God knows what we have need of before we even ask it and provides it sometimes even when we don't ask! I am going to go over 3 needs.
1. Some months ago, my karaoke machine died and I bought a new one that cost twice as much. It turned out to be junk and gives me all kinds of problems and it is too late to return it! I needed a karaoke machine for the Praise Jehovah Music Ministries that God is doing through me.
2. I also teach piano and a friend asked if I had an extra keyboard that she could use so that her son could continue with piano instruction and practice at home. I already loaned the extra out to a student, so I didn't have one available for her.
3. I am in martial arts and hopefully will be getting my blackbelts by the end of the year. I had need for certain weapons that I would have to eventually purchase as I progress in the field of Martial Arts. However, because of finances and extra bills from having shoulder surgery, I wouldn't have been able to purchase these items. I hadn't even prayed about these 3 needs yet.
Well, I had an experience last week. My Sensei called me during a time that I wasn't feeling well since I was just on my way home from PT to ice my shoulder. He figured that I could use a couple of items since he knows that I do music, thus he invited me to come and purchase a keyboard at a yard sale just around the corner from my house because it was for a cheap price. I really didn't want to go because I hurt so bad and just wanted to lay down and ice. However, I hold him in high esteem and therefore listened to his leading and decided to go. When I got there, it was a surprise! I was soooo blessed to see my original Sensei visiting back from china and I was soooo blessed with all 3 groups of things that I needed. The Lord provided a music keyboard and 2 keyboard stands, & a microphone stand. My sensei said that he had held these here for me, as a gift. I didn't have to pay for them! I was so pleasantly surprised. As I was gathering the items, I commented to myself that now all I needed was a karaoke machine. He said, "we have one right there!" I was even more surprised. Then, I began seeing some martial arts items. I picked a few out along with some other music instruments for my kids in piano class. Then, to top it off, he put an encouraging magnet on my car as a surprise for me. It said, "Future Black Belt"! I would not have received these wonderful blessings, including the encouragement, if I hadn't listened and gone where I was being requested to go.
The Master Is Calling
When God, our master calls, do you listen? Do you hold Him in high regard? Do you go where He is leading? OR do you miss out on the wonderful plans that He has for your life because you chose to go a different direction?
So often we keep questioning what to do and where to go when God has already mapped it out for us and shown us. Sometimes, it isn't that we are trying to figure it out. We know His leading and it may be as plain as a direction sign in the street. It is usually because we haven't surrendered to go in the direction He leads and therefore are trying to make a decision on a different direction.
Each one of us have a specific plan and purpose for our lives. God has made plans for you before you were even conceived in your mother's womb.
There is a purpose for your life!
There is a reason that you are here living at this moment, at this time, on this ball called earth that is spinning in 1 specific direction. You have a reason to be here and a plan to fulfill in your life. What that plan is... only you and God knows... and sometimes only God knows but we will know if only we follow in the direction that He is leading. We will know only if we listen for the Shepherd's voice, to take the time to hear what He has to say... or to see what He wants to show us. God usually will not show the destination and all the winding roads all at once. If we knew what we would have to go through to get to our final destination... or to fulfill the final plans that God has in store for us, we may be overwhelmed and/or fearful to complete the task set at hand. We have to be willing to take one step, and then another step, and then another step, walking by faith. With each step, we are advancing closer and closer to the goals that He has set for us to accomplish. You may not be feeling well, you may be scared, you may be doubting... follow anyway!
Don't let circumstances decide what your situation'll be
The lesson learned from the yard sale story above is: We must always be willing to go where God leads because He has a plan and a purpose for leading you in that direction. If I hadn't gone to the yard sale as requested, I would have missed out on those many blessings and... I wouldn't have received those things that will be a blessing to others.
Jeremiah 29:11 says: I know the thoughts that I have toward you. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God has a plan for your life. Will you walk in that plan?
