[Editor’s Note: Rebecca is one of the participants in our 2014 Thin Within Workbook Bible Study. When she posted these thoughts on Day 1, I couldn’t resist asking her if I could share it with you all. I hope you are encouraged as I am. Oh…and for the record, Rebecca’s precious hubby gave his consent for this to be shared with the world. lol!]
“For I know the PLANS I have for YOU,” says the Lord,
“PLANS to prosper you, not to harm you, PLANS for a HOPE and a future.”
Jeremiah 20:11
I emphasized plans and hope for a reason. I love my husband dearly, but the man stinks at planning…anything. I am always so disappointed when I ask for a date night and, after eighteen years of knowing each other and almost fourteen years of marriage, he still doesn’t take the clue to actually plan something. Instead it always ends up with the whole, ‘I don’t know, what do you want to do’ conversation.
But God spoke to me this morning that He, God, does have a PLAN! That makes me giddy! I mean, if my husband said to me, “Come on, we’re going out, I’ve got a plan” I would swoon. If there is a plan, that means there has been thought, preparation and consideration all for me.
God has been thinking about me, about you, about what we like, what He’s gifted us with and for, and even what we don’t like. And in those thoughts, He’s made PLANS for us! Good plans! Great plans! I want HIS PLANS!
God has shown up for our ‘date’ if you will, our journey for the next 12 weeks and said, “Let’s go, I’ve got a plan.” All we have to do is get in the car and allow Him to take us where He will. And what an awesome hope that brings! Hope is the confident expectation of good. God’s not going to take you bowling when you really love the outdoors and would rather be at the beach. He knows us intimately and we can trust Him. We can trust His plans. We can place all our hope in Him.
Rebecca Bryan and her husband live in Grand Rapids, MI where they homeschool their 3 children and she is a worship leader at her church. Rebecca is also a singer/songwriter who just released her debut album, Bound by Love.
How About You?
How does it encourage you to know that God has purposed, considered, been intentional about the plans he has for you? Will you choose to believe him for it today? What thoughts are here that you can turn into truths in your deck of truth cards … to renew your mind with?
Heidi, Is it too late to jo
Come on along! I recommend just reading week ones material and then by Tuesday, move on with lesson 2. No harm no foul!
Rebecca – I can so relate to the husband! Years ago my husband actually did plan a carribean trip which included flying his mother in to watch our son – swoon I did! It wasn’t so much the trip, but that he cared enough to do all of the planning – I’m waiting for it to happen again 🙂 …. I appreciate that you made me aware of God as the planner – how much love and care that takes, that He does know us better than anyone (He made us after all). I’m hopping in the car, ready to go! And – I love your song!! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, Carrie! How awesome! 🙂
Love the song!!
It is awesome to have two singer/songwriters in our group. I bet there are even more, too. If we ever have a conference and bring all that giftedness together, I bet we would have an amazing sound when we started lifting the Lord up together! 🙂
Yes, I bet we could!!
Thanks so much, Rebecca! I’ve always loved that verse and you’ve helped me to look at it in a deeper and fuller way. 🙂
I hear you, Mary Anne. I didn’t think I could possibly get anything NEW from it. HA! There it is again…that NEW THING that God is doing. 🙂
What a joy to think of God planning everything. I know the verses but it really helped to think in “real world” terms. Today I’m clinging to the memory verse for this week about not dwelling on the past. I just came from lunch with coworkers and was feeling so good about eating only to a 5. But now I am reviewing video of which I am in the background. I immediately felt shame while looking at the Carol of late October. But I quickly changed my focus….I am the Carol of January and beyond. God has wiped my slate clean and he DOES have a plan for me. He is restoring those lost years. And he is redeeming my life. It’s awesome. Not too long ago I would have eaten some candy out of my sadness despite being physically satisfied. I love falling more in love with our God who love us!!!!
AMEN, Carol!!!
I can read it and see it online in a book that “God has a plan for me”. It has been a repeated reminder & read in the bible. Sometimes it losses its ump after awhile. Or perhaps God opens my eyes when he has chosen to do so!
However when it’s put in a way I can relate to in my every day life it just seems to hit home to my heart better!
I’ve felt from God, no question whatsoever, that music is the pathway to my soul.
I also LOVE the song & Rebecca’s voice! So beautifully gifted! This song tied today’s post in perfectly for me! A beautiful reminder just put in a simple but perfect way that God loves me & has a plan for me!
I love how God works & speaks to me in different ways at the perfect time!
Thanks Heidi & Rebecca & of course our sweet Lord!!!