Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's
purpose that prevails. -- Proverbs 19:21

What are your plans for today? If you are like me, you have a full
day ahead. I prayerfully try to plan my day. I make appointments
with people so I can address their needs, hear their concerns,
or discuss issues and projects. But, is that enough?

We need to always live humbly,recognizing that none of our plans will be of value unless those plans come from the Father! Pray, not so much for the schedule of activities, but rather that those activities will serve the One that gives us that schedule!

Kyrie Eleison - Lord, Have Mercy

The doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, which was one of the main teachings of Jesus, is certainly one of the most revolutionary doctrines that ever stirred and changed human thought. -- H. G. Wells

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
-- 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit.
-- Dwight L. Moody

Christ died for the ungodly. Christ died for me. I am powerless to save myself or make myself righteous. Without Jesus' sacrificial death and without God's grace I could not be saved. Jesus did for me what I could not do and paid off my debt to sin which I could not pay. He did it for me; not because I was good enough to be worthy of his death, but because I couldn't be worthy without him.

Make My Life a Prayer

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;and character, hope. -- Romans 5:3-4

What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.

We're in spiritual combat - cosmic combat for the heart and soul of humankind. - Chuck Colson

Quit sweating, quit wrestling. It is not TRY but TRUST. -- John G. Lake

In a world of change and undependability, thank you, dear
Father, for being sure, steadfast, and faithful. In a time when
everyone seems to want something from me or out of me, thank you,
dear Father, for repeatedly and consistently blessing me. Thank you
for being more enduring than the mountains and more glorious than
the most beautiful sunrise. 

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

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of
what account is he? -- Isaiah 2:22
  

We are all fallible and mortal. So while we are involved in the
lives of other people, let's also remember to keep
our hopes connected to the Son of God, who "defeated death and
brought immortality and life to light" and who will
"never leave or forsake" us. 

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. Faith is
the belief that God will do what is right. -- Max Lucado

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. -- Psalm 104:33-34

Christ Alone

We had a planning meeting yesterday. I sat there in utter amazement as I listened to a group of women share ideas and hopes. They were communicating with each other in a new way and there was such laughter - a fresh joy in serving the Lord!

I am reminded of one of my favorite songs ...

In Christ alone will I glory though I could pride myself in battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure and
By His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal to the grace, by which I stand!

In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Change of Plans

It was such a beautiful day I decided to grill some chicken outside. I started the grill and sat outside to enjoy the sun while I waited. When it was time, I went inside to prepare the chicken. When I opened the package I was surprised to find chicken strips! What do I do now? The grill is hot, but all I have are these little strips of chicken!!

Life ever present you with a similar situation? You are prepared for one thing, but life gives you something very different? One of the many exciting aspects of walking with Christ is that we don't know what's going to happen next. At times we may be uncomfortable with the twists and turns, but God reserves the right to lead us wherever He wants.

As we prayerfully consider what God wants us to do, we can be confident that He will lead us day by day through His Word and by His Spirit within us (Psalm 139:10). Because He is good (25:8), we can trust Him with our lives in this great adventure called the Christian life.

And, as you might have guessed, the chicken strips turned out great. I grilled them with some vegetables so it was even better than my original plan. But, with God, isn't that usually the case?

Happy New Year

No matter how fresh the start nor how great the plans we have made, if we do not walk with God, the coming year will not be a spiritual success. As we receive this gift of a new year, let's commit to serve the Lord. As we make plans for the coming days ahead, let's make sure that those plans are made based on the LORD's revealed will in Scripture and prayerful consideration of what our God wants us to accomplish.