“Let me think and learn this project” That’s my answer or response every time my company’s directors deliver a new business project. Then they’ll ask when they could get the fix decision and my answer was: “Could be tomorrow, next week, next month, or maybe you’ll not get any decision from me” Often time my answer made them a bit upset because they expect me to approve their business plan very soon. Usually they’ll do anything they can to convince me that the project will be running successfully if executed soon. My secretary once asked me why I always took a quite long time and seems too slow to make a decision and my answer was, “Beside I’ve to think and learn carefully about all details of the project, I’ve to take it into our prayer. I’ve to involve God in every decision I made” My other business colleague even extremely said, “Karin, I know you’re a good Christian business woman! But come on, this isn’t about spiritual matter! This’s about the big business opportunity that can give a big profit to the company and I do believe your parents would be definitely agreed with this project. Don’t let this opportunity be taken by others just because we are too much consideration and you aren’t considering business technical but you rather to the emotional consideration.” I just smile and stick to my stance. I will take it into my prayer first. I don’t care people judge me too religious or godly. I have to do what I have supposed to do.
My beloved friends, why do I so insist like that? Well, I always remember one of my mother’s advices in doing business. She said, “You may have brilliant business idea, you may have very good business plan and strategy, but God decides your plans will work or not. Therefore, please involve God in every plan you make, involving God doesn’t mean we force Him to make our plans work successfully but trust and submit all the plans and everything you will do. Take it into your prayer!” Beside my mom’s advice, I also learn from one of my father’s friend experience. He’s Christians. I called him Uncle Joe. In all of his life, he has repeatedly failed in business. Actually he had brilliant business idea; he had very good and detailed planning, he also had good business estimation by involving consideration of various aspects. Unfortunately when executed, he failed and bears big loss. He actually should be a successful entrepreneur. Then he tried to find out what’s the cause of his failures by consulting to a pastor and He finally got a simple but important advice, “Don’t keep on building a blueprint that are different with God’s plan and you may forget to involve God in every of your plan.”
My dear readers, in this life, there’re always plans that we make and we certainly want those plans work well. My post this time talks about our plan and God’s plan and I choose one verse from Proverbs 16:3,
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”
This verse is God’s command and promise. The meaning of this verse is very clear; if we want our plan work well we’ve to submit wholly what we plan and what we want to do. Not just submit but trust it all to God. This’s a simple to be understood but isn’t easy to do because once we totally trust and commit to God, we’re no longer commit to our ego, personal desire, and other motivations. What does it mean? I give a simple example, when I come to my parents with a new business proposal, I cannot hold on my own ego because not all of my ideas will be accepted and at that time I must be ready and willing to sacrifice some of my ideas so that my proposal will be accepted and could be implemented. Because I’m totally submit my plan to my parents and I also completely believe in them, then I couldn’t longer argue with them in order to stick up my opinion in the hope that they approve my proposal. Often my parents sharply criticize my ideas, they ask me to make big revisions and adjustment, or even if my plans and ideas not align with their main business concept they will hardly reject all of my ideas. Like that anyway if we totally commit all of what we do to God. We must be ready to be rebuked, shaped, and advised, ready to be taught, or even rejected by God. We must be ready for a process and sometime the process could be uncomfortable, or even painful. We must be willing to accept if we’ve to make a big adjustment and if there will be an even bigger change of what we’ve designed and prepared. In this case, the strength of our faith plays an important role. How big our faith to totally trust that God will establish our plan.
I do believe that now among of us there must be someone who has a special plan. We may have a new business plan, a plan for find a better job, a plan to buy a new house, or another big plan in our lives, and I also strongly believe that we want all of our plans will running well and succeed as we expect. Right now please allow me to ask something. Have we submit and entrust all of our plans to God as advised in that verse above? Have we always involved God in every of our plans and work? If not, let’s start now. Let’s totally submit everything we do to God and really trust that God (with His way) will make us success. If we already submit and trust to God, Praise the Lord! That’s good. It means we already did God’s command. Then, what? That’s all? No, my beloved readers! Actually beside verse 3 in Proverbs 16 there are some verses we must really understand and obey if we want everything we have planned succeed. Let’s take a look…
To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue (Verse 1). We have to really know and realize that God is the one who give us ability to carry out our plans. It means it’s useless if we’re only having ability to make a good plan if God doesn’t give us ability to execute it. We need God because all of our ability is from God alone. Furthermore, God is “The ultimate decision maker” We may make a very good plans but God decides! God has full authority of our plans. He has authority to decide our plan will be work well or not.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord (Verse 2) in everyday life, we often judge ourselves to be always right. We always assume that what we’re doing is always true but who judge us true or wrong is God because only God who really know the inside of our hearts and minds. My father said, “Don’t ever make plans as if from the outside looks good and right but the fact you have bad and wrong motif and also have bad purpose behind of your plans. If you like that, don’t ever expect your plans will be success. God really knows what’s in our heart and mind.”
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished (Verse 5) , if we’ve a great plans and brilliant ideas please remember that we could be like that just because God gives us intellectuality, intelligence, and thinking ability. And if our plan is successfully implemented, please remember that it’s not solely because of our abilities but there is God’s intervention that decides the success of our plan. So don’t be arrogant! Not just our plans and ideas will be failed but we will be punished. God doesn’t like pride or arrogance. “…I hate pride and arrogance…” (Proverbs 8:13)
… Through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Verse 6b) My dear friends, everything we do must be based on fear to God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7) Everything we plan and what we have to do must be done with attitude fear to God. Fear to God is a foundation and reason for us not to do anything that doesn’t please God and we will be avoided from the evil things that want to mess our plan up.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps (Verse 9) No matter how well our plans, no matter how great our strategy to execute our plan, we still have to remember that God establishes the steps, sometime God even direct our step into the place that we really don’t like and expect. But we’ve to know and understand God will not take us to the place that could harm us.
My beloved readers, it’s true we need to work hard seriously and earnestly, we need to make and do our planning for all the work we want to build, but don’t forget that all success is depends on God. Not solely on our own effort. Once again please remember that we make plans, God decides! We’ve to do our best, we’ve to make good plans, but the first thing we’ve to make sure is to roll our plans and works upon Him. This evening please allow me to encourage all of us to reflect some verses from Proverbs 16 and use it all as a foothold when we want to make plans or work out our plans. Let us continue to involve God at every step of our lives including in making plans and doing all our work. Submit and trust whatever we do then God will establish our plans and if our plans doesn’t work as we expect, it means God has another plan for us! Just completely trust to the His perfect plan as he promises to us, 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. (Jeremiah 29:11) and don’t ever try to reject, change, and stop His plan because nothing can stop God’s plan (Isaiah 14:27) Amen!
Karina – Living by faith
Image source: Shutterstock.com
I just love this Post Karina! So much truth in here 🙂 . I always believe that there’s always a sweet difference between a “Good Idea” and a “God Idea”. Hopefully, we always settle for “God Ideas” and run with them. Stay blessed sis!
-Sherline 😀
Dear sister in Christ, Sherline
Thank you very much 🙂 Glad you love my post. Yes I agree with you that there is difference between “good Idea” and “God Idea” And we have to know that God Idea is always the best for us 🙂 Thank you very much for your lovely comment. God Bless.
I also used to believe the same until few days ago when a tragedy happened. I now feel God is dictator and ruler and we can do nothing except surrendering to His decisions.
Amen! Yes you are so true! Thank you very much for likinh some of my posts and also commented my post. God Bless.
You can visit my posts and share your views as well. I believe sharing helps us evolve as a better persons, helps us in either supporting or in re framing our thoughts. Your contribution will be helpful.
Very powerful. It is all about what God wants. So tough to do some days but thanks for the encouragement to press on.
Be blessed. God is with you.
Dear brother in Christ, Michael. Thank you very much for reading and commenting my post. Yes tough enough but we must submit and trust to the God’s plan and will. Because there’s nothing better than God’s plan 🙂 Thank you and God Bless.
Great wisdom to share! I pray many take it and benefit from it! God bless you!
Amen! Thank you very much,Pastor Tim. God Bless you too.
My dear gorgeousness sister..
This is a wonderful post about plan based on Gods will though quite difficult to do. Sometimes we think that our plan is the best one but indeed God’s plan for us is the best among the best. Thank you for wrote this great post,sist.God Bless you.
My dear sweet little sister, Sandra.
You are welcome! Be good always. God Bless you.
Good word, Karina!
Dear brother in Christ, Jeff
Thank you very much, brother 🙂 Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Yes, dear sister!! Peace to you!!
I love your heart, Karina! A wonderful reminder to keep God in the center of any plans we make. ❤️
Dear, sister Kathie.
Thank you very much, sister. God Bless.
Great advice from your mom. We can all apply this truth to our lives.
Dear sister,Kathy
Thank you very much. Hopefully my post could be useful and be a blessing. God Bless 🙂
Amen God is working his plan each and every day .
Amen! Thank you very much for reading. God Bless.
Love this. Words of Wisdom. Very practical reminder. Blessings
Dear sister, Junedoyle
Thank you very much, sis. I am grateful if my post could be useful for everyone. God Bless.
Beautifully expressed! Our Lord is worthy of all our praise and all our trust!
Dear sister in Christ, Dora.
Thank you very much, sis. Yes our Lord is worthy of all our praise and all our trust. God Bless.
Very nice blog post, Karina. It is something the Lord used you to remind me of. Very convicting. God is sovereign over every aspect of our lives. Every decision we make has spiritual implications like you said. One thing I will mention is that sometimes failure is a part of God’s plan. There are times as an expository bible teacher where I failed to study like I should for a lesson and failed when I taught on Sunday. There were times as a goalie for a soccer team that the opposing team scored many goals against me and we lost. God taught me how to handle defeat. I committed every game I played to Him. Thank you for the reminder!
Dear brother in Christ, Thomas.
You are welcome,brother. Thank you very much for reading and commenting my post. there is a part of your comment that I really love, you mentioned that failure is a part of God’s plan. That’s very true but we often tough to accept that fact and we start to blame God. But if we go back and cling to God’s promises we have to know and realize at the end God’s plan is always beautiful. Well, once again, thank you very much for being a part of the comment list of my post, God Bless and have a nice day.
I love your wisdom. I love your heart for the Lord.
Thank you for sharing Karina
Blessings dear
Dear sister in Christ, Cristina
You are welcome, sis 🙂 Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment on my post. Many blessings to you too, sister.
Hi, Karina!
I admire your habit of making decisions only after taking great care to consult not simply with God, but with others. None of us sees everything clearly; we need each other and we need God. Before and after we make the decision! A wonderful discipline for anyone who leads. 🙂
Elouise
Dear sister in Christ, Elouise
Thank you very much for your touching comment,sis 🙂 God Bless.
Whether successes or failures, including God in your plans puts a stamp of approval in your own heart and mind.
Hello there,
Thank you very much for your insightful comment on my post 🙂 It was so true. God Bless
God plants the seed. Now we wait for GOD’s timing. I love your blog. Melody
Dear, sister Melody
Thank you very much,sis 🙂 I love your blog. Your posts I could learn more about donkey and other valuable things. God Bless.
Amen, Karina!
Amen. Thank you very much. Brother Mitch. God Bless
I believe there is someone larger than us with a bigger plan too.. and He is looking out for us ❤
Dear Christy..
Thank you very much for you great comment..yes there is someone more than anything.. that’s our God Almighty. Thank you and God Bless.
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua!! 💜💕
Amen! Thank you dear sister Kristi Ann. God Bless.
Once again, wise and godly advice, Karina. ❤
Thank you very much, my dear sister Anna. God Bless.
Keep holding your stance, Karina! Love your mother’s advice. ❤️
Dear, sister Terese
Amen! Thank you very much, sis 🙂 God Bless.
Great advice, Karin! You highlighted one of my favorite verses: “Commit your work to the Lord, and you will succeed.” Blessings to you!
Dear, sister Sheryl
Thank you very much, sis. Many blessing to you too.
Very good Article. Please do check my article on Does God exist?
Dear, Mr, Zakir
Thank you very much for visiting my blog and reading my post. I will go to yours as soon as I can. Thank you very much. God Bless.
Beautiful post Karina! I think it’s also very timely for me. It’s so wonderful to know that God’s plans for me are for my good, and that even when I try to do things my way and fail, His grace lovingly corrects me. 💙
Dear sister in Christ,Emily
Thank you very much for your lovely comment..I am grateful if my post could something useful for you and others. Yes! God’s plan is always good and the best for those who trust and obey to Him. Thank you and God Bless.
Superb advice and wisdom! We all need this at some point or even multiple points in our lifetime.
Dear brother in Christ, Matthew Winter..
Thank you very much for your lovely comment..God Bless.
This was exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for putting this in writing and sharing.
Dear, Staci Beth.
You are so welcome.. thank you very much for visiting and reading my post. Hopefully could be useful for others and you especially. God Bless.
Hello Karina
It has been awhile since I’ve visited with you. Happy November! I’ve enjoyed reading your post today. God Bless
Hello there…
Thank you very much for visiting and reading my post. God Bless to you too.
you are very welcome Karina
Karina, thank you for sharing such wise words. I agree in putting God first all works out in the end. Whether the answer to the plan is a yes, go ahead with it or a no. God’s decision makes it prosper to fruition or go in another direction. Whichever way it goes, one can count on, our Heavenly Father knows best. Truly man plans but God decides.
Peace be with you always. ~SweetJava
Dear, SweetJava.
You are welcome:) Thank you for reading and the great comment. Yes it’s true God knows the best for us 🙂 Thank you and God Bless.
Yes great one, Karina Lam. I am blessed and inspired. God’s plans are always perfect. I choose to align with God’s plan for me.
Dear brother in Christ, Albert.
Thank you very much for reading my post also for you lovely comment 🙂 God Bless.
Amen. God bless you more
Hi Karina
Very true and succinct!
Also I like to add ‘Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’ Pr3:5,6, and James5:16 ‘..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’.
God bless you and your family and your plans!
Uncle Wyman in Hawaii aka ~Drgold
http://drgoldsite.wordpress.com
Dear, Uncle Wyman.
Thank you very much for reading, uncle. Also thank you for the additional Bible verses. God Bless to both of you and auntie Liz.
Hi Karina
Here is a blog by Aunty Liz re Man Plans God Decides
https://artwithaloha.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/life-is-an-art-learning-to-recycle-reduce-and-reuse/
The Preschool was ordained by God! After nearly 40 years, the Early Learning Center is still thriving!
Uncle Wyman in Hawaii
Thank you for the link,uncle. I will go there soon.. God Bless.
I love this part of your post: “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord” Thanks for sharing! Regards, Alex (https://dailyps.com)
Dear brother in Christ, Alex.
You are welcome 🙂 Glad you read and love my post. God Bless.
Much wisdom here Karina and very timely for me. Thank you!
Dear,sister Lilka
You are welcome,sis. Thank you for your warm comment. God Bless.
wonderful post Karina. I too want to know God’s plan for me. At times I feel I know, but fear sometimes gives me doubt. Thank you, for your wonderful post!
Dear, cheryl
Your are welcome 🙂 Thank you very much for your lovely comment. God Bless.
Every word itself seems Devine … Superb 👌👌👍👍
Dear,Ruchika..
Thank you very much for visiting my blog, reading and commenting my post also for following my blog. It was a great honor followed by you. God Bless.
You write preety good. Take care 😊😊
Stay blessed 😊😊
Thanks for your like of my post on Revelation 1:4-6; you are very kind. You might want to recheck Rev 1:1-3. I had put the wrong video in that post. It is now corrected.
Hello there..
You are welcome 🙂 God Bless.
Thank you very much.
The words alive in your message is always like a beautiful bouquet of flowers, whose blessings make one’s day radiant and joyful. Spiritual hugs and blessings to you and your family always my sister! Have a wonderful week ahead Karina!
Dear brother in Christ, Wendell.
Thank you very much for your wonderful response on my post. Have a wonderful and blessed week to you too.
The willingness to learn, even from our mistakes , opens doors to skis yet unmastered. Most people have a Martha world , they work hard , they plan accurate , they run and decide but they do not have a Mary heart. I love this post . Remind me , I need to involve God in every detail and decision. Make it this habit ask Him for approval. Yes May I planned hard , May I worked hard to reach to that idea but if God’s not going to approve it I am building a house on sand. His approval shape Ann transform my ultimate plan. oh how miserable I would be to trust on my little mind_flesh. Thanks Karina. Keep inspiring and pouring out the wisdom. everyone is welcome to check my blog out. My New ebook will inspire you for this Christmas. This is is day the Lord has made , We will rejoice in it.
Hello there…
. You are welcome. I cant wait to read your new ebook. Just give me the link of your ebook or something so I could read it. I strongly believe your writing will inspire me amazingly especially in the Christmas season 🙂 I thank you for your wonderful thought on my post. I love you said that God will not approve we build a house on the sand. We often unaware that our plans like a build a house in the sand. Seems good but actually not strong enough. That’s why we have need God who already has wonderful master plan for us and His plan is like build a house on the solid rock. Thank you very much for reading and for the beautiful comment. God Bless.
Pingback: MAN PLANS GOD DECIDES — Karina’s Thought – LABEZ TECH SPACE
What a wise woman you are! Great post. I need to learn from this so I will work within God’s plans better.
Many blessings,
Tricia
Not only smart, but beautiful & blessed by God!!!
Please see God’s End Game of Life- From Here to Eternity
https://drgoldsite.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/gods-end-game-of-life-from-here-to-eternity/
~Drgold
Thank you very much, uncle. Big hugs for you and aunt liz. God Bless.
Dear sister in Christ,Tricia.
Thank you very much for your lovely comment,sis. Yes indeed work within God’s plan is better than anything. Many blessings and have a great weekend.
👍👍👌
Hi, Karina – I wanted to stop by and thank you, for all the loving support you have shown me and my blog throughout the years. I also wanted to thank you, for all the wonderful posts you have provided me as well. I enjoy your blog and what it stands for. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year ahead! Blessings to you as you continue to bless others with your writing.
Dear, Cheryl..
First of all, please forgive me for the very long late reply. I just got back from Paris. I took holiday there for one month. Thank you very much for your lovely words, Cheryl. I also enjoy your blog as well. Thank you very much for always read my posts. I really appreciate it and it becomes my great honor to me 🙂 Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family. Thank you and God Bless.
Hi, Karina – No worries! I am aware we all have a life outside of blogging. 🙂 I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and the New Year will be great for you all. Thanks, for the reply, it is appreciated. Happy New Year and may many blessing come your way!
Loved this and the title is perfectly said
Hello there.
Thank you very much for visiting my blog and read my post . God Bless.
Great post.
Hello there..
Thank you very much 😉 God Bless
Man proposes, god disposes!!
Great post!!👏👏👏
Hello there..
Thank you very much 🙂 Thanl you for visiting and reading my post. God Bless.
My pleasure!😊😊
You are invited to visit my blog anytime you like and to share your views on my work. 😊
Thank you!
Reblogged this on emotionalpeace.
Exactly. Man proposes;God Disposes.
Katrina please can you read my most recent post? It’s about Hearing the voice of God. I’m 20 years and I started blogging recently 😊. Thank you
Here’s the link please
https://commonblackgirlblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/hearing-the-voice-of-god/
Hello dear…
Thank you very much for visiting my blog and read my post. Also thank you for the link of your blog 🙂 God Bless.
Amennn. God bless you too 😊
Good article but you have the wrong Bible verse. You are quoting Proverbs 16:9 not Proverbs 1:9.
Proverbs 1:9 says, “For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”
Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
Just thought you might want to know.
Peace
Dear Paul..
Thank you very much for your important correction. I have to admit that I made typo on the image. I will. chance it soon. Once again thank you very much for your thoroughness. God Bless.
We need this reminder both when our plans go right (in our own view), and when they go wrong. God is in charge either way. Thank you, Karina. ❤
Dear, sister Anna
You are welcome 🙂 Thank you for always reading again my posts and put encouraging comment. Have a Blessed new week, sister.
This post is highly appropriate to the times. Circumstances can humble us, dash our hopes. But we remain in God’s care, and He remains in control. ❤
Thank you very much, sister Anna. It was a great honor to me you always come, and come again to my posts. I really appreciate it, sister. Stay safe and healthy. God Bless