Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

    -- Proverbs 16:3
       


   The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I
define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well:
bringing glory to God for his grace (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).
Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to
God's will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in
them (Col. 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to
properly guide our own steps (Prov. 16:9). God longs to bless us
and empower us -- not for our own selfish ambition (James 3:16),
but for our eternal good (Rom. 8:28) and God's glory. Like Jesus,
when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying, "Not
my will, Father, but yours be done!"


   Father, I want your will to be my plans. I want your glory to be
my goal. I have things that I want to do. However, if these plans
are not for your glory, if these plans are not a blessing to my
family or those over whom I have influence, then please defeat me
in those plans and please guide me into other areas of blessing. I
want you to be glorified in what I do. I want to go where your
grace leads. I commit my ways, my plans, and my works to you and to
your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is
part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine
on the Web.  Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles,
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