What's Up God? Here's The Plan, Man
by
Rebecca Somoskey
Man Speaks: "God, I'm confused. Everything is all jumbled up. I'm sitting here trying to make out my schedule for next semester, but don't know what to do with my life. What classes should I take? Football is my passion and I'm good at it, but I don*t have the size to make the pros, so there's no future in that.
Dad wants me to be his cross country team driver on his Freightliner Classic, and that sounds cool. Traveling to places I've never been. But I can't stand the thought of leaving home. Not yet, anyway.
Mom says I should get into a good trade like building things or running equipment or something like that. I'm good with my hands and I like working with wood. I play the guitar pretty well and would like to have my own band, but good musicians are on every corner. Bands too.
My friends say 'Don't sweat it! Have fun! Party! Live the good life!' But what is the good life? I need to know. Whats up, anyway?"
God Speaks: "You need to read the Book, man. Listen up!! I know all about you. The minute you were conceived I had a plan for every day of your life and I wrote it in My Book. Read and heed. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; You works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-18
The first thing you need to do is let Me pull you out of the devil's claws so we can have a relationship, you and Me. I want to be your Friend. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise....He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 You gotta understand that what you haven't had is a spiritual birth. If you don't have that you're bound for one miserable life, and eternity separated from Me. You can have a spiritual birth by learning your ABC's."
LEARN YOUR ABC'S
A. Admit that you are a sinner because you have been ignoring God and His commandments. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
B. Believe that Jesus died a cruel death on the cross to pay for your sins. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
C. Confess your sins, repent and ask forgiveness. Then ask Jesus to be your Savior and come into your life. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9
Here's My plan for the good life you're after: "My thoughts toward you are of peace and to give you a future and a hope. Can you get any better than that? For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:ll. I want you to live for me while you*re young and strong. Not after you've worn yourself out doing the devil's business. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.' Ecclesiastes 12:1."
I want to give you an abundant life. The devil wants to mess up your life, man. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10. You know the talents, skills and passions you talked about earlier? I want you to use them for Me, because there are rewards. I will show you exactly what to do when you ask me. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way. Walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23 I want you to be my representative as you use your skills and talents to make the world a better place. Make friends. Tell them what I have done for you."
Man Speaks: "What happens if I refuse to follow the plan?"
God Speaks: "Let me tell you about a man named Saul, Israel's first king. God's prophet, Samuel, warned Saul what would happen if he rebelled and insisted on having his own way. Sad to say Saul did just that and I took his kingdom and gave it to a man who would obey. Saul ended up taking his own life. You don't want to end up that way, man. ...But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you. 1 Samuel 12:15 So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 1 Samuel 31:4 Now you know. So what are you going to do about it, Man?"
Pray :"God, I'm a miserable sinner. And I now know that it's because I have been ignoring You. The devil has got hold of me and won't let go. I also know that Jesus died a cruel death on the cross to pay for my sins. So I'm coming to You, asking You to forgive me. Please come into my life and take control. I want that relationship with You that will give me the abundant life I am searching for. Thank You. Amen"
God Speaks: "So, what's next? Read and heed. 1. Now that you have begun a super relationship with your Creator God and Jesus has come into your heart, My Holy Spirit is waiting to help you with all your needs. 2. Read a few verses in My Book every day, beginning with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of Luke. Get to know all you can about Jesus. Talk to Me just like you would to your best Friend. 3. Find a church which has a strong youth group and hang out with them. 4. If you make a mistake, don't give up. Losers are quitters. Just tell Me all about it, ask Me to forgive you and I will. Remember, I'm your Friend. Friends don't kick you when you're down."
