a quick thought...

First off,

I am having a few problems typing this afternoon so I apologize if I spell a word and it doesn't show up as I mean it to.

It's been a little while since last I posted on here, and this last month has been good and fun. But it has also been really busy! Really busy! But I am taking a chance to tell about what I've learned a little from some time in the word and with the Lord.

I have recently been thinking a lot about Fargo - if I should be here, how much road construction there is and if it will ever be done, the area that I live. You know, some simple things. God has spoken to me a lot over that first area especially. Anyway, I love Fargo no matter what. This IS a great city! It is so much fun to be here and there is always another intersting person to meet and a story to hear. I'll take last night for instance. I was out and I went to this place called Teaberry. It's located downtown and, I have been there a few times but never heard about it got started, heard a great story of making a good city better andmore interesting to introduce different people and draw them into relationships. (Sounds a little like what Christianity is supposed to look like...)

Well, this morning, I was reading my devotional as I was making eggbake and te passage this morning was from Jeremiah 29:1-14. Most of us know this passage for its often quoted verse of God's blessings to the Israelites (Jeremiah 29:11). And that was the message of the devotional today--that God has big and wonderful plans for us all as we seek and trust Him. He reveals more of His greatness to us as we diligently pursue Him, and that turns us to glorify Him even more.

That's not exactly what I pulled out from the passage - I did pull that out, but for the purposes of this post, that isn' what I pulled out. The verse that really stuck with me is Jeremiah 29:7, which says:
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Isn't that a great passage?! When Jeremiah spoke these prophetic words from God to the Israelites, they were under captivity by the Babylonians. They could have let their situation get the best of them - they actually probably were! Nonetheless, God used Jeremiah to speak a different message to the Israelites, one that resonates to us today. We need to enjoy and invest in the city where we are - God has placed us there for a reason, and we need to best glorify Him in those situations. He calls us to pray for our city and to make it a better place for all.

This is a message for me and a message for all people. We need to be seeking ways to invest in the city where we're at and build up all Christians in the process. I have recently been looking for ways to reach into the city of Fargo with the young adult group at Atonement and recently connecte with the Salvation Army branch that is here. Our group is going to be doing a few things with them and build some greater community ties for our group. Its a start and I know God will bless our efforts - nothing done for His glory is done in vain. But there is even more that can be done in this city. There are so many needs, and we can only do so much, but that little bit that we can do might mean the world to someone. And if that draws them closer to Jesus Christ, then I will praise God for using me.

His working an Holy Spirit is profound and wonderful. I am choosing to follow after that and work toward making my surroundings the best they can be. I am praying for this city to come to know Jesus Christ and letting Him shine in my life so brightly. I will praise Him and choose to honor Christ no matter how hard the work gets or how difficult the world makes things. I will praise Him. Will you join me?

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Lord, you are good and wonderful and so powerful! You are worthy of all praise. Father, do a work in my city. Lead the people to know you. Shape this city Lord, speak through the power of your Holy Spirit, and fill us with such great joy in your Son's working. Let Jesus shine, nd may our lives be that sweet, sweet sound in your ear that you so long to hear, and we long to play to you. Jesus, you are our Redeemer, our Righteousness, and our friend! We love you and long to serve you better and more. Guide us to your heart and let your Light shine and move us out of the way so that your will is accomplished completely. It's in Jesus name I pray. Amen.