Gods Plans

Well, I think I have done it again.  I think that I have let my ideas, goals, and plans get in the way of what God has planned.  I want so many things, not just for me, but for my wife and my kids.  I want them to have things better than I did.  I think this is the cry of every parent.  

Now being on one income in the family is hard.  I see what needs to be taken care of in terms of bills and expenses and I think, Lord how can I do this.  But I realize that in that moment that's where I go wrong.  I try to do everything in my own power and in my own way.  Sometimes I forget that God is there wanting to bless me and take care of these thing but I just get in the way.  

Today's reading was great because it spoke to what I needed to hear for the past month.  I have said before that it is hard not being in a church serving Him in the way that I want.  But the more and more I think about it, God can use me no matter where I am I just have to put away the pride and allow Him to use me.  I do want to serve in a church again but it has to be in His timing.  I do want to lead worship with my wife by my side, but it has to be in His timing not mine.  

Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)

8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

The ESV states it like this: 

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.



Every person dreams and makes plans for the future. Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans. He alone knows what is best for us; he alone can fulfill his purpose for us. As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them.

God knows my inner most being and He knows that I want to serve Him.  Now only in His timing will that occur.  I want my wife and kids to be happy and stand along side me and work with me as we serve Him together, but that will only take place when God allows.  My prayer is that I would seek His face and His will before I make a move.  Praise be to God!

Illumination

Have you ever had a situation in your life to where you are waiting on God to speak and you can't wait to hear His voice?  My life is there right now.  I want Gods will to be done in my life right now so bad that I can hardly stand it.  I want, I need, I have to have...does anyone else see a problem with this situation right now besides me? Even though I want things to happen and to come about I need to focus on God and who He is and what He is about.  His word will show me everything that I need to do, to be, and what to expect. 

My son is growing up and his vocabulary is soaring.  My daughter is growing and running a much and having a great time doing it.  I want them to see the man that God has called me to be.  I can only be that man if I am in His word and seeking His face.  I don't want them to grow up not knowing who the Lord is let alone not seeing their mom and dad be an example for Christ.  That is the most important thought I have in the back of my mind everyday.  I just want to be an example for Christ to and in front of my children.  I want to be an encourager and a spiritual leader to my wife.  The only way that I can do that is focusing on and loving God and allowing Him to lead my life. 

Todays bible reading was very encouraging.  I have read it before and read it many time over.  In all my reading of the passage I have just read right over the fullness of the truth that is packed in this verse. 

Psalm 119:105
(New King James Version)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.   

To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

I pray this for me and my family everyday.  I want our lives to be filled with Gods word and His spirit.  Having Him lead our lives and directing my path is what I desire.  Dear Lord, I do ask that you would allow me to seek your face through studying your word and fervently praying to you.  I ask that you would align my wants and desires up with your wants and desires.  Help me to honor you and glorify your name.  Amen.

Praise be to God!

Making time useful

So I get up this morning and realize that I have not done my bible study in a few days. I noticed that I have done a lot of other things though. I have mowed the yard, taken a weekend trip, enjoyed time with the family, but have not done my quiet time. What's wrong with me and what's wrong with this picture? Time!

Distractions, and being busy, and staying on the move are just a few things that I have found that keeps,me from spending time with my Lord. I have noticed that if I don't have my quiet time with The Lord on a daily basis then I am worthless for that day and not useful to anyone. This past weekend was great and I loved every bit it. God allowed me to have this precious time with my family and I didn't even thank Him. Everything that I do and say and even feel, God directs me. My family, myself, but God most of all deserves better and I want to give them the best of who I am but I can't do that if I'm not in His word.

If I didn't have God in my life living in me I wouldn't know where I would be or what I would be doing. My wife is so supportive and caring and she keeps me on track when I mess up or say or do things that I shouldn't. She deserves the same in return. The same support, the same love, the same spiritual guidance and I pray that God uses me to be that for her. Also for my kids. I can't raise them in a Godly manner if I'm not seeking His face. In all that I have said thus far I mean that I can't do anything and be what I have been called to be if I am not in Gods word but also if I'm not giving God the time that He deserves and expects.

If I allow things to interfere with my walk with Him, whether it be work, hobbies, and yes, even family, then what good am I for Him and His kingdom. I love my family and I know they understand that God has to come first in all things. My time in His word is vital and if that is not given to Him on a daily basis then I'm not growing and I can't be there to help my family grow spiritually either.

This is what I read today.
Psalm 109:4 (NKJV)
4 In return for my love they are my accusers,But I give myself to prayer.

David was angry at being attacked by evil people who slandered him and lied. Yet David remained a friend and a man of prayer. While we must hate evil and work to overcome it, we must love everyone, including those who do evil, because God loves them. We are called to hate the sin, but love the person. Only through God's strength will we be able to follow David's example.

I want to have a heart that allows me to think on this principle even more. I want to love the sinner and hate the sin. I don't want to judge and be condemning. I want The Lord to direct my thoughts and allow Him to do the judging. If we get to the people instead of their sin then more would come to know Christ because we love them and not judge their sin. I pray that through being in Gods word and spending more and more time with Him that I can have a heart and the strength as David did. Praise be to God!

Take care

Dear readers. It has been a while since I have been on here. I apologize but I have been really busy. We have picked up at work and things are going good and we are making money. But that is just an excuse and I talked about excuses in one of my earlier post. I have been slacking and lazy and allowing other things to get in my way of my time with God. Lord, first and foremost I ask forgiveness from you, but also to others that may be reading my blogs, I ask for forgiveness from you as we'll.

I have always been told that if the devil can't get to you in specific areas in your life, he will keep you busy. Not to say that I have not been allowing The Lord to lead my life, I just haven't been very obedient in giving Him every aspect of my life. God is molding me and shaping me right now.

This is, I want to say, the first time that I have not led or been in a leadership position in a church in a long time. My heart and my soul and my make up of who I am screams out to serve God. I know that I don't have to be working in a church per say to serve God but that's what I love. I enjoy it and I love leading people and ushering the, into the thrown room of God. Do I miss it yeah. Do I know God has a plan for my life, yeah. Do I need to be patient and wait for God to lead me and my family, most definitely. During this time I know that He has me and my family in this transition phase to grow us and to prepare us for something great and wonderful.

Psalm 103:13-14 (NKJV)
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

We are fragile, but God's care is eternal. Too often we focus on God as Judge and Lawgiver, ignoring his compassion and concern for us. When God examines our lives, he remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification for sin. His mercy takes everything into account. God will deal with you compassionately. Trust him.

I know that God is going to take care of me and take cars of my needs and my family's needs. I just have to trust in Him and allow Him to move on and in Him timing not mine. I pray that I can get out of the way and allow God to work His plan and His will in my life so that He gets all the glory. Praise be to God.

Looking back

Psalm 77:11-12 (NKJV)

11 I will remember the works of the Lord;Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

Memories of God's miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through its difficulties. The Israelite s knew that God was capable and trustworthy. When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith.

Day after day I struggle with this very aspect of trusting in God.  I get into the mindset of, "I can do it on my own".  Which in fact I can not do anything on my own.  It is God who gives me the strength that I need to accomplish whatever it is that is placed in front of me.  

There have been numerous situations where something has been needed, or a bill has needed to be paid, or one of us has needed to go to the doctor because of a sickness.  I can't tell you how many time God has provided for me and my family in ways that are beyond measure.  Those bills that needed to be paid were taken care of, the doctor visit that needed to be made wasn't unnecessary because the illness went away, etc.  God provides and He wants us to remember those things and tell other about them and about how great He is.  

The testimonies of what God has done in our lives prove to be an example of the love and grace that God wants to give each and every one of us.  God loves us so much that He will provide for us as long as we ask Him.  And the cool thing is He will do the same even if we don't just to show us How big and awesome He is.  God does what He chooses to do but He wants us to tell others of the things that He has done for us.   God is great and wonderful and throughout my life He has blessed me when I didn't even deserve it.  By remembering the things that God has done for you it helps you to rely on Him and His word even more knowing that He is in control and going to take care of you no matter what.  


Matthew 6:26 says, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"  Praise God that He loves us so much.  Praise be to God! 

Reach Out with Love

Psalm 72:12-14 (NKJV)

12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. 13 He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. 14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

God cares for the needy, the afflicted, and the weak because they are precious to him. If God feels so strongly about these needy ones and loves them so deeply, how can we ignore their plight? Examine what you are doing to reach out with God's love. Are you ignoring their plight or are you meeting their needs?

Everyday on my my way to work I see the poor and homeless throughout the streets.  I often ask myself, "How did they end up in the situation that they are in?"  You here stories of people taking advantage of that type of situation and profiting from it.  Some stand on the corners and beg for money and then they get into a nicer car than I drive.  Now what's with that?  I want God to use me and I want to be available for God to be able to use me.  Regardless of what I think or what my emotions are doing, I want to do what God wants me to do, the Godly thing, in those kind of situations.  

Proverbs 28:27 says, "27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses." (NKJV)  I want to do what God asks of me and I want to be generous in my life when God blesses me in abundance.  I may not have a lot of money but I pray that when I come across someone in need, I may be able to meet their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.  Praise be to God.  

Persistance

Psalm 69:13 (NKJV)

13 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

What problems David faced! He was scoffed at, mocked, insulted, humiliated, and made the object of citywide gossip. But still he prayed. When we are completely beaten down, we are tempted to turn from God, give up, and quit trusting him. When your situation seems hopeless, determine that no matter how bad things become you will continue to pray. God will hear your prayer, and he will rescue you. When others reject us, we need God most. Don't turn from your most faithful friend.

I pray and pray and sometimes it feels as if it's only when things are going bad.  Most of the time it feels that way.  There are other times that life is going according to His will, in my mind, and I still pray to God during these times.  Prayer is so essential to our lives as Christians.  I remember times throughout my marriage, my wife and I would talk about habits and things that would pull us away from God.  She said many times, and it's true, that it only takes three times to become a habit and to get you out of your normal routine.  Whether that be reading your bible, going to church, or even praying.  We have to make prayer a consistent aspect in our lives no matter what is going on at the present time.  

I find it hard sometimes in the morning to pray just for the simple fact that I am still waking up, I'm not 100% alert, or I am still tired.  These sound like what they are, EXCUSES!  God doesn't want excuses, He wants consistency and faithfulness and obedience.  I do my best to push through those excuses and pray and the next thing I know I have spent 30 to 45 mins. in prayer.  It's just doing it and being faithful to God and who He is.  James 5:16 says, " 16 Confess your trespasses[a] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (NKJV)  I love this verse.  It keeps ringing in my when I pray.  I want to be that righteous man for God and I want my prayers to be effective.  

There have been many situations in my family's life over the past year that has rocked us and shaken us to the core.  Without God, I don't know where we would be, how we would have gotten through it, or even if our family would have survived.  The reason I say this is because God is the one who holds us all together and He is the one that we can lean on and trust in in times of trial and tribulations.  Why would we not want to pray to Him and praise Him and talk to Him and ask Him to hold us in His hands.  God is there no matter what, all we have to do is speak and He is faithful to listen if we humble ourselves before Him.  Praise be to God.   

I stand in awe

Psalm 68:34-35
New King James Version (NKJV)

34 Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

Nature surrounds us with countless signs of God's wonderful power. His unlimited power and unspeakable majesty leave us breathless in his presence. How fortunate we are that God cares for us. When we consider all God has done for us, we should feel an overwhelming sense of awe as we kneel before the Lord in his sanctuary.

I seek the Lord every day and thank Him for what He has done and what He is going to do in my life.  There are a lot of things that I take for granted on a daily basis.  Things like the air I breathe, the food I eat, and even the shirt on my back.  Even though these things don't seem that trivial and complex, God has allowed them to be.  I wouldn't have anything if it weren't because of Him.

I even think of my wife and kids.  Some days I go through the normal routine and I get to bed at night, and it doesn't even cross my mind if I have allowed God to use me to touch my own family's lives.  God's power and might, His mercy and grace is there for me to use and He is waiting on me to acknowledge Him and seek it out in my own life.   As I look into each of my kids eyes, as crazy as they can be at time, I am blown away that God has formed this person, this little being and has entrusted me to and my wife to take care of them.  God is in control of what goes on but He has allowed Emily and I to be apart of these children's lives and watch over them and to teach them about who He is and what He did for us.   Wow.   I have to stop and think, that is a big responsibility.  And then I have to stop and think, "God am I able to do this and to do it well and according to how You want me to do it?"  As I think of these questions God gives me the answers right away.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths."  

I am thankful that God's power and might reaches far beyond anything that I could ever understand.  That way it make me rely on Him and His word and guidance more than my own.  I am thankful again for my wife and kids and everything that God has blessed me with and I do, as the scripture says, feel and get an overwhelming sense of awe in the presence of the Lord.   My family and I were watching Louie Giglio and he was talking about the universe and How God made it so big.  Louie said that in studying the stars and the galaxies that it gives you a sense of feeling small.  Well He is right.  The sense of feeling small is, I think, on purpose because God wanted us to see how great and majestic and powerful He is.  This small feeling is a good thing because we then understand that God is the center and we are not and we need to serve Him instead of ourselves.  Praise be to God.