Jeremiah 44:17
"But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble."
The refugees from Judah who dwelt in Midgol, in Egypt had a distorted view of both spirituality and reality. This is the nature of those who are deceived by the evil one. This is the nature of those who have strayed from God's Truth. Such is the nature of one who lives in the flesh rather than in the Spirit.
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).
God is working in so many ways beyond our human understanding that faith and obedience to God's Word is the only way we can be certain to be blessed.
Father - keep me in Your Truth and Your Spirit. Amen
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
obedience
Jeremiah 42:5-6
"So they said to Jeremiah, “Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. 6 Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
I so love the words of Johanan and his companions in this passage. Am I willing to obey the voice of the Lord whether it is pleasing or displeasing, easy or difficult?
The only trouble with this statement is that it is easier said than done. Johanan and his men already had their hearts set fully on escaping the land (v. 15) and believed they already understood what was best. They were closed minded to the possibility that God would ask them to take a stand in the land and endure even more hardship for the sake of a greater end. They had convinced themselves of what was good and bad and refused to believe that such a difficult plan could be good.
How often have I prayed such a prayer and then refused to obey the answer?
How often have I refused to believe God's plan to be good simply because it is difficult?
How often have I refused to take a stand because it was easier to run away?
How often have I refused the blessing of God because I failed to obey?
Father - give me the courage to follow Your voice even when it is difficult, displeasing or confusing. Strengthen me to stand for the sake of Your kingdom and not my own agenda or well-being. Teach me to know Your will and set my own aside. Transform me by the renewing of my mind that I may know and follow You. Amen.
"So they said to Jeremiah, “Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. 6 Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
I so love the words of Johanan and his companions in this passage. Am I willing to obey the voice of the Lord whether it is pleasing or displeasing, easy or difficult?
The only trouble with this statement is that it is easier said than done. Johanan and his men already had their hearts set fully on escaping the land (v. 15) and believed they already understood what was best. They were closed minded to the possibility that God would ask them to take a stand in the land and endure even more hardship for the sake of a greater end. They had convinced themselves of what was good and bad and refused to believe that such a difficult plan could be good.
How often have I prayed such a prayer and then refused to obey the answer?
How often have I refused to believe God's plan to be good simply because it is difficult?
How often have I refused to take a stand because it was easier to run away?
How often have I refused the blessing of God because I failed to obey?
Father - give me the courage to follow Your voice even when it is difficult, displeasing or confusing. Strengthen me to stand for the sake of Your kingdom and not my own agenda or well-being. Teach me to know Your will and set my own aside. Transform me by the renewing of my mind that I may know and follow You. Amen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Hold life loosely
Jeremiah 39:18
"For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’”
These were the words spoken to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian for rescuing Jeremiah from the miry pit in the prison of king Zedekiah. He alone believed the word of God through Jeremiah and transformed that trust into action. When our faith and trust in God leads us to action, God responds in like manner. When we learn to hold loosely our lives for the sake of action for His agenda, our lives become a prize to Him and in response to us. Life takes on a whole new value when lived for the sake of God's kingdom and agenda.
Do I want my life to count? Do I want to live with a greater purpose? Do I want my life to be prized by God? I will learn to hold life loosely and trust in Him to the point of sacrifice and action.
This example of Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian is reinforced as well by the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-26,
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Father - teach me to live life loosely and give it away for the sake of Your kingdom. Amen.
"For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’”
These were the words spoken to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian for rescuing Jeremiah from the miry pit in the prison of king Zedekiah. He alone believed the word of God through Jeremiah and transformed that trust into action. When our faith and trust in God leads us to action, God responds in like manner. When we learn to hold loosely our lives for the sake of action for His agenda, our lives become a prize to Him and in response to us. Life takes on a whole new value when lived for the sake of God's kingdom and agenda.
Do I want my life to count? Do I want to live with a greater purpose? Do I want my life to be prized by God? I will learn to hold life loosely and trust in Him to the point of sacrifice and action.
This example of Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian is reinforced as well by the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-26,
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Father - teach me to live life loosely and give it away for the sake of Your kingdom. Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Currious & Courageous
Jeremiah 38:20
"But Jeremiah said, “They shall not deliver you. Please, obey the voice of the LORD which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live."
Isn't it sad how some people have to be begged to follow the voice of the Lord even for their own good? This only demonstrates the powerful hold of sin, temptation and the evil one. We would rather feed our own greed than receive what we need. This was the case with King's of Israel & Judah and even Zedekiah. What was most sad about King Zedekiah was that he was just curious enough to understand but not courageous enough to obey. He preserved the life of Jeremiah but forfeited his own in disobedience.
Lord - May I never need to be begged to follow the Word of God. May I be one who ears, obeys and holds out His Word for others to follow as well. May I understand the value of life and faith and prefer these over the offerings of this world. May I be bold enough to plead with others to also follow and blessed enough to have them receive it. Amen.
"But Jeremiah said, “They shall not deliver you. Please, obey the voice of the LORD which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live."
Isn't it sad how some people have to be begged to follow the voice of the Lord even for their own good? This only demonstrates the powerful hold of sin, temptation and the evil one. We would rather feed our own greed than receive what we need. This was the case with King's of Israel & Judah and even Zedekiah. What was most sad about King Zedekiah was that he was just curious enough to understand but not courageous enough to obey. He preserved the life of Jeremiah but forfeited his own in disobedience.
Lord - May I never need to be begged to follow the Word of God. May I be one who ears, obeys and holds out His Word for others to follow as well. May I understand the value of life and faith and prefer these over the offerings of this world. May I be bold enough to plead with others to also follow and blessed enough to have them receive it. Amen.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Word of God
Jeremiah 36:23
"And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth."
The Word of the Lord is true and sure, even if we choose to ignore it, suppress it, destroy it or defile it. To deny God's truth is no more effective at removing our guilt than is denying the sun at avoiding the light. God's Word is true and His will is accomplished.
The ultimate question is whether I will follow and be blessed or rebel and suffer.
Lord may I always receive Your Word and obey it. Amen.
"And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with the scribe’s knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth."
The Word of the Lord is true and sure, even if we choose to ignore it, suppress it, destroy it or defile it. To deny God's truth is no more effective at removing our guilt than is denying the sun at avoiding the light. God's Word is true and His will is accomplished.
The ultimate question is whether I will follow and be blessed or rebel and suffer.
Lord may I always receive Your Word and obey it. Amen.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Heritage of Obedience
Jeremiah 35:14
"‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me."
Every father will pass on a heritage of either obedience or opposition. We will either hear the Word of God, obey it and pass it along to our children... or we will ignore the Word of God, turn our backs and teach our children to do the same.
The sons of Recab and Jonadab obeyed the commands of their fathers because they saw the commands obediently followed in their fathers' lives. These were not abstract commands of "do as I say, not as I do" or overbearing commands of "because I said so." The commands of Recab and Jonadab were observed and lived out for all to see. There was no hiding, posturing, private sin or rationalization of behavior. They obeyed before their sons and behind closed doors (v. 2-6). Because of their faithfulness, their sons were blessed with both a physical example and motivation for obedience as well as a spiritual blessing of strength, self control and resolve.
What am I passing onto my children? Do I obediently observe the Word of God in public and private that my children will receive both a physical and spiritual blessing? Am I committed to a generational blessing of purity and obedience? Am I willing to discipline myself for a heritage of faith and obedience in the lives of my children, grandchildren and children to come?
Father - strengthen my resolve, fill me with Your Spirit and guide me by Your Word. Help me to recognize temptation and flee from compromise. Let my children see in me an example of obedience that will bless generation to come. May I be like Jonadab and the sons of Recab. Amen.
"‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me."
Every father will pass on a heritage of either obedience or opposition. We will either hear the Word of God, obey it and pass it along to our children... or we will ignore the Word of God, turn our backs and teach our children to do the same.
The sons of Recab and Jonadab obeyed the commands of their fathers because they saw the commands obediently followed in their fathers' lives. These were not abstract commands of "do as I say, not as I do" or overbearing commands of "because I said so." The commands of Recab and Jonadab were observed and lived out for all to see. There was no hiding, posturing, private sin or rationalization of behavior. They obeyed before their sons and behind closed doors (v. 2-6). Because of their faithfulness, their sons were blessed with both a physical example and motivation for obedience as well as a spiritual blessing of strength, self control and resolve.
What am I passing onto my children? Do I obediently observe the Word of God in public and private that my children will receive both a physical and spiritual blessing? Am I committed to a generational blessing of purity and obedience? Am I willing to discipline myself for a heritage of faith and obedience in the lives of my children, grandchildren and children to come?
Father - strengthen my resolve, fill me with Your Spirit and guide me by Your Word. Help me to recognize temptation and flee from compromise. Let my children see in me an example of obedience that will bless generation to come. May I be like Jonadab and the sons of Recab. Amen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
suffering, healing & revelation
Jeremiah 33:6
"Behold, I will bring it (Jerusalem) health and healing; I will heal them (Israel) and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth."
God's will and design for suffering in the lives of His children includes healing and revelation. Sometimes our healing comes in this life, it ultimately comes in eternity. However, in the process of suffering and healing, there is always revelation. Through suffering we come to know God as sovereign, sufficient, just, right, comforting, compassionate, generous, wise, willing, peace, power and so much more. This healing is received if God wills it; the revelation is received if we will it. God is always revealing Himself and we will all only see what we wish to see.
In suffering, do I close my eyes and wish it away? Do I harbor resentment against God or gratitude for the revelation He provides? Do I focus so heavily on my desire for healing that I overlook His revelation? Is my prayer "heal my life" or "open my eyes"?
God - teach me to desire the revelation of You more than anything. Let my life be a revelation of You as I am conformed to Your image and sanctified by Your work. Keep my focus on You. Amen.
"Behold, I will bring it (Jerusalem) health and healing; I will heal them (Israel) and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth."
God's will and design for suffering in the lives of His children includes healing and revelation. Sometimes our healing comes in this life, it ultimately comes in eternity. However, in the process of suffering and healing, there is always revelation. Through suffering we come to know God as sovereign, sufficient, just, right, comforting, compassionate, generous, wise, willing, peace, power and so much more. This healing is received if God wills it; the revelation is received if we will it. God is always revealing Himself and we will all only see what we wish to see.
In suffering, do I close my eyes and wish it away? Do I harbor resentment against God or gratitude for the revelation He provides? Do I focus so heavily on my desire for healing that I overlook His revelation? Is my prayer "heal my life" or "open my eyes"?
God - teach me to desire the revelation of You more than anything. Let my life be a revelation of You as I am conformed to Your image and sanctified by Your work. Keep my focus on You. Amen.
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