WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2018?

 

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2018?

It’s not like I get asked what my holiday plans are very much (I love being home), but when I am asked about 2018, I hesitate to answer because I’m not sure I have any set plans.

I have dreams and goals and wants, but as for plans, I’m placing my plans in God’s hands. He knows my heart. Trust me, I’ve made plans before without consulting God, and it was a bit messy. Thank goodness for His saving grace because every time I run ahead, He waits for me to turn around (and this typically happens after I’ve made a mess of things) and reach out for Him.

This New Year, I am placing 2018 in His capable hands. I’ll create to-do lists, goals, and objectives, but as for the plans, I’ll defer to God.

God Has It All Planned Out

This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. 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. ‘When you call on me,when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.’ God’s Decree. ‘I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you’ – God’s Decree – ‘bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.’”Jeremiah 29:11-14 (MSG)

I Can Count on God

You see, I can count on God to take care of me as He has promised because He has it all planned out. I just need to call on Him and seek Him with all my heart, mind, and soul. His Word tells me that when I get serious about my faith walk and want a relationship with Him more than anything or anyone, I’ll find Him, and I will not be disappointed.

Reading these words gets me excited for today and certainly for the New Year! Plus, I love organizing and creating goals. My planner is a creative portfolio filled with hopes, dreams, and prayers. It’s also full of stickers, Scripture, and important dates – personal appointments, meetings in the community, and special dates with family line my monthly calendar. The spaces fill up quickly, but so does my heart. My heart fills with joy as we approach each new year. It’s a fresh start, and I love a fresh start!

What are My Plans for the New Year?

I plan to be obedient, so I can hear His voice as He guides me.

“He loves you more than ever when he remembers the way you listened to him so willingly and received him so anxiously and with such deep concern.” 2 Corinthians 7:15 TLB

I plan to share the good news when the opportunity arises.

“God knows how I work for Him. He knows how I preach with all my heart the Good News about His Son. He knows how I always pray for you.” Romans 1:9 NLV

I plan to place my hope in the Lord and praise Him for the many blessings in my life.

“But as for me, I will always have hope and I will praise You more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NLV

Before You Break Out the New Planner

It is my hope for 2018 that as we break out the new agendas and planners, we take time to seek God’s will for us. Ask God how He wants to use us in 2018 and ask Him to search our hearts for anything that may hinder His plans for us this year.

My prayer for the New Year is that we will each be the “salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this world” – Matthew 5:13 The Message.

Salt and Light

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

Happy New Year!

As I reflect on the New Year, I am so excited to see what God has in store for you and for me. It’s truly a blessing to let go and let God!

Cheers to 2018!

Image Credits ReyniRzIllustrations