Grace, peace and joy to you from our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of you know that I attended the National Pastors Conference in San Diego again in February. I enjoy attending the conference for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the reality of being in California in February is a lot nicer than being in Iowa. But probably the two most important reasons that I enjoy the conference is because it gives me an opportunity to hear from some of the leading voices in the church today, and it gives me reflection time to hear what the Lord may be telling me. It always takes me a period of time to process all that I have heard from the Lord and the speakers. As I write this message to you today, I am at the end of the conference week, sitting in my hotel room in San Diego, and reflecting. So let me share an aspect of that reflection with you now. The one message that I am hearing loudly from the Lord can be found in Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.” I think that there are a variety of reasons that this message is playing over and over in my mind today. First, when faced with information overload, it is easy to want to throw up your hands and say that this is too much and it will be impossible to know what to apply when and how. That is why I feel that I am being reminded that it is the Lord’s plan and the Lord will manage the timing and method of execution to the plan. I do not have to assume the responsibility of sorting it all out. I have to assume the responsibility of discerning the Lord’s voice and faithfully fulfilling what I am told to do. The next piece of wisdom that I obtain from the Jeremiah passage is this – the plan that the Lord has for me (and us) is a plan of benefit. The Lord declares that this plan is intended to help us prosper and give us hope and a future. As we face difficult economic times in our nation and as we face challenging times in the church, I think this message speaks volumes to us. For me, it reminds me that if I desire to personally, and as a congregation, prosper and have a hope for a future, I need to follow the Lord’s plan. In the midst of all the information and questions that I have gathered this week, I am convinced there are parts of the Lord’s plan. A plan, which if I dig out the parts from this muddled mess inside my mind, will lead to wonderful benefits. The greatest benefit being the furthering of the kingdom of God. I realize that not everyone has had the great experience of attending this conference. But I believe that Jeremiah 29:11 still has valuable applications for each individual today. If we will, in our own ways, seek out the plan the Lord has for us. If we will sort out and discern what the Lord may be telling us to do and be. If we will follow that plan and forsake all others, even our own personal agendas. Then I believe in the promise that the Lord has made in this verse. I believe that we will prosper and have a great hope and future. What plan may the Lord be trying to share with you right now? Listen and follow! God’s blessings, Jim
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