Rest In The Future!

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Our Scripture for this series - Isa. 40:29-31:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

God from the beginning of time mandated/demonstrated that we all must rest in Him. We have to connect with Him to get energized! We also have to learn to rest in the future – placing our lives into the hands of the Lord.

Sermon: Rest in the Future

Opening Scripture Texts:

Jeremiah 29:11-13: 11For 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. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.

Proverbs 23:18-19: 18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Introduction:

News Flash:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hoping to forget the heart-breaks and hard memories of 2013, people lined up in New York's Times Square on Saturday to discard physical reminders of unpleasant experiences with the help of industrial shredding machines. The annual Good Riddance Day event, held three days before New Year's Eve, allows people to symbolically purge bad memories by putting photos, documents or written reminders through a massive paper shredder in hopes of clearing a path to a brighter future…(From http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-newyork-memories-20131228,0,7613767.story).

The big question for today is “How do you rest in the future and let go of the past?” Does the future make you nervous or apprehensive? Is the past holding you down?

We can be wondering what will happen to our economy – health care – taxes deficits – my job? We may be even thinking how did our country get into such a mess? Yes, history tells us that good times don’t last forever. We know trials and tribulations are a part of life. We know countries and economies go through cycles and seasons. We know what goes up always comes back down. We know from history that countries can come and go. We know from recent news reports there are more natural disasters and crazy weather patterns. We hear of wars and more rumors of wars. We deal with terrorism and mass shooting even of kids. We watch Tv and ask what ever happened to morality?

The outlook for the future can look very gloomy!

So here we are at the end of this year 2013 and looking into the future at 2014 – we are pondering what is on the horizon? What is ahead good or bad? What will this year bring?

I too wonder and ponder about the future. But I do believe we can still hear Jesus speaking to us today at the end of 2013 and on the horizon of 2014. He assures us that we don’t need to fear, we don’t need to believe all the news reports and disturbing studies. We don’t need to panic or move somewhere else. The truth is jobs can and will be lost, homes can and will be lost, and money will and can be lost- but the love of Him and from Him will never be lost. I believe if we stay rooted and grounded in His spiritual realm we can come to the end of 2014 and say “Wow” what an amazing year. I believe If we see things through His eyes and hear things through His ears we will be amazed this year. I believe If we allow Him and the Holy Spirit to lead us and to direct our lives this new year it will be a good and fulfilling year.

We need to understand He is with us if we allow Him to be! The world is changing but He is not changing! His Plan and His mission is moving forward. We just need to lay back and rest in His promises for the New Year and experience another year of miracles.

T.S. - So let’s learn how to rest in the arms of the Lord this year!

Please Note: The following outline and thoughts were taken from the book “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World’ by Dr. David Jeremiah.

T.S. – The first thing we need to do is “Stay Calm!” – Don’t panic – don’t quit – don’t give up!