Be Intentional

I have a friend who recently shared some invaluable wisdom with me, "Be intentional about your faith, daily walk, and interactions with others. Nothing happens by accident. You have to be intentional and act upon the Lord's promptings."

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22

It made me think a lot about how nothing is a coincidence with our God. In a previous post, I talked about everything being filtered through our Heavenly Father. If He has allowed it, then it has a purpose. This is true for every interaction, every success, every failure, every blessing and every trial. Everything He does and doesn't do is according to His intentional plan. His timing is no exception. His timing is essential in order for His perfect plan for our lives to be fulfilled.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. " Proverbs 3:5-6

Making the decision to walk in faith, to be faithful even when my circumstances appear impossible, when things don't turn out the way I hoped, or when things aren't happening according to my timeline, that is a decision I need to make every day. I need to be intentional about making that decision and then focusing on my God, rather than my circumstances. I have to be deliberate about my decision to trust Him and His plan for my life.

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

In order for my faith to grow, I am recognizing the importance of being intentional in my faith. It wasn't a coincidence that the Lord shared this with me through the wisdom of a new and cherished friend. He wants me to make that decision every single day. The Lord is instructing me on how to increase my faith and draw closer to Him. He is prompting me just as she described.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelations 3:22

Over the past few days, the Lord gave my husband and I a specific verse from the Bible. He gave it to us twice in two very different ways. We both knew it wasn't a coincidence. He is speaking to us, intentionally.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3

With everything that is going on in our lives, I believe that the Lord sent us this verse to anchor us. It served as a reminder that He is in complete control and will establish our steps if we are intentional with our faith and our commitment to serving Him.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. '" Jeremiah 29:11-13

This entry is dedicated to my new and cherished friend who has shared her wisdom, love, and friendship with me since the Lord crossed our paths a short time after we arrived in Arizona. It is just another example that there are no coincidences with God, everything has a greater purpose.

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

Sisters and brothers in Christ, be intentional.

With Love,

Stacey