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G’monin, people of the living God! / Bonjour, peuple du Dieu vivant! Pray that the Lord come to our rescue, quickly! / Priyez que le Seigneur vienne nous secourir! ********************* **Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. **When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. **A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. **By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. **Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. **Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. **The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. —-Proverbs 29:1-7 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Un homme qui mérite d’être repris, et qui raidit le cou, Sera brisé subitement et sans remède. **Quand les justes se multiplient, le peuple est dans la joie; [Quand le méchant domine, le peuple gémit]. **Un homme qui aime la sagesse réjouit son père, Mais celui qui fréquente des prostituées dissipe son bien. **Un roi affermit le pays par la justice, Mais celui qui reçoit des présents le ruine. **Un homme qui flatte son prochain Tend un filet sous ses pas. **Il y a un piège dans le péché de l’homme méchant, Mais le juste triomphe et se réjouit. **Le juste connaît la cause des pauvres, Mais le méchant ne comprend pas la science. —-Proverbes 29:1-7 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* <This message was edited>Introducing A New 10-Part Sermon Series: “From Cliché to Clarity.”
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Have you ever relied on phrases like “God has a perfect plan for your life” or “Everything happens for a reason,” only to realize the comfort from it is brief and the truth claim from it is more complicated?
In our new sermon series, Questions to All Your Answers: Reclaiming a Thoughtful Faith, I want to invite you on a journey with me, beyond the well-worn clichés, into the heart of a deeper, more authentic Christianity.
So, over the next ten weeks, we’ll explore some of the most common sayings we encounter in faith communities, those simple answers that are often repeated but rarely examined.
Sayings like—
“All sins are equal.”
“God has a perfect plan for your life.”
“The Bible has all the answers.”
“Jesus is coming soon.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“God helps those who help themselves.”
“Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.”
“Love the sinner, hate the sin.”
“Faith can fix anything.”
“The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.”
“If you have enough faith, you won’t suffer.”
What does Scripture really say?
How do these statements shape our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world?
How can faith become more thoughtful, more resilient, and more real when we move past easy answers and wrestle with the complexities of life?
So, bring your questions and be prepared to listen and engage.
Let's move beyond clichés so we can cultivate a faith that welcomes doubt, reflection, and deeper understanding.
Launching “From Cliché to Clarity”
Among the many familiar phrases that echo through our faith communities, “God has a perfect plan for your life” stands out as an ideal starting point for our sermon series.
The question that we are going to address—
“Is God’s Plan Always Perfect?” (Jeremiah 29:4-14)
I. Introduction: The Comfort of a Cliché.
“God has a perfect plan for your life.”
You’ve heard it.
You’ve probably said it.
It’s embroidered on pillows, printed on graduation cards, and hashtagged under Instagram posts of sunsets and engagement rings.
But what happens when the plan doesn’t feel perfect?
What happens when the bad diagnosis comes, the job disappears, the relationship breaks up, or the calling feels unclear?
II. Scripture: Jeremiah 29 in Context
Let’s read Jeremiah 29:11:
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV84
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.
Beautiful, right?
But here’s the thing: this verse was written to a people in exile.
God’s “plan” included 70 years of displacement.
Seventy years of waiting. Seventy years of living in a land that wasn’t theirs.
Let’s back up to verses 4–7: Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce... Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.”
God didn’t promise a quick rescue.
He promised His presence in the midst of disruption.
He said, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.”
The familiar promise—“I know the plans I have for you…”—was spoken not as a quick fix, but as a beacon of hope in the midst of unfamiliarity and waiting.
God’s assurance did not promise an immediate return home or a life free of hardship.
Instead, the message was a summons to settle in, seek the welfare of their new city, and lean into the slow work of restoration.
Are you settling into “the slow work” of God’s “restoration”
Hope, in this context, was forged through patience and active engagement with the present circumstances, rather than escaping discomfort.
For us today, this passage invites a shift in perspective.
Rather than searching for divine blueprints that map every detail, we are called to embrace God’s companionship exactly where we are—even when the future is uncertain or feels delayed.
The passage becomes applicable when we face personal exile: a move, a loss, an unforeseen detour, or seasons where “the plan” seems shrouded.
In such moments, it is important to focus on making positive contributions in the present, promoting our and others' well-being, and recognizing that improvement or progress (in God’s will for us) may be occurring quietly behind the scenes.
While the phrase “God has a perfect plan for your life” is reassuring to many, life’s complexities, however, often challenge us to seek something more profound.
Rather than anchoring our hope in a detailed blueprint, we’re invited to discover God’s faithful presence in the midst of life’s uncertainties.
How God’s presence sustains us in uncertainty
Amid unanswered questions and shifting circumstances, it is often the quiet assurance of God’s nearness that carries us through, inviting us to cultivate faith that is both attentive and adaptive.
As Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV84
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Trust does not erase our longing for clarity or control; instead, it gently reorients us, teaching us to recognize the sacredness embedded in daily life and to respond to challenges with patience and hope.
Reflecting on Isaiah 43:2—“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you”—we’re encouraged to rest in the promise that God’s presence accompanies us through every trial.
Isaiah 43:2 NIV84
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
In this way, God’s presence becomes less than an abstract promise and more a sustaining reality, guiding us to discern meaning and possibility in each moment, and preparing our hearts to move from cliché faith to authentic trust.
Moving from cliché faith to authentic trust
Sometimes, building absolute trust doesn’t mean we’re free from tough times—it’s about honesty, showing up, letting our questions and hopes stand side by side, and learning to live with the tension between what we long for and what’s actually happening.
It’s in those in-between moments that our faith can really grow, not because everything finally makes sense, but because we choose to stay present.
Give your attention and awareness to the current moment, rather than being distracted by worries about the future or regrets about the past.
It’s an intentional choice to engage with what is happening right now—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
In the context of faith, staying present involves trusting that meaning can be found in today’s experiences, even if life feels uncertain or unresolved.
Pay attention, and keep moving forward, even when we’re still waiting for answers from God.
Digging Deeper: Looking Past Our First Faith Cliché
Let’s be real—when we start questioning that classic “God has a plan” line, we’re opening the door to a whole new way of thinking about faith and uncertainty.
The deeper look at Jeremiah 29:11 showed us that hope isn’t about having all the answers served up instantly.
Instead, it’s about sticking with the present moment, leaning in, and letting patience do its work.
So, what other sayings have we passed around without really thinking?
Stuff like “Everything happens for a reason,” “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” or “Let go and let God.”
These phrases are everywhere, but do they actually help us when life gets complicated?
Maybe it’s time to give them a second look.
Moving forward, let’s treat these familiar lines as starting points, not finish lines.
What deeper truths are hiding underneath?
How do these sayings help or hold us back when things don’t go as planned?
Just as Jeremiah 29:11 challenged us to see hope in being present, other clichés might push us to grow if we’re willing to dig a little deeper.
It’s easy to settle for what feels comfortable. Still, real growth usually means facing the tough stuff head-on, admitting when we’re confused or uncertain, and realizing that God’s presence isn’t just for the clear, easy moments—it’s for the messy, waiting seasons too.
Every cliché is a chance to get honest, swap out shallow comfort for real purpose, and let our faith deepen.
As we keep going, let’s pay attention to the words we use, what we mean, and how our faith shapes up in the everyday ups and downs.
The goal isn’t certainty; it’s connection, honesty, and hope that grows—not because things are simple, but because we’re willing to walk through uncertainty, together, with open hearts.
Closing Prayer:
God of presence and promise, we come before you with open hearts, grateful for the gift of this moment and for the journey we share. Thank you for the reminders that true hope is found not in certainty or easy answers, but in trusting you through waiting, questions, and the messy middle.
Help us to stay present in each day, to notice your faithfulness even when clarity is missing, and to choose trust over fear. Teach us to look beneath familiar words and find deeper meaning, to hold on to faith that grows in tension, and to encourage one another with honesty and compassion.
Strengthen us as we move forward—not seeking quick fixes but a deeper connection with you and with each other.
May our words and thoughts reflect your love, and may our faith be shaped by patience, hope, and the courage to walk through uncertainty.
We thank you for being with us in every season. Help us to wait well, to trust fully, and to lean into your presence—confident that you are working, even when we cannot see it. In your name we pray, Amen.
- G’monin, everybody! / Bonjour, tout le monde! May the Lord grant a Blessed Holiday Season to your family! / Que le Seigneur accorde un Congé de Fête Béni à toute la famille! ********************* **The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. **When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. **A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. **Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. **Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. **Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. **A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. —-Proverbs 28:1-7 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Le méchant prend la fuite sans qu’on le poursuive, Le juste a de l’assurance comme un jeune lion. **Quand un pays est en [rébellion], les chefs sont nombreux; Mais avec un homme qui a de l’intelligence et de la science, Le règne se prolonge. **Un [roi méchant] qui opprime les misérables Est une pluie violente qui fait manquer le pain. **Ceux qui abandonnent la loi louent le méchant, Mais ceux qui observent la loi s’irritent contre lui. **Les hommes livrés au mal ne comprennent pas ce qui est juste, Mais ceux qui cherchent l’Éternel comprennent tout. **Mieux vaut le pauvre qui marche dans son intégrité, Que celui qui a des voies tortueuses et qui est riche. **Celui qui observe la loi est un fils intelligent, Mais celui qui fréquente les débauchés fait honte à son père. —-Proverbes 28:1-7 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! *********************
- Hello, brother Aly! Thanks for this rich reminder as we journey into the Holiday Season. Proverbs 28 clearly states how God wants us to return to integrity, discernment, and the courage to walk closely with the Lord. What a contrast this passage describes: fear versus boldness, rebellion versus wise leadership, oppression versus justice, empty praise versus faithful obedience. The overall feeling, though, as a kind of thread running through it, is clear and straightforward; those who seek the Lord know what is right. Not perfectly, but faithfully. Not by power, but by humility. May we remain among the “righteous who are as bold as a lion” in times when wisdom, compassion, and moral clarity are in urgent demand. And may the Lord bless your family with peace, joy, and renewed strength throughout this season. Grace and courage to you! Pastor McLaurin
- Bonjour, frère Aly! Mèsi pou bèl rapèl sa a pandan n ap antre nan Sezon Fèt la. Pwovèb 28 montre klèman kijan Bondye vle nou retounen nan entegrite, bon jijman, ak kouraj pou mache toupre Seyè a. Gade kijan pasaj la fè gwo kontrast: laperèz kont kouraj, rebelyon kont bon lidèchip, opresyon kont jistis, lwanj vid kont obeyisans fidèl. Men santiman jeneral la—tankou yon fil ki mare tout bagay ansanm—klè e senp: moun ki chèche Seyè a konnen sa ki dwat. Pa pafètman, men avèk fidelite. Pa ak pouvwa, men avèk imilite. Se pou nou rete pami “moun ki dwat ki gen kouraj tankou lyon,” sitou nan tan kote bon konprann, konpasyon, ak klète moral nesesè anpil. E se pou Seyè a beni fanmi ou ak lapè, lajwa, ak fòs renouvle pandan tout sezon sa a. Gras ak kouraj pou ou! Pastè McLaurin
- G’monin! / Bonjour! Be strong and of good courage in these trying times of tribulations! / Soyez ferme, et prenez courage en ces temps de tribulations et de jugement! ********************* **In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. **And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, **My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. **Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? **If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. **Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; **but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. **Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. —-Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Vous n’avez pas encore résisté jusqu’au sang, en luttant contre le péché. Et vous avez oublié l’exhortation qui vous est adressée comme à des fils: **Mon fils, ne méprise pas le châtiment du Seigneur, et ne perds pas courage lorsqu’il te reprend; car le Seigneur châtie celui qu’il aime, et il frappe de la verge tous ceux qu’il reconnaît pour ses fils. **Supportez le châtiment: c’est comme des fils que Dieu vous traite; car quel est le fils qu’un père ne châtie pas? Mais si vous êtes exempts du châtiment auquel tous ont part, vous êtes donc des enfants illégitimes, et non des fils. **D’ailleurs, puisque nos pères selon la chair nous ont châtiés, et que nous les avons respectés, ne devons-nous pas à bien plus forte raison nous soumettre au Père des esprits, pour avoir la vie? **Nos pères nous châtiaient pour peu de jours, comme ils le trouvaient bon; mais Dieu nous châtie pour notre bien, afin que nous participions à sa sainteté. **Il est vrai que tout châtiment semble d’abord un sujet de tristesse, et non de joie; mais il produit plus tard pour ceux qui ont été ainsi exercés un fruit paisible de justice. —-Hébreux 12:4-11 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! *********************
- G’monin, child of God! / Bonjour, endant de Dieu! May the Lord be merciful, and save the human race, His Creation! / Que le Seigneur soit miséricordieux, et sauve la race des humains, Sa Création! ********************* **You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. **You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. **Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. —-Psalms 85:1-4 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Tu as été favorable à ton pays, ô Éternel! Tu as ramené les captifs de Jacob; Tu as pardonné l’iniquité de ton peuple, Tu as couvert tous ses péchés; **Tu as retiré toute ta fureur, Tu es revenu de l’ardeur de ta colère. **Rétablis-nous, Dieu de notre salut! Cesse ton indignation contre nous! —-Psaumes 85:2-5 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! *********************
- G’monin, daughters & sons of the living God! / Bonjour, filles & fils du Dieu vivant! May your week be blessed! / Que votre semaine soit bénie! ********************* **My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. **Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. **Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. —-Proverbs 4:20-26 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Mon fils, sois attentif à mes paroles, Prête l’oreille à mes discours. Qu’ils ne s’éloignent pas de tes yeux; Garde-les dans le fond de ton cœur; Car c’est la vie pour ceux qui les trouvent, C’est la santé pour tout leur corps. **Garde ton cœur plus que toute autre chose, Car de lui viennent les sources de la vie. Écarte de ta bouche la fausseté, **Éloigne de tes lèvres les détours. Que tes yeux regardent en face, Et que tes paupières se dirigent devant toi. —-Proverbes 4:20-25 LSG ———-///———- *********************
- G’monin! / Bonjour! May the Lord’s Day be filled with worship and songs of prease and of rejoicing! / Que le Jour du Seigneur soit remplie d’adoration et de chants de louange et d’allégresse! ********************* **For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” **For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, **so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. **May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, **so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. —-Romans 15:3-6 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Car Christ ne s’est point complu en lui-même, mais, selon qu’il est écrit: Les outrages de ceux qui t’insultent sont tombés sur moi. **Or, tout ce qui a été écrit d’avance l’a été pour notre instruction, **afin que, par la patience, et par la consolation que donnent les Écritures, nous possédions l’espérance. **Que le Dieu de la persévérance et de la consolation vous donne d’avoir les mêmes sentiments les uns envers les autres selon Jésus-Christ, **afin que tous ensemble, d’une seule bouche, vous glorifiiez le Dieu et Père de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ. —-Romains 15:3-6 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! *********************
- G’monin, saints of God! / Bonjour, saints de Dieu! May the Lord’s Presence fill your day, to bless and to protect! / Que la Présence du Seigneur remplisse ta journée, pour te bénir et te protéger! G’day! / Bonne journée! ********************* **And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. **With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. **Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. **Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. —-Ephesians 6:18-20 NIV ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! ********************* **Faites en tout temps par l’Esprit toutes sortes de prières et de supplications. **Veillez à cela avec une entière persévérance, et priez pour tous les saints. **Priez pour moi, afin qu’il me soit donné, quand j’ouvre la bouche, de faire connaître hardiment et librement le mystère de l’Évangile, pour lequel je suis ambassadeur dans les chaînes, **et que j’en parle avec assurance comme je dois en parler. —-Éphésiens 6:18-20 LSG ———-///———- Amen 🙏 ! *********************
- Pastor W. E. McLaurin published a bulletin
