Bible Study

MrGene Alisha Mathis

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This weeks scripture: “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

Main point: God has a plan for your life.

Jeremiah was a nut! That's what a lot of people thought in his day, any way. He was a prophet. That's a guy who God uses to tell people about the future or how to get ready for the future. He kept getting into trouble and thrown into jail because he told the truth. He would tell the king that something bad was going to happen. This would make the king mad. Since the king had all the power he would throw Jeremiah in jail for telling him something bad. When the bad thing did happen the king would see that Jeremiah was right and let him out of jail again. God wasn't happy with people in those days (they just wouldn't listen to and obey him) and so Jeremiah would always have bad news. He could have said “Na na na na na, told you so!” But that would have probably gotten his head chopped off. Anyway, a bunch of Israelites had been kicked out of town and made to be slaves in a place called Babylon. They had decided not to work hard or have kids because that would have just given the Babylonians more slaves. Then here comes Jeremiah. God had told him to give them some good news, and some bad news. The bad news was that they would be in Babylon for 70 years. The good news was that it would only be 70 years, not forever. When they did leave Babylon he had big plans for them. The children they were going to have would prosper and have a good future. They were supposed to work hard and have kids to prepare for the future.

God wants the same from you! In Jeremiah 1:5 God said that he knew Jeremiah before he was born. Not only that, but he had already decided what Jeremiah was to become. Imagine, before you were even born God knew if he wanted you to be a pro wrestler or a preacher! If you think I'm kidding, he did the same with Samson. Samson was the best wrestler and fighter in history. Look it up in Judges. Anyway, God has a plan for you. I don't know what it is. You probably don't either, yet. God does! And its not to be a fry cooker at McDonald’s, either. He has BIG plans for you. It's up to you to find out what they are. How? You have to read your Bible and pray a lot. Not in just 2 or 3 days. I'm talking for years. If you want to hear what God says, you have to be close to him. Not because he doesn't talk loud enough, because we do not know how to listen. So grow closer to him everyday. While you are waiting to hear from him, prepare. Work hard at school, church, and everywhere else. Prepare yourself as much as possible in every area of your life. If God wants you to be a doctor, and that is what he tells you, then a bunch of D’s in science is going to make it tougher to be a doctor!

This weeks prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I know you have big plans for me. Give me the wisdom to seek you first in everything. Give me the desire to work hard church, school, and every part of my life so that I will be prepared for any task you give me.

By the way, I love you, Jesus.

Amen.