I absolutely love today's text, Jeremiah 29:7. In the O.T., God tells the prophet Jeremiah (AKA The Weeping Prophet) that Israel is going into captivity because of their transgressions against God. He instructs the prophet to tell the people that they need to settle into their new home. Essentially, flourish where God has planted you and placed you.
You are placed here for a reason by God. This could relate to where God planted you in your work, the church, or in the community where you live. Either way, God says to put down roots and seek the welfare of that community because, in so doing, you will likewise flourish and grow.
So
often, we go about our lives without thinking about this idea of being
placed somewhere by God, not by accident or misfortune.
Therefore, people will say.
- I don’t like my job… instead of God putting me here, perhaps I should seek the welfare of my employer, and God will bless me here.
- Maybe I should change churches… Instead, I think, God placed me here at this church so I can use my gifts and skills for God's glory and the church's good.
- So often, churches will seek a better place for their church… But could God use us as a light in the community where He has planted us?
When we seek our way, we reject God’s perfect plan for our life. The loss of welfare is for us as well as for those we could have blessed.
God calls each of us to selfless service according to His Will, rather than selfish, self-willed desires.
I thank God for each of you and pray you will grow where you are planted, and our church will flourish as we seek the welfare of our community.
Pray for the welfare of our own city. Pray that the gospel will shine bright through you and our church in our city. Pray for the mayor of our city, and for other community leaders. Pray for their salvation and for God to give them wisdom for good leadership.
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