God’s Plans vs. My Plans

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“Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21

How do we know if our plans are for us or for God? Ask for God’s wisdom in the matter. God can search your heart and tell you. We are human and we are imperfect. We almost always have a motive. That is human nature. We may say it’s for God but is there a benefit for us? Maybe it’s just to look good to others or ourselves. That’s a nice thing for me to do. Maybe you are trying to decide if you should give money to somebody. They will think I’m so special if I give it. I was taught that the right hand shouldn’t know what the left hand was doing. Or give anonymously then you know nobody will know.Then they can’t thank you so God can be the one to reward you. Maybe you decide to loose weight. Am I trying to impress someone or do I want Gods temple in good condition. I know I felt led to go on a diet because I saw people around me whose eating habits were putting their health at risk and I thought I should change my diet to become healthier. I even felt led to read a book about a certain way of eating and I did loose weight and felt so much stronger and better because of it. Sometimes we just want our ways and they aren’t always good for us. Or we really want to do something whether God wants me to or not. Like I want to go skydiving so I will. The end. I want to go to Germany so I just buy a ticket and don’t ask God. At one time in my life I didn’t think to ask for his advice. But do you know that he really does have the final say because he knows what is best for me and he has plans he is trying to fulfill in my life and I don’t want to get in his way anymore. I know his plans are good and I trust him. If he asked me to go to England or give money to church I would do it without questions because it’s possible or he wouldn’t prompt me. And I want what he wants in my life now. Now me going to England would take a miracle because I live in a nursing home and need 24 hour care. But he can make a way where there is no way. When it’s going to take God’s help I know it’s his plan. If it’s totally me I would question it.

My Rock

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“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself is the rock eternal.“. Isaiah 26:4

God is so amazing, there will never be anyone more faithful. God knows the beginning from the end and everything in between because he wrote the book before we were ever born. He knows the plans he has for our lives, every billion of the lives he has ever created. They aren’t just his plans because he is working with us, we may not always stick to these plans but they can still happen with his help. We can actually get way off track at times with our own agendas and sometimes they aren’t even good for us. I love the song out right now that says, ‘I took the long way home.’ Oh how we wander! But that doesn’t make him mad or worried because he can get us back on the right path. Because he is in control not us. I think back over my life and I took some long vacations from his plans trying to do what I wanted not what he had planned. It actually caused me a lot of grief trying to do it my way. And he let me even though I had to learn some lessons the hard way.. He never gave up on me though. That is a good description of a rock (unmoving, unchanging, strong). He is so amazing because he knows everything ahead of us and still keeps us moving in the plan when we aren’t even trying to follow the plan. Some of his kids are trouble and he has tons of kids But he keeps them all in line. It takes some pretty amazing love to put up with all those kids. But to him it’s nothing.

Imagine

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21

Do you know how much God can and will do in your life? Of course we don’t because God’s ways are not our ways. Nothing is impossible for God and nothing is out of the realm of possibilities. We can’t limit God nor should we want to. I heard a story this morning that was so cute but so true. A little girl was talking to her daddy and asked if she could have a shiny nickel and her dad checked his pockets but he had no change so he thought well I can give her a dollar but when he opened his wallet all he had was 2 $20 bills so he offered her one but the girl got upset and told the father he must not love her if he couldn’t give her a shiny nickel. She of course didn’t understood that $20 was like hundreds of nickels but to her a shiny nickel was special and she thought she deserved it. She knew what she wanted but wouldn’t consider that her dad maybe had something better. We are so much like that little girl, when we pray telling God what we need we get upset when he gives us something different when all along he knows what is best for us (and he is a very extravagant God). We don’t know what we might be missing out on.Just like what heaven is like, can you guess? I know I can’t. But I can guarantee that it surpasses my wildest imagination. I have heard a few stories about heaven but I’m sure they couldn’t describe all that they saw for those who had near death experiences.As Gods children we should desire all that he wants to give us. We can have heaven here on earth if we truly trust God. Because his plans for us are good and for our best but do we really believe that. I think sometimes we worry about the worst happening and maybe we don’t think we deserve better or we just don’t want to get our hopes up. Sometimes when someone gets sick or has cancer we assume the worst because the doctors tell us the worst but I know my God has always done miracles.if you have read the whole story.

How We War

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“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

We are not breezing through this life without trouble. But we have help. We aren’t doing it on our own strength. But the enemy is trying to feed us lies and we can also feed ourselves lies. We need to be constantly flooding our lives with the truth of God so we are prepared when lies come into our heads we will know in our hearts about what God says and recognize the lies for what they are. God always says good things to us about who we are in him. We also need the weapons we have been given at the ready. So we can be strong and ready to stand strong against these lies. Every thought needs to be processed. Is it something God has said and lines up with his truths or should we take it captive as the lie it is. Don’t let business or not feeling well keep you from being prepared and alert. Satan loves to distract us getting our minds on so many other things. I’m sure you’re just like me and when you try to pray your mind keeps wandering to other people or problems. It is not just us but something is trying to distract you. Red Flag! Fight with authority because you don’t just need to put up with it. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Not today Satan.’ Well you can command him to stop in Jesus name. Because when you’re prepared you can stop him in his tracks. Then focus on how much good God has for you and move on. So don’t let the tools God has given you sit on the shelf collecting dust, use them.

Faithful God

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“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

God is definitely very faithful and loving. He also never says anything he doesn’t mean. He takes promises and covenants very seriously and it doesn’t matter how long it takes to fulfill them but he always comes through. He made promises to Abraham and Sarah, to their children. To Joseph and Daniel. To Mary and Joseph. The list goes on and on. It may have seemed impossible at times but nothing is impossible for God. He is all powerful and he knows the beginning from the end and his will, will be done. He foretold the birth of his beloved son Jesus and it came about just as he said. And many other prophecies and even Jesus told of his death and resurrection . If he was raised from the dead then we can be certain that one day we will also be raised to live with him forever in eternity. So many promises that make this life very exciting. The Israelites even grumbled and complained basically telling God that he wasn’t able to come through for them so God promised them that they wouldn’t see the promised land and they didn’t. He warned the Israelites about going into exile and they did. He is always speaking truth and truth will prevail. The greatest truth was that he would send deliverance for to sin that Adam and Eve committed by eating the forbidden fruit and he did and that shows how much he loves us.

Fruit

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“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2

We are meant to bear fruit as Christian’s and we need that fruit to help us grow and to impact the lives that are around us. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness… We are God’s kids and people around us should know that and we should be more like him. So the first thing we need to do is stay in God and God in us. He will give us the wisdom and strength we need to do what we need to do, He is continuing to perfect us and doesn’t want to see us stay the same. So he will prune us and yes we may not like it but it is making us better. And our fruit will be lusher and juicier. The people around you need to see us growing and our behaviors improving. It’s that little thing we call our light shining brighter and brighter. We are changing from glory to glory. When I was younger I didn’t see the need for fruit but I am so different now, night and day different. I can see that the pruning is working in my life.,

God’s Favor

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“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime.”

Psalms 30:5

God may not like everything we do and he might need to discipline us from time to time. We may not particularly like things that we go through but God does love us very much and he always wants what is best for us. When we go through difficult times God will use them for good. To strengthen us and grow us and not harm us. He is in complete control and he knows what he is doing.yes there is evil in this world but he has to allow it. He will also only not let it go on any longer than necessary. He doesn’t want to see us suffer. Every day we wake up to a brand new day and the sun comes up at the exact time. The birds begin singing their songs. We got a fresh chance to make it a great day. God gives us everything we need. If is up to us to enjoy what God has given us though. Our attitude is up to us.i heard a story about a man who went to a restaurant and while he waited for them to take his order he noticed a man totally smiling and really enjoying his meal. So he told told the waiter he wanted whatever that guy was having. Just then he noticed the man’s wife had a scowl on her face and she didn’t seem happy. So he asked what she was eating. And the waiter said she was having the same thing as her husband. When you know Jesus he gives you peace and strength to make it through your day with a good attitude. It doesn’t matter what you have but who you know. People can spend all their money trying to fill the void that only God can fill. When God is in your life you know love and you can love others and learn that we also need people in our life to really enjoy it. I had a stroke so people have a hard time understanding me. So I would spend my days by myself but I felt God telling me to eat with everyone in the dining room and stop eating in my room. Well I have met some great friends and they can’t all understand me but they still talk to me and I can’t believe how much I enjoy eating with everyone. God loves to see us happy and he will give us everything to be happy but we decide if we will be happy..

Shining Star

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“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise know that God is wiser and his words bring wisdom but we can also ask f‎or wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we revere and respect God we will not want to do anything to upset God. That is the best place to be because life goes so much more smoothly when we act wisely. But we will actually shine. Not just shine but like the brightness of heaven. We know heaven will be bright because we no longer need the sun because Gods glory will light everything up. When we are wise we will shine to those around us . Just like the city on a hill that shine cannot be hidden. As they see us they will see that we are different. We let our light shine to draw people to Jesus. They will also want to know why we are different and aren’t like everyone else. I have known so many people who have love and passion for God that is burning in their lives and they can’t hide it. The devil does not like to see that and he will do anything he can to extinguish that fire. The person who shot Charlie Kirk thought they were getting rid of someone who irritated them but it backfired and more came to Jesus in his death than in his amazing life. I know others who do so much to further God’s kingdom and some die young and some live long lives but don’t stop shining their light for all to see. That fire they have is like the fire in one of billions of stars burning in the sky and their fire will keep burning like those stars for ever and ever. They will have fought the good fight and finished the race. Their rewards will be great in heaven. I can just imagine the big party waiting in heaven when Charlie and so many others got there. So keep shining your light bright.

Fruits in Your Life

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

God loves us so much but he also wants to see us grow. He wants to see us more like himself. Seeing fruit in our lives. What are the fruits we should grow in? Love, joy, peace, forbearance, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Do we have love for others, even those that may not be easy to love. Do we put others before ourselves? Do we try to help those in need. Do we share Jesus with others so they can get to know him also. Do we have joy, because why would someone want Jesus if he doesn’t make us a better person. The kind of joy that helps us stand strong even when we may be going through hardships. Peace is a calm that helps you when others may not be treating you fairly or kindly. When someone yells at you, you don’t yell back but show compassion. Do you have patience when someone is trying to explain their problems and take those problems personally thinking with compassion and not impatience. A hard one is when someone is mentally challenged and can’t help themselves do you still respect them and treat them kindly. Not saying things about their difficulties. Being good to them when they do things that might irritate you, Helping them do things. Kindness is showing great affection for others or favor. Making someone feel special and dearly loved. We are all dearly loved by the Father and everyone deserves to be loved. Do we go out of our way to make their day better. Do we put others above ourselves making them feel important. Do you do what you say you will do. Do you have integrity. If you promise to be there are you there. Or do you make lots of excuses to get out of things. Do you take others feelings into consideration before you speak. Even when they may not care what you feel, Be nice anyway. Self control is such a big one. Nowadays people don’t see a need to have self control but they say and do whatever they want. Even if it’s not good for them or those around them. Are Jesus ways becoming our ways?

Authorities

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“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalms 34:14

As children of God we need to love others. We may not always agree with everyone and they may irritate us at times but we are supposed to love them anyway.We are supposed to obey God and these are his words and he has also given authority to others to lead us such as teachers, parents,ministers, employers, coaches, elected officials, officers, and military commanders.God has placed them in authority over us and their authority should be followed just like God. We may not like it and they may treat us unfairly at times and they may have reasons we don’t understand but God has told us to pray for them for wisdom to lead us how God wants them to so we can live in peace. Not always peace from struggles but peace with God. He is ultimately in control. Just like when the children of Israel went into exile they were forced to do things they didn’t want but God’s hand was on them. He didn’t expect them to sin such as Daniel disobeying so he could pray to God but God still shut the lions mouths because Daniel was in obedience and God showed him favor. Someone might be put in prison for a crime they didn’t commit but God is still on the throne and he would still want you to obey and pray. Let God take care of you and he will because he is still working. Remember God will never leave you or forsake you and he will give you the strength to persevere in your circumstances whatever they may be. Just trust him. That may be easier said than done but you do.want his will to be done how he knows is best and you’re just following his lead. But being in his loving arms is the best place to be. Just trust and obey.