Decision time: Either God’s plans OR your plans for your life? Which will it be?

Decision time: Either God’s plans OR your plans for your life?  Which will it be?

“For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11

Do you believe God has good plans for your future?

-         “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10

God’s good plans for you are not just going to happen automatically!

Satan also has some bad plans for your life.

“The thief does not come, except to steal, and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

The only reason Satan messes with you is because you have something that he wants to steal, kill or destroy from you. But Satan is not your greatest enemy towards finding, following and fulfilling God’s plans for your life. Let’s look at an OT example to discover who this is.

Joshua 5:13-15 Modern English Version

Prior to Moses’ death he told Joshua God’s plans to take the Promise land. This incident happened the night before Joshua led Israel to cross over into the Promise land. This had to happen before Israel entered the land or else it would have been a disaster.

Let’s identify the people in this incident. Who is Joshua officially?

Officially he is in charge of the God’s people. He is the commander, the chief, the undisputed leader appointed by Moses himself.

Who is this unidentified man standing in front of Joshua with a drawn sword like he is ready to kill someone? At first Joshua does not recognize this is the Lord Himself.

PICTURE OF JOSHUA

Joshua asks, “Whose side are you on – us or for our enemies?”

“Neither, for I AM the commander of the army of the Lord.”

I am not here to bless your plans; I am here to take over. You may be the supreme commander down here but you better recognize the Supreme Commander and follow His plans rather than yours!

Before Joshua could go the next step into the plans that God had Israel the issue of who is really in charge needed to be settled here and now!

Imagine you are in the place of Joshua right now. You are facing some battle – Satan is opposing you in health, finances, family, life direction.

God believes this one issue must be settled here and now before you can take the next step.

          He is not here to bless your plans. He is here to take over leadership. He is here as Supreme Commander. You have to choose to recognize Him or not.

First of all, do you recognize Him in the unfamiliar way He is standing before you with drawn sword? You are not going into the land of promise until you recognize Him and settle the issue of receiving your orders directly from Him.

Once Joshua discerned this was God look what He did!

“THEN Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshipped.” Joshua 5:14

-         Worship is surrendering to God and His will. We get to choose who we will worship. Either God or yourself. Whoever you serve first is who you worship. “Choose this day who you will serve.”

The next thing Joshua does is ask the Lord a question.

Lord, what do You want from me?

Why don’t you take a moment and ask the Lord this question too?

Look at the strange thing the Lord tells him to do:

“Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing is holy ground. So Joshua did this.”   Joshua 5:15

Joshua could have said, “Take off my shoes? Lord please explain this to me first then I will gladly do this.”

Remove your shoes = prophetic statement. Feet represent your walk or steps in life you are to take. “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.”  SING :Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
Think I've lost my way,
Still you're there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Worship is not just come to a building a sing songs to God. IT is not come give God’s church money, or even serve a little of your time. Worship is when you remove your shoes and surrender the rest of your life for His plans and for Him to direct your next step without knowing all the details.

“Holy Ground” = not a church building but the place of surrendering to the will of God. This week when you give out invitations to church that spot is holy ground. Holy ground is where you remove your shoes and say to God I surrender my walk and my life plans to You without knowing all the details of my future. When you spontaneously lead me to go in a certain direction – like Haiti – I will go.

“We may make our plans but the Lord establishes our steps.”  Prov. 16:9

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you are to go. I will counsel you with My eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

Concl: You have to settle this one thing of whose is in charge of your life? Whose lead are you following. Once that is decided then you start to live the exciting Spirit-led adventure life God has planned for you. You don’t need to know all the details. You only need to know your next step.

I suggest we all come to the altar and remove our shoes and give God our feet – meaning the right to direct our steps.