Jeremiah 21
There are times when God's prophet could not give a word of victory to the King or priest. This was the case for Jeremiah. King Zedekiah wanted to hear a word from the Lord based upon past performances or outcomes that God had worked. God had done some wonderful acts in their past but presently they were in trouble. The word was that if they were going to live they would have to surrender to the will of God. The opportunity for change on a national scale was past their only hope was for the individual because judgment of God was coming and it would not relent.
I think this may have application to our modern societies today. Not because they are modern, but because whole nations are becoming less Christ centered and more pagan. Iniquity is waxing worse and worse therefore the judgment of God may be upon nations but the individuals can still surrender their lives to God. I fear that the USA may be too far gone away from the principals of the Bible and that our sin and arrogance as a nation may have already invoked a response from heaven of His wrath. I remember the prophets who cried out in wrath remember mercy that is my prayer for our nation.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Jeremiah 19 and 20
These chapters record Jeremiah's message of destruction and subsequent personal meltdown as he faces intense opposition, prison, daily derision and a desire to quit on God. The work of God is not always a walk in the park. We have to fight the good fight of faith and realize sometimes the miracle is God's ability to preserve his work in our lives in the midst of wickeness, evil and hard hearts. Jeremiah said, he was not going to speak any more in the name of the Lord. That is what frustration and negative responses to a hard message of judgment for sin can do. However, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jeremiah declared that the word of God was like fire trapped up in his bones. May I be so bold as to say that we need preachers(I need to be a preacher) who have fire in their bones. A hot word from God off the altar of his fiery presence. My former Superintendant Earnest J. Moen once said, that the church doesn't need a sermonette for christianettes, throw your little sermon in the fire and let God burn something in your soul that comes out with a sense of conviction. Our world still nees men and women who are willing to wait on God until they hear a "thus saith the Lord" God will not let you quit. By that I don't mean it is impossible but God is faithful even when we are not.
Lord today, I need and desire your word to fill my life in such a way that I cannot keep it to myself. I love you and I am thankful that you remain faithful. Your mercies were new today and will be just as fresh tomorrow and every day I live.
I pray for my family to not only be kept by the power of God but that your choice of career path, and of husbands for Beth and Sarah will be brought to pass. I call those things that are not as though they already are. Your kingdom come and your will be done. I thank you Lord for another generation who will worship you for all eternity.
I also, thank you that every word you have spoken will come to pass. Help them and me to hear your voice and to understand the purpose of their life and calling. In Jesus name, Amen
These chapters record Jeremiah's message of destruction and subsequent personal meltdown as he faces intense opposition, prison, daily derision and a desire to quit on God. The work of God is not always a walk in the park. We have to fight the good fight of faith and realize sometimes the miracle is God's ability to preserve his work in our lives in the midst of wickeness, evil and hard hearts. Jeremiah said, he was not going to speak any more in the name of the Lord. That is what frustration and negative responses to a hard message of judgment for sin can do. However, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jeremiah declared that the word of God was like fire trapped up in his bones. May I be so bold as to say that we need preachers(I need to be a preacher) who have fire in their bones. A hot word from God off the altar of his fiery presence. My former Superintendant Earnest J. Moen once said, that the church doesn't need a sermonette for christianettes, throw your little sermon in the fire and let God burn something in your soul that comes out with a sense of conviction. Our world still nees men and women who are willing to wait on God until they hear a "thus saith the Lord" God will not let you quit. By that I don't mean it is impossible but God is faithful even when we are not.
Lord today, I need and desire your word to fill my life in such a way that I cannot keep it to myself. I love you and I am thankful that you remain faithful. Your mercies were new today and will be just as fresh tomorrow and every day I live.
I pray for my family to not only be kept by the power of God but that your choice of career path, and of husbands for Beth and Sarah will be brought to pass. I call those things that are not as though they already are. Your kingdom come and your will be done. I thank you Lord for another generation who will worship you for all eternity.
I also, thank you that every word you have spoken will come to pass. Help them and me to hear your voice and to understand the purpose of their life and calling. In Jesus name, Amen
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
God uses lumps of clay
Jeremiah 18
Our fall break Debbie and I, Bethany and Sarah went to SDC in Branson(steal your dollar city). I walked into the pottery shop where the artisan was molding clay into bowls preparing them to be fired into ceramics. He looked up and as he was applying water and shaping the clay he said it is very rewarding to take a lump of clay and make it into something useful. Immediately, I thought that is what God does with us. God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house and I will give you my message there. This was another one of God's illustrated sermons. The potter made a pot but something went wrong so he had to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. The old hymn writer took his inspiration from this passage when he wrote, "Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way, thou art the potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after thine will, while I am waiting yielded and still." Don't resist the potter or try and tell him what to make of you just simply let the master go to work and take our messed up vessel and make something useful out of it.
Our fall break Debbie and I, Bethany and Sarah went to SDC in Branson(steal your dollar city). I walked into the pottery shop where the artisan was molding clay into bowls preparing them to be fired into ceramics. He looked up and as he was applying water and shaping the clay he said it is very rewarding to take a lump of clay and make it into something useful. Immediately, I thought that is what God does with us. God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house and I will give you my message there. This was another one of God's illustrated sermons. The potter made a pot but something went wrong so he had to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. The old hymn writer took his inspiration from this passage when he wrote, "Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way, thou art the potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after thine will, while I am waiting yielded and still." Don't resist the potter or try and tell him what to make of you just simply let the master go to work and take our messed up vessel and make something useful out of it.
Jeremiah 17
The consequences of sin will always be greater than what one thinks they can control. Sin was the cause of them losing their land and becoming subject to their enemies. Sin had hardened their hearts so that the only way to write on them was with an iron tool with a diamond tip. that is a hard heart. Instead of worshiping God they were serving and worshiping idols and instead of blessings they were cursed.
When you stop depending and trusting the Lord and you start trusting in other people and the strength of others you are headed to a very dry place spiritually speaking. The Lord is the one who has to test our hearts and our minds so that we can be healed and cured from self deception.
The prophet Jeremiah understood that it was the Lord who heals and saves and who is worthy of all praise. When things were hard, he said, "I run to you for safety in times of trouble." The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are saved.
Help me O Lord to avoid all sin because I don't want to pay it's consequences or allow it to harden my heart or cause me to worship anything but you. I also do not want to be decieved by saying that I trust in the Lord but have God to test my heart and find out that in reality I am trusting in the strength of men or worse my own strength. God I declare you are my strength and I draw near to you to worship you and to surrender my heart and life to you. I resist the devil and he must flee.
The consequences of sin will always be greater than what one thinks they can control. Sin was the cause of them losing their land and becoming subject to their enemies. Sin had hardened their hearts so that the only way to write on them was with an iron tool with a diamond tip. that is a hard heart. Instead of worshiping God they were serving and worshiping idols and instead of blessings they were cursed.
When you stop depending and trusting the Lord and you start trusting in other people and the strength of others you are headed to a very dry place spiritually speaking. The Lord is the one who has to test our hearts and our minds so that we can be healed and cured from self deception.
The prophet Jeremiah understood that it was the Lord who heals and saves and who is worthy of all praise. When things were hard, he said, "I run to you for safety in times of trouble." The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are saved.
Help me O Lord to avoid all sin because I don't want to pay it's consequences or allow it to harden my heart or cause me to worship anything but you. I also do not want to be decieved by saying that I trust in the Lord but have God to test my heart and find out that in reality I am trusting in the strength of men or worse my own strength. God I declare you are my strength and I draw near to you to worship you and to surrender my heart and life to you. I resist the devil and he must flee.
Monday, October 24, 2011
What Not To Do
Jeremiah 16
God tells Jeremiah directly that he is not to marry or have a family in the place he was at. The reason why? Because of their rebellion against God. Tragedy will come and there will be no comfort. What terrible sin did they commit? They simply quit following God and pursued other gods. The next generation did worse. They did not pursue any god, instead they became very stubborn and did only what they wanted to do. Selfishness is the primary root of all sin. People do what they do because the want to. Anyone who has yet to surrender to the Lordship of christ will inevitably end up in pursuit of those things that they desire for themself to enjoy.
So what happens? People end up with their lives scattered, empty and void of true meanging because they go their own way instead of God's way. They may have godly heritage and memories of what God has done in the past but their past will not give them a future that is filled with the blessing of God unless they are living in a present state of surrender and submission to the Father's will. God tells Jeremiah that as God had to deliver his people out of Eypt, God will now have to bring His people back from other lands as well. I think God is saying you cannot avoid the mess you will end up in, if you fail to follow the living God.
God also reminds Jeremiah, that He sees everything they do. They cannot hide it from the Lord. The only one we fool when we have hidden sin is ourself. The consequences of sin cannot be avoided. Sin can be forgiven and washed away. The Lord can and will give strength and power to those who trust him in order to teach others that they will know that He is Lord.
God today help me to follow you with all my heart. I surrender my will to yours. I submit myself to you and resist the devil and he must flee. Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a godly wife and two beautiful daughters who love and serve the Lord.
God tells Jeremiah directly that he is not to marry or have a family in the place he was at. The reason why? Because of their rebellion against God. Tragedy will come and there will be no comfort. What terrible sin did they commit? They simply quit following God and pursued other gods. The next generation did worse. They did not pursue any god, instead they became very stubborn and did only what they wanted to do. Selfishness is the primary root of all sin. People do what they do because the want to. Anyone who has yet to surrender to the Lordship of christ will inevitably end up in pursuit of those things that they desire for themself to enjoy.
So what happens? People end up with their lives scattered, empty and void of true meanging because they go their own way instead of God's way. They may have godly heritage and memories of what God has done in the past but their past will not give them a future that is filled with the blessing of God unless they are living in a present state of surrender and submission to the Father's will. God tells Jeremiah that as God had to deliver his people out of Eypt, God will now have to bring His people back from other lands as well. I think God is saying you cannot avoid the mess you will end up in, if you fail to follow the living God.
God also reminds Jeremiah, that He sees everything they do. They cannot hide it from the Lord. The only one we fool when we have hidden sin is ourself. The consequences of sin cannot be avoided. Sin can be forgiven and washed away. The Lord can and will give strength and power to those who trust him in order to teach others that they will know that He is Lord.
God today help me to follow you with all my heart. I surrender my will to yours. I submit myself to you and resist the devil and he must flee. Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a godly wife and two beautiful daughters who love and serve the Lord.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
What are you eating?
Jeremiah 15
Can we change the mind of the Lord? I don't know. Certainly it appears that Moses did, Abraham tried, and Hezekiah got 15 years more out of life all through prayer. But a word of caution. It doesn't always change God's determined mindset to carry out His plan especially when it comes to judgment and destruction due to the rebellion of those who have had much opportunity to surrender their foolish pride to the Lord. The Lord tells Jeremiah that even if Moses or Samuel stood before me, my mind would not be favorable toward this people. Even two of the most Godly people in the entire OT would not be able to change God's heart. Sometimes maybe we are prone to think that the reason we are not seeing more done in the church we are pastoring is because of our own shortcomings. That certainly can be the case, but it could be that where the church is at and where you are at is in two different places. What do you do if that is the case? You plead with God for mercy and patient endurance. And there are times when you have to eat the word that God gives you, and make it a part of your life so that while you endure you can experience a joyful heart in the midst of God's judgment being poured out on others. Sometimes you will have to go it alone. Jesus had to go to the cross by himself. No one could go for him. And no one can take up your cross. We must continue to turn to the Lord and not allow the majority to influence our life style. Let's stay the course. Eat the word and digest it, make it part of our life so that God can and will deliver us from all harm.
Lord today I am hungry to eat the word and to let it become a part of my life so that I can truly live the message of your love and grace. IN JESUS NAME! AMEN
Can we change the mind of the Lord? I don't know. Certainly it appears that Moses did, Abraham tried, and Hezekiah got 15 years more out of life all through prayer. But a word of caution. It doesn't always change God's determined mindset to carry out His plan especially when it comes to judgment and destruction due to the rebellion of those who have had much opportunity to surrender their foolish pride to the Lord. The Lord tells Jeremiah that even if Moses or Samuel stood before me, my mind would not be favorable toward this people. Even two of the most Godly people in the entire OT would not be able to change God's heart. Sometimes maybe we are prone to think that the reason we are not seeing more done in the church we are pastoring is because of our own shortcomings. That certainly can be the case, but it could be that where the church is at and where you are at is in two different places. What do you do if that is the case? You plead with God for mercy and patient endurance. And there are times when you have to eat the word that God gives you, and make it a part of your life so that while you endure you can experience a joyful heart in the midst of God's judgment being poured out on others. Sometimes you will have to go it alone. Jesus had to go to the cross by himself. No one could go for him. And no one can take up your cross. We must continue to turn to the Lord and not allow the majority to influence our life style. Let's stay the course. Eat the word and digest it, make it part of our life so that God can and will deliver us from all harm.
Lord today I am hungry to eat the word and to let it become a part of my life so that I can truly live the message of your love and grace. IN JESUS NAME! AMEN
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Jeremiah 14
What would cause God to say to Jeremiah "Do not pray for this people, for thier good" When they fast, God says, I will not hear them. When they offer there burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Can you imagine the shock Jeremiah must have felt when he hears God tell him not to pray. I would never want to imagine myself or a loved one reaching a place in their life before God where God would tell someone not to pray. What was their problem? I think the problem lies in the heart. When you are at a place where you outwardly appear to be doing the God honoring things but inside your heart there is hidden desires for things other than God. God is not fooled by our show. He wants us to come clean from the inside out.
It is also possible to assume the wrong thing. The prophets were prophesying lies. God says I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them;they speak false vision, and worthless words from the deceit of their heart. Anything that is spoken as being from the Lord but the person speaking it has not really heard from the Lord is deceitful even if the intent is not to deceive. It is important to learn that when we say that God has told us something, that we are earnest, sincere and truthful in the way we speak. Jesus rebuked Peter for having in mind the things of man rather than the things of God. He was sincere and not intentionally trying to say something that was off the mark, but he simply did not understand what God's ultimate purpose was. Before claiming to speak for God, we must spend time with Him and seek earnestly to listen to Him.
There is much harm that is done to oneself and to others when you assume the mind of God apart from waiting on God, being in his presence and listening for His voice.
On the other hand when we speak the word of God under the anointing and direction of God it is powerful and life shaping and transforming. To quote another, there is no transformation apart from revelation.
What would cause God to say to Jeremiah "Do not pray for this people, for thier good" When they fast, God says, I will not hear them. When they offer there burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Can you imagine the shock Jeremiah must have felt when he hears God tell him not to pray. I would never want to imagine myself or a loved one reaching a place in their life before God where God would tell someone not to pray. What was their problem? I think the problem lies in the heart. When you are at a place where you outwardly appear to be doing the God honoring things but inside your heart there is hidden desires for things other than God. God is not fooled by our show. He wants us to come clean from the inside out.
It is also possible to assume the wrong thing. The prophets were prophesying lies. God says I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them;they speak false vision, and worthless words from the deceit of their heart. Anything that is spoken as being from the Lord but the person speaking it has not really heard from the Lord is deceitful even if the intent is not to deceive. It is important to learn that when we say that God has told us something, that we are earnest, sincere and truthful in the way we speak. Jesus rebuked Peter for having in mind the things of man rather than the things of God. He was sincere and not intentionally trying to say something that was off the mark, but he simply did not understand what God's ultimate purpose was. Before claiming to speak for God, we must spend time with Him and seek earnestly to listen to Him.
There is much harm that is done to oneself and to others when you assume the mind of God apart from waiting on God, being in his presence and listening for His voice.
On the other hand when we speak the word of God under the anointing and direction of God it is powerful and life shaping and transforming. To quote another, there is no transformation apart from revelation.
Fall thoughts
Minister's conference takeaways: God is a God of process. There are no shortcuts to become the man God intends me to be. God has seasons for us to grow through that are similar to the 4 season of the midwest. Spring = revival, Summer = harvest, Fall = dealing with issues, Winter = establishing roots. I think the season I am in is fall and winter combo. I find myself dealing with relational issues that force me to deal with me and then find a way to allow the Lord to establish my faith roots in deeper soil. I think this is the tougher season to experience vs. spring or summer. Lord have your way in my life, ministry and every relationship.
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