Jesus Knew

"Jesus knew about their plan..." Luke 6:8

All four Gospels tell of the miraculous healings Jesus performed. They also tell of the Pharisees and religious leaders peering around the corner, preparing to confront Jesus because he was working on the Sabbath. These men were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus so they could destroy Him.

Similar stories are found in John 5:5-16, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14. With all these similar events, one can come to the conclusion these were important happenings. Jesus must be preparing to teach His followers about himself, preparing to show the world that there is nothing more important than the truth. And Jesus is Truth.

One of the truths I find through these readings is that Jesus knew what they were up to. Reading these verses a few times, the point that stuck out for me was, "Jesus knew about their plan..." or as it reads in the Message version, "He knew what they were up to."

As a Believer, this fact alone causes me to consider my next steps or the words that tumble from my mouth. While this is a humbling truth, it is also a great comfort. God knows me so well. He has my open heart in the palm of His hand. He gets me! Because I live in this fact, I want to do what He wants me to do. I want His plans for me to unfold naturally - or supernaturally. How much better my life will be if I give control over to God.

Dear Jesus,
Help me to step aside and allow You to take over my life. You know what I am up to and it gives me peace. Amen


I would love to hear your comments, either below or email here.

Luke 6:6-11

Plan for the Ordinary

One of the first Bible verses to impact my life was the familiar words in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm to, plans to give you hope and a future." I received these words during a weekend retreat at church. These words still speak to me whenever I am in the midst of change in my life.

The comfort from believing a greater plan exists and I am not in charge of that plan, enables me to sleep better each night. I enjoy peace that's gained from the knowledge my daily life is important and mapped out for me. I can drop off to sleep at night knowing I will wake up - either in my bed or in eternity; and I am fine with either one.

"Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us..." (Ephesians 1:11 MSG)

I remember the day my husband went to see his doctor, a Christian man, following the terminal diagnosis. The doctor greeted Dave by saying, "There is good news and good news. Either you will get well, or you will see Jesus." What a wonderful way to view the situation. No fear in death or in sleep.

God knew what he was doing from the beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. (Romans 8:29 MSG)

There is power in living each day doing ordinary things knowing these everyday practices are part of God's plan for us. These common place things we do each day: brushing teeth, drinking tea, waiting in traffic, working hard, etc., are ways we Praise and Worship God.

Ephesians 1:11-14

Perfect Plan

If there is one thing I am learning from life, it is the importance of having a plan. A plan is like a road map in that it plots a course to take when on a journey. We all know that any plans we make need to be tempered with a bit of spontaneity, as there are always detours ahead. Perhaps a bridge was washed out by flooding, or road redirected due to construction forcing us to find an alternate route.

A plan is helpful, if not necessary, for many things we want to accomplish. Our calendar helps us plan our day and ensures that we are kept on schedule. A food diary is an eating plan for those of us who are trying to control our diets. Without a plan we leave ourselves open to failure. Without a plan I am not required to think ahead and I am allowing my emotions to guide my way.

To have a plan is to have a chance to do things in an orderly and wise fashion. I think that is why the scripture verses for today are meaningful to many of us; we long to have an effective plan, but even more important is the realization that God also has a plan.

God, who sees the big picture of our life, has a plan. This plan was in place before we were. "All the days ordained for me where written in your book." (Psalm 139:16)  When going through rough times it is comforting to know that God has a plan for me. He love me and isn't going to leave me hanging. Because of His love, there is a plan.  Jesus is that plan for my bright future. But, meanwhile, as we travel though this tangle of twists and turns, there is a meaningful destination. We aren't called to meander the maze blindly.

The famous words, "I know the plans I have for you..." (Jeremiah 29:11), are not empty, but filled with promise. God is with us, He has a plan, even when we don't.

Jeremiah 29:10-14

Daniel 2:36-49

Whenever I read from the Book of Daniel I am reminded of the famous broadcaster, Paul Harvey, and his popular radio program, The Rest of the Story.  When Daniel interprets the king's dreams they are filled with such doom and gloom, but there is always the feeling that there is much more to the story.  Life is going to be rough because of the consequences to our sinful lives, but there is more to the tale.  Verse 44 is about the completion of the story.


"But throughout the history of these kingdoms, the God of heaven will be building a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will this kingdom ever fall under the domination of another. In the end it will crush the other kingdoms and finish them off and come through it all standing strong and eternal. It will be like the stone cut from the mountain by the invisible hand that crushed the iron, the bronze, the ceramic, the silver, and the gold." (Daniel 2:44) (bolded by writer)

I am reminded that God is in control, not world leaders.  God is in control, not the nightly newscasters.  God is in control, not me.  Whoa, is that not Good News?  I have trouble planning a healthy diet and following through with it, I struggle to stay within a budget, to serve others as part of my Christian walk.  It is most certainly a good thing I am not in control of tomorrow.  Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind once again.  "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.   

This has been a fun week to write from Daniel.  It was one of my very first Bible studies and it was led by my daughter (who was only a teen at the time).  I will always have fond memories of this book.  It challenges and comforts, it points out the benefits of following God without compromise, it lifts up the importance for regular prayer and so much more.
Read Daniel 2:36-49 here

Listen to Daniel 2:36-49 here

Luke 22:7-23

There is a verse in the Bible many will recognize and claim and it is: "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) This was a favorite with both my husband and me.  We had both attended a weekend retreat at our church (at different times) and this was the verse each of our groups adopted.

There is such comfort to be found in these words, especially for a new believer, a fresh follower who has just accepted the challenge to grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  At such a vulnerable time as this, to hear the words of Our Lord saying His plans include Hope and Future, many begin a faith journey of a lifetime.  

As I read today's scripture I was reminded of this declaration.  When Jesus was giving instructions to Peter and John regarding the preparations for the Passover Meal, it became obvious He had planned this event ahead of time.  The scene was set and all the characters, right down to the man carrying water, had an important role to carry out.  Jesus commands and the faithful trust and obey.

He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” (Luke 22:10-12)

The fact that our LORD has a plan for us makes it possible for me to carry on in the face of adversity; it give me a reason to move forward when things aren’t has I think they should be.  God has a plan, Jesus has a plan and I know that is all I need today.

Read the Luke 22:7-23 text here.  Listen to an audio of Luke 22:7-23 here.

Note: Today is the first anniversary of my husband’s death.  The verses were switched around (yesterday and today) quite by accident by this writer, but certainly no accident by our God.  I dedicate this devotional to the men of Dave’s renewal team, who visited, loved and prayed for him during the final weeks of his life.  God’s plan is falling into place quite nicely.