The Lord Willing

 James 4:15

Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

 

Planning and making goals is good and is a responsible practice, but life has a way of sometimes breaking up those plans. We don’t control our destiny as much as we like to think we do. The best plan is not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all that we do. In all our planning for the future, we must be willing to accept change that is bound to happen. I believe that God is pleased when we set goals and aspirations, seeking His will for our lives, but life is so fragile, there is no guarantee that there will be a tomorrow. It is an attitude of submission when we give each day to Him. “If the Lord is willing this day, I plan on doing this or that”.  Accepting change has part of the providence of God. Trust your life to Him for He never changes.

Don't Worry, Trust God

 Philip 4:6
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
 
It is within human nature to be anxious and be worried. It is a natural response when things in life turn against you. Paul’s admonition to us is not to worry about the unfortunate events that happen in our life. How is this possible? When we sense danger, our response is to flee, run, our body naturally responds to danger when we encounter it. Yet, Jesus says, “fear not”. Overcoming fear or worry is not done by human efforts, it is done by prayer and supplication to God. He provides grace, He is the one that will take care of us. It is supernatural. The power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the human reactions of anxiety. Letting go of our circumstance and situation and allowing God to take control. Knowing that He is the one in control will bring peace to whatever we are facing. Don't worry, trust God!

His Loving Kindness

 Psalm 104:17, 18

But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who [reverently] fear Him,...To those who honor and keep His covenant, and remember to do His commandments.

God is good to all of His creation. His loving kindness extends to all, but He especially shows favor to those who fear and respect Him. The children of God who desires to know Him, He draws close and His love is special.  Those who put their trust in Him, can claim the promises of His word. All who not only read His word, but imprint His word in their hearts will see the loving kindness of God. Even in difficult times, they see God’s love. They may not see at the time of their emotional distress, but trusting in His providence, and staying true to His word, He never fails to show His lovingkindness. God is good, God is kind, God cares for His own.

Train Up A Child

 Prov 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

The internet is filled with information about raising children. I sometimes wonder how we managed without it. The goal of training a child is to teach them to always seek God’s righteousness and to follow the teachings of Jesus. A child who learns to trust in God and rely on God’s wisdom will never forget what is important in life. It is not necessarily the goal to train our children to be just like us or to even see everything the way we do. As Christian parents, we do our best to teach our children to live close to God and avoid the traps of Satan that will ensnare them into a life of sin. We set guidelines, rules of conduct and behavior, teaching them the commandments of God and to listen to the voice of God in prayer.  The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. If our children follow the precepts and principles that are given to us in His word, we can be assure that they will find the way they should go. Their abilities and talents that God gave them can be used to glorify God

Heartfelt Prayers

 James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Praying from the heart is made possible when the heart is right with your neighbor and with God. It is difficult to pray when you have ought against your brother. A righteous believer is able to pray fervently with clean hands and a pure heart. I often hear words like, “Say a prayer for…”. I sometimes wonder if “saying” a prayer can accomplish much. How heartfelt are our prayers? To be heartfelt is to be sincere, feelings are deep and strong. It is a prayer of passion and earnest desire. Saying a prayer must go beyond the words spoken from the lips. For it to be effective, it must be heartfelt and persistent. God who sees the heart, is not impress with our articulation of our prayer, He wants our prayers to be heartfelt. 

Receiving Correction & Instruction

Prov 15:32

He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself, But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

Being corrected is never pleasant. We often will accept instruction from someone we respect, but to receive correction or criticism from someone who has a “beam in their own eye” is very difficult. We may even cast off their words with disdain or indifference. But the wise person who desires to grow will listen, “The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise.” Likely, the words they speak often have merit. They may not be delivered in kindness, and may even be misplaced, but in them are elements of truth that we need to correct. A wise person will take correction (No matter how it is given), and take to God is prayer and ask God to examine their heart and do what is necessary to correct what God shows. A heart that fears God, will demonstrate a life of humility and be willing to receive instruction regardless of its source.