by David Brenneman
This was something that I wrote and posted on Facebook many years ago:
"A Bigger picture.
An interesting thing has happened with me some time ago. Praying for guidance and direction. Praying for God's plan and purpose for us. Praying concerning dreams since I had none for the future. Praying about First Baptist Church. Praying about many things.
While I was attempting to look closer, God said, step back. God CAN and sometimes does show us things that people won't tell us out right. He can tell us many answers about a great many things if we but ask. He is the revealer of mysteries, the Creator of the universe can and often does show us things if we but ask. We live in a world that wants us to live in the moment. To not think of consequences. To not consider that God's plans for us DO exist. To be reading His Word to see the things that are about to take place.
The pictures that God has shown me and the larger view that He is showing me has been incredible. His return is near. It is close. Prophecy is being fulfilled. All the devices and distractions of Satan cannot prevent it. He always has an Antichrist ready. The world is turning to heavily focus on the middle east. On Jerusalem, on that part of the world. Which is what God said would happen.
He shows me a course and direction for our lives. Val Canode Brenneman and I. We will obey and follow His plan. In all the smoke and mirrors of things in this life, God answered by having us step back just a bit to see what we needed to do to prepare for His plan.
God's view is always bigger."
Consider this passage as well: "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23-24 NASB and "And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”" Matthew 8:34-38 NASB.
Our lives, yes, are to indeed be LIVED, but we need to realize there is much more happening in the world than just our wants, our desires, needing to happen.
Many people get distracted, become distraught, when they pray and pray for someone or something from God and His response either is a definite no or it's not what they were wanting.
Jesus answers with, yes, no, not right now and wait, I have something better in mind.
But all, and the Scriptures are very clear, ALL, prayers must be in accordance with the will of God. Not the will of any man or woman.
We who are in Christ have but one mission in life and its not to treat God like He's there now to give us everything we ask. It's not about us getting everything in life we desire or think we should have. It's not about our will being done on Earth or making our will be done in Heaven.
There's a bigger picture. That bigger picture isn't some utopia coming to Earth for those who come to Christ for salvation. It's not that civilization will have some great enlightenment and we begin getting along with everyone else. Not happening.
Jesus told of what's to come and it will come to pass. Our job as Believers is to introduce people to Jesus. Tell others of the great things He's doing and has done in our lives. THAT is HIS will being done on Earth. That's the will of Heaven.
We see so many people trying to create their ideas for a joy filled life. Listening to people teach them how to be all they can be...but most all of these people neglect to make mention of a right relationship with Jesus.
The bigger picture includes a right relationship with Jesus. We aren't going to give an account of our degrees and certifications before Jesus on what we accomplished for ourselves while here on Earth. We won't be giving a review of our vacation and what joy they personally brought to us.
The bigger picture includes what we did in the body for Jesus. That's the totality of that account being given.
Your thoughts and intentions behind your why's in what you did.
The bigger picture of our lives is that we were each born in this here, this now, for God's own purpose, for God's own sake, for God's plan. It's not about us getting the best and greatest out of this life.
So many are deceived into thinking that spending on themselves from diets to degrees, to visits to museums to grand European vacations will define the success of their lives.
What did you do for Him? What did you do for Jesus? Who have you shared Jesus with? What are your prayers filled with? Do you give what you are doing in your life to God? Are you walking with Jesus or did you leave Him on a park bench somewhere until you're done riding all the rides, done seeing all the sights?
The bigger picture is Jesus is returning.
The bigger picture is we are to be growing in Christ.
The bigger picture is this world is being changed to be ready for His return.
The bigger picture is this world is approaching the endgame. The judgment of God in the book of Revelation.
What are you doing in your life to become more like Christ? What are you actively doing to be different from the world to show the world the living hope in you?
Success in the mind of God is doing whatever it is He's given you to do. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
In the faith chapter in Hebrews 11 we read of so many who set self aside to bring about what God wanted.
Step back in your here and now and see just how much and how often your priorities and what the Bible says should be your priorities match up.
Many will lay claims to doing oh so much in His name...those many end up in Hell because they had no relationship with Jesus.
Be sure about your being saved first. Live for Jesus after you do. That is His will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. That is your part in the bigger picture.
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