Bible League: Living His Word 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."God has good plans for His people. Sometimes, however, our sin gets in the way of these plans. The people of Judah had disobeyed God one too many times and God disciplined them by having them conquered by the Babylonians and sent into exile in Babylon. Despite this set-back, our verse for today makes it plain that God still had lofty plans for them. God still has lofty plans for us as well. Although all of us have, to one degree or another, fallen short of God's expectations for us, He does not give up on us. This is because we are all "God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). God knows the plans He has had for us from all eternity and He is continuously working to bring about their fulfillment in our lives. He may have to discipline us from time to time, but His discipline is not designed to destroy us. It is meant to prepare us to fulfill His plans (Hebrews 12:4-13). Thus, although God is like the potter who must reshape the clay pot He is working on from time to time (Jeremiah 18:4), He still has the design plan He has had all along. And they are good plans. They are plans meant for our prosperity and not for our harm. We should not allow ourselves to become discouraged because of past failures and because of God's discipline. We must trust God that His good plans for us stand firm. Because the plans stand firm, we have hope and a future. Although we may be going through some hard times, although we may be going through some of God's discipline, there is still hope and there is still a future. We should continue to press forward in the fulfillment of God's plan for us. He does not give up on us and we should not give up on Him. You may be in your own personal version of Babylon today. If so, don't give up, for God hasn't given up on you. He still has plans for you. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 7, 8, 9 Psalm 7 -- O Lord, my God, I take refuge in you NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 8 -- O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 9 -- I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 17:1-15 Acts 17 -- Paul at Thessalonica, Berea and Athens NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But Jesus said, “You feed them.”“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there. Insight When the disciples expressed concern about where the crowd of thousands would eat, Jesus offered a surprising solution: “You feed them.” The disciples protested, focusing their attention on what they didn't have—food and money. Challenge Do you think God would ask you to do something that you and he together couldn't handle? Don't let your lack of resources blind you to seeing God's power. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Timothy 4:18 His heavenly kingdom.Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve him day and night in his temple. They never cease to fulfil the good pleasure of their King. They always "rest," so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned; and never "rest," in the sense of indolence or inactivity. Jerusalem the golden is the place of communion with all the people of God. We shall sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in eternal fellowship. We shall hold high converse with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with him who by his love and his potent arm has brought them safely home. We shall not sing solos, but in chorus shall we praise our King. Heaven is a place of victory realized. Whenever, Christian, thou hast achieved a victory over thy lusts--whenever after hard struggling, thou hast laid a temptation dead at thy feet--thou hast in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits thee when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under thy feet, and thou shalt find thyself more than conqueror through him who hath loved thee. Paradise is a place of security. When you enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have the pledge of that glorious security which shall be yours when you are a perfect citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem. O my sweet home, Jerusalem, thou happy harbor of my soul! Thanks, even now, to him whose love hath taught me to long for thee; but louder thanks in eternity, when I shall possess thee. "My soul has tasted of the grapes, And now it longs to go Where my dear Lord his vineyard keeps And all the clusters grow. "Upon the true and living vine, My famish'd soul would feast, And banquet on the fruit divine, An everlasting guest." Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,Job 6:25 "How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? 2 Peter 3:1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. • For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Galatians 6:2,1 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. • Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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