My plans

Proverbs 16:1-9

¹ To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

⁴ The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵ The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

⁷ When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

⁸ Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.

I’m the type of person that has to have things planned out. I’ve always been this way, even at a young age. I knew where I would go to college, even before I was in high school. I knew what degree I wanted to get. My plans were not in any ways against plans the Lord had for me. That being said, my plans weren’t all exactly how God had planned things for me. I would start out along the path I had planned then the Lord would direct my steps a bit in another direction. Still not changing the plan completely, rather guiding me through the route in a slightly different direction.


I was reminded this morning of how the Lord takes our plans, sometimes even the God inspired plans, and changes them or directs them differently, to establish those plans his glory. One of my cousins and his family moved to Ecuador a year ago to work with a foundation that planned to foster at-risk children. They knew without a shadow of a doubt that God had brought them to Ecuador. Not long after they moved there however, God started to establish their steps in ways they would not have expected. The foundation they were with ended up with some struggles with the government to move forward as they had planned. The foundation was then going to move to Honduras.


After much prayer and seeking guidance, my cousin and his wife knew the Lord was directing them to stay in Ecuador. They didn’t know why yet but they knew that was the Lord’s plan. They are now working with poverty communities to be able help allow the children to attend school. Not everything is worked out yet however these communities have free public schools yet many children cannot attend as they live too far into the jungles. They are working to offer a boarding school situation where the kids can stay during the week and then will be transported back to their families for weekends and holidays.


I share this today to encourage you to seek the Lord’s guidance in your plans and be open to when he changes your plans.

Thurs Devo: Opening the Seals

We’ve been studying recently in Revelation the worthiness of the Lamb, Jesus, to open the 7 seals of the scroll. What’s in the scroll, though, and what are the seven seals? Revelation chapter 6 begins to describe each seal as it is opened. Each seal seems to reveal preliminary events leading up to the culmination of God’s plan for redemption and justice.

Revelation 6:3-4 & 7-8        ³ When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” ⁴ Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword….

⁷ When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁸ I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

God only allows this fourth rider power over ¼ of the earth. He doesn’t let the rider wipe out everyone and everything. I think this indicates how patient God is. Even though God is just and sovereign, He is also slow to anger and abounding in love. As each seal is opened, only part of God’s wrath is unleashed. Each seal or event could be seen as warning signs of worse judgment to come. God holds back the full force of His wrath and continues to give people additional opportunities to recognize God, repent of their sins, and turn to Him.

How are you and I comforted, knowing all power on earth is subject to God’s timing and control? 

Alice 

God Will Take Care Of You

But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham,  I have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not turned away from you.’ Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.  Isaiah 41:8-10

As I start my devotions for the New Year, I realized something that many of you may have already acknowledged.  2015 was a hard year!  I know that I had my challenges, but when I recall a lot of the pain and suffering many of you have had to endure, my troubles seem to pale in comparison. Some people I know have even begun to question where God fits in their lives or even if He exists.  When you hear the conversation circle around that fact, you know things have been tough.  We all get knocked down at some point, and yes, the life we live can at times be discouraging.  But today, I want to follow along the verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:11; to encourage you and build you up by assuring that God is still God, and He is with you.

God is with you each and every step of the way.  The challenges and suffering you may have faced last year will not last, and the uncertainty and fear you may be dealing with shall not endure. God knows exactly where you are, and wants you to know He has not forgotten you.  David wrote in Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” These are words of encouragement whether in good times or bad.  For those of you who may be in a time of prosperity, let this be a time to pause and reflect on the blessings God has given you, and for you to ask what you are doing for God.  Deuteronomy 8:11 says, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.”

The New Year is a time to reset and look ahead at what God has in store for you.  We have been saved through Christ so that we will one day live with Him in Heaven. Thus while we may have uncertainty in our lives, we can be assured that God is always with us. What can you do to focus more on God’s promises and less on your current situation?  How can you in live by 2 Corinthians 5:7 where you walk by faith and not by sight?  My prayer for you today is no matter where you are and what you are going through; keep the words of an old gospel hymnal in your mind and heart;

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

Through every day,

O’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you!

Amen.

Tues Devo: Prayers for friends

Colossians 1:9-12 “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (NASB)

Hello,

In reading through the first chapter of Colossians, this section really jumped out and challenged me in  terms of how I pray for my friends who are believers. There is nothing surface here – the items brought to the Lord are entirely related to their relationship with Him. When you look at the list, you may notice:

·         Consistency – never ceasing to pray

·         Whole Mental Circle – knowledge, wisdom and understanding

·         Execution – walk in a manner worthy of the Lord

·         Active Growth – Increasing (knowledge), Strengthened (power)

·         Grounding – giving thanks to the Father (recognize source)

How are we as believers praying for one another? I know I am short of this model – and am looking forward to praying more completely for my friends.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill