A Future and a Hope

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

A primary key to living a life of fruitful maturity in Jesus Christ is allowing the Holy Spirit to give us the heart of the Father for everyone and everything around us. God desires to broaden our horizons, deepen our understanding, pour great wisdom into us, develop our personalities, and cleanse our paths. He always has our best interest at heart, and He orders our steps to insure the experiences that will complete and sanctify us. God wants to enlarge our hearts, to increase our appreciation of His goodness and purpose for our lives. He desires we see His sovereign hand in all things, and we believe that obeying His Word is the key to every blessing He has laid up for us.

Therefore, our circumstances must not deter our faith, because God is able to even use our hardships for His glory. Jeremiah the prophet spoke this encouragement to a desperate and hard-pressed people, and his words must have seemed like folly to them at the time. But he was able to hear the voice of the Lord above the din of the world, and he understood the truth of the words Paul would write centuries later . . . And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Those words are true today for everyone needing strength and deliverance. God sees us, He knows what we need, and He hears our prayers. So, let us hold fast to every word of direction and encouragement given to us in the scriptures. Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart . . . (Luke 18:1)

Let's Pray - Dear Father, it is an unfathomable blessing to cast my cares upon You, because You care so much for me. I humbly thank You for considering me and revealing Jesus to me more and more as I follow You. Thank You for making me Your child. Amen.