More Than Anything
February 26, 2015//
Topics to Dig Into
Jeremiah
29:11-13 (NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will
find me.”
29:11-13 (NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will
find me.”
I know the plans I have for you, plans for good.
This is our hope, especially when life gets tough. And that was precisely Jeremiah’s intent in writing
to the Jews exiled in Babylon. Things
weren’t going according to plan. God had
made promises and exile was not one of them.
to the Jews exiled in Babylon. Things
weren’t going according to plan. God had
made promises and exile was not one of them.
Can you identify?
Confused. Lost. Suffering. Abandoned. Lonely.
Confused. Lost. Suffering. Abandoned. Lonely.
There is hope! God
has a plan for you – a good plan.
has a plan for you – a good plan.
The rest of the passage is, perhaps, not so familiar.
In those days
when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you
will find me. (italics mine)
when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you
will find me. (italics mine)
The keyword: IF.
The Jews had forgotten God and their punishment was seventy years of exile.
In the Message, Eugene Peterson translates: when
you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make
sure you won’t be disappointed.
you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make
sure you won’t be disappointed.
Let me repeat that. When you get serious and want God more than
anything else, you won’t be disappointed.
anything else, you won’t be disappointed.
We want God’s blessings over our life, but we want them for
free. We forget about God. Make no mistake; God’s love is
unconditional. He will love us no matter
our choices, no matter the path we take.
But the amazingly full life He plans for us requires some effort on our
part.
free. We forget about God. Make no mistake; God’s love is
unconditional. He will love us no matter
our choices, no matter the path we take.
But the amazingly full life He plans for us requires some effort on our
part.
Don’t despair. There
is hope if you seek Him above all
else.
is hope if you seek Him above all
else.
Like a productive garden, a rich
relationship should be tended regularly.
To be reminded to plant His Word in your heart, follow me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung or subscribe at
Seeds of
Scripture.
relationship should be tended regularly.
To be reminded to plant His Word in your heart, follow me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung or subscribe at
Seeds of
Scripture.
#seedsofscripture
#Lent #fasting #repent #seekHim #hope #unconditional #blessings
#Lent #fasting #repent #seekHim #hope #unconditional #blessings
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
