Hope!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
'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.'

I just recently finished reading a series of books by Karen Kingsbury.  In these 14 book (I know it sounds like a lot but I want more now) she has a very common theme that everyone in and around the Baxter Family learns/ realizes throughout the books.  This verse is the leading force behind their lessons learned and it has had a huge impact on me as well, especially in this time when we are all seeing the effects of the economy and how we feel about the recent presidential election.  No matter what though this verse is the truth and our hope.

There have been so many times in the years since I accepted Jesus as my Savior that I thought that I had to have everything figured out for my future.  Little did I know or understand that I have no control but that there is already a great plan in place!  This verse has been place in my life in the last few weeks so many times because it was time for me to finally understand it.  From this verse alone the way I think of things has changed and how my faith must be the only thing that leads is clearly stamped on my heart.  If this verse is not enough to understand that no matter what happens that God has a plan for us.  A plan in which he will guide us, give us strength, and always be there.  Then I'm not sure you really get the awesomeness of God at all.  He is offering a life where fear no longer rules and faith in hope in a planned out future that one day leads to an unimaginable eternity with him. If you have no accepted this gift already then please consider it now.  Because the other reality is that we do not know when he will come back and that is not something I'm ever willing to risk!

Matthew 24:42-44 (New International Version)
42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.