"Build homes, and plan to say. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produces. Marry and have children. The find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Don't dwindle away!" Jeremiah 29:5-7
My Take Aways:Something Old:
I stand amazed again today at God's grace. He called defined His children as good-for-nothing just yesterday yet today He sees their potential and refers to them as good figs. He saw something worth restoring and rebuilding.
Grace grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.Something New:
The exiled Israelites would see their captures being taken down. They would see God avenge them. They would get to watch revenge.
Would I want to watch the Lord exercise vengeance on my enemy?
Something to Do:
Don't dwindle away if I am sent into a time of exile from the Lord. Seek Him wholeheartedly knowing that He wants me to find Him.
18 Comments:
Good morning,GIGs
Thank you, Lord, for waking me, refreshed, at 4:30 this morning to give me time to catch up with my sisters. I've kept up with the daily reading (though I grow impatient with grumpy Jeremiah preaching to the choir here) but have not had the focus or opportunity to post. And I have had difficulty getting through Wendy's vlogs as they keep stopping. Weird.
Anyhoo, I'm now caught up on all posts since last weekend! Man, have I missed you all. This Body of Believers is very important to my spiritual health, and I thank God for each and every one of you! This has been a very interesting revelation the Lord has sent my way during this vacation week. I adore my husband and children, but as non-believers, there is a now a big part of me that I do not have in common with them. Sisters, I need you because loving the Lord is even better when it is shared with others!!
Our God created one beautiful place here in the Outer Banks. I have never seen His sunrises and sunsets quite so glorious. My husband thinks he might like to retire here in a few years, and that would be A-okay with me!
Stephanie, this is your day to become a Mom! Prayers, sweetie, for smooth sailing today for you and Kailyn. Get ready for wicked gas pains and for you to feel like your insides are falling out, but that all passes pretty quickly, and you'll have a wonderful daughter for your troubles. Keep a pillow pressed to your tummy for a while.
Elizabeth, I am SOOOO happy about your new job. You are blessed to have sweet friends, and you will be a blessing to that gentleman! Good luck with the move tomorrow.
Jennifer in Iowa, congrats on your new job!
Karen, SAPing for George's total recovery! Glory to God for a successful surgery!
Kris, I hope your spirits have rebounded. The college years are very hard on our emotions with the kids coming and going, coming and going! How is Shannon doing lately about her dad's remarriage?
Lori, I have banked the visual of you and Radar in the rain, with your glorious, smiling face looking up towards our Lord in heaven. I will take it out often and smile myself, twin. Please give Radar a hug from me, another crazy dog lover!
Jen Ren, thank you for that lovely poem last weekend about how to spend our "times" with the Lord. I hope your time with family is great this weekend. Please try not to get down in the dumps when it is over. Stay connected with us here, please. How old are your nieces?
(to be continued)
(Jen Ren, you are so right. Google just told my that previous post was too large, but I went out of Wendy's site then right back in again, and there was my post!)
Gina, Welcome! One thing I did this year was to read several of Lysa Terkeurst's books, and they really helped to hook me into wanting to strengthen my daily walk with the Lord. I highly recommend any of her books.
Jacque, when I saw Wendy in person in April, one of her points I wrote down in my notebook was that faith is "a knowing in our spirit that can't be inherited and can't be passed down." (Wendy, please correct me if I am misquoting you.) With regards to our grown children, I think the best we can do is let our actions speak for us. Every individual has to come to faith entirely on their own, or it's not really their own faith. How did Michael's interview go?
Rhonda in NY, my hat is off to you for being a home schooler! Happy New School Year to you and your son!
Dixie, praying for you today as you begin radiation treatment. It was so good to hear that your surgery went well. Praise the Lord the lymph node was clear. Heavenly Father, clearly you have work left here for Dixie to do with Special Populations and others. Thank you, Lord, for all you are doing to heal Dixie and restore her to good health. We pray, in Jesus' name, that the radiation will remove every iota of cancer from her body, Amen.
Grace and Peace, are you a researcher by profession? You are in law, correct? You have such good research and writing skills! If you don't do this professionally, maybe you should (smile).
Jodi in New England, I'm happy to add Luke and Charlie to my childrens' prayer list. And I ditto Lori's suggestion to let your five-year-old know, firmly, that church is not a choice for him right now. When he is Daddy's age, then he can decide whether to attend or not.
SuzyR, good luck with your issues with your elderly dad. I've been in that boat for several years, and sometimes the seas get pretty rough.
Denise, welcome. You clearly have such a tender heart towards Kathleen and Spencer. What a rough age for him to have to be going through this. Prayers for both of them.
Welcome, Cherie in Indiana and congratulations on expecting your first two grandchildren! They are gifts from God, and I hope that you will be able to be a wonderful part of their lives. I know this can't be easy. I have added Alex and Brandon to my childrens' prayer list.
I'll end with another praise. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful 2 1/2 hours of Your peace to catch up with my GIG's. Now on to the reading and, hopefully, the blog. Then breakfast, then to aqua aerobics. Then to see if we can get a look at some of those wild Mustang ponies in the north of the Outer Banks, and then some shopping in Duck. Hopefully I'll "see" you all tomorrow.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
I agree with you wholeheartedly Michelle...I desire to surround myself with believers too. My plumb line tends to move when I am around non-believers...and not in the right direction! We help keep each other accountable and in love with God.
Sometimes God allows our friends and loved ones to be in a place of exile. My tendency is to run in and help get them out. Now with Jeremiah's verses, I can see that I should not be so eager to do that. God may be doing a good work in them, and I just get in His way..
I pray for grace and endurance for those times God needs to exile me into a hard place. May I dig in, continue to live my life right where I'm at, and stay connected to Him thru His Word and praise and prayer.
Blessed Thursday FIG!
Prayers lifted.
Morgen
Good Morning FIGS - I had asked for prayers 2ish weeks ago for my friend Beth's husband Chuck who went into the hospital w/ pneumonia and was diagnosed w/ lung cancer. Well, sadly, he passed away yesterday. Please keep his wife Beth and his 2 20-something daughters Liz and Margaret in your prayers. This was so quick and unexpected. Thank you, all.
Kate in VA
Greetings From Sunny AZ ~
Something Old: “For I know the plans I have for you,” (29:11) - just knowing that GOD KNOWS everything already, is a comfort to me! Nothing comes as a surprise to Him – oh, yes we are surprised when things do not go our way, but, God is not. It’s all part of His glorious plan.
Something New: Today, I read “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (31:3) - with a new appreciation for my Father. Just to sit here and know that he pursued me! He drew me to Him! He picked me out of the crowd, to seek after Him. Why? His love, his amazing and never-ending love for me. And, as long as I humble myself, and seek Him with an open heart, He will be there with open arms, ready to swoop me up and guide me along!
Something to Do: Keep myself in position – a position that allows the Holy Spirit to guide me, so that I don’t end up on a slippery road or worse yet plopped in a muddy puddle! I love it, when God tells us how we can to do, - He makes it clear, all we have to do is obey: Read His Word – daily, make this our priority with an open, humble and seeking heart. [Obey His voice as He guides us along.] Spend time throughout the day, pondering and thinking about what we read that morning. Allow our ears to be open to hear what God has to tell us. Anticipate Him in our day. Praise Him, and thank Him, and surround ourselves, with other encouraging Believers –that point us back to Him, before it’s too late.
Oh, girls, another good day in God’s Word. Another good day sitting in Wendy’s class (smile!) Another good day, sharing Him with ya’ll! And, another good day, catching ya’ll’s wisdom! Love you all!!! Lori
PS Wendy – have fun on the lake! Anticipate His glory in His beautiful creation! Michelle, What a treat to see your post bright and early!!! -We’ve totally missed ya, twin-I know exactly how you feel, it’s just much better when we are surrounded by other Believers! Thank you for sharing your “creation’s view point” with us…the next best thing to being there! Kate, so sorry about the unexpected news re: Chuck. It was expected by God, and I’m praying that many people comfort Beth in the upcoming days. Especially, after the first several weeks are behind us. Cherie, your clan has been added to our list and will be prayed over! Oh, and I will be praying that Alex, that he will read the book and be touched by God. That God would draw him to Cross Point Church, and that the Body there would welcome him with open arms. My goodness, God’s ways – so much better than our own!!!! And, for you to be a grandma – twice! Twice as nice, knowing this is part of God’s glorious plan.
Morning, GIGS! Michelle, so glad to hear from you! Hope that you all see the wild mustangs today! Take your camera!
Kate, so sorry about Chuck. I will keep Beth and her family in my prayers. Thank you for your song suggestion! I just need a new Itunes card.
Lori, your take aways and mine were identical. God must have been speaking to us at the same time! I loved how refreshing Jer. 31 was. It gave them and me so much hope! That will be my nugget for today.
Wendy...enjoy yourself! Would love to be on the lake too! Instead, we are bookbag, running shoe, and flip flop shopping for school!But, my boys are taking me out for lunch!
Y'all have a great day!
Hugs!
Susan
Hi ladies,
Morgen - thank you for those insights about trying to save people in exile. I have somebody in my life who is precious to me, and has been going through such hard times for the past several years. And my heart yearns to rescue her from exile...But at the end of the day - I can't. As Wendy said - only God has that ability to give her a heart that recognizes Him and His plans for her life.
Thank you Lord for that insight today - you know I needed to hear it.
Blessings to you all today.
Jodie from Ottawa
Kate - I'm so sorry to hear about Chuck. May his family feel God's presence today and in the days to come.
Michelle, so glad you can join us and thank you for the visual of where you are. I love watching sunsets (not a morning person so I always miss the sunrise). Thank you for your kind words as well. :)
Jennifer Renee, I revisited the issue of Jehoiachin's age last night and you're right in the KJV, it gives 2 ages. 18 and 8. When I checked the NLT version that we use the ages given are the same: 18. That's why I was confused your question at first. But then I noticed an asterisk next to the passage. The footnote at the bottom that says some of the manuscripts give the age at 8.
Morgen and Jodie, what you mentioned about helping others in exile reminded me of what Anne Graham Lotz said in her book, The Magnificent Obsession.
She told the story of a man who found a cocoon containing an emperor moth. He saw the moth struggling to get out so he helped it out by gently cutting the cocoon open. The moth crawled out easily but it's body remained swollen, the wings were stunted and it was essentially just a deformed creature.
She said the laborious effort that the emperor moth exerts as it exits the cocoon is the very means of forcing the fluid into the wings enabling them to expand and the moth to fly. Making the exit easier had not been a favor to the insect, it had proved to be its ruin.
Sometimes it's very hard for us to wait for God to do things in His time and in His way. It doesn't occur to us that He intentionally delays answering our prayer or fulfilling His promise because He has a higher, greater purpose in mind than just giving us what we want, when we wait it and the way we want it. Delay does not necessarily mean denial. God uses the delay to develop our faith in Him as we struggle to patiently pursue everything He has for us.
I have to remember this when it comes to my family members who are coming out of the cocoon. Like the emperor moth, their struggles are God's way of growing them up and giving them wings. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Have a blessed day my good FIGS.
Oy, Michelle, 4:30? I was still tossing at that hour, combination of too much activity before bedtime and the heat. Glad you had that time for yourself.
Jacque, how nice to have been missed. I'm still reading along, and learning from the rest of you all! Wheat harvest is finished, but I am now harvesting my garden produce. One more batch to process through the canner, and then I will scrub my kitchen floor.
I enjoy the tidbits of your various lives, the requests, the joys, the trips, the travels, the trials, they all add to make you seem like dear friends, which you all are. Praying along with the requests.
Wendy, I listened to your vlog a few times, I must be in a fog after my restless night. Jer 29:11 totally came upon me by surprise, as it's placement was near the top of the page. I must have missed that day last year, it wasn't underlined. But I read it with eager, fresh eyes, lingering over each word. And I loved the next two verses where He tells us if we search wholeheartedly for Him, He will be found by us. He is not hiding, but we need to do the seeking.
I replayed the last 3 minutes of Wendy's vlog, to drive home the point. It reminded me of her devotional a few days back of "Doing the Right Thing." Those words have stuck in my brain when relating to our son and his gf. I'm struggling in the Unconditional Loving of my son. My husband pulled me aside this morning and gently chided me about that. Perhaps I am stuck in this "exile" 'til I learn to love unconditionally?
Anyway, that is my struggle today. Off to make my next batch, and clean the pots and pans.
Love to all.
Franny
Hi, I just read your P31 devo this morning about the woman with the olive jars. It's the same passage God showed me a few weeks ago to remind me to trust Him. I needed to hear it again for our situation. Thank you for your encouraging words!
:) Michelle
Wow - yes, ALL of Jeremiah 29 was good. A very good message from Wendy to correlate with today's reading - continue to build, even during your time of exile.
Don't we all feel captivity during this economic oppression and immoral society we are living in? BUT, we press on, we continue to build--how refreshing to ponder and do this. "A future and a hope" - thank you Lord.
I have Jeremiah 29:9-11 on my fridge.
Enjoyed so much reading and absorbing all the comments thus far today and this week. I stumbled upon this study quite by accident - but no accident really. What a blessing each and every day!
Rhonda in New York State
PS - speaking of oppression - whew big time in NY - taxes, taxes, taxes, and then more taxes!
If it wasn't for my family all living here, I would be oughta this place!
Well, at the risk of sounding like a broken record...I have to say it...Thank you Wendy! Your dedication to us each day, recording these vlogs, managing to squeeze it in before you enjoy some family time at the lake...it just speaks volumes to your dedication and faithfulness. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for this ministry!
Today's nugget for me in the reading was seeing Jeremiah 29:11 for the first time in its true context. As you said Wendy, when you understand where the Israelites were (the captivity they were about to go into for 70 years, all their rebellion and disobedience, and yet, God in His unfailing love would say these sweet words. Wow, my heart is full.
Thinking deeper about Wendy's comments on exile, it's not something I never really considered myself to be in, but it resonated with me as I heard Wendy's vlog.
I have been involved in some wonderful Bible studies over the last 10 years as well as MOPs, MomtoMom, yet have really not made any close, lasting friendships with the wonderful Christian women I've met in these groups. It has been my prayer to connect (not just on a weekly meeting level, but true friendships) with some strong Christian women to grow in faith with, to pray and encourage each other, but it just hasn't happened. Of course, as I shared before, that we have moved every 3-4 years for the past 9 years and also being a mother of 2 young children, doesn't leave much time for form long-lasting, deep relationships with other women.
In addition, my mother, who was my best friend & closest confidante, went to be with Jesus 3 years ago.
I don't say all this as "oh, poor pitiful me", just recognizing that God is using this time of "exile" or aloneness to have me run harder after Him, to truly learn what it means to be dependent only on Him, to take my thoughts/concerns/worries to Him alone.
So, again today, I am encouraged in the midst of one of my life's loneliest times where I am truly hungry for Christian girlfriends, knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for this time during which He's growing me in ways I could never have done in another place/time. When the time is right, when I've been in this place long enough... He will bring me out of this place and to those Christian women with whom I will forming lasting, meaningful friendships.
Well, He has already brought me to all of you!And what a blessing this is.
Have a great day everyone!
Jodi, in New England
p.s.Jodie and Lori, glad we're all straight on our names/identities today! :)
Hey Girl,
I don't pop in here often enough (though I do pop in from time to time!) to applaud you and these ladies for your commitment to reading the Word together. I think it's awesome what yall are doing!
Sweet Blessings ~ Rachel
PS. You look better in the morning than I usually do!
Hey Girl,
I don't pop in here often enough (though I do pop in from time to time!) to applaud you and these ladies for your commitment to reading the Word together. I think it's awesome what yall are doing!
Sweet Blessings ~ Rachel
PS. You look better in the morning than I usually do!
Good Day to all you FIGs. It is the highlight of my day to post. I heard a person say this week, that after we read God's word we must journal. Because He will give us more insight at that time. I have been doing that for a few 0 just a few- years now and when I go back and read them I am always surprised that I wrote that. SOOO - I encourage all of us to do that, and if posting is not your thing, journal. God WILL give you things to say, in fact it may surprise you that you had the insight to say those things. Wendy said some of this to us today. Bless her LORD.
Cherie in Indiana - 2 grandchildren at one time or close together is just the Best there is. If I had know what a blessing grandchildren were I would have had them first. :-). Cannot describe it, planning is good, holding is better.
Grace and Peace, I told you that my beloved had spoiled me, well now you know how much. Then Wendy said today for us to read other translations, and if I had I would have known "Lord of Host" is armies. A host is ususally an army in the Word. I love the part that it is also comfort and confidence. I know the many names of God, I just didn't go there. It is wonderful how much this group is digging into the Word. It is one of the ways we can show our love for Him. There is not much else we can give Him, but our time, love, and adoration. I thank you G&P.
To Chuck's family - what a shock for his wife and two daughters and rest of the family. My prayers are lifted up for you, to the God of comfort to comfort you.
Thought for today: After all this berating of His people He then says
21:2. "Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel.........I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love". None of us humans can love like that - except for our children and their children etc. We are His children, praise His Holy name.
Lyn - can you let us know about Stephanie? Today is the day - and so many of us are anxious for her and the little one.
Donna - TX
My take away is same as Wendys this morning. As i live in Melbourne which is not my native country, i hear the Lord putting a new burden to me to pray for this great nation of Australia. To pray for Gods awakening in this land that has so few believers(less than 5%), for the welfare of this country is also my welfare.
Jeremiah 29:5
“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Lord, i commit this nation of australia to You. i thank you so much for the beautiful people you have placed in this part of th world, thank you for their good spirits and i know Lord, your desire is for us in Australia to know and poseess you as our father and God. People are so anti-God here Lord, for the Lord presented here in the past did not fit YOU at all. may you open the eyes of your people to see who you really are, may you forgive those that have misrepresented you in the past and may you open a new chapter in this land. Father do not allow the people of this nation to perish eternally, i know you are a gracious God, full of mercies, full of Love.
I put my hope in you alone.
Amen
Loice
Hello Everyone!
Playing catch up here finally. I can't believe school is starting up again all over the country and vacations are coming to an end and babies are arriving.
I had an unexpected set back this week after my Monday operation. I am allergic to penicillin and everyone knew that but the replacement antibiotics which were prescribed turned out to work against me. Even Benedryl which I was told to take, instead of stopping the itching and neck swelling make me itch like crazy. In all my calls to the doctor's office, it was the nurse who was making the judgment calls. The surgeon removed the temporary balloon on Wednesday and put in the one that will be used for radiation starting on Monday now. Having difficulty sleeping and also can't take pain medication (who knows what I might be allergic to now!)
Linda had a message to all about mammograms which I second wholeheartedly. It had been eight years since I had my last - I just went sailing along because it wasn't in my family. The doctor had examined me and couldn't feel any irregularities. The first mammograms just showed some irregularities. If Linda, Sarah and I have brought this health concern to your minds - perhaps this is our current "mission".
No other pearls of wisdom today except to say when I was struggling this week, I did suddenly feel a certain peace and calmness that had to be from all your prayers .......PTL .......
If I have radiation this week, does that mean I will glow in the dark and save money on night lights? See there is an upside to all this........
Dixie in Florida
Dixie,
What a trooper you are going through this tough time and sounding so positive! You are an inspiration.
Praying all goes well with your radiation this week.
Jodi, in NewEngland
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