Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 66:18-19, Psalm 51:10, Philippians 4:6-8

Jeff Cutts

Here is a quote from John Lennon I saw recently which captured my attention and got me thinking;

'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans'

Proverbs 19:21 'You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail'.

The Bible clearly tells us that a person makes many plans, but only God knows the way it will work out - it's His purpose that will prevail. So perhaps rather than trying to control our lives by making the 'perfect plans' we should submit our future to the Lord and make our plans with Him.

Proverbs 16:3 'Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed'.

We can spend a lot of time dreaming and talking and planning for our lives, what I'll be when I grow up, getting my big break, or the perfect job and so on. Life is what happens when we are busy making these plans! So how can we be sure our life will go on course? This is the verse I want you to take on board today:

Proverbs 4:23 'Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life'.

Guard your heart.

The state of our heart determines the course of our lives, it steers us in some way, how do you think that works?

You may have read in the Bible about people who had a fearful heart, or those with a wicked or proud heart. You may also know of King David, who despite his faults and sins was still known as 'A man after God's own heart'.

In Psalm 66:18-19 we can see how he was one who recognized the importance of guarding his heart, he says, 'If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer'.

We are given the stories of these people in the Bible to help us in our lives, that we can learn from their mistakes and successes. If we look at those who were blessed by God in the Bible, those who were 'successes' we can learn some things.

To keep a good heart we need to be honest with ourselves and to listen when we feel convicted, and ask for God's intervention to both forgive us for our sins and to change us and strengthen us by his power.

King David famously prayed 'Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me' (Psalm 51:10). He recognised he needed God's help with his heart.