Does God Use Unsaved/Evil People to Do His Will?

Before you answer, you should consider the example of Joseph's brothers (Gen 37:12-36 + Gen. 50:15-21), the example of Pharaoh (Ex. 14:1-31), or Job's friends (Job 42:1-16).

I believe the answer is yes. I believe that He even uses their own character to set them up to accomplish exactly what He wants.

1. Is there a difference between doing God's will and accomplishing God's plan?


2. Do we have to be willing participants to get the badge of honor/crown of glory for accomplishment of the battle plan?


3. Are you willingly pursuing God's will for your life and facing roadblocks?

Remember that God intends it for your good and is working it together for His ends. His ways are indeed higher than ours and He has the better perspective on the way that things are!

Pursuing the plan,
Pastor Mike

Debrief in Brief, Perhaps Too Brief

Hey sno-campers. I was really looking forward to your sharing last night in the "PraisenPrayer" time. And then the winds started to pick up and blow that powdery stuff around! Drat! Another time of fellowship thwarted by weather conditions in western NY. :(

I know that we attempted to get your juices flowing in the parking lot prior to departure, but it was not nearly long enough. Would you mind chiming in again and in print? Think about sending this link to some of the teens who were part of sno camp, but who are not necessarily part of our regular Sr Hi YG discussions. I would love to hear again (and more) of what God is doing in and around you through these events.

Here are some starter Q's:

1. What was the bestest, favoritest part of the whole weekend? (Note: you may say hanging out with Pastor Mike -- only if it is true!) :)


2. Rate the "cardboard sno snake sled" on a scale of one (what a watse of time/talent/energy and cardboard) to ten (that sled "rocked the house" dude -- or other appropriate teen-aged lingo).


3. Rate the pizza Friday night on a scale of one (that was pizza?) to ten (Mama mia, viva Italiano, bon apettite, -- or other Italian phrases of delight).


4. What ah-ha!/eureka!/oh-i-get-it-now! moments happened during this weekend?


5. What one point of the messages really left a mark on your spiritual thoughts/life?


6. What are you planning on working through with God's help in the next 3-4 weeks?


7. Did you learn anything about leadership, teamwork, the group, yourself, ministry or the Bible?

I will add some of mine in a little while.

Thanks for going,

Pastor Mike

The Scandalous Love of God

Philip Yancey has a way of making me think, or rather squirm. He pokes me in the eyes with truth until they water. Then when it is all said and done, I wipe my eyes and end up thanking him for poking me. Talk about adding insult to injury. But I remember that teh wounds of a friend are more trustworthy than the kisses of an enemy. I believe that Phil is my friend, since we are seeking after the same thing -- conformity to Christ. That high goal however must run through an examination of my gracious levels.

Phil points out that God's grace is scandalous! It goes against everything that we consider "right". Grace does not make any sense to us. Listen to what Phil writes,

"Why would God choose Jacob the conniver over dutiful Esau? Why confer supernatural powers of strength on a ... deliquent named Samson? Why groom a runty shepherd boy, David, to be Israel's king? And why bestow a sublime gift of wisdom on Solomon, the fruit of that king's adulterous liaison? Indeed, in each of these Old Testament stories the scandal of grace rumbles under the surface until finally, in Jesus' parables, it bursts forth in a dramatic upheaval to reshape the moral landscape."

What's So Amazing About Grace, p.61

1. So what parable do you think he is thinking of?
2. Can you think of other NT examples of Jesus living graciously in spite of the "receptivity" or "worthlessness" of those to whom he ministered?
3. Do you struggle with ministry to the "undeserving" or do you struggle with Jonah syndrome?
4. What is the antidote to this twisted mental conception? How do we straighten out our "stinkin' thinkin'"?

I want to think Jesus' thoughts about grace, and then minister it to them!

Still amazed by grace,
Pastor Mike