Let Go and Let God Work

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

 Got any control freaks reading today?I know sometimes I have been. You just want your plan to be adhered to or want to be in charge. Perhaps you try to manipulate the outcome of a situation. Trust me, stay out of it. Others will lose their trust in you if you try to orchestrate plans.

When it comes to change in a loved one we have been praying for, our hands are off the controls. God has a plan and we have to realize we can pray but then step aside and let God work.  God's plan is way better than the one we may devise. There may be some pain and problems involved but He is the one in charge and it will work out great in the end.

Waiting for a breakthrough? Let go and give the controls to God.

PRAYER: I trust you have my times in your hands. I need not fear the future as your plan will be fulfilled. In Jesus' name. Amen.

CLOSED DOORS

Sometimes in life things do not happen the way you want them to. You do not get a certain promotion. You are not accepted to a specific school. You decide to change majors and schools. You have to move and say goodbye to good friends. You are running late and almost miss a meeting after being stuck in traffic. Your girlfriend or boyfriend breaks up with you. You are given probation or laid off at work. Seemingly bad things have a way of turning out for the good. A familiar verse is Romans 8:28 which says "All things work together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

Things can happen for a reason and you my not understand now but you will see the 'big picture' later. If you are following the Lord He is directing your steps. You should be praying about all decisions you make. Back in the military when I was a member of Officers' Christian Fellowship they would have what was called a 'Pray and Plan' when it was time to decide what to study next in Bible study. You have to trust that God is truly directing your steps.

Proverbs 16:9 says "Man may plan his own way but it is God who directs his steps."  Revelation 3:7 says "These are the words of the one who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."

You won't be in a valley forever but soon  be on the mountain top. Probably everyone reading this can think of something seemingly awful that happened in your life but later on was a stepping stone of sorts to get you where you are today. I know I can!

So give thanks in all situations as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 because God is working behind the scenes. Only trust Him.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for all the different situations in my life. There are good times and there are bad but you  are in control. Help me learn to trust you better and commit my plans to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

GRADUATES REJOICE AND SEEK HIS WAYS

This time of year in both May and June, depending on the part of the country you reside in, is when many high school and college graduates walk the aisle of a gymnasium, auditorium,  or arena somewhere to receive that long awaited diploma. A huge milestone in life has been reached for them as well as their parents. At the military academies the new officers throw their caps high in the air. Quite a celebration it truly is.

I thought what better time to write about plans for the future, wisdom, and running a race to win. A common Bible verse you often see around this time of year is Jeremiah 29:11 which says " I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

Also this is a excellent time to bring up wisdom because those leaving the comfort of the nest of their families are going to need an extra dose of that. Hopefully they will not be too stunned by life outside their parents home. Proverbs 4:7 tells us "Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom and in all thy getting get understanding."  James 3:17 says "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without hypocrisy."

 As Christian parents it is our prayer that our children do not leave their faith and start questioning God's word, but sadly, many do. That is where we hang on the promise found in Proverbs 22:6 which reminds us "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old will not depart from it."  A good memory verse for those leaving home is Proverbs 3:5-6 and it says "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Life is exciting. There is a saying I heard once that says we as parents have to give our children both 'roots' and 'wings' meaning you don't want to stifle an adult child but you need to let them make their own decisions with them knowing home is always there. Encourage them to be independent of mom and dad and trouble can be avoided down the road.

In closing, 1 Corinthians 9:24 says "Do you not know in a race that all runners run but only one gets the prize? Run  in such a way to get the prize." Encourage your children and those you may mentor to keep their eyes on Jesus no matter what and He will crown their efforts with success.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the Bible which is our guide through life here on earth and later in heaven. Father we pray our children will seek your face and run their race to win. Give them wisdom, courage, and perseverance always. In Jesus name. Amen.

 NOTE: For over 16 years since my sons were in junior high I have been privileged to be a part of a unique and awesome prayer ministry called Moms in Prayer(formerly Moms in Touch) where we pray for the children and schools they attend up through college, career and the military. Check it out at www.momsinprayer.org

THE JOURNEY

I am sure you have heard the statement 'life is a journey not a destination'. The story is not over yet. You may be in despair over some situation but it is not over yet. The final chapters are not written. Things happen in life and sometimes we just think we will never get over them. You get overwhelmed and distraught. Do not despair my friend. Your whole story is not over. Do not let the enemy lie to you and make you feel you may as well end it now. You have a purpose and God will do great things with your life if you yield to Him.

Satan is a destroyer and wants you to lose hope. Have no fear. The sun will shine again and things will get better. Storms of life occur and you may fall down but you can be rescued by God and get right back up. Just because you are what the world calls a 'senior citizen' does not mean you are finished so do not even think that way!!

You may wish you had some sort of crystal ball and be able to see ahead. That would probably scare most people. It is a good thing that is impossible to do even though palm readers would tell you otherwise. Only God knows the future.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a good verse of hope and it says " For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Ephesians 3:20 likewise is a verse that is good for the future. It says "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us." I'm excited and you should be too!!

PRAYER: Father thank you so much for the plans you have in store for me. Forgive me for times I have not trusted you or worried about some situation and why it had to happen. I want to yield to you and trust you with my future. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link and enjoy a tremendous worship song about living for the Lord.
http://youtu.be/oW869_Z73vU

Further reading: Psalm 139

LOOK FOR GOD'S PURPOSE IN YOUR NEXT INTERRUPTION

There may be a time in your life when something did not go as you would have hoped but eventually turned out greater. God has a plan and sometimes it includes changing our plans, or interruptions. Maybe you can look back on times you were fretting and concerned and in the long run what you were so worried about turned out great. God changed your path and ultimately lets' say you met your future spouse. There is always a reason although we may not see it at that time.

I think of the movie 'The Adjustment Bureau', not a Christian film, but a thought provoking one never the less. In the movie Matt Damon's character was a rising politician who had a 'chance' meeting in NYC with a professional dancer who was not part of his 'plan'. The 'adjustment bureau' were men sent by 'whoever' to try to keep him away from her as it would wreck the ultimate plan for not only his life as a politician but her life as a professional dancer. We know this is Hollywood and not from the Bible but the point sort of was made that each of us has some sort of destiny or as I say it "God has a Purpose".

 The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". In Proverbs 19:21 it says "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."  We can plan a course for our life but before we set out we need to always pray about our decisions.


Proverbs 16:9 tells us "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." 

So wherever you are today be thankful and if it seems wrong just pray and ask God what He has for you and seek to be patient in the process of where He is taking you to.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the fact that I know you have a plan and purpose for my life. Forgive me for the times I have tried to manipulate things to change the outcome. Help me trust you for what is best and be at peace. In Jesus Name. Amen,.

PIT STOPS FROM GOD

Has anything ever happened in your life and you get  upset and wonder why God isn't answering your prayers? Sometimes He has a different plan than what your plan is and perhaps tells you in a round about way it is time to take a 'pit stop' for a while. For anyone who has watched a NASCAR race on TV you see the race cars can not continue forever. They have to eventually pull into the 'pit' so the crew can hurriedly check them out and get them on the road again. This 'servicing' is necessary to keep them running and operating at their peak performance. Sometimes things happen in life and we wonder why. Then  on down the road we understand why. The answers are not always right before our face. Sometimes something seemingly bad turns out to be just what was needed to get you on the path God had for you.

Isaiah 55:18 says "for my thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are your ways my ways says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11 is familiar to many and it says " for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Proverbs 3:5-6 says " trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Matthew 6:33 tells us to " seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto us."

Are you putting God first? Do you start the day with prayer and reading His word?  If we keep ignoring Him how do we expect to know the path He wants us to stay on?

Isaiah 43:19 says "behold I am  doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." What a wonderful verse for hope and promise.
Where are you at today? Do you believe God has  a wonderful plan for your life if only you will trust Him and follow Him?  Proverbs 16:9 says "God can plan His way but only God can order his steps".  Whatever is happening in your life today whether good or bad trust God to get you through and look to him for guidance. Man can plan his way but God orders his steps.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for guiding my steps and picking me up when I fall. Forgive me when I have gone my own way or been mad when things seemingly went sour. You know the 'big picture' and as the saying goes ' the end of the story is not written yet.' You have a plan for my life and help me not compare myself to someone else and want what they have.  Thank you for where you have me in my life today. in Jesus name. Amen.