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Hallelujah! Today is my birthday! First, I wish to thank God for His steadfast love towards me and my family in all these years. However, a few days back, when I sat down for a quick review of my journey thus far, one truth was impressed on my spirit: Despite everything, the things that have prevailed in my life are not my thoughts and plans, but the thoughts and plans that God has for me.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV)
Because of my background when I was growing up, I never saw myself in church, not to mention preaching God's Word. But today, by His grace, I am born again, and I preach His Word. As a young chap, I was consumed with a passion for becoming a doctor, but God helped me to discover more about myself, and as I grew older, my passion for other things grew stronger. Though this hadn't been my plan and dream, I ended up as an agriculturist.
God's ways and thoughts are not even close to ours. At times, we get consumed in our own plans for the future. We map out strategies to ensure that our plans materialize, and we forget that God is the One in control.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (AMPC)
So, it's wise for us to cast all our cares upon God and pray that His will be done in our lives, instead of trying to figure out everything by ourselves. When we cast all our cares upon Him, we no longer hold tenaciously to our own ambitions; we no longer try to work out our future by our own might and intelligence; we are no longer perplexed when things aren't going according to our plans, because we believe that God owns our future and that He is faithful to do what He has promised.
Friend, no matter how wrecked your plans concerning anything may be, no matter how derailed they seem to be, just know that God is the One in charge of the future.
Refuse to be flustered when it seems like you are going off target, for "all things work together for good to them that love God". (Romans 8:28a KJV)
If it's God's will for your life, it will come to pass. If it isn't His will, do not try to force it, but only thank Him in everything, and trust Him more.
Pray with me:
Prayer: Father, I give You glory for everything that has happened in my life. I know that You have good plans and thoughts concerning my life and future. Jesus, I trust that You will work out every dream and plan that I have. No matter what, thank You that in Your mighty name, I shall be victorious at the end, and I shall finish strong. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Amen Brother!
Happy Birthday, and thanks for the encouraging word, Owen.
Thanks for this word Pastor Owen. It was what I needed to hear today.
Happy birthday!!!
I pray that you will be safe and happy AND enjoy your special day!!
Blessings for a wonderful birthday. Your devotions from your heart are very appreciated. From very cold and snowy Canada.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for today’s devotional. It was exactly what I needed to remember. Blessings on you and on yours!
Happy birthday Owen. And thank you for the reminder that God has good plans for each of us. Blessings to you as you serve our awesome God.
Thank you, kind sir, for all your wonderful devotionals.
Pray for your health, welfare, happiness,
(TX)
Happy Birthday Owen! Thank you so much for your devotional posts. They are always informative and thought provoking. May God bless you on your birthday and in the year ahead!
Dear Owen,
Sending birthday greetings to you. I hope you had an awesome Birthday.
Many blessings! Be safe and be well.
Dear Owen:
Happy Birthday Owen!
May our Great Lord continue to bless you all the days of your life and forevermore.
Thank you, Owen, for this day’s devotion.
It is very inspiring for me.
Keep up the faith,
(Quebec Canada)
Happy Birthday. I will have an 80th soon. It has been amazing how God has led me along my journey thus far and he will continue to guide me.
Blessings.
Greetings Owen,
Thank you for your very mindful devotional. Yes, we must be thankful for the Lord’s constant love and care of us and be patient as He rolls out the plans for what is best in our daily life.
Blessings.
Good Morning
If today is your birthday, Happy Birthday.
God is so faithful and always grateful for another day He gives!!!
Thank you for this devotional and so true, His plan is the only plan to live by for sure.
God bless.
Happy Birthday today, Owen. ‘There are better things ahead, than any we leave behind.’ So glad you can look back at the way God led you with a heart full of gratitude. ‘Blessings come to those who notice,’ are the words written over the front door, where everyone can read them and rejoice with me. As I rejoice with you today and your testimony of faith. Love to you today for this writing.
Owen,
Thank you again for your thoughts, as you mention those verses that are so special to me as well. I praise the Lord for your testimony and consistent witness in these devotionals. Happy birthday and praise the Lord for His calling and providential care. I will be celebrating my 89th birthday soon, and I’m so thankful for His leading and showing me His plans through the years. Blessings.
Happy Birthday, Owen.
May God continue to bless you in all that you do.
And thank you for the blessing of your devotionals.
Numbers 6:24-26…
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you:
The Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace.
(Ontario)
Dear Owen, thank you so much for this message. I find myself regularly reminding myself that it is GOD’s plans for my life, not mine.
I have seen at many forks in the road, I would have gone in a different direction, but every time God steered me back along his path, and as my life has unfolded, I finally got it through my stubborn head that God is in control and knows what he is doing at all times.
Praise be to God.
Blessings Owen.
(QC, CANADA)
Dear Brother-in-Christ:
Thank you for your excellent devotional! And, I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
I am an old lady of 78 years and invited Jesus to live in my heart at my daddy’s knee when I was a child.
Now I have taken up residence at His Throne of Grace, 24/7!
What a wonderful life our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit give to us when we constantly yield to choices that glorify HIM!
Keep writing devotionals!
Blessings. I will someday see you “up there”!
I just went through getting an issue of my newspaper to the printer at 5 am. everything was exactly as you describe.
Thank you, Lord.
What an encouraging devotion and filled with God’s wisdom. Thank you.
Thank you, really helped again, your pastor work continues as help guide/encourage/ strengthen those in flock who love Jesus above all.