Plans for Future

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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer 29:11-13 NIV)

It is a relief to know that someone has plans for me. It is particularly good to know that it is our Father in heaven who does! Because; as of this moment, I do not have much of a plan for myself. 

Today, I will finish writing this and then get ready and go to Sunday School, Worship, and fellowship. After, that the list of possibilities is way too long to decide where to start and what to do. It is tax season and mine are sitting on my desk half done. I may need to go looking for a lost sheep today unless I hear from or about her. I could go visit family. I've been working on a butterfly garden for a young girl that I should get to work on. There is a house to clean and get ready to put on the market. There are just way too many options just for today. What about tomorrow and the next day? Should I retire completely? Where shall we live? Do we really need another home?

There are just way too many possibilities and I must confess it is troubling trying to figure out what the plan is. The only comfort in it all is that although I haven't got a clue; God does. He has a plan for my future and for all of you. It is a good plan; a plan to give us hope and a future.

Seek Him. Listen to Him! He is our hope and our future.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Deliver Us From Evil

THE LORD'S PRAYER
The Seventh Petition.

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven. Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

In this petition we pray that we be kept from all evils that plague this world. Martin Luther in the Large Catechism wrote: "But this petition he has put last, for if we are to be protected and delivered from all evil, his name must be hallowed in us, his kingdom come among us, and his will be done. Then he will preserve us from sin and shame and from everything else that harms or injures us."

 

Therefore; all of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer must be prayed with a sincere faith that God hears our prayers and answers. We cannot expect to be kept from evil if we do not revere God's name which is who and what He is; if we do not desire to live in his kingdom; or if we do not desire that his will be done among us here on earth. His will is for our good. If we do not desire his will to be done, how are we to expect that we are to kept safe from the evil one? It would be tantamount to jumping into a bonfire and expect not to get burned. Of course, all things are possible with God. But, it's probably not the best idea to be testing him. Jesus wouldn't, why would we think we can or should?

 

So we pray the Lord's prayer with faith and all God's people say Amen; that's the way it is. We give thanks for in His mercy He has heard our prayers and answered.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Whatever is Right

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

What a novel idea! Let us do what is right! Let us do what is noble! Let us do what is lovely! Always focusing on the negative side of things only brings a person down into the depths of darkness. Focusing on what is wrong instead of what is right works to bring the people around us down as they struggle to get out of the darkness that we have sought and invited into the world around us. 

There is so much to be thankful for; so much to rejoice in. May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ open our ears, our eyes, our hearts, and minds to the wonderful Good News that through faith in Christ all things are possible.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renew Our Strength

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Each day brings new challenges. New challenges can either invigorate us or wear us out. But, those who trust in the Lord keep moving forward, facing those challenges. We do so, not by our own power or might; but, because the Lord is with us and strengthens us.

Jesus calls us to follow him wherever he would lead. The road is not always easy. It is in fact impossible for mere human beings. But, with God, all things are possible. (Matt 19:26)

Lord, renew our strength that we might follow Jesus and do thy will.

God's Peace - Pr. J