To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 1, Day 5 - A Cultivator Turns His Gaze Toward Heaven
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The plans of the mind belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the LORD
and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:1–3
There are quite a few preachers on television these days offering a “prosperity gospel” to their followers. They cite Scripture as “proof” that God desires to provide us with health, wealth, and popularity. This, however, is not what God intended for our lives. He wants to give us so much more than earthly happiness. His plan is for us to become the men he created us to be so that we can bring glory to him. He wants us to be strong, principled, and courageous men of integrity who honor him by all we say and do. He does not promise us wealth, health, or fame. But he does promise us the strength to persevere through our trials, and his presence to guide and uplift us every step of the way on the journey of salvation.
Certainly God will send us many blessings throughout our lives. But that does not keep us from suffering. We live in a fallen world, and we will face heartache and pain. We may even face persecution and rejection for what we believe. The good news is that in all this, God will never abandon us. He will give us hope and joy. He will use the fire of our trials to perfect us like gold in a furnace. When we sin he will forgive us and renew us time and time again. He will move us deeper into faith as we grow in the knowledge of his eternal truth and share that truth with those around us. That is the awesome prosperity that God offers to those who believe!
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever felt abandoned by God, as though he did not care about your needs? Do you feel that way now?
In what specific ways has God blessed you, both materially and spiritually?
Where do you see God moving you in his wonderful plan for your life?
Praying with Scripture
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (1 Jn 5:4)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
