Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Contingency Plans

Day 3

      
Dave Montgomery

Contingency Plans
A contingency plan is a plan devised for an outcome other than in the usual (expected) plan.  It is often used for risk management when an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have catastrophic consequences.
 Contingency plans are often devised by governments or business.  For example, suppose many employees of a company are traveling together on an aircraft that crashes, killing all aboard.  The company could be severely strained or even ruined by such a loss.  Accordingly, many companies have procedures to follow in the event of such a disaster.  The plan may also include standing policies to mitigate a disaster's potential impact, such as requiring employees to travel separately or limiting the number of employees on any one aircraft.
During times of crisis, contingency plans are often developed to explore and prepare for any eventuality.
What happens when the unexpected happens in the life of a Christian?  Maybe you find out you have cancer or you loose your job or someone close to you dies and your world around you collapses.  It is at these times that we find out how strong our faith in God is.
God has a contingency plan for Christians it is.  Proverbs 3:5-6 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.
It sounds simple doesn’t it?  It is simple but it takes effort on our part to be able to implement it.  There is no such thing as instant Christian maturity.  Our part of the contingency plan is to develop and implement a life long habit cultivating our relationship with the Lord.  As we grow in our faith and our relationship with the Lord, we are able to trust Him for greater things.  We learn to lean on Him.
God’s contingency plan for you has never changed.  It does not need to be updated.  It does not need a crisis for it to be implemented.  You can apply it to your life starting today.  As we submit the strongholds of our life to Him, we learn that the promises in the Bible are true, for example; Philippians 4:19 says and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.  Another example is Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
God is our contingency plan.


Personal Reflection or Discussion Questions


When has your faith ever been tested almost to the breaking point?  (1 Cor. 10:13)
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How did your faith grow during that time? 

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Prayer: Reflecting specifically on this devotional, write out a prayer to God.
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