This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:4-7
I believe the Lord is giving New Hope Brisbane a season of blessings. We’ve seen many weddings, many children born, many new relationships starting, many people being blessed in business and work life, people coming to Christ, and a strong sense of community growing among us.
I believe He is establishing a firm foundation which he can build upon. A foundation in the Word of God, in Love and unity, a foundation in a heart to serve and reach out to those around us.
He’s been raising up new leaders in different areas, he’s been pruning out areas in peoples lives that needed a clean up, which sometimes hurts but is better for the big picture.
Here in Jeremiah we read about how Israel was blessed even when they were in exile, and much fruit comes when God blesses his people. He says through the prophet Jeremiah “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
I think of how God is blessing us with rain, with financial prosperity, I know the Lions and the Broncos have been blessed a lot in the past few years, but this year it’s someone else’s turn…
This also shows me how much God focuses on his people, the Body of Christ, and how influential we are in the cities we live in. It is God who gives and takes away. Full stop.
Lord, Thank you for all of your blessings, I will praise you in good times and in bad times! I pray for the peace and prosperity of our city. I give this day to you Lord. Amen.