Anticipate :: Devo #8

Master Plan
Do you know what the plan is? We have travel plans. Plans to visit the Haitian church, Pontezuela, the mountain camp, Puerto Plata. We are planning lessons and meals. Why do we make these plans? As we have noted, our diverse group carries with it a diversity of gifts and talents, driven by a common desire to serve the missionaries and the people in the Dominican Republic. Our plans are made in order that we be available – available to exercise these in our chosen ministry.

But our plans are only a part of God’s master plan, our role being defined when Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” (Matthew 28:19-20). Do we understand God’s plan? How our plans mesh with his? His plan isn’t always understood, you know. Look at Acts 1:6. Jesus came to be the path to salvation for all mankind, but the question here is about his plan for restoring Israel’s earthly kingdom. Saul was one who did not understand Jesus and how he was the fulfillment of God’s master plan. He set out on a journey according to his own plan. But along the way, he learned about God’s. And what a difference that made in the outcome!

Think about the commission we have, the charge to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Understand that plan and strive to make everything you do in preparation and during the trip conform.

Prayer
Thank God for his plan of salvation; tell him what that means to you. Ask him to help keep your focus on the master plan in whatever it is we choose or are called unexpectedly to do. And pray this week for the pastors and congregations of the new churches in the Puerto Plata area and for William as he continues his ministry of church building in that part of the Dominican Republic.