“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.”-Jeremiah 29:11

Do you ever worry about your future? Are you ever filled with fear about your future and what is going to happen in your life next? Life can be terribly unfair, with problems, setbacks, disappointments and suffering galore. If you are  living your life full of the fear of what’s going to happen next,God wants you to choose to fully rely upon Him and trust His plans for your life. Living in fear is self-inflicted stress. Do you think God is worried about what you’re worried about? No, He’s not and He’s not guiding you based on the fear that you may feel towards your circumstances or based on the fear that you might have about what might happen in your future! God is not expecting you to do anything other than depend upon His grace and mercy towards you. Every new year comes with new challenges, but those challenges are no more than new opportunities for you to trust God and His Word. Many Christians begin a new year thinking about all of the mistakes they’ve made and how hard it will be for them to get through another year of the same old mess. God’s Word says, “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.”How about setting your plans aside for a moment and consider the plans that God already has for you”. Look closely at what God says…

1. “I know the plans I have for you,” Who better than God to have a plan for your life.
2. “Plans to prosper you …” We have all strived for prosperity, but it doesn’t come like that.
3. Plans “not to harm you…” We should never be afraid of a God who loves us… for God is not mad at you about anything.
4. “Plans to give you hope…” Hope is the foundation of faith, and when you have faith in the finished work of Jesus, it will give you all the hope you need.
5. And “plans to give you a future.” You could actually say, “God has your future on His mind.”

God’s plans for you are far greater and more productive than the plans you have for yourself. You may ask, “How can God accomplish His plans for me in my life?” There is actually something God does ask you to do. He only asks you to trust Him with His plans for you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” In other words, stop trying to figure everything out, such as “how is God going to do it?” Then it says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” So, even in the Old Testament we see that God says,

1. Trust Me;
2. Don’t look to yourself;
3. Acknowledge Me;
4. I WILL direct your steps.

The greatest difficulty for us humans is to let go of the controls of our life. God still gives us the right to make decisions for ourselves. But, God is asking you to place your complete and total trust in Him. “For (He) know the plans (He has) for you…” God “plans to prosper you…” God plans for no harm to come to you… And God has “plans to give you hope and a future.” That promise of security is far above what anyone could ever want, and God is offering it to you. The hardest thing about approaching a New Year is facing new experiences… such as a new job, a new marriage or a new church; which are all elements of uncertainty. But Jesus “Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). The feeling that you are facing everything alone is a deceptive lie from Satan… It is a lie because Jesus will never leave you alone. Jesus is always with you according to the Bible. Today, God wants you to stop looking at your failures, and start looking to Jesus and the finished work of the cross. This is your year for success, and it is not found in the wisdom of this world, it is not found in the world’s false promises and false illusions! It is found in the person of Jesus Christ. If you want to have a great year this year,study God’s word and  enter into a serious love-relationship with Jesus this year, and never look back.  Remember God has a plan for your life so decide to stay in faith believing that God’s plan for your life will give you the better life you may want and deserve!

If you are willing to study God’s Holy words in the Bible and allow Him to work His plans in your life,join us in this simple prayer;

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not understanding your plans and purposes for my life.  Help me to stay in faith and trust in you although I may not know or understand what you are doing in my life.  Help me keep my eyes fixed upon you because you are the author and finisher of my faith. Instill in me the confidence,the steadfastness and the desire to read your Holy word the Bible each day as I seek to understand the pathways that you have prepared for me to travel. I pray that you will comfort me in my discomforts, strengthen me in my weakness, heal me in my sickness and prosper me in my brokenness for your word declares  “No good thing will you withhold from those who walk upright”- In Jesus Name I ask and pray-Amen