Daily Bible Verses for 9/14/2016

Thoughts of Peace and Not of Evil – (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Bible Verse
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Reading Notes
This section of scripture was given to Jeremiah for the nation of Israel. However, it’s just as applicable to us today as it was to God’s chosen people when Jeremiah first spoke these words. God is not the author of evil and His thoughts toward us, are thoughts of hope, love, peace and mercy, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Bad things happen because of the fallen world we live in, which brings disease, decay and chaos. Also, bad things happen because of the sin of others, our own sin as well as by the demonic activity and spiritual warfare, which is waged all around us. God’s desire is that everyone be saved and spend eternity with Him. However, knowing there will be those who will continue to rebel and reject the free offer of grace through Christ alone, God continues to work in the world through the Holy Spirit and through us. God has a plan for each of His children and we can participate in that plan through prayer and submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, we are prepared for this work by God’s process of spiritual growth carried out in us, called “sanctification” and through the study of God’s word, the Bible.

In addition, because of God’s immense love for us, God promises that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him. Those who truly want to know and have a relationship with God, will be led to Christ. We still see this today in many places of the world where people do not have easy access to the Bible. Therefore, we trust God, knowing that those who truly seek to know and have a true relationship with God, will not be abandoned. He will make a way for them to receive the revelation of salvation through Christ alone, by faith alone. And we see that today throughout the world, as thousands are coming to faith in Christ. And we must never forget the blessings of God’s grace that have been given to us and the eternity which awaits us in the presence of Christ Jesus our Lord. Through His word, the Bible, we get a glimpse of the wonders that await all of us who believe and by faith accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our time of wandering in the darkness is over. We through the grace of God, have been brought into the light, having hope in the eternity that lies ahead of us, why? Because of our faith in Christ and what He has done for us. But in the mean time while we wait to see the Lord face to face, we must share the light we have been given, and the hope and peace, which was freely given to us, with those we meet. We must share the Gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world, while there is still time to do so.