jeremiah-29-11

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. – Jeremiah 29:11

Fellow agents, there is perhaps no more appropriate way to inaugurate this stream of messages than with a message of hope.

Today is a very special day, because it is the day you can look past the murky darkness you’re mired in…the darkness that seems like it will never end…and realize that, just on the other side, is the wondrous hope and future that you never had a chance of considering before God was in your life.

God has amazing plans for you, partially sown by the seeds of tears wept through the dark night, germinating into a wondrous creation only He already knows will happen. He can grow the most beautiful things from the most terrible and painful of seeds.

Each passing moment, hour, and day is that much time closer to answered prayers, so don’t give up. Ever.

It’s been said that your best day without God is still worse than your worst day with God. So true.

As an agent of light, you are armed with His promises and unending support through the darkest nights. You are unconditionally loved and redeemed, which relieves you of the burdens of sorrow, guilt, and condemnation you may have been carrying.

Never forget that weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5)…and the morning will come. He always comes through.

The purpose of the darkness is an opportunity for us, as agents of light, to glorify Him by leaning entirely on Him, and to give us one-on-one instruction and trial by the Refiner’s Fire (Malachi 3:3). For me, fellow agent, He is teaching me how to love others as He loves me: this means that my loving attitude and treatment of others is a constant, no matter how I am treated. How I love others is not something they must earn or deserve, just as we cannot earn or deserve God’s love. It is a hard lesson that my flesh fights against, but it is surely losing the battle.

Continue to pray for the victorious future in Jesus’ holy and powerful name without ceasing…and remember to believe that what you ask will be done (Matthew 21:22). As an agent of light, prayer is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal, allowing you to commune with God and let your supplications, intercessions, or even heartfelt groans be shared. What an amazing privilege to have a direct line of communication at any time!

On top of this, you have the support here in this world of your fellow agents…and we are worldwide. We support one another, even across time and distance.

Vision and Darkness

I want to share a snippet from this encouraging My Utmost for His Highest devotional titled, “Vision and Darkness”:

When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing.

Read the whole devotional »

Today’s Soundtrack

Today’s soundtrack is my personal anthem, and one I’ve shared before, but not here: Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Glorious Unfolding,” which reminds us that where we are now is the just the beginning…of the beginning!