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YOUR PLAN vs GOD’S PLAN…

I used to go into a serious tailspin when my plans didn’t work out or got thwarted for whatever reason.  But experience is a good teacher– and the Holy Spirit gives wisdom through God’s word when we embrace it. That’s why the following passages are vital to my emotional well-being and joy quotient.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
    “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.” Often times,  God is the only one who is clear on the plan and this is where we must learn to stop living in the “sense realm” and decide to stop second-guessing Him.  Surrendering is the wisest choice here.
  • Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
    Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Hey friend, I encourage you to get these two passages cemented in your heart so that you can stop stressing out or getting depressed when your plans go awry. Rather, rejoice because GOD HAS A “GOOD” PLAN LINED UP! So try making this your prayer declaration:

LORD, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PLAN THAT IS PREVAILING IN MY LIFE. HELP ME TO SEE IT, ACCEPT IT, AND WALK IN IT WITH JOY.

Too Busy To Pray?

Prayer is the oxygen of our spirit; our survival depends upon it. We must always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). In order to be equipped for an enemy attack, we must do as the psalmist declared, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalms 55:17 KJV). If you have found yourself becoming too busy to pray, try this prayer:

Lord, I’m ready to conquer my prayerlessness. I want my time with you to be my top priority—not just in word but in deed. There are activities that I have put before you and in so doing, decided that they are more important. I know that I’m responsible for every activity that I have put on my too-busy schedule.

I am not allowing you the time to develop in me the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-   23)

I know that apart from you I can do nothing (John 15:5).  Trying to run my life in my own strength is more than I can bear.  I want to commit now to a regular prayer time with you, for prayer is as important to my spirit as oxygen is to my body.   Father, help me to start with just _______ (be specific)  minutes each morning of waiting quietly before you—absorbing your love, your wisdom and your enabling power for the day.

Teach me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) by being conscious of your presence throughout the day. Thank you in advance for a dynamic prayer life that will bring glory to you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

How Faith Works

It’s no secret that flying is NOT my favorite pastime; however, I do it a lot because it’s part of God’s plan for fulfilling my purpose. One of the areas of the USA that I LEAST like to fly “to” or fly “over” is Denver, Colorado. The high winds in the mountain range cause significant turbulence.

As God would have it, one of the most significant media appearances of my life, being a guest on the “Today with Marilyn and Sarah” TV program, just happens to be taped in Denver. I’ve been there three times now to record various shows. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart prior to the first visit and informed me: “The place you fear is where your opportunity lies.” So off I went—in obedience but with some trepidation.

Well, yesterday, my husband Darnell and I were en route to Los Angeles from Toronto, Canada and I found myself dreading the return flight which would take us over Denver. The flight out to Toronto had been pretty rocky when we had flown over the area. At the Toronto airport, I felt faith rise up in me and I said, “Darnell, stand with me in believing that we will not experience any turbulence when we reach the Denver mountain range.” Being a man of faith, he readily agreed.

The Airbus 321 aircraft we were on had individual seat monitors and featured a flight map. I kept checking it to determine when we’d be approaching the Denver area. Suddenly, I realized that I was operating in faith and anxiety at the same time. A part of me said, “Get ready for turbulence just in case…” The other part of me fought to believe that our prayers would be answered. It was at this point that the Holy Spirit literally invaded by thoughts and said, “That’s not how faith works. It doesn’t focus on the ‘seen’! Turn off the map and just expect NOT to have the turbulence.” That’s exactly what I did. And guess what? The turbulence NEVER occurred! I had NEVER flown over Denver before without turbulence. So here are my lesson learned:
• Faith relaxes.
• Peace comes when we focus on God’s ability to intervene and away from the circumstances.
• We must not let phrases like, “normally”, “usually”, “traditional requirements”, etc. sabotage our faith. We are the “righteous” (in right standing with God thru the blood of Jesus); we can expect the FAVOR of God. FAVOR implies that we get benefits beyond what “usually” occurs.

Use your faith today! Let Psalms 5:12 be your anchor when you are facing uncertainty: “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor you will surround him as with a shield “(NKJV).