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Prepare: We can approach God with freedom and confidence (v 12). Thank him for this blessing!
Better plans
How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans.
Of course we should not think of God making fun of us, just as we don’t laugh at our children’s ambitions to be a footballer or an astronaut. But often we know it is not realistic, and that’s why we can imagine God smiling at all our mad planning and rushing about, because he knows that he has other, better plans for us.
An open secret
Paul thought he had his life mapped out. But God had other plans, and that is how he came to be reaching out to Gentiles (v 8) – possibly the biggest surprise of his life.
He describes the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church as a mystery (v 6), but he does not mean something that cannot be known. It is an open secret, something that God has revealed, which was not known beforehand.
God knows
The reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in Christ is a kind of pilot project for how God will one day reconcile all things to himself (Colossians 1:20) – no wonder the evil powers know they are defeated (v 10)!
We may not always understand what God is doing, especially when, like Paul in prison (v 1), we are going through hard times and when our plans come to nothing. But we need not be discouraged at what happens to us or others whom we care for (v 13); God knows what he is doing!
Respond: Pray for anyone you know who is having to rethink their hopes and plans.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-09
Better plans
How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans.
Of course we should not think of God making fun of us, just as we don’t laugh at our children’s ambitions to be a footballer or an astronaut. But often we know it is not realistic, and that’s why we can imagine God smiling at all our mad planning and rushing about, because he knows that he has other, better plans for us.
An open secret
Paul thought he had his life mapped out. But God had other plans, and that is how he came to be reaching out to Gentiles (v 8) – possibly the biggest surprise of his life.
He describes the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church as a mystery (v 6), but he does not mean something that cannot be known. It is an open secret, something that God has revealed, which was not known beforehand.
God knows
The reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in Christ is a kind of pilot project for how God will one day reconcile all things to himself (Colossians 1:20) – no wonder the evil powers know they are defeated (v 10)!
We may not always understand what God is doing, especially when, like Paul in prison (v 1), we are going through hard times and when our plans come to nothing. But we need not be discouraged at what happens to us or others whom we care for (v 13); God knows what he is doing!
Respond: Pray for anyone you know who is having to rethink their hopes and plans.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-09
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
