‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV — For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm to you, plans to give you hope and a future.‬‬

Advent is four weeks of preparing for the coming of Jesus’ birth. It can be a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. Do you participate in Advent, whether at church or on an activity calendar in your home? This year Deborah and I are trying something new. We are taking this time of the Advent Christmas season for self-care. We are following a book that suggests a different activity each day. Today’s suggested activity is using lavender and/or chamomile essential oils to create a calming space to breathe deeply and reflect.

In reading today’s verse, think about Mary and how she carried the hope of Jesus in her womb for nine months. I wonder if she understood that the baby she carried would prosper her and not only give her hope, but hope for all mankind. Imagine her times of solitude and reflection on her present situation and what was to come. Whatever our present situations are, I encourage us to seek God’s perfect will, knowing His plan is to prosper us and give us hope.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your plans to prosper me and give me hope. Help me to follow Your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Ephesians 5:10 MSG —- Figure out what will please the Christ, then do it.

What are your take-aways from this week on intention? Click here as we discuss our take-aways and thoughts in today’s See You Saturday video.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV — But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

Today’s verse is the same I shared on Sunday of this week. As I mentioned on Sunday, this is my life verse. This verse encompasses my faith journey. As we finish this week together, I encourage you to identify your life verse. We would love to hear from you and have you share your life verse with us. Comment on this post on WordPress, Facebook or Instagram. Share with us the verse and/or the reason the verse is important to you.

I pray this week you have become aware and examined your intentions. May God open each of our eyes not only to His presence but also to our intentionality within the days He has gifted us. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the time I have. Open my eyes to my intentions. May I reflect You in all I say and do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Interesting fact about my birth — My parents spent their time focusing on my arrival and learning to adjust to life with a newborn. My dad didn’t spend any time preparing a sermon because he planned to use the one he had prepared but didn’t preach the day I was born. On the Saturday following my birth he contacted the Lay Leader who filled in for him to thank him. Only then did he find out the Lay Leader had read dad’s sermon that was left on the pulpit. Back to the drawing board!