Week Twenty-Three, 2025
Happy Anniversary John and Beverly Grant
“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” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Once upon a time, we built a house, not an easy undertaking. We began seeking the plans of a designer. As the construction moved along, we added, deleted, and made modifications, sometimes necessary to keep our spending within the budget.
It was a daunting experience and more than we had ever expected, but when it was over and we moved in, everything was actually completed according to the plans. Why? ….. because the designer saw the finished product from the plans he designed.
God’s plans for each of us are revealed in Jeremiah 29:11. This is a popular verse often used to offer comfort and assurance, promising God’s plans for His people are good and lead to a hopeful future. While often interpreted as a guarantee of immediate prosperity, it’s important to understand the context and the true meaning of the verse. In essence, it speaks of God’s ultimate plan for His people, which includes a future of hope and prosperity, even amidst current hardships and challenges.
The verse was spoken to the Israelites in exile in Babylon, a period of great suffering and despair. They were likely looking for an immediate return to their homeland and a rescue from their difficult situation. Jeremiah 29:11 assures them that God has a plan for them, not one of harm, but one that will lead to their prosperity and a future filled with hope.
The verse does not promise an immediate escape from hardship or suffering. It speaks of a future plan that God will work through their current circumstances to bring them prosperity and hope. The promise of “welfare and not harm” speaks to God’s desire to see His people thrive and prosper, both spiritually and materially. The promise of a future and hope emphasizes God’s continued faithfulness and His ultimate plan for restoration and redemption.
While the verse was spoken to the Israelites in exile, its message of hope and God’s plans for His people remains relevant for Christians today who may be facing difficult circumstances. It encourages them to trust in God’s plans, even when they don’t understand them, and to seek Him in prayer and obedience.
What plans does God have for you for the remainder of your life?
Sometimes True Stories
Sam Cunningham is a Sophomore at Auburn University, and one of the team managers selected by Bruce Pearl, the head coach for the Auburn men’s basketball team.
Sam also attributes his being alive and able to be a team manager to the never-ending encouragement and challenge of Coach Pearl.
At the age of twelve, Sam was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Two weeks later, a fever hit him, and he was hospitalized for eighty-three days.
It was a storm which could potentially end his life.
Learning of his situation, Bruce Pearl sent Sam a video letting him know that he was thinking of him and praying for him.
The video contained one particular line which Sam embraced throughout his fight through the storm of cancer—
“Cancer picked the wrong hombre. It picked the wrong dude to mess with.
You are going to beat this!”
Bruce Pearl was a blessing as he walked with Sam through the storm he faced.
Three years after his initial diagnosis, Sam went through what the medical team thought was to be his last day of treatment.
But seventeen months later the cancer returned.
So, the battle through the storm continued. As did Coach Pearl’s support and encouragement. Visiting him in the hospital, inviting him to practice when Sam was able.
While always reminding Sam that—
“Cancer picked the wrong hombre. It picked the wrong dude to mess with.
You are going to beat this!”
From Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, we are called to reflect the love of God for others, by following the example and sacrifice of Christ, and heeding the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Not when convenient. Or when we feel like it. Or when it won’t be too difficult.
But always and forever—
To be a blessing to the world around us.
To serve and lift anyone in need God brings before us.
And to touch the world, serve, lift, go, and do whatever is needed for anyone around us—near and far—as if we were doing it to Christ Himself.
Certainly, Sam Cunningham attributes his being alive today to attend Auburn University and serve as a manager for the men’s basketball team, to his medical team.
But also, he attributes it to the caring heart, never-ending devotion, and encouragement to fight on through the storm, of Auburn University’s head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl.
Blessing, serving, lifting, encouraging, challenging, and reflecting Christ to a young man, who is now one of Auburn’s students and basketball team managers.
Praise God. And thank you, Coach.
Quotes You Can Use
If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder. Ray Bradbury
God’s plan of salvation is another example of how He works instead of how we do; don’t confuse your ideas with God’s plans, you may regret it for a very long time. Dwight Short
Even those who are not religious, I have witnessed that some are generous in helping the poor in their needs, because, I believe they love the Lord, though, they do not profess to believe in a particular religion. But God is manifested through them as, it proves that He created them too, and they bear His image. Stephen Bernard
The resurrection of Jesus turns grief into grace and mourners into missionaries. Edgar Aponte
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
No work we undertake will be of any value unless the Lord is with us. Dan Shock
Laughter is the closest distance between two people. Victor Borge
The fastest way to have a loving, supportive, understanding spouse is to become a loving, supportive, understanding spouse. Gary Chapman
Salvation is what brings the flesh of a human into perfect alignment with the Spirit of God, and forgiveness is the greatest evidence that the Truth of God lives within each of us. No one who is the receiver of forgiveness walks away unaffected! Tony Ferguson
Promises do come with a cost, and we should take our promises to God as seriously as if they were legal contracts, otherwise we may find ourselves in a contract with the devil. Tony Ferguson
Believers live life together. Edgar Aponte
Evil is alluring, attractive— and utterly deceptive. People are drawn to the forbidden because they believe, wrongly, that it will bring satisfaction and contentment. “If I just had that … whatever “that” is, then I’d be completely happy.” The reality is, however, when we chase after what is forbidden, we’re left feeling emptier than before. Temporal excitements never last long. Dan Shock
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JOHN…..Love, Beverley
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