Jeremiah 29:11 – ““ 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.”
My mentor, who is a missionary, taught me about serving God from his previous experiences. More specifically, he didn’t want me to make the same mistakes that his former team and himself had made. This is his story.
“My family and three other missionary families were trying to plant a church in Asia for eight years through teaching English and music at our centre because we felt comfortable doing this. During this time, only 3 people became Christians. At the end of these eight years, I realized that my team had spent too much time waiting for people to come to us, rather than going out to find people to share with. We had never asked God how we should do ministry, but just assumed that opening an English and music school would be effective since that’s what many others had done for ministry.”
From this experience, he taught me the importance of getting out of my comfort zone and following the Holy Spirit to meet people and not just wait for them to come to me. Once we started going out to meet people, hearts started to change and lives started to be transformed.
In Acts 16: 7-8, Paul, Timothy and Silas “tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”
In our lives, we feel comfortable doing what we are good at. Many times, we don’t wait to ask God to show us what he wants us to do because we think we are already doing what He wants us to do. But actually, He wants us to ask Him what his plans are for us. When we try to follow our own plans in our own strength, we want to stop when we face problems. However, when we know that we are doing what God has called us to do, we can still have peace and continue through the problems because God promises to always be with us.
Consecrated people know whose they are and what they are to be set apart for. In light of this here are some questions to consider:
- Am I the leader of my life, or is the Holy Spirit?
- Am I only doing the things that I feel comfortable doing, or am I listening to the leading of the Holy and going outside of my comfort zone?
I pray that we are all listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit and in the center of God’s will so that we can all be a blessing to the people around us when they see Jesus through us.
As you sit, listen to this song, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” consider the ways of our own life that are actually still through you and have yet to be handed over to God.
May we all be set apart for his kingdom.
This is just too much!! I am right now trying to encourage a person to seek God and follow Him. One of the things they shared with me was that they had “found” a wall hanging that quotes Jeremiah 29:11. They were very excited to read it, but it did not have the scripture verse on it! I was only too happy to tell them where it was from – the bible. They are very very excited (and so am I). I truly believe that that was from the Lord to them. Thank you for this today Lord.
Thank you for that clear example and exhortation for us to submit to and follow the leading if the Holy Spirit. Thank you also for giving us the link to that wonder song!
Many of these morning readings have hit a deferent chord in me
but this has brought me to action,!
I talk to many people on my street but the conversation never develops!
There are two retired United Church pastors and the girls out walking their
dogs go to the Presbyterian or Anglican Church near here, and don’t want
to hear answers to prayer!
I have now volunteered to go and help at Hazeldean Gardens to read or walk with
anyone who doesn’t have someone to visit and chat with them!
I have been getting this message during this 40 days, and finally acted on it yesterday, and am feeling lifted in doing what I feel the Lord has been urging me
to do! ❤️?
Barb. You are going to be a bright light in the lives of people residing there. Jesus’ love lives in you and shines on your face!
I love this verse and such a great story. Following the prompting / leading of Holy Spirit is the part that I missed for so many years, partly because I didn’t read further in verses 12– Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,”. Life changing.
Yes! Agreeing with Pastor Ken. Thank you so much