Week 8 of the Bible in 90 Days Challenge
Another verse that I love to keep in mind is from Isaiah 55:
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
No matter my circumstances or how frustrated I am at the condition of the lives around me, I try to remember this verse. Knowing that I only see this moment, the right now, and not the end all purpose that God has planned is so encouraging! I remember an analogy Jon Courson once used, life is like a parade. We are the spectators, only seeing each individual float go by but God is up in the helicopter, seeing the big picture, seeing not only beginning and the middle but the end too.
And to continue into the second book of our reading last week, Jeremiah, this thought continues. While His ways are higher than mine, I am also encouraged by who He is and why His ways are always going to be just:
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
I love getting words of wisdom and encouragement from the book of Jeremiah. He was a prophet who warned the people of the coming judgment and exile and while all this was happening around him He was still given words of encouragement by God that people quote all the time today, specifically from Jeremiah 29. The following was said by God during the exile, while the people of Israel were in captivity in Babylon! It truly puts a greater light on these words when given their context.
11 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. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
The above photo was taken by our assistant pastor, Jared Thomsen. Text added by me.
March 7, 2012
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April 11, 2012
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