FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH CARTHAGE, TX
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Jeremiah 29:11

3/30/2014

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“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 a hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11


This is a popular verse these days. You see it on coffee mugs and key chains everywhere you turn. But as often happens with verses that become trendy, they are often used out of context. Some seem to mean with the verse that it’s all good, that as Christians everything should be constantly going our way.  After all God wouldn't have a bad plan for you, would he?

The context of Jeremiah is not a happy one. Jeremiah Is often referred to as the "Weeping Prophet' for his message was particularly difficult. He prophesied to the last days of the kingdom of Judah and into its fall. He may have been taken to Egypt in exile, where popular theory says he died a martyr’s death.

Yet always in the gloom and doom of a prophet's message God would point to a time of restoration. Chapter 29 points to such a time, a time of return and promise, but also a time of repentance on the part of Israel. God's plan for them Included this time of exile, but he also knew that through this they would learn to look to him again, and trust him. When they were ready God would also restore his blessings and promises to them.

Jeremiah 29:11 isn't about God approving our plans or even making life easy. It is about God being faithful to his purpose and plan. When we learn to trust God's plan and to follow him, then yes, those plans will prosper us and lead to a hope and a future.


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Philippians 1:6

3/23/2014

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And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

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Proverbs 16:9 ; 19:21

3/16/2014

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"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand." Proverbs 19:21

The book of Proverbs was written by a man whose name is synonymous with wisdom, Solomon. It isn't so much a book as it is a group of wise sayings. It was not uncommon in cultures of that time to teach in short concepts which were then to be pondered over and thought about. After all books were hand written and you couldn't just run down to Scrolls-a-Million for the latest, hot off the press (which wouldn't be invented for centuries) manuscript, Teaching was often oral and handed down teacher to student who then became the teacher passing it down yet again.

So in Proverbs we have the distilled wisdom of Solomon in bite size form. That doesn't mean this is all the Solomon had to say or teach, but this tid bit is given for us to think about and apply to real life. The two verses we are sharing here echo the same thought, we may feel like we are In control, but ultimately it is the Lord who plans and directs. Therefore his wisdom is greater than ours and much longer lasting,

When planning out your day, week, life where do you seek guidance and counsel? From yourself, from a self-help book, a good friend, or in the Scripture (for a good reference see II Timothy 3:16,17, our first Key Verse verse)? Take time to ponder the wisdom of these verses as you memorize them.

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Romans 5:6-8

3/9/2014

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"You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6-8

The book of Romans is literally Paul's great statement on faith. There is no other foundation we can build our salvation on or our life, but faith in what God has freely done for us through his son. We can't even claim the prize for being cute, we weren't. We were ugly in our sin, enemies of God In spirit and behavior. Yet God didn't let that stop him from carrying out his plan of love for us.

That's not how we do things is it! We do for those who can do for us. Banks loan to those they have a good Idea can repay them. A neighbor helps because he knows down the road he might need a hand himself. We give gifts to those we know will return the favor. Especially when it comes to forgiving, we only give it to those who really deserve it. In other words they've earned our forgiveness somehow.

That Isn't God's economy, not how he does business. He knew we couldn't be cute enough, or good enough, not before nor after we've received his love. Grace isn't just to get us started in the right direction, grace is there for the journey itself. While we were helpless God did what needed to be done, and we are still helpless. Live In grace.

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    Don Cocklin

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