“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
During my prayer time the other morning, I was having a difficult time focusing my mind and heart. My thoughts were racing in a million different directions, so I asked God to focus my heart and mind on Him and what absolutely needs to be accomplished within my soul today. This is what I heard.
“Be of good cheer. You are never defeated. I’ve called you to VICTORY! My chosen people multiplied and grew in Egypt. They flourished in Babylon and grew exponentially under Rome. They danced in the fire. This year is the year of illumination and exposure. You don’t understand what that looks like because of your American ways. Look to the early Church. You’ve prayed for miracles to be seen as normal. My child, expect to see that. Continue to press into warfare MY way. Through decrees of my WORD, that’s where light comes from. And the darkness will not be able to diminish it. Be of good cheer. Prosper in the land. Make plans and plant vineyards. Harvest the fruit of your labor. Do not look at the world. Look at ME.”
This is what I heard God say to me the other day. What is He saying to you today? As you continue in your journey, I want to encourage you. I know many are praying, many are mourning, and many are rejoicing. As you set a time to pray and seek God’s face, I pray you discover what His will is.
The 29th chapter of Jeremiah is a letter to the exiles in Babylon who were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. Some may view this chapter as one of condemnation, however, there is a word of hope that God gives to His chosen people. This passage is one that He reminded me as He spoke to my spirit today.
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.”
I want to plant, harvest, and rejoice in the land because God has commanded us to do so. I know that is never easy, especially while surrounded with sickness, a loss of finances, a loss of peace, and especially while we are surrounded by so much negative and divisive talk. Is it possible to turn off the doom and gloom and focus on the real treasure that God has given us? This treasure is God’s Son, Jesus. He is our rock and salvation. Nothing else can save us. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I realize these times are filled with fear and hostility and honestly the hostility is just fear talking out loud. Let us show love to one another and walk boldly through our fear, into His love and His power.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” 1 John 4:18
Take a moment and consider what God is saying to you personally. Write your comments below, share them. He is speaking.
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