Your Plan, God’s Plan

Matthew 7:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

I used to think that when we live life in God’s plan that the road would be straight, smooth and without struggle or pain. To the contrary; living life in Gods plan requires strength of mind, body and spirit, patience, resilience and endurance. It takes work to be a Christian but in the end the rewards will be greater than you can ever imagine.  It is not easy to dodge the curveballs and spikes that Satan throws in our path, but through unending faith and God’s grace we will make it through to victory. 

Sometimes the path we choose may feel irresponsible or risky in the natural world, but is absolutely the right move to stay on course with God’s plan. His plan is unique and special for each of us, therefore the road for each of us is designed differently.  Too often we find that we trust and are influenced by people and the material nature of the world and lose focus on what is most important to God. People will always disappoint you, God never will. Don’t ever lose faith in him, because he never loses faith in you. When you find yourself in a deep valley, he will reach out his hand to you to pull you up, dust you off and send you on your way. 

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

Don’t be afraid, no matter what comes your way as God is in it with you. Don’t worry, put your trust in the Lord, he knows the future and his plans for you. Don’t lose hope, but live joyfully as you receive the gift of life for each new day and give thanks during your trials. Whatever trials you are facing, you will get through it and when you emerge on the other side you will find yourself closer to God. Find the gift in that trial and its place in molding you and preparing you for something greater. 

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)

⁹ But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Here is something to make you smile today so we don’t take ourselves so seriously that we miss out on the dance of life.  This New York traffic Cop will make you smile: 

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WYKYPGNX

The Decisions We Make

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 
And lean not on your own understanding; 
In all your ways acknowledge Him 
And He shall direct your paths.

I love making decisions. What I don’t like is the period of time analyzing, discussing and agonizing over all of the options before making it. Perhaps this is just a sign of age, as I was more carefree and sometimes reckless in decision making when I was young.  I know now that it was by Gods grace and forgiveness I was always able to bounce back and correct course when I chose the wrong path.

I have learned a lot from my mistakes and perhaps that is why I am more cautious today. Perhaps this is just a normal part of life and growing up spiritually.  

Today, I find myself consulting with God on every major decision and even some of the seemingly small ones. Major decisions that impact relationships, finances and health are the big ones. Now I pray more often about the major decisions before I make them, which helps me to spend less time asking God for help when I make poor choices without consulting Him. 

Think about how many decisions you make in a day and how many of them do you discuss with God.  

Every choice and decision we make has consequences, good and not so good. For the things that are within our control, we always choose our consequences.  In addition to the major stuff every day you decide: 

• To get out of bed or sleep in
• To eat or not eat breakfast, lunch and dinner (healthy or otherwise)
• To go or not to go to work
• To drive, walk or take a bus
• How to dress (clean and according to your work or sloppy without care)
• What kind of mood you will be in - happy, sad, grumpy, mad, angry...
• How you will treat and greet others (with love, joy, happiness or with criticism, distain)
• How productive you will be (how much effort, energy and commitment you give each day)
• To exercise, read a book, plan for the future, or lay around and watch TV till you fall asleep

God gives us free choice, but we must do our part by doing what is right in our hearts, by asking God for guidance and then doing what he says, even if it wasn’t what we had in mind. God always answers prayers for those who ask and are obedient to his word.  

I pray that all your burdens are light and your decisions come easily by His grace.  Have a blessed day!

James 1:5 (NKJV) ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

1 John 5:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV) 

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,  “This is the way, walk in it,” 

Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.”

Foundation of Faith

Matthew 7:24-28 (NKJV)  

²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 

²⁶ “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”  

²⁸ And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching.

If you have ever experienced an earthquake, then you understand what it feels like to have the earth move beneath your feet. 

We lived in Los Angeles during the Northridge earthquake in January 2004.  I remember looking at the clock on the night stand next to my bed and the numbers glared 4:31am.  It was dark and all I heard was a deep rumbling, the sound of glass shattering and furniture toppling all around. I tried to crawl out of bed but the force of the jack hammer type movement tossed me around like a rag doll.  It didn’t last long, but in the moment it felt like it would never stop. Fortunately we were not injured, but it turned out to be a wake up call for better preparedness for future such potential disasters. 

In this passage, Jesus teaches us to build our lives on a strong foundation of faith so that we are prepared to weather every storm and situation in life. We have and will continue to face many challenging events in life for which we may not always be prepared financially, emotionally or mentally. The best way to be prepared for all situations is by building a rock solid foundation of faith. 

Loss of job, bankruptcy, loss of a marriage or partnership, loss of a home or loss of a loved one are not the types of things we plan for when we start out in life. Sometimes there is no way of predicting or preventing situations that happen to us. There is one thing that we can control and count on and it is that our Father will never leave us and by having a solid foundation of faith we preserve our integrity, self-esteem, health and maintain hope for a future. We start by reading his word, prayer, doing the right thing everyday and by trusting in him in ALL circumstances.  

You may have seen this video before, and if so then it is an excellent reminder.  Remember God is in all circumstances in our life and while we may not like them, it may be his way of protecting us. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAxuGpO8uWU   

Ephesians 2:8 ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God

E.W. Kenyon - “Faith talks in the language of God. Doubt talks in the language of man.”