The Rest of the Story

“ ​​Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. ​​​There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.” Proverbs 19:20,21

I was looking at some things on my dresser the other day and came across several of those memorial cards you get at funeral services. It’s been a tough year for losing friends and loved ones.

Each one of those people had an obituary; I started to wonder if the final words and remembrances that were spoken of them is what they wanted? What is it that completes the final words of our life?

As I was listening to a man’s testimony about the destruction and chaos that brought him to the foot of the cross I started thinking that every day looking forward is another day or page of the rest of the story.

Too many times I have seen people resting on “what the Lord did” and it seems that they allow the things that held them captive continue to write each page of their life.

One of my losses this year was a young man who came thru Colony, Joe became close to Terri and I. He was a guy who struggled most of his life with issues that lead to addiction. His story was being written as ones with many ups and downs. Joe reached out for help and with a resolve to be victorious he began to be the man God was calling him to be. Joe was killed in a motorcycle accident in June. His story ended with a fantastic finish. Sometime it’s a better ending when the battle is the fiercest and the person perseveres because of the decision to follow Christ.

In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus tells us “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock”. The day will come when you will stand before the Lord and give an account for the way you’ve built your house. The wise and foolish builders heard the same message but only one responded. James 1:22 tells us to “be doers of the word, not just hearers only”.

I know we are to not worry about tomorrow, but to not plan on it is foolish. Consider your ways; are they according to “The Lord’s counsel”? Maybe we should consider what we want our obituary to say or better yet to hear the Lord say “Well done, good and faithful servant” and work backwards to make it happen. When I hear of a person who followed the Lord and was used mightily I know it didn’t just happen.

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.”    Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on the full-time staff at America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ecclesiastes 11-12; Proverbs 12; 2 Corinthians 5

Motivations: We need to be refueled often spiritually. That renewing fuel is found in Bible reading and prayer. Just like a fuel tank on the car, we need frequent filling. Lack of fuel causes spiritual weakness and stunted growth. Unlike the car, we don’t have to hunt for a gas station, and the price of fuel doesn’t change. This fuel is always available and free for the taking. There is no substitute. Our part is to keep our spiritual tank full. Verna Pollock

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 4:6-7; Level 2: Philippians 4:8-14

Powered Up:  Prayer is not logical, it is a mysterious moral working of the Holy Spirit. – Oswald Chambers