"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
Martie and I participated in a study some years ago called the "Truth Project", created by Focus on the Family. A question was posed that struck at our very core. "Do you believe that what you believe, is really real?" If you don't believe something is true, you won't act on it and certainly won't stake your life on it! Do you believe that the Bible is God's revealed truth to mankind, and as such use it as a guide for how you live, view God and man? That, simply, is having a Biblical world view. Using the Bible as the prism through which you view this life we live. According to the Barna Research Group, only 9 percent of born-again believers hold a biblical worldview. In essence, the church as a whole does not believe what it says it believes.
Do you believe that God has plans for you - you specifically - not just for the world at large? When you read a verse like Jeremiah 29:11 do you think - "Isn't that a lovely thought?" and then press on with your day? Or do you say, like young Samuel, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening!" (1 Samuel 3:10). Do you really want to know what the Lord has planned for you or do you prefer to remain in what we called "name-tag defilade". That needs a little explanation!
Defilade is a term that I learned when I was in Armor (read tanks) in the Army. It is when the park the tank behind something so only the main gun and turret are exposed to the enemy. To be in "name-tag" defilade meant that you the name tag on your shirt below the top of the desk and therefore not visible to the "enemy", that being the instructor, and they would not call on you. In our case, you try to not be noticed by God and perhaps He won't interrupt your own plans and ask you to do something that you stretch or test your faith.
God knows how He would like you to join Him in His grand story. To continue with the military thread. We had Strategic, Operational, and Tactical plans (higher to lower). So does God. 99% of us are at the tactical level. Boots on the ground if you will. God will typically call our name - name tag hidden or not - to join Him in what He is doing in "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or perhaps, for some, the uttermost parts of the earth". The question is - are you listening and are you willing to answer the Call. Or are you content with being saved - and living a non-descript life in name tag defilade. Are you willing to be recognized as a Christ Follower or are you like Peter was before Jesus' death and resurrection.
"And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, 'You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.' But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, 'This man is one of them.' But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, 'Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.' But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, 'I do not know this man of whom you speak.'" - Mark 14:66-71
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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