Finally, I got some time to visit my blog and write a short post about the message I heard in church last Sunday. It's about principles based on Jeremiah 29 in preparing for the new year.
Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV)
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry
and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your
daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.
Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
God's people was suffering terribly. They are praying for God to rescue them from exile and let them go back to their own land. But God answered in verses 5 to 7 to stay where they were and build houses, settle down and have family, increase in number then seek peace and prosperity in the city. They may not understand God's response but they were assured that ... God would fully restore His people and bring them out of their desperate
situation, but He would not do it in the way any of them would have
planned it.
Here are the Three Faith Principles to guide us facing the new year:
1. Learn to accept what you can not change because God is in control. God's response to our prayers is not "yes" most the time, it's usually "no" or "wait." But it does not mean He doesn't love nor care for us. It's just that we must learn to wait upon Him and his great plans for us.
2. Learn to change what you can for this is obedience. Do not get frustrated if you do not get what you prayed for. Change you mindset and listen to what God is telling you. OBEY. Do not forget to balance your prayer with wisdom.
3. Learn to live with testimony and impact. Life is measured by these two, Testimony (what people say about you) and Impact (what happens to them because you're there.) Your presence should always bring something good to others.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Remember, do not misuse this verse, this refers to God's plans for us and not our plans for ourselves.
We are starting a new year, one thing is certain -- God's presence in our daily lives. We have a big challenge this year specifically issues concerning Matt's medical condition. It's something that I can't help but "worry" about what will happen in the next few months. (I might write about it next time.) But I already declared and claimed this ... God is sending a miracle for us and it will be revealed soon. We have entrusted this concern to Him for we know He is sovereignly in control.
