Do not worry!

''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 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jeremiah was telling God's people that 70 years after the devastation, God would deliver and restore them. Despite the fact that they had repeatedly abandoned God, he would not abandon them or his promises to them. He would be faithful. In fact, God was planning and preparing a bright future for them. This promise also reminds us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom may seem, God does have plans for us. He will keep his promises to us. He will deliver and bless us. We can have a vibrant hope and a bright future because of his faithfulness and our trust in his Son, Jesus, who delivers us from every foe. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Work Done!

''I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.''...... 

- John 17:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven:''I have completed the work you gave me to do ...'' In fact, when he breathed his last, he said,''It is finished.'' Let's live with the glory of God our highest priority! This is our purpose as God's children (cf. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priority (Matt. 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our lives with a line similar to Jesus'! 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Complete love

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us....... 

- 1 John 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What an incredible thought! God can be seen in my home. The Father of the universe lives in my church. The Almighty God's love is recognizable in my life. How so? When I love those around me, when they love me back, when we choose to be loving instead of petty, unforgiving, critical, and harsh, God's presence, power, and perfection are revealed in us!
  
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Dwelling

For this reason I kneel before the Father .... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith....... 

- Ephesians 3:16-17 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What's the greatest thing we can do to bless those we love in Christ Jesus? What is the most helpful thing we can do when a brother or sister in Christ or even a whole congregation of God's people, is facing a major challenge from the Evil One? What is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children or our parents as they seek to live for Jesus today? The apostle Paul just showed us. We can ask God to strengthen his people with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Then we can let them know that we have prayed this for them, and that we will continue to pray it until their storm is past.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Protector

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken....... 

- Psalm 34:19-20 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We know that the righteous can have troubles, but how do we understand that God delivers us from them all? How do we understand that he protects all our bones, especially in light of recent tragedies and the persecution of believers in many places in the world? Paul demonstrates the answer: whatever happens to him will turn out for his deliverance -- whether it is through his death to be with God or whether it is through his release from prison to continue ministry (Phil. 1:19-23). Our deliverance is secure. We are conquerors in Christ. Nothing Satan can do to us can steal us away from God's love, not even death (Romans 8:32-39). 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Confession to Praying to Healing

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective....... 

- James 5:16b -

Thoughts on This Verse... So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for its guilt: honest and genuine confession of our sin. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder confession is so healing (cf. 1 John 1:5-2:2). No wonder God wants us to confess our sin to each other and then come to him for each other's healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess. Let's confess our sin and leave it behind. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Peace out!

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification....... 

- Romans 14:19 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''Make every effort!'' That's quite a challenge. But notice where that exertion is to be focused: peace and mutual edification. Both sides of this exhortation are two way responsibilities. I must pursue and share peace if I am going to have it myself. I must edify, and be open to being edified, if mutual edification is going to happen. In other words, we live with other people in God's family. He wants us to be responsible for making relationships work in our spiritual family. He reminds us it will require strenuous effort. But, isn't that true in every family relationship? Love means sacrifice, effort, and concern for others. When we share our love willingly, however, we're much more likely to see it coming back to us! 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**