God's plans for us~

I picked up an Upper Room Devotional today at church. A few of the messages really spoke to me, especially one about God's plan(s) for us. I thought, I've gotta write about this, so here it is. You know that famous verse from Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

You probably know it, even if you're not a Christian. It's been on plates and plaques, coffee mugs, cards,
t-shirts, wristbands, etc. for many years. You may have even had it engraved on something to give to someone who is graduating from high school or college, reminding them that the Lord has His hand on their future. Relax, everything's gonna be fine is the message you're trying to send. God is in control~

                                                                    The Lord has plans for your life~

I've read that verse a thousand times, but this time when I was reading the devotional I picked up on something they wrote about that hit me like a ton of bricks. The operative letter is S. "For I know the PLANS I have for you..." Not the plan for you, the PLANS. I always thought of it as God's plan for my life, not plans....

So, what's the big difference? God has PLANS for you and me. If plan A doesn't work out, just like a GPS, redirect and go to plan B, or plan C, or D, E, F....you get the point, right?

We are going to make mistakes in this life and our loving Father knows it. After all, we're only human, right? Thank goodness there are lots of alternate plans He gives us.


Sometimes it's hard to know the will of God for your life. But, if you make a wrong turn, he will redirect you, if you will let him. He will guide you away from the dead end to a new open door that He has waiting for you! And that door that will be even better for you than what you had planned because it came from Him - and He is the planner of the Universe!

Boy, that can be so hard to do because you're in the waiting game. Waiting and patience is never easy, but I believe it is something the Lord needs us to do to guide us in the right direction. It's definitely something that's not easy for a young person to do in this day and age. They want everything NOW. We live in an instant society and this generation is used to having what they want right now. But sometimes, the Lord wants us to wait on Him. Psalm 27:14 tells us "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

I've been thinking about this alot this week in relation to our youngest son. He had big plans for his future, but unfortunately all his plans came to a screeching halt this past week. But, here's the thing. That doesn't mean God doesn't have a plan for him because he does! That just means that this particular path that our son laid out for himself wasn't part of God's plan for him, so He closed that door. 


Do you have some plans that have fallen apart in your life? Did your life suddenly take a left turn? Does your life feel like a train wreck lately? Did you meticulously lay out a blueprint for the way things were going to go for you and then have your plans go awry? Please don't give up! 

Your life may seem like a train wreck right now,

 but God has a new plan for you~

There are plans for you. God created them when you were formed in your mother's womb. He knows what He's doing. Ask Him for His guidance and He will lead you. Psalm 32:8 tells us "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” This could well be a turning point in your life. You may be at a fork in the road and you need to take new path! Don't be scared, the Lord will guide you if you ask Him. 

                                                                Is your life at a turning point right now?


I remember when I was diagnosed with MS back in 1998. My life was going along just swimmingly according to my plans. I had a wonderful family with great kids and a fabulously supportive husband, a beautiful house with a pool, terrific vacations and a great job. I was traveling and meeting people from all walks of life. I was hanging out with prestigious and talented artists from around the world. In many ways I was living the American dream and I knew it.


Then I was hit with MS HARD and everything changed within a few short years. I tried to hang on but I couldn't do it and I knew I had to make some changes. I was forced to go to plan B. Not that I liked it, but God had other plans for me. Slowly I came around to come into accordance with His new plan for my life. But I didn't go easily. He probably saw me as a screaming and kicking kid wanting to hang onto what I knew best. But, He didn't want that for me. He didn't want me to have a breakdown, He wanted me to have a breakthrough! As so I did with His help~

Our Lord is patient and He is faithful. He shows me each new day the way He wants me to go. I just need to seek His face and He guides me and takes care of everything else. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."


God has plans for you, too. Don't ever doubt it, because He does. If your life has gone off track lately and seems to be in train wreck mode, seek Him and seek His will. Read your Bible. He will reveal himself to you. He has plans and it might be time for you to switch gears and go to plan B! 


My verses for today are above in red.


My prayer for today:


Dear Lord Jesus:


Thank you for this day. Thank you for the plans that you have for each and every one of your children. Help us to seek your will to live our lives. Show us the way, Lord. We want to live for you everyday. Help our son, Lord. Help Him to seek your new plan for His life. 


In Jesus name I pray,
Amen and Amen