In a Relationship With...

by Mollie Thompson

This Week's Verse: Jer.29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (NKJV)

Devotion:
How sweet are the words of this week's verse. God our Father has plans for us – each and every one of us. None of us are here by random accidents. None of us are mistakes. None of us are a bother to God. We each have a purpose designed by God – the Creator of the Universe. In Jesus, we are not hopeless or helpless or worthless. No mistake is too big or too hard to overcome by the will of God. Isn’t that refreshing?

This verse was written when the people of God had really messed up and they were in captivity. It’s sort of like when we put our kids in time-out, or when we ground them from opportunities they would like to participate in. It’s a way of sitting them down, and saying, “Hey! Pay attention! I have some good stuff for you if only you will listen to me and do what I tell you. Now you’re going to stay here until I tell you it’s time for you to get up.”

The punishment from God came for the good of His people. They were on a self-destructive path and wouldn’t listen to Him. He had to get their attention. Their ears were getting tickled by the world and they liked what they were hearing. It suited them.

But God knew they were getting farther away from Him and His good and His truth. He had good planned for each and every one of them, but they had to get back with His program. They had to get back in relationship with Him.

And that’s the big thing God has been showing me lately. The big thing about Christianity is the relationship we are to be continually establishing with our Father and with His Son and with His Spirit.

The closer we are in relationship with Him, the more we will be able to be led by Him, the more we will be able to line ourselves up with that good future and hope He has for each and every one of us.

Father, we get so busy with the things of life. We get so carried away with our own hopes and dreams we have for our future and for the future of our families. The world can promise us (or at least tempt us with) some pretty amazing things. Then we get our eyes off of you and start doing things our own way. Please forgive us for this. Please help us get our eyes back on you. Help us to remember how big you really are, and that your plans are the best. And if we need a time-out, please provide us with one. We love you so much. Draw us back into relationship with you – no matter what it takes. In Jesus' most precious and Holy Name. Amen.

Application:
On Facebook there’s a spot to tell your “Relationship Status.” It’s really a big deal when you are single and then you get to announce the name of that somebody special you are in a relationship with. Somehow that makes your relationship “official.” How official would you say your relationship is with Jesus Christ? How in tune would you say you are with the plans God has for you? Do you talk to him enough to say you are in relationship with him?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death."(NIV)
Jeremiah 33:2, 3, "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (NIV)
Psalm 34:8, "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"(NKJV)
John 21:17, “[Insert your name here], do you love Me?”