Makin' Plans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr8OfXrQ9UE

Be Still ~ Red Rocks Worship

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9 NLT

I enjoy New Year's Resolutions, Vision Boards, and making plans. If there's one thing the past decade has taught me, though, it's to be pressed into God to ensure that my plans are His.

My initial plans didn't include moving to Florida. My secondary plans didn't include returning. God had other plans. 

Our plans were never for me to work when either of our girls were little. God had other plans.

Our plans didn't include hardships, hurts, sicknesses, or losses. With a word, God could have caused us to bypass all of it, versus grow through it. While God didn't cause the hurt, His desire is for us to grow in and closer to Him. I guess our plans didn't include real growth. Fortunately, God had other plans.

God has surrounded us with many wise people. He encourages us to walk with, learn from, and even share our stories with them. It's through the sharing of our lives that our faith is strengthened and stretched, causing us to grow. 

God has many wonderful things He wants to share with us. As we envision dreams, make plans, and set goals, let's be sure make room for God's plans, even if it means laying down our own, remembering that the best course for our lives is His.

©Heather Potts 2020

The Victory-Giver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRiYsTN7KY&list=RDFkRiYsTN7KY&start_radio=1

Is He Worthy ~ Chris Tomlin

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. ~ Psalm 40:5 NKJV

I subscribe to a handful of devotionals. The premise of one, is getting to know Jesus on a first-name basis, exploring the different names of God. Today's name is "The Lord God Omnipotent." The devotional asked: if God is All-Powerful (Omnipotent), what power do you need in your life, today? (Prime Time with God Devotionals: www.churchgrowth.org, https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/AFD515F44C43B7F8)

We all face hardships, whether relationships, finances, health, etc. At times, our hardships are numerous, but we don't have to face them alone. When David faced Goliath, Moses faced Pharaoh, Gideon faced the Midianites, and when Nehemiah faced Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, they weren't alone. When you face your worst fears, your fiercest enemies, or any kind of trial or hardship, you won't be alone, either. But like David, Moses, Gideon, Nehemiah, and many others, your story isn't about facing opposition; it's about God.

Psalm 44:1-3 says we're to share the victories God has done in our lives, so that others—especially the next and future generations—will know it wasn't by our might, knowledge, or finances that brought us the victory. Rather it was His right hand, His arm, and the light of His face, because He loves us.

What opposition are you facing? Turn your eyes from it and gaze on the One who is the Victory-Giver. Be encouraged by the wonders He's already done in your life, the thoughts He has toward you, and the victories that are still ahead. Then, turning back to the opposition, declare: My God is Worthy of Praise! By His strength, He will bring this victory!

©Heather Potts 2019