God’s Plans Are Better Plans

The Story of: Practicing What You Preach

This story was inspired by the video Marine helps boy finish 5K Marathon

http://www.youtube.com/

by Sis. Mouthpiece

Not for resale

August 2, 2013

The Leadership of a Good Soldier

I consider this a living Epistle, because it demonstrates the leadership of a good soldier, who continue in the mantra of his training,and no doubt his daily living. Jesus taught a similar lesson to his disciples when they incurred the disease and sickness of the "big head" and over ambitiousness at any cost (Mat 18:3-6).  He warned them that the way to enter into the methodology of the kingdom building of heaven, is to be converted which means from the Greek word strepho, pronounced (stref'-o) strengthened from the base of, twist, or to turn oneself, or to reverse.  In this case, he changed his precept of finishing the race without his friends, and making good timing to encourage someone along the way that needed help, and was not too ashamed to ask despite all of the discouragers that came ran past him.  It is quite amazing how well orchestrated a divine set up evolved to slow both runners that they became separated from their teams and how such a blessing was waiting for each of them along the last mile stretch. The child asked the man for help.  I am sure the man thought about it for a moment, but after weighing all the principles (LCPL of Marines) have lived and learned; he did as Jesus recommended, and humbled his intended plans to the will of God's plan.  The questions that I am sure riddled to his mind was, what if, I leave this child and someone kidnapped him or something happens to him.  I cannot leave him by himself, that my friends, are the ways that God thinks and feels about us. He exemplifies his grace through others as he sends (a copy of the true one, Christ) that believes that no one of the household of faith should be left behind, even from the least to the greatest.

LCPL's Marine's Mantra Converted Within Him

Nevertheless, our LCPL's mantra converted within him, and he exemplified (a copy of the true one, Christ) that believes that no one of the household of faith should be left behind, even from the least to the greatest (Jonathan saw who/what David needed to succeed and become King, and David saw the same in Jonathan).  Now, that took courage, to convert his mission plans into a more intricate plan in order to help a child that needed someone to encourage him along the way to the finish line.  Notice, the child did not give up, nor did he have in his mind to give up and quit the race; he just wanted someone to be a friend like "Jonathan was to David" who could understand where he was at that moment, and to stand/run with him along the way as he crossed the finish line. No doubt, the child was shocked when he finally he met his "Jonathan".   A real/true soldier, who strategically dismantled his purpose and mission, as did “Elijah’s conversion” at the widow woman’s home in Zarepath.  The (Marine) soldier was on assignment by God to make a future “fellow soldier” and to remain patience enough to walk/run, while his student soldier showed the stick-to-itiveness and the fortitude to refuse to give up no matter how long it took them to finish the race.  They both finished the race, and I have a feeling that this race has changed (converted) our (LCPL of the Marines) and our future junior LCPL Marine, and gave both of them a future vision of mentor-ship.  We need to become more as the Marine’s Mantra, and seek not to leave no man/fellow soldier behind. 

Others Passed up the Opportunity

It is amazing how many people passed up the opportunity for God to make their name great. Our God had another plan in mind. I am sure that the younger fellow asked others along the way to run with him, and I can bet that the conversation went something like this.  We are running a race young man. Where is your group?  How were you separated from your group leader, anyway?  You should call somebody, and have them come and get you, because you are not going to finish this race with a good time. Do you have parents?  Call them, and let them know you are not going to make it. I believe our LCPL's mantra kicked in, and he exemplified (a copy of the true one) that believes that no one of the household of faith should be left behind, even from the least to the greatest.

Many of us are stuck in our blind and deaf stupors, therefore, we fail to hear, or see the move of God in our lives, while we hustle and bustle to our regularly planned programs that keep us encircled and recycled within the right groups, and the so-called right environments within the right buildings. 

Jesus Walked in the Ekklesia (called out)

Unfortunately, Jesus was walking in the Ekklesia (called out) and his mission was not to enter the sanctuary made by hands (Heb. 9:24-29). For Christ has entered not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf, nor was it for him to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own. Christ would have had to suffer REPEATEDLY since the foundation of the world, but he appeared ONCE for ALL at the end of the age to put away SIN by the SACRIFICE of HIMSELF.  And just as it is appointed for men to die ONCE, once, and after he comes judgment. Acts Christ offered once to bear the sins of many, and will APPEAR A SECOND TIME, not to deal with SIN, but to SAVE THOSE who are eagerly WAITING for him.  

We are to Exhibit the Characteristics Through Our Faith in Christ Jesus

This race signifies what we should be doing because of our belief in Christ Jesus through faith.  We are to exhibit the characteristics of both the trained military soldier, and the stick-to-itiveness of the youth soldier. Our methodology will have to be of the (Ekklesia) the “called out” into the harvest field where there are many people awaiting help, refuge, and restoration from the ordained do gooders (Gal. 6:10) that God have “called out” in the times of uncertainty to protect, preserve and defend the rights and needs of others. God prepares us and places us on missions we cannot phantom in our minds, because our eyes have not seen, nor has it entered into the minds of man, the things that God has in store for them that love him, and are the called according to his purpose.  Moses was prepared by God to live in a palace and raised later lead a stiff neck people, who could not conquer the works of the flesh through the (Law of Moses).

Disobedience to God, the Divine Orchestrator

Their disobedience to God, was later preached about by the Prophets and Apostles in the book of (Acts 7:38). Paul who was later chosen by God, described Moses as, "This is the one who was in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you”.  God made a name for his servant, Moses, and spared him from the things that were to come.  Each of us are “air marked” for a predestine appointment by our divine orchestrator and we are not going to miss that appointment, no matter what men tell us. Once God has you in his radar scanners, God brings the extra-ordinary things to the forefront, just as, he did for the two soldiers above.  What I liked most about the story is that God “literally” sent a qualified soldier, equipped to do the assignment without his manhood getting in the way.  Someone who knew how to pace himself in the race, and give less recognition to what his friends might have thought was a crazy thing, and converted to become a child’s hero.  I am certain the child thought it an honor.  When we can become as a little child, as Jesus described to his disciples (Mat 18:3-6) who speaks and clarifies who he considered the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus corrected them. He shared this case in point, unless they humbled themselves as this child, the same is the greatest. The one that could go an extra mile and receive such a one in his name receives Christ Jesus, and whoever shall offend one of his children; it would be better for him/her to have a milestone hanged around his/her neck, and he/she drown in the sea. 

There are No Escape Routes from Earth to Heaven for Us.

Finally, my friends, there are no escape routes from the earth to heaven for us.  We may train and become as the soldiers above, to build our muscles in order to become “fit” for the challenge which we are called, only God knows (yada) our full dossier.  Instead, he will make a new being through conversion out of the old filthy rags we once wore, and redesign us through the blood purchased bath of Jesus Christ that to this present day shall never lose its power. He will fill us with his Spirit that will lead us to all truth, and call the end from the beginning that our journeying shall not be in vain. He is our Hope Of Glory.  Are you a soldier in the Lord’s army ,or an enemy to God?  Choose this day, and you will enjoy his benefits (Ps. 103).