Tag: future

Text:
Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)
11 For I know the plans I have for you”—?this is? the LORD’s declaration—”plans for ?your? welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Observation:
This morning I read this verse in a new way, and I saw a new thing that was superior to the thoughts and plans that I had in my heart and mind about my future.

This new outlook came from a new look; it was the upward look to my heavenly Father.

I started meditating on this verse; taking a fresh look at each phrase and each word. I was searching for a word, and looking for the Father to speak into my heart.

The result of my faith in God; the gift of faith that He has planted deep in my heart, I was able to see clearly what my future will be from His point of view.

Every believer in Christ has faith. It is the means by which we became part of the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 2:8 (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

Would you like a better plan for your life; a plan that is sure, and backed by the promises of God, and His Word? Then why not have a conversation with Him, and ask Him to show You His plan for your future. God is waiting to hear from you.

Jeremiah 29:12 (HCSB)
12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Prayer:
Father God, hallowed be Your name. Father, I am so grateful that You are a God who knows and loves Your children.

Father, I’m so thankful that You know the plans that You have for us; plans that are good, and plans that are full of hope, and that have a bright future that are sure to come to pass.

Father, I ask that You would draw all of those who are Your sons and daughters closer to You, and that each one would seek You, so that they can also know the plans that You have for each of them. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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What Are Your Plans for the New Year?

 

Text:

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

11  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.

Observation:

Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? I’m thinking of a verse from one of the old hymns of the church.

“It is no secret what God can do, What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.”

Let’s look at what the Lord said about Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

4  Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Now, let’s look at Jeremiah’s response.

Jeremiah 1:6 (ESV)

6  Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”

I remember the words of a former pastor who said this.

“An excuse is a reason with its brains blown out”.  [Kip McConnell]

It’s not about what we think or say. Rather, it’s about what the Lord says. This is what the Lord said.

Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV)

7  But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

When we listen to God we will have a future and hope because God can do anything but fail.

Prayer:

Father, as we begin this first week of the New Year, I pray that you will stir up within us a burning desire for the Word of God, and to have a daily routine of feasting on the Word of God and prayer.

Father, we need Your presence and power in our life if we are ever going to experience a bright future, and a blessed hope. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

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How Are You Doing with Discipling Your Mind?

 

Text:

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV) 

5  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 

6  being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 

Observation:

I remember a prayer warrior the Lord placed in my life at a time when I was praying for wisdom, strength, and power to do the new thing that God had called me to do.

I had written a note to the author of a article I wanted to use extensively in a talk I was going to make to God’s people. She wrote back graciously giving me permission to use the article as the Lord would lead me.

However, I got more than that; she also sent me a prayer that she prayed for me in my new assignment. This was Lynn’s prayer for me.

“May the Lord bless every word you speak, every move you make, and every life you touch.”

That prayer I posted above my desktop, and it was an encouragement to me every time I sat at my desk to do the Lord’s work.

We need the help of the Lord, and of others we interact with to keep our minds stayed upon the Lord. The reason is that our thoughts are not like the thoughts of our Father in heaven.

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV) 

9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

We have as our highest example the way Jesus kept in touch with His Father.

John 5:19 (ESV) 

19  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 

Prayer:

O Father, I pray that we will learn and practice the discipline of conforming every thought that we have to obedience to the will of God. Father, I pray that there will be no daylight between Your will and my will. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Daily Bread

Title: You Were Born for a Purpose, and God Has a Plan for Your Life

Text:

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
11 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.

Observation:

God made you, and his promise is one that we can rely upon; you were born to be a winner. If you focus on your circumstances, you may doubt this. However, if you rely on the promises of God, you can be the person God made you to be.

Life will present its obstacles. However, we should remember that God has a plan. Sometimes God’s plan for us requires patience on our part.

Jeremiah 29:10 (ESV)
10 “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

Things in this fallen world can get messy and untidy. Life can become very uncomfortable and difficult as you wait on God. Remember that God surrounds his children all the days of that life with two angels; goodness and mercy. When the going gets tough don’t look down; you will get discouraged. Rather, look up, and be encouraged. And, don’t forget those two angels; they are God’s agents to guard you and guide you.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I can go to bed every night, and wake up every morning knowing that my life is in good hands. Father, I thank you that I can sleep in peace, and walk in victory because my life is in your hands.

Father God, I pray that you will keep me close to Thee; when I faint and falter, help me to remember to look to Calvary; the place where my Savior died to pay my sin debt, and to give me the gift of eternal life with you. What a future, and what a friend I have in Jesus.

Father, help my family and my friends to keep the faith, and to keep their eyes upon Jesus. When life gets hard; I pray that they will remember to take the upward look. In Jesus name, Amen.