God's plans for you are good and full of HOPE - Jer. 29:11

 

The prophet Jeremiah was desperate for his people, who were in exile, to believe the Lord Almighty rather than the wicked false teachers who were deceiving them.  The LORD spoke to Jeremiah to reassure him that the plans He had for them were good...however, they were going to have to wait for them and not take "quick fixes" that might be tempting to take.   Today, not only is waiting hard to do but we are encouraged to seek after some pretty dangerous things.  We long for things we don't have; we're not grateful for what we do have and we envy the person who does have them!  Maybe that's just me...

 

The LORD Almighty tells us His plans will prosper us - they won't harm - and they will give us HOPE and a future.   Why do we settle for the cheap and worthless?   I am in a women's study on the book of RESOLUTION FOR WOMEN by Priscilla Shirer.  In it she says that the things we long for greatly affect the people around us.  If the things we long for are plans that we have made up - not the plans of the Lord - just think about how that affects our families.  If we are believing that what we want is what we are entitled to, we are believing a lie.  The world will tell us to fight hard for what you want; the Bible tells us to ask God for wisdom (Jas. 1:5).  The world will tell you society is changing and we must change along with it; the Bible tells us "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" and "my words will never pass away" (Matt. 24:35).  The world will tell you your body is your own; the Bible will tell you "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit...you were bought at a price" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).   Just think about how our decisions affect those you love.

 

I learned a long time ago if my plans come from my flesh, they are not worth pursuing.  Now His plans...that's a different story.  I resolve to spend the rest of my life seeking those. How about you?

 

For further study: 1 Sam. 2:1-3, 2 Sam. 22:31, Psalm 33:10-11, Psalm 119:68, Luke 1:37,  Romans 8:28,  1 Cor. 2:9,  1 Tim. 4:4,  Hebrews 11:39-40.

 

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word (which endures forever!!).

 

Love,

Holly