By Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Mark 8:31-33

Peter thought he knew what the LORD’s plan was for the restoration of Israel. When Yeshua said he would die at the hands of the Hebraic leadership, Peter was compelled to say, “Not going to happen!” How many people today believe they know what the LORD’s plan is?

Many Christians simply say they know they are going to Heaven, but how do they know that? And what is the Lord’s plan for them in their lives today? In the case of Peter, he believed he knew the LORD’s plan for the Messiah but it turned out he did not. So, how does one discover the LORD’s plan? That is a required discernment for one to discover the plan.

In ancient days, prayer was the way to discover God’s plan. Prayer was a time to be quiet and listen for the voice of the LORD telling His people what He wanted them to do. Today, people offer their words of prayer and rarely sit back and listen for the LORD’s response. Listening to the LORD takes time and patience. Unfortunately, the needed patience to wait for the LORD’s answer is not an integral part of society today.

Norman Vincent Peale said that when you receive a vision or understanding from the LORD, which results in a change to your life direction, you need to ask for a confirmation vision or understanding. He said that one should not jump on the calling unless it is verified. For example, my calling from Yeshua to learn and preach the Gospel came twice. Each vision was clear and pointed me in the same direction. Therefore, I acted upon it. The two visions were different, but the message was the same. It is essential to ask the LORD for that confirmation vision.

There may be family and friends who doubt what you believe the LORD has told you to do. You must not allow these people to stop you from the LORD’s work. Your life becomes a holy life because you are following in the ways of the LORD. What could be better in life than to follow the LORD wherever He leads you? Also, do not be afraid. When Yeshua called me to preach the Gospel I asked, “Why me”? I did not know Yeshua well and had only become a disciple two years earlier. So, in the vision I asked the question, “Why me?!” The answer I received was that Yeshua wanted me to do this for Him.

Therefore, I was compelled to prepare for a life of ministry to the Lord. The road to learning and preaching the Gospel required me to jump over several obstacles that the church had placed before me. After twenty years since graduating from college, I had to go to Seminary for a Master’s in Divinity degree. I had to navigate the paperwork and requirements of the United Methodist Church to be ordained an elder of the church. At first, it seemed impossible. However, the road was smooth, and everything that needed to happen fell in place. That was another sign from the LORD that I was on the right track.

I never thought I would be interested in religion. However, here I am. Wherever you are today, the LORD may have a different plan for the rest of your life. You can ask the LORD in prayer if He wants you to do something, or you can simply wait. Perhaps you are doing exactly what the LORD wants you to do, and that is great. If there is a different plan, then the LORD will tell you.

You may think that you know what the LORD wants you to accomplish in this lifetime. You may be right, and you may be wrong. Remember that Peter thought he knew what the Messiah Yeshua was supposed to accomplish. “Get behind me, Satan” was the Hebraic expression Yeshua used to tell Peter that he was wrong and that true directions come directly from the LORD. Take away your blinders and open your eyes, and you will see what the LORD wants you to accomplish. There is nothing nobler than dedicating one’s life in service to Yeshua.

May the LORD bless you in your learning and studying of His Word.

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