Special Talk 2: Plant a Garden

Hope To The Hopeless

Ask people for their favorite verse and many of them will say, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

You know it’s a favorite passage if you see it printed in tee-shirts, coffee mugs, car stickers, and even rubber shoes.

But if all you know about this verse is just the verse itself, plucked out of context, not knowing when Jeremiah wrote it, why he was writing it, and who he was writing to, Sayang! If you don’t know any of that, you’d miss out knowing God’s specific instructions on how God will prosper you in a crisis.

But today, you will know!

Get ready to be awesomely blessed. May your dreams come true, Bo Sanchez, The Founder

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Two nationalities have differing views in their outlook towards a crisis. The Germans will say, “The situation is serious but not hopeless.” The Italians, on the other hand, will say, “The situation is hopeless but not serious.” (Just a joke!) Seriously, how do you view our situation these days… when many people are dying due to the virus when the number of cases found positive has been increasing when small and medium businesses are closing one by one when people are losing their jobs when the cure and vaccine against this virus are taking too long. The Japanese (on a serious note) have a different way of viewing at crisis. They do not see crisis, even this COVID virus, as a threat to existence for as long as existence continues. World War 2 was a proof. The Japanese just kept on fighting even after the war was over. While in this lockdown, there are 1,001 things we can do. Grow your skills, gifting, talent. Study and explore new business opportunities. Have more intimate moments with your spouse. Bond with your kids. Play board games. Watch inspiring films. Find ways to serve the poor. Cook for them Spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible, lives of saints. Friends, the situation is serious …but not at all hopeless. Be FULLY ALIVE.

Bro Vic, The District Builder

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Special Talk: Plant A Garden

“Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar….

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem:  ‘Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.’ ….

‘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. For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 11 NIV) Within two years I will bring back all the Temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon. (Jeremiah 28:3 NLT) This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years…” (Jeremiah 28:10 NLT) “he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him.” (Genesis 26:12 NLT)

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Personal Reflection and Group Discussion:

Pray and WRITE down a list of simple action steps that you can take on how you can prosper in this crisis in various areas of your life: in your relationships, your spiritual life, your health, your work. Share your reflections.