“Something has always come up and prevented it.” ~Apostle Paul

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Goals, Jesus, Obedience, Paul, Planning, Romans 1, Rome

Paul knew how to plan. Fortunately, he listened to God and so sometimes was unwilling to follow what he planned so he could do what God wanted.

It would have given him personal pleasure to do what he wanted. It didn’t mean that God didn’t want him to see his plans through at some point. It just had to be in God’s good timing and not Paul’s.

The thing to pursue is what God wants on any given day. Jesus has ultimate goals for us and tasks to accomplish every day. That is all that really counts at any given point in time.

Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it.  Romans 1:13-15

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“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” ~King Solomon

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God's Goal, King Solomon, Planning, Proverbs 21, Wise Sayings

God’s new plan

God has a goal in mind for me.

Am I ready?

Have I prepared?

Will I be up to the task?

Jesus challenges me to get ready and to be up to the task. I am God’s plan A. There is no plan B.

Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
    hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 21 MSG – God Examines Our Motives – Good – Bible Gateway

What happens when we live God’s way and not ours?

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Courage, God's Plan, Jesus, Judge, Planning

Courage

How often do we try to force our way in the processes that the world normally uses. Sheer determination. We’ll get it done.

Persistence is valued but where does it really get us? Planning can be useless if leads to a lack of supernatural courageousness.

God’s plans ROCK. That is all that matters.

What happens when we live God’s way? We stick with Jesus, not our own plans. We develop an incredible sense of compassion in our heart. We are convinced there is a basic holiness that is permeating everything and everyone.

We don’t judge. We love no matter what.

In Jesus, we can be involved in loyal commitments. We are able, in Jesus the Messiah, to marshal and direct God’s energy.

“Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” ~King Solomon

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Authority, Goal, God is God, Jesus, King Solomon, Master, Planning, Strategy, Wise Sayings

God’s plan

I love to plan. It is a passion of mine. It is comforting to me. It provides me the illusion that I am in control. I love to think that if I know where I am going (have a goal), I can figure out how to get there (a strategy). Much of my work is based on this premise. I make money off of it.

I am not alone in this thinking. Just read all the books and internet articles on the topic. We all have been sold this bill of goods.

God knows better. God is God and God is in control. Jesus has been given all authority from his Father. Jesus challenges us to accept him as our Master. Jesus wants to be in control.

God has a goal for me. It is God’s goal and not mine. God will accomplish it. God wants me to take on my part of what he wants to accomplish.

I need to change my mind (repent) about all of this. The culture of planning and success is wrong. God is going to have the last word.

Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.

Source: King Solomon – Proverbs 16:1 (The Message Bible)

Where does all my planning get me? Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace.

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Confusion, Faith, Fear, Future, Jesus, Peace, Planning, Plans

The peace of Jesus

A friend sent me this quote. I have reading it over and over. 

I love to plan. Excessive planning violates God’s goal for my life. Jesus challenges me to trust God, not my ability to plan.

“You will not find My Peace by engaging in excessive planning:  attempting to control what will happen to you in the future.  This is a commonly practiced form of unbelief.  When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion. 

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future.  That is beyond your capability.  I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me.  Bring Me all your needs your hopes and fears.  Commit everything into My care.  Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace. ” ~~Sarah Young, Jesus Calling