upward & inward

Re-post from 2008 : A long time ago, in a land far away, a peculiar people returned to their wasted homeland – wasted from war and destruction, wasted from sin. This land we now call the Holy Land, was far from holy. It had been neglected by the Israelites and became a place where pagans lived in place of God’s holy people. Over the span of two centuries, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were conquered, scattered, and assimilated into other cultures until God held the land in a state of rest – awaiting the Jews’ return. Once again, God showed His perfect love, grace, and mercy to those not deserving. Just as He shows His love to us now through His Son, so He showed His love to the returning Jews. They were but a remnant – a focused, passionate band of those willing to give up all they had known (for they had been away in exile for many years) so that they could return to the land given them by God. Against great opposition, God enabled them under the direction of Zer...

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 Next to John 3:16 , to many Christ followers this verse may be the most recognizable verse in all of the Bible.  Why? Because it honors the sovereignty of God while also reminding us that He has our ultimate good at the top of His priority list, especially when we're going through tough trials. As with most verses in the Bible, if we take one verse - or even a couple verses - outside its context, we run the risk of changing the original meaning or, in this case, not seeing the whole picture. Imagine if you, your family, and your entire community was ripped out of your homeland and sent to a distant land.  Against your will and against all hope, God speaks to you and reminds you who you really are - a child of His people!  You are one of His! Through the prophet Jeremiah, He sends you a message. "Settle down. Make...