DISCOVERING GOD / #4 / I have GOOD in store for you

BIBLE: 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 

MESSAGE FROM MARK: This verse was written as a message from God to the Israelites when they had messed up big time. How big did they mess up? Seriously big! So much so that their nation was attacked by a foreign power, and most of the people were captured as slaves and taken to a distant country. So, what did God say? “Serves you right!” or “You brought this on yourselves, fools!” Nope. Did he say "Okay, that's it! I'm leaving!" or "I give up on this mess!". Nope! Nope! Nope! He said "I have good plans for you! Plans to prosper you! Plans for your future!". Here's something amazing - this is the same thing God says to us when we need hope or when we've had a bad day.  

Did you know that in the bible, one of the descriptions of the word Hope is: A confident expectation of GOOD. That means God has made it so YOU can expect to see His goodness in the end - even if stuff is not looking like that now. Thanks, God!

IN YOUR JOURNAL:
[A] How does God respond when you mess up? Think of a time you messed up… then read this verse and write down what He might say to you. 

[B] What might it mean that ‘God has plans to prosper you and not harm you’?  Does that mean He’ll help you find $10 on the street? Does that mean He won’t chase after you with knives? Write down what that might mean in your life (ask God to inspire your ideas).

[C] God has good plans for your future. Is it easy to trust God with your future? Talk to God about that. Challenge: Pray a prayer that says “God - for all my future choices and decisions… I’m going to trust you have the BEST for me”