Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?

“‘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.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plans and our plans don’t always match up, but when they do, it’s golden. We often get so caught up in our own planning for the future that we lose sight that God is doing the same for us. I’m always thrilled when I remember to stop for a moment and ask, “Hey, God, are these plans yours or mine?” It’s good to check ourselves because God’s plans are always better.

Context (Jeremiah 29:1-23): This is a great text of promise found in a letter Jeremiah writes from Jerusalem, on behalf of the LORD, to the people exiled to Babylon. It’s in this letter that God tells his wayward Israelites to get comfortable in Babylon because they’re going to be there for a while, for seventy years. God takes responsibility for their being taken away into exile in the first place and warns them about listening to prophets there. Our memory verse falls right after God promises to bring them home in the future and make good on all the promises not yet fulfilled. Among other blessings, that means sending Jesus, doesn’t it? Continue reading “Jeremiah 29:11 – Whose Plans?”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – Way Out

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

This is one of those verses that is often misrepresented to include more than just temptations. Has anyone ever said to you, “God will never give you more than you can handle,” when it comes to trials or tragedy? As a pastor’s wife, I heard people misquoting this verse often. While we have a loving God who hates our adversity as much as we do, our comfort comes from knowing we’re never alone.

Context (1 Corinthians 10:1-13): This verse is speaking of the temptations we face in life because evil is running rampant. Paul is teaching the Corinthians in this section about idolatry and the dangers of craving evil. He wants us to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites, who were easily distracted by pagan rituals, building idols, and grumbling about God. The promise is that God always gives us a way out, a way to endure. It’s up to us to be looking for it. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 10:13 – Way Out”

Ezekiel 45:1-8 – Fairness of God

Read Ezekiel 45:1-8

There’s land to distribute again. When the Israelites first took the Promised Land, the land was intentionally distributed among the twelve tribes. I couldn’t help but remember that story. However, this is different because it speaks of the holy land that will house the temple of God’s presence, a place for the priests, the princes, and the people. God’s place is discussed first.

Nobody has been left out. All have a place and a purpose. That’s God’s fairness. After all that the people have gone through, God wants to restore them in the land. There is a great promise here. If only they would listen to him this time and not try to figure things out on their own. Continue reading “Ezekiel 45:1-8 – Fairness of God”

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