Category: Jeremiah

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God’s Good Plans

Every building begins with a blueprint. From the smallest “tiny house” to the most intricate homes and palaces there is a plan to follow. A good plan.

And of course, in designing the construction of our lives God has a good plan.

“Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

The Lord is the master designer and architect. He created the earth and all that’s in it. It is a synchronized, master design. The days, the seasons, the ebb and flow of the tides all work together to support the balance of life on earth.

His design work can be seen in His instruction for building the tabernacle in the desert. The floor plan, the gold work, the bronze, the dyed skins and woven linens. A massive design.

Then take a look at our human bodies. The cells, the immune system that fights disease, the organs, our master computer – the brain, our circulatory and digestive systems, none of these occurred by happenstance. There was and is a master designer who has good plans.

So, why do we think that, if our heavenly Father went through all the thought and design to make things work so well, He would leave us to figure out our daily living and purpose without instruction? That’s foolish thinking.

I found myself reading and rereading two different chapters this morning, Psalm 34 and Proverbs 4. There is so much to absorb and apply in these verses. Please take time to read them.

“ I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! ” Psalm 34:4-8 NLV

“10 The young lions suffer want and hunger. But they who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ” Psalm 34:10-11 NLV

“My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life...  26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-23 NLV

God, our Father and master designer, has grand plans for our lives!

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Always Thinking About Us

When you woke this morning, God was thinking about you!

As you go through your day, His thoughts are always on you. His desire is for your best. He loves you so deeply and is thinking of ways to show you His best.

King David said that God’s thoughts to us were so many that they couldn’t be counted. Jeremiah, the prophet, said that God’s thoughts toward us were for our success.

As you go through your day, if you stop and think, God will be thinking of you. I hope you will take time to thank Him that you’re always on His mind and in His heart!

“Great blessings belong to those who trust in the LORD, for those who do not turn to demons and false gods for help. LORD my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us—too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.” Psalm 40: 4 &5 ERV

“‘ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the LORD. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 ERV

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:17-18 CEV

Even when our thoughts are not on Him, He is thinking of us!

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True Love Lasts

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! I thank you for spending a small portion of your day with me.

This morning it’s only appropriate that I bring you a message of love straight from the Father’s heart. But really, I believe that’s what I do every morning.

These are the words that the Apostle John wrote in the first chapter of his book which chronicled the life of Jesus. John is often referred to as the disciple that Jesus loved. John was one of Jesus’ closest friends, he was one of the people on earth who knew Jesus the best.

“The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine greatness—the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth. 15 John told people about him. He said loudly, ‘This is the one I was talking about when I said, “The one who is coming after me is greater than I am, because he was living before I was even born.”‘

16 Yes, the Word was full of grace and truth, and from him we all received one blessing after another. 17 That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father,” John 1:14-18 ERV

The reason Jesus came to earth and lived as a man was to show us all what God was like. Jesus embodied the loving kindness, the grace and mercy of the Father. Jesus lived a life of compassion and healing. He comforted those who were hurting and outcast in society.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Because of God’s great love He gave what was most important to Him, He gave us His Son so that we could experience this wonderful love of God.

“The Lord came to us from far away, saying, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:2-4 NLV

God doesn’t just have love, He is love! His total being is the embodiment of love and He sent His Son to share that love with us.

“ We were weak and could not help ourselves. Then Christ came at the right time and gave His life for all sinners. 7 No one is willing to die for another person, but for a good man someone might be willing to die. 8 But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 NLV

God’s love is true. God’s love is eternal and God’s love has been given freely to all of us. True love lasts forever!

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Without Him

Today is the day to focus on the One thing that we need most in life – it’s Jesus!

We need food, water, health, strength, protection, peace of mind, warm shelter…and on it goes but the thing we need most is a personal relationship with God’s Son.

 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. ‘Without me, no one can go to the Father. 7 If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.’” John 14:6-7 CEV

Our daily lives are completed when we put our faith and trust in Him. A relationship with Jesus isn’t just so we go to heaven when we die; it’s so much more than that. Jesus came to give us life to its fullest.

“ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

Our heavenly Father doesn’t want us living in stress and fear; He has ordained a great life for our earthly existence.

“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 CEV

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?… Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:25-33 CEV

In Christ, we have been given everything we need and more. We don’t need to worry about life! Christ has made us complete, whole, sound, transformed.

“ I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

It’s time to stop with the worry, the strife, the anxiety. It’s time to recognize that He has made us complete. He cares and provides for the birds and we are much more important to Him than they are. He is our Father and He lovingly and graciously provides for every need in our lives.

As I started writing this, there was a song in my heart, “Without Him”.

“Without him, I could do nothing
Without him, I’d surely fail
Without him, I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail

Jesus
Oh Jesus
Do you know him today?
Do not turn him away
Oh Jesus
Oh Jesus
Without him, how lost I would be

Without him, I would be dying
Without him, I’d be enslaved
Without him, life would be hopeless
But with Jesus, thank God I’m saved”

Without Him life is hopeless, With Him life is complete!

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Making Right Decisions

Here we are at the beginning of a new year and there are so many decisions ahead. Where God? When God? How God?

That’s why I love the godly counsel we can receive from reading the book of Proverbs. Let me recap a few verses that I’ve read so far this month.

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverb 3:5-6 ERV

“ I am teaching you about wisdom and guiding you on the right path. 12 As you walk on it, you will not step into a trap. Even if you run, you will not trip and fall. 13 Always remember this teaching. Don’t forget it. It is the key to life, so guard it well.” Proverbs 4:11-13 ERV

“The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.” Proverbs 6:23 CEV

“Let instruction and knowledge mean more to you than silver or the finest gold.” Proverbs 8:10 CEV

“Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord. Knowledge of the Holy One leads to understanding. 11 Wisdom will help you live longer; she will add years to your life.” Proverbs 9:10-11 ERV

I think you can see just how important God’s wisdom is in our decision-making process. Now, let’s look at a few verses which stood out to me today.

“If you don’t ask for advice, your plans will fail. With many advisors, they will succeed. 23 People are happy when they give a good answer. And there is nothing better than the right word at the right time.” Proverbs 15:22-23 ERV

Wisdom isn’t something that just comes with age; wisdom is also for the young if they are following God’s instruction.

“These are the proverbs of Solomon,,, 2 They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. 3 They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. 4 These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. 5 Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems.” Proverbs 1:1-5 ERV

Before I close, I have two more verses to share.

“People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges their reason for doing it. 3 Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. 4 The Lord has a plan for everything.,,” Proverbs 16:2-4 ERV

And here’s the key for gaining wisdom.

“ ‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

To make right decisions we need wisdom; to gain wisdom we need to call on the Lord and He will show us His good plans and cause us to succeed!

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Everlasting Father

“For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 TLB

God the Father, revealed His character through His Son. His nature; “God is love” was reflected in all that Jesus did. Even when he chastised the scribes and Pharisees, his words were true to his nature. When people were fearful, Jesus was there to bring peace, He righted the wrongs. He spent time with the Father so that He would always know the Father’s heart’s desire.

I shared these verses last night at prayer meeting.

“Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: 3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:2-3 ESV

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV

Our loving heavenly Father wants us calling on Him. He wants us to learn from Him. He wants to show us the great and mighty things He has planned for our lives – plans for our good and not for evil.

He is our everlasting Father!

Jesus lived a life rich in prayer. He would go out early in the morning to a solitary place to pray. He would stay up late at night, after He had sent the crowds and the disciples away, to pray. To talk with His Father.

And in His darkest hour, He prayed.

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” John 17:9-11

“ I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me… 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:20-26 ESV

Jesus prayed that we as believers would be one as He and the Father were one. The Father living in the Son and now the Son, living in us.

The everlasting, eternal Father wants to show us the great and mighty things He has planned for us. Amazing things.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

Our job now is to spend time with Him, just get to know him and we’ll begin to look like our heavenly Father as Jesus did.

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What’s in a Name?

What are you called?

Do you remember those days when it seemed everyone was calling your name – Mom, Kristi, Honey, Mrs. Wilson? I think every Mom has said at one point, “I’m changing my name”. We say that in jest because we never would but some days we are just tired and out of answers.

How great to know that there is One who is always there to answer when we call. He never gets tired or falls asleep while we’re talking. He’s interested, He’s concerned and He loves to make time for us.

“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

His names: Wonderful, Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God. Also, Maker, Husband, Lord, Redeemer.

” For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5 KJV

His name is Jesus…Savior

“21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 KJV

He is I AM: bread of life, the door, the good shepherd, the way, the truth and the life, the Word, the resurrection, the vine, the friend that sticks closer than a brother!

He is our intercessor, our high priest, the author and finisher of our faith, our healer, our Savior, the Son of God.

” For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP

Who is it you need to talk to today? He is JESUS!

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Beginning Forever

When did forever begin? Maybe that’s a little deeper thought than you want to begin the day with but it’s important to ponder.

It’s the foundation and basis of our faith.

“In the beginning God” Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”. John 1:1

Forever began in the eternal existence of God and will continue with no end.

“ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ERV

We are living in God’s forever plan. It didn’t start the day we were born, it has always been. Remember, at few days back when I wrote about God choosing us before the foundation of the world”?

Forever began in God’s heart at that time. His purpose and plans were put into effect.

“The Lord is our God. He rules the whole world. 15 Remember his agreement forever, the promise he gave that will never end.” I Chronicles 16:14-15 ERV

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

The Lord doesn’t want us chasing after things that change. The things this world offers are fickled. They change. There values increase and decrease, they can’t be trusted to stand the test of time.

‘”Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,

‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’

6 So we can feel sure and say,

‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.’

7 Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Depend only on God’s grace for spiritual strength, not on rules about foods. Obeying those rules doesn’t help anyone.” Hebrews 13:5-9 ERV

We are living in the “forever” of God. His plans and promises have not changed. The purpose of God has always been the same.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

If you haven’t realized it before, today begins your forever. Your forever of living in God’s promises, your forever of living in God’s peace, your forever of being called His child, the beginning of your eternal life.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Today, is the beginning of forever in His love!

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Prospecting for Gold

The words of Solomon were the first thing that came to mind this morning and from there the Lord added more thoughts on understanding and wisdom.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord  and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. 7 Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.” Proverbs 3:5-8 CEV

We are not to lean on our own understanding, our own learning, but we draw into the Lord’s thoughts and plans and there we will gain wisdom and have peace.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP

Seeking the Lord, with deep longing, reminds me of those early prospectors during the Gold Rush. Seeking, searching, not giving up. Looking for the mother-lode.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

When we lean into the Lord His wisdom and peace it will bypass our natural understanding and be the guiding force of our lives. The stress and anxiety of daily living will diminish and the peace of God will become our compass, our direction, our GPS (God Provided Sense).

King Solomon’s father, King David, taught him the value of learning and following the Lord’s instructions.

“Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them.” Psalm 19:9-11 CEV

The Father’s words to us are not meant to encumber our lives; they are meant to enhance and enrich them. Prospectors were consumed by the desire to find gold. We should have that same drive as we discover the nuggets of God’s word.

Let me share one last nugget with you before I close.

“You will keep in]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” Isaiah 26:3 AMP

Start your prospecting journey; there are nuggets of gold on every page of the Bible.

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The Way of Escape

Some years back I had an interesting experience while I was getting off the freeway and waiting in the turn lane of the off ramp. It stuck with me and this morning it was fresh in my mind.

I was with a friend and her daughter. We noticed a small field mouse in the intersection. How it got there I have no idea, but it was right smack in the center, definitely in a life-or-death situation. He would scamper one way only to be turned back and run another direction. Back and forth he went avoiding catastrophe with every turn.

Finally, he had zigged and zagged enough that a clear escape opened in front of him and he ran for the shoulder of the road and was safely hidden in the tall grass at the road side. He was safe!

“Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13  You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 CEV

The little mouse was in danger, his enemies were trying to crush him, hope was almost gone and then the way of escape came into view.

“ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

How many times have you been able to relate to the plight of the little mouse? Running one way then turning back in fear. Choosing another path and needing to change course? God has a path and a plan; He is the one who will rescue us! We need to call out to Him in prayer.

“Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my call for help and answer my prayer. Show me how good and loyal you are. 2 Don’t judge me, your servant. No one alive could be judged innocent by your standards. 3 My enemies are chasing me. They have crushed me into the dirt. They are pushing me into the dark grave, like people who died long ago. 4 I am ready to give up. I am losing my courage.

5 But I remember what happened long ago. I am thinking about all you have done. I am talking about what you made with your hands! 6 I lift my hands in prayer to you. I am waiting for your help, like a dry land waiting for rain. Selah

7 Hurry and answer me, Lord! I have lost my courage. Don’t turn away from me. Don’t let me die and become like the people lying in the grave. 8 Show me your faithful love this morning. I trust in you. Show me what I should do. I put my life in your hands!

9 Lord, I come to you for protection. Save me from my enemies. 10 Show me what you want me to do. You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.

11 Lord, let me live so that people will praise your name. Show me how good you are and save me from my trouble. 12 Show me your love and defeat my enemies. Destroy those who are trying to kill me because I am your servant.” Psalm 143 ERV

When we trust the Lord, He will bring us to a place of safety. He provides a way of escape. His plan for us is filled with hope and gives us a good future.

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