Tag: Hope

Why We Remember on Veteran’s Day

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November 11, 2022

Today is Veteran’s Day in America. It is a day to remember those who have died fighting for freedom for our country and for those that are living and serve or have served in the military. It is a day of remembrance and thanksgiving for the end of a brutal war, WWI. The armistice was signed ending the war on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in 1918. It was originally called Armistice Day but the name was changed by Congress in 1954 to Veteran’s Day.

This year I have been doing some reading of books written by a former Navy Seal, Jack Carr. He writes a great thriller as he uses his experiences in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the Seal teams to enhance his writing. Even though the technology of war has changed dramatically since the war for Independence in 1776, the Civil War and even WWI and WWII, the hurt and brutality of war has not changed. The sacrifices made both physically and mentally by our service men and women is worthy of honor. We have begun to realize in more recent years the tremendous and lasting effects war has upon soldiers as conditions like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are studied more thoroughly. Our medical technology has allowed many with former life threatening wounds to survive. Learning to survive with amputated limbs is a constant and lasting struggle. Many are victorious over these conditions brought on by war but many are not. Suicide among veterans is very high. We can never thank our soldiers enough for putting themselves in harms way on our behalf.

Why remember? Throughout scripture we are told to remember the things God has done so we don’t forget His goodness. That way we can be more diligent about our faith and the way we live, and we can have a greater appreciation and love for God and His faithfulness towards us. The same could apply to remembering our brave veterans. Jesus said in John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” We owe our Veterans, both the living and the dead, a debt of gratitude and thanks for their sacrifices on our behalf. They do not even know me and are willing to put their lives at risk for me so my freedoms can be preserved. I am humbled by their service and dedication.

Who do you know that you can thank and honor today? Maybe a friend, a neighbor or relative has served in the military. Take time to send them an email, a note, a card of thanks or give them a call. Let them know how grateful you are for the time they sacrificed defending your freedom.

Linda

A Glimpse Ahead

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November 10, 2022

Revelation 11:16-17 The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. 17 And they said,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,
    the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power
    and have begun to reign

Today’s verses from Revelation give us a glimpse into our heavenly future. All will one day bow and worship the Lord Almighty. A glimpse into our heavenly future is also given in Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.“

I am so thankful that God is eternal, has all power, is sovereign and will reign forever. The concept of the eternality of God is not an easy one. Our finite minds have to stretch to try and grasp the incomprehensible nature of God. We mostly live in the here and now and can remember some of our past. We have to study to grasp the past and what transpired before us but have only hope as we look to the future. God gives us a glimpse of the future with Him in the Bible. We are told in Matthew John 14:2 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” Jesus is preparing a place for us. He has saved us to be with Him as Paul shares in Ephesians 2:5-7 “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

When we get bogged down by the here and now, weary of the past and it’s complications, we can look forward to our future for all eternity with Christ. How glorious that will be! Let the hope of your future with Him give you reason for thanks today.

A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I am a citizen of heaven. The idea that we become citizens of heaven when we accept Jesus as our Savior is one filled with hope. In contrast to those who do not know Christ we have this assurance from Philippian 3:19-20 ‘Their destiny (those who do not know Christ) is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:19 also tells us “ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,” Not only are we citizens of heaven already through faith in Christ, but we are considered members of God’s family! There are many benefits of being a citizen of heaven. Here are a few to consider: we receive grace and belong to Christ, Romans 1:5-6, Christ will abide in us, John 14:23, there will be rewards and treasure there, Matthew 5:12 and 6:19-20, a permanent, God made home awaits us, 2 Corinthians 5:1, our inheritance is kept there and is imperishable, 1 Peter 1:4 and we have every spiritual blessing from Christ, Ephesians 1:3. There is much to be thankful for as a citizen of Heaven!

Praise God today for the life you now live and the one Christ has awaiting you in eternity!

Linda

Prayer with Confidence and Purpose

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November 9, 2022

Have you ever thought about answered prayer? We love to see our prayers answered in just the way we envision them but often God surprises us with His answers. Most times, I have found, God uses unusual ways to answer all or part of our requests. We see the truth of Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” We know that God is faithful, hears our requests and will answer His way which will be good for us and bring Him glory. Today’s verse of thanks comes from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. Paul is relating to the Corinthians believers the perilous situation they encountered while in Asia and thanked them for praying. “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Paul does not know how God will resolve this situation but He has confidence in Him. He asks the believers to pray so that many will give thanks on their behalf. Not only will they be blessed but so will the ones who pray. When you pray for someone, you are lifting them up before God seeking His help to provide for them in some special way. When that prayer is answered, you are blessed and your faith is affirmed. Even in the praying you are blessed as a peace or comfort comes upon you as you pray with faith. Paul knew the believers would be blessed and gave thanks ahead of time for their faithfulness.

Who do you know today that is in a situation of some kind and is in need of divine assistance? Will you lift them before God and seek His intervention on their behalf? Paul tells us that you will be blessed for your faithful prayer and so will the one who is prayed for. Claim Philippians 4:19 in your heart as you pray. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God knows what is needed and will supply the answer in His way in His time just as He promises.

A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I can be assured that all things are working together for good. Romans 8:28 states this promise to all believers. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Here are a few things to consider about this promise: God is sovereign and there is nothing beyond His control. 2 Chronicles 20:6 “and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” God is good and intends only good things for me. Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” God has a purpose to which He has call each of us. 2 Timothy 1:9 “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” God’s ways are not our ways and He achieves His desires. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

Being assured of these facts from God’s Word, claim this promise with confidence and let it give peace to your heart and mind. Pray with confidence knowing that God is sovereign, good, has a plan and will solve things His way that will be good for us and give Him glory.

Linda

Thanks for Grace!

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November 8, 2022

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—

I love this verse as it gives us a glimpse into the heart of the Apostle Paul and his love for believers. He was sharing with them his thanks that they were recipients of God’s Grace. Why did this truth cause Paul to be so thankful? God is filled with grace and showers His grace on His created beings. Theologically, grace is defined as God showing His unmerited favor towards us. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor or grace. We are definitely inferior beings in relation to God, as He is the Creator and we are created beings. His grace is filled with mercy, kindness and compassion. God directs His grace to every believer. God has it to give and gives it freely to every believer. We cannot make or demand grace be given to us. God alone is the deliverer of His grace. We can however cultivate grace within our lives and show it towards others.

When we become a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirt comes to dwell within us. Graciousness comes from God and as we live and walk with Him. He gives us grace to give to others through our words and actions. Colossians 4:6 describes this: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Paul and Peter often started their letters, like here in Colossians, with references to grace. 1 Peter 1:2b “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” God wants us to live graciously speaking and acting with His spirit of love and acceptance and showing favor towards all with impartiality just as God has done for all of us.

Paul was thankful for the actions and words of grace that he was hearing about the Corinthian Christians. How would someone characterize you? Do you show grace towards others? Are your words gracious? As impossible as this sounds for us to live graciously, God impowers us through His Holy Spirit to live lives filled with grace. I’ve found that the more I learn about God’s grace and see it working in my life the more thankful I become and the more gracious in my living. May it be the same with you.

A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I can have godly character. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit within me, I can be the new creation of 1 Corinthians 5:7 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Knowing Christ as savior brings Him into my life and I am indwelt by His Spirit. The Spirit’s work with me brings about a transformation of spirit and the fruits of the Spirit become evident in my life. Galatians 5:23-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Praise God for His transforming power and grace in changing me into the man/woman He knows I can be in Him.

Linda

Targeted Prayer for Ourselves and Others

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This reminds me of my friend Stephanie.

My friend Stephanie is a woman of prayer. She believes in the power of prayer to effect change in her life and lives of her family and friends. She recently was the chairwoman of our Pastoral Search Team and brought prayer into this process continually. Through prayer we were all more closely engaged in the search for a new pastor and linked to each member of the body of believers at our church. It does not surprise me that her favorite portion of scripture is a prayer from Ephesians 3:14-19. The Apostle Paul here is praying for the believers at Ephesus.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul knew these things to be true in his own life and ministry and desired that his fellow believers experience the same. Here is what Paul knew:

*God is accessible and he could come before him in prayer (14)

*Believers are all in the family of God under the name of Jesus (15)

*God provides inner strength through His Holy Spirit (16)

*God has vast resources at His command (16)

*Christ lives in our hearts through our faith in Jesus (17)

*God makes us firm in our faith through His abiding love (17)

*We can individually and collectively grasp a portion of how great God is (18)

*We can know through faith God’s unapparelled love, which is more than knowledge

*As believers, we can be filled to overflowing with God’s love, presence and spirit. (19)

Paul knew each of these truths personally. How many do you know? Do you pray for these for other believers you know and experience? The army slogan “Be all that you can be” could be applied here. God wants us to be all and experience all that He has for us. I challenge you to choose one or two of these and pray them for a believing friend so that they may experience God more fully and grow in their faith.

Thanks Stephanie for pointing us to this wonderfully rich passage that puts a priority on prayer and shows us how we are to pray for others while deepening our own experience of faith.

Linda

Direction for God Needs Heart

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My friend Greg is a thoughtful and dedicated believer who seeks to continually examine his walk and relationship with the Lord. It does not surprise me that one of his favorite passages in Isaiah 58:6-12. Take a close look at these verses with me and see why Greg receives insight, challenges and reassurance for his walk with Christ. I have chosen the NLT as it makes it easier to understand.

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help. God was speaking to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah. They were fasting and proclaiming their ‘religiosity’ before men without having their hearts dedicated to the Lord. God is telling them, and us, that He desires true dedication and devotion that is evident in our lives by the things we do. Do we see to the needs of others? Seek to help the less fortunate? When was the last time you worked at a soup kitchen, gave to the homeless or sought to uplift a suffering friend? Food for thought and action.

What a wonderful promise from God!

God told them if they did these things and had a right heart for others then they would be truly rewarded. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. Seeing to the needs of others leads to blessings and a deeper walk with God. Here Isaiah mentions- salvation, godliness, protection and answered prayer as benefits of being a humble servant.

I love this is a promise from God of His continual care.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
    Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
    and a restorer of homes.

In this last section, Isaiah continues with instructions for not gossiping or putting down others but challenges us to be about feeding the hungry and seeing to the needs of others. Then we will find that the Lord guides, restores and strengthens us like a well-watered garden! Verse 12 reminds us that all of us are not called to do the same thing. God has many ways for us to show ourselves to be His humble servants. It is a challenge with confirmation. Pray and seek God’s guidance of where He has for you to serve and to whom He has for you to give a helping hand.

Thanks Greg for challenging us with this wonderful passage. May we all be more open and receptive to His guidance and may we receive the benefits of His blessings with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts.

Linda

Happy 4th with A Promise

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I thought this promise was appropriate for the week of the Fourth of July.  Enjoy the holiday and cherish your freedoms.  Happy 4th!!

John 8:31-32, 36

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’…’So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,’”

Promise: God promises freedom, truth and discipleship in Christ

Where and when do you feel truly free? As Americans, we pride ourselves on our independence, self-initiative and having freedoms to claim and practice in our daily lives. As we know our freedoms are defined and limited by the society in which we live. Sometimes we agree with these limitations and sometimes we don’t. We struggle each day to survive and maintain our freedoms within our family, neighborhoods and society.

The freedom that God promises is dependent upon Christ not us. We need to believe and accept the true freedom and then live a life dependent upon God. We need to accept the truth that God provides in His Word and the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross. We need to accept our place in His family and take up the job of living for Him as His disciple. Working for God’s truth in our world will bring greater freedom than anything we think we can obtain or receive here on Earth. So do as Jesus commands, accept His freedom in faith and be free indeed!

Live free today in Jesus,

Linda

Here is a fun fact I found on the Internet this morning about our flag.  I did not know what the colors represented.

Between 1777 and 1960, the shape and design of the American flag changed several times before arriving at the present form. The 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Talking about colors, red stands for hardiness and valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. Food for thought- does our nation still represent these colors? If not, what can I do to stand for valor, live purely and persevere for what is right? Pray, pray and pray for our nation and our leaders and lean on Jesus in our own lives.

The Blessings of Delighting in His Word

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Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word- how precious it is to us, what it can do for us, how it guides and guards us…. In Part B, verses 9-16, there are several key verses that can help guide us each and every day. My friend Diana loves verse 11 in particular and holds it dear (me too!) Let’s start with verse 9 which tells us a clear reason to study and lean upon the truth of God’s Word. How can a young man keep his way pure?    By guarding it according to your word. Whether you are young or old this is absolutely true- our walk in this world can only be pure and blameless if we base our daily actions, attitudes and beliefs on God’s Word. If we are guarding ourselves with His word then it will lead to other things mentioned in this passage.

  1. 10 With my whole heart I seek you;
        let me not wander from your commandments!     To guard my walk, my intentions must be focused on Jesus and we need to seek Him. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
  2. 11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
        that I might not sin against you.     This verse gives us motivation and reason for memorizing God’s Word, and studying it diligently- to keep ourselves resisting the temptation to sin. John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” James 1:13-15 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Memorize God’s Word and when you need it most the Holy Spirit will bring it into your mind. This may be when you need courage or strength or to turn you away from evil and help you make a godly choice. God promises His Word will lead us His way.
    3. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
        teach me your statutes!     I must desire that God teach me from His Word as I study.
    4. 13 With my lips I declare
        all the rules of your mouth.
    14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
        as much as in all riches.     I need to let His Words be in my mouth as I speak to others, as I pray, as I seek to delight in Him.
    5. 15 I will meditate on your precepts
         and fix my eyes on your ways.     As I study and memorize God’s Word, I need to think on it, chew on it and keep it ever before my mind. Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Mediation on God’s Word deepens our understanding and allows God time to change and mold our thinking. Biblical thinking comes from spending time meditating on God’s Word.
    6. 16 I will delight in your statutes;
         I will not forget your word.     The end result of seeking Him, guarding my ways, memorizing scripture, speaking His word in prayer and to others, and mediating on His Word will be DELIGHT!! As we put God’s Word in our minds and heart, we will find delight and joy in learning more about Almighty God which will deepen our love and trust in Him. Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”

Diana is right, verse 11 is one to memorize and mediate upon. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” It is a promise from God that planting His Word in our heart will help you resist Satan, resist your old nature and turn to Him.

Linda

Seeking Renewal? ASK!

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As we age it seems harder and harder to keep up with those young ones around us. Whether it is little children or teens, their endurance is only a remembrances to us! Today’s favorite verse, from my friend Sharon, is Isaiah 40:30-31 which gives us encouragement no matter what our age.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

In these verses, God’s Word is acknowledging our humanness and reminds us that even the young do not have unlimited strength and endurance. To survive in the world, we must rely upon the Lord. He promises to renew our strength when we feel we cannot go on. We do not need to wait until we are spent to call upon the Lord for additional strength. As we learn in walking with Jesus, it is better to call upon Him before we reach the end of our strength as He promises He will lift us up, cause us to soar and be renewed.

I can see how this verse is a favorite as it stands a reminder of God’s strength in all things and our limited resources. When you combine this with Philippian 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” We can be assured that God does not tire, God has unlimited resources and He wants to provide for us. We just need to ask. John 14:13-15 shows us Jesus’ willingness if we ask with the right heart. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Where do you need God’s help today? Is your need physical, mental, emotional or spiritual? What obstacles are you facing that you are allowing pride to get in your way of asking God for help? Do you see problems ahead and need God’s strength to overcome? God has the resources to help you soar and not grow faint. He can give you the wings of eagles to cause you to soar above and be renewed.

Thanks Sharon for the reminder of God’s strength and constant provision. Call upon Him and be renewed!

Linda

He’s Got This! Trust Him!

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One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11. It is also the favorite of Steve, in my church, and Francine, in my BSF leader’s group. Why is this verse so beloved? Let me explain the hope and encouragement, the reassurance of who God is and His Sovereign control over all things that are found in this verse!

The full context of the verse occurs in a letter sent to the Israelites who had been taken into captivity. God wanted them to know that they were loved by Him and that He had future plans for their lives even though their current circumstances were troubled. Jeremiah 29:1 sets the stage: This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.” God wanted them to know that even though they were ‘gone’ from Jerusalem, the temple and their homeland; they were NOT forgotten or abandoned there. Jeremiah 29:10-14 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Here is God’s encouragement- WOW! 10) Be of good courage as I will bring you back home after 70 years in Babylon. 11) I know what the future holds for you and I’ve got this- it is good! 12)Your faith will continue and we will have viable communication. 13) When you look for me, you will find me! 14) I promise I’ll bring you home. The exile in Babylon had been caused by their own unfaithfulness to God, and yet God was confirming to them that they still were His and He would work in their lives to restore them. What a wonderful loving God! They had messed up big time, had not listened, had ignored his prophets, had worshipped other gods, and yet God still had them in the palm of His hand as He promised to care for them while in exile. Thankfully, the Israelites learned their lesson and did not stray into idolatry again after their return to Israel 70 years later.

That is the big picture, now to verse 11.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” God knew the plans He had for Israel and the work He had planned for them. God is sovereign and knows all about me. I know He has plans for me and a purpose for my life in His kingdom. Because God is good in all things, I can rest assured that all His plans for me are good and will be successful. God’s plans are meant to give me hope and assure my faith and future. Those plans are not for a bigger house, car or better job, but are in relation to my work for Him in His kingdom. Our purpose is to glorify God in all we say and do and He has the very best places and plans for that to happen. Walking with Jesus, I can live assured that His way, though it may be hard, will produce good for me and will add to my future with Him. He has plans….my job is to keep the faith and seek to stay in His will doing things His way in His time.

Steve, Francine and I all love the assurance this verse gives and seek to claim its promises in our lives as we seek to live and serve Him. How about you? Do you see God’s plans as good? Do you trust in His goodness no matter what is happening around you? Circumstances can and do get very sticky and troubled. Keep your focus upon Him and trust in His sovereignty. Psalm 73:28 is my cry, along with David, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Trust in Him and make the Sovereign Lord your refuge. Proclaim Him to those around you. Trust Him! He’s got this!

Linda