Dear Readers:
In the past I have quoted scripture from the New International Version (NIV) and from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. This year, I will be trying out something new and will use the New English Translation (NET) version of the Bible as a standard for Write From My Heart devotionals. Once again, all scripture texts quoted will be NET unless otherwise noted. It is my hope that NET will provide the modern language preferred by most folk while still maintaining the true intent of scriptural interpretation from the original text. It is important to me not to rely on popular paraphrases available today, but rather to maintain the integrity of scriptures through the use of authorized translations. Thank you for your continued readership support.
This notice will be posted for the entire first week of transition from NIV to NET.
Jeremiah 17:7 My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know what I have planned for you, says the LORD. I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you, says the LORD.
One of the most harmful misinterpretations of this passage is the teaching of Prosperity Gospel—that somehow God intends to make us monetarily rich. Furthermore, that if you are a Christian, no harm will ever befall you, and if it does, you must have lacked faith. Nothing could be more false or devastating to Christians. Even a glance at the previous verse (29:10) clearly reveals the Israelites still had 70 additional years of rule by Babylon before the Lord would even consider them. They still had consequences to face for their rebellious ways.
Yet this passage speaks of a future filled with hope. What future? A future in God’s Kingdom that begins when Christ returns to claim all those found faithful as his own. God’s will is ever directed toward the future good of his children. That future good is eternal life with Him. That future is for all those who seek him in prayer and worship; all those who seek him with all their heart and soul. To those who seek God will God make himself available.
This current world in which we live is tainted and marred by sin and corruption. We are not promised absence of pain, trouble, stress, or absence of effects of living in a sinful world. What we are promised is that God will not abandon nor forsake us. What we are promised is that God’s strength has overcome the world.
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.
Today’s Prayer Suggestion: Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God that he has made himself available to us and that His Son has conquered the world. No matter what the world throws at us, God is available to see us through. Thank your Heavenly Father that he has provided a future hope of eternity with Him.
The devotional A Future Filled With Hope appeared first on Write From My Heart at
https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright © 1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
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