God’s Plan

On My Knees

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Brought to My Knees

I am on my knees and trying to figure why I am down here, but God has a way of getting your attention when you least expect it but when you desperately need it.  That is where I am this week, in desperate need of my Father.  He knew it was coming and that I had been unfaithful to him, so he showed up and brought me to my knees.

As I have stopped to reflect on everything that has happened this week, I see God so clearly calling my name, wanting me to seek him first.  The introvert in me turns every more inward to search for what he is trying to say to me.  This past Sunday the sermon was titled, “Nowhere to Hide” from Revelations 2: 18-29.  What did it reveal to me that I was not hiding, but that God was watching me.  I felt it deep down inside his presence with me, I was moved to evaluate my life and our relationship.  This began my inward turn, my soul-searching and I felt like I was in a battle or struggle much like Jacob in Genesis 32: 24, ” And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. ”  Was I wrestling with God?  Why would I be?   Was he making me stronger or bringing me down? I asked these questions, but searching the sermon even deeper I felt like Joseph’s brothers when the gold was found with the grain in their bags.  Even before Reuben was feeling convicted of his sins, but God needed to bring them to their knees to show them all his glory.

Seeing Clearly

I pray as I struggle and fall on my knees my eyes will clearly see God and the glory he wants to bring to my life , if I will only stay focused on him.  When the blessing flow again, I pray for strength and guidance to stay focused on God and not slip away.  Philippians 4:12 reads, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”  This verse reminds me that I will have times of abundance and times of need, yet the Lord will stand with me through both, but I must stay focused on Him.

Leaning on the Lord

God has my attention now that I am on my knees.  I am searching for his wisdom and know that he will answer.  I know that the pain of this week will turn for good because I believe in his name.  Romans 8: 18 promises, ” For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us..”  This promise that joy is coming is why I cling to the cross and his word in the midst of the pain that I feel.  I will stand and rejoice that God has claimed me as his own.  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice”, as Philippians 4:4 exclaims!  I know now that I can rejoice because he is near.  2 Timothy 4:17 states, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me…”  I feel him near me and I feel his strength building inside of me.  I feel his love and passion overflowing my heart.  I feel my Father back home.

Closing Verse:  “The Lord is greater than the giants you face.” 1 John 4:4

Challenge:   You can face anything with the Lord by your side.  Stop, fall on your knees, and pray.

 

 

God’s Path

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God’s Path

As I move through the week, I can not help but stop and wonder about how my life ebbs and flows.  Looking back it is obvious to see God’s plan  and how it has worked in my life, yet even looking back, when I look forward, I continue ponder what God has planned for me.  I hear the words from scripture and know that God is in control, yet sometimes it is hard to relinquish the reins to my Father.  “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” from Proverbs 19:21, is a reminder that I might have abundant plans but only God’s plan will prevail. This reminder from scripture to focus and stay tuned to God and realize the path he is paving for me.

Looking Back

The past is full of both good and bad, but always when I look back I see the good that has been in my life and how God has brought that goodness to my life.  In the moment sometimes it is impossible to see God working, but it never fails when I stop and reflect on life that is when I can see all of his handiwork.   I know that he is walking with me by looking back at the footsteps behind me.  When I read the poem Footsteps in the Sand,  (Searching for the Truth) I think first think of how God walks with me, but for me I really don’t see the footsteps until I look back at them in the sand.  I know that the hustle and bustle of life gets in the way sometimes of me feeling God’s presence next to me.  My prayer is that I can find the calm in my life to know he is next to me and make the decisions that are in his plan for me.  May I pick up the lamp and shine my light forward as Psalms 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

God’s Path

As I move through the week and through life, I can not help but stop sometimes and wonder about how my life ebbs and flows.  Looking back it is obvious to see God’s plan  and how it has worked in my life, yet even looking back, when I look forward, I continue ponder what God has planned for me.  I hear the words from scripture and know that God is in control, yet sometimes it is hard to relinquish the reins to my Father.  Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”  is a reminder that my plans maybe be many but only God’s plan will prevail.  I certainly do not want to work hard for naught, so this reminder to stay tuned to God and realize the path is paving for me.

Looking Back

The past is full of both good and bad, but always when I look back I see mostly the good that has been in my life and how God has brought that goodness to my life.  In the midst of life it is always impossible to see God working, but it never fails when I stop and reflect on life that is when I can see all of his handiwork in my life.   I know that he is walking with me by looking back at the footsteps behind me.  When I read the poem Footsteps in the Sand,  I remember that God walks with me, but for me I really don’t see the footsteps until I look back at them in the sand.  I know that the hustle and bustle of life gets in the way sometimes of me feeling God’s presence with me.  My prayer is that I will seek the calm in my life to know he is next to me and make the decisions that are in his plan for me.  May I pick up the lamp and shine my light forward as Psalms 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Future Path

As I look back at his footsteps and then turned look forward at the undisturbed sand, I again stop and wonder what is the path that God is planning for my life going forward. How will I glorify him?  How will I honor him?  How will I love him?  I will walk down the path he has laid for me because scripture makes me this promise in Jeremiah 29: 11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  As I shine my lamp forward, I long for the future and hope that he is promising me.

Closing Verse:  Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Challenge:   Seek God through scripture and prayer that you might find peace in the path he is paving for you.