HIS PLANS : HIS SHAKING

Right now I see us making our way carefully on a VERY narrow path between two huge mountains. One mountain contains great good, and the other exudes great evil. It is a time to hold on to THE TRUTH and not let Him out of our sight. A time to remember that there is no opposite to God - He IS God, and He alone rules and reigns. EVERYTHING else is subject to Him.

"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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Lord is talking to people in captivity and exile, who are probably wondering where their God went to! In this chapter He encourages them to pray: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

We see here that while God is in charge, the people do not find themselves in a very comfortable place - doesn't that speak to us of our lives? However, God is encouraging them to work and pray EXACTLY WHERE THEY FIND THEMSELVES. He doesn't say put life on hold until everything is perfect, because WHEN WE DO THAT WE ARE ROBBED OF TODAY, AND BEGIN TO LOSE OUT ON LIFE ITSELF.

Jesus was the One who came to die for us and also to rise again from the dead and be seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and rule and reign in glory with Him.

Jesus was doing miraculous healings and seeing all kinds of wonders, at the same time as men were plotting to betray Him and kill him!

The prophet Isaiah foretold all of this in chapters 52,53,54, and they are full of both pain and promises. Those same chapters can be a map and guideline for us to understand what real life is all about.

THIS IS REAL LIFE - as long as we live in this world we will experience both good and bad, joy and sorrow. We live in a battle zone, and the battle is heating up. However, God remains on His throne, and HE IS OUR WAY THROUGH THIS ZONE, IF WE WILL HOLD ON TO HIS TRUTH HE WILL TRULY MAKE A WAY FOR US TO LIVE A REAL LIFE!

We need to have our minds transformed so that we begin to think differently to what we have been taught. We have been raised in a society that constantly seeks personal comfort, quick fixes, instant gratification. We have been trained to think that this is our object and goal, along with material prosperity.

GOD SPEAKS into the midst of this, and HE BEGINS TO SPEAK DIFFERENTLY!

"I know the plans I have for you …"

THERE IS SOMETHING BIGGER, SOMETHING WIDER, SOMETHING GREATER THAN THIS WORLD.

JESUS SPEAKS (Matt.6:25-34)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink" or "What shall we wear"? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

BASICALLY HE IS SAYING - I know what I am doing, I know everything about you, and I don’t want you to worry about those things. I made you for relationship with me and I'm asking you to trust me, and understand the things that I hold in my heart for you.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version) "…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God)."

OUR JOB IS TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE! If we do that He will take care of EVERYTHING ELSE.