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Keith Cook Evangelistic Association / On The Go
Designer Plates by Keith Cook
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" Deuteronomy 30:19
My wife and I travel quite often and we love to look at license plates to see where our fellow travelers are from. It is amusing to see all the different cultural and local expressions being manifested even by a person's choice of a simple license plate. Some have the basic, cheap as you can get, license plate. Usually these are rather boring and bland. Some of the states include their motto, bird, flag, or colors on the plates.
Some car owners we pass have chosen a "designer plate" that reflects their favorite college or football team. Several always seem to have plates that reflect a special hobby or cause. I have a friend who is into bass fishing and he sports a bass fishing license plate. I personally would rather have a fish on my dinner plate!
We are always excited to see "Choose Life" license plates because that cause is dear to our hearts. It is getting harder and harder for Christians to reflect our opinions and causes in our culture. Many states are refusing to allow Christian slogans, clubs, schools, or causes to be reflected. Not only is this unconstitutional it is also setting a horrible precedent. Eventually everyone will just assume it is right because it has been done this way for so long. Is it not amazing that evil and humanism is creeping into every area of an individual's life, even our license plates.
On a personal and spiritual level we all need to remember that our lives are also special and by design. We have a designer and His name is Jesus. Each of us is special and unique to our God. We are not a standard run of the mill licensed un-human being. He knows our name, needs, and nature. The hairs on our heads are numbered, as are our days. We are humans created in the image of God. Our fingerprints are all different and our paths in life are all different.
1. Your designer has designed you with care. No matter how you feel about your life and yourself right now, God wants you to know He cares for you and that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." You life is not an accident. You are not here simply because of biological functions. You are not a freak of nature or destined to aimlessly plod through life.
2. Your designer has designed you for a purpose. God has a divine plan for you. The Bible says, "no man can thwart God's plan." His ways are not always our ways. The diving mystery is how God has a plan for us and we still have a choice to follow or abandon His plan. His irresistible grace to us is free and special.
Every path and plan of God is designed for their good and for the good of all mankind. The wonderful journey we all are on called life is made special and exciting as we explore and discover what each new day brings and move even farther out of our comfortable present reality into the uniqueness of unchartered territory that God calls our future.
3. Your designer has designed you with a choice to make. All great men and women have decided to follow the plan God has for them. Even secular individuals who have risen to the head of their peers and made great strides for mankind did so because they decided to accept the challenges before them and do what they were designed to do. God directs and controls even those who lead out in our culture. He directed Pharoah in Moses' day and He even directs Democrats and Republicans today. What about you? Why not ask Jesus what He would have you do and then decide to simply do it. No matter what. No matter the cost. No matter the strain. No matter - period! What will you do?
4. Your designer has designed you for greatness. I know it is hard to imagine but you are the greatest person who will ever be residing in your body. No matter what pagan religions say, you are the only you that you will ever be. Why not be a great you. Some are born with great hurdles to overcome. With God's help and with personal commitment to Christ and to His call on their lives they become all God would have them to be.
There are no excuses. No handicaps in the kingdom of God are allowed to stop anyone from using their present day to shine for Jesus. Even Samson who had given away the secret to his success to an evil woman, was allowed to shine for his God even at his death. Nothing can stop you from making this day God's day!Forget the past, confess all the failures and shortcoming and move on out from here to greatness.
What is the greatest thing you can do today? Just simply do what Jesus leads you to do. A cup of cold water in Jesus name is often more precious than a million dollar endowment. Just simply being where Jesus wants you to be when He wants you to be there and doing what He wants you to do is enough. The angels in heaven stand in amazement at all men and women can do for Christ. Will you become great today?
5. Your designer has designed you for Heaven. That's right. God wants you in heaven with Him one day. His desire is for you to leave this life "after you have served your generation" and then live with Him forever. The good news is that you have been designed by Christ to live with God forever.
After death your spirit and soul will be destined for eternity. For those with a right relation with Christ they will live forever in heaven with God. For those who reject God's earthly plan for their life they will live forever in Hell. Hell was never designed by God for humans. It is for the devil and demons. But sin cannot live in Heaven. "Sinners," those who have never allowed Jesus shed blood and sacrifice to remove and pay the penalty for their sins, will live in Hell forever. Jesus said that no one should desire to leave this life and live outside heaven with God.
In order to live forever in heaven when you die you must confess your sins to God, believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, ask Jesus to come be your Savior. When you put all your trust and hope in Christ He will give you a home in heaven and give you purpose, hope, peace, and direction in life.
You have been designed to only be happy in Jesus. Your designer did a great job on you. Reflect His design to the world today.
Daily Prayer Focus: Choose today to walk in the center of God's will for your life. Pray that you will walk in obedience and in contentment to God's Designer Plan for your life.
On The Go Prayer Focus: Keith Cook Crusades, Celebrations, and Festivals. God has given Keith the opportunity and privilege of sharing the message of Christ both stateside and internationally. During each opportunity, Keith presents a joyful and enthusiastic, yet powerful and clear presentation of the Gospel and a call to commitment to Christ.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.
Copyright (c) 2006, 2009 Keith Cook - On The Go
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.
On The Go Ministries, Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
Founder/Director - Keith Cook, keithcook@onthego.org
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