Following through with God’s Plans

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (ESV)

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

“The moment I chose to obey is the defining moment of my life.” Tricia Goyer

 

  • Set aside some time to invite God into your dreaming and planning for the days ahead. He will tell you mysteries you do not know as you start walking and talking with Him.
  • Here are some items to pray for today:
    • Ask God to show you what ideas He has for you to follow through with the rest of this year. What plans does He have for your family? What ministry opportunities should you be involved in? What creative one-on-ones with your kiddos does He have on His heart? What things should you let go of that aren’t essential to your relationship with Him?
    • Ask God to show you the difference between good, better, and best.
    • Ask Him to show you if He is your first love. Do your daily actions reflect that you’re dependent on Him?
  • Read Genesis 6 in your Bible.

Following through with God’s Plans

In just a few months, a new year is on its way with an invitation for new resolutions. But before you scribble resolves in your planner, let’s look back at the beginning.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (Genesis 6:8,9 and 22 ESV)

I doubt that Noah sat around dreaming up what he could do for God, but I do believe as Noah walked with God, God whispered “unrealistic” dreams as well as tiny steps of faithfulness into Noah’s heart. As Noah said yes to God’s big-picture command to build an ark, his bravery to trust in God grew, his faith to believe and take Him at his word swelled, and each act of obedience created a legacy of walking blamelessly. Rather than planning out his own dreams, God’s ideas were birthed in the heart of Noah, who willingly obeyed and who was commended for his faith.

I’m a dreamer, and maybe you are too. Perhaps you have unique ideas swarming around in your heart this very moment as you’ve been thinking about finishing this year strong; I encourage you to invite God into your dreaming. He has unique ideas that He planned for you to do, just as He had plans for Noah’s life. As you listen to the heart of your Father, as you abide and hear His heart through Scripture, as you say yes to obedience, He will tell you all kinds of mysteries concerning you. He may put unrealistic dreams into your heart, as well as tiny steps of faithfulness for each day.

How can we know God’s heart concerning us unless we are abiding in Him? It’s in the abiding where He breathes His heart’s desires into us and strengthens us to obey. Time spent with the Father changes who we are, how we think, and how we want to spend our time. As we walk with God, we can be sure our plans and desires are inspired by Him.

He is ready to impart his plans for us as we choose to abide. Are you ready to walk with Him and hear His heart? Are you ready to trust Him to grow your faith as you obey?

As the days went on for Noah, building that ark, he was able to follow through with God’s ideas as he kept abiding. Your abiding will stir up God’s desires in you, and you will bravely resolve to obey regardless of the setbacks and discouraging days. Life will happen, and hard days will come, but you will keep abiding, and when you feel like quitting, you will keep pressing into Christ and walking out His desires as an act of obedience. Even when you don’t feel like it, you will obey because you know that what you’re called to do is straight from the heart of your Father.

You will resolve to walk righteously and blamelessly in submission to His Word whether you feel like it or not because your confidence in Christ has swelled with so much bravery that you literally believe every single thing God has whispered into your heart.

Keep abiding, sister; it’s out of the overflow of that abiding that Christ lives through us.

Blessings and Love,

Jennifer K.

Questions to Ponder

  • Have you been abiding so close that you hear God’s commands daily for you?
  • Have you been making your own plans, or following God’s plans?
  • How can you carve out alone time with Christ?
  • How can you abide even in the hurried busy of each day?
  • Do you quit when you feel overwhelmed, or do you follow through regardless of your emotions?
  • Are you confident that everything you’re doing is from the heart of God?

Faith-Filled Ideas

Make a list of all the activities you spend your time on that don’t draw you closer to Christ.

Make a list of activities that help you know the heart of God.

Make a plan to do more of what helps you abide and less of what doesn’t.

Practice talking to God as you do your daily tasks, seeking His heart concerning laundry, dishes, serving your family, and your attitude.

Practice taking a daily walk, go for a walk, and talk to God. Tell Him what you notice in nature, ask Him to speak to you through it, and ask for His heart concerning your day.

 

Jennifer Kindle
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