“Thriving in Babylon”

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to

Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have

sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may

have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity

of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too

will prosper.’ Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Do not let the prophets and

diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are

prophesying lies to you in My name. I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.

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.’” (Jer. 29:4-13 NIV)

1. Revival comes not when the people live like . It begins when we live like Him .
2. You will live as an , , or for Christ.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:20 NIV)

“‘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.’” (Jer. 29:11 NIV)

1. Let God bring from the .

“If My people would only listen to Me, if Israel would only follow My ways…But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” (Ps. 81:13, 16 NIV)