Looking Forward With Hope
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11
As we close the book on this month, it is important to remember that the end of a chapter is just the turning of a page, not the end of the story. Your best days are still ahead of you because God, your loving Father, is already there waiting for you. You can face the coming month and the rest of your life with absolute confidence and unshakable hope.
No matter what you have been through this month, the victories, the failures, the moments of joy, or the seasons of pain, God is not finished writing your story yet. He is the masterful Author of your life, and He always writes the best endings. He has more chapters to reveal, more victories for you to win, and more growth to accomplish in your character. The word "hope" in the Bible is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation of good based on the character of God. We look forward not because we know what the future holds, but because we know Who holds the future. Trust His timing, embrace His process, and walk into the new month with your head held high.
Every time I finish a significant season of life, whether it is leaving a job, moving to a new city, or just concluding a difficult year, I try to have a little "closing ceremony" with God. I take time to thank Him for what has passed, both the good and the bad, and I rededicate the next season to Him. Through this practice, I have learned to approach the future not with dread or anxiety, but with eager anticipation. I often wake up on the first of the month and say, "God, I wonder what amazing things You are going to do this month?" That simple shift in attitude changes everything about my outlook.
Write down three specific hopes or dreams you have for the coming month. Pray over them and ask God to align your desires with His perfect will. Then, leave them in His capable hands and walk forward in faith, ready to receive His best.
Father, thank You for the unshakable hope I have in You. As I look toward the future, I place my trust completely in Your plans and Your timing. I believe that You are leading me into good things. Help me to walk forward in faith, knowing with full assurance that my best days are still ahead of me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
As we close the book on this month, it is important to remember that the end of a chapter is just the turning of a page, not the end of the story. Your best days are still ahead of you because God, your loving Father, is already there waiting for you. You can face the coming month and the rest of your life with absolute confidence and unshakable hope.
No matter what you have been through this month, the victories, the failures, the moments of joy, or the seasons of pain, God is not finished writing your story yet. He is the masterful Author of your life, and He always writes the best endings. He has more chapters to reveal, more victories for you to win, and more growth to accomplish in your character. The word "hope" in the Bible is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation of good based on the character of God. We look forward not because we know what the future holds, but because we know Who holds the future. Trust His timing, embrace His process, and walk into the new month with your head held high.
Every time I finish a significant season of life, whether it is leaving a job, moving to a new city, or just concluding a difficult year, I try to have a little "closing ceremony" with God. I take time to thank Him for what has passed, both the good and the bad, and I rededicate the next season to Him. Through this practice, I have learned to approach the future not with dread or anxiety, but with eager anticipation. I often wake up on the first of the month and say, "God, I wonder what amazing things You are going to do this month?" That simple shift in attitude changes everything about my outlook.
Write down three specific hopes or dreams you have for the coming month. Pray over them and ask God to align your desires with His perfect will. Then, leave them in His capable hands and walk forward in faith, ready to receive His best.
Father, thank You for the unshakable hope I have in You. As I look toward the future, I place my trust completely in Your plans and Your timing. I believe that You are leading me into good things. Help me to walk forward in faith, knowing with full assurance that my best days are still ahead of me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
A Prophetic EarLearning the Voice You Hear Every DayAdopted, Not ToleratedThe Same Spirit Lives in YouWhy Jesus Chose DependenceExisting Versus Truly LivingWhen God Interrupts Your RoutineConviction Calls You Up, Not OutHe Who Gets the Son Gets It AllLet the Word Get in YouThe Book You Never FinishWhen You Finally Taste What’s BetterGod Is Speaking Every Time You Open the BibleFreedom Comes from Knowing the TruthThe Holy Spirit Works with What You StoreYou Might Be the Only Bible They ReadThe Word You Read Today Might Be for Someone Else TomorrowA Love Letter, Not a Rule BookFaith That Moves Without ProofWhen Desperation Strips Away DignityTrusting God in the SmokeThe Miracle Was Not Just for YouWhen Familiarity Kills ExpectationThe Timing of God Is Never AccidentalA Savior Who Shows Up to Ordinary MomentsWhen the Wine Runs OutTake It to Jesus FirstDo Whatever He Tells You to Do
March
The Promise Of New LifeBreaking Free From The PastThe Power Of TransformationWalking In Your New IdentityThe Gift Of GraceLiving By FaithRenewed Mind, Renewed LifeThe Fruit Of New LifeGrowing Through TrialsThe Power Of God's WordWalking In LoveThe Joy Of SalvationLiving In FreedomEquipped For Good WorksResisting TemptationFighting Spiritual BattlesOvercoming FearDealing With DoubtPersevering Through HardshipStanding Against The EnemyFinding Strength In WeaknessSharing Your StoryMaking DisciplesServing OthersLiving With PurposeShowing Christ's LoveBeing Salt And LightPreparing For EternityCelebrating God's FaithfulnessCommitting To GrowthLooking Forward With Hope
13 Comments
What a wonderful message, knowing that God has a plan for us, great idea to write down your hops a pray over them. I am going to start next month. Thank you Paster Ed
I’m so glad that my story isn’t over. That guys will still will be done in my life. I just have to align myself and believe that what he has for me it’s not only for me, but for generations to come after me as long as I have faith, trust, and belief thank you, Pastor Ed
Heavenly Father we trust in your plans. Amen
I text a friend that verse earlier this morning because today is a big day for her. I wanted to let her know that God continues to have her.
nI opened up today’s devotional and boom! There it was again. He knew I needed to hear the same thing for my self as well.
nThis is just one of the ways I know God is so good.
amen!
Great word great verse! I am so grateful for God loving me and saving me almost 30 years ago. I know you cover me daily . Cover my family and their families as they are guided through finding and trusting you. Thank you Ed for your transparency and realism (if thats a word lol)
Good morning and blessings Pastor Ed. Yes, great idea to write down three specific hopes I will definitely work on that, thank you Pastor. You are a blessing to millions of us ??
From Madison, WI to Santa Cruz, CA,oh Lord you have my sweet grand daughter Trinity and myself in your loving care as we enjoy our journey Thank you Pastor Ed for the good message!
Thank you Pastor Ed. I have been going through some family stuff on top of everything else recently and it’s taken a position on the front burner here for us. Our prayers been coming through and we get little nuggets here and there. Last night I was referred to internal family systems by Dick Schwartz. Wow. So helpful. And while I read and stay engaged here on your blog and also with the Bible and other readings I am also digging deep within myself and uncovering these huge areas to bring to the Father through Jesus Christ. And it isn’t the other people I am giving up to Him but the burden I had placed on myself to protect them. For me it’s like giving up an arm or a leg but I feel the hope you and God are providing. For anyone else going through similar things I hope maybe they also can find strength. I truly do love you guys and thank you all for being here.
Thanks for your prayers Linda. With love, one of the things that Jesus helps us do is shine a light on ourselves so we can see the truth. If you’re looking. See in my humble opinion the problem with a lot of people who claim to be followers of Jesus actually just believe in Him and pray. But if we skip the part where we do what Jesus told us, and it’s throughout the Bible, then we will not be with Him in heaven even and also have the same problems we had always had repeated themselves over and over. We must take inventory of ourselves and be ruthless with it. That is what He says to do and of course I’m summarizing here but the scripture in one case for example talks about washing our robes. And if your eye sins against you cut it out. Right so there’s the catch. Are we taking a look at ourselves? Are we picking up our cross and following Him? For me it’s a life and death matter. I am so grateful I found Jesus Christ because He gave me the Holy Spirit. This means that no matter where I turn there is always direction and lessons to learn. Just like Pastor Ed said we learn from the Bible and also from creation. Look under a rock and you will find me.
Also Linda, and thank you for your concern, one of the spiritual gifts that was given to me is discernment of spirits. I actually see them in visions. Both good and bad. Mostly good spirits is what I have run into. Very surprisingly too. And I have seen the King. I could draw you a picture right now actually. One of the coolest things that has ever happened to me. But yes if the teaching is selfish, inconsiderate, based on fear, dishonest, or full of ego to sum it up then yeah it’s not a good lesson. But when I ask God for help and He sends me help I’m gonna take it. He has never let me down and I have nothing to fear. God is with me.
Thanks for your prayers Linda. With love, one of the things that Jesus helps us do is shine a light on ourselves so we can see the truth. If you’re looking. See in my humble opinion the problem with a lot of people who claim to be followers of Jesus actually just believe in Him and pray. But if we skip the part where we do what Jesus told us, and it’s throughout the Bible, then we will not be with Him in heaven even and also have the same problems we had always had repeated themselves over and over. We must take inventory of ourselves and be ruthless with it. That is what He says to do and of course I’m summarizing here but the scripture in one case for example talks about washing our robes. And if your eye sins against you cut it out. Right so there’s the catch. Are we taking a look at ourselves? Are we picking up our cross and following Him? For me it’s a life and death matter. I am so grateful I found Jesus Christ because He gave me the Holy Spirit. This means that no matter where I turn there is always direction and lessons to learn. Just like Pastor Ed said we learn from the Bible and also from creation. Look under a rock and you will find me.
Praying for you, your wife, and your family, Cj. Just a word of caution ... The bible commands believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1). This involves discerning if teachings align with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, examining the fruit of teachers, and holding fast to biblical truth. "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14) warning us that deception often appears attractive, righteous, or divine. Evil disguises itself as goodness to lead us (very subtly) AWAY from truth, using false doctrines that seem enlightened. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment, Cj, as you look into this new "therapy". I'll be praying for "family stuff" and you keep strong in the faith, brother.
Thanks for your prayers Linda. With love, one of the things that Jesus helps us do is shine a light on ourselves so we can see the truth. If you’re looking. See in my humble opinion the problem with a lot of people who claim to be followers of Jesus actually just believe in Him and pray. But if we skip the part where we do what Jesus told us, and it’s throughout the Bible, then we will not be with Him in heaven even and also have the same problems we had always had repeated themselves over and over. We must take inventory of ourselves and be ruthless with it. That is what He says to do and of course I’m summarizing here but the scripture in one case for example talks about washing our robes. And if your eye sins against you cut it out. Right so there’s the catch. Are we taking a look at ourselves? Are we picking up our cross and following Him? For me it’s a life and death matter. I am so grateful I found Jesus Christ because He gave me the Holy Spirit. This means that no matter where I turn there is always direction and lessons to learn. Just like Pastor Ed said we learn from the Bible and also from creation. Look under a rock and you will find me.
Also Linda, and thank you for your concern, one of the spiritual gifts that was given to me is discernment of spirits. I actually see them in visions. Both good and bad. Mostly good spirits is what I have run into. Very surprisingly too. And I have seen the King. I could draw you a picture right now actually. One of the coolest things that has ever happened to me. But yes if the teaching is selfish, inconsiderate, based on fear, dishonest, or full of ego to sum it up then yeah it’s not a good lesson. But when I ask God for help and He sends me help I’m gonna take it. He has never let me down and I have nothing to fear. God is with me.
Thanks for your prayers Linda. With love, one of the things that Jesus helps us do is shine a light on ourselves so we can see the truth. If you’re looking. See in my humble opinion the problem with a lot of people who claim to be followers of Jesus actually just believe in Him and pray. But if we skip the part where we do what Jesus told us, and it’s throughout the Bible, then we will not be with Him in heaven even and also have the same problems we had always had repeated themselves over and over. We must take inventory of ourselves and be ruthless with it. That is what He says to do and of course I’m summarizing here but the scripture in one case for example talks about washing our robes. And if your eye sins against you cut it out. Right so there’s the catch. Are we taking a look at ourselves? Are we picking up our cross and following Him? For me it’s a life and death matter. I am so grateful I found Jesus Christ because He gave me the Holy Spirit. This means that no matter where I turn there is always direction and lessons to learn. Just like Pastor Ed said we learn from the Bible and also from creation. Look under a rock and you will find me.
Today I resigned from a very toxic environment. I so needed to hear this today. Thank you, Pastor Ed! I prayed all of this over my life. ?✝️❤️