Jeremiah 29:5-7

“5. Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6. Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”

There was a song made popular a long time ago…”Don’t worry, be happy” Bobby McFerrin. The words are true today. You are where you are, but there can and should be peace in the midst.

At your present, you made find yourself in a bad, terrible, awkward, or uncomfortable place. However you arrived at this place, know that God is there also. You may have been in disobedience, or you are in the place where God needs you to be to learn the lesson he needs you to understand and know. Whatever the case, repent, get yourself back in right standing (if that be needed).

Jeremiah told the people to move forward with their lives, so that they be increased and not diminished. We must also take this advise to heart today. Dig in and seek God with your whole heart. Pray for the peace of the city where you live. Because in the peace of the city, this will cause you to have peace too.

understand, no matter where you are, it is God’s will to prosper and bless you. But you cannot continue in disobedience. Repentance will not change where you are, but it will bring you in a right state with God. It will put you in a place to receive the blessings of the Lord. In this state you can have peace, regardless of the circumstances.

Jeremiah prophesied to the children of Israel who were carried into captivity in Babylon. Who has peace in captivity? The people of God can because he is their peace, always.

Don’t worry, be happy. Walk in the peace of God in the midst of your “right now”.

Psalms 30:1-3

” 1. I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up,

and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

2. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave:

thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”

I woke up this morning with a praise on my mind. God is so very faithful. He watches over his word to perform it. All we have to do is stand on it by faith.

This morning I can truly say God is faithful. If you cry unto him he will hear and answer. I am a witness, last night I had a rough night (fighting the enemy’s attack). I stood on the word, rebuked the enemy in Jesus name, then had a praise service all by my self. I can say again that God is faithful to deliver, to renew, to recharge and to energize.

So I give him praise for his goodness, and for giving me the victory (always causing me to triumph). I walk in expectation of an equally victorious day all day, and I believe the same for you.

Proverbs 29:18 ESV

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law. ”

Definition: Prophetic – accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future.

Can you see? Have sought God for a vision of where he wants to take you? Or what his will for you (your gift/calling, your purpose)?

It nearly impossible to walk when you cannot see. The blind person needs some assistance in getting around, a walking stick, a guide dog. When you are spiritually blind you need assistance. But for the spiritually blind there is a simple remedy – seek God until he reveals himself to you. Then WALK in that revelation. Be true to what God has revealed to you. Walk in that prophetic vision. It is accurate and will come to pass. It will require your faith in action. Remember faith, without works, is dead.

The same passage in the King James version says ” Where there is no vision, the people perish:

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ” without this God-given vision, you will perish.

Seek God, and walk in what he has for you. Possess the land!

Proverbs 29:25, 27

“25. The fear of man bringeth a snare:

but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

27. An unjust man is an abomination to the just:

and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. ”

Definitions: Abomination – to thing that causes disgust or hatred. A feeeling of hatred.

Today many are leary about sharing the truth. Because the world would rather embrace a lie rather than be enlighted truth (the word of God). They can be violently vocal about opposing all that is good, moral, godly. This has causes many to hold back on letting the light shine through them.

But be encouraged and know that if/when you put your trust in God, you are safe. He covers, hides, and protects those that refuse to give in to fear. Trust in God makes it possible for the believer to boldly do/say what he has called us to do. When you trust in God, you can accomplish the work.

Just as the believer hates the work of iniquity (wrong doing, sins, transgresstions) in every form. Notice I said the work, not the worker. We love God’s people, because he loves them. We must understand that as we step out on face to do the work/will of God, we will be hated by the unjust and wicked as well.

But we must always be motivated by the love of God, and show this love at all times. We don’t seek to hurt or wound God’s people. This only causes them to avoid every appearance of God, and godly things/ activities. But must give the truth at all times, in love. The bible says ” with loving kindness have I drawn them…” When we operate in love, people are automatically drawn back to God.

Be fearless, make the unjust, and ungodly quake. God has your back and will keep you safe!!

James 5:11

“Behold, we count them happy which endure ”

We live in a time where people don’t want to endure anything. We want to be delivered right now. We forget this is a suffering and enduring walk. We must remember that we serve the same God who told Paul, “my grace is sufficient for thee.”

God is a healer and a deliver, receive these blessings according to your own faith. However, understand that you will also suffer and be persecuted, laughed at, and talked about. Develops a thick skin and go through. Stop crying over everything. Endure hardship as a true soldier of God.

God is also faithful. He promised “they that endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” Endure. Keep your focus on the reward at the end and the many, many blessings along the way. Don’t be distracted by the hard times and up hill battles. Rather remember that the fight is fixed, and you shall win.

Endure, and receive your crown.

Learning to lean on Jesus even during those times when I feel we can do things on my own.

There is a peace in knowing God can and will handle it. Knowing he has my back, my front, and my sides. Burdens come when we try to do it all alone.

Pushing into God to allow him to direct my path takes diligence and perseverance, but is so worth the effort. Because to do so allows me to know God better, and trust him more and more. And because I trust him I am also stronger.

I would not trade anything for this journey. Thank you Jesus!!

My joy is knowing I am his, and he is mine.