Cet enseignement est donné par un protestant et pour des protestants. Il doit donc être reçu avec certaines précautions et adapté. On sera attentif en particulier à la place des sacrements, de l’Église, et à ne pas avoir une utilisation instrumentale de la Parole de Dieu.
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Ever have one of those days where all your plans just get thrown out the window ? And everything goes the wrong way ? Ever thought "I should have stayed in bed."
Personnal example
If you are going through unexpected tough times, and things aren't going the way you planned, you picked the good day to come to church.
What does God say about His plan for your life, and your plans for your life ?
Job 25, 2 God is a planner. He has planned everything in history, and the universe. He allows us to make decisions, but it makes it fit in his plan.
Job 37, 12 God is in charge of the weather, because he created it. He commands whatever happens.
Ps 33, 11. Eternally. (Circle that) God plans lasts eternally.
Is 14, 27. Nobody.
=> You don't need to sweat, because God is in control ! You don't need to freak out ! Some people get scared at every election : what if my guy isn't elected ?" Come back to this verses. Some battles are won, some are lost, but God will have the last word. And it is good. So why are you sweating, acting like every little decision is the end of the world ? It's not ! God is in charge, and his plan is eternal.
Pr 19, 21 ; Pr 16, 33 So it's not entirely up to you. You don't control where and when you were born, you didn't chose your talents, etc. Act like "I'm the captain of my fate" is non sense ! You have no control over most of the things that make you you.
Christmas is about God beeing in control, and messing everybody's plan. (8:00 and following) Marie and Joseph had a plan. And an angel pops up saying "oh, I have an other plan". Herode. The Jews (expecting God to kick out the Romans). The sheperds. Etc. Has God ever messed up your plans ? Did this year go the way you planned it ? It would probably be a long list.
Attention : not everything that happens in your life is God ideal. We mess up a lot of plans ourselves. And other people do their share in spoiling our plans. But sometimes, it's because God messed them up. What should you do when it happens ? Three things to remember.
1. God is trying to get your attention !
Most of us are poor listeners. We are so busy talking that we don't have time to listen to God. We listen to YT, to the TV... But we don't listen God. Ps 81, 13. When it comes to listen to God, we all have ADD. When God changes my plan, it means I was not listening. So he tries to catch my attention. I made plans without discussing it with them.
Jc 4, 13-15. What's wrong with that ? Nothing. One thing : God is not mentionned. Is God in your business plan ? So we should make plans, counting on God to help us. "If it's God's will, I will etc."
Why does God want to listen to him ? To keep us from walking into dead ends. He knows the future. He can see after the turn, what you can't see coming. Pr 16, 25. How many times have you experienced this ? Unexpectedly landing into a dead end ? You weren't listening to God. Why was it a disaster ? Limited perspective. When God changes your plan, it's always for your benefit. And we have his Word to guide us.
2. God has a better plan
God has a better plans than yours ! We don't often see how it's better : that's why we need faith. Bible tells us three things about God's plan :
God's plan is always good. Jr 29, 11 "Hope", "Good". God's plan is a good plan ! So I don't get upset when God changes my plan.
God's plan is more rewarding. Maybe on earth. But certainly ultimately in heaven, for ever and ever and ever. 1 Co 2, 9. If God showed you what he has planned for your, it would blow your mind. You have no idea how cool God's plan is for your life !!! You cannot imagine it !!! Mary and Joseph just wanted to get married ! God's plan : I'ld like to save the entire world through your marriage, and come myself in flesh into the world. God's plan is better and bigger.
God's plan is sometimes harder. If you are looking for the easiest plan, don't follow God. Because God is more interested in your character than your comfort. It can be difficult, it can be confusing, it sometimes doesn't make sense, sometimes involve pain. I tell your from personnal experience. Because God wants you to be a grown up, a man, a woman of God. 1 P 4, 12-13. I'm honest with you. Wasn't easy for Mary to face the gossip and explain her situation. Wasn't easy to go to Bethleem on a donkey the day before she delivers. And then deliver first baby alone, in a stable ! And you are going to experience this to, and be like : "Why ?" Mary understood later, and so will you.
3. God wants you to trust him
That's why he doesn't explain everything in advance ! Jn 13, 7. Imagine Joseph (29:00) ! "By the way honey, I'm pregnant, and the father is God !" Who would believe it ? All you can do in those moments is trust. And that's what you will be able to do. And Marry and Joseph didn't have Rm 8, 28 ! God just wants us to trust him. It's the only way to please him. He 11, 6.
So, when life doesn't make sense, just keep on trusting. God wants us to trust his love, God wants us to trust his promises, God wants us to trust is goodness, etc. Everytime your plans get changed, you're being tested.
Wrapping up
You can trust that God has a plan for your life, and it's a good one. No one can ruin your life. Listen to me : no one can ruin your life. Satan hasn't that much power. The only person that can do that is you !
This year, some of your plans will be changed. God will be with you no matter what happens. Cooperating with God's plan is the only rational way to live. The only one that makes sense.
Memorise this : Ps 138, 8 Hold on to this, memorise this.
How do I know I'm not trusting God's plan ? Two warning lights : frustration and fear. Means : attention, warning !
Christmas is the moment when God reveals his plan. Throughout all Old Testament, God gives hints : I have a big plan ! But nobody knows what it is ! Christmas is the moment when he reveals it.
Eph 3, 9-11
Stop freaking out with what's going on in the world ! Stop getting listening to the news : it's all bad ! Stop getting upset !
Have you accepted that Jesus is your Saviour ?
Powerful prayer to finish
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