A Divine Plan

August 6, 2013

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . Life . God's greater plan, Human vs Divine, Steadfast Faith, Variables. Go'd Glory . Leave a comment

“… you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” Mark 8:22-33

In business, every new venture has it’s rough period. For all the great ideas and carefully constructed strategic planning, there are variables that are either miscalculated or unidentified at the time of launch and things ultimately get worse before they get better. To be successful, one must be able to manage these variables and adapt to unexpected changes. However, once you are able to get through the rough periods (@ 5years) and become more experienced in your field, you will begin to see your strategic plan begin to live up to that great idea.

Jesus’ ministry was part of God’s greater plan for his kingdom. When Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, ten -to-one, Peter, partly out of ignorance and partly out of compassion, probably never heard the good news “and after three days rise again.” His mind was set on the physical and not on the spiritual; on the plan and not the future hope. Jesus recognizes the variable of ignorance (Peter’s inability to see the full picture) and immediately manages the enemies attempt to use Peter. Like Peter, we may not always be able to see the full picture, yet know that our striving everyday has already been taken into consideration by God. If we set our mind on the divine through Christ, God’s greater plan will also be revealed in us.

Necessities

July 9, 2013

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . Life . Far Greater, God's greater plan, Laborers for Christ, Lambs among Wolves, Necessities . 3 Comments

See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals… Luke 10:1-11; 16-20 Whatever it is we think we need – to do God’s work means absolutely nothing to God. No matter how much we think we can accomplish with what we believe is “necessary,” – God has accomplished far greater with far less!

We Are The House

July 26, 2012

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . Life . Access, Christian Journey, God's greater plan, God's Presence, House of Cedar, love, Neighbor, reconciliation, Spiritual Dwelling . Leave a comment

As the scripture in 2 Samuel continues, David did not get to build that house of cedar. Essentially I believe David’s heart was in the right place but his concept was wrong. Neither do we get to build the walls in which God’s spirit dwells, because it is suppose to dwell within us, so that where ever we go God’s presence goes with us. It is this kind of reconciliation that is God’s greater plan. As builders for God, we have a responsibility to build this house he has generously given, that being our life through Christ. Perhaps God may have believed that David was in danger of creating a physical structure, that in the end was more of a hindrance to his plan and God needed David to know and it is important for us to understand that God’s presence is not the structure. God’s presence is not the riches. God’s presence is our life in Christ. It is a life that loves God and loves neighbor as self. It is why we often say that church is not the building. Church is the people in order that the gospel is not restricted to one place and is made accessible to everyone. Otherwise we risk the walls we build becoming more important than the people they were intended to serve. Any “walls” that we build (internally or externally), God will surely cause to tumble when they prevent access to him.

I believe the good news for us today is that God understands that our journey will be challenging and much like Moses, David, the disciples and others; will be imperfect at times. However, I believe God is well pleased when we choose to remain on the journey and continue to maintain and reconcile the house that is the body of Christ.