God's plans.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Isaiah 43:2 

I was listening to Chuck Swindoll on the radio a few nights ago and he was talking about the mob yelling “crucify” and how Pilate conducted business on that dark night.  Then I started to think about how good it would have been if when Jesus was resurrected how simply appropriate it would have been for him to appear to Pontius Pilate or some of the guards who had scourged Him; not in God’s plans. 

God’s plans are always far greater than what this world would have scripted; His plans turn this world upside down.  God the Father brought Him back on the road to Emmaus to walk with two whom He had walked with before and they didn’t realize ‘who’ they were with.  This happens to us as well; we never see the Savior in the person that is helping us or correcting us or bringing us a smile on a dark day.  There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It's a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don't realize it, Jesus is walking with us.  The child in the attached photo attends school in Merrotte and she is enjoying her noon Trinity/HOPE meal.  She is experiencing a great thing and walks with Jesus.  You may be the person who donated the quarter for her meal, you are walking with Jesus and your small gift has done a really great thing for her, and for Jesus. 

We might as well be walking on that dirt road to Emmaus as we don’t often realize that we are walking with Jesus, we always are; He is there right beside us.  We may only think that he sits next to us in Church but wherever we go, here in North America or in Haiti; He is there walking with us.  The Bishops have recorded a song titles ‘Great things’ and the lyrics bring a wonderful closure to this message and hopefully you will look a little harder the next time you are walking down that dirt road. 

“Peter and John saw while walking along a lame man begging alms by the gate.  Straightway they told, “We’ve no silver or gold, but for you a great treasure awaits.”  Now such as I have give I thee in the name of the Lord, rise up and walk.”  And be not amazed that a crippled was raised it’s through Jesus we do great things.  Great things are in store for the child of the Lord when he walks with the King of kings and each word that you say when you kneel down to pray will be carried on the backs of angels wings.  When you walk with Jesus you’re going to do great things.  Now we have big dreams when we’re younger; it seems of a life where we do great things.  But life finds a way of taking our dreams away when our plans unravel at the seams.  And though you feel small in God’s eyes you’ll stand tall if your footsteps are faithful and true for the same power that raised Lazarus up from the grave is the same power Jesus gives to you.  Great things are in store for the child of the Lord when he walks with the King of kings and each word that you say when you kneel down to pray will be carried on the backs of angels wings.  When you walk with Jesus you’re going to do great things.  I won’t worry if I’m never famous, or for those worldly pleasures I’ve missed.  For Jesus gave me sweet peace like a river.  Tell me what could be greater than this?  Great things are in store for the child of the Lord when he walks with the King of kings and each word that you say when you kneel down to pray will be carried on the backs of angels wings.  When you walk with Jesus you’re going to do great things.  When you walk with Jesus you’re going to do great things.  Great things; great things.” 

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay