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Jeremiah 23:33-24:10; Jeremiah 29:1-31:14<\/strong><\/span> Jeremiah Chapter 24 and the good and bad figs is interesting. It\u2019s interesting in that the captives that end up in Babylon are the good figs \u2013 and those that stay behind in Judah & Jerusalem are the bad. You might think the opposite would be true. But, it seems that the 70 years of captivity coming up in Babylon will be a \u201crefining\u201d process for those Israelites, and will bring them back closer to God, before returning to the land.\u00a0 In verse 1 we read: \u201cAfter King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon along with the princes of Judah and all the skilled craftsmen, the LORD gave me this vision. I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the LORD\u2019s Temple in Jerusalem.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Jeremiah 29:8-9 today tells us: \u201cThe Lord Almighty, the God <\/em>of Israel, says, \u201cDo not let the prophets and mediums who are there in Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams because they prophesy lies in my name. I have not sent them,\u201d says the Lord.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 My thought on these verses is that often times I think that we too are tricked by lies that the world is often selling us. \u201cMoney, Power, Status, Sex-Appeal, etc. etc. are things to be strived for above all else\u201d are the type of things that I think we often hear. But, are these True? Or are they tricks \u2013 are they lies? Will you find emptiness or happiness in what the world is selling you? Where can you find True happiness and peace? I think these questions are answered for us today in verses 11-13: \u201cFor I know the plans I have for you,\u201d says the Lord. \u201cThey are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Are you looking for God in earnest?\u00a0 If you\u2019ve found God, are you following Him alone and not the tricksters of this world?\u00a0 Do you believe that God has a beautiful plan for you and your life?\u00a0 A plan much better than any plan you could dream up on your own?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 The great news of Jeremiah 29:11 reminded me of the great Christian movie called \u201cFacing the Giants.\u201d Have you seen this movie yet?\u00a0 My wife and I just watched it for the first time a couple of weeks ago on DVD and loved it.\u00a0 It\u2019s made by the same folks that made the movie \u201cFireproof.\u201d\u00a0 Here\u2019s a trailer for it:<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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