You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:41-42 NLT)

Plans in themselves are not inherently bad.  Planning is an essential aspect of our daily lives. Especially if we have families with multiple interests and activities. However, if we become so rigid in our planning and unwilling to be open to any changes, then it demonstrates our need for control. When we are trying to control our circumstances or outcomes, we attempt  to use our own authority and power. It indicates a lack of trust in the Lord to move on our behalf.

The busier our daily lives look, the more we rely on our organization systems and planning. Are we just trying to organize our daily lives, or have we set ourselves up as the ones with all authority? Do you get angry when your plans get interrupted? Unsettled or even anxious? Those are signs that we have made ourselves sovereign over our own lives.

In my line of work,  having plans and an alternative or two is necessary because patients’ health and abilities can fluctuate day to day. In all honesty, I am a planner in life as well.  There were many times that my plans ended up a disaster. Self-reliance often leads to being overwhelmed. That is the exact opposite of what Jesus promised us. He said that we could lay our cares on him and he would provide us rest (Matthew 11:28).

Thinking about how we often attempt to control our circumstances and situations, I began to think about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew everything he would have to face. Betrayal, falsely accused, imprisoned, beaten, mocked, rejected, crucified on a cross. He could have decided it wasn’t part of his plan for his life, but he had complete trust in God’s plan for all mankind. Filled with the Holy Spirit and having a personal relationship with the Lord,  Jesus understood that God’s purpose for his life was essential.

If Jesus could trust God all the way to the cross and to the grave – bringing about salvation for all mankind – then I can trust Him with the plans I make in life. Even if He decides they need to change. Amen.

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17 NKJV)

During Christ’s ministry, many people questioned who Jesus was. When Jesus taught in the synagogue, in his hometown, they could not comprehend that a carpenters son could have such wisdom about the things of God (Mark 6:3). The Pharisees, who were the most knowledgeable about the scriptures, had no understanding of Jesus. In fact, their religion blinded them to what God had promised. They had preconceived notions about the Savior, and it hindered seeing the truth when it was right in front of them.

More than two thousand years later, even with the Bible and different religious movements spreading Christianity, there are two billion Muslims and over one billion Hindus in n the world. Roughly 34 percent of Americans don’t attend church. In a recent conversation with someone, they voiced that they had a difficult time understanding a God who allows so much sickness and death into the world. I know this person has never read the Bible. Experiences with church have been limited. Knowledge of God is based upon a very limited perspective.

This is why the Great Commission is part of the calling of every born again believers. Because even if someone attends church, we can not assume they know Jesus as their Savior. I was raised in a Catholic Church, and not everything I was taught about God helped me see the depth of His love. It wasn’t until I learned about God’s grace that I began to see the Father differently.

Once we become a part of the family of God, we have an obligation to show everyone we meet how God’s love transformed our lives. When we meet people, we need to ask, “Do they know Him? Do they know Jesus?” We had someone talk to us about the love of God. We have a person or many people to thank for helping us understand how salvation can change lives. I want to be able to help someone else find the one thing that makes us all whole. I want them to know Jesus.  Amen.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16 NLT)

Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord for the splendor of his holiness. (Psalm 29:2 NLT)

As you awaken today and see the sun rising, the birds singing or the breeze tickling the leaves on the trees, may the wonders of all God has created bring forth a desire to worship Him. The author of your story, who has whispered His love throughout the ages, is worthy of all praise.  It is the proper response from those who have received mercy, grace, and loving-kindness from the Lord. Jesus took all our sin, guilt, and shame and bore it on the cross. He was beaten, mocked, suffered, and died. Then, he was resurrected after three days once he defeated death and hell for all eternity. We know He did this for all mankind but if I was the only one who needed saving grace, He would still have come to earth. My worship is a demonstration of love for the one who has given extravagant love to me. It is the only response; it is my offering.

In John 4:24, Jesus tells a woman there is a time coming when people will “worship in spirit and truth.” There are benefits to us and to our spirits when we worship the Lord.  King David, the Psalmist, recognized that worship reminded us of all our blessings and the power and majesty of our God. He didn’t have the benefit of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. However, spending time worshiping the Lord brought forth faith and recollection of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites.

Speaking from my personal experiences with worship,  I believe that worshipping when we have the spirit of God dwelling within us releases the power and authority of God in a supernatural way. In Ephesians 6:17, we are told that Christians have a weapon to use in battles, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ” We also know that our battles aren’t against “flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)  Worship is one of the ways we equip ourselves with our inherited power and authority, because faith grows when we hear ourselves speak the word of God over and within our lives. We testify of God’s perfect provision, peace, healing, redemption, and love.

There have been seasons due to an injury that I attended church in pain. However, during worshipping and praising God, my pain would be gone. My faith in God’s gift of healing given through Christ’s salvation allowed the power of God’s word to bring healing to my body. The supernatural power of God’s word at work. This is just another reason that I have to be thankful and to worship my Heavenly Father.  Amen.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV)

The temperature has still been oscillating between the high 80s and low 90s, but long before Labor Day, fall clothes, colors, and holiday decorations have been on the racks and shelves. I still want to be in my flip flops and sandals, but boots are on sale in the department stores. All around us, the world continues to push time forward. Often long before seasons are even changing. Does anyone else get reminded via radio, media, or social media on July 25th that Christmas was only six months away?

The wonderful thing about our Heavenly Father is that He isn’t constrained by time. He existed long before the creation of the world.  Although we know that Jesus is coming back, God has been gracious and full of patience, allowing mankind the opportunity to reconcile to Him.

While we count days, months, and years, the Lord is looking for hearts to be softened, people to come to repentance and redemption. We see the world in chaos, and He sees His Church shining light in the darkness. We see time slipping away, and that although we shouldn’t waste time, He is full of mercy and grace. He gives chance after chance. That was the kind of God I needed when I was lost.

Apostle Paul in Romans encourages believers to “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying (Romans 12:12).” We press in because we already know the victory awaiting all those we have been praying to come to salvation. The Lord is always faithful to His promises.  Amen.

Thank you for continuing to share these moments with me in my journey of faith. I am taking a week off to rest and recharge. There will be no devotional on September 18th, but I invite you to join me on September 25th for the next entry. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and give you peace.

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit. Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17-18 NKJV)

When I gave my heart to the Lord, there were certain things that immediately changed in me. I no longer thought that it was alright to swear or take the Lord’s name in vain.  Other changes were slower. The decision to forgive others when they have hurt me, because I have been forgiven and shown mercy. But more importantly because I understand that unforgiveness is a disease that will destroy my body. That wasn’t something I learned instantly but over time.

Jesus told his disciples, “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” (John 15:10). Abide means to remain, not depart, or to be held or kept continually.  If we try to look at abiding from our perspective,  then we are working to stay connected with the Father. However, the Lord has always been offering to hold us close to Him. Our part becomes a willingness to surrender to trust that His commandments are about protecting us in this world. In Jeremiah, chapter 23, verse 24 it states, ” ‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill
heaven and earth?” says the LORD.’ He sees things that we cannot because He exists without constraints.

About a year ago, I felt the Holy Spirit asking me to put aside a particular type of book I enjoyed reading. The books were easy, light reading, and the author’s style was downright funny. However, all the content wasn’t always appropriate. I had two choices when I heard the leading of the Lord. I could rationalize why I should keep reading books by this author, or I could follow the instructions of the Lord. Discipline is about ensuring that our spirit is controlling our flesh and not the other way around.

Paul spoke of this battle in his letter to the church at Galatia, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

The wonderful thing about our Father is, that when we fail at disciplining ourselves or fail to trust that surrendering to Him opens the way for Him to work all things for our good, He offers us another chance. Because truth be told, I have missed it more times than I can count. I have held onto things I should have laid at His feet and carried burdens that were not mine. No Jesus carried it all to the cross and made a way that I could live in freedom and victory. Thankful for the mercy He gives me, as I draw closer to Him, I will listen for His leading and instruction. Disciplining myself to surrender to His will. He never takes more than He gives. His way is always better.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16 NKJV)

For as long as I can remember, whenever I have traveled any distance by car, I watch the signs that mark how many miles left until we reach the intended destination. Sometimes, the closer we would get to our destination, in anticipation, I would watch the mile posts counting down the distance.

In this scripture, not only does God instruct Moses to write a memorial for the Israelites victory in this battle, but to recount it so that Joshua and the Israelites will remember the work of the Lord on their behalf. Moses goes on to erect an altar, a physical reminder of  what the Lord had done.

This instruction for writing a memorial is important to believers today. We need to mark the miles in our journey. This relationship with the Lord is one of growth. The development of our faith requires us to identify the way Gos has been working on our behalf (Jeremiah 29:11). Additionally, benchmarks are a symbol to us about how God  has helped us change. We are not who we once were but a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Travel brings thoughts of adventure and anticipation. We should be looking at our walk with the Lord with the same joyful expectation. I realize that in this world, expectation can lead to disappointment, but our God is not in the business of disappointing His children. He is a good Father who delights in providing for you and for me. Look back over the miles you have walked. You are not where you started. Measuring where you were and how far you have come may just be the encouragement needed to reach for the next destination of your calling.

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (Psalm 91:1 AMP)

Lately, my world has gotten louder. Distractions push their way into my days. Tasks and demands loom like skyscrapers and seem insurmountable. By the end of the week, I am weary, but I still feel like there’s so much more I need to do.

This is one of the reasons our Heavenly Father created the Sabbath. “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world” (Hebrews 4:9-10). Jesus so often went away to pray and just spend time with the Lord.  He needed to refill his spirit to operate and complete the works that God had called him to do.

I love this image that if we go to our secret place and spend time with our Father, we will be covered by the shadow of the Lord. I imagine standing in the shadow of a tall and mighty oak tree. It provides shade and protection from the hot sun. It supplies a solid and firm place as I sit at its base. Sitting there, it yields the solace in the songs of the birds that sit along its branches. If a tree that is created by God offers all these benefits, imagine what resting at the feet of our Father can achieve.

God rested after creating heaven, earth, and all that is in it (Genesis 2:2). How much more do we, His children, created in His image and filled with His spirit, need to rest in Him. We can not fulfill our purpose if we are empty.  We feed our bodies,  yet we neglect our spirits. Silence the noise of the world.  Step into your secret place and into the shadow of the Almighty.  Amen.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

“Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” (1 John 4:18 NLT)

As a child, I remember distinctly looking out the car window, in darkness of night, and feeling afraid of what could be out there hiding in the shadows. Perhaps fear was caused by scary stories shared by older cousins or seeing people dressed in monster costumes around Halloween. I do know that fear was somehow suggested to me. It wasn’t something I came up with on my own.  I learned it through others or experiences. I learned it the same way that I learned I was always safe in my mother’s arms.

Fear changes as we become adults. Perhaps we fear being hurt or heartbroken by another person. We can go to the doctor for a checkup, and the suggestion of a biopsy “just to make sure it isn’t cancer” can result in fear.

We have to be prepared for the insidious way fear tries to take hold of us. Once something is learned, we have a choice to allow it to control us or break the hold it has upon us. First, we hold fast to the truth that Jesus has overcome the world.  That means He conquered death. Rising from the grave He gave us all redemption and an eternal home with the Lord.  He went to hell and paid the price for all our sins. His victory and salvation give us access to healing, authority, and power, granted through Jesus Christ, to each one who believes in Him as Savior.

Secondly, when we understand the power of the love of God to do all of that and fulfill every promise and purpose for our life, we recognize we have no reason to fear. Our God is a good God, and He knows how to pour out His blessings upon His children (John 1:16). Just as I learned to trust that my parents would protect me in every situation, I now need to trust God. After all, it is God who chose you and has called you His beloved. He sees, knows, and understands all things.  To Him alone is all power and authority, in Heaven and Earth. We operate that authority here on earth. We use His word to fight against fear and instill faith. It is our weapon, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), which is the very word of God. If we have this authority, then we grasp that there is nothing we have to fear – not even the big, bad wolf!

Lord, thank you for your perfect love. Thank you for Jesus, who, through his sacrifice, gave us victory in anything that comes against or tries to place itself in a position higher than your word. Help us to have a deeper revelation of the victory and power we have within ourselves just by being your child. Help us to speak faith in every situation and cast down words people use to influence fear in our lives. No weapon from the enemy can be used against us in Jesus‘ mighty name!