The 39 Cent Box.

"My friend posted a sermon clip yesterday morning before church, of Jentezen Franklin preaching a powerful message... an incredible illustration of the pizza box.

Essentially, what happens in our lives is or should  be in accordance with God's will and purposes, and yet, in our finite perspectives we get caught up in the packaging. The power and fulfillment of God's purposes being carried out in and through are lives (what's in the box) is what is of value.

Yet, we are thrown off because we are focused on the 39 cent box not looking how we think it should.
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Of course, moments later, God confirmed this word... as I sat in service and Pastor preaches on God's Will for 2017. In the closing statements of his sermon, he describes the 4 components of God's will.

We often spend an overwhelmingly significant amount of time on the "what", which certainly is a critical, if not the primary piece of the puzzle. But we miss out so much because we don't consider nearly as important, the "when", the "where" and the "way".

We may get the "what" right, but if it's not in God's timing, then we are out of His will and trouble awaits.
We may get the "what" right, but if it's not in the place God has for us, then difficulty potentially awaits.
We may get the "what" right, but if we go about it the wrong way, we open the door for a struggle.

If it's easy for you and I to be thrown off, distracted and confused by the 39 cent box that God's Will comes delivered in, how much more for pastors and church leaders as they daily do the work of the Lord for the advancement of the gospel of Christ?

Pray, this #seniorPastorMonday, for pastors seeking the face of God and His will for their lives and their ministries. May God grant to them revelation, not only for what they are to be doing, but the when, where and the way to accomplish it. Pray they would not be detoured or distracted my the cosmetics of how God's will looks, but that they would remain set and steadfast to being open to be used by God as he sees fit. Though the struggle is real, may the be strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit; that a grace would cover them for the times they have gotten it wrong, because they didn't properly consider the timing, location and direction of the "what" God had in store for them. Pray a clarity, as they go about their day... a break-through, whereby God might accomplish the miraculous, in a new and powerful way.

For the value of God's will is the message He speaks,
Not in the vessel He uses to deliver it.
May our will be set aside,
That God may perform His good and perfect work.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.
All glory and honor to God.

- PNC

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