Thursday, May 28, 2015

My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire


“Risikili” – Part 1 - My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

 (Read it, study it, know it, live it.) 

Have you discovered God’s plan for your life? Do you even believe He has a special plan just for you? 

Consider these passages of Scripture: 

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  (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plan for each of us is good. We can count on that. That’s not to say, it’s easy. But it’s guaranteed to be good. 

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) How can we find the right path among so many? 
 

 
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)
 
God’s Word, the Bible, can light the way and show us the right path to take. 
 
 
 
 
 The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
We can hid nothing from God. We may as well do things His way. Dare we think we know better than He what’s best for us? 
 
Knowledge of the above scriptures should be enough to compel us to faithfully and diligently read, study, know, and live the Word of God. After all, this Word of God, your/my Bible, is the representation of Jesus that we can literally hold in our hands, press to our hearts, and see with our earthly eyes.  

In its pages, we come to know our Creator. The better we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the greater our desire to do things His way and walk the path He designed for us. Yes, He has a plan! 

God told Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Knowledge of Scripture is not enough. If it were, more followers of Christ would be spiritually mature and walking in great faith and a joy-filled abundant life. If most Christians are familiar with these words and have even memorized them, but are still not hungry enough to be diligent to truly study God’s Word, then what is the problem?  What is lacking?   

I believe that a missing link is the fact that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Word and the things of God in general. Often we are just more concerned with the things of this world.  

Another missing link is revelation.  People need revelation knowledge− that is revelation understanding− of the fact that God’s wonderful Word is life to our bones− that it holds the keys to finding and living the abundant life that Jesus told us is there for us when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10b   

Revelation understanding comes when we allow the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every born-again follower of Christ, to help us and teach us. We must acknowledge His presence and ask Him to be our guide. We do this through prayer. We should periodically ask ourselves, “What’s going on in my prayer life?” 

Would you agree that many Christians are not living out abundant life? On the other hand, take a close look at those who are, even those who live amongst serious trials. By the way, this has nothing to do with money or social standing. 

The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth.  Do you?  I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have my greatest success in all aspects of my life that is possible for me to have. Bet you do too. I believe my desire is not unique.
 
I know that I’ve often lived in mediocrity and have fallen short of my best, which is God’s best for me. Because of that, I am sure that I’ve missed out on blessings and accomplishments that God had planned for me. The following is a poem I wrote several years ago on this thought: 

Beyond Myself 

Beyond myself  --  God's Word is true.
He teaches me my whole life through.
Though life brings trials, toils, and snares,
Beyond myself, I cast my cares. 

I say, "But human's all I am"
He says, "You're more than just a man."
I have excuses for my short comings.
He says, "With Me, you quit your slummings!" 

Mediocrity has been my ride.
"Just get by." has been my pride.
But Jesus said to come up higher.
My plan for you  --  your heart's desire. 

"But, Jesus, how can I do so?
I'm only human, that you know.
My weaknesses, my faults, my doubts!
Go figure, Lord, what I'm about!" 

"Am I a man that I should lie?
My Word is Truth, so don't be shy.
I shed my blood that you could be
Beyond yourself and be set free!"
© Connie Wohlford - June 22, 2000 

We need to repent of not living life to its fullest− which, by the way, is living out God’s plan and not our own puny plan or even someone else’s plan for me or you. Speaking of which, that someone else includes Satan. He has a plan for me and for you as well. And it’s not good and it’s not abundant. His plan is for our destruction and for each of us to adversely affect others on our way down.    

We’ll continue this thought next post. For now, it’s time to pray. Is it time to repent of trying to push through our own agenda? Maybe it’s time to ask God His opinion− better yet, His plan. After a few minutes of prayer, I suggest we each read some verses or chapters of Scripture. If you don’t know where to begin, start with those mentioned above and see what comes before & after in your Bible. We will likely find a hint or two regarding His special plan. God bless you as you seek God’s path. 

My readers and I would be blessed to learn of some ways God’s Word has been a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Comment if you’d like to share. Thanks. 


 

6 comments:

  1. How true, Connie. So many Christians are complacent and satisfied with what they hear on Sunday mornings. An abundant life only comes when we are walking in God's Word. As a discipleship teacher, I wonder if I'm partly to blame because perhaps I don't encourage and challenge my class enough.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Sherry. I'm sure we all fall short from time to time in our own sphere of influence. (Not to say that excuses us.) We do need to stay sharp and in tune to the Holy Spirit. We do our part and the other person needs to do his/her own part as well. Then the final result is up to the Holy Spirit. He is good at taking our missteps and filling in the gaps. We can count on Him. I pray your discipleship ministry flourishes. God bless!

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  2. I like your point that we need revelation knowledge of the Scripture. Studying and knowing are important, but we need that rhema word--that Spirit word--that points us to the intersection between God's word and our lives. I find it helps to ask questions as I'm reading. God, how does this apply to me? That situation I've been worrying about--is there anything in this passage that connects with that? Staying in conversation with God as we study helps us listen for that Spirit led revelation from his Word.

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    1. Thank you, Leigh. Yes, rhema word is what gives us that Holy Spirit lead insight which helps us confidently apply Scripture to our personal situations. AND, yes, conversing with God, asking questions as you stated really does help us understand the essence of the Word in personal application, which is revelation understanding, i.e. rhema word. Thank you for you helpful comments.

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  3. I never thought about Satan having a plan for me too. Hmmm.....Now, that's something to watch out for! I'll bet it's subtle and sometimes hard to tell the difference. Now, that I think about it, I did have an experience where I wasn't sure if my decision would have been spiritual or non-spiritual. Thanks for the insight!

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    1. Marlene, I agree it’s a bit of a unique concept. And you're right, it is something to watch out for. In Scripture we are told several things about Satan (the devil). To mention a few: He’s a liar− the father of lies (John 8:44). He schemes (Eph. 6:11) which means he devises plans. He has and uses various tactics or devices (2 Cor. 2:10-11).
      Satan cunningly devised a special plan for Eve. Due to his understanding of Adam and Eve, he did not try to deceive Adam first. He knew his chances were better with Eve. Satan strategically devised a plan that through Eve, he would get to Adam. His plan worked and God’s creation took a turn into sin that we contend with still today.
      I believe that the example of this account of Adam and Eve tells us that Satan devises plans for individuals. Let’s rejoice in knowing that Satan’s time is finite.
      Thanks for your thought-filled comment.

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