God has a plan......

I have done this several times.  Have you ever quoted scripture in a point of some one's life to encourage them?  We as Christians will do this often times as the Spirit leads us.  I am not saying that at those moments we were wrong or that what we say is misquoted.  I am saying, however, that we should have a strong relationship with God as to know His voice and His quickening of our spirit for others.

I was listening to my bible devotion this morning and realized that when we use the scripture in its full context that there is power and an understanding that we might not have realized before.  Thank you Brian Hardin and Daily Audio Bible for bringing me into the light of Jeremiah 29:11.  I claim this promise many times over my life, my family, friends, loved ones and any other people who might be experiencing difficult times.  This promise is excellent for encouragement.  We must also understand that the promise would not be fulfilled unless....  

God spoke to the exiles about planting and harvesting that crop. He spoke about marrying and multiplying.  He also wanted to make sure the children of the exiles would multiply and not decrease in number.  God talks about making sure the place where you are is successful because then the exiles will also be successful.  Seek peace and prosperity in the place you are.  Sometimes in our lives the answer is not that we will move to our promise, but that our work in the land we don't like must prosper for us to receive His blessing.  We are so quick to wish an exit strategy from a place that is difficult and not accept the plans that God has for us.  We are to do good in this difficult place, we are to seek Him and after time has gone by (for the exiles it was 70 years) He will deliver us back to the place where we began, our home.  We are to be the salt and light.  We are to create within this difficult place, something others will look to for help.  To be an inspiration to others and have others aspire to be, because we reflect Him.  Make lemonade out of lemons.  Grow where you are planted. Then He will restore your fortunes and bring you home.  Then we will be gathered back together at home.

Jeremiah 29:4-14 4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.

10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”