THE MASTER PLAN

Article from CCF

How many of you like rules? How many of you enjoy following rules?

What do you think would happen if I let you guys play basketball, but each one of you could make up your own rules?

I want each one of you to make your own rules while you play. Forget everything you know about basketball. What’s important is for you to be able to score as many points as possible so that your team will win. Did you enjoy playing the game? How did you feel? Why do think you felt that way?”

In basketball, as well as in life, we need rules to govern us, not to take the fun out of life, but to protect us and to make it more enjoyable! We usually think of rules as something that will limit our freedom or a killjoy, but rules are actually meant for our own good.

Basketball Trivia: When James Naismith invented the sport of basketball back in December 21, 1891, he wrote 13 rules which was enforced during the games. Surprisingly, with all the changes the sport has gone through, most of those original rules are still being enforced in today’s game!

And because people have accepted these rules and have played according to them, basketball has shaped up to be one of the, if not the most popular and fastest growing sport today!

What would happen if you decided you didn’t really like the rule on traveling and decided that dribbling the ball is not really important? Your personal preference to run with the ball will not change the rules one bit. We are the ones who have to adjust to the rules of the game and not vice versa. If we choose to violate the rules, then we can’t complain about being penalized, right?

It is the same in life. God has given us His Word, the Bible, which is not only a rulebook but also His personal love letter to us. His Word does not change, regardless of whether we believe in it or not, whether we follow it or not. But God created us and He knows how we are designed.

If you bought a new appliance or electronic equipment, what would be the first thing you would do? Of course to read the instruction manual right? Have you seen anyone discard the manual without reading it? I remember plugging a 110v appliance to a 220v socket when I was still a young boy, and I will never forget what happened after that blunder. The Bible is like the instruction manual on how to maximize life. The Ultimate Inventor has carefully, painstakingly and perfectly gifted us with the knowledge of how to live life to the fullest, and given us the privilege to read and study it each day of our lives. What will you do with this gift?

How many of you are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve? What happened to them? They violated the rule that
God had given them, (not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) and so they were sent out of the Garden of Eden. However, we usually forget that the first commandment that
God had given Adam and Eve were commandments of freedom! For example,
God said “Be fruitful and multiply!” Adam could also name all the animals whatever he wished for their names to be!
God also said, “You MAY eat of ANY of the trees in the Garden except…”

God’s commandments were meant for our good and protection. He set boundaries to keep us safe and secure, not to antagonize us or make us bitter. God Himself said in His Word, “Choose to trust Me and My Word and your life will overflow with blessings… I will command blessings upon your home and everything you do will succeed.” (Deuteronomy 28:1,8)

Right now, let’s take a few minutes to see what the Bible says about knowing and obeying God’s Word.

Please Read:
Psalm 119: 9-16; Psalm 19:7-11, Joshua 1:7-8; Psalm 1, Deuteronomy 28:1-8

In light of the things we have learned today about God’s Word, how many of you are willing to commit to start reading the Bible for just 5 minutes a day?

Reminder: There are 1440 minutes in 24 hours!

You are invited to Bible Studies and Worship Services at CCF:

CCF ST. FRANCIS SQUARE
4/F Saint Francis Square Tiangge Building
Julia Vargas Ave. cor Bank Drv.
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Tel: (63 2) 635-3410 to 17; (+632) 6333483; (+632) 6333484
Fax: (63 2) 635-3418
CCF St. Francis Website

CCF ALABANG
3F, CCF Bldg. Prime St.
Madrigal Business Park
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Tel: (63 2) 772-3035 to 39
Fax: (63 2) 772-3031
CCF Alabang Website

Other CCF Locations