A Fresh Word

It is debatable...Can the Word of God be over quoted? If so, my guess would be that Jeremiah 29:11 would be a top candidate. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"  It sounds great! Great enough to be on a coffee mug in every christian bookstore across the country.  So, why then do our lives not always reflect this?

Because there is more, if you keep reading verses 12-14. "'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'

Here are a few key words: call, come, pray, seek, find, search with all your heart. God is overflowing with grace and mercy, but, in my opinion, this promise isn't a free hand out. It's a reward.

God thinks about us. He has great plans for us and He actually wants to clue us in on those plans! Here is the catch, you have to seek Him with all your heart and He will bless you with a fresh word.

How long has it been since you last heard from the Lord? Are you still hanging on to what you heard from Him last year or maybe even 10 years ago? True, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And yes, His promises will endure, but He wants to speak something new to you today. Will you listen?

This is an exciting time of the year. Will you choose to give God the first of your time? For a practical way to walk out drawing near to God and listening for His voice, consider a time of fasting and prayer.

If this is something new for you and you don't know where to start check out www.awake21.org for help and daily online devotions for 21 days, beginning January 15th.

May God bless you with a year overflowing with fresh words!