Morning, July 12
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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 Reading
Psalm 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
Jude 1:1  Sanctified by God the Father.

"Sanctified in Christ Jesus."

1 Corinthians 1:2

"Through sanctification of the Spirit."

1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if he were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Exodus 33:14  And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."

Deuteronomy 31:6,8  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." • "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Joshua 1:9  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Proverbs 3:6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Hebrews 13:5,6  Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," • so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

Matthew 6:13  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'

Jeremiah 10:23  I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

Psalm 31:15  My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

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. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening July 11
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