Ultimately in Control!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 61. Here is what I learned.

May You prolong the [true] King’s life [adding days upon days], and may His years be to the last generation [of this world and the generations of the world to come]. Psalm 61:6 (AMP)

Add days upon days to the life of the king. May his years endure throughout every generation. Psalm 61:6 (GW)

As I read Psalm 61:6, I realized the truth that I really have no control over prolonging my life. That ultimate is up to God and His plan. However, I still need to continue to make the best choices in caring for my body and not act foolishly. 

How much time is wasted on being anxious about things out of our control? I think back a few years, my sister and I had things all planned out. My parents moved to her town, so she’d be able to care for them in their old age. And sometime in the future, I’d move close to her, so we could help care for each other as we aged. But God had a totally DIFFERENT plan. My sister died in April 2011 due to cancer. My parents then moved back to FL, to be near my brothers. And.... I guess in time I might move down there too.... maybe. 

Plans... how do I add days to my life? That I can’t do! 

And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]? Luke 12:25 (AMP)

What I can do is make sure that each and every day I am living a life that is pleasing to God and accomplishing His will for my life. 

To create a positive day, I need to remember that when I create plans, to make sure I consult God, realizing that He is ultimately in control! 

God Hears

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Second of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 4. Here's what Treasure I found today. 

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have freed me from my troubles. Have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1 (God’s Word)

Answer me when I call, O my God Who is right and good! You have made a way for me when I needed help. Be kind to me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 (New Life Version)

It’s a treasure to know that I can call upon God... who is righteous.

God of my righteousness - Whatever pardon, peace, holiness, or truth I possess, has come entirely from thyself. Thou art the God of my salvation, as thou art the God of my life. (Clark’s Commentary)

God is the deliverer from troubles. When feeling confined and need a way to escape, God will provide that way. And this is not based upon me or what I have done, rather based upon God’s righteousness.

At times, I don’t “feel” like I’ve been “delivered”.. what then? I think it goes to a change of attitude and understanding. Remember, this is about GOD and WHO HE IS. It’s about His plan and what He wants to accomplish. 

This makes me think of Joseph. He was put into a pit, sold into slavery by his brothers, endured false imprisonment for at LEAST 2 years... but all the while... God was with Him. God’s plan for Joseph was about providing for His people. 

Jacob’s sons [The patriarchs] became jealous of Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and ·saved [rescued; delivered] him from all his ·troubles [afflictions]. God gave Joseph ·wisdom to gain the favor of [favor and wisdom before] Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The king made him governor of Egypt and put him in charge of ·all the people in his palace [his whole household]. Acts 7:9-10 (EXB)

The truth is that God, because of His grace and mercy, does hear my prayer for help. He is kind to me and will answer my prayer.....but in His ultimate loving way. And that truth is why, no matter my circumstance, I can enjoy a positive day!

My Plans Vs God's Plan

I'm a planner. Before doing anything I research, and research, and plan, and figure out all the possible solutions, and even try to account for all the "unexpecteds" that might pop-up along the way.

However, I'm learning that no matter what MY PLANS are, God's PLAN is a much better one! My planS (yes, plural) are often VERY good. However, God's PLAN (singular) is MUCH better than any of my plans. This is one lesson which God has to continue to teach me.

My car, a 1995 Ford Escort, needs to be replaced. It's a great car, but it's at the point that repairs are needed more often than I like. I've been working on my plans to get a newer car for while. Yet, it's only been the past 2 months when I thought that perhaps I could actually do something about it. I have been working on saving every penny toward a down payment.

My plans 

were coming along

PERFECTLY! 

That was until God reminded me that HE has a PLAN. This past week, I took my car in for an oil change and tire rotation and to check on a "roar". I explained to the Service Manager, Mike, that I didn't want to put much money into any repairs as I am looking to get a newer car. We discussed various cars models which would be good for me to consider.

After waiting a while, Mike approached me. He explained what the "roar" was and that it didn't have to be fixed.  However, the brakes were extremely bad. It was not safe to drive the car, I'd have to replace them. Okay, now that was NOT in my plans at ALL! Yet, I had to take a deep breath and realize that the brake repair was in God's plan. 

As I was at home waiting for my car to be fixed, I had time to think. I had to stop and thank God for His protection. The brakes were not safe, yet, God made sure that they worked as I drove around. God prompted me to go in for an oil change ASAP, so that the brake problem would be found. And over 15 years ago, God provided an AWESOME repair shop with an owner and staff who are honest and have taken great care of my car. 

My planS vs God's plan. 

No matter how much I research and think through all the possible scenarios, there are unforeseen circumstances which God allows. I'm not sure I understand all the reasons God wanted me to spend money on fixing a car when I'm trying to get a newer one. Yet, I do KNOW that God's plan is so much better than mine. And I don't need to know all the reasons why He does what He does. I only need to trust Him and continue to seek His will and follow HIS PLAN for my life.

And what about MY planS for a newer car? I'm still working on them, but I'm also making sure that I consult God on what HIS PLAN is. I'll keep you posted! 

Once again, I'm reminded that in order to have a positive day, I need to trust God as He carries out His plan for my life.

God's Timing

The past couple of days,

I've been very aware of God's timing.

God's Timing #1: On Friday, due to the accident and coming home via an alternate route, (see post below) God led me to a dumpster FULL of boxes. Exactly what I needed to help with my "non-move". (My apartment is being remodeled, so I'll have to move out for a few days.) The boxes are heavy duty and various sizes... couldn't ask for better boxes. All very clean and were waiting just for me! If I had come home my usual route, or if I had stopped at the store as I had originally planned, I would have missed the boxes. But God led me home via that route and I was able to FILL my car full of boxes (even cut down so more would fit!!). Now, I'm ready to start packing. 

God's Timing #2: As part of the "non-move" I've been purging stuff. The past few days I've been shredding TONS of papers. Today, my shredder jammed and broke. I went online to see what I could find and Office Depot was having a TRADE-IN Special through TODAY!! I was able to get $25 for my broken old shredder!! Again, God knew if my shredder was going to break, today I'd be able to get $25 for it! Plus the shredder I bought was on sale!! A double savings! The new shredder is working great.

It's fun to notice when God does things. Sometimes...okay more than often....I'm frustrated with God's timing. Why do I have to wait so long? Why can't He work faster? Yet, I know that God's timing is best. I don't always understand His timing, yet since God does love me, He works on His time frame....for my good. Sometimes, His timing is to teach me, and sometimes He uses it to teach those around me. No matter the reason, God does know what He is doing and will accomplish His work in His time frame. 

When I allow God to work in my life in His time frame, my life is less frustrating and more enjoyable. If I want to create a positive day, I have to remember that God uses delays, detours, and distractions to accomplish His will. If I go about my day using God's schedule, it is a great day!

God's Protection

Yesterday, I was reminded again of God's protection. I saw my chiropractor and enjoyed a massage. After my massage, I remembered a question I had for my chiropractor, Dr. Moore. I waited as he finished with his last patient, and then we discussed my question.

On the way home, I heard on the radio about an accident at an intersection which I use very often. Just then an ambulance went passed... on the way to the accident scene. I took an alternate route home.

This morning I read in the paper, that a man was killed and four were hospitalized due to the accident. That's when it hit me. If I had left immediately after my massage, I would have been VERY near the intersection at the time of the accident. Once again, God delayed me to protect me from being hurt.

Creating a positive day involves being led by God and not fretting about a delay or a change of plans. Often God is working behind the scenes and is protecting us from dangers which we can't see, or have any knowledge.

You can read another example of God's protection on my post dated 8/28/2009; How God Used Sponges!.

This is not my plan!

I forget that I don't always know what's best. God has a plan for my life. His plan includes the "big picture" items as well as the little tiny details. This past week my laptop has been giving me problems. I thought it was fixed after spending 4+ hours at the Apple Store. Nope. I've uninstalled/reinstalled/updated programs multiple times. Still not working correctly.
The next fix.....buy upgrades for my programs....that's only $700-$1200! That's out of my range right now....But then I remember....God is not limited.
He has a plan for my life. And with that plan, He will supply everything I need to carry out that plan. If He thinks my laptop is part of His plan, then He will take care of it. Even though my computer failing is not part of my plan, since it is part of God's....I'll relax....continue doing what I can do and allow God to carry out His plan.

Allowing God to carry out His plans makes any day more positive. Getting frustrated over something I can't change, just ruins my day. Relaxing and letting God do His work and take care of things, is much more enjoyable!