God’s Plans Are Meant for Good

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans toprosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then youwill call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You willseek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found byyou,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gatheryou from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares theLord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you intoexile.”
- Jeremiah 29:11-14

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“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what theyproduce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and giveyour daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperityof 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 29:5-7

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Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them cameto Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of everyliving thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.
‍- Genesis 7:15-16

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If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
‍- Daniel 3:17-18

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For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
‍- Philippians 1:21

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Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by theSpirit into the wilderness
- Luke 4:1

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those wholove him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknewhe also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might bethe firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
- Romans 8:28-29

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In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus beganto do and to teach
- Acts 1:1

Mixer

What was on your lunch box on your first day of school? What are some other fond back to school memories?

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‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In the 8/1/22 entry, Homecoming, Garden Music’s DJ Brennan reminds us what it is like to have a Good Father who welcomes us home despite our mistakes. Are you the prodigal son, expecting to have to earn your Good Father’s goodwill and affection - over and over? But God doesn’t want an exchange - He wants us home. What are some things you can do to step into being His beloved son or daughter this week?
2. In the 8/2/22 entry, Have My Heart, Garden Music’s Ethan Rounds talks about how a time in a dry season of his life was eventually watered as he studied Proverbs. Proverbs 23:26 says God and you/me can delight again by giving over our hearts over to Him. Spend some time journaling about what giving your heart, thoughts, questions, choices, and emotions could do to bring revival to your faith and relationships. Take note of what you see God do when you do!

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:28-29; Gen 7:15-16; Daniel 3:17-18; Luke 5:1; Hebrews 4:16; Acts 1:1-2

1. What impacted or challenged you in today’s message?
2. Megan made the point that we love Jesus, but we live for him without him. What did she mean? What did this statement shake loose in your own faith journey?
3. Megan drew a connector from all of today’s passages to God’s plan for you. For all humankind. What is that plan? Do you fear it or embrace it, and why?
4. Looking at the life of Jesus, make a list of who he is (prayer warrior, grace giver, etc.). Acts 1 tells us he began something... and we are to continue what? Who are you at this moment in time, and does it line up with being the likeness of Jesus – yet? How can your group pray for you?
5. Megan said that God will not meet you where you are not - so we have to be honest and vulnerable with Him. What is that “thing”you are struggling with? How does Romans 8:28-29 and the reminders of the “things” of Noah, Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego help you to open up to God?
6. Knowing that God is in the details and He is a Deliver, what insight is He giving you about your current struggle? Are you able to better identify how God could be intending to use it and you (all things) to transform you?
7. What did you learn about approaching God’s throne of Grace? If God wants all to know Jesus, why does He use us, as flawed as we are? How will you be a picture of God’s throne of Grace to someone in your life this week?

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Serve

Check out our summer + ongoing Impact Serving Opportunities!

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Pray

Please join us in lifting up students, teachers, school staff and their families as they head back to school this month. Cover them all with prayer that encourages them to be who they are in Christ, and that whatever their role is, they can be a light that shines Jesus’ love into the dark places of others around them. Pray that they will be Christ’s Ambassadors in their classrooms, lunchroom, school grounds, on the bus, and more!

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12