We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – “Just stick to the plan!” It’s usually good advice.

Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems and “situations” on every side…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.

Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. So the Lord had surprises of His own. Revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph summed it up beautifully: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive. .” (Genesis 50:20)

When our situations are difficult to handle and downright impossible to explain, we need to remind ourselves that God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” Through these situations we discover how faithful and sovereign He truly is. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more. When the test is completed, we come out with character, stronger in faith, more in love, more useful to Him, and ready……….. for our next test. :) (Oh yeah…)

The fact that we have problems is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions – so until then, let’s stick to the plan! His !!!

When Yeshua (Jesus) was attacked by Satan during His temptation in the wilderness, He countered every attack with the Word of God.  But notice in Satan’s second attack – the enemy himself quoted the Scriptures, saying, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge over thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6 was a quote from Psalm 91:11, but the phrase, “to keep thee in all thy ways” was absent from Satan’s quote).

If we learn anything from this, we will realize that Satan has knowledge and some understanding of Scripture, and that he will use the Word attempting to deceive us with it into wrong actions. This tactic goes back even as far as the Garden of Eden where the adversary twisted God’s word saying, “Did God really say you shall not eat from every tree in the garden?”

So it is today, that all around us we are hearing constant abuses, questions and attacks against the truth and reliability of God’s Word. Did God really create the world…in six days?  Did God really say that marriage consists of a union between a man and a woman?  Is God really going to judge the world and destroy it with fire?  Has God really defined absolute moral truth? Is Jesus the only son of God?

The enemy is constantly attempting to erode and destroy the foundational truths of God’s word using distortions, corruptions, half-truths, and modern “interpretations”, for he knows that “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)

Let’s not be deceived by these subtle ploys of Satan.  If we agree to alter or dilute the Word of God to accommodate our circumstances or natural inclinations, we will end up exactly where that serpent wants us; in disobedience, sin, and sorrow. You know, Satan has been using religious language to tempt the saints since the beginning of time, even to the point of trying to persuade people that he doesn’t even exist.  We must be discerning. If we want to live and walk in the truth we will believe God’s Word undiluted without compromise or private interpretation, seeking to understand it with the help of His Holy Spirit, Who is the only perfect interpreter.  If we do, the enemy’s deceptions will fail, and we will be delivered from every temptation!

We’re back in Israel, after completing a tour of over 17,000 miles of driving across the United States and 60+ speaking engagements. We can honestly say – we’re happy to be home — phew!

During the past three months of travelling with our two young children, we found it easier to drive through the night while the kids slept. We would often find ourselves arriving at our next destination in the middle of the night, only to update the news before sleeping a few short hours before sunrise. We were pretty exhausted most of the time, as you might imagine and many of your calls and emails went unanswered. Please forgive us, as we are trying to catch up.

But this made me think about whether the Lord was calling us during that time and we neglected to hear and answer, in the midst of our busyness. Hmmm. I hope not. There is one important thing, even in the midst of our hectic schedules, that cannot ever be neglected — it is spending time in God’s word and in prayer, asking for His direction and listening to His voice!

Let’s strive to take a break from our craziness and make sure we’re spending ample time with the Lord. It sounds funny to say but, yeah, even full time ministers need to spend some time with the Lord…DUH!!

The other day, our little one year old, Obadiah started playing with a blown up balloon left over from Elianna’s birthday party this past weekend. When it accidentally popped in his face, Obi was a bit startled, as you might imagine. Thinking quickly, in order that he wouldn’t start bawling, I grabbed an unblown balloon from the table, blew it up real big and then let it go. Boy did he love that! He started laughing hysterically as he watched this balloon fly quickly all around the room until it ran out of air and plopped down on the floor. As we playing this game, I thought of a funny analogy.

In a sense, I think we need to be like balloons, filled to entirety with God’s breath and then let go to experience the ride of our lives. Equally important is that we recognize when we’re running out of air — when we’re depleted of His power, anointing, and purpose and need to run back to Him for more. Recieving the infilling of the Spirit is not a single event, but a lifetime of refilling, sothat we don’t become useless for His Kingdom, trying to do things on our own strength. Amen?

The Lord doesn’t entrust us with His power in order for us to sit around idly — but rather that we would boldly share the good news of the Gospel, and do great things for Him wherever He may take us. Let’s get filled again today! Ask, seek, knock, read, worship, meditate on His promises, get FILLED! There’s so much work to be done!

Many people ask us “How do I know what is God’s will for my life?” Well, here’s your answer above — right here in Romans! When I was reading the passage this morning, it was as the words just jumped off the page.

Do these things… 1. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God… and 2. Be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of your mind… that you may prove what is that good acceptable and perfect will of God — and other versions say “then” you may prove.

There you have it. Plain and clear — we have some things to work on. Let’s focus on doing these important things so that we may know what His good acceptable and PERFECT will for our lives. Lord, help us! So much work to be done!!