PHOTOPHILIC

 Jeremiah 29:11

    For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  KJV

    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.  AMP


Webster

1)  thoughts - n - the actions or process of thinking; intention.

2)  peace - n - freedom from noise, worries, troubles, fears, etc. 

3)  evil - n - what is morally wrong; what hinders the realization of the good.

4)  expected - v.t. - past tense - to anticipate the coming of, either with pleasure, to hope for

5)  prosper - v.i. - to thrive

6)  harm - v.t. - to injure, to hurt

7)  plans - n - a proposed or intended course of action

8)  future - things yet to come.


Strong’s

1)  thoughts - 4284 - machashahah - makh-ash-aw-baw’ or machashebeth - makh-ash-eh’-beth - from 2803
    Intention, plan, imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought.
    2803 - chashab - khaw-shab’ - to fabricate, to plot or contrive, to think, regard, value, compute.

2)  peace - 7965 - shalown - shaw-lome’ - or shalom -shaw-lome’ - from 7999 - safe, happy, welfare, health,     prosperity, peace,
    7999 - shalam - shaw-lam’ - (make)(to)(be at) peace, that is perfect, perform, prosper.

3)  evil - 7451 - ra’ - rah - from 7489 - bad or evil - wicked. 
    7489 - ra’a’ - raw-ah - to make (or be) good for nothing.  i.e. bad.

4) expected - 8615 - tiq-vah- tik-vaw’ - from 6960 - lit. a cord, fig. expectancy - expectation, hope live,     things, longed for.
    6960 - qavah - kaw-vaw’ - prim root - to bind together, fig. to expect - gather (together) look,     patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon) 


    What an amazing verse!  Every day we face a world view that either denies that there is a god or that teaches us that God created the world and us and then stepped out of the way to let us live our lives as we see fit.  This verse tells another story.  This verse tells me that my God has a personal interest in me.  He cares about every aspect of my life.  When God created me, He didn’t set me free to wander through life hoping that I get it right.  A person who would take the time to think about me is interested in me and all that happens to me.  But it is more than just a curiosity. There is power in the thoughts of God.  There is love in the thoughts of God.  And there is an expected end to the thoughts of God. 
    As a parent, I spent a considerable amount of time watching my children grow.  Each day was a wonderful, new discovery.  Their personality, their character, and their physical abilities became more apparent with each growing milestone.  I watched as they developed into individuals.  I watched as they discovered who they were.  I was fascinated by the choices that they made.  Without realizing it I also began to mentally think of what they would be come.  Would one be a doctor?  Would one be good in sports?  Would they love the Lord with all their hearts?  ( I still desire this for them even as they have set out to establish their own homes and families.)  Would they make a good mark on this world?  There were so many thoughts.  These thoughts turned into expectations and these thoughts actually influenced the way they were taught, the discipline that was used, and also the things that we worked very hard to keep out of their lives. 
    Now take that natural bent of a parent and expand it to God the creator.  He has thoughts for each of us as individuals.   We are not a collective to Him.  We are separate and individual.  Each of us  is important to Him in our own right.  He is speaking here to the nation of Israel as a group but our God is able to see each individual person apart from the group.  Stop and contemplate for a moment the scope of this.  The creator God has deep personal thoughts about you that are separate from every other person on this earth.  He desires a personal relationship with you separate from any other relationship.  Our God is able to do this for every person who turns to Him and acknowledges Him.  The only thing holding us back is our desire to have that same relationship. 
    What are God’s thoughts?  He desires for us to live in peace.  He desires for us to be free from worries, troubles and fears.  As a parent, I was often left feeling inadequate because I was unable to always protect my children from these very things.  I desired the very same things for them.  I desired that they go through life knowing only the good, the pleasant, and to be happy, but I was not able to stop those things that caused worry, troubles, and fears in their lives.  But God is able to protect, provide and promote where I cannot. 
    We live in a world that tries to blame God for all the evil and wrong that takes place.  This verse says that He does not think along those lines.  His thoughts are not evil, they are not deceitful, and they are not harmful.  God is not able to think this way because He is pure and holy.  We can then conclude that the evil that enters our lives must come from another source.  It cannot be from God.  His thoughts are of peace for us.  We must stop blaming God and stand tall in the fact that His thoughts for us are of peace.  Sin and evil have consequences and those consequences often hurt us and the ones we love.  But God has a better way, His thoughts are for our good, and He desires for us peace.  Relocate yourself in the thoughts of God, find the comfort available to you when you realize that God desires to prosper you.  The Amplified Bible states that He has plans that prosper you and not to harm you.  What an amazing promise!
    His thoughts also have an expected end.  Expected implies that there is anticipation of a good completion.  It is amazing to me that I haven’t realized before this that God is my greatest supporter, my greatest cheerleader, and that He believes in me.  He does not under any circumstances desire that I fail in any of my undertakings unless they are sinful and evil.  In the past I have glibly said if God is for me who can be against me.  I say glibly because I have not understood the depth of commitment  by God in that statement.  It is His reputation on the line, it is His character, and it is His honor.   He holds nothing back from His desire for us.  Nothing is kept out of the program.  He is completely and totally working for our good.  He is totally committed to us. 
    When God speaks of the thoughts He has for us, it is far more than just a passing idea.  All that God is, all His energy, all His character, and all His strength is embodied in those thoughts.  They have life because they are part of who God is.  He has invested in me.  I am important to Him.  All that God is, is invested in His thoughts for me.  (Selah)  He has given me worth, a purpose, and a completion.  I don’t have to wander around hoping that I have hit upon the right direction or occupation. 
    Instead of always being at odds with what the Lord is thinking for me I need to get with the program.  I need to realize that there is no way I will ever be able to plan or design anything any better than what God has already thought for me.  Can I please put the stubborn child away and become the maturing adult and give to God what should already belong to Him, me.  In doing this I am opening up the door to amazing possibilities, wonderful experiences, and a total sense of completeness.  I am becoming what I was designed to be, a reflection of God the Father. 
    As I struggle with putting God first in my life and laying aside the addiction to food, I now know that I must see that when I give in to the pull of compulsive food eating I am side stepping God’s amazing plan for me.  I am grabbing for the lesser end, I am pushing away a wonderful and expected glory that God has ordained that I should partake in.  I am grabbing the costume jewelry instead of the diamond I could truly be.  God desires so much more for me.  I need to hook into His thoughts for me so that I can become completely committed to following His amazing thoughts for me.


Father God,

    I am blown away with the realization that I am presently and currently in your thoughts.  You are actively thinking about the peace you desire to give to me.  I am so sorry that I have gotten so wrapped up in just existing that I have lost sight of what you desire for me.  Teach me to embrace your thoughts for me.  Help me to hear only your voice.  Guide me away from those things that will endanger me and keep me from the full potential that you created me to reach.  But most importantly, patiently show me how amazing a personal relationship with you can be.  Thank you for not giving up on me.  Thank you for loving me so very much. 


Jeremiah 29:11
    For I know the thoughts (the action or process of thinking, intention) that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts (the action or process of thinking, intention) of peace (freedom from noise, worries, troubles, fears), and not of evil (what is morally wrong,) to give you an expected (to anticipate the coming of, to hope for) end.