God does not have a "Plan B" (Part One)

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11

Most everyone can think of a time in his/her life when a choice was presented of which the outcome would vastly alter the course of his/her future. You may even be able to think of a time in your recent past when a choice you made had that very effect. Some people go through life with "regrets", wishing he/she had a certain choice to make all over again; and, if so, he/she would have chose an entirely different outcome.

The fact of the matter is we encounter situations on a daily basis where the choices we make change the course of the day. Some are so small we barely even notice them - the smile we pass along to a stranger - a random act of kindness to a fellow commuter on the way to work - stopping for coffee at McDonald's instead of Starbucks.

However, there are those opportunities - confrontations - temptations - trials - that present themselves to us and a "knee-jerk" reaction, a hasty decision, or even a long-contemplated choice so drastically changes the direction of our lives, one can only wonder "where would I be right now if I had chosen differently"?

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure..." - Isaiah 46:9&10

Beloved, although we may wonder how differently our lives would be had we made a different choice; maybe even stating "if I only knew then what I know now", God never has in the past, nor will He ever have to do so in the future. One of the distinct characteristics that make Him God is the fact He in omniscient - He knows everything - past, present and future. He created this universe knowing its end from the very beginning. He knows exactly where you are today, where you will be tomorrow, and where you will be at the end of days.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love..." - Ephesians 1:4

There are countless souls that have fell by the wayside because of the lie from Satan declaring that they have went too far - that he/she has messed up too big or committed some sin so heinous that God has wrote him/her off and that there is no hope. Some have even been deceived into believing that God, in His infinite mercy, will still allow them into heaven; however, the original plan/calling He had for them has been "lost" or "changed" into a plan/calling of a smaller nature or lesser impact. Beloved, these are lies from the devil that have no truth in them whatsoever!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." - Romans 8:28-30.

By the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, we will address the issue of "predestination". According to the scriptures stated above, predestination is a valid doctrine found in the Word of God. However, we must dispel the idea of predestination according to the old Puritan belief - one that dictates that everyone is born either going to heaven or going to hell and nothing that person can do will change that. A better word would be "predetermination". God has a predetermined plan for each believer's life that will ultimately end at the foot of His throne.

Imagine a person planning a trip from New York to Los Angeles. This person will have to make several choices regarding the trip. There are several routes that person could take - routes that would contain different sites, different locales in which to eat, spend the night, etc. Then, there is also the "unforeseen" obstacles and delays that person will encounter on the way to Los Angeles - road construction, flat tires, mechanical problems, etc. Then, throw into that equation an enemy that does not want to see this person reach the destination, placing along the route distractions, detours, and problems - hoping to make this person give up the trip due to frustration, long delays, costly problems. The person planning the trip from New York to Los Angeles will have to make several choices on how to react to the unforeseen delays, obstacles, changes in the route that is taken. This person could choose to turn back, determining the trip is "not worth it". "too hard", not what he/she "thought it would be like", etc. Or, if the person is determined to make it, despite the problems and delays, that person would eventually reach the destination if he/she chooses not to give up.

God has a "predetermined" plan for every believer that leads from the cross to the throne. Of course, there will been unforeseen delays, obstacles, and choices to make while on this journey. And Satan will do everything God will allow to upset the believer, hinder the believer, attempting to cause the believer to determine the journey is "not worth it", "too hard", not what we "thought it would be like". But if the believer is determined to make it to heaven, the grace of God will assure the believer gets home if he/she does not give up.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..." - Philippians 1:6

Watch for Part Two tomorrow! - (You can read this message in its entirety at http://www.psalm25-4.blogspot.com/)