Hope for the future

Jeremiah 29:11-14
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. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

These times of trial can cause me to question God, or they can cement my relationship with Him. When I struggle, I must dig deeper to hear His voice. He has not abandoned me. In my desperation, I have become totally dependent on Him. Is there any better place to be?

God gets the Glory

Psalm 118:17-18
I didn't die. I lived!
And now I'm telling the world what God did.
God tested me, he pushed me hard,
but he didn't hand me over to Death.

God uses our times of trial and testing to build our testimony. I must tell others about my experience and God's amazing love. How sad it would be to endure trials and never share His love with those in need around me.

The purpose driven life is not about me, it is all about service. At the end of the day, I have surrendered my life to serve Christ. Whether I finish life as a success or failure, it makes no difference as long as God gets the glory.

Life is Getting Hard

Jeremiah 45:3-5
You say, 'These are bad times for me! It's one thing after another. God is piling on the pain. I'm worn out and there's no end in sight.'

"But God says, 'Look around. What I've built I'm about to wreck, and what I've planted I'm about to rip up. And I'm doing it everywhere—all over the whole earth! So forget about making any big plans for yourself. Things are going to get worse before they get better. But don't worry. I'll keep you alive through the whole business.'"

Many of us have stepped out in faith to build upon a dream that God placed in our hearts, only to struggle with the pain of watching it flounder. I have learned more through my failures than my successes. Thank you Jesus for daily dependence and provision.

Waiting on the Lord

Psalm 62:5-8
God, the one and only—
I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?

He’s solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I’m set for life.

My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—

So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.

Thank you Jesus for teaching me patience.