i received this from a message board that i'm a part of. i thought it was well worth sharing with all of you!

Hey gals! I just wanted to share something with you. My girlfriend and I started an email ministry to encourage our fellow sisters at our church. It's gone beyond our church, Praise God! It's been a wonderful blessing for us and others.
I'm including this week's CHOSEN (Challenging His Own Spiritually E-mail Network). My girlfriend Heidi wrote it. I pray it encourages you as it has me.
In Christ's Love,
Cathy

11/19/03


He Has Plans for You—Good Plans!

“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Did you know that God has a plan for each one of us? Do you want to know the plan He has for you? Have you ever wondered how to know for sure what His plan is for you? The above Bible verse from Jeremiah gives us promises from the Lord. Notice these promises from the Lord are not just simply said by the Lord, they are DECLARED by the Lord! What do we have to do to find the answers to our questions concerning His plan for us? The scripture says we must “call upon” Him, “come” to Him, and “pray” to Him. Then the scripture says to “seek” Him with our whole heart. Then we will find Him! If you have questions, keep seeking Him. Pray to Him for guidance before you begin searching His Word. Then, take time to be silent and listen. He will answer. Sometimes it takes but a moment to receive an answer or direction and sometimes it takes days, weeks, months, or years. Never stop seeking Him with your whole heart!

“And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you. O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
2 Samuel 7:25-29

When the Lord reveals His plan and purpose for you, be ready to obey Him and have the boldness to follow Him wherever He may lead. The Lord is trustworthy and He makes good on His promises to you. He will not fail you—EVER!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Be joyful, pray continually, and thank Him in all things. Be humble and pure-hearted. Cling to the good. Run from evil. Most importantly remember, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Challenge: If you have accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ and eternal life from the Lord and submitted your life to Him, He has a plan for you. Are you ready to seek Him with your whole heart and set the plan in motion?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for having a plan for each of us. Thank You for calling us to serve You. I know I am not worthy on my own, but only through the blood of Jesus. Reveal Your plan to me, so I may walk Your straight and narrow path. Use me, this weak and broken vessel, for Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. We love You. Give us each a renewed desire to study Your Word and seek You. With Love, Your Daughters