Plans and Promises

RISE UP WARRIOR: When Plans Fall Through, God’s Promise Remains!

It’s a brand new week, which means we have a BRAND NEW Blog Post!

I’m currently writing this post while sitting at a dark brown, chestnut wood desk facing a wall of windows from the comfort of my home. It’s a particularly windy day, with pockets of sunshine shinning on two luscious, green tress in my family’s front yard. The only sounds in my little nook are the swoosh of the wind against the leaves of my trees, clinking ice cubes melting in my caramel macchiato, a little blowing fan, and the lyrics of a Kari Jobe song refreshing my soul with the promise of God’s goodness.

Lately, I’ve been practicing the melody of slowing down into the rhythm of my daily to-do list. Preparing for my first devotional to launch has kept my heart in a posture of steadfast praise with most wonderful editors, endorsers, prayer warriors, typesetters, and all things book related! Sitting at my chestnut wood desk, I began to reflect on my life. I began thinking about moments where time escaped my mind under swaying cherry blossoms with Jesus, moments where my heart rejoiced with family’s wins and friends joy, moments when I cried for God to hold me close, and moments when plans I thought I wanted fell through for God’s promise to grow, multiply, and flourish!

So, what happens when our plans fall through?

God’s PROMISE remains!

A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

There was a moment in time when I wanted to be a trauma surgeon, more than anything else in the world. I entered my studies as a biomedical sciences student at Liberty University and spent endless hours in lectures, labs, and the library studying. I’ve never been much of a planner in life, but I knew this dream required a plan! Presenting my plan to God, I smiled with a confident heart that He would bless my venture. The problem wasn’t that I had a dream, it was that I prayed with my mind already made up that His will was the same as my 4-year plan! About two years into my “plan,” God began giving me prophetic messages, dreams, and encounters, showing me the blessings, purpose, and plans He had for my life! As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have discernment when we’re walking in God’s blessing(s) or away from it in our own desired plans. In a desperate moment of realizing I was walking down a path that wasn’t blessed, I prayed for God’s will to be done, so much so, that I was willing to walk away from University if that wasn't God’s will for my life.

The moment my “plan” fell through, God’s promise broke through, refreshed my vision, and set me on mission with kingdom purpose! Through a series of prophetic encounters with God, I released every “plan” I thought I wanted to receive God’s PROMISE for and over my life. Plans calling me to RISE UP and RAISE UP men, women, and children all over the world with devotionals and books! Keeping my gaze on God, I learned how to tune my ears to hear God and eyes to see Jesus. Through these sweet and intentional moments with my King, I was given eyes to see glimpses of my kingdom calling, kingdom marriage, and life on mission for God, starting with my heart to walk in His will! In one of the dreams God gave me, He showed me a children’s book series I would write and I heard the voice of the Lord say, “You will write one a year and that will be enough.”

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.

John 15:1-8

I don’t know what “plan” you have for your life, I don’t know what you’re battling, enduring, or roaring prayers over right now, but I know that you are more than a conqueror as God’s beloved heir! It’s time to RISE UP, WARRIOR and walk towards the light in the midst of the darkness you’re facing, it’s time to stand battle ready, it’s time to receive God’s mercy and peace, it’s time to remain in God as He sets you on mission with kingdom purpose! When our plans fall through, the Gardner (God) is pruning our garden; making a way for His promise(s) to grow and multiply!

Let the branches fall so what you want will stay and what you love will grow.

Bethel Music

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:19-20

So, RISE UP, WARRIOR. When our plans fall through, God’s promise(s) remain!!

-Jessica-Andrea Brown