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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“I know the plans I have for you.” Declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Who has not had plans for a vacation or even a long weekend that went awry? We all have had that happen.
Plans in My Life
When I was in my late teens and my early adult years, I had plans fail several times. Those intentions either fell through beforehand or came to completion and left me ‘down.’ Because of this I got to the place where I really could not look forward to things.
I had to learn to rely on the LORD for many things, health issues that seemed to defy diagnosis, disappointing events, dysfunction between family members, health issues pertaining to our son.
A few years ago, during my morning prayers, I began to give each day to the LORD. One time when I did this, we went car shopping for an additional car. It took all day, looking, test driving, seeking financing, signing the papers. Yes, it took all day and the LORD was in it.
Sometimes, I feel I waste days. One Wednesday evening, I was entering the parking lot of our former church and said something like, “I have wasted another day.” Immediately, I heard, “You did what I wanted you to do.” This had to be God.
A friend of mine has a son-in-law who has been undergoing chemo and radiation treatments for cancer. One recent Wednesday night, she did not make it to church. When I returned home, I called her. She told me her daughter came over and talked about things she needed to share. My one comment to my friend was that she was where God wanted her to be.
A Look at the Future
We live in the last days before Jesus returns to earth. All the signs are present; it’s just a matter of time. We have to trust God with our plans; give then over to Him and then follow His guidance.
With the advent of warmer weather, my husband and I have some thoughts of what we need to do to make improvements in our home. However, we have to wait for some other things to be straightened out before we can begin some of these projects.
When I meet someone new, I do not tell that person about myself beyond my name and that I am married and have one son. I do this only if there is time.
God’s Plans
God plans ways for us to find out things about others. I choose not to pry into another’s personal life. I believe that if it is God’s plan to know more information about someone’s personal life, He will allow me to discover what He chooses me to know.
I love the verse at the beginning of this essay. God does have plans for His children. When we commit to following Him, we allow God to control our steps in our lives. God has our best interests in mind. Have you noticed? These are positive plans. When we tell someone of this verse, we do it as an encouragement, to lift his or her spirits.
Plans and Faith
I had a pastor’s wife who was active in the women’s work of the church. Near the end of each summer, we would make plans for the ensuing year. She always said, “You realize, we make these plans in faith.” Might we make all our personal plans in the same way?
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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