For You--Have I Got a Plan!

Understanding Your Worth and Value

                         For You…Have I Got a Plan!

“He’s coming…He’s coming. Get in order. Stand up tall. Did you brush your teeth? Fix your hair? Now smile, be confident. Today one of you is going to be picked to be the next king of Israel.”

Seven brothers tried to look their very best.

Seven had to impress the prophet Samuel who would choose one of them. Seven were capable, strong, good

looking men. They were really—something! They were the magnificent seven! Who could be better?

Seven knees were knocking as Samuel examined each candidate. But Samuel was puzzled. “Now, certainly, Lord, one of these you have chosen. Look how tall and strong and valiant they are. Surely one of these is to

be king.”

Samuel walked down the line again.

“Samuel, I don’t care… good looking or not.  I don’t see like others do. I’m God. I look at the heart. That’s what important to me. I

have rejected all of these seven magnificent. “

“Jesse, you’re holding out on me. Do you have any other sons?”

“Well… there’s David but he just watches the

sheep. He’s a wimpy kid. Sure you want him?”

“Now—right now! Bring me that boy!”

But God loved David’s heart. God heard David’s cry and helped

him kill a lion and a bear. And God heard David sing songs to Him/ No one else did. So what—God did!

So a young unnoticed David came running and the moment Samuel saw his face he heard these words. “This is he. This is the next king. Anoint him with oil. Now—right now!”

And oil flowed from Samuel’s horn as the magnificent seven stood

watching in silence and unbelief.

Your worth and value is seen by your heavenly Father. Come close

and listen to His heart, His love for you. Ask Him for the plans He has for you. Trust Him with all your heart. He loves you—so. He sees you standing there and says, “I pick that one! I choose YOU!”

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  

Warrior!

                                                                                 Warrior!                               

    “When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said,

  ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’”
       Judges 6:12 (NIV)
                  “No, in all these things we are super conquerors, through the One who has loved us.”
          Romans 9:37 (CJB)

Gideon was scared. He was hiding in a cave from the Midianites. To his great surprise the angel of the Lord showed up, “You will save Israel from the Midianites. You are a warrior!” After recovering from a fit of laughter, Gideon finally spoke. “My father’s house is poor. You’ve asked the wrong guy, Lord.”    
    The Lord didn’t back down, “I will be with you, Gideon.”

     Still—Gideon argued. “I can’t do this Lord.” 

     “Go in the strength you have.” replied the Lord.

     “But, I‘m a wimp.” Gideon continued.

     “You will destroy the Midianites.” God answered patiently.
 
     “Aw shucks, Lord. I can’t argue with you. Just please give me a sign.”
 
Gideon did obey the Lord and became a four star general. His mighty army totaled only three hundred God-chosen men. They went to battle against the huge, massive army of the Midianites. They rocked, they rolled and the Midianites were so confused that they fought against each other and fled in terror.
Only God could do that but He chose a man to fight the battle. He has chosen you. You are that man, that woman. You are His warrior. Don’t be afraid. The Warrior King is with you.

Look around your school. Take a really good look at your friends. Is there bullying at your school? Is anyone lonely? Can you start a prayer meeting on your campus?  Who you can help? You—are the warrior. Stay close to God. He will give you your marching orders. 

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.  I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”
                                                         Isaiah 43: 1-3a (GW)

        Dear Lord,
        I am not afraid of the battle. I will be you warrior today.

God is Crazy about You

                                                             God is Crazy about You

          

       “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
           "I have loved you with an everlasting love; 
               I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
                                Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

 Close your eyes and imagine the following scene.
   
 Before you is a long table. It is loaded with hamburgers from the grill. All the condiments one could ever wish for are spread before you. There are a number of your favorite soft drinks, chips of all sorts, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream in every flavor. Standing behind the table is a man whose beautiful brown eyes are like liquid pools of love. He’s looking directly at you. His name is Jesus. He is telling you to come, eat and have fun. As you sit down you engage in conversation with a man who listens to you as no one ever has.
     
You ask, “Does God really love me like that?” Let me tell you this. Your ancestors did not crawl out of the sea. You were created in God’s image—by God alone. He chose you to live in this time of history. His picked you to be His child and to take your place in His story.  He wants you to run with Him. He is lonely when you don’t. You are outrageously loved by the Almighty.
       
 Listen to this—the Lord wants to see your face. He wants to hear your voice. He thinks everything about you is perfectly splendid (Song of Solomon 2:14). This is a fact. Nothing you feel or think can change this truth. You are absolutely the apple of His eye.
 

                         "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling

                       and open the door, I will come in, and we will share
                                         a  meal as friends.”
                                            Revelation 3:20 NLT

        Dear Lord,
        Here I am. What do You want to say to me?