Scheming

[Christ4Ever]

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…" 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

Even good people change.

A king who usually depended on the Lord, Asa later used his own clever schemes to undermine the work of an adversary. Although his plan appeared to work, the prophet Hanani confronted Asa about his failure to depend on God. Instead of agreeing with Hanani and apologizing, Asa became so enraged “that he put him in prison” and “brutally oppressed some of the people.” Later, when afflicted with a disease in his feet, Asa “did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:10, 12 NIV).

What caused the drastic changes?

Maybe it wasn’t a midlife crisis, low blood sugar, or a deficit from his childhood. Maybe all that changed was that he became more committed to human resources than to God.

Could this happen to you?

Paul also used clever schemes to bend the will of his adversaries. The difference is that God encouraged most of those attempts and, whenever Paul erred in judgment, he apologized (Acts 23:5).

The “fully committed” man goes to God for help first, because God’s plans are trustworthy and “established for ever and ever” (Psalm 111:7-8 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, help me to ask You for advice and then to follow Your lead rather than my own resources.

 

[Nicola Jane]

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…" 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

Even good people change.

A king who usually depended on the Lord, Asa later used his own clever schemes to undermine the work of an adversary. Although his plan appeared to work, the prophet Hanani confronted Asa about his failure to depend on God. Instead of agreeing with Hanani and apologizing, Asa became so enraged “that he put him in prison” and “brutally oppressed some of the people.” Later, when afflicted with a disease in his feet, Asa “did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:10, 12 NIV).

What caused the drastic changes?

Maybe it wasn’t a midlife crisis, low blood sugar, or a deficit from his childhood. Maybe all that changed was that he became more committed to human resources than to God.

Could this happen to you?

Paul also used clever schemes to bend the will of his adversaries. The difference is that God encouraged most of those attempts and, whenever Paul erred in judgment, he apologized (Acts 23:5).

The “fully committed” man goes to God for help first, because God’s plans are trustworthy and “established for ever and ever” (Psalm 111:7-8 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, help me to ask You for advice and then to follow Your lead rather than my own resources.

Amen

 

[B-A-C]

All schemes aren't necessarily bad. If you read the story of Jacob and Esau...or perhaps Joseph...or perhaps the entire story of Jesus (from His birth) you could say God is a planner... a schemer in His way.
I say thank God for that.

But of course all schemes are not good.

2Cor 2:11; so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Eph 6:11; Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

I am old enough, I remember the old Roadrunner and coyote cartoons, Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd and Marvin the Martian. They took all these cartoons off of the television because they were too "violent". ( you should see most video games )
And replaced them with cartoons that teach manipulation and scheming. (Rugrats, for example)

 

[Christ4Ever]

All schemes aren't necessarily bad. If you read the story of Jacob and Esau...or perhaps Joseph...or perhaps the entire story of Jesus (from His birth) you could say God is a planner... a schemer in His way.
I say thank God for that.

But of course all schemes are not good.

2Cor 2:11; so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Eph 6:11; Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

I am old enough, I remember the old Roadrunner and coyote cartoons, Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd and Marvin the Martian. They took all these cartoons off of the television because they were too "violent". ( you should see most video games )
And replaced them with cartoons that teach manipulation and scheming. (Rugrats, for example)

Hello Brother,
I can agree with most of what you've written except the comment about God being "a schemer in His way." An unbeliever might see God as such, and use "schemer" to describe Him, but a believer knowing God as Holy, probably should stick with your initial observation of God as a planner.

I do remember those cartoons though and do agree with how they have changed! Not necessarily for the better either.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
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