Good Thing or God Thing?

A perfect example... I wrote this on December 27th and forgot to publish it in the midst of the holidays and year ending... Lord be my guide!

“Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” Proverbs 21:2 (NAS)
I love the beginning of new things – a new school year, the beginning of a new season, and the start of a new year. Maybe it’s the chance to start fresh that appeals to me. Fresh starts must appeal to many women, for most of us have made New Year’s Resolutions at one time or another. I’ve certainly had many good plans over the years. I’m going to read the Bible in a year… lead a Bible study at my work… spend 1 hour in prayer a day....have family devotions… exercise at least three times a week…improve my cooking… work harder to contribute more to the family finances. These have all been good plans, but I’m learning that good plans are not necessarily God’s plans. I so easily think that if something is good, then surely God wants me to do it. For example, starting a new prayer ministry at church would be a great thing, but God wants us to consult Him first. Before we start making our own plans, God wants us to pray and to ask Him if it’s what He wants for us.When we’re excited about an idea, it’s easy to get carried away and run full steam ahead with our own plans. Also, when we’re talented in a certain area, it’s easy to think, Surely God wants me to apply my talents in this situation. Or if we see a need, we think we’re the one who has to fill it.There’s a good chance God will say, “Yes, go ahead.” But there’s also the chance that this is not the right time for you to take on something new. I see so many women today filling their schedules with way too much – too many good activities, which prevent us from walking in God’s plans. Sometimes our schedules are so full of our own plans that we just don’t have room for God’s plans. So as this New Year begins, let’s adopt at least one New Year’s Resolution: Before committing to anything, let’s ask God; Is this a good thing or a God thing?

Heavenly Father, I want this New Year to be a year where I walk in Your will, not ahead and not behind. I want to know the plans You have for my life, and then I want to join You wherever You are working. Teach me not to rush ahead of You. Help me to stop to pray to ask for Your guidance before making any plans. Thank you that You promise that I will hear Your voice. Thank you that You have good plans for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps: Take time to pray today about the activities, which fill your life. Ask God to help you separate the good things from God things. Here are two specific prayers that can further help you discern God’s plans. First, ask God to show you His priorities for your life. Knowing your priorities can be a guiding light when considering plans. A second prayer to help guide you in planning is to ask God to give you an eternal perspective. God wants us to be His “fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9) in work which will last eternally. Ask God where He wants you to build in His kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Consider the activities you and your family are already doing. Is there anything God might want you to drop from your schedule?Maybe instead of having too many activities in your life, you’ve gone to the other extreme and instead of loving and serving others, you’ve become too self-absorbed. Ask God to reveal this to you, confess it, and ask Him where He wants you to partner with Him.Before making any New Year’s resolution, ask God what plans He has for you right now.

Here are some verses that I am studying to begin 2009 with:
John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice…” (NAS).
Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (NIV).
Isaiah 31:21, “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left” (NAS).
Jeremiah 29:11, “‘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 a hope and a future’” (NAS).

Isabelle Grace Belmont

Words can not describe the feelings I have inside. I have been a mother for 22 1/2 years to 3 wonderful girls. But now I am starting a new adventure. One that proves to be more amazing and challenging than most. It is also the most exciting!

Isabelle is translated in French for beautiful. It's Hebrew origin translates My God is a vow.

Grace is "unmerited favour" from God. In theology, grace is described as 'enabling power sufficient for progression'. Grace divine is an indispensable gift from God for development, improvement, and character expansion, and without God's grace, there are certain limitations, weaknesses, flaws, impurities, and faults (i.e. carnality) mankind cannot overcome. Therefore, it is necessary to increase in God's grace for added perfection, completeness, and flawlessness.

Is there anything more to say about this precious gift from God?

What do you do with Lemons?

Well, this is my first attempt at "blogging". I have journaled all my life but this avenue is a journey. I believe that at this moment I have so many emotions going through my mind and heart that I just may burst.



Let me begin by prefacing this blog by saying I am not writing "to" anyone or "for" anyone. if you feel that what I am saying applies to your life, then please... seek God for direction and take action!



This morning during my quiet time the Lord gave me scriptures that were so precise for my heart and yet so hard to take together.



Here is my story. Our oldest daughter was living out on her own and enjoying life, school and a wonderful relationship with a young man. There was talk of a future together and they had proclaimed their love to each other. Yes, they became intimate. Yes, they were naive and yes there were lies. Both are now expecting a child in December.



This once amazing young man saw the lies as entrapment and now is nowhere around. He now chooses NOT to even have any contact or claim to little Isabelle Grace. Our daughter is bitter and angry that "God would allow this and do this too her." Funny how our perceptions change when things don't go our own way. God does not make mistakes... We do.... God allows us to live, allowing our choices, and will make good out of every situation. So the lies change the outcome that a little girl will be born into this world in December? No. Does it make this young man any less her father? No. Do the grandparents wonder what there relationship will be like with this blessing from God? Where do we go from here?



My Response: How could I use joy to undermine the negative situations I face?
Thought to Apply: Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control in every area of my life.