Pursuing Pleasure

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Focus Verse:  Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

We can read in God's Word about signs that the coming of Jesus is soon.  One of those signs is that people will pursue pleasure more than God.  People are looking for an escape from the real world.  They are trying to escape their problems with alcohol, immoral sex, their jobs, or gaining much education.  1 Timothy 5:6 says, "She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives."  When pleasure is placed above God it is wrong.  When it takes the place of taking care of our responsibilities it is wrong.  But God doesn't condemn all our pursuits of pleasure.  God even promises us pleasure when we walk with Him. 

When we pursue the pleasure the world gives, it doesn't satisfy.  It might only bring a temporary happiness but also emptiness.  Jesus put it so well  in Luke 9:23 when He said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  We are to deny what our flesh desires, and set our hearts on following and obeying Christ.  Then we will find the pleasure that God has us pursuing.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God's Master Plan

Scripture Reading: Click to read:  Romans 8: 18-30

Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand.  Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us.  Our human mind wonders about God's plan?  It doesn't make any sense to us.  Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us.  We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him.  We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.

I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl.  God did not allow that to happen.  I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake.  God saw the master plan and I could not.  Romans 8:28 is a great promise.  God is working out all things for  good when we love Him.  Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.

God has already seen tomorrow.  He already knows next week.  And His plans for next year have been made.  He knows what is best for us because we are His children.  On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust".  We can trust that God has our best interest at heart.  So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Because He has a master plan for your life.  So, trust Him.


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries