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The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches will have its 7th Biennial Assembly at Central Philippine University on May 17 to 18, 2022. The Scripture passages that the CPBC will be using are Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:38-39 and John 14:27.

What can we learn from these passages?

First, God has given us the assurance that He has specific plans for each one of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 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.”

The specific plan of God for Jeremiah is to become a prophet. He did it during a very difficult time. Imagine that God told him to tell the Israelites that will be captured by the enemies because they are stubborn. He was also told by God to buy a property which was already owned by the enemies because they were already captured. But God has a specific plan. This land later became where the righteous remnant stayed. It was this righteous remnant that Jesus came in.

So, if Jeremiah had a specific purpose and plan from God, then for sure, each one of us had a specific purpose and plan from God.

God’s plan and purpose for me may not be the same as yours. God’s plan for me is to become a pastor. God’s plan for you may be to become an exemplary teacher, a banker, a businessman, a CPA, a lawyer.

So, believe that God has plan for you. And that plan is “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This means that if what you are doing right now is harming you, then it is not God’s plan. Look for it. Follow God’s plan and not yours.

Second, God assures us that nothing can separate us from His love.

Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So, whatever you are facing right now just tell that situation – “you can never separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Third, God will give us peace as we face the different troubles in life.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus knows that human as we are, our hearts will be troubled and we will also feel fear. Jesus tells us to have peace. The first words of Jesus when He showed Himself to His disciples after the resurrection were these words “Peace be with you!”

It is very difficult to explain until you have experienced it.

Why do we have this peace?

First, because we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and we have a place in heaven prepared by Jesus Christ.

Second, because the Risen Christ has assured us that He has already overcome any troubles in life including death.

Third, because the Holy Spirit will empower and comfort us in whatever situation we are in.

So, as Christians, let us continue to do the mission of the church in this time of the pandemic and beyond it.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University