never alone

 Do you ever feel alone?  I know I have and in some moments I still do.  We may all face situations that seem to make us feel alone.  In today’s environment, I have realized that many people feel extra lonely due to the circumstances of quarantines, social distancing and lack of social events. We have been forced to be alone. For some, they are kept away from family and cannot visit. This breaks my heart as I think about how lonely that feels. There has been an uptick in depression and suicide among all ages, even children. I know of some right in our small community. This concern weighs heavily on my heart. I truly believe the enemy of our souls has taken advantage of these times and has began to speak sadness and depression into people.

But I know the God of hope. I can find hope and offer hope in the One who is our Hope. Jesus promised to always be with us. In Hebrews 13:5 it says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  This verse is one of the verses that always resonates with me when I feel loneliness, sadness, or overwhelmed by life. I am not alone. God is by my side. He is in my heart and he loves me more than I can even fathom. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is my confidant, my comfort, and my friend. He is there when no one understands. He is there when the world seems to pass by. He is there when I may not be able to reach out to others. He understands. He cares and he is there.

I have listened to people talk about depression and have even experienced it myself. It can be very hard to find a way out. But I know I can call on the name of Jesus. He is always faithful and true. He is my joy and my hope.  I find I can praise Him through any storm and he is ready to rush in with what I need. He has carried me through many rough times and has never left me even for a moment. He is always knows my need before I even ask.  I know he carried me through loss and pain. He guided me through uncertainty and the unknown. He has proven over and over that he loves me. I can see how he has worked in my life in the past. I know he will do it again.

I can share this hope with others. God has really spoken to my heart many times the verse above and I want to be a light to others that hope is always available in Christ. We can trust him and know he is with us even to the end. I am prayerful that each day, I can share his love with someone and be a light of hope to a lost and despairing world. There is always someone who needs to know that they are loved. There is always someone at the end of their rope reaching out for just a little hope. Be the light. Offer hope.  Keep shining Jesus to the world. Be there when it seems no one else cares. He will be there for you and he will be there in you.

enduring faith

The definition of endure is:

 en·dure

verb

 

1.suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.

"it seemed impossible that anyone could endure such pain"

2.remain in existence; last.

"these cities have endured through time"

 

We often must endure hard times, struggles and difficulties. We have attacks on our faith, our bodies, our families, our strength, and even our beliefs. We face a lot of things in this world because we are humans in a broken world, and as Christians, we face spiritual attacks as well. I want to encourage all of us to endure and build endurance.  I used to run.  In middle school, I could run a mile without any trouble. I enjoyed running.  Now, I do not have the physical endurance to run even a quarter of a mile.  I can walk it, but my body has lost endurance. To build endurance, you practice.  You keep practicing and pushing past the last level you achieved. Spiritually, we also need to build endurance, pushing past the last level we achieved. We can only do this spiritually by partaking of the spiritual nature of God through prayer, study, fasting, and fellowship.

 

2 Timothy 2:3

³ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

In the Bible we have many examples of endurance. Job endured many hardships and troubles. He lost his family, his wealth and his health, yet he never lost his trust in God. Paul endured many trials and physical beatings. He remained steadfast. Jesus, himself, endured for our sakes. The widow persevered by continually going to the unjust judge until he acted on her case. The Bible is full of people who endured.

 

In more modern times we have examples as well. I look in my own family for one example in particular.

My cousin posted a picture of my grandparents the other day. They were young and holding their first two babies. She posted it and talked about the heritage. She said, “My grandparents were some of the hardest working people I knew and faced so much adversity. They were overcomers. When I face issues in my life, I remember my grandparents. Perseverance ignites in my soul and I know I can breakthrough and excel.”

My grandparents endured and pushed forward in faith. In the midst of great loss and pain, God was their refuge, their stronghold, their strength.  Their faith in God excelled and grew through every trial. They endured the loss of children to illnesses yet, they were encouraging and praying for others going through the same circumstance. They were known for their enduring faith. Like my cousin said, I can look at their example of unwavering faith in God and be encouraged to persevere through the storm. 

 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

 We have all these examples for us to look to and develop our own endurance. God has made sure we have witnesses that have testified about the trials they have gone through, so we can know what is possible. He is the one who endured the cross and understands what it means to run this race. He knows what kind of strength we need to endure.

 

 

We need to build endurance by being rooted and grounded in Him so we can endure. In Ephesians we are given the reasons we need to be rooted and grounded. When we place our roots deep in Christ, we can endure all things. Like the roots of a tree going deep, we can sway in the wind and move a little as the storm blows, but we will not be moved because we know him. I think of the mighty redwood trees in California. They are tallest, largest trees in the world. The tallest stands at nearly 380 feet tall. These trees do not stand alone.  The roots are known to reach out and intertwine with the trees next to it.  They gain strength and provide strength to the other redwoods near them. Their roots hang on to one another and become a source of strength to one another.  Shouldn’t this be so with the body of Christ?  We should be a source of strength and endurance to others in the Body of Christ. This is what it means to be in communion one with another. We are standing firm together rooted and grounded in love and while storms may blow and we may even bend, we stand together rooted in Christ. Even the great apostle Paul wrote in Corinthians about feeling distressed and was glad when Titus showed up to encourage him.  He needed Titus to be there and provide strength when he was weak.  We need one another and we need to be there for one another. That is how the Body of Christ is intended to work.  We are to be a source of strength for one another. We should be able to go to one another and find support and prayer from a brother or sister in our times of need.

 

Ephesians 3:14-21

¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

Build endurance by being planted in the body of Christ, attached at the roots to the Source of life and strength.  Christ is the source of our life, our breath, our being. He shed his blood for us that we might live. We can be grounded in Him. He is the branch and we must be attached directly into him. The tree that is beside the water is pushing its roots into the source of life, the water.  A tree far from a source of water, can suffer and may not survive if someone does not bring it some water. The tree that is planted close to the source of water will grow in depth, beauty and magnificence. It will stand against the storms. It will bear fruit and be a nourishment for others. Stay close to the Source of life by reading and studying, prayer and fasting, and of course, fellowship with His Body.

 

Psalms 1:1-6        

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

By being persuaded and firm in our knowledge of whom God is. You cannot stand on something if you really don’t believe it or if you are persuaded.  If you cannot explain why you believe, you can be persuaded not to believe it.  You have to know beyond a shadow of doubt who God is, and who you are in Him.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  We sometimes leave him. I have seen some who have left their faith in God because a trial came their way. They were not firm in the foundation of truth, who God is, for them to defend their faith, lean into their faith and survive the trial. You must be persuaded.  Are you persuaded? Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Only we can choose not to believe this. I choose to be persuaded regardless the trial or storm.

 

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

By allowing the Word to be planted deep in our hearts in good fertile ground, we find the strength we need to endure. Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the sower. The seed needs to fall on fertile ground. We must keep our hearts ready and fertile for the word of God to be planted and grow in our hearts. When we have the word of God deeply planted in our hearts, we are able to recall it when we need it.  There are so many times, a scripture comes to mind at just the right moment. If I had never read it or heard it, it would not be there when I need it.  The other day, as I was feeling overwhelmed, a scripture rushed into my remembrance, I wrote it down and stuck it to my computer screen at work.  I needed that scripture at that precise moment. God’s word is sharper than a two-edged sword. It is our weapon and it is powerful. When we speak his word, and pray his word, it changes the atmosphere and brings life to the situations that seem dead. Knowing his word and applying it, brings about our greatest weapon for enduring the hard times.

Matthew 13:18-23

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

 

Withstand and keep standing. That is the essence of endurance. We have the whole armor of God for us to use. We can stand and then keep standing in the face of all adversity, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. We can keep standing. We can endure the hardness of this life. God is on our side. He will bring us through. We just stand on that promise. We stand on his word, we stand with one another. We keep standing.

 

Ephesians 6:13

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

Sometimes, we may be at the end of our rope, so to speak. We may face great defeat, but we can keep standing. God never fails us. He will always bring us through. Endure!!!!

Yet Will I Praise the Lord

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

This passage of scripture gives us hope. It describes a near hopeless situation full of trial and struggle with livelihood and food sources failing, but the author still says he will Rejoice and have joy. The word ‘yet’ carries a lot of weight in this passage. In spite of every failing part of life, the Lord is still our salvation, our strength and our reason. He pours out strength when we hold on to the ‘yet.’

Job 13:13-17

Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

Job endured many things that would have destroyed many people. He suffered great loss and disappointment. He placed his trust in God. No circumstance kept him from trusting God. Circumstances do not dictate the goodness of God. God is always good and always ready to answer the need. We need to trust him no matter what that answer may be. Job said even if God slayed him, he would still trust him. He didn’t ask for a specific answer, he trusted God to work on his behalf.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

We can rejoice always and still rejoice in the middle of a situation just because of who God is. We may not understand a problem or situation, but we know the One with the answers. We can rejoice always in knowing the Savior.

Psalms 18:32-36

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Another wonderful promise is that God equips us and will provide what we need. He wraps us up in his strength and places us where he needs us. He gives us the armor and the weapons needed to fight the battle, to persevere and overcome. He will pick us up, lead us, protect us and be the strength we need to make it through the battle. It is not in us alone, but in him we find what we need to push through.

2 Samuel 22:1, 30-37

And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

David understood God’s protection and leading in the midst of trials. He wrote about his experiences in the wilderness as he ran from King Saul. He knew God had strengthened him. Lead him, and protected him. He knew the salvation of the Lord. He had experienced it first hand. He had seen God’s promises given and unfold. These words he wrote are a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We can stand firm on these words That God is a strength and we can rejoice as David did. We can sing out praises before, during and after the struggle. God will keep his promises He will give us what we need to get through. We can trust him to bring us through.

Ephesians 2:3-7

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

God has extended his grace over our hardest trials and the worst choices of mankind. He chose to redeem us from the sin we were born into and the sin we chose. He knew the hard hearts, rebellion, doubt, fear and addiction. Yet, he chose us to pour out grace and mercy. We can yet rejoice in the salvation of the. Lord. Even when we are dead in sin, unable to save ourselves, He took great care for us. He redeemed us by his grace through the blood he shed all because of the great love He has for his children.  We rejoice Not for the sin or the struggle, but for who great God is. He is our reason and the One who says, ‘yet’ over our lives of sin. Heaven rejoices over one soul who comes to Jesus. We have so much to thank him for. No matter the struggle, trial, or circumstance, yet will I rejoice the Lord.

 

 

knowing his footsteps

 Last night, as I lay in bed, I heard my daughter come in from her evening. When I heard the door, I listened. I knew the sound of the key on the door and her footsteps on the hardwood as she walked down the hall. I recognized it was her moving through the house.  As a parent, it allowed me to rest easy knowing she was home safe, but it also pricked my spirit. Do I recognize the Spirit of God as he speaks and moves in my house?

 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV

Our body is the house or temple of the Lord. He lives in us. Do we attend to his stirring and listen to his voice? In my physical home, I know the voices of my family.  I am familiar with those who live here, move through my home, and recognize their voices when they speak. Their voices and their movements evoke responses from me. Those in my home are familiar to me because we are close together, we spend time together daily. I know them. Do we do the same with God? He is with us in our dwelling place. Do we recognize him and respond?

 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27 KJV

We know his voice when we listen and become familiar with him. We will know when he speaks because we recognize his voice by spending time with him. He is in our dwelling place. He is right here with us. We should become familiar because of his closeness. We need to know him by attending to his presence.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James 4:8 KJV

We draw closer to him through experiencing his presence, being sensitive to his presence and reading and obeying his word. We become familiar to the presence of God.  

There is a line in in a song that says, "we wait for You, to walk into the room."  We wait on God, and listen for his footsteps. We recognize when his presence is moving and stirring  about just like we do with our family in the natural. Are we aware of his presence stirring and moving in us? Do we respond to that presence? Our response can be to shake off the stirring, ignore the stirring, or to listen and move when he says move. We can be overwhelmed in the presence of God and be refreshed by the presence of His Spirit. We can be stirred to prayer or to act on a prompting of the Spirit on someone's behalf. God's  Spirit moving in us should evoke a response with us. What joy and peace we miss out on when we do not take the time to listen for the footsteps God moving in our dwelling. He may need to speak encouragement,  or give us direction. He may need to give us a word to speak, or just want to speak his love toward us. We get so busy and caught up at times,  we may be missing out on his presence right in our own dwelling place. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3 KJV

We need to keep our minds upon Christ and ready to respond to the voice of God. Like Samuel learned from Eli, he did not recognize God calling at first, but when he said, Yes, I am listening, God spoke many things to him. It was the beginning of a great ministry for Samuel. May we become sensitive to the stirring and voice of God in our dwelling.  May we know his footsteps coming into the room.

grace for me

 I don't know about you, but I am often very hard on myself.  I am my own worst critic.  I can sometimes be very self-critical and will say the worst things about myself.  I would never say these things to someone else, but I can say it to myself.  If I make a mistake, I may call myself names and even feel defeated.  My husband really does not like it when I do that. He has told me for years to stop doing that. I know I am not alone in this. God spoke to me this past week  about this. I can give grace to myself just because he already did gave it to me. He still giving grace.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

We all have hang-ups and weaknesses. We all make mistakes. But God has extended mercy and grace for that reason. He knows who we are, after all, he created us. I can easily speak of God’s grace to someone else but forget that I need it too. Without his mercy and grace I would not be here. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV

I came to Jesus, repented of my sins overwhelmed by his love, mercy, and grace. I have lived it and felt it. I try my best to extended the same to others that they might also experience the birth of salvation.  For it was by grace I was saved.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:8 KJV

I see grace at work for others. I rejoice as grace and mercy changes lives from destruction to glory. Yet, I struggle to see myself as God sees me, under grace. I see my shortcomings and failures. I can often dwell on them and be overcome by them.  I often deflect complements and devalue my talents and gifts.  Is this what God really wants? Is this what the enemy wants to keep us from fulfilling the work God has for us? 

Yes, we must be humble, but the realization that we are a child of God brings a confidence in walking in His Spirit.  Without walking in the Spirit, we cannot move forward in the will of God. Dwelling on our weaknesses, rather than His strength will keep us broken and unable to work in the will of God. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV

I need to realize that rather than belittling myself, I can come boldly to Him and find his grace is still sufficient for me. Rather than beating myself down, I can speak life and remind myself that God made me His child. I need to see myself as God sees me, in need of grace. Rather than allowing the enemy of our soul to attempt to derail the work that God has already done in me, I need to stand boldly in grace declaring the work of the Lord and move forward in what he has for me.  

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:6 KJV

He gives grace to the humble and then gives even more grace.  Being humble is not being self destructive,  but it is understanding how much we need and rely on God for all things. It is recognizing his strength is what gets us through.  It is allowing him to work on us and through us for the purpose of the Kingdom. It is accepting that grace and mercy covers us and, we too, need mercy and grace. 

Free?

 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  Romans 6:22

We have been made free from sin. When we are saved, we are set free! My question is, do we believe it? We are set apart for God's purpose and for the glorious day of heaven. We have God who has redeemed us and wants to use us.  Too many times, we allow our own self-doubt and fear to hold us down and keep us from doing what God has called us and set us apart to do. He put his Spirit in us to give us power to walk in the Spirit. He wants us to do His will. Fear keeps us from moving in the freedom he gave us.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

I knew a lady that every time I saw her, she would ask for prayers that God would forgive her. She didn't trust or believe that he could or would forgive her no matter how many times it was explained to her. We may accept forgiveness, be baptized and filled with the Spirit, but if we walk in doubt and fear we are denying his power. We need to move out of the fear and into the faith that God has planted in us.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:1‭-‬3 KJV

God is wanting our mind to be transformed and proving his will. We cannot do that if we have fear and doubt dominating our mind.  We need to place all our faith and trust in Him. It what he asks, our trust. With that trust comes peace of mind and trusting Him that becomes unwavering. 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 KJV

The peace of God will keep our hearts and minds, even when what we see in the physical doesn't make sense. He  will be with his people. He does not disappoint us. Fear makes us think he does, but he does not disappoint.  We need to walk in this faith and in his Spirit.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 KJV

Walking in the Spirit is seeing God as our Father, our Guide, our Protector,  our Savior,  our Friend, and on and on.  We can rely on him to walk before us, prepare the way, and the way of escape when needed. He is already working for our good. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV

We need to believe we have the freedom to walk in His Spirit and in the calling he placed in us. We cannot let fear and doubt continue to hinder His will and His work. We have access to the power of Almighty God. We have the King of kings on our side. What have we to fear?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 KJV

We are free indeed and do not need to be entangled  with the past sins or any other thing that brings forth fear and separation from God. His work is done in us. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

The powers of this world are intent on destroying the Body of Christ, and keeping us from God. We need to stand in the liberty we have in Christ. We need to get hold of this and rise up against the enemy of our soul and say, 'No more!' We are not subject to his authority any longer, we are servants of the Most High, and His alone. We do not have to hide or worry over whether we are his. We know that His Spirit is in us, we have the authority to use it. It is high time God's people rise in the liberty and power of the Holy Spirit and take back what we have given up. No longer are we condemned, but we are free. Praise God we are set free!

Lord Willing

 My mother used to have a saying when she was making plans or agreeing to plans, "Lord willing."  She would always preface any plan by adding, "Lord willing. " I have come to the conclusion that God's will is more important than my will or any other plan that may be. God knew of us before this world was formed and when we were formed in our mother's womb. He knew and planned for us. We are here for His purpose. We can choose his plan or choose our own way. When we choose him, we will find out what we were truly intended to be.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1‭-‬2 KJV

We can choose to submit to his will. Present yourself to him and he will do the work in us and through us. He asks for us to trust him and love him. In return, he will bless and honor us with all he has in store. He will lead us, protect us, and provide in ways we will never understand.  He will bring hope and peace to our lives. 

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Proverbs 3:26 KJV

He will be our confidence. When we stand in obedience to his word and his will, we have confidence in God Almighty to do what he intends. Our thoughts and plans need to align with his will. We will see his ways aren't our ways. His ways are higher and always end up for our good. We will not fail when we walk in the confidence that comes from obeying God's will.

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Proverbs 4:11‭-‬13 KJV

He will lead us with wisdom and lead us in the right paths. The confidence of obeying his word comes from the wisdom God instills in us as we follow after him.  We will not fail when we are in accordance to his word and will. We need to ever be prayerful, and study his word. We will recognize his voice, ready to act in obedience. 

In Samuel, we can read about King Saul. He was anointed to be king of Israel. He started out in the will of God, but his pride reared up, he chose to disobey commands of God, disregarded the wisdom of Samuel, and thought he could do things without following God's plans. Samuel spoke to him and rebuked his disobedience. 

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

1 Samuel 15:22‭-‬23 KJV

Saul thought he could appease God with a sacrifice after disobeying the word of God. He did not understand that God just wanted him, and for him to allow God’s will to be done. 

How often do we think we know what to do and end up making a mess? How often do we forget to talk to God about his will for our day? How often do we feel him nudging us to do something or say something, and we ignore him?  We need to take time to say, "What would have me do today?" Then listen and act on what he asks.  We can say, here I am, show me, lead me, use me today.  

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 KJV

I want to be like Isaiah when he said,  Here am I send me. When he calls, I want to be able to say yes without fear or hesitation.  I want to present myself a willing vessel to be used of God for his glory and his will. I want his will to be done in my life. I want to obey his word and be lead by him each step I take, and each word I speak. May God be glorified in all I do. I choose to say,  "Here am I, let your will be done."