God's Plans

“’For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the LORD,’plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Devotion: Are you where you thought you would be? As a teenager, I had my life all planned out. I was to be a jet-setting corporate attorney, married to the lead singer of a rock band and I would have two children named Brandon and Brandy. Almost 25 years later none of those things became a reality. I am a stay-at-home mom/homemaker, married to a network engineer, with one son, not named Brandon. I think I missed my mark just a tad. Over the years, I prayed fervently for God to answer my prayers and for things to go MY way. You know the usual; relationships to flourish, college classes to pass, job opportunities to appear, life-changing experiences to really change my life, etc. I praise the Lord for not answering those prayers. Years ago, Garth Brooks wrote a song “Thank God for Unanswered Prayers.” I can so relate to the sentiment of that song. I think in reality many of us are glad that He has not given us everything we have asked for. It takes trusting him completely to get to the point of not wanting so much more than what we have. Contentment and patience play a role in our relationship with God. I can honestly say that whatever plans he has for my life is the path that I want to take. There is no other place I want to be than in His will. Dear Father – Please help me to follow the plan you have for my life to do your will and not my own. AMEN Application Steps:

• What would your life be like it you totally trusted God?
• Make a list of what is currently missing in your life that keeps you from totally trusting Him?
• Pray that the Lord will help you apply at least one of these missing items to your life each day.

Reflections:

• Are you where the Lord wants you to be?
• Are you content and willing to serve in the life you have?
• Do you have a life of regret? If so, ask the Lord to help you see the blessings in your life.

Power Verses:

• “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever…” Psalm 33:11a (NIV)
• “Many, O Lord my God are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you.” Psalm 40:5a (NIV)
• “You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” Deut 4:35 (NIV)
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Prov 3:5 6 (NIV)