Stick to the plan

sunrise Scarborough
MJ 2007

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'I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU.' JEREMIAH 29:11

Today God is saying to you, 'While in process, stick to the plan!'
Nothing takes God by surprise. He's a master planner.
Joseph discovered that when your family turns against you, your friends let you down and you finish up in trouble, God still has a plan. Looking back Joseph could say, 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good' (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
When your situation seems too hard to handle and downright impossible to explain, remind yourself that God said, 'I know the plans I have for you.'
Some of us are not sure God has made up His mind about us, so we keep trying to earn His favour. Give it up! Receive the truth that God, for Christ's sake, has decided to bless you. And when God decides, temporary situations or the actions of others don't change His decision. There's nothing the enemy devises against you that God hasn't already made 'a way of escape' for. Paul writes, 'God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it' (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Observe that:
(1) In times of testing you discover how faithful God is.
(2) He knows what you can handle.
(3) He will 'make a way' so you can exit this season stronger, and ready for what He has next. So stick to the plan.
The fact that you have a problem is a sign that you have a promise. It's only a matter of time before God reveals the solution.
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, yet He didn't stop him. He could have summoned twelve legions of angels to help Him, yet He didn't call on them. Under the weight of our sins He cried from the cross, 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' That's because He understood it was all part of God's plan for Him. His words, 'God, where are you?' teach us that:
(a) You can be in God's plan, yet at times feel overwhelmed and alone.
(b) When God doesn't answer, you must stand on the Word He has given you.
(c) the pain of this season will eventually give way to the joy God has awaiting you on the other side of it.
So stick to the plan; that's what disciples do. The word 'disciple' means to be disciplined. It means sticking to the plan when you're under attack. It teaches you how to function when you don't feel like it.
The enemy will come against the plan of God in your life, because that plan is like a hedge of protection around you. As long as you stay in God's plan, nothing that the enemy does can destroy you.
So, when you feel like you've reached the end of your rope tether and you can't go another step, do what Jesus did; - pray, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit' (Luke 23:46 NIV). Give it to God! Look up and say, 'Lord, I'm trusting You to do what I cannot do. Bring me through this. Here it is; I'm turning it over to You. My life, my future, and my all are in Your hands!'

Peter proved that as long as you keep your eyes on Jesus and stick to the plan, you won't go under.
Notice:
(1) Before you get into something, make sure it's God's will for you! Peter said, 'Lord, if it's you, bid me to come to you on the water' and Jesus said, 'Come.' Before you take on something like water-walking, pray and be sure God's in it. In other words, get God's plan and stick to it.
(2) Don't expect everybody in the boat to go with you. Water-walking is a lonely calling; it sets you apart from those who are timid and security-minded. It also tends to bring criticism from those who think you're making them look bad by contrast.
(3) If you wait for good weather you'll miss your moment. When Jesus said, 'Come,' they were in the middle of a storm. Face it; we'd all like the stars to line up, or some big donor to underwrite the whole project before we make a move. But how often does that happen? Peter wasn't walking on the water; he was walking on the Word! What has God told you to do? Stop waiting for ideal conditions and start doing it!
(4) Don't expect a mistake-free performance. Nobody walks without fluctuation. The Bible describes its heroes in one sentence: 'Whose weakness was turned to strength' (Hebrews 11:34 NIV). All the great men and women of God you admire, go through sinking spells when they cry out, 'Lord, save me.' And do you know what? He does! And He'll do the same for you.
Peter didn't walk on the water all by himself, he did it with Jesus. Today Christ invites you to walk with Him and experience His miracles.
Why don't we see more MIRACLES in our lives?
Because:
(1) We don't pray and believe God for them. Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you' (John 15:7 NKJV). Your prayers give God an invitation, an entry point and a channel through which His miraculous power can flow to change your circumstances. But you have to pray and believe Him to do it!
(2) We think the day of miracles is past. The Scriptures declare, 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). In reality there never has been 'a day of miracles,' there's only a God of miracles, and He never changes. So don't limit Him!
(3) We allow sin to sabotage our confidence. John writes, 'If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him' (1 John 3:21-22 NIV).
(4) We look at the situation instead of the Saviour and our faith falters. When Jesus told Peter, 'Why do you doubt?' He was saying, 'Don't allow this storm to overwhelm you. I'm right here with you. Your problem is under My feet, therefore it's under your feet too. Just keep your eyes on Me, keep walking by faith and stick to the plan!'


Thanks to 'The Word for Today' Aug 2008 www.ucb.co.uk