TLIC FAMILY. PROVERBS. JULY 2: PLANS.

TLICfamily

Jul 2

THINK TOGETHER.

What plans are you making for this week? Month? Year?

READ TOGETHER

Proverbs 16:3. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (NIV).

Most adults get this proverb backwards. They make a plan and then try to commit their plan to the Lord. "Please Lord, bless my plan." But that is not what this verse says. In fact, it says the opposite. It says that God makes the plans for us when we commit everything we do to him.

For example, an adult might have a job that they want to leave so that they can get a new one. They have a plan for what job they want. And so they pray, "Dear God please help me get this new job." But God is telling us to not worry about our plans and instead to work hard where you are. The prayer should be, "Lord, help me to be committed to you where I am and in all I do." Then if God opens up an opportunity for a new job then great, but if not that's OK too.

There's nothing wrong with making plans or having goals. In fact, other proverbs tell us to make plans. But far too often we can get caught up in our plan instead of committing everything we do to God in the present moment.

What future plans have you been making that you are asking God to make happen? When you're young, future plans don't feel as important as they do when you get older. So use your youth to learn how to commit whatever you do to the Lord. Football practice – commit it to the Lord. At the pool – commit it to the Lord. With friends – commit it to the Lord. Doing chores – commit it to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul said the same thing in the New Testament. He said, "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." For Paul doing things for the glory of God meant doing thing out of love. Doing things so that others will feel better and do better. Doing things so as to help others. And of course we can live this way, we can commit whatever we do to the Lord Jesus and his love, because he has put his love in our hearts.

Because of Jesus we are filled with the love and glory of God.

With Jesus we can do everything for God's glory.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Does your family have any summer plans? How can you commit them to the Lord?

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, let me do whatever I do from your love because you love me. Amen.

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