Lightin the candle column: God’s 5 plans for you in 2017 and beyond
“I alone knows the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land. I will gather you from every country and from every place to which I have scattered you, and I will bring you back to the land from which I had sent you away into exile. I, the LORD have spoken” – Jeremiah 29:11-15
It’s 2017, a New Year with new expectations and new plans. Certainly, a lot has been said by various commentators, men and women of God about what we should expect in the New Year on the political, economic, social or spiritual fronts. Some have predicted that 2017 will be another horrible year politically and economically while some foresee a brighter 2017 in all aspects of life. However, while not dismissing either of these expectations what is of paramount importance to every believer is God’s Word in the midst of this “noise”. It’s only God’s eternal Word which is the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path which can give you a right perspective and confidence on how to approach the New Year irrespective of what the world predicts about the year.
As such, it is of ultimate significance that you enter the New Year with a renewed resolve that you will grow in the knowledge of God and our LORD Jesus Christ, and also to know His Sovereign plan or vision upon your life by the power of the Holy Spirit and through His revealed Word. No one puts this better than US televangelist Jentezen Franklin:
“A God-given vision is a powerful thing. A vision is not a goal setting that you set in your carnal mind. A true vision originates from God. It is something that God puts in your spirit. A vision is something that the Holy Spirit deposits into you and says, ‘This is the highest you! This is what I see you doing. This is My call and My dream and My Vision for your life’. It’s always bigger than what you think you can do. It’s always greater than your ability to perform it without the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Prophet Jeremiah declares that God’s plans upon your life are good, not harmful. In fact, Jeremiah 29:11-15 outlines 5 good plans which God has for you, and these include: plans to bring you prosperity; plans not to bring disaster or harm or harm on you; plans to bring to bring about the future you hope for (fulfilment of your dreams or vision); plans to answer your prayers and reveal Himself to you when you call to him and seek Him with all your heart; and plans to restore you to the place of dominion, glory, blessings and favour (Both spiritual and physical restoration. Refer Ezekiel 36:26-36).
It is therefore important for you as believer to confess, believe and live these revealed truths of God’s Word, declaring them daily on your life in Jesus name. Instead of panicking about what 2017 and the future will bring forth in your life, it’s time to rise up in faith by telling God the specific details about the future you hope for (your dreams and vision) for He has promised in turn to fulfill your plans and visions as long as you call to him and seek Him with all your heart.
It’s time to light the candle by living in God’s sovereign plan on your life!
“Light shines in darkness, and darkness did not overcome it” – John 1: 5
Introducing a new column onNyasa Times: “Lighting the Candle”
Dear Reader, welcome on board! I invite you to this journey of spiritual renewal of sharing, receiving and experiencing the revealed Truth of God’s Word through this new column “Lighting the Candle” to be published on Nyasa Times every Monday. The ultimate objectives of the column is to light the candle [share God’s Truth] on various issues or subjects ranging from spiritual, social, economic or political aspects. In essence, the column is about proclaiming the uncompromised Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ to this end time generation, bringing hope to the lowly and destitute, calling many to the knowledge of truth and repentance, and also defending the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ [apologetics] in the face of growing secularism and heresy [erroneous teachings that contradicts God’s Word].Lighting the Candle is centered on the following Scriptures: John 1:5 (“Light shines in darkness, and darkness did not overcome it); Psalms 119 (“Thy Word is the lamp to my feet and the light unto my path”); and 2 Corinthians 10: 5 (Demolishing arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God). Lastly, take note that once in every month this column will be featuring a guest writer (or preacher or teacher) on a subject of his or her interest, of course within the scope of the column’s objectives.
Wish you a blessed and prosperous 2017!
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