Sermon Central
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God Has A Job Prospect For You
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 1, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Many of us have suffered from feelings of fear when we thought that we had no prospect of a good job. However, the Lord gives His children a powerful promise in Jeremiah 29:11. This promise was given to the people of Israel during a time of terrible calam
God Has a Job Prospect for You (Jer 29:11)
Many of us have suffered from feelings of fear when we thought that we had no prospect of a good job. However, the Lord gives His children a powerful promise in Jeremiah 29:11. This promise was given to the people of Israel during a time of terrible calamity. When most people thought there was really no hope the Lord assured them that He holds out the prospects of a better tomorrow.
"I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for a welfare and for good and not for calamity. To give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11)
Illustration: In the mid-1970s, Ed Roberts created the world’s first commercially successful personal computer (PC). He hired a 19-year-old named Bill Gates to write software for him.
Roberts sold his computer business in 1977 and bought a farm. Seven years later, at the age of 41, he entered medical school. Today Bill Gates is the head of the largest software company in the world. Ed Roberts is a physician in a small Georgia town.
Roberts says, "The implication is that the PC is the most important thing I’ve ever done, and I don’t think that’s true. Every day I deal with things that are equally if not more important here with my patients."
How can we evaluate the significance of our lives? Something deep inside tells us that such a thing cannot be measured by wealth and fame.
As we look at the apostle Paul’s turbulent life, it seems noteworthy that he approached the end with a peaceful sense of successful completion. He wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). Paul looked confidently not to the world but to "the Lord, the righteous Judge," for approval and reward (v.8).
How do you measure the significance of your life? Only God can tell you what matters most. (Our Daily Bread)
Since sooner than later we’ll face our Creator,
Whose gaze pierces through to the heart,
Let’s make sure our dreams, our goals, and grand schemes
Have Christ in our plans from the start. --Gustafson
The measure of a life is determined by the Ruler of the universe.
1. Promise - God gives us His certainty that His plans are full of possibilities not impossibilities. The plans of God are full of blessed responsibilities that will make useful contributions for His eternal purposes. "Do not be dismayed whatever betides. God’s plans will take care of you."
2. Purpose - God assures us that we will not have to wander in life searching for meaning as His purpose satisfies us emotionally, mentally, financially and spiritually. God spoke through Isaiah, "My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa 55:8,9)God’s purposes are greater than ours so do not be dissuaded from moving forward in the will of God when things do not appear to be working out in the immediate. God sovereingly allows some bends in the roads and several humbling experiences to build Christ like character in our lives. Do not grow bitter but better with every calamity, difficulty and painful experience the Lord allows your way.
3. Presence - God assures that He is the one who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. God inspired David to write, "You will make known to me the paths of life. In your presence is fullness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psa 16:9-11) Sing this song in your personal devotions: "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel His mighty power and His grace."
4. Peace - God assures us that He will keep us in perfect peace as our minds and hearts are stayed on Him. (Isa 26:3) When we know that He is planning, providing and propelling us forward in His power, then we can be assured that we not lack any good thing.
Illustration: This morning I did not have a peace about my teaching so I went for a walk to pray and praise God for His plan. After twenty minutes the Lord filled my heart with a peace that passes understanding allowing me to tune in to Christ’s plan for my day. Take time to go for a walk with Jesus and allow Him to flood your mind, emotion and spirit with His peace.
5. Power - God supplies us with the authority, strength and energy to complete all the plans that He has for our life. When we are feeling strong or weak, He wants us to depend on His power and not our own. The Lord told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is perfected in your weakness." (2 Cor 12:9,10)
