Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – “ 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.”
In speaking with
a friend the other day, we discussed how we need to start dreaming bigger. In our simple human frailty, anything that we
can fathom and then come up with the ways and means to get it done, really isn’t
worth wasting a lot of time pursuing. We
are of the mindset that we want to extend our faith to challenge the promises
of God given through the words found in today’s scripture. It states that God has a predetermined set of
goals for us. He isn’t just leading us
rough-shod through life with minute by minute emotionally-guided
directions. Know that he had long thought-out
and designed the plans he has for us.
And those plans are great plans for our benefit and his glory. We are not operating with a road map with a
hole in the middle of the page or a compass with a broken spring. No, if we are wise, we are following the path
laid out for us by a creative and loving God.
In these plans he tells us that we will have great benefits and that no
harm is to befall us. Yes, we will have
challenges and yes, there will probably be some uphill battles and some
downward slippery slopes; but all of that is a part of the process.
The key element I
want to share with you today is that …these are God’s plans. So we need to open our minds and clear out
the limitations. We need to think big
and far-reaching. If we can get there on our own, what is the need for a
miracle-working God? God wants to show
us his magnificent glory; bathe us in his awesome love; support us with his
unyielding favor and provide for us with the splendor and majesty of his
kingdom. He cannot give us Kobe
steak; Beluga caviar, truffles and exquisite fine dining accompaniments when we
are searching for a simple prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. We must dream big to live big. And this living is not for the simple sake of
material possessions; but to glorify the God who has everything. How does it look to have the King’s children
in pauper’s attire? God wants us to be
the royalty for which Jesus sacrificed himself to make us joint heirs. Now is
not the time to be bound and boxed. Now is
the time to think like our God thinks…. Think BIG!! Go for it and watch as God
puts the things you need in your path; the people you need in your presence and
the advice you need in your ear.
Every day is a good day; it is up
to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn
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