Because every. single. day. I’m seeing the verse Jeremiah 29:11. I mean it. In the most bizarre places – there it will be. It’s actually been my favorite verse since college, and has been woven in and out of my life over the years. But during this period of waiting on the Lord, He has brought this verse back to me EVERY DAY in some way. It has been a lifeline and anchor to cling to when we can’t see what God is doing in and around our lives at this moment. I just love it. And I’m so glad God keeps this truth before me!
[Because I had a little (shall we call it a “meltdown”?) Crisis of belief yesterday.Just a moment of temporary insanity over the unsettledness of our lives. After a few tears, a pouring out of myself, and a filling up with God’s Word on the subject – and some well timed and sweetly delivered chocolate, I’m back to being content in knowing that The Lord has our lives completly planned to His full glory! Jeremiah 29:11 proves it!]
“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 (NIV)
How about this translation?:
“This is God’s Word on the subject: … I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:10-11 (Msg)
Can I get an amen on that!?! How wonderful that the Lord continues to speak His Living, Active, Penetrating, and True Word to His people. Each time I see this verse these days, especially when I’ve just been looking at our calendar and wondering where we will be when…I feel like the Lord is whispering into my spirit a personal reminder to hang in there with Him… and it works. I will. I praise you, Lord!
One of the sweetest places I’ve seen this verse lately is on a *new blog* that our daughter started last week. She is too young to have a Facebook page (13 is the age limit), and wanted a way to stay connected with her old and new friends, so she asked if she could start her own blog. We agreed and set some pretty strict guidelines for her. 🙂
Her blog is based on Jeremiah 29:11. It’s called Abi’s World – Living in God’s world, knowing He has great plans for my life. The blogspot address is http://www.godhasplansforme.blogspot.com/. She’ll be writing from her 11-12 year old heart, and would love an encouraging visit from some of my blog friends. 😉
Is God telling you something over and over these days? (He has plans for all of us – for our futures and our hopes!) Let me know and it will be my privilege to pray for you about it.
Have a wonderful week, my friends~
Jennifer
OMG! Yes, Yes! He is telling me something!
First of all, that is one of my favorite verses too! But ALL last week I kept stumbling upon Habakkuk 2:2-3.
Everywhere! So much that I had to start a blog inspired on that verse. It's in Spanish, but if you can read it, you're welcomed to visit my blog. You have a great blog here and you found yourself a new follower in me 😉 God Bless!
What a wonderful post! I, too, love that scripture and it's on my mind constantly. As does everyone else, I have my share to trials and tribulations and that word from God, really helps me to put it all in perspective. I'm doing a bible study with friends on listening for the word of God and I'm REALLY hearing from him…and one way was through your honest post. I think it's especially sweet that your daughter chose that for her blogs name. I'll be praying that you hear from God about your life.
I love that verse, too. And yes, you definitely know God is trying to tell you something when you see the message everywhere. I'm praying for you and am off to check out Abi's blog.
Jane
Thanks to all of you for your comments here & on Abi's blog. I'm praying for each of you right now.
With love,
Jennifer
Hi Lisa~
It is my privilege to pray for you and your deeper relationship with The Lord! Those are the kind of prayers we can KNOW God will answer with a resounding YES! It blesses God's heart when His children want more of Him & start seeking Him in deeper ways.
Like the muscles in our bodies, our "faith" muscles grow by getting a good workout. So as God gives you new opportunities to "exercise" your trust & dependence upon Him, I pray that your eyes will be opened to just what He will accomplish as you trust Him & walk with Him into that deeper relationship. 🙂
Jennifer
I like that translation especially the part "I know what I'm doing". It just made me breathe a big ole sigh of relief. Thank You Jesus cause Lord knows if left to my own devices…shudder.
Sorry you had a rough day. We've all been there. Though I truly dislike those times when I doubt, I know it will pass and the Truth, my God brings me back.
Yes, would you pray that my faith will be strengthened and that I will go to the next level of my faith in Him? My soul craves a deeper relationship with Jesus. I've been a christian gal since a young girl but I know I'm called to do more for Him.
I love that verse too. So sweet that your daughter has started her own blog. God has the master plan for all our lives and we have to put our faith and trust in Him. Love & blessings from NC!
Jer. 29:11 was the verse God put everywhere for me too at a very difficult time in my life when I had no idea what my future would be. I clung to it like crazy and eventually I did have hope and a future!
So glad I'm not the only who has the occasionally meltdown! And yeah for perfectly timed chocolate:)
Funny you should ask if God is speaking…but for me, its one of things I need to work on, would really rather just "gloss over" – but He keeps reminding me and I'm glad for a Heavenly father with such patience.
Hope you are having a good week….
Jennifer, really your blog today…and still praying for you and your family–I DO understand those melt-downs! Sometimes, the hardest lesson for us is to let God teach us we're "human"! Often, especially for those in the ministry, I think we hold a higher standard for ourselves in how we ought to deal with the stresses in our lives–in "staying strong" in our faith, we frequently don't let ourselves just FEEL our stresses, and just SINK into God's arms under the strain to let Him simply hold us while we cry on His shoulder. Hope you're getting better at this–your blog was a good reminder to me to allow this to happen in MY life, too! Thanks! Looking forward to Abi's blog also! Audrey (Turtle Girl)
Hey friend~
This passage of scripture has been my life verse…and one I oh so strongly cling too.
God has been speaking to me about 'stirring'…that he's stirring some things up…and that I need to JUST get ready.
And then secondly..he's been speaking to my heart about growth…and my roots. I'm realizing that God's been uprooting me from my current POT…and replanting me in a bigger one…so that my branches can blossom..and my roots can go deeper. The uprooting part isn't easy…as the process often never is…BUT..knowing that he's in control….is giving me GREAT peace!
Love ya friend.
Kim~
Came across your blog very nice…Jerimiah 29:11 it's also one of my favorite verses and this is my favorite quote…..
“Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing:God alone suffices.”
St. Teresa of Avila quotes