Making Successful Plans

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:26:47 -0400

Proverbs 16:1-3 (NLT)
“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Every day we make anywhere between 500-7,000 decisions a day (according to my fine internet researching skills). Personally, I have to admit that not every decision I make is given thoughtful consideration. We have all thought at one time or another that we would like to turn back time and re-do some of the things that we have done. Thankfully, God’s grace abounds in abundance for those times when we “made our own plans” and did our own thing.
So, what is a person to do in order to make the best plans, decisions, and take the most God-honoring steps in life? The Bible spells it out very clearly in Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Foolish decisions can be adverted by committing your actions to the Lord. Plans motivated by our own selfish desires take a back seat to following first what God has revealed as the right thing to do. Let’s choose to follow hard after what God has for our lives and watch the success that follows as we commit our actions to Him.
Here are some encouraging quotes by Corrie Ten Boom - a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor who helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II.
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

"When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds."

"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open."

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest."

Practicing the Presence

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 20:20:57 -0500

Which one of these examples best describes you:

You approach each day armed with phrases like: “Get busy!” “Hurry
up!” “Produce!” “Make it Happen!” You rush through life, checking of items on your “to do” list.

OR

Your vocabulary consists of words and phrases like: “Lift up your eyes.” “Listen.” “Call unto me.” “Ask.” “Seek.” “Knock.” “Wait.” “Trust.”

The second example represents a “God-drenched mind-set.” The idea of recognizing that God is always with us. It is acknowledging Him, leaning on Him, calling on Him, and rejoicing in His power and presence. It is the “secret” - if there is such a thing - to becoming a true 24/7 worshiper of God.

As you go through your daily activities, slow down and take time to acknowledge God. Thank Him for His guidance while caring for your family and interacting with co-workers. Trust Him to lead you along the right path today.

Prayer: Teach me to invite all that You are into all that I am about - and then to get out of the way so that you can work...and so you can get maximum glory.

Paraphrased from the Integrity Daily Devotional Bible, p. 33

Reflect - Not Regret

Sat, 1 Jan 2011 17:55:32 -0500

Another year has come and gone and honestly, the older I get, the faster that seems to happen! 2010 was an exciting year, but I am looking forward to what God has in store for me, my family and our great church, Evangel.
Typically, I begin the year, like many people do, with a list of things in my life that I would like to see improved or experienced in the New Year. But, I am finding that as I grow in my walk with the Lord, I am reflecting more and allowing God to show me areas in my life that He desires to work in, all throughout the year.
I believe that God has such amazing plans for His people. He doesn’t want us to spend our days regretting what we didn’t accomplish last year, but rather to base our plans on His Word and seek His guidance for 2011.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Give of Your Best to the Master”

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 13:08:22 -0400

This week, I was reminded of a song that I had learned when I was taking piano lessons....20 years ago. My teacher was the organist at our small, Southern church and quite frequently, we would perform organ/piano duets as an offertory.
The song that she had given me the task of learning was, “Give of Your Best to the Master”. Here are the lyrics to one of the verses:
“Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service; Consecrate every part. Give, and to you will be given; God His beloved Son gave; Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.”
Those words penetrated down into my heart and became somewhat of a “life’s motto” for me - “Do your best. Never give up. Don’t do things half-way. Go above and beyond what is asked of you, etc.”
As I grew into an adult and also matured in my walk with the Lord, I discovered that I was striving to do my best for God, but not out of a loving commitment to Him, but out of a fear that He would be disappointed if I didn’t do my best and serve Him with excellence.
I have since learned to embrace the grace and mercy that the Lord has for me because He has unconditional love for me, whether I ever achieve perfection or not.
It is such a great joy to know that I can strive to do the best I can for my Lord because of the love and desire that I have to give Him my best. If I fall short, He is always there to encourage and spur me on to continue to fulfill His plan for my life. What a loving God we serve!

Famous Quotes & Scriptures on Worship

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:05:54 -0400

"Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped" Jack Hayford
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2
“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't.” John Piper
“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3
“Everybody worships. Whether if is a hero, possessions, success, pleasure, a political cause, a carved idol or oneself, the way we live and behave makes evident the things we love and give ourselves to. It is in our very nature to worship, and that inner drive is God-given; the disaster is that as part of a fallen race, we have replaced the object of our worship. To be converted to faith in Jesus Christ is to return to the worship of the true God, and to dethrone all rivals to his authority.” Graham Kendrick
“In the end, worship can never be a performance, something you're pretending or putting on. It's got to be an overflow of your heart..... Worship is about getting personal with God, drawing close to God.” Matt Redman
“Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!” Psalm 99:5
"Worship is more than singing beautiful songs in church on a Sunday. It is more than instruments and music. As a true worshipper, your heart will long to worship Him at all times, in all ways and with all your life." Darlene Szchech