WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PLANS - 08/09/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans." - Woody Allen      In America, we love plans. We have strategic plans, business plans and pension plans. We devise action plans, plans of attack, and in case something fails...contingency plans. A PLAN is a detailed proposal for achieving something. It is an intention or decision about what one is going to do; a detailed diagram or program showing how something will be arranged. Plans are decided upon in advance. They are future oriented. We plan to purchase a house, apply for a job, or marry in two years. We LOVE our plans. They give us a sense of security and control. Leadership gurus tell us, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."  Yes, planning IS necessary, but make your plans guides - not gods. The LORD's plans cannot be thwarted or frustrated. (Isaiah 14:27) He works all things out after the counsel of HIS OWN WILL. (Ephesians 1:11) God told Jeremiah that Israel would be in exile for 70 years to Babylon. He said, you guys might have had other plans, but get comfortable with this captivity. Build houses and have children, because this negative situation is going to last for a while. Don't resist it. Don't try to prophesy against it, because it's Me. "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 hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) When this captivity is over, My plan is to bring you out. Then you'll call upon Me in prayer and I'll will listen to you and I'll restore your fortunes. (vs. 10-14) God has plans that often don't look AT ALL like our desires or intentions. Proverbs reminds us that our plans will ultimately bow to God's plan. "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD...The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:1;9, NASB) This counsel can be comforting or infuriating, depending on your posture before the LORD. "You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail," feels like a "Na, Nah, Na, Nah, Na...Nah!" in the Spirit! (Prov. 19:21) Is God teasing me? Is He playing with my mind? Why did He let me do all this planning if He never intended to follow MY plan? Sounds ridiculous when you put it that way, doesn't it?  We so deftly and recklessly attempt to assume control of our futures. In the process, we can disregard God's authority and supremacy. James 4:13-17 warns us that it is arrogant, sinful and evil to boast about what we PRESUME will happen in the next days or years of our lives. ALL of that is up to God's will. The LORD told Isaiah, "Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish." (Isaiah 46:10) When our plans conflict with God's Sovereignty, our plans will lose.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131