“God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I understood why actor Kirk Cameron came up with a 100-day plan, but why’d I end up with one?
God made me an offer I couldn’t turn down before I got too comfortable with the one I’d come up with, which was to watch Kirk’s plan unfold on Facebook and spread the word.
The day before my 100-day plan got personal, I prayed for something I needed, but confessed I had no idea how to get it. I still don’t. It’s something I’m tempted to take into my own hands and try to make happen – always a bad idea.
The next thing I knew, God was making me a deal.
I didn’t audibly hear words, but something stirred inside of me and I imagined our conversation, “If you will blog for 100 days, then I will give you something better than you asked for.”
If I had ever taken seriously the covenants throughout the Bible that God made with His people, I’d know to jump at whatever “If … then …” deal He offered me. It had to be better than wringing my hands on the sidelines.
It only took a few seconds, though, to justify not following through, I don’t like making deals with God. It devalues our relationship.
You’d have to know my history of putting off my purpose and wiggling out of doing my work to recognize how ridiculous that excuse was. In other (dumb) words, did I seriously just say that I didn’t mind disobeying God, but I was above making deals with Him?
How ironic that I grew up watching and wishing I could choose a door on my favorite game show, Let’s Make A Deal.
So, I did …
The pressure (of needing something I don’t know how to get) persuaded me to make the deal with God, choose the obvious door, and begin my 100 days of blogging.
If you’re not already living out your part of “If you will …, then I (God) will …,” I hope you read something here that encourages you to take a step.
Here are a few “If … then …” examples from the Bible. I paraphrased them so as to also personalize them.
- If I will listen and do what’s right, then God will spare me from diseases and heal me. Exodus 15:26
- If I will humble myself, pray, seek, and repent, then God will forgive me and heal my land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- If I will stay close to Him and His word, then God will answer my prayers. I John 5:13-14
- If I will return to God, then He will not turn away and He’ll show me compassion. 2 Chronicles 30:9
- If I listen to God, then He will guide me. Proverbs 3:6
I hope you’ll share your “If … then … ” stories with us. We all need encouragement.
In This Together,
Kim
Thanks Kim. I will be reading your blog faithfully.
I appreciate you more than you know, Faye. Knowing one person is reading is the encouragement I need to keep blogging. 🤩
From Donna F.
Thank you sweet friend! I love your honesty and transparency. I’m cheering you on for your 100 days!
Love you,
Donna♥️
Thank you Kim, I admire your discipline and talent. One thing I need to work on is listening to God’s voice. I tend to petition him instead of listening. Be still and know, is hard for me!
Thanks so much for commenting, Tricia. Don’t admire me too much. This is only day 2. lol 😬
I’m afraid I won’t follow through because I’ve let myself and God down a lot the past few years. No follow through, and part of that is because being still and listening is hard for me too. I can’t write if I won’t sit down and listen to Him. Maybe we could pray for each other. ❤️
Thank you Kim. I’m having difficulty being still during my devotion. I.pray throughout the day but I feel that if I would really be still and concentrate God would reward me with peace of mind. Love your blog so much!❤❤
Tammy, my friend who commented above you said the same thing. I think a lot of us are doers, so sitting still is hard. I’ve not followed through on what I’m supposed to be doing because I won’t sit still with God and listen to Him. I jump up every five seconds to load the dryer, blow off the porch, or wash a dish.
And I believe that same thing, that He blesses us when we’ll finally do what we know He’s asking us to do.
I’m so grateful you’re here and sharing. I love you lots! ❤️
Dearest Kim how wonderful you have taken up this work for God and yourself I pray you will be blessed as you bless so many others.🙏 ♥️
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Isabel, I’ve missed you so much! ❤️ I was hoping you were well and that you were staying busy with family and friends.
I love what you wrote, “how wonderful you have taken up this work for God.” I so hope that’s how God sees it also. Thank you for always encouraging me.
Much love to you and your family! 😍