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.
As we steam towards the end of this year and the beginning of a new year, we can sometimes not help a feeling of uncertainty about what the new year will bring. We sometimes wonder... what has God planned for me in the new year? what will it look like?
The truth of the matter is that God is always thinking about you. He has plans for you
1. God is not taken by surprise about our life. He knows already how our life has turned out today. He knows how our life will turn out tomorrow. He is not surprised about what has happened to you in 2007. He said, “I know”. He is not surprised about the loss or death in your family during 2007; He is not surprised about the promotion you received this year; He is not surprised about the change in your finances this year, He is not surprised about anything in your life. He says “I Know the plans I have for you”
2. You who? You. Who’s He talking about? You, me. Not your church or family or parents even but you. He knows you personally, individually, inside out. You are not insignificant to Him, infact you are a big deal. He said He will leave the 99 and go after you if you ever were to go astray. He knows even the number of hair on your head. As many as call upon His Name to them gave He power to be called the sons of God. If you’re feeling here today that maybe He does not know you, then the solution is simple, give your heart to Jesus. He’s knocking even right now and wants to come in and live with you. Why not open the door of your life to Him, a simple prayer of confession or re-dedication saying sorry for your sins and inviting him to your life will do it always.
3. He has plans for you… In 2008, God has plans for you. What plans?
a. Plans to prosper you. What does it mean to prosper?
i. Prosperity of your soul (which comes by having and maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ), prosperity in your body which speaks of divine health.
3 John 2. Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.
ii. Prosperity in God’s terms also includes physical bearing of children for those who want more, 2008 will be your year. As well as blessing the work of your hands whether its your own business or you’re working for someone.
Deut 28:11. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
iii. He has plans to prosper you.
b. Plans to keep you away from harm. In 2008, God plans to keep you away from evil.
i. The truth of the matter is that in 2008, there will be tragedies and natural disasters as the devil is working over time due to the fact that the end of his time is near. We can only continue to cry for mercy and increase our evangelistic/mission efforts to reach more people for Jesus. God’s plan for you and I however is to keep us from harm according to His word in
Psalm 91 ii. This is God’s plan for you against harm in 2008
c. Plans to give you hope and a future. God’s plan is to help us look to the future with confidence and assurance.
i. In
Matt 28:21, Jesus said, Lo I am with you even unto the ends of the age.
Wherever we go, whatever we do we have an assurance from our Savior, the Son of the Living God, that He will never leave us or forsake us.
ii. We are not hopeless, we have an assurance of a bright future here on earth and a much more greater future in heaven with Jesus. Jesus said in
John 14:2, In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
iii. God’s plan is to keep us away from worry in 2008 about the economy, or natural disasters or world politics or whatever.
Matt 6:25 - 33 iv. God wants us to head into 2008 with faith and hope in Him. His willingness and ability to take care of us. This is God’s plan for you.
