Sunday, September 22, 2013

DAY 491 - Can We Question God's Plan? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)


**NEW link for the  14th: 13th 100 days 24 hours prayer campaign (We are going to use this 13th list leads up to the 14th. 13th from March 15 to June 22, 2013. 14th from June 22 to August 31, 2013)

Today's Reading: Romans 11:33-36


** If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from my Devotion on Fire blog:
http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html
To use this simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link:
 .Subject Shifting Devotion.pd


Please click this link to read Romans 11:33-36



Bible Study


      Paul uses Doxology to conclude the first part of the book of Romans. He expresses his awe of God and reflects on the fact that God's plan is beyond our understanding. 

      Have you questioned God's plan? Yesterday CNN repeated four times of an interview of Rick Warren and his wife Kay of their true, sad and deep sharing about their son's death. Matthew who was 27, shot himself in April. During an interview on Tuesday Rick Warren said, "I never questioned my faith in God; I questioned God’s plan.” If Rick could say that to the world revealing his vulnerability, who can escape from this kind of questioning. Please click the link below to watch the interview and read the report:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/09/17/rick-warren-on-guns-god-and-sons-tragic-death/?iref=allsearch 

     Paul says God's plan is too deep for us to question. In order to walk with God in His plan, Paul starts the second part of the book of Romans. It's all about how we can be transformed so that we know more about God's plan and be willing to follow our Lord Jesus Christ to live out His plan.

 Bishop N.T. Wright's says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):
     This is the point in the argument when the only thing left to do is to take a long, deep breath and shake our heads in wonderment, and give praise to the God whose thoughts, plans and accomplishments are so much deeper and greater than anything we could have imagined for ourselves.
    When Jewish people want to praise God, they have a rich tradition to draw on in the Bible, and Paul draws together several passages to heap up not only praise itself but the echoes of Israel's praise down the ages... Passages like Job 5:9, 15:8 and 26:22 and 23 echo underneath verses 33 and 34; verse 35 then quotes directly from Job 41:11, near the conclusion of that great book. 

N.T. Wright. Paul for Everyone:Romans: Part 2. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.61.

     So, in your sorrow, hurt and loss, have you ever question God's plan? Do you think God will give you an answer when you question His plan? As Rick said, he cried everyday after Matthew died in April! I give thanks to God that Rick is so courageous to show the world of his pain and sorrow. How do you live each day in God's plan without any clue to know where His plan leads you to? 

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"


Spiritual Journal

     What I heard from Jesus today is: Can we question God's plan?

    What I got from Jesus today is a deep and rich theological reflection. We all know that we cannot understand God's plan. We all know that we should not question God's plan when we think that it comes the wrong way, the way that we can hardly accept.

      God through Rick Warren son's tragedy gives us a chance to put down our mask to be "super-Christian". Rick in his super position as the most famous pastor on earth can tell the world that because of Jesus he can overcome all that and in Jesus he is OK. But, Rick chooses to tell the world that he is not OK and ask us to mourn with him. You know how difficult it is for him to reveal his weakness? Lots of pastors when they reveal their weakness they got into big trouble and some of his leaders might choose not following him or her. That's why so many Christians and Christian leaders choose to put on a mask not revealing how weak they are. That's why there are so many burn-out pastors because they do not have people to be around them supporting them, praying for them in some critical moments. Rick chooses wisely!

     So, am I teaching you that you can question God's plan? Not at all. I just say that we are just human and lots of time we cannot understand what God is doing. For Paul, he teaches us to take a deep breath and praise the Lord, then go on chapter 12 to the end of what we need to do is to be transformed to be more like Christ. 

     Be ready to enter into chapter 12 tomorrow and enjoy every moment the coming 15 days to experience transformation. Then you'll know that it's OK we do not know God's plan. We'll never know God's plan because He is God! He may reveal some of His plan to you in His own way and in His own time. Trust Him and everything will be well!

Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to be willing to enter into the process of transformation so that we can live each day more fully and we will love you more dearly. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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