Jeremiah 29:7-14
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.
For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
As we begin this message allow me to give a brief history for the text. Now in this scripture Jeremiah shared a letter to the children of Israel that were in exile in the city of Babylon the news was both Good news and bad news. The message was clear that God would deliver them from exile back to the city of Jerusalem and required of them to increase not decrease in population but they would remain in exile for seventy years which meant that the current generation would not return but the new generation would. Yet he instructed them to seek peace and prosperity for he was still with them yet they had to pray unto him. Now as we look deeper in this message today it is clear that planning is a strong part of our relationship with God. For I remember in school there was a teacher who taught planning by having the students to do a major project where it required strategic planning for the next 15 years of our young lives. The project required them to not just plan for high school, but for college and the beginning of their adult lives. Each student had to look in magazines to provide examples in a photo album of how looked at adulthood. From planning our studies in school to children, careers and the homes we purchased. Yet the one important component that was not included was God. Therefore in this text today it is clear that thou we plan our futures we must include God in each stage. Understanding that God has a plan for our lives and we need to discover it; along with it pays to plan; also keep in mind that prayer is also required as we plan these are the key points in this message today. Now the subject for today's message is simply "FOR I KNOW".
Now as we set goals for lives we must realize that once we accept Christ as our savior we must begin to include God in our planning stage. Think about how many times you have asked yourself the question if God really has a plan for your life which we all know he does. Of course he does but as we all know God grants us the choice to choose his way or our way. We just have to understand that God wants absolute submission which is not enough; we should go unto him joyfully and enter a covenant to live by his will. For example a couple recently in Essence magazine meet online and chose to practice according to the word of God and by simply making that choice Gods plan begin to unfold for this couple. We as his children must have strong Faith and practice submission for Gods ultimate plan to manifest in our lives. When we make such choices to follow his will we must use his word as our guide for our daily living and be watchful for signs when he is directing us to do a wonderful work for him. See when we listen with our inner voice God speaks softly to each of us. Another thing is as we all know we have to change those we associate with to being around like believers for our spiritual life to grow. Furthermore in Ephesians 1:9-11
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. See it is clear that God's secret plan has been revealed unto us which his beloved Son Jesus Christ we as his children have to include Christ for this brings the plan together. See by yielding unto God's divine plan for each of us will be revealed.
Understand that when we pray God has away to show us his plan. Think about it have you been in a situation where you thought you had planned a event or outing and things did not work according to plan but when we turn to Jeremiah 10:23-24 (KJV)
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Realize that when we are not sure we must allow our Heavenly Father to Order our Steps. See this is when we totally rely on the word of God to be our guide for our daily walk. For when we speak and act ahead of time we step before God, and the results we receive are only a short victory now in Jeremiah 29 it is clear let Gods plan prevail. One thing in this Christian walk is that we have to develop patience by waiting we get the acknowledgement from our Heavenly Father that we can proceed. Look at it this way
If you are wrong and the situations is wrong, God says no
If you are right but the situation is wrong, God says slow
If you are wrong and the situation is right, God says grow
And if you are right and the situation is right, God says go
These key points is how we begin to discover the plan God has for your walk in life. Realize that every man, woman, boy and girl on this earth are designed by God for his will. The question is are you willing to let God have full control of your life which brings about the greatest plan he has for your life.
Furthermore, we have to realize that when we plan or set our personal goals we must include the word of God in that planning for when we include just the Bible the plans we have begin to walk in order because we did not leave God out of the equation. It is just like a math problem that we all struggled with in school finding the right answer was a challenge but even with that we kept trying until the right answer was revealed. See this when the statement is so powerful "For I Know" for with God he knows the best timing for everything. Therefore we have to rely on
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. See this when we truly have planned according to the will of God. The fruit of the spirit bring about life changing events for the plans for our Father to fall into place this is why planning and studying the word of God walk hand in hand. For we know his word stands and cannot be reversed or revoked. See when we live our lives submitted unto The Lord the power of walling in obedience unto his biblical instructions brings us to loyalty and strength. Therefore keep the word written on your hearts and we you begin to plan a new task, journey and event in your life the plan will work according to Gods plan.
Therefore in that statement there is one important key we all just do is go before our father in Heaven just as Queen Esther did when she was presented with the plan that setup to destroy her people yet she prayed and fasted unto our father In heaven for his direction and plan to save his chosen people. Therefore we have to surrender unto The Lord in the same manner as many in the bible have done for when we submit unto him totally our God brings about an awesome plan for our lives. See understand that when we pray remove the selfish pray and pray unto him for guidance, humbleness, love, peace, and most of understanding. For in Ecclesiastes 3:1- To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: So church we must pray without ceasing in everything for the power of pray in the planning process is great for God reveals unto you the mighty plan he has for the thoughts he has placed in your heart. And in Habakkuk 2:2-3
And the Lord answered me, and said,
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables,
that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for it;
because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Realize that throughout the word of God his plans for our lives Is unveiling we just have to be willing to accept the plan he has for us this is why pray is important for our journey to complete fully according to The Lord. The most powerful influence we have all plans is Jesus Christ for he came to fulfill Gods awesome plan to save us from our sins and this world. It is clear that we follow Gods plan for in 1 Corinthians 3:20-21- And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours. Therefore Jesus knows our thoughts and plans it is important that we include God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost in each stage of our lives. Therefore a quote that was stated by a very young minister that God is using "You can't climb uphill thinking downhill thoughts". With that statement alone the thoughts that our father in Heaven has are elevating thoughts so remove any negative thoughts and begin letting him fill you and watch the plan unfold. Therefore we have to come before the Master in absolute submission for that alone is not enough but we must go in a joyful acquiescence to the will of God. And allow his plan to unfold in your life nevertheless we must simply say again FOR I KNOW!
