Happy New Year! God’s has recently laid some things on my heart and I wanted to share some of it with you at the beginning of the New Year and as the first post of the A Shepherd’s Heart BLOG.
“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. 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. I will be found by you," declares the LORD”…
~Jeremiah 29:11-14b
God gives a promise through Jeremiah that although originally for Israel, I believe still holds true today. He does have a plan for you, He does want to protect/not harm you, He has a future for you and He is most definitely found when you seek Him with all of your heart! We often utilize this verse to encourage those who are making a transition such as graduating from School, moving into a new career, or other reasons. As we begin 2006, I’d like us to consider for a moment the flip side of this promise.
Let me explain, often times we sort-of line up before God with our Hands open ready to receive things from Him, and many preachers teach that we are to seek the things according to a prosperity theology/teaching. What I’d like to recommend is that we do the opposite in that we need to consider what we can do in service to God and His kingdom first and then consider His generosity and provision for us second.
(See Matthew 6:25-34 for further instruction)
Yes, He has a plan for you, but what will you do with that Plan? Or will you be willing to do His will according to His Plan? Will you be obedient? Secondly, yes, He does have a future for you, what will you do with that future? Will you simply seek out wealth, riches or the fountain of youth? Or will you seek His Kingdom and righteousness first and then He’ll add what He wants to your life? We’ll either use what He’s given us wisely, or we’ll squander it away like the prodigal son.
Let me encourage you this year and always to seek after Him first with all of your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength. Seek to do His will and make Him known. Seek to love him with everything within you. Seek to serve Him and others first with your time, talents, and finances then consider yourself second. This may be tough at times but if you’re living your life just for yourself, your career, retirement, etc., then you’re really not living. Seek His kingdom first not just what He can give you. It’s time for a change right now and today is a Good day to begin changing and re-evaluating things. Let us pray for each other that we’d be obedient to His will and calling for our lives. You are His hands and feet, and you are His light to the world so live His will out in your life and seek to be right in the center of His will for your life!
May God richly bless you as you seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength in 2006 and beyond!
