Thursday, October 3, 2019

9 A Cartographer


    A Cartographer
    #9 in the Series:  My Daddy Is…

    A cartographer?  What is a cartographer?  When in college, I took one of those aptitude tests.  It said I would be a good
    …map maker!

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a road map for your life!  A concrete plan that showed you where to start, when to turn and how close you were to the final destination? And wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was a relatively straight line from birth right into God’s presence!

    Actually there is a master plan!  God has had it in mind since before the beginning of time,  BUT each of us plays a part in activating that plan because of something that God cannot do.  He cannot violate a person’s free will.  Even though he is all-powerful, and all-knowing and everywhere, he chooses to limit himself by giving mankind the power of choice.  (Even though that brings about much evil in our world!)  Nevertheless he does have an ultimate plan that is activated when a person chooses him…Believes he is and is the rewarder of those who seek him.  That is the faith switch, if you will, that turns on a person’s master plan.

    You see, God has created and planned this wonderful wild adventure ride called “LIFE”.  It is full of exploration and discovery, fulfillment and accomplishments, safety and security, wisdom and knowledge all wrapped up in his love and glorious presence.  It is just waiting for someone to respond to his invitation to “flip the switch.”
    Everything lights up! 
    The music starts! 
    The action begins! 
    There are still many choices to make.  As we move along the path there will be spectacular mountaintop views,
    heart wrenching down turns,
    boring periods of waiting and
    exciting times of anticipation,
    struggles and
    triumphs and
    sorrow and suffering;
    even what seems like roadblocks and detours to us…
    but God uses everything for our good…our ultimate good is becoming like Christ! 

    By giving us joy in obedience and suffering, by demonstrating his love through abundance and lack; through His Holy Spirit, he teaches us what it means to follow him.  Our reward is an ABUNDANT LIFE, REAL LIFE, an exciting, meaningful life on earth and the glory of His physical presence when we leave this earth.

    “A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.”
    ‭‭PROVERBS‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭AMP‬‬


    “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬


    “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬


    “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬


    “for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life--a life set apart--a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit--we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago], but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”
    ‭‭2 TIMOTHY‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭AMP‬‬


    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
    ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬


    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭NIV‬‬


    1. Now…pray and ask Holy Spirit to highlight something from this post and to teach you. (Perhaps he already highlighted something as you were reading!). Close your eyes and be silent before him for a minute or two...or more.  Breathe in Holy Spirit.  (Yes, actually inhale.)  Listen.  Open your eyes and peruse the post.  What does your eye see or your ear hear?  Write it in your journal.


    1. Why does it seem important?  You could even ask:  Father/Jesus/Holy Spirit, why have you brought this to my attention?  Write the answer in your journal.  (The answer may be a question…an I wonder.  Allow Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts.)


    1. Make it a prayer.  Pray the scripture (and it’s insights, questions, or comments) back to the Father.  Write this in your journal.


    1. How are you going to be different after this experience with God?  What does he want you to be or do as a result?  If you are not sure, ask him.  Write this in your journal. 

    I look forward to this journey with you!  Onward to freedom for your mustang heart!

    P.S. I will be sharing some of my insights and experiences in the comments as examples for you.   I cherish your comments below and emails at:  joyfullcoyote@gmail.com.  Share on social media.  (If you receive this in your email, you may need to visit the webpage (MustangHeart link in the footer) to find the share buttons.)  If you don’t receive it in your email, sign up for auto delivery at the top of the right hand column on the webpage.  If you access the website via a mobile device change to the web view to see the sign up box.)  Be blessed today!

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Teri