Corona Devo 1212

My husband has a knack for planning vacations.  He researches areas, activities, restaurants and even brings family gifts, crafts, activities and games for the group when we are out of town.  He always has a plan and a schedule-o-fun for us to follow.  

Usually.

But we're on a trip that has a pre-set schedule by tournament-times and brackets, and tomorrow's times are determined by today's outcomes.  So...it's hard to plan much of anything.

And that's just fine with God.

I'm sure He loves a husband and dad that loves his family enough to invest the time and energy into events, and in many ways I have seen God's plans come straight-through the heart of my husband.  

But sometimes when we can't control things, it allows our Heavenly Father the space to reveal His plans for us (if we will yield to Him).  

God has a daily itinerary built for each of us today that has nothing to do with our pre-scheduling or planning.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  ~Proverbs 19:21  

We had a plan for going to a certain church after our soccer game yesterday, but the pastor of that church was out of the country.  So when friends invited us to a different church in the area, we said, "Sure". 

Ever heard of Pastor David Jeremiah?  

I have.  I've listened to his sermons by radio most of my adult life, and recently my appreciation has deepened for this pastor who is grounded in Biblical teaching and boldly teaches the Bible as the infallible Word of God. 

We found ourselves sitting with the congregation of Shadow Mountain Community Church and enjoying the teaching and preaching of Pastor David Jeremiah.

It was God's plan, not ours.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  ~Proverbs 19:21  

We had a great hotel breakfast at 6 A.M. before heading to the fields for our game that morning, but our stomach's were growling as service wrapped up hours later.  

Who knew that this church has its own restaurant with burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, fries and drinks for people to gather before or after church services?  

And Who knew that they provide free lunch for first-time visitors to their church?  

And Who knew that we were hungry first time visitors to that church, with no other plans for our day?

God knew.  It was God's plan, not ours.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  ~Proverbs 19:21  

We worshiped as a family and with friends that day.  Our hungry souls were fed by the Word of God, as Pastor David Jeremiah taught out of the Book of Revelation about the time of tribulation.  And then our hungry bellies were fed a gourmet meal for free, which is no-small-feat for a family of five.  

I wanted to feel guilty, ashamed, or not-worthy of accepting it, but I knew that none of those things are what God wants us to feel, whether in relation to the salvation that He offers, or good gifts that He provides for His children.  

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4

We love the Lord. We do delight in Him.

I know that You do too.

My heart swelled as I realized again how big God's community of Believers is...spanning our Nation and the globe. We're not alone in following Him.

My eyes teared and I looked at my children as a man shared his story of hopelessness, fear and thoughts of suicide while in college, until another student invited him to church/Bible study and he heard God's message of hope for the first time. It was a journey...and it's still a journey, he said...but that invite saved his life.

My mind flashed to my children, who are not saving any lives, but who do invite other students to weekly Bible meetings at school. You never know who needs that invite, but God does.

~~~

Everyday isn't like this for us, but, if I am honest, I also don't give-God-the-reins everyday.

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 got plans for us today.  Sometimes we need to loosen our grip enough to trust Him with His schedule instead of ours. 

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. ~Deuteronomy 31:8

It might feel like a door has shut, a path has ended, or a pastor is out of the country when we are in town for a visit. But perhaps these ways have been altered so that God can instruct and teach us in His way.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. ~Psalm 32:8

~~~

Even if we have a knack for planning-life-out, perhaps today is a good day to remember that sometimes when we can't control things, it allows our Heavenly Father the space to reveal His plans for us (if we will yield to Him).  

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  ~Proverbs 19:21  

God has a daily itinerary built for each of us today that has nothing to do with our pre-scheduling or planning, and has everything to do with His.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  ~Proverbs

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com