Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 18: Offer My Time”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Do you have plans for today? How about for the weekend? For the month ahead? The year ahead? In five years? Ten years?
Often the plans we make happen. In fact, probably more often than not the plans that we make actually happen. But sometimes they change and it is hard to accept the change.
Think of the many plans that have changed in the last years:
- Did you have a trip cancelled because of CoVid?
- Did you miss a sporting event because of CoVid?
- Imagine the plans of Ukrainians and their families and how their plans have changed.
- We saw an accident scene last night. I’m sure that wasn’t in their plans for the evening.
- Mortgage applications and offers on houses fall through.
- Education and college plans don’t always turn out how you wanted them to.
And the list goes on.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart. Many.
But it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
- It wasn’t Joseph’s plan to be sold into slavery by his brothers…but the Lord needed him there to preserve the family of Jacob and the Savior’s line through famine.
- Moses didn’t have plans to lead Israel out of Egypt…but God did.
- David was just tending the sheep…but God was looking for the next king.
- Caesar wanted a count of his land…but God wanted his Son born in Bethlehem.
- The Jewish leaders wanted their rival Jesus dead…God wanted him to pay the price for sin.
- Saul was wanting to exterminate Christians…but God wanted to use him to extend Christianity.
The list goes on…even personally in your life.
What plan has God changed for you?
- I loved math and science…God needed a preacher.
- I thought Cross and Crown would take off in 2017…God wanted a journey of refinement and growth.
- I wanted to see clearly all my life…God allowed an eye injury to remind me his grace is sufficient.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
We don’t always see it. We sometimes have a hard time believing it. But it doesn’t change the fact…the Lord’s purpose prevails.
It’s a rare day that your plans match the Lords, but when they do, or when he changes them, it’s a truly blessed day.
So have a blessed day!
Apply: Commit your plans to the Lord today. He will guide you in his ways. Note what plans he allowed to continue and which ones he changed.
Lord, thank you for having a purpose that always prevails. Lead me to always accept your plans when mine change. AMEN.