Good Plans

Every school teacher spends most of August planning and preparing for the next school year.  It is a time to look at ways we can improve and to imagine how much we are going to accomplish.  It seems that good intentions, like hope, spring eternal.  . 

There is nothing wrong with making good plans, but.....     Proverbs 16:9 points out "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  In other words, unless the Lord is in it to "will and to work for His pleasure," the plan will not bear fruit.  Isaiah 30:1 even goes so far as to say "Woe to those who devise plans, but not of My Spirit."

We know God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Part of that "for good" is opening our heart to realize we need Him, because the temptation in the garden was for man to think he is "like God," and therefore, does not need the God's help.  Yet Ephesians 1 points out that as we grow in "wisdom and revelation of Him" our understanding will be enlightened until He becomes "all in all." 

Jesus spoke and demonstrated that love is laying down His life for His friends.  This same principle can be applied to loving God with all our mind.  We love God by laying down our thoughts and plans and submitting to His.  God wants us to use our mind, only in harmony with His ways.  Therefore, the necessity of seeking Him and learning to hear His voice must preceed the making of plans.  He is not far away, but literally is within our spirits ready to help us know the way.

My instruction, if you wish to walk in victory, is to lay down your thoughts before Him, and ask Him for His plans for the day.  Then be obedient to do what you beleive He is directing.  This step may be easier if you write down what comes to mind as you wait on Him. blessed are those who hear and do His Word.   There is such a sense of peace and accomplishment when you obey and see the fruit of your deeds.  Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph. 

Moses prayed in Exodus 33:13, "Show me now Your way, that I might know you."   The more we seek and find God's way or plan to overcome, the more we will experience knowing the character of God.  God promises to satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  The key is to desire God's right way of doing things and refuse to settle for anything less than what his peace confirms.  May His peace keep your mind and heart in Christ Jesus as you follow His good plans.