Prophecy 1

Jeremiah 29:11

Along with all the plans we were making for our home and our jobs when we were first married, my wife and I talked about how many children we wanted to have. We even came up with names for our children. As soon as each was born we talked about what type of person each child might grow up to be, what we expected to happen with them, and what we hoped would happen.

Things haven’t changed much in our lives. We still look at our children and think about what the future might be like for them. We consider what paths they might take and where they might go.

The interesting thing to me is that God has done the same with each one of us. In this passage from Jeremiah God has a message of hope. What does God know? What type of plans does He have?

This passage is an excerpt from a letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent to leaders in exile. It was intended to make them aware that God had not forgotten them in their exile. God still had plans for them, and those plans were for good things, happiness, prosperity, and success.

As we enter into the Advent season, that time in the life of the church when we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, we must know that the birth of the baby in Bethlehem was not some random occurrence.

God had plans for all of humanity from the beginning of the world. Although we as humans are separated from God because of our inability to be perfect, God still desires that we be connected to Him. He wants us to be able to be in His presence.

For that to happen God had to give a gift to the world, to all of humanity. That gift was Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. And this gift was planned for centuries and centuries. God had plans for all of humanity to be saved from sinfulness, to prosper and have hope. And all of these plans were fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year may we remember that the holiday celebrates God’s love and mercy, a gift that was planned from the beginning of time and meant for each of us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain your holiday plans include celebrating God’s gift?

Plan Your Ministry 5

Jeremiah 29:11

As an adult I love most vegetables and I have taken on much healthier eating habits in the past year than I have ever had. But when I was a child I was just like any other kid. I hated vegetables and sometimes wondered if my mother was actually trying to poison me by making me eat some of those strange things on the table.

Of course she was not trying to poison me. In fact, just the opposite was true. She wanted me to eat well so I would be healthy and strong. So often our present circumstances keep us from seeing the good intentions meant for us.

There are many times when we may question what is happening around us and what is happening in our society or our very church. Does God want evil to prevail? Does God want the church to fall apart?

No, of course not. God wants what is best for us and wants the good and holy work of His church to succeed. This sentiment is pointed out in this passage from Jeremiah. What does God know? What assurance does He give?

This was the message for the Israelites living in exile, living a life with little hope. They felt defeated and lost. But God reminded the people through His prophet that God had plans for them – good plans, plans of hope and prosperity.

We may need to remember this assurance from God ourselves. God knows what the future holds. He wants us to succeed and be happy and holy. He has plans for us – big plans of accomplishment and success.

We may not understand what God is doing all the time, but we must trust that His plans are for our good, for a bright and hopeful future. We may not understand what we are to do, but we must trust that God’s plans are for the good and we should live out those plans.

How can we get to this future God has for us? God has the plans for our future; we simply need to get those plans from God. Through prayer and diligent seeking we can learn the plans God has for us and then live them out. Through careful organization and prayerful thinking we can set our ministries into motion to serve God and humanity and to glorify the Lord.

With the right source of inspiration, the right attitude and approach, we can live into the bright future God has planned for us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What plans does God have for you?