1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, September 19, 2010

PROVERBS - Lord Willing!

When I opened my Bible yesterday to find the verse(s) for today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems,” I found myself right in the middle of the book of Proverbs.

A wealth of great verses – an overabundance of wise words.

So what did God want me to see?

What was HIS “pick?”

And then, slowly but surely, one verse began to stand out.

“You can make many plans, but the LORD’S purpose will prevail.
(Proverbs 19:21)

I venture to say that ALL of you have some form of a calendar – something that contains all the important appointments, meetings, reminders, dates, etc. - all those things that are an important part of life.

A calendar represents things we have done in the past, but ALSO some of our plans for the future.

This got me thinking about how we make plans.

We order our days.

But it is so important to remember that WE are not in control of our liveswe don’t even know the number of our days.

I’ll never forget my grandfather – my mom’s dad. Whenever he talked about future plans, he always added at the end, “Lord willing.”

“I’ll see you all next week when I come over for dinner, Lord willing.”

When I was younger, I thought he said it just out of habit, almost like a “good luck charm.” But as I grew older, and hopefully a little wiser, I came to see that he meant it from the bottom of his heart. He understood that he really wasn’t in control of his lifethat God indeed directed him by His Divine Providence and His Sovereign Will.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” is a good reminder of this indisputable fact –

GOD IS IN CONTROL.

There really is NOTHING random in this life. Luck has nothing to do with it – nor does some disembodied force called FATE or KARMA.

The Bible speaks directly against ANY random, chance view of human life. Rather, the Bible itself is a magnificent testament to the overseeing eye of a loving God, actively involved in humanity and events on earth.

The Bible is a literary “rainbow” – a story that starts in the Beginning, and spans over the entire course of history, to the very end of time.

Each of our steps is guided by God.

Nothing comes as a surprise to the Father. He has lived our calendar. And every twist and turn along the way serves a purpose in His overall plan.

GOD WILL ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES!

Is it wrong to make plans? No, I think planning is important. Organization is a good thing – goals are necessary. I think a good guideline is this:

“Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year’…How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?...What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise, you are boasting about your own plans…”
(James 3:13-16)

We can plan ahead, but we must hold on to our plans loosely. We must put God’s desires at the center of our planning. He is in control. His purpose will prevail.

Live for God today!

I look forward to being with you again next Sunday for another “Bible Pick ‘Ems”…

…LORD WILLING!



"When in doubt, search God out!"

7 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon,

    There is truth and wisdom in what you've shared this morning; we can plan but the Lord directs and orders our steps. Any attempt on my part to control my future results in unforseen problems I did not anticipate.

    I believe the phrase, "Lord willing" is an acknowledgement that I need You Lord to direct my steps along the way.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  2. I understand the wisdom of your Grandfather... I have formed that habit also.

    When our time frame and God's frame don't match up, as they often don't, that is when we learn patience and trust. Such valuable lessons aren't they?!

    I enjoyed this post Sharon, as it is a wonderful reminder to hold all of our plans loosely. We use a lot less energy that way lol. Holding on too tight sometimes creates a tug-of-war with the Lord and He always wins lol.

    Bless you and thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate it.

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  3. Enjoyed reading this pick 'ems. "He's lived our calendar"....really stood out to me. I too believe that nothing just happens at random.

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  4. it is always so refreshing that God is in control and that his plans will be accomplished according to his will and timing. I think it is good to plan our days with always him in mind and allow him to lead us where he wants us to go :)

    hope you had a nice Sunday!

    betty

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  5. MTJ - You are so right when you say our attempts to control our lives usually end up in problems. I've had some real "mess-ups!" We NEED God to guide us, we NEED His wisdom.

    Amanda - Yes, patience and trust are indeed valuable lessons - difficult to learn, though! I really liked how you put it - holding on too tight sometimes creates a tug-of-war with God. That was such a great way to describe it - it gave me such an accurate word picture. How much energy we would save if we just yielded to His will from the start!

    Wanda - I agree. There are no "accidents" with God. He works with purpose, all the time. And He alone knows all our tomorrows...

    Betty - I'm so glad that God is in control - even though sometimes I don't act like it! You're so right, too - we must allow the Lord to work in our lives, interrupting our schedules if need be, to accomplish His good purposes, and to lead us where He wants us to go.
    p.s. I had a wonderful Sunday - hope you did, too.

    Thanks for visiting, friends. May we continue to learn to yield to God's timing in ALL things, following the example of our dear Jesus, who obeyed even unto death, saying, "Not my will, but Yours, be done."

    GOD BLESS!

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  6. so true....I'm always thinking way ahead...need to live in the moment more. I try to control too much instead of really trusting that God has everything under control.

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  7. Sarah - Yes...that is a problem of mine, too! Very hard for me to live in the moment. I seem to be looking back with regret, or forward with worry!! So frustrating!!
    I have to LIVE what I BELIEVE - God IS in control!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!