Change of Plans



Things don't always go according to plan. God is apparently choosing to teach me this principle by experience. The last few days issues have popped up unannounced, plans have changed direction in a moment, and circumstances have kept me from my regular schedule.

Usually I struggle with unforeseen troubles. I like order. I like predictability. I like to know what's going on and when.

However, living for God is never predictable. Serving Him means that we allow Him to cut into our schedules and interject His plan.

David was just fine chilling on the hillsides, watching his father's sheep and writing poetry. Yet, God popped in and had him anointed to be king of Israel.  The widow woman had planned to make  her last meal for herself and her son, but God sent over the prophet who asked her to give him the last that she had. Her obedience saved her life and the life of her son during a great famine.

All twelve disciples were out living their own lives when Jesus walked through and called them off of their previous posts. Their acceptance of His call transformed them and the rest of the world through them forever.

Would we even know who these people were if they had shunned the call of God? What would have happened to them if they had resisted the sudden change of plans that God produced?

When God shows up in your life and points you something that wasn't even on your schedule, don't balk at His request. If what He's showing you seems entirely out of your range of thinking, don't push it aside in fear.

Go after what He's showing you! Accept the call that He's placed on you! There is only be greatness and success in following His Word. Don't allow your limited thinking keep you out of your destined purpose in Him. Who knows? God's call could save your life, the life of someone else, or the destiny of this entire world.

Verse of the Day: ...I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8

Let's DO It!

I'm still meditating on becoming God's MVP. Becoming God's best requires a hefty load of sacrifice.

Think about the MVP's of sports teams. They're usually the ones practicing longer. They always push themselves harder. They see their weaknesses and turn them into strengths. They study their craft. They eat, drink, and breathe their sport. They don't settle for second best.

How much more should we push ourselves to please God with our lives? We should be giving our all to turn into the beings He created us to be. We should be working to turn our weak areas into strong ones through His Holy Spirit. We should take the quality time to study His Word. We should eat, drink, and breathe the things of God. We shouldn't settle for second best.

Don't trick yourself into thinking that mediocre is okay. Just living is not your purpose. God has implanted you in this world for greatness! Press a little harder and be great! Don't just imagine what God can do with you... Go out and be those things that you see in your mind.

Yes, it will take some work. I'm sure it will take some time. But don't give up! Don't get tired of pressing toward the goal! There's greatness out there that you can reach. You cannot fail with God on your side!

No matter what He has called you to do, don't do it in an average way. Do it in an excellent fashion. Take it to an extraordinary level. Showcase the big God who gave you that goal, dream, and vision. Our God is awesome! Let your life reflect His awesome power in every way.

Verse of the Day: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21

Still on the Pottery Wheel...

It's one thing to know God's Word. It's another thing to live God's Word.

Lately my cry has been Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. It seems like I am encountering situations that are making my fleshly side sit up at attention. I'm recognizing my reactions and responses, and I know that God is not pleased. Shoot, I'm not pleased!

I was in prayer on yesterday asking God to cleanse my heart and make me more like Him. I realized that God was allowing these circumstances to come to show me the places where I still need work and deliverance.

I was just thanking God for my progress and celebrating my spiritual growth, and God shifted me back into the repair lane. He showed me that I wasn't as together as I thought I was.

I can only be grateful. My God loves me so much that He wants me to be the best I can be! He cares that I embody His love fully, and that I live my life as a total witness to what His transforming power can do.

Don't lose heart when God allows you to go through His purifying fire. Yes, it is painful to see our faults. It is difficult to change into the image of Christ. Our flesh doesn't want to follow God's ways, and it chafes under His pruning hand.

However, there is joy in knowing that we are living in a way that pleases the Father! There is peace when we know that our every action brings a smile to His face! It also boots our witness when we can share honestly how the Word has changed us and transformed us into new creatures.

Stay in the fire! Don't give in. You're being made into His image.

Verse of the Day: But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

God's Faithful Love

We're back at it again, Saints! How was your weekend? Mine was AWESOME! God came and visited me and my family. I am so blessed to have heard from heaven and am so encouraged in my walk with Him. All it takes is one word from God to turn any situation around.

I'm so grateful for God's love. Today I am meditating on the faithfulness of God's love. It is the one thing that never fails! No matter what we do, where we go, what's going on, or how we feel.... God's love is still right there.

We may have times were we don't feel His love or think that He has abandoned us. Yet, it's only a smokescreen. God never fails! He's always there to encourage, uplift, and embrace us.

When we stumble and fall, His hand is always outstretched for us to grab onto. Even when we turn our backs on Him, He still stands ready and waiting for us to come back to Him. And when we do, He receives us back into His love with no condemnation. His mercy flows out to us anew.

Isn't God so good?!

Make sure you give God some praise today for His faithful love. Thank Him for remaining faithful to you even when you wavered in your walk with Him. Spend some time giving Him some love back today. He deserves our affections and gratitude.

Verse of the Day: The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Thanksgiving Friday!

The world is yours!

Today is a great day to be full of Thanksgiving! God has been good to us, hasn't He?
I am so excited about what God is doing in my life, and I am excited about what I am doing for His Kingdom.

This week our Apostle has been teaching on becoming the Most Valuable Player. If God told you that He wanted you to be the MVP in your arena this time next year, what would you have to do to get there? What things would have to be shut down? What qualities would have to be strengthened? What gifts need to be sharpened?

It's pretty awesome when you sit down and think about it. God has created us all to be the best of the best. He has already placed inside us all the tools we need to succeed. So why aren't we out there lighting up the court?

Let's put aside fear, complacency, procrasination, fear, apathy, laziness, intimidation...did I say fear? Let's put all those things to the side and focus on what God originally blessed us with. We have the greatest assets of anyone! We should use them instead of letting them sit stagnant!

Be encouraged. You can do it! Have a blessed weekend...

Verse of the Day: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Pumping The Brakes

This morning was shaping out to be one of those days. Before I even got logged on to my computer people were walking up with requests that could not wait. I logged on only to find out I was filling in for someone who didn't feel it was necessary to inform me of their absence (a constant offence). The phone was buzzing, work was waiting, people were asking, and my patience level was quickly diminishing.

Thank God for the word we chewed on yesterday! (Philippians 4:4-8) The Holy Spirit brought the verses back to my remembrance, and I had to pump my brakes. I took a deep breath, said a prayer, and gave my frustrations to God. I thought about the bigger picture. I even said a few words over my absent co-worker.

You know what?

My whole mood changed. Even though I was in the midst of all the same chaos, work, and demands, I was able to see things from a whole 'nother point of view. God's point of view. I was filled with peace and able to smile.

Perfect example of why it's important to spend time in God's Word: You never know when you're going to need it!

What Word are you standing on today? Don't let it go! Hold on and have a fabulous day no matter what!

Verse of the Day: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Chew on This!

Sometimes it's just good to meditate on God's Word. It speaks for itself and is powerful enough to change your thinking, attitude, and behavior on it's own. Commentaries aren't always necessary.

Today, I'd like to leave you with a few verses to chew on. Don't just breeze through them. Read them slowly and think about what the words really mean. Then re-read it again. Allow the Lord to minister to you through His word.

Have a blessed day!

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:4-8