in the prophet Samuel’s time, the Israelites were in a mess again, trying to find their own way. They were into a conflict with the Philistine nation and it was not going well. They asked God to intervene and He did which caused the Philistines to return the “Ark of the Covenant”. The people of Israel were trying to depend on God again, so Samuel reminds them of what they need to do.
1 Samuel 7: 3-4 NIV
3 And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths,and served the Lord only.
Baal and Ashtoreths were gods of other nations which the Israelites had started worshipping. Samuel is telling the people to get rid of all other gods and recommit to the God who created them, who loved and protected them.
Sounds a lot like today! We, as a nation and a world, have wandered away from following the God who created us, the God who planned to have an incredible relationship of love and commitment with us.
Today, we need to look at our relationship with God to see where it lacks. If we are not committed to walking with God, why do we complain that God is doing nothing to save us now?
God is still the same! God does not change – we change! Why is it so hard to see the plan God has for us? Why is it so hard to follow God’s path?
One of the biggest reasons we fail to follow God’s path is that it is not the easy path. Commitment is hard work! It is so much easier to let someone else do it, to avoid saying “pick me,” or stay on the couch/computer and do nothing.
When we decide to follow God’s plan for us, we become part of God’s family. That decision brings with it the desire to commit to God’s plan and God gives us the strength and tools to go forward with Him.
The church is not the building we were meeting in. God’s church is the people who are committed to God and His plan for us. Gathered from many backgrounds, lifestyles and personalities, we can come together in unity and purpose for life, now and forever.
Ephesians 2: 19-22 NIV
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
When we trust in Jesus, who is the cornerstone of this faith we have, then we become a mighty church, a holy temple in which God dwells with us every moment of our lives. That is when the work starts, to show our fellow citizens of this community, country, world that God is alive and ready to show us His plan.
In the February 6th edition of our local newspaper, the Dawson Creek Mirror, there is an article by Jenee Baldwin. In it, Jenee states, “Real Christianity is an active two-way relationship with a living being that changes you from the inside out, strengthens you, comforts you, upholds you, emboldens you, and transforms you into the likeness of God.
Last week, I shared that I do not believe that God is finished with us yet. Today I am encouraging you to trust in this awesome God who loves you, who wants to protect you and lead you into His presence for eternity.
That’s God’s Plan and it requires Commitment!
Now listen and watch as Barb Munro sings “I Can Sing of Your Love Forever.”
Thank you for tuning in to this new form of service for First Baptist Church. We hope that you will continue to read your Bible, pray for each other and call to say hi regularly. We look forward to improving this broadcast each week so come back next Sunday at 10:30am to join us.
Let’s pray:
Almighty God, may your love flow out to all the people in this world today as we struggle with a new kind of day. Please grant your mercy on those who are ill, remove this sickness from the nations and lead us back to you daily.
There is fear and panic in some people and I ask that you would calm their anxiety and allow them to bask in your peace and loving care.
Give strength to those that are working with the sick and protect them from this virus. Father, may we look to you for rescue! You promise us that you will not leave us and that you will walk with us through this storm, carrying us when we fall, and giving us the ability to weather the storm and come out of it stronger, wiser and more committed to you and each other.
Lord, go with all these people today and help them love one another and care for each other this week. All praise belongs to you! Amen.
See all of you next week! God Bless!
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