Good morning, from the mountains of Kentucky. I hope your week is off to a great start. It’s been a hot one here in the Appalachian mountains this week. But, I welcome the heat and the sunshine. I love getting outdoors and enjoying the view of the mountains, enjoying our vegetable garden, and savoring the aromas from the herb garden. However, there are other times I like to sit quietly and soak up the blessings that are found all around me. It’s during this quiet time that I often hear from the Lord. Sometimes I’ll hear a word concerning issues that have given me questions, while other times I have received words of encouragement. While at other times, I have enjoyed simply basking in His presence, and savoring the quiet presence of our Heavenly Father. During this quiet time, His presence, His word, and His voice have inspired me to create and follow His plan for a situation I may be facing, or for guidance for the future, while even still other times his presence assures me that all is well. Do you have a plan? God does.

What plan am I talking about? I awoke with the question that I am asking you lingering on my thoughts a few days ago. Do I have a plan? The Lord knows I am a planner. As an educator, planning comes naturally to me. But, spiritual planning sometimes is more difficult. This can be difficult because of the spiritual warfare that all Christians encounter. We have an actual enemy whose desire is to distract and blindside God’s children. The enemy will often work in subtle ways to distract. Distractions can come from too much focus on work and an overloaded schedule, or he will even use our family to distract. Distractions can come from pleasurable interruptions. Interruptions can be too much television time and Internet overload through social media, texting, and browsing. Sometimes distractions come from simply doing nothing, by being content just idling along.

After meditating on the question, I recalled someone at church telling me through a word of wisdom that he strongly felt I needed to create a battle plan. I determined in my heart this morning that the plan in question was a battle plan. A battle plan that would allow me to draw closer to the Lord, better understand His word, and better be able to recognize and ward off the enemy. Remember that the enemy is continually working and seeking to distract and destroy God’s children. So what is a battle plan?

A battle plan may look different to each of us. For me, my battle plan is partly in place, but I need to make revisions to amplify the results of my plan. For now, my plan includes the scheduled time I have already set aside each morning to spend time with the Lord. But, I am increasing that time. I am going to allow more time to read His word and study the word. More time for fervent prayer, and listening to encouraging videos from favored ministers, and most of all taking the time to be quiet. Quiet time is a great time to listen for the Lord’s instruction and His guidance, and a wonderful time to bask in His presence and His comfort. While reading my bible this morning, I was reminded how we should be like David. A battle plan can be preventative. A battle plan prepares us, encourages us, and is also a method of prevention. Prevention of falling for Satan’s tricks and His temptations. There are times we have to just get up and encourage ourselves. A battle plan will do just that… encourage and prepare us. We must arm ourselves. He gives us instruction for preparation in Ephesians 6:-10-18. KJV.

I hope this post will encourage you. I hope it reveals to you the importance of preparing a battle plan. A battle plan that will help to guide you, protect you, and inspire you to dig deeper into God’s word, while also building a close or closer relationship with the Lord, to help you follow His plan. Remember, a battle plan should be personal to each. But the most important thing is to be consistent. Make a battle plan that you apply daily in all situations. Put on the whole armor daily.

After completing this post yesterday, I wrestled with posting it. Questions whirled through my thoughts; did it make sense? Would it help others? Would readers understand the message? Yet, another cunning trick of deception from the enemy. I went to church yesterday afternoon with intentions to post when I returned home. The minister preached a message about… God has a plan. It was a very inspiring message and confirmation for me that this post is necessary. As always, I love to read comments and answer questions. For now, God bless each of you from the mountains of Kentucky.