THE HOLY BIBLE (New Living Translation – Jeremiah 29:11-13): 11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
THOUGHTS: I believe that there is so much hope and encouragement for us when we realize that our employer has great plans for us while in his/her employment. It tends to bring us great hope about our future, and therefore a peace and a calmness about our present time with the company. In this story in Jeremiah, I found it interesting how God saw that His people were losing hope because of one calamity after another, so He decided to give them the 'big' picture! Friends, this is a picture of our loving God! Just imagine how awful things are in our world today, with crime and war taking such a toll on nations, on states and on cities, and how it all takes such prominence in our daily news. In fact, it often discourages many to just not listen to the news at all. For Christians who are struggling to see the difference God is making in our own neighborhoods, homes and churches, I believe that God might respond in very similar words to us. For I believe that He expects us to keep on believing, trusting and leaning on Him. Keep our eyes fixed on Him, knowing that all things work together for good, for those who trust in Him and call on His name. We are to never give up, or even become discouraged, for taking our eyes off God will cause us to fail and lose hope. I truly believe that God is the same today as He was yesterday, and for those who keep the faith, those who trust in Him through the good times and through the bad times of life, will receive the same assurance from God as He gave to the exiles in Babylon:
I have great plans for you, son. You are truly loved by me, daughter. Plans to lift you up, love on you, provide a glorious home for you, and bring you into my presence. So don't give up. Be encouraged. Continue to pray to me, and I will continue to listen. But I don't want you to be half-hearted in anything you do for me, think about me, or believe in me for. You will find me, and you will receive my attention to your needs. Remember, you have been bought with a price, and no one will snatch you out of my hand. I long to have you near Me and enjoy My presence.
Can you rejoice with me over the thought of all this friend? Can you sing that song with me "Oh That Will Be, Glory For Me", or perhaps "What A Day That Will Be, when my Jesus I shall see"? I am thrilled and encouraged to know that my God has way bigger and better plans for me than what mere eyes can see or imagine today! To my readers, I have just one warning to this great news: the Bible is clear that this is reserved for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Please read my 'Footnote' and ensure that you are included in the number that will rejoice around the feet of Jesus. You can have that assurance today!
PRAYER: Father in heaven I thank You for the encouragement I gain from Your Word, and the opportunity to share that encouragement with my friends through this channel. I believe that there are many, like me, who needed reminding of this promise today, because we easily become discouraged when we hear so much about Satan's work around us, and insufficient about the plans that are in store for us who believe on You and have committed our lives to You. Thank You for the BIG plans You have for us! No matter our status in life today, we will be humbled at Your feet when You call us home to be with You. No matter what struggles beset us today – health, family issues, job woes, crime or misfortune, these will all be non-existent in Your BIG plan, for I believe there will only be time and space for our endless worship of You and to enjoy Your blessed presence. Please help us to stay focused on that, and therefore not allow the temporary ills of this world to get us down. The good times ahead cannot compare to the small challenges we face today here on earth, so as we center on that and minimized our attention to the earthly life, please help us to learn to glorify You today in all things, as we practice for the endless praise and adoration in a day to follow. That will be glory for me! Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice and Your pure evidence of love for me! I humbly life up these petitions in Your precious and holy name, Lord Jesus, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day's devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!
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