This morning I was blessed to be in an Uber, I felt the leading in my heart and shared a brief account of my testimony. Accident, surgeries, no hope, non-medication induced coma…10 years ago, my experience (as if it were last night!) There is s isomething I am moved to share! It IS very factual! Existence after this very short ‘trip’ on Earth we call LIFE!

Yes! I had a degree, title, position. Now, I have greater! I in my experience right before being permitted back to ‘life’ here on Earth. I remember clearly stating a decade ago that I would share my experience.

It is not done in brevity or in any way briefly. I was board certified and had a position in the medical field. I will state that I am BLESSED beyond words/description/imagination…many things I have shared…bills, my childrens education/tuition/blessings! Hallelujah!

The story is onward and upward in The MIGHTY Name of Jesus, Amen.

Very briefly, I wish to share about plans/decisions we make. Is God involved? Are you led? Have and do you pray ceaselessly about it/them?

“Many plans are in a Man’s mind, but it is The Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). Amen.” -AMPLIFIED

“Let me remind you that this is God’s Universe, and He is doing things His way. You may think you have a better way, but you don’t have a Universe to rule.” ~J. Vernon McGee

We tend to make our plans and check with God to see if He is all right with them. This is backwards, my friends; we should check with God first and then make our plans. Remember the word of caution that Solomon already gave us:

“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” ~Solomon (Proverbs 16:9 MSG)

God is Sovereign and He will be in control of every part of our lives; whether we think so or not. God is the Almighty One; He possesses supreme power and authority over all. He is the ultimate Administrator and Project Manager. It only seems right that we should check our plans appraise our plans, goals and aspirations through Him first.

The best thing that we could do for ourselves is give God complete control over our lives and our plans. He has His best in store for us. Through His prophet Jeremiah He spoke this Message:

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” ~God (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG)

Trust God with your hopes and plans.

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” ~Martin Luther

Verse 21:
“The impulses of the huMan heart may run wild, but the Eternal’s plan will prevail.”

Solomon warns us once again that we may make many plans and set many goals, but it is the Lord who allows those plans to come to pass.

“Man proposes, but God disposes!” -(TLB)

Remember this:

“God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” ~Jim Elliot

Verse 22:
“Loyalty is a trait admired in others, and being destitute is better than being a liar.”

Solomon points out that loyalty and kindness are traits that will attract others to us. Being dishonest and a liar, though, will cause others to mistrust you and keep their distance from you. No one wants to be lied to.

Verse 23:
“Reverence for the Eternal leads to a fulfilled life; those who have it will sleep well, for disaster will not touch them.” -(VOICE)

Reverence, loyalty and devotion to the Lord Almighty will lead to a life that is not only blessed, but fulfilled. Those plans that you have wisely left in the hands of the Lord will come about in His time and in His way.

“Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises.” -(MSG)

Verse 24:
“Some people are so lazy—they reach for food on the plate but lack the will to bring it up to their mouths.” -(VOICE)

We find a warning against the sluggard once again; those too lazy even to feed themselves, even when the food is right in front of them. Fair warning that God will not tolerate those who will not work for what God has approved for him to do.

“Many say they can’t get God’s guidance, when they really mean they wish He would show them an easier way.” Winkie Pratney

Verse 25:
“If you beat one who mocks, the naive will see and learn a lesson; if you correct someone with understanding, that’s all he needs to grow a little wiser.” -(VOICE)

Solomon teaches us that we should observe and learn from others mistakes. There is or should be some sort of benefit in rebuke and reproof. There should not just be punishment, but also a time of teaching. What was done wrong and how can we make it right?

“Punish a mocker and others will learn from his example. Reprove a wise man, and he will be the wiser.” -(TLB)

Verse 26:
“Children who mistreat their father and run down their mother are a root of shame and disgrace.” -(VOICE)

A child who mistreats and abuses their parents will come to disgrace. It is never part of God’s plan to disrespect or dishonor our father or mother. Even as reach adulthood we should be showing respect and deference to them.

Verse 27:
“My child, should you stop listening to instruction, you will wander from the voice of knowledge.” -(VOICE)

Solomon warns us to be careful that we do not become so “grown-up” or so full of ourselves that we stop listening to instruction; especially to what we know as right and true. God will not abide with such arrogance. His ways do not change. Be careful lest you too fall.

“Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right.” -(TLB)

Verse 28:
“A worthless witness ridicules justice, and the mouth of the wrongdoer savors every morsel of trouble.” -(VOICE)

Let not our plans involve any kind of lying, dishonesty or cheating. Twisting justice will be met by God’s wrath. Those who choose to live this way enjoy sinning and they are headed for certain death.

Verse 29:
“Severe penalties are prepared for those who mock, and fools expect their backs to be flogged.” -(VOICE)

Those who mock, ridicule, reject or scorn the plans that God has made for them are fools. There will be a penalty to pay; you can be sure of this.

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” -Paul (Galatians 6:7 NLT)

“People who make fun of wisdom will be punished, and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.” -(NCV)

Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you’re not the one steering the ship, be thankful. He has removed the illusion, and forced you to rely only on Him.
Yasmin Mogahed

Do you have plans, hopes and desires? All of us do. Be sure that you are placing them on the altar, allowing God to give you guidance and direction. Relinquish your need to be in control; that is God’s job, not yours.

“God doesn’t want people to do what they think is best: he wants them to do what he knows is best, and no amount of reasoning and intellectualizing will discover that.” ~Henry T. Blackaby

My Prayer:
Almighty One, I relinquish the need to be in control of my life. You, in Your Sovereignty, are ultimately in control. Remind me of this fact every time I try to take the reins away from Your capable hands, Lord. Whatever comes my way, I will trust You. Remind me that there are no surprises for You. In Your Omniscience You see all and know all from beginning to end. Lord, here I am; lead, guide and be The Master of my destiny. Thank You Father, in Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.