July 12th, 2014 
dsisler My granddaughter Joy visited with us yesterday and spent the night. It was the first of many summer sleep overs and we had a great time. We made arts and “craps” (as she used to call it when she was much younger), ate blue box macaroni and cheese and went on an outing.
Originally, we were going to go to the church for an outdoor night of worship. There was to be fire pits and s’mores, fellowship and fun, as well as a time of worship. The weather, however, decided not to cooperate and this fun evening was cancelled.
So we moved to option #2. My husband, Mason works for United Power and they were having a movie night with hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and cotton candy. This particular event was held in the mechanics building, so I knew we’d be out of the weather element.
As we left the house, the wind really picked up and it seemed like we were in a western movie. Tumbleweeds and large dust clouds were chasing us down the street. It was actually quite cool. The picture really doesn’t do it justice.
In life, sometimes plans change. Sometimes lives change. It was no different for the people that Jesus encountered. Think of the people whose plans changed because they met Jesus. Nicodemus. Zacchaeus. Mary Magdalene. The woman at the well. Peter, Andrew, James and John.
Perhaps the greatest plan-changed encounter was Jesus with Saul. Acts 9 tells of the plan changing moment. Saul heard a voice and saw a blinding light. Jesus spoke to Saul and from that moment on, all of Saul’s plans changed.
From the moment Jesus grasped hold of Saul’s heart, his plans, his life, his message changed, and even his name changed! He became totally sold into Jesus’ plan. Acts 9:22 (NIV) tells of this miraculous change in Saul’s plans. Take a look at what was said about Saul. “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”
You see, Saul had been sent to Damascus to squash this new sect of believers, but before he even arrived, Saul’s plans changed. Enraged, the Jewish leaders conspired to kill Saul. But another change in plans helped Saul escape (Acts 9:25).
Encountering Jesus is a plan changer. When we allow Jesus to do His work in our lives, things change. We change. Life changes.
There’s a song from the musical “The Witness” that I just love. It is a song about Peter’s encounter with Jesus and how he received life through Jesus. Click here to listen to the message.
This is my invitation to you today. Come to the Life Giver. Allow Jesus to make this change in your life and your plans. Then, you too can join the list mentioned above. Are you ready for a change?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
