Breathe In Breathe Out and Move on With God!

As we were leaving town yesterday, we drove by the old river area where everyone used to go in to swim at a favorite spot. Some would park and walk. Others would drive in. I was surprised at the amount of posted signs along the parking area. One right after another I would say there were at least 10 POSTED –NO TRESPASSING signs in bright yellow.  People have protested and been very unhappy that you can’t go to the riverside from that spot anymore.  Regardless of how they feel, it’s off limits. People could still stop there and park, but with the signs glaringly reminding them of the situation, they would just be more and more frustrated.

God spoke to my heart as we passed by. There are places and situations where we used to have free entry. We could come and go and were part of the scene. We had fun and the view was great. We were enjoying it all when the posted signs were put up. We can get frustrated. We can get up a petition to change it. We can prove our point that it’s unfair. We can also sit right there and stare at what we once had, but none of that matters. We are no longer welcome. We don’t have the freedom there anymore. We can cry and lament and go on and on, but that open door is closed now.

Regardless of who put the signs up, God ultimately has the say. No man can do anything except God allows it. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s time to move on. But the wonderful thing about it all is that if God has shut one door, He is opening another. You have not been banned from God’s love, God’s mercy or God’s plan. No indeed. It’s time to get closer to the Lord and let Him speak His plans into your heart. It’s time to renew your fellowship with Him so that you can hear clearly for your next place of entry. For although man may bar the way, God is the only King. He is Sovereign and He alone closes and opens doors.  He is Omniscient and He alone is completely informed and aware of the present situation and your future is secure with Him.

Oh beloved, reach out to the Lord this morning. Tell Him you’re ready to move on with Him. Your situation seems hopeless, but He is your God of Hope. He’s your Abba Father and He knows best.  Even if the present things do not change, you can go forward with high hopes and great expectations. God says to you this morning Move On.  He’s not saying go back, He’s saying go forward. He’s not saying done with you. He’s saying beloved, we’re done with that. He’s not saying He has no use for you anymore. He’s saying better places of entry and stronger times of spiritual influence are coming your way. As long as you stay focused on the Lord instead of the posted signs you will still see the glory of the Lord as you humble yourself and rely on Him alone. He is worthy to worship and honor and obey.  He is faithful, trustworthy and reliable in every circumstance.

He loves you and He’s for you, so it’s for your best that you let Him lead, give Him your heart, mind and soul and move on with Him.

Joshua 22:5 But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Romans 11:33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Psalm 31:3  For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.

Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Psalm 83:18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.

Romans 11:36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.

Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

No One Can Ruin a Life that is Hid in Christ

 

It was one of those mornings. Our 6 year old grandson was excited to come over and let me take him to school. We were having a hugging time and visit with Popaw.

Suddenly things changed. He went limp. I went to get the car out so that we wouldn’t be late to breakfast at school. I looked and saw him running back to his mother’s house across the street. After some coaching by his mother, and after limping all the way to the car as though he had no strength to walk, we were on the way to school but he wouldn’t speak. I knew he loves to let me take him to school and he’s usually quite talkative. I remembered that we had new praise cd’s in the car and turned them on. In just a few moments the whole atmosphere changed. He relaxed and even though he didn’t say much, by the time we arrived at school he wanted to stay with me the entire day. I asked Jesus to watch over him and we discussed visiting again this evening when I got home. I said, “We’ll start over and have a good time”. He said okay and headed inside the building.

God speaks to my heart: There are times when I just don’t want to ____________. I would bet there are times when you don’t either. Whatever it is that fills the line, we all have days that we’d rather be doing something else, going somewhere else or just plain doing nothing. There are times even when God is asking something of us and we just don’t feel we have the energy or desire to do it. We know we love Him. We know He loves us. We know everything He does is ultimately for good and for His glory in our life. But we balk. We want to run in the opposite direction. We want our way, our own plans, our own fun, our own destiny.

Fortunately for each of us, God has great patience. He won’t leave us in the dust or turn His back on us. He will sit with us and speak to us. When finally we start listening instead of stewing, He will pick us up, help us along and send us on His way.

Oh beloved, God knows your dilemma. He knows that you’d rather not go the path ahead. It may be that someone took you out of your plans, but no one can take you out of God’s plans. If you will get your eyes off the circumstances and focus on the Lord, listen to His Word, drink it in and take it as your necessary food, He will correct the situation and order your steps right. His plans are for your best and even when you are in a learning situation, you are not alone. He is with you, holding your hand, making His truth shine through your heart and giving you joy in the journey.

Ultimately no one can ruin your life when it is hid in Christ. The enemy has no such power over God’s purpose and people don’t have that power either. You can rest in God’s promises, Trust in His plans and rejoice in His love and care always. Praise Him in the storms, worship Him in the changes, look to His Truth when things are shaky and rely on Him always for He has you and your life in His hands.

So today, beloved, jump up, read up, pray up, rejoice and get going! God’s got a plan and it’s all good! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth keeping on no matter what.

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, I will honor and praise Your name, for You are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.

Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.

Psalm 57:2 I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! (Amplified)

1 Peter 2:21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.