The Plans Christ Has For Us…

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

(13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV(11) 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.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

(11) 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.

There are two days in every week we should not worry about.

Two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.

Yesterday has passed, forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. Nor can we erase a single word we’ve said – yesterday is gone.

The other day we shouldn’t worry about is tomorrow.

Tomorrow is beyond our control.

Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds but it will rise. And until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day — today

Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of today that drives people mad – it is the remorse of bitterness for something that happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live one day at a time!

Paul knew that when he wrote:

• Philippians 3:13-14 KJV• (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have

apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

• (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What can you change about your past?

Nothing…

Your past is past…

For instance…

ABCNEWS…MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 2, 2007 Sherry Engebretsen called her family at 5:39 p.m. Wednesday to say she was leaving her downtown Minneapolis office in a few minutes. It had been a long, stressful day.

"I said, 'We'll talk more when you get home,'" said Ron Engebretsen, Sherry's husband of 32 years, recounting the phone conversation. "And she said, 'Yeah, I'll be home in a few minutes.'"

Engebretsen's commute normally took her over the 10th Avenue bridge, but for some reason -- her family isn't sure why – she chose to take an alternate route. Late Thursday, authorities confirmed she was among those who died when the I-35W bridge collapsed. Earlier, her family had held out hope she was still alive, phoning hospitals and distributing her photo to reporters.

Everyday we are faced with choices..• And we have to live with the

consequences…

• But once something is done… it is done.

• So what should you do? • forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Since you can’t do anything about your past, what should you do?

Focus on your future, by making the right decisions today…

When tempted to sin… look for the escape hatch…

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

When you are forced into a situation, and have to make a decision…

Just do what Jesus would…

You will never make the wrong decision if you do exactly what Jesus would do if he

were in your shoes…

When you have to choose between 2 things that are good…

Choose the thing that is in alignment with God’s will in your life…

For instance…A pastor that can sing gets an invitation to sing at

another church on a Sunday.Singing is good.

Preaching is good…But because God has called him to Pastor…

Choosing preaching is better…

What is the call on your life?

• Everyone of us has a purpose that God has given you…

• You exist to serve and worship God.

• But, being more specific, what are YOU supposed to do for God with your life?

• He has a plan for your life…

Our other Our other text today…text today…

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

God expects something out of you…

Notice…this part of the verse…

• 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.

• When Jesus thinks of you, what is he thinking about?

Have you ever thought about Jesus thinking good thoughts about you?

• We focus on him…but we rarely think about him focusing on us…

• If we did, we would not sin as much.

What kind of thoughts does Jesus have when he thinks of you?

• When you sin?• When you help others?• When you overcome a temptation?• When you make a decision that is in His

will?

• What does the Bible say Jesus’ thoughts are about us?

Jeremiah 29:11

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.

Or the way the NIV translates it…

plans to prosper you and not to harm you

Jesus desires:

• Peace and prosperity for you…

• Maybe not so much physical prosperity, but spiritual….

• But he even blesses us physically also!

But notice what else it says…

“and not of evil”

• Or, “and not to harm you”

• Jesus doesn’t think evil thoughts toward you…

• Even when you sin…

• He gets disappointed, but desires no evil for his saints…

He has an eternal will for you…

• And only you can find what that will is…

• But the Bible clearly says, he has an “expected end” for you…

• He has a plan for your future.

• He has a plan for our church’s future.

It’s time to leave the past in the dust!

• And press on toward the future…• Are you willing to do this today?

• Personally, are you willing to commit that the past is past?… no longer will you let it eat at you…

• Are you willing to seek God’s will for your future?

• Are you willing to take your life one day at a time in order to fulfill your “expected end?”

What about What about our church?our church?

• Can we today re-commit to the vision statement God gave us:

• Our Vision Statement:Our vision is to grow numerically and spiritually, and to work in unity by reaching out to others through various ministries of education, grace, and caring; to be a safe haven in the midst of a cruel world. We will reach the youth and their families through an active youth group; all while staying true to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have been given a gift:

• The gift of a new day! • The gift of a new future!• The gift of a new beginning!• The gift of a new church!

• We are coming upon our 125th yr…• But we are as new today as we were then…• In Christ, Today is the only day we have…

Recently I took a trip

• I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it.

• I’m talking about my annual “Guilt Trip.” I got tickets to fly there on “WISHIHAD” airlines“WISHIHAD” airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been.

• No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret Regret City International AirportCity International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the Last Resort HotelLast Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year’s most important event, the Annual Pity PartyAnnual Pity Party.

• I wasn’t going to miss that great social occasion.

• Many of the towns leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the Done familyDone family … you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I I Had familyHad family. You probably know ol’ Wish and his clan. Of course, the OpportunitiesOpportunities would be present, Missed Missed and Lost.and Lost.

• The biggest family would be the Yesterday’sYesterday’s. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. Then Shattered DreamsShattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It’s Their FaultIt’s Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don’t Blame MeDon’t Blame Me and I Couldn’t Help ItI Couldn’t Help It.

• Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party … knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent “pity parties” could be canceled by ME!ME! I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn’t have to be depressed.

• One thing kept going through my mind. I CAN’T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY.

• I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of RegretCity of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address.

• Am I sorry for mistakes I’ve made in the past? YES! But there is no physical way to undo them. So, if you’re planning a trip back to the City of regretCity of regret, … please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting AgainStarting Again. I liked it so much … that I have now taken up permanent residence there.

• My neighbors … the I Forgive MyselfI Forgive Myself and the New New StartsStarts are so very helpful. By the way, you don’t have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival.

• God bless you in finding this great town. If you can find it… it’s in your own heart… please look me up. I live on I CAN DO ITI CAN DO IT street.