Take the limits off of God. Don't fence Him in. Don't try to predict His method. Just be open to receive. What He has for you is good.
Although it's human nature to want to control things, in the Kingdom of God, you can't dictate how God does what He does.
Here's a good practical example that can move us into the spiritual application.
Recently, my husband Kenya had prepared diligently for a presentation.
He had his flip chart, informational packets, markers, notes and agenda (The works!) in place for the meeting. He set up the room and got everything together.
Once the other participants showed up, things went in a totally different direction.
He told me all about it afterward.
We laughed together as he detailed how things went hilariously awry.
“I had to push aside everything I was thinking,” he said. “I had to be flexible.”
At one point, he said he covertly slid his markers out of sight, realizing his expectations and the reality of the situation were two different things.
Kenya, though really easy-going and laid back, is highly organized. He’s what I like to call a linear thinker, meaning, he favors step-by-step processes. He prefers knowing exactly where he’s going before moving forward. For him, planning is key. He’s an analyzer.
Despite his plans that day, by the time the meeting was over, nothing he prepared was needed.
You know, learning to relinquish control, is not only necessary for effective leadership, collaboration and growth, but also, our walk with the Lord.
Releasing our notions and ideas about the way things should go is a must. Otherwise, we’ll get in the way of what God is trying to do.
I’m reminded of how an inflexible Jewish leader learned this lesson in a very public and embarrassing way according to Luke 13:10-17.
Here’s what happened.
Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue on the Sabbath when he noticed a hunched over woman.
The Bible says, for 18 years, a spirit of infirmity made it impossible for her to stand up straight.
To look at her, through carnal eyes, it appeared that she was physically impaired. But the Bible lets us know a spiritual issue caused a physical manifestation.
So Jesus called the woman over and said, “Woman thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”
He laid hands on her and immediately, she stood up straight.
In an instant, Jesus freed her from a spiritual stronghold that had her bound for nearly two decades.
All it takes is one touch from the Master to turn things around!
Unfortunately, everyone wasn’t rejoicing over this miracle. One of the legalistic officials couldn’t help but focus on the fact that Jesus healed this woman’s spiritual infirmity on the Sabbath.
So he got mad and disrupted this awesome moment of deliverance to make an announcement.
He told the people, “Six days have been defined as work days. Come on one of the six if you want to be healed, but not on the seventh, the Sabbath.”
This man was trying to define work days, but no one can define what days God decides to work.
In his mind, this out-of-order leader was ensuring that things were done decently and in order in the synagogue. He failed to realize that everything is subject to divine order. When God says it’s time, who are we to say otherwise?
In this passage of scripture, Jesus quickly set this carnal leader—and any other critics—straight.
The Message Bible states verses 15 and 16 this way: “But Jesus shot back, ‘You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn’t it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?’”
Jesus schooled naysayers on a fundamental principle: you can’t legislate a move of God.
When God is ready to deliver, heal and work miracles, He doesn’t stop and ask others how they feel about it. He is sovereign. He does what He wants to do, when He wants to do it.
The Lord doesn’t need permission to grant a breakthrough. He doesn’t check man’s schedule to see if it’s convenient. God does not confirm man-made protocols before implementing His plan.
Friend, those who will receive what God is releasing in this season must remain open.
He is loosing chains, breaking down strongholds, releasing harvests, working miracles, opening doors, destroying yolks and doing a new thing.
Here’s what you have to know: what you’re waiting for won’t happen the way you’re expecting it to. God’s will rarely falls in line with our way.
If you can prepare your mind and open your heart to accept God’s will, you will be perfectly positioned to reap the next harvest coming your way.
To remind you to submit to God’s sovereignty, I’m stirring Romans 11:34 NLT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that your destiny is in the hands of an all-wise, all-knowing God who never makes a mistake.
In His perfect timing, your divine release will come. But you must remain open to receive it.
Now please join me in praying for the following individuals on our “Thoughtful Thursdays” intercessory prayer list. As you believe God for their breakthrough, know that yours is on the way.
Cynthia wrote:
Your words, the way you put it inspire me so much, and I get lifted reading how you are empowering me every day. I have been thru a lot in the past week with my 32 year old daughter who was with this guy for 6 years and two beautiful kids. He nearly killed her and dragged her on the pavement when her whole bottom was so raw that it was like it was burned. The doctors have asked her to rest and to go for therapy but I told her this happened for a reason because you have had so many fights with him and you go back and I think this was showing you that he was not the correct one and it was the last straw. If you know any Christian counselors in Snellville area let me know - I am taking her to counseling at our Church - where my minister is a great man of God - but I ask you all to pray for her to get out of all these wrong things that she does too like smoking pot and cigarettes. I want this bad habit gone. I know where two are praying God always answers prayers - and you uplifting is so great. Even though I work full time I go home and with my daughters help take care of these two kids who have done nothing but are a gift from God. We have not told them anything because they stay with their grandfather. I ask you to pray for these kids that they learn to be men and respect people and never to treat a woman wrong. Though this a hard time - but with your newsletter talking about God I am lifted everyday. God bless you and your family.
Anonymous wrote:
Thank you for the daily inspiration. It has truly uplifted me in many dark moments. I am requesting prayer and healing from cancer which I've battled for two years. I have just finished chemotherapy and I’m having the same symptoms as when I first discovered the disease. The enemy is trying to destroy my body but I know Christ died for my healing. Please pray for me to stay strong and have patience as a wait for the manifestation of my healing. Thank you all and God bless.
Anonymous wrote:
Pray for my husband for deliverance, renewed mind and my marriage. We are separated. My husband has/is committed adultery. He wants to restore the marriage and come back home -- but I'm unsure. We’re supposed to start counseling but his work schedule may not allow that. I just need prayer. It’s decision making time!
Roselande wrote:
I'm going through some awful changes from losing my job, losing a child to my only earthly best friend which led me to start to questioning the almighty. I've attempted suicide when faced with all my circumstances but I knew I had to live for my two boys and to get through all of this and be able to give God all the Glory. I'm asking that you would come in agreement with me and ask for the Lord to intervene in my life so that my faith would be restored and that I would bless his name, that he would set me free from these chains of sadness, grief and depression. Thank you in advance.
Anonymous wrote:
Me and my husband been going through for the last couple of years. We have been separated and now very near to a divorce. My daughter and I are struggling financially, emotionally and mentally with the choices he has made. I love my family very much and absolutely hate this season in our life. I have remained faithful inspite of the many things that has happened. My faith is really being tried and I just wanted to ask for prayer. I currently need to find me and my child another place to stay and get caught up on bills. I know GOD is able to revive and restore anything. I ask that you pray for me and my family. Thanks the blogs are very encouraging.
Vickie wrote:
Pray God will open up doors for homeless mother of 4 boys who has been living in motel room for 1 month.
Anonymous wrote:
Can you pray for my marriage and my family. We are going through the process of a foreclosure. I want to believe that my husband is taking care of the situation but I do not trust him financially at this point and I want to believe this is not because of him gambling. The IRS has garnished his check but he had been struggling with paying the mortgage on time for the last couple of years. I'm trusting God’s will, will be done and I want my marriage to work. We are coming up on 28 years of marriage but if we lose the house I don't know if I'm willing to stay in the marriage because I believe there’s something going on with him as to why it has come to this point which is maybe losing our home of 11 years. I'm hurt, angry and sad, yet trying to keep the faith because I know he had not brought us the far to leave us.
Denise wrote:
I am feeling a little bit down and lonely. I have four children and the family is apart because of a lot of jealousy and at work too. I don’t feel that I can find my place anywhere. I wanted to take pills and end it because I am so hurt, sometimes I think I am starting a depression. Oh God I am tired of being alone and hurting. Sometime I am so negative sometimes that its drains me out and I’m having trouble sleeping. Thank you for reading my prayer request.
Anonymous wrote:
Thank you so much for your daily cup of inspiration. They are so uplifting and are always and on time source of upliftment for me. Please pray for clarity for me as I seek God's will for my life concerning a job where I currently live, or whether I need to move back home with family. Thank you and God bless you!
Anonymous wrote:
I am asking for prayers for my husband and I that we are able to find a home of our own that is just for us and that we can afford to provide for our family. I'm also asking for prayers as my husband and I both have recently started new jobs I pray for stability with our employment and finally guidance for me on the steps to take in my future as I continue furthering my education. Thank you in advance.
Myrline wrote:
I would like to request a Prayer about my health... hyperthyroidism, hypertension, heart palpitations. Please help, I need prayer.
Randy wrote:
I want to get married and have a family. The physical circumstances don't look good. Believers are supposed to trust God and not look at the circumstances, but that can be very hard especially for a long time. Thank You for praying for this.
Malcolm wrote:
I have been out of work for seven months. Bills are building up, house note is due. Stress level has been high. I keep applying for work, with no hire. I ask for prayer, because I love Jesus and I'm praying for his deliverance.
Xavier wrote:
I have quite a lot that I would like someone to pray for me about. I have recently awakened to how much I need to strengthen my relationship with Christ. I realized at one point I wanted a relationship so bad, possibly more than I was seeking a relationship with God. I felt a lot of insecurities and upset that after being single 8 years that I still haven't found someone. Luckily, God woke me up to spend more time with him and nurture that relationship, grow in the purpose he has for my life. So, I would like prayer over any discontentment, insecurities, fear, that I may feel over my future. I am also in a transitioning period at my new job. I am awaiting a promotion; however, time will only tell when that will happen. I am new to this workforce and it is very difficult on a daily basis being the youngest and one of two African-American supervisors. I want to make sure I nourish and embrace my singleness, my purpose, and remove any poor habits and thoughts out of my head. I want continuously have a hunger to spend quality time with God. I hope I stated my situation clear. Please pray in the ways that you see fit. Thanks for all prayers, advice, anything in my favor. God Bless!
Now let’s pray.
God, I know Your ways are not my ways; neither are Your thoughts my thoughts. So today, I surrender my will and say yes to Yours. I know that You will cause all things to work together for my good as I submit to Your perfect plan for my life. By faith, I receive all the good things You have in store for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
