Text: Jeremiah 29:4-14

Introduction

• Is your list of goals for 2004 ready?
• We are anxious by nature . We want new challenges.
• We all have goals: get married, buy a house, go on a trip, improve a relationship.
• We also have a spiritual goal. These are the ones I want to talk about.
• What was Moses' goal? Guide the people out of Egypt.
• David’s goal? Create a new nation around the kingdom.
• Solomon’s goal? Build the temple.
• John the Baptist’s goal? Prepare the way for Jesus.
• Jesus’ goal? Go to the Calvary for us.
• "For a boat with no direction, any wind is okay" It is good to have goals.

What are your goals for this year?
Let me at least talk about 4 of them

• You've heard so many lies.
• Keep your feet on the ground. Grow. Get mature.
• Ask God for discernment. Don't believe in everything.
• The people heard liar prophets who said that captivity was for a short time.

• In two areas: Material (build a house, plant) Relationship (create families)
• Chinese proverb "If you plan for one year, plant wheat. If you plan for 10 years, plant trees. If you plan for eternity, plant people".
• Enough with divided hearts. (Every end of the year you say that you will return to Brazil)

• To live in peace with your neighbor.
• Pray for world peace.
• Example: Jesus: He was never against the Roman government. Took care of the mission he had. Searched for peace.

• Matthew 6:33 Jesus repeats these principles for the Christian life.

Illustration:

The moth that stays around the light. We need to take advantage of the light and fly. Take a path.

Conclusion.

• Jeremiah 29:11. God saved us for the best.
• Despite this world, that we have to face.
• Deuteronomy 8:16. Each one of us has his desert.
• But it is good to remember that it is in the desert that God manifests himself.