Biblical Planning

Plans
Every January many people make plans to do better with their life. The goals are often praiseworthy but commitment to them wane by the end of the month. We are quickly heading toward the end of January and so I thought it might be a nice time to begin to look at those plans. It will be our topic for the next few weeks.

• 
  Is it alright to make plans biblically?

Many question whether or not a person should make plans at all. Verses such as, James 4:13-5:1 " Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.15 Instead you ought to say," If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. "NKJV cause some to wonder if it is wrong to even make plans. Some people walk away with the impression that James is saying we should not make plans for our life. Is he really saying that? Looking at verse 15 it seems he is really saying, God is the author of life and our plans may be good, but we must not act like they are unchangable by His hand. How sad it is that some have taken this verse and a few others to mean that they should simply float through life with no goals. It is always a good idea to make sure we read the entire context and read the whole counsel of God on a subject. We’ll be looking t a lot of verses about planning and goals in the coming days.

• 
  God’s plans for us
  A famous verse that has been a comfort to me over the years is Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. NKJV"

The entire chapter shows that Israel had strayed from the Lord. God was going to allow them to be taken over by another country….but in the end He would cause them to desire Him again. He was not and would not forsake them….rather He would woo them back to Himself. When they sought Him they would find Him. The NLT uses the word plans instead of thoughts. We form our plans in our thoughts and this Scripture shows that God’s people were on His mind and He had good plans for them even though they were going through some hard things because of their own doings at the moment. Parents of older children may be able tot relate to this verse a little easier than young people. There are times when parents have loved and given to their children only to be rejected or neglected by them. The pain can be overwhelming….but even through that pain most parents still desire their child’s good and restored relationship.
God has plans and he encourages us to make plans.

I found a cute video with a nice message

on God Tube. If you liked Tom and Jerry as a kid take another look. Someone made some great edits.




Here is another video that says I can't Give up now

Should we tell her????

A few months ago my husband and I entered a hospital elevator. The couple that followed behind us were talking in hushed tones. Finally the wife discreetly came up to me and whispered, "Your shirt is on inside out".When I thanked her for saving me future embarrassment her husband told us the situation had been a dilemma to him. He had seen my shirt first and didn't know what to do. He worried I might get angry with him for interfering or get so embarrassed I'd cry. He didn't know what to do so he asked his wife who he hoped would know whether a woman would want to be told about such a matter. Thankfully his wife knew that most women would want the mistake corrected immediately. Truthfully it was a little embarrassing. I'm not a morning person, but my fathers condition and his doctors early bedside rounds made it necessary for us to get up at the crack of dawn and be on our way. I'd already seen my fathers doctor, talked to his nurse and walked the hospital hallways before the revelation of my plight was revealed to me. My dear husband hadn't noticed. Have you ever had a similar dilemma? Either position is difficult. We've all had to ask ourselves "should we tell them" in regard to clothing problem or perhaps an attitude problem. I know we must guard against unproductive criticism, but there are times when we should alert someone or be alerted to situations where an issue may cause problems. In my story I was the one who was in need of discrete revelation. Being told by a stranger about my shirt embarrassed me a little...but the alternative would have increased my embarrassment because we had a full day of appointments. We may not always like "being told" something but we can certainly listen and see if God is speaking through the messenger. Remember....The Holy Spirit can direct you...and let you know "if you should tell" and if you should "accept what is said as valid" We don't have to have "egg on our face" if we will listen to the voice of God in our life..remember sometimes that voice comes through a human tongue.

Our dog Scooter is a hero (M)

Marcy, our overweight little Daschund, loves to burrow under blankets, coats, or anything warm. A few nights ago. I had on a housecoat with oversized sleeves. I got hot and threw the housecoat on the couch where Marcy sleeps. When we went to bed Marcy had burrowed under the housecoat and was happily sleeping. About 2:30 a.m. Scooter, our senior citizen Daschund, knocked down the gate we keep by the bedroom (Scooter usually barks about 5:00a.m and we let them in with us for a little while before we get up) John heard her collar rub against the bed. She was shaking and upset. He called for Marcy and when she didn't come he went to look for her. She had gotten stuck in one of the sleaves and couldn't even bark...her breathing was labored and she was in a panic. Praise God for Scooter's quick thinking and willingness to knock down the barrier to our bedroom to get help for her little Marcy. Needless to say, we will not be leaving anything with sleeves where Marcy can get herself into another bad situation.

Don't miss a revelation of God just because you've heard it before

My sister visited a few weeks ago. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and she got to spend time with our Dad. One morning we were alone and began to talk about more than surface stuff. She began to say some things that had truth and revelation, things that could begin to change things if I listened. The problem that occured was "I knew all about what she was saying," Sometimes when we've walked with the Lord for a while, when we've studied the Word of God we can get to the place where we know the teaching that can help set us free...but in a weird way because we know it so well we miss out on really hearing it.

As I listened to my sister I could confirm everything she was saying...indeed I'd taught it to others, and I'd even lived it out in situations in my life. Yet God was reminding me through her that I needed to get back to basics. You see you can know something, you can even have walked the path previously, but in the now be having trouble implimenting it.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to you through the Word, through your spirit, a message, or through a godly friend don't miss the message through familiarity.

Maybe today you are going through somethings that are painful or troubling. The Holy Spirit desires to speak to you today. He wants us to be open to listen to Him and to what He has to say. Remember this:

1. God leads us in our everyday life. The Word says, "My sheep hear My voice" We can be lead of God. Jesus desires to us to allow His leading in our life. He does not abandon us...We've been given the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.

2. There could be something so simple, something you already know that could be an answer to your current cirucmstance. I almost missed the words that would set me free...because instead of listening I was tempted to simply spout my "expertise" on the subject. What turned it around was the gentle spirit of the Lord speaking in my heart. "Ruth, you need this...truth to become alive again....listen afresh for the things you are facing in the NOW."

3. Expect to be lead by the Spirit. The Word says in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.KJV and in Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD,Trust also in Him,And He shall bring it to pass.NKJV God still speaks in the 21rst Century to men and women who are willing to trust Him. The Holy Spirit lives within those who have accepted Jesus Christ. We have the joy of knowing that it is His desire to teach us all things and to help us walk the path of our life in a way that will bring about life and life more abundantly.

My oldest son is twenty years old today

I'm looking forward to talking to my son Al later today when he gets home from work. He and his wife live out west as he is in the Airforce.

Time certainly stops for no man. To steal a phrase from my father, "Seems like yesterday" he was just born. It was Mother's Day and we thought his arrival was a few weeks away. We had some nice things planned for Sunday Service for all of the mothers, but it ended up that all our plans had to be postponed. I couldn't sleep throughout the night. I didn't have pain persay, but I was uncomfortable. We had prayed that I wouldn't have pain...and that was basically answered...yet I had no trouble understanding it was time to go. We called our parents (both sets lived about an hour away at the time) and went to the hospital. Well we didn't go straight to the hospital. My darling husband ever responsible couldn't get ahold of a few parishioners by phone to tell them church would be canceled so we went around town to tell them first. I was NOT HAPPY about that. I admit I YELLED at him.

When we arrived the kindly nurse saw I wasn't in great pain and thought I'd be several hours and so she didn't examine me. She told us, "Your doctor is in church. so we won't disturb her...okay." Meanwhile..I couldn't get comfortable and to make matters worse they put a machine on me to determine how far apart the contractions were and they wouldn't let me walk . I remember John and I were in the room alone with the nurse just outside....I said I've got to push...and like a flash she was there and determined I was ready to have the baby at any moment and my doctor still had not been called. Turns out Al was in a little distress and the birth had to happen quickly. Thankfully, within 10 minutes the Doctor arrived and we were on our way. Since I didn't have a lot of pain they told me...Okay your having a contraction it is time to push. So at 12:29 a.m. , about the time church would normally end, Al was born.

Meanwhile my Mother had arrived at the hospital asking for me...and accidently using my maiden name....only to be told there was no one by that name at the hospital. She finally came to herself in time to see me being wheeled from the delivery room. She rushed to the nursery where she was able to hold Al before John and anyone else....a fact she recalled with glee for years to come. John's folks were also on hand and thrilled at the new arrival. My Mom in law stayed and helped us for a little while after everyone else left.

Anyway...it is nice to remember. Both my boys are a treasure...and I know God will not forget that we raised them the best we could in the knowledge of the Lord. God will not have His Word return void.

You are not alone

Recently I entered a period of strong prayer due to things we've been going through. I"ve declared the Word of God, been thankful for the things God has promised, studied the Word...and best of all enjoyed His Presence.... all good things. Thing is just a few nights ago some more things popped up and I"ve was sort of a coach potatoe concerning prayer for awhile. I began to panic a little because I hadn't been as active as I had before the latest hit. All sorts of thoughts began to pour through my mind. "Your behind now....lost ground... and situations will not be what they should be..." Fear based things that the enemy loves to pass in front of your mind. I'd been pondering a wonderful Scripture before that...and Praise God for it. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.NKJV Well some of my feelings have been like groanings and I haven't known exactly what to pray. When those thoughts began to try to take over the Word of God rose up in me. I believe the Lord explained to me;

• The Spirit prays according to the will of the Father especially when I'm down or when I'm uncertain about how to pray. Yes, it is important that I pray and that I know the Word, but results don't happen simply because "I'm up to pare or because I do everything right"
• It is not all about my work....He loves me The Spirit knows the will of the Father. He prays for me and uplifts me. What a comfort.
• I'm reminded through the Spirit that Jesus is my advocate. That's another Scripture....but it's the Spirit who reminds me. Jesus will never leave me or forsake me. He leads my prayer...He makes me strong in the midst of weakness because it is He who prays through my groanings.
• Peace comes through the knowledge of my comforter and advocate so that I'm able to hear His voice and join in prayer.