From:
Date: April 13, 2020
Subject: It's April 13; Good Morning Union


Today is brought to you by the letter F

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”    Jeremiah 29:11

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Both my promises for this morning, starting with F, come with follow up verses that only enhance their promises.

Jeremiah continues, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to Me. And I will be found by you. You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart.”

And John continues, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

I continue to be amazed at the clarity of God’s word on those things that are important. In fact I would go so far as to say, the more important it is to God, the clearer it is in His word! Today’s verses emphasize that point. Here were the clear messages I saw today:

  1. God knows what He has in store for me- that’s encouraging, especially in these times of challenge
  2. They are plans for my good and not my bad- that’s focusing, especially when everything may not always LOOK good on the outside.
  3. They are plans that will give me hope and a future- that’s stabilizing, especially when the future might look uncertain at times.
  4. He WILL be found by me- that’s assuring, especially in times of silence like our CVC staff so beautifully shared last Friday night.
  5. When I seek Him with all my heart I WILL find Him- that’s promising, especially when I need to be reminded, with all the pandemic and other distractors, that His word is true and the results of searching is guaranteed.
  6. God DOES love me so much that He was willing to die for me- that is clarifying, especially needed, as we remembered yesterday, that through it all I DO have a God whose very nature is defined as LOVE.
  7. The promise of eternal life is sure, to WHOEVER believes- that’s including, especially when I can feel isolated and dissected from life. EVERYONE who accepts God’s love HAS eternal life promised.
  8. God came to save me and not to condemn me- that’s reminding, especially when I can easily try and blame God, or at least wonder about God’s presence, when things are tough. God is the author of good; Satan is the cause of evil. God saves; Satan condemns! Sometimes I can too easily get caught up in confusing those roles. I need to be reminded of God’s clear promises and positive assurances on a daily basis.

His plans are sure and they’re for my good and not our bad; His love is sure and it was demonstrated to me this past weekend. His promises are sure and they are my strength and assurance for today.

Have a great day trusting God’s plans because He only has good in store for us,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day:      “All God’s giants have been weak men and women who have gotten hold of God’s faithfulness.”   Hudson Taylor (19th century missionary who served 51 years in China who’s signature closing was “Yours faithfully in Christ”)

My song for today shows my bias toward acapella hymns sung by choirs!

            Face to Face    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLig-W4wSU

PS       “Daily Bread” blog at noon on CM Instagram and then archived on CMyoutube. Join is for 15 minutes of interactive Bible study with Caleb Haakenson and guests.

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PP..S  Checking in” each night @ 7; Zoom ID # 529 282 199