Who Really Plans Your Day? (Revised)

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 Well, its Friday morning. We are nearing the end of the week, and I was thinking over the events of this week so far. Monday, I forgot what time I worked, and ended up being a 1/2hr late. Tuesday, I intended to print off a card to take to a visitation, but I was out of ink. Later, I went to the visitation to be a comfort and encouragement, and wound up crying more than the family, and did not have much to say. Wednesday, I tried to put ink in my printer to print off the card, and I think I managed to break my printer. (I'll have to look at it when I am not tired and frustrated to be certain.) I intended to go to a funeral on Wednesday, but after a long night of working and an hour of sleep I realized I would not be able to make it through the funeral and work. Thursday, I got off of work at 9 and intended to get up and lift weights and go to kickboxing class. Instead I slept for a few more hours, and got up in time to go meet a friend for dinner, followed by work, which I wasn't scheduled for until Thursday morning. Do you notice a pattern? As I was thinking about my week, and all my plans that had changed, and been frustrated, I was reminded that I am not the one who plans the events of my day. Similar to 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 I make plans with good intentions to follow through, but my yes is only yes if God wills, and my no, is only no, through Him. So many times I plan to accomplish my To Do List, and I fail. I am so grateful that God is the one who determines what needs to be done in a day. God's plan is perfect and never fails. No matter how many tasks are left unchecked on my list at the end of the day, His list is complete. And, He who works in us both to will and to do (Philippians 2:13), will always cause us to accomplish His will. Have you ever thought about that when you were running 10 steps behind yourself, trying to catch up, and everything seemed to be falling through the cracks? God is Sovereign. He causes all things to work together for good. Romans 8:28. He works all things after the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11.) And so no matter what we did not accomplish in a day was always meant to be undone that day. We have no reason to worry, or be concerned (for you Cheryl), about the items left on the list, because God chose for us to not accomplish them. The same is true at the beginning of a long crazy day. As you look at your plans and think, "There is no way I can possibly accomplish all that I need to get done today." I would submit that we are always able a prepared to accomplish everything we need to get done in whatever day we are in, by the grace of God. Although, there is often quite a difference between what we need to do and what we think we need to do. We may have some days that our To Do List matches God's Will Be Done List, but even then it is God who works in us both to will and to do. (Philipians 2:13). "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." Job 23:13-14 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 And yet another change of plans. I have to go before finishing this. More to come. Additions in blue. James 4:14-15 Proverbs 16:9 (Proverbs 19:21) Psalm 33:10-11 Proverbs 16:1,3, &9

One Day WHEN You Are Married

Those of you who are single I have no doubt you can relate to this, even if you do not agree with me on the subject. This is one of my pet peeves. I can not count the times someone has assumed that I will get married and oftentimes that my entire life up until that point is just preparation for becoming someone's wife. Although I realize the intentions of the person are almost always good, as a friend once told me "people know you are a really cool person and they want you to be happy and have companionship." (quite possibly not an exact word for word quote, but you get the idea.) I've heard it said, and wholeheartedly agree, that the strongest human bond is husband and wife. And, the Bible teaches us that marriage is to be honored and it is a picture of Christ and the church, Ephesians 5. So, of course it makes sense that marriage would be a common topic of conversation and a large part of life, but it is not a given, 1st Corinthians 7. Living life as a single person has trials that come with it for certain, but living life as a married person comes with its own set of trials. I admit I find myself thinking of the idea of marriage often, but a growing concern I have is that too many, girls more than boys, spend so much time focusing on the idea of being someone's spouse, and what their future spouse will be like that they lose focus on God and on how they can serve Him right now, right here, just the way they are. Another concern I have, keep in mind these are concerns for myself not just others, is that between our own ponderings of these things and the people around us encouraging the idea that marriage is a certainty in our lives, what is going to happen if God has chosen a different life for us? What if His plan for our lives is to be single? What if we spend 20 or 30yrs of our life planning to someday start our life as someone's wife instead of seeking to glorify God in whatever path He chooses to lead us on? Life does not start with your wedding day! Life is here, it is now! There is nothing wrong with learning to cook and clean and take care of family, for guys either. In fact, I would encourage everyone to do so, and to use those skills to take care of everyone around you. Your parents, your siblings, and other people God brings along your path, but I would encourage you, whatever you learn, do so with the idea that you want to use this to glorify God and to serve those around you, not with the idea that you have to learn this to train for the day you will be someones wife. I realize I have a tendency to be more independant than most people, partly by choice and partly by lack of alternative options, but keep this in mind too, it is a good thing to learn to work hard and with your hands. Having a job, even a physical one, is not reserved for men. Proverbs 31:10-31 talks about the virtous woman or wife. I am sure any Christian single woman reading this is at least somewhat familiar with this passage. It is often taught as an example of how Christian women should aspire to be, and rightfully so, but what I don't understand is how often we manage to miss the fact that this godly wife on top of taking care of her family at home, she also worked with her hands in a field, sold goods at the marketplace, and girded herself with strength. Too often the idea of what a lady should be is depicted has only cooking and cleaning and watching the kids, being the 'weaker vessel' which is true, but is not equivalent with being weak and danty. I challenge any girl or woman reading this to follow the example of the virtous woman or excellent wife depending on your translation. Whether you are married or single, learn to take care of the people around you. Learn a trade of some sort. Gird yourself with strength. Whether God's plan is for you to marry or be single, it will benefit you to learn to take care of yourself and others. While we are human, and God in His mercy and graciousness often shows us that we need help from others and cannot do things all alone, we also need to learn to depend on God, not on our fathers, brothers, or Mr. Right. God has given us arms and legs and muscles that can work and can grow strong and an ability to think and reason and we need to use these things to glorify God every bit as much as any man. It is natural and even ok to think about and wonder if and to whom we will get married someday, but we must remember that we are living today. Tomorrow and all our plans are in His hands. Our paths are His choice. Our dreams are not a given. Apreciate the growth God has brought into your life, and use the things He has taught you to glorify and serve Him.

The Sovereignty and Omniscience of God, Topics for Kids and Adults

In the middle of a prayer I found myself saying "You know what's best for me, You know my heart and the end of my paths," and I was instantly reminded of a conversation with my niece Cassy. Back in June I had the opportunity to babysit my brothers three kids and their dog for a weekend. Instant family, just add me. Anyway, while I was there it started to rain, and Cassy told me that when it rains it is because God is crying. Obviously her thinking needed a bit of an adjustment. I told her that rain isn't God crying. That it comes from clouds, but God causes it to rain. That He is in control of all things, and that He made everything. This started a long line of did He make this thing questions, and eventually I told her not only did God make her but He knows her thoughts and He knows every word she will ever say before she says it. A look of amazement covered her face and then she asked, "what am I going to say next?" I couldn't help but laugh a little as I said,"I don't know, but God does."She thought very hard trying to come up with something unexpected to say and then settled for, "hi auntie Sarah." Its a cute story, but I find it funny that I can explain to a seven yr. old that God knows everything, and is in control of everything, and yet as simple as the concept is, it is one I have to remind myself of. When I think back over my life this far it is amazing to see how God has worked. The paths that God has lead me down are paths I would never have imagined. "He knoweth the end of each path I take" to quote a favorite song of mine, but even more awe inspiring He knows every possible path I could take and the ends they would lead me to. And He causes me to choose to path that He has planned for my life. The sovereignty of God, a complicated and yet simple concept. If you get the chance watch the expressions on a child's face as you explain that one.

His Power In Our Weakness

II Corinthians 4:8-10 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

• Do you ever find yourself thinking I just can't do this anymore? I can't make it through this night or situation, whatever it is. And yet somehow the sun always comes up and you are still there. You did the thing you thought was impossible. The line is a fine one, but always perfectly drawn. Tested, stretched, put under pressure, and yet never more than we can handle with the grace of God.

II Corinthians 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• His power is made perfect in weakness. How is this possible? When we have come to the end of ourselves, when there is no way we could possibly do what needs to be done, and yet we do. There is no doubt that it is God's work and not ours.

II Corinthians 4:5-7 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

• I am so thankful God does not tell us to be strong, but rather to depend on His strength.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Love

I Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. If you were to share this passage with people on the street today I have no doubt that you would find some that would instantly agree with you. Comments like love is a powerful thing, and who knows what else, but what do we think of when we think of love? Usually, we think of things like Romeo and Juliet. The great love stories of the world, or the dream guy we hope to meet some day, but biblical love is much greater. What is biblical love? I Corinthians 13:4-13 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Romans 5:8 but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the love that conquers all. The love of God. Love is what caused God to send His Son to die for us. Our salvation is made possible because of love. When we see God, our faith and hope will be complete, and done away with, but love endures forever. We are commanded to love. Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:28-31 Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. “This is the great and first commandment. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 15:9-13 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. We are commanded to love like this. As always Christ is our ultimate example. He set the standard for us. In God’s mercy and grace He sent His son to die for us. Not because there was anything in us that merited such a gesture, but because He loved us even while we were in a state of sinfulness! How often we hold back our meager attempts at loving others simply because we are having a bad day or we just don’t like that person for “some reason.” But we are commanded to love one another the way Christ loved us. and more importantly to love God. Our love for God is what causes us to live for Him, and it enables us to love others as well. If we love God and others the way we ought the other commandments will fall into place, because we will be seeking God's will and not our own.