"AND" by Gary Rose

Sometimes, its an idea, a suggestion, a random thought or even a dream (like in the picture) that ultimately leads you to do something about it. We make a definition, plan and ultimately take action. Very logical! However, not everyone operates like this. People often think about something that needs to be done and just do it- without thinking about steps or writing things down. They make the decision to do what appears to be the next step and just go-from-there. I have heard a thousand sermons about how to become a Christian and many of them boil down to a series of steps to be accomplished, you know- 1. Believe  2. Repent 3.Confess 4. Be baptized. Likewise, I have also heard untold numbers of very emotional sermons about Jesus and what happened to him that we might have eternal life!

Condense this and we are left with: 1. The Plan  2. The Man

Consider the two following passages of Scripture....

Ephesians, Chapter 3 (World English Bible)

¹ For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,  ² if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,  ³ how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,  ⁴ by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,  ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,  ⁶ that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,  ⁷ of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.  ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  ⁹ and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,  ¹⁰ to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,  ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Emp. added, vs. 11, GDR)

And

Philippians, Chapter 2 (World English Bible)

⁵ Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,  ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,  ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.  ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. (Emp. added, vss. 7 &8 GDR) ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,  ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,  ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

God's plan for us (most of who would be labeled- Gentile) is eternal. It was also devised with total knowledge, with perfect motives and complete perfection. Why? Because those things reflect the nature of the almighty!!  Who among mere mortals could say that about our plans?

Bottom line here 

It is God's plan AND God's man considered TOGETHER that make our hope of heaven the wonder that it is!!! Do yourself a favor and just think about that for a little while in your "quiet time" today! I think you will feel blessed, I do!!!!