Jeremiah 29:11

“How, we may wonder, should we balance a sound reading of the Bible with more immediate application? The answer is found not so much in ‘balance’ as in considering the proper steps to application.” - Word by Word

“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.” These words are the John 3:16 of American cultural Christianity. Watch how often they show up on the Bible verse plaques sold in Bible Belt mall kiosks or posted on Facebook walls, even on tattoos.

Jeremiah 29:11: One of my college professors always used to say, “A text without a context is a pretext for a proof text.” Or, to paraphrase a line from Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, “You keep using that verse; I do not think it means what you think it means.” Though many Christian birthday and graduation cards quote Jeremiah 29:11, the chapter was written to Jewish exiles during the