Cookie Jar Day - Bonita Y. McCoy

For a while, I thought of each new day as a blank slate. And in some aspects, they are.

The Bible teaches that God’s mercies are new every morning, and we know that if we ask forgiveness of our sins, we start fresh without having to carry those sins around with us.

However, recently the Lord gave me a new picture of each day. Each day is like a cookie jar. It holds some wonderful things, and we have to dig into it to find out what those things are.

The word says that the Lord has created good works for us to do from the foundation of the world; It also says that the Lord knows the plans he has for us. And then there is the verse in Proverbs that admonishes us not to brag about tomorrow for we do not know what a day may bring forth.

These verses give the clear picture that God knows what’s in each day. That he has a plan for us from the beginning, and that a day holds events and people that God knows about, but we don’t.

So, the cookie jar is filled. Our job is to be open to God’s direction.

I once read about a woman who prayed each morning asking for her “marching orders”. I like that. I want God’s direction for my day, every day.

I don’t want to obsess, trying to be perfect. I simply want to be available. As Proverbs 16:9 says “A man’s heart plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.” (NHEB)

Now, if you know me, you know that I am a planner.  So, I’m not discouraging that at all. But I do want to leave room for the Lord and His agenda for me, so that I am ready when he directs my steps on a new or different path then I had originally mapped out.  

Our plans; His directions

With this in mind, I encourage you to plan out your days, seeking God’s direction about what cookies are in your cookie jar of a day. Some days, you may get the crumbs, but other days, you will get the fresh, warm chocolate chip ones that remind you of the love of our Father.

bym

5 Pieces of a Prayer Plan - Bonita Y. McCoy

Hello Friends,

This week I want to give you a tool.Something simple but powerful. It's five practical pieces of a prayer plan. You may be wondering what is a prayer plan. Well, it's a plan about how you are going to do some fervent effectual praying for your family, friends, and yes, even your enemies. 

Five Pieces of a Prayer Plan:

1.) Have an appointed time and place to pray.

Setting aside the time to pray is the first step. Pick a place apart from the rush of the day if you can.

2.) Be specific in your requests.

If you are specific in your request, it will be easier to pinpoint answered prayers. It also allows God to work in us to direct our prayers about ourselves and others.

3.) Find Scripture that deals with the issue or situation and pray it. 

We know from Ephesians 6 that the Word of God is the sword of the spirit. We need to learn to use it.

4.) Pray expecting (No double minded women here).

5.) Keep a prayer journal - Write down the prayer, any scripture used, and the answer when it comes. This is a great faith builder. 

I hope this is helpful. I have been keeping a prayer journal now for many years, and I cannot tell you what joy it brings me when I look back over them and see all that the Lord has done. 

Remember above all else, prayer is a conversation with God. Do some talking, but do some listening too.

bym