Can We Really Claim This Verse?

 

“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.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

One of the somewhat annoying things that happens, as we become more and more familiar with the Bible, is that we find people quoting verses out of context. But recently, I’ve begun to wonder if when we study the context we might actually discover that the way God has acted in the past may well be the way He will act in the present. Here’s an example from a familiar and oft-quoted verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11, which reads:

“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.”

What’s the context for this verse? To whom does it apply? Can we claim this verse as our own today? Let’s look at the context.

Jeremiah acts in his prophetic role at the beginning of Chapter 29 of the Book that bears his name. He reports that God has given him a very specific message for the children of Israel, who are in captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah sends this message to them in a letter. About one-third of the way into the letter, we find these words from God, as recorded in Jeremiah 29:10-14:

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 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.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Clearly, the frequently quoted verse eleven applies to these Jews in captivity in Babylon. God states that He has a plan for them and promises to care for them. We can rightly ask ourselves:

“Does this verse only apply in this specific situation? Or, does it give us some potent clues about the nature of God and the way He interacts with those He loves and has called to Himself?”

I believe that the latter is truer than the former. God illustrates the way He intends to show His love to those who belong to Him. God has a distinct way of relating to not only these exiled Israelites, but also to we “Christ’s-ones” whom He has called to Himself. And, are we not living in a time of “exile” where sin abounds and followers of Jesus are besmirched by a society that wants to heap scorn on us? We “Christ’s-ones” have been grafted into the Jewish birth-line (Romans 11:11-24). Therefore, these words of God belong to us, too.

Stuart Hamblen certainly understood this concept of the consistency of God’s love toward His dear children when he wrote the following song in response to Hamblen’s life transformation during the 1949 Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles, California. The chorus of this song ¹ makes it clear that our God is One we can trust to do for us what He has done for others:

It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.

As we begin a new day, let’s not quibble over the nature of God. Rather, let’s learn from what He has revealed about Himself in Scripture. Let’s recognize that God behaves consistently toward those whom He loves and whom He has called to belong to Himself. We can rejoice in this consistency and revel in His mercy, grace, and abiding love.

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1 Hamblen, Stuart. “It Is No Secret What God Can Do.” Santa Clara, CA: Hamblen Music Company, 1950. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

God Goes With Us

 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

—Deuteronomy 31:6

Do you prefer to go places alone? Or, do you often enjoy going somewhere when one or more of your friends go along with you? Do you most enjoy eating alone in your favorite restaurant? Or, do you find that eating with your friends makes the meal at your favorite restaurant all the more pleasant?

In my days of traveling 39 weeks out of 52, I ate a lot of meals alone. Most of the time, I would simply order room service rather than sit alone in some hotel restaurant. If I did eat alone in a restaurant, I would bring a book to read while I ate.

Most of us prefer company along the journey of our lives. Yes, from time to time, we do like some moments alone. But, for most of our experiences, having someone with whom we enjoy spending time makes the hours pass much more pleasantly. Fortunately, along the pathway of our spiritual journey, we are never alone.

When Moses was preparing to pass the leadership of the children of Israel to Joshua, he gave a very stirring speech. I suggest that this speech rivals any farewell address you will ever hear from a politician, or from anyone else, for that matter. As a part of that speech, Moses spoke these words to his fellow Jews, as recorded in Deuteronomy 31:6:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

We “Christ’s-ones” have been grafted into the Jewish birth-line (Romans 11:11-24). Therefore, these words of Moses belong to us, too. As we walk the pathway God has laid out before us, we need to remember that we are never alone. We can be strong and courageous because God goes with us. We can put aside any fear or terror we might feel because God walks beside us.

In the Scripture passage above, Moses affirms that God has promised He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us. As we begin another new day, let’s cling to this truth. We can conquer any foe, overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, practice any peace, experience any love, all because God goes with us everywhere we go.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Why Not Just Forget The Past?

 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

—Isaiah 43:18-19

As a blogger who has written many blog posts, I receive some very interesting reactions to certain posts that I have created. If you read my blog posts regularly, you know that I often illustrate my point by making reference to something that I’ve experienced over the course of my 77 years of life. Some of those illustrations come from my childhood.

I refer to these events in my life, when I believe they help explain the way I think, or the way I feel about the subject at hand. However, by making reference to the things I’ve experienced, I have drawn criticism from some readers who say:

“Can’t you forget about your past? Why don’t you just move on with your life?”

I always smile when I read such comments. I won’t take a drug that will erase my memory. My background in Psychology has taught me that what has happened in my past has significantly shaped both my present and my future. This remains true unless some greatly significant event turns my world upside down. Beside that fact, I have moved on with my life. But, I have done so recognizing what has shaped me into the person that I am. If that is true for me, why then does God give these words of instruction to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, as recorded in Isaiah 43:18-19:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

At the time this passage of Scripture was written. the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already been taken into captivity. Their sin had brought the wrath of God upon them, and He had turned them over to their enemies. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had remained more or less faithful to God. As a result, God had continued to protect them from their enemies. But, as they continue to toy with sin, eventually they, too, will be captured at the point when God lifts His hand of protection from their unrepentant hearts and minds.

So, these words from God have a unique relevance. Yes, their lives are shaped by what has happened in the past. But now, God is going to do something new that will turn their world upside down. He will open up a new pathway for them that will lead them through the wasteland of their lives and bring refreshing streams bubbling to the surface of this barren, desert land.

Back in 1925, Mrs. Charles (Lettie B.) Cowman wrote a delightful little devotional book entitled Streams in the Desert ¹. Its name came from this passage in Isaiah referenced above. I commend this book to anyone who wants to read some heartfelt expressions of deep devotion to Christ and His Kingdom. The original book has been updated by an editor and continues to be available in various forms, including a daily on-line devotional.

As we begin a new day, let’s not lose sight of the fact that what we have experienced in our pasts has, indeed, shaped who we are. But, let’s not become mired down with past experiences. Instead, let’s realize that in our relationship to God through His Son, Jesus, all things have become new. By loving us, forgiving us, and setting us on a path toward holiness, God has turned our world upside down. We can benefit greatly by heeding His words to the people of Judah—this day and every day.

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1 Cowman, Lettie B. and James Reimann, editor. Streames in the Desert. Nashville, TN: Zondervan–HarperCollins Christian Publishing Company, 1999. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Put On The New Self

 

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

—Ephesians 4:22-24

Have you ever seen someone that you were used to seeing in work clothes attend a wedding in a suit and been utterly amazed at how different they looked? The phrase, “He cleans up really well!” comes to mind to describe this transformation.

We become accustomed to seeing people in their normal setting and we form opinions about the way they look based on their attire. If the mechanic who works on your vehicle suddenly appears at a swanky restaurant clothed in his best suit and tie, you may not even recognize him. Likewise, if you are used to seeing a teacher dressed professionally, you may be surprised to see her shopping at the supermarket in her workout clothes.

In addition to our physical attire, we walk around in a spiritual attire, as well. It’s that spiritual clothing that the Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote these words, found in Ephesians 4:22-24:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

When we acknowledge the gift of salvation that God gives us through His Son, Jesus, we become new creatures. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

So, it makes perfect sense to liken our spiritual transformation to the putting on of new clothing—clothing that is appropriate for our new spiritual environment.

As we begin a new day, let’s gladly shed our old ways, our old thoughts, our old desires, and our old habits. Instead, we should put on a totally new appearance, transformed by the abiding love of God and energized by the Holy Spirit. This newness of life will certainly prompt people to ask us about the hope that resides within us (1 Peter 3:15).

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

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Satisfied Only By God's Love

 

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.&rdquo ”

—Psalm 90:14

Of all the qualities of life that might possibly bring satisfaction, only God’s unfailing love can truly satisfy the needs in our hearts and lives to the fullest extent. The Psalmist captured this reality when he wrote these words recorded in Psalm 90:14:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

As we begin a new day, let’s stop looking for something to satisfy the needs of our hearts, minds, and lives apart from God’s magnificent love. Let us recognize that the true fulfillment of the needs of all four of our human modalities—emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical, or heart, soul, mind, and strength—can only be met by God’s unfailing, undying love.

In the following video clip, ¹ Anton Armstrong conducts the magnificent St. Olaf College Choir singing a hymn written by an Anonymous author that expresses the truly marvelous love that God willingly gives to those He has chosen to belong to Himself.

 

 

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1 The St. Oalf College Choir presentation of music in this YouTube video: Scholz, Robert, arranger. “What Wondrous Love” from the collection Southern Harmony. St. Louis, MO: ECS Publishing Group, Morning Star Music Publishers, 1989. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

We Do Know What Love Is

 

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

—1 Corinthians 13:13

Over the recent years, Shriners Hospitals for Children—a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America that provides care and services, in a family-centered environment, for children who have orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate deformities, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay—has provided the cable television channels with numerous promotional videos, including one that asks the question: “What is love?” ¹ In case you haven’t seen this video, you can find it here:

 

 

In contrast, many reading this blog post will likely remember one of the more pivotal lines in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump: ²

“Jenny, I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.”

And, of course, Forrest goes on to prove this fact in a deeply moving and self-sacrificing way. He cares for Jenny and their child, even as Jenny eventually succumbs to cancer.

On this Valentine’s Day, there is no more fitting expression of genuine love—a love that surpasses all other possible love—than the words written by the Apostle Paul and recorded in 1 Corinthians 13:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This love, this God-breathed agape love—for Paul does indeed use the New Testament Koine Greek word agape throughout this chapter—has a grippingly surpassing quality that sends a lightning bolt through the hearts of believers: a lightning bolt that makes Cupid’s arrow wither away like a shriveled leaf in the fall of the year. No romantic love, no deep friendship, no sexual attraction can even come close to the depth, width, breadth, and height of this God-breathed agape love.

That God lovingly places this agape love inside the hearts and minds of those He has called to Himself is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. And yet, it is truly one of His greatest gifts, illustrated in the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, in our behalf.

This day—this special day—let’s grab onto this God-breathed agape love and allow it to become the true and full expression of our gift of love to our beloved. In so doing, we fulfill the law of Christ and meet the desperate needs of a troubled world.

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1 Despite an extensive search, Copyright Information for the Shriners Hospitals for Children video “What is Love?” could not be determined. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder. 2 Zemeckis, Robert. Forrest Gump. Los Angeles, CA: Paramount Pictures, 1994. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

 

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

—Romans 6:6-7

The most dramatic occurrence in the entire Bible takes place three days after Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified on a cruel Roman cross of torture. On the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the dead. In so doing, He conquered sin, death, and Satan. He was the one and only person who died, was raised from the dead, and who would never die again.

In our lives as followers of Jesus, we begin our quest in this earthly life with the sin stain of Adam infecting us with godlessness and with unrighteousness. As we grow and mature, we begin to sin on our own. Ask the parents of a newborn when that child begins to show signs of disobedience. In the first disobedient act—responding to the sin nature the child has inherited from his or her parents—that child becomes a willful sinner. The sin nature we inherited is so ingrained in us that we simply cannot help but sin.

When God sends the Holy Spirit to reveal to us that He loves us, that He has made provision to forgive our sins through the shedding of the life blood of His one and only Son, Jesus, and when He enables us to understand that before the foundation of the earth He has chosen us to belong to Himself, our new life begins. We move from being dead in our trespasses and sin to becoming more and more alive in God through Christ. The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 6:6-7:

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Once we surrender our sinful wills to God’s perfect will for us, we join in the crucifixion of our Lord. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

As we begin another new day, let’s acknowledge, with great joy, that we, too, have been crucified with Christ. And, because of this, we have been set free from the power of sin. In our lives this day, we truly can experience the reality of the passage of Scripture found in Romans 6:6-7, as stated above: dead to sin, but alive to God.

 

_{Blog Post Copyright © 2025 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}