Jeremiah 29:11 has always been one of my favorite scriptures and today the Lord showed me 9 powerful thoughts He has toward YOU.
1. God is thinking about you
You’re very blessed if you have a Mom and Dad who think about you. . . you’re blessed when your spouse and children are thinking about you. . .it’s nice when your boss is thinking about you. . .it’s a joy knowing that you have friends who are thinking about you.
But the best thing of all is when you have the scriptural assurance that the Master of the Universe. . .the Creator of Heaven and earth. . .your Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. . .you Jehovah Shalom. . .your God of peace. . . is thinking about you . . . that is so awesome it defies description!
Jeremiah 29:11 says:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
I want you to get this . . . God is thinking about YOU.
You may have felt that nobody knew you were alive. Maybe that includes your family. . .but that’s just not true . . . because God, your Heavenly Father, is thinking about you.
Psalm 40:17 in The Living Bible says:
“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now!”
Consider these words found in 1 Corinthians 2:10 in the Message Bible very carefully. Here’s what it says:
“The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Who ever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he's thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions. We didn't learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we're passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way.”
God will also let you in on what He’s thinking about you. Can somebody shout “Hallelujah?”
2. God has plans for you.
From the time you’re born. . .it seems that people have plans for you. . .your Mom has plans on how she will dress you. . .your Dad has plans on what sports you’ll be involved in. . .your friends have plans on what games you will pay. . .your teachers have plans on what you’ll learn. . .your spouse has plans on how your life together will be. . .your employer has plans on what your job description will be. . .I could go on and on but the bottom line is this . . . throughout your life a lot of people have plans for you; however, there’s only One person whose plans matter. Those are the plans you want to discover and pursue to find true fulfillment and peace on this earth.
Jeremiah 29:11 in The Living Bible says:
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
The truth of the matter is God planned for you before you were ever conceived.
Jeremiah 1:5 in the Message Bible says:
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that's what I had in mind for you."
This scripture is proof that there is no such thing as an illegitimate child. You can be assured that God didn’t just plan for Jeremiah’s life. Every life that comes upon planet earth was created with a purpose and a destiny. God makes no mistakes!
One of the most beautiful songbirds to ever draw a breath was Ethel Waters. Until the time of her death, she sang at the Billy Graham Crusades. Her signature song was “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”
Ethel Waters’ mother gave birth to her after she was raped in a dark hallway at age 8! As Ethel grew up and found the Lord, one of her favorite sayings was, “God don’t make no junk.” In His grace, Ethel Waters knew she was born for a purpose. You are too!
There are a number of scriptures which emphasize the point that God has plans for you. . .and that His plans are the only one that matters.
Proverbs 19:21 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 in the New Century Version says:
“People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord’s plan will happen.”
I really like the Message Bible translation of Proverbs 19:21:
“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.”
Not only does God have plans for you. . .but they’re marvelous plans.
Psalm 40:5 in the Contemporary English Version says:
“You, LORD God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.”
One final question . . . do you know that plans God has for your life? He’s ever-ready to share them with you.
3. God is thinking thoughts of peace toward you.
As the old saying goes … the only thing that is constant is change. The events of 911 changed the way we travel. The pandemic changed the way we live even further.
We are constantly being pushed and shoved to believe this way or that. Isn’t it great to know that our Great God never changes? And He will never change His mind about how He sees you.
But in the midst of all the turbulence . . . Jehovah Shalom is thinking thoughts of peace toward you.
The American Standard Version of Jeremiah 29:11 says:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.”
It’s interesting to note that He’s not just thinking thoughts of peace toward people in general but rather thoughts of peace towards you specifically. That’s a good reason to Hallelujah and praise His Name.
Not only is He thinking thoughts of peace toward you . . . He gives you instructions on how to keep your mindful peaceful in the midst of the storms of life.
Isaiah 26:3 in the Amplified Bible says:
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”
There are numerous scriptures where we’re told that we can live and walk in His peace.
However, we need to follow the scriptural admonition of Philippians 4:9:
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
4. God has plans to prosper you.
If you’ve followed my teachings either through seminars, blogs, books or the Rich Thoughts Television Network, you know that I frequently teach and preach on how God wants to prosper you.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the New International Version just confirms that God has plans to prosper you.
“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.”
It’s not a matter of whether you’re lucky or not . . . like winning the lottery or getting on some game show . . . God has plans to prosper you far outside the realm of “lucky.”
It’s not whether or not you get the big performance bonus at work . . . God has plans to prosper you.
It’s not whether or not you receive a large inheritance from a rich relative . . . God has plans to prosper you.
It’s not whether or not your investment portfolio brings huge returns and dividends . . . God has plans to prosper you.
It’s not whether or not you found oil or gold under your land . . . God has plans to prosper you.
3 John 2 says:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Here’s the bottom line. . .God has plans to prosper you. . .regardless of your circumstances . . . as long as you’re obedient to His word.
Psalm 1:1 in the Amplified Bible says:
“BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.”
5. God is not thinking evil about you.
If someone is thinking about you 24/7 . . . isn’t it comforting and reassuring to know that they’re not thinking evil thoughts but good thoughts toward you?
From our study of this scripture . . . it’s clear that God is thinking about you.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the Amplified Bible says:
“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.”
Your ex may be thinking evil toward you . . . but not God
Your former employer or best friend may turn against you . . . but not God.
A criminal element may be thinking evil about you or your property . . . but not God.
Psalm 56:5 in the Amplified Bible says:
“All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt.”
You and I have a part to play in overcoming evil. Romans 12:21 says:
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
In other words, God is not thinking evil toward us. . .but He is expecting us to do our part. . .against every evil assault of the enemy.
Psalm 25:19,20 says:
“Consider my enemies, for they abound; they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You.”
6. God will not abandon you.
Sadly, there are many people who have been abandoned in their lives.
Spouses, children and even employers and employees have suffered abandonment. It’s a deep hurt. However, we have an assurance that God will never abandon us!
Jeremiah 29:11 in the Message Bible says:
“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Deuteronomy 4:21 in the New Living Translation says:
“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.”
Joshua 1:5 in the New Living Translation says:
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”
The scriptures are very clear . . . people will come and go . . . BUT GOD will never abandon you. You can take that to the bank!
7. God plans are to give you hope.
The scripture says in Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick…”
Jeremiah 29:11 in New International Reader’s Version says:
“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”
The scripture isn’t just saying that we have the hope of the sweet bye and bye even though we do. . .it says that we have hope for “…the years to come.”
Hope is our healing balm that makes everything all right.
Hope takes away the pain of loss . . . so we can anticipate better days.
Hope can be defined as the search for and anticipation of future good that’s achievable with God’s help and direction.
Romans 5:5 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”
God will even be your personal bodyguard when you properly put your trust and confidence in Him.
Isaiah 26:3 in the Amplified Bible says:
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”
God will give you hope . . . when you focus on Him.
8. God wants you to enjoy success.
God wants you to be successful in everything your hands find to do. Barely getting by or giving up are both offensive sentiments to God . . . because He gives you the formula for success in His Word.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the New International Reader’s Version says:
“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”
God wants “…you to enjoy success.”
Have you ever seen anywhere in the Bible where God was delighted when someone failed . . . have you seen Him take pride in failures? It’s not in the Book.
Not only does God want you to succeed He wants it extended to your whole family as well.
He proves it by telling you His covenant of love extends “to a thousand generations” numerous times: Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10;7:9; I Chronicles 16:15; Psalm 105:8. I encourage you to look these up and meditate on how much God loves you and your family.
2 Samuel 23:5 in the New Living Translation says:
“Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success.
Our Heavenly Father wants you to be successful but you must be obedient to His Word regardless of your circumstances, situations and problems.
1 Chronicles 22:13 in the New Living Translation says:
“For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!”
God wants you to be so successful that He gives you the formula for success. It’s found in Joshua 1:8. The Amplified Bible puts it this way:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.”
In this verse you find the words “you” and “your” a total of six times. God wants you to be successful but you’ve got a part to play. The decisions you make today will determine your destiny tomorrow.
9. God has plans to give you a future.
I’ve seen your future and it look great. No, I’m not a psychic or a prophet. I’m just a man who believes the Word of God . . . and everything it says.
Jeremiah 29:11 in the New Century Version says:
“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”
God not only thinks about you. . .wants you to prosper. . .He’s also planned out your future.
Psalm 37:37 in the New Living Translation says:
“Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.”
Are you ready to shout?
1 Timothy 6:18-19 in the New Living Translation says:
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
You’re going to love 1 Timothy 6:18-19 in the Message Bible:
“Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.”
In fact, the benefit of Jeremiah 29:11 is found in 1 Timothy 6:18-19. . .now that’s something to shout about.
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Harold Herring