New Living Translation (NLT)

11. 'not to harm you' (NIV)

11. 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil' (NKJV)

13. 'with all your heart' (NIV) 

Most of us know this encouraging scripture very well: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

This was once spoken to Israel and is still very relevant for Israel. However, we, as the spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham, may now also embrace these promises as our own.

But the next verses are probably a little less known. They say:

"(...) when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (Jer. 29:12-13 NLT)

Did you catch that little word: wholeheartedly? It means with ALL your heart.

You see, God's promises are 100% reliable and dependable. But God is not obligated to fulfill them for you.

It's like this: you could say, "One day I'm gonna be a doctor." But if you never read a book or study, then I sure hope I never end up on your operating table...

The same goes for God. It's not enough to say, "I believe in God," so these promises will automatically come to pass. You will have to invest in your relationship with Him, just like any other relationship.

He has good plans for you. But you still have free will. You can take a left when a right would have been better. So how do you recognize what He's planned for you?

Look for Him, meaning get to know Him. Pray, meaning talk with Him and be honest. 😉 Study Him; read His book. Be in His presence daily, look at the birds, look at the trees, and act out what you've read in your daily devotional. It's not enough to just read about it. Love is a noun, but it is also a verb. It doesn't mean anything if you can't show love.

In other words, fill your heart with all things good, godly, and true.

And then you will see all the glorious things God has waiting for each of us. 🙌