Part Two: No Shame, No Blame, Just Engaging God’s Plan

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I’m picking up today from my last post, “No Shame, No Blame, Just Engaging God’s Plan Part One”

When you learn that God is not looking to blame or shame you, and that you can and must run to Him when you are failing, and not hide what He already knows is going on with you, then you’ll be able to move forward more successfully in your life toward His plan and purpose for you!

God has a plan for your life and He doesn’t want the devil’s lies to hold you back from it and it’s blessings! Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) says, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

He wants to lead you in that plan. And you should know this; your plan will not go according to plan. What I mean is, a plan is a framework to get you moving in a direction, but it will be adjusted many times along the way. Just keep following the Lord in it and be flexible, and you’ll see that God will lead you beyond your expectations. Just get untangled from sin, walk in integrity, and be faithful and patient to take one day at a time thanking God every step and day along the way!

A plan is important. Without a plan, you only have good intentions. Little to nothing ever gets done from good intentions alone. With good intentions you get an occasional random bright spot or momentary success. With a plan, you build great things that last.

Will God really help you build a plan? Absolutely! Psalm 37:23 NLT says, “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He DELIGHTS in every detail of their lives” and Proverbs 16:9 NIV says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

So, there are things you need to stop doing, and start doing. And here is how you do that.

First, you have a heart-to-heart with God. Talk to Him about all the things you’ve been hiding. He is not going to shame you! Be open. Talk about your sins, insecurities, and even failures. Get them out in the open. Pray and tell Him you can’t get it right without His help and ask for His grace to help you. When you sincerely and reverently pray for this, pay attention because you are going to see His grace suddenly make ways of escape from failing attitudes and behaviors and give you the chance to get it right. Thank God for that grace and get it right!

Secondly, BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF! Hold steadfast to this attitude: Say to yourself and God. Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and sticking with me. Thank you for helping me. I will get this right in Jesus name. If you stumble, don’t hide it. Pray and say it again. Success is coming!

Third, don’t completely focus on the things you need to change. Don’t lose sight of them but don’t focus on them. Focus on getting a plan on what you think God wants you to do. Pray and ask Him to reveal the next steps to you! Focus on those steps and plan toward what you think God wants to do with your life and move in that direction. God usually gives you a big picture glimpse at some time in your prayers, but, seldom the details. They come through prayer over time. More than anything else, His plans unfold as you take them on step at at time. And if you focus on this, then the sinful attitudes and behaviors that you’d been hiding from will lose their strength and power over you. You’ll begin to change and God will do a great work in you!

Finally, as God shows you, build that plan and ask God for His wisdom in building it step by step. Ask for His grace—His supernatural help in executing those steps one step at a time. This is critical, safe, and helps keep you grounded. Let God help you establish your plans. Amazing things happen when you do and you’ll eventually have little to nothing to hide and much more to Praise Him for as His plan for you unfolds before your very eyes!

Psalm 65:11 NKJV “You crown the year with Your goodness and Your paths drip with abundance”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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