Sacrifices of Praise

O. T. #1767  "Sacrifices of Praise"
August 31, 2020
Jeremiah 17-Part 4
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for Thou art my praise.
(verse 14)

LET IT GLOW

How did Jeremiah begin his prayer in verse 14?
He asked to be healed and saved. Then, he recognized God as his praise (a hymn).
 
Jeremiah was wounded in spirit. He asked God to heal his backslidings, bent to backslide, and save him from being carried away by the strength of the stream to forsake Thee. He desired to be sanctified by the grace of God. He needed to be saved from dangers and threatening enemies. (Matthew Henry)

Psalm 119:175 says, Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; and let Thy judgments help me.
Psalm 71:8 states, Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day.
Psalm 79:13 says, So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever: we will show forth Thy praise to all generations.


Now jump down to verse 26. The Lord says that the people will return to Jerusalem from all around the area to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings, frankincense, and thanksgiving offerings to the LORD's Temple.
They will be bringing sacrifices of praise unto the house of the LORD.
The word praise is different than the previous one. It means adoration, specifically a choir of worshipers; thanks.

Before we get into some serious praying, do we sing praises unto King Jesus?
There is a Christian radio station located in the next town from me. I keep my radio set on that one. It helps me sing praises unto my Lord.


LET IT GROW

We found out that the people of Judah were working on the Sabbath, their day of rest. As they entered the gates of Jerusalem, the people did not go to worship, but joined the hustle and bustle of business like any other day. Making money was more important than keeping God's laws. If only they had repented and put God first in their lives. That is what He wanted and required.
What was the most important reform of those returnees, over 70 years later? They observed the Sabbath and rebuilt the Temple.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary gives three reasons for the judgment of God upon Judah:

1. idolatry (verses 1-4),
2. relying on the flesh (verse 5),
3. dishonesty in amassing wealth (verse 11).

If only Jerusalem had repented of those sins, then there would have been no captivity for 70 years.

The names of the idols were engraved on the horns of their altars with a pen of iron. It was permanently etched. So were their sins, as if in stone. God wants His word to be written on our heart.
(Jeremiah 31:33)


LET IT GO
We will bring to You the sacrifices of praise into the house of praise.

A Fountain of Living Waters

O. T. #1766  "A Fountain of Living Waters"
August 28, 2020
Jeremiah 17-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

We read in verse 12 that the LORD's throne eternal, high, and glorious. Now Jeremiah refers to Him as the hope of Israel  and the fountain of living waters. (verse 13)

In the Hebrew language, fountain refers to a spring; well-spring; source of water, even when naturally flowing; wisdom; happiness.
Living means fresh water; strong; alive; running.
Waters is a spring; flood.

What is significant about the fountain of living waters?

• There is comfort in God,
• an over flowing ever-flowing fullness, like that of a fountain;
• it is fresh, clear, and clean, like spring water.

In Revelation 21:6b, Jesus says He will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

When we daily come to Jesus, He refreshens our soul with His love springing up in us and overflowing to others. He is our comfort when we need comforting. He cleanses our dirty sin-sick soul and makes it clean. When we are thirsty spiritually, He knows just what we need and supplies it.

What a Savior!
Is Jesus your Fountain of Living Waters?

LET IT GROW

In the later part of this chapter, Jeremiah was told to go to the gates of Jerusalem and deliver this specific message to the people and kings of Judah face-to-face:

• They were violating the Lord's Sabbath.
• They were carrying on trade there on the Sabbath day.
• They were not making it a holy day.
• They needed to stop doing this.

However, those people were a stiff-necked people, not listening nor heeding the instructions. However, if God's people would keep His Sabbath, Israel would enjoy untold blessings, peace, and prosperity. (verse 24-26) Refusing to obey, would result in fire consuming the gates and the citadels of Jerusalem. (Tony Evans)

It was their choice.
Folks, if you are a old as I am, you will recall that in our country and neighborhoods, businesses were not open on Sundays and trucks were not rolling down the highways to replenish them. We need to get back to following God's Word.
Do we set aside Sunday as a day of worship and rest instead of work? God will honor our efforts as we honor Him.


LET IT GO
You are way maker, promise keeper, my God, that is who You are.

A Deceitful and Wicked Heart

O. T. #1765  "A Deceitful and Wicked Heart"
August 27, 2020
Jeremiah 17-Part 2
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (verses 9-10)

LET IT GLOW

Jeremiah is speaking in verses 11-18. Our focus is on verses 12-13-A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.

The Temple in Jerusalem was where God manifested His presence, as well as a place where the people came to worship, and flee for refuge in time of distress. It was their sanctuary. It was a throne of holiness, truly glorious, God's throne, which made it truly high. Judah was sinning in idolatry as they forsook god on His throne that was among them in His sanctuary. (Matthew Henry)

NLT says, But we worship at Your throne-eternal, high, and glorious.

Now, there is a glorious high throne of Jesus in heaven, where our Savior intercedes to the Father for us, the children of God who are saved.
One day we will kneel before this high and glorious throne before our God. Do we dread that day or are we looking forward to going to heaven?

LET IT GROW


Now read our key verses again. Here is one of the most famous verses in Jeremiah.
What do we learn about the heart of people? It is:

• deceitful (fraudulent; crooked; polluted). The heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt and fallen state is deceitful; it is subtle and false, supplant.
• desperately wicked (incurable; sick; woeful) Without Jesus, we can be a horrible person doing sickening things.

Do we have a tendency to point a finger at someone we would describe as deceitful and wicked? That is when we should realize that 3 other fingers are pointing back at us.
From our birth, we have a sin nature. Our heart calls good evil and evil good. The fool says in his heart that there is no God, He does not see all, nor will He require truth and righteousness. It is a self-deceiver and a self-destroyer.
We cannot know our own heart as well as we think we do. When we face temptations to sin against God, how will we react? We may think we will never do such and such, but in reality, we don't know what we would do. (King Hezekiah and Peter are examples.)
Jesus is the One and Only who can change this wicked heart of ours. When He cleanses it, He replaces it with love for God and others. We desire to please Him and help others.

God said that He will search our heart to see our ways and inspect our fruit.
We may finagle, scheme, or plot wrong or evil actions. We may be self-absorbed, self-indulgent, self-pity.

Matthew 5:8 says, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Is our heart pure today? Have we felt a twinge of sin that is lingering there? Be sure, our sins will find us out, friend. May we not deceive our own self into thinking we are fine, when reality, we are all sinners in need of a Savior, today.

LET IT GO
Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we see our heart as You see it.
A broken heart You will not despise; a contrite heart You will not turn away from.
Break our hearts with the things that hurt You.
Make us pure in heart.

Blessed or Cursed?

O. T. #1764  "Blessed or Cursed?"
August 26, 2020
Jeremiah 17
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (verse 7)

LET IT GLOW

We have a pecan tree on the north side of the house. When we moved here some 14 years ago, it was a smaller tree of good size. Now it is huge, flourishing tree with branching reaching to the sky and outward. It bears pecans since it has a big puddle of water that stays there for a few weeks after a rain. I consider it like a tree planted by a stream.

Jeremiah contrasts two types of people-one who trusts in the Lord, like a tree planted by water, with deep roots, and produces fruit (Ps.1); the other ones are people who trust in man, like a dry, barren tree in a desert.

Let's take a look each one.
Those who trust in the LORD in times of trouble:

• They are blessed (to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration; praise; thank).
• The trusteth (be confident or sure; make to hope) in the LORD.
• Their hope (a refuge; security; assurance) is the LORD.

These people have abundant strength, for their needs and the needs of others. Their life shows the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. they live by faith and not by sight. It is obvious that the Lord is pleased with them.

Is our life like that? Are we praising and thanking God, placing our trust and hope in Him only?

LET IT GROW

Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. (verse 5)

Judah trusted in their army, their king, and their foreign alliances to protect them from the powerful Babylonian empire. they gave lip service to their trust in God, but their actions showed where their faith really was: in their military and financial might. God would not bless those who trusted in anyone or anything instead of Him. Trusting anything other than God is idolatry. (Blackaby)

Is our faith truly trusting in God? We can find out by asking our self these questions:
Where do we turn when we experience a crisis?
When we are hurting or afraid, to whom do we go?
When we have a financial problem, whom do we want to tell first?
Where do we seek comfort when we are under stress or discouragement?

It was too late when Judah realized that they had neglected to trust in the only One who could deliver them. Our challenge is to not make the same mistakes Judah made and go straight to Jesus when we have a need. He is the only One who can provide for us.

LET IT GO
Trusting Jesus, that is all;
trusting Jesus whether great or small;
trusting Jesus through it all;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

A Promise Keeper

O. T. #1763  "A Promise Keeper"
August 25, 2020
Jeremiah 16-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

I just want to say thank you for your faithfulness in studying God's Word with me. I don't feel so alone out here along this country road. Although, my days and nights have become occupied with a new addition to our family-a baby kitten.  Its mamma had 3 kittens and she brought them to our front porch for me to feed. Then a couple of weeks ago, something happened to her and 2 of the kittens. (I think a wild animal got them.) Anyway, I continued to care for the runt outside, but it got sick. I took it to the vet and got medicine, so it is here in my office now. Finally, she is showing signs of improvement. I now understand the expression, "as weak as a kitten" because she could barely walk earlier. We have learned to love and cuddle the baby. I know that soon I will have to make a difficult decision whether to keep her or give her to a friend who said she would take her.

I said all of that to show that as I have grown to love this kitten, God loved His people of Israel and Judah even more. He tried countless times to draw them back to Him, but they would not. Let us not forget that discipline is a form of love, love for the good of those being disciplined.

What good would become of Judah being taken away into slavery in Babylon?
The MacArthur Bible Commentary explains:

The result of God's judgment on the Jews will be the end of idolatry; even some Gentiles, witnessing the severity, will renounce idols. After the return from Babylon, this was partly fulfilled as the Jews entirely and permanently renounced idols, and many Gentiles turned from their idols to Jehovah. However, the complete fulfillment will come in the final restoration of Israel.

He is referring to the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ as King in Jerusalem.
Previously, we read in verse 19 that God is our strength, stronghold, and refuge. Jeremiah experienced God's presence, security, and protection in those ways. When we run to Jesus in our time of need, we, too, can experience Him in those ways.

What was the good that would come from the Babylonian captivity for 70 years, in verse 21?
God said He would cause His people would know:

• His hand,
• His might,
• and His name is The LORD.

Israel would see God's powerful hand, His might, and understand that He is the Only LORD God.

Have we experienced God's mighty hand in our life?
Do we stop and praise Him for being our God and we are His child?

LET IT GROW

Look at verses 14-15. God was known and remembered for His bringing His children from Egypt during their fist Exodus. But now, He is known for their second Exodus-deliverance from the north, Babylon. We studied about it in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
God promised He would bring Israel back again into their land that He gave unto their fathers. God kept that promise, too. He is a Promise Keeper.

He keeps hope alive for us as we trust God to bring us to heaven when we believe in Jesus as our Savior and our life on earth is finished.

LET IT GO

Even though people do not always keep their promises, our God does.

A Strength, Rock, and Refuge

O. T. #1762  "A Strength, Rock, and Refuge"
August 24, 2020
Jeremiah 16
O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction... (verse 19a)

LET IT GLOW

What is Jeremiah proclaiming in verse 19?
God is his:

• strength, which means might; power; boldness; security; majesty; praise;
• fortress, refers to a fortified place; fort; rock; strength; stronghold;
• refuge, a retreat; escape; way to flee.

In this prayer, Jeremiah approached God with three descriptive names: strength, stronghold, and refuge. Each name gives a slightly different glimpse of how Jeremiah experienced God's presence, and each is a picture of security and protection. Let God be your strength when you feel weak, your stronghold when enemies come against you, and your refuge when you need to retreat from Life's pressures.
(Life's Application Study Bible)

Others in the Bible found God to be their strength, fortress, and refuge. Here are just a few:

In Psalm 18:2-3, David said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worth to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Also, in Psalm 27, he acknowledged, The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

And, in Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Isaiah stated in Isaiah 12:2, Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

Do we declare God to be your strength, fortress, and refuge?
Is our life of faith showing others that God is our strength to carry on, our fortress, and refuge to whom we go in our times of trouble?

LET IT GROW

What were the restrictions which God gave to Prophet Jeremiah?

• celibacy, to not marry;
• to not have children (verse 2);
• have no personal or social interaction with the people of Judah;
• no longer lament or rejoice with them.

Jeremiah's home situation was a sign to Judah-a sign of judgment upon God's people. The absence of children in Jeremiah's house was a warning that any children born in the land would die from deadly diseases or be finished off by sword and famine (verses 3-4). God had given up on this rebellious and hard-hearted people that He had disowned them. He would no longer lament or rejoice with them, so Jeremiah couldn't either. (Tony Evans)

Another sign to Judah was when Hosea was told to marry a prostitute, Gomer, showing Judah's unfaithfulness to God.

Following our God can require various sacrifices on our part. However, He sees our faithfulness and rewards it.

LET IT GO

Thank You, Jesus, for being my strength, my Rock, and my refuge when I need comfort and reassured love in my hard times.
There was Jesus in the waiting, in the searching.

From What Do You Need to be Saved and Delivered?

O. T. #1761  "From What Do You Need to be Saved and Delivered?"
August 21, 2020
Jeremiah 15-Part 2
I am with you to save you and deliver you. (verse 20)

LET IT GLOW

As we said previously, Jeremiah was down at the lowest point of his ministry as he wrote this chapter. He despairs of life itself. However, eventually good came of his hopeless situation. He prayed and acknowledged that God knew what was happening to him. He asked for God to step in and help him, to punish his persecutors. Also, he asked for time and not to die young. After all, it was for God's sake that he was suffering. When Jeremiah discovered the Words of God, he devoured them; they became his joy and heart's delight. [from New Living Translation]

Jeremiah did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced, but he sat alone because of God's divine inspiration.

How does God answer Jeremiah in verses 19-21?

• If he will return to God, then God will restore Jeremiah so he can serve God.
• If he will speak good words instead of worthless ones, they Jeremiah would be God's spokesman.
• Jeremiah must influence the wicked people, not let them influence him.
• Then God would make Jeremiah as secure as a fortified wall of bronze when they fought against him like as attacking army.
• Evil ones would not conquer the Prophet for God was with him to save and deliver him.
• God would certainly keep Jeremiah safe from those wicked men; He would save and deliver Jeremiah from their cruel hands.

Did you notice the two reassuring words God repeated twice to Jeremiah?
The same Hebrew word for save and Savior is Yasha (yaw-shah'), which mean rescue; preserve; defend; to be open, wide or free; defend; get victory.
Deliver means to snatch away; whether in a good or bad sense; pluck; preserve; takeout.

Even though great suffering was ahead for Jeremiah, he would endure because God would rescue and preserve him.
Do we trust God's strong arm with all our heart?
If we are in a difficult situation or suffering for Jesus, don't give up, dear one. Don't run out of faith. Yasha will rescue us and preserve us or pluck us out of those circumstances.
Do we believe it?
God said it, I believe it, that settles it!

LET IT GROW

Jeremiah gets real for us, huh?

Well, the people of Judah will be sorry for their rebellion against and their turning to false gods.

• For God was going to fan them with a fan like the farmer who scattered the chaff, so God will winnow His people. They would be scattered. In Matthew 3:11-12, John the Baptist is telling that Jesus will do the same. (verse 7)
• They forsake God and would them. (verse 6)
• Judah would be ashamed and confounded, like a mother of 7 who lost her children, resulting in great sorrow. (verses 8-9)
• Their wealth and treasures would be taken by their enemy.

What a high price to pay for their sins.
Doesn't God have a way of bringing us to our knees of repentance? He knows what it take to get us there.

LET IT GO
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control. In the middle of the war, You guard my soul. You alone are my anchor.Your love surrounds me, Jesus. In the eye of the storm.
How I appreciate that song, just at the right time.

Good Comes in a Hopeless Situation

O. T. #1760  "Good Comes in a Hopeless Situation"
August 20, 2020
Jeremiah 15
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.  (verse 16)

LET IT GLOW

Just when we think it can't get any worse for Judah in what was coming ahead, God tells more bad that is ahead for them. Jeremiah comes to the lowest point of his career. He was friendless, forsaken, discouraged, frustrated, even despairs of life itself. But God did not forsake him. Good would come of this hopeless situation. Before we get into that, what is some good that we can glean from this chapter?

In verses 15-21, Jeremiah was reminded of his special call and was strengthened.

• He found God's Word. Jeremiah searched the Scriptures, studied the Law diligently, and was revived by it. Seek and ye shall find.
• He ate it as food for his hungry soul, like food for a hungry body that is satisfied, so Jeremiah's soul found satisfaction and fulfillment.
• God's Word was joy to Jeremiah. Jesus is our hope (mique) of eternal salvation.
• There was rejoicing in his heart. God was with Jeremiah, even during the bad things. He was doing God's will and had peace. Jeremiah received God's Word, he eagerly received them.
• After all, Jeremiah was called by the LORD God of Hosts.

Isn't it overwhelming to consider that a Holy, Almighty God would speak directly to us through His Word? What a privilege it is for Him to care enough for us to challenge our thoughts and actions. So, whether it is encouraging or chastising Words, we should joyfully receive then as life-changing words from our Savior (Yasha).
Do we consider it joy that Almighty God would speak to us?
Are we joyfully trusting Jesus amidst our circumstances?

LET IT GROW

Most of Jeremiah's prophecies were given and written in Jerusalem during 41 years of his ministry that was under the last 5 kings of Judah. He was taken captive to Babylon along with his people, the Jews. It is suggested that Jeremiah went to Egypt and there wrote the last of his book.

In verse 11, God told Jeremiah that it would be well with him, a remnant of faithful believers. However, Judah would pay for their sins of idolatry. The captivity was partly due to King Manasseh's horrible ways.(verse 4) According to 2 Kings 21, he built altars to worship false gods in the Temple. He made his son pass through the fire, observed demonism there. Of course, this angered God. Later, Manasseh repented and removed those abomination objects.

Judah was doing it again. They were in a continuous circle of sin, repentance, changing, then returning to idol worship again. Humans are no different today, due to our sin nature.

Our hope is in Jesus, who heals broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships. (Sarah young)

Our part is to trust Jesus fully and to thank Him for the restoration. His grace is sufficient. He is our wellspring of Joy.

LET IT GO

Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary's Mountain.
Restore our joy in You today, Jesus.
Jesus, be the good in our hopeless situation.

A Foxhole Deal

O. T. #1759  "A Foxhole Deal"
August 19. 2020
Jeremiah 14-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Oh the pain of Jeremiah's heart of compassion as he saw war and famine ravage his nation and people. (verses 17-18) But they were a day late, so to speak-trying to make a foxhole deal with God so He would get them out of their mess, according to Tony Evans. (It was like a soldier who would make a deal with God to serve Him while in a foxhole in battle if He would let them live and get them out of the life-threatening situation.)
Yes, they confessed their sins, wickedness and their ancestors sins, also. They admitted to sinning against God (idolatry). (verses 19-22) Isn't this what God required and desired of Judah?

What was their problem?

• Stubborn: They wanted God to do His part, keeping His part of their covenant, but they did not want to do their part. The people of Judah wanting the blessings, but did not want to do what was required in order to get them.
• Insincere-They expressed sorrow for wrong actions, but would not stop doing the wrong.
• Wickedness-They got caught sinning and God knew it, as well that it would only continue. Hypocrites would be punished. They worshiped false gods and worthless idols.

Their pleadings were too little too late. It was the rejection of God, His warnings, and Word through prophets like Jeremiah that resulted in their captivity. Is it too late for America? I think not.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Despite Zaccheus' material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation. (Experiencing God Day-By-Day, by Henry and Richard Blackaby)

Do we allow our abilities, talents, wisdom, resources, or wealth to prevent us from trusting Jesus who can bring us abundant life? When we trust in God, He will enrich our lives immeasurably.

LET IT GROW

Only God can send rain, not worthless foreign gods. The LORD is our One and Only God who can do such things. Thou hast made all these things. Therefore we will wait upon Thee. (verse 22)

We have two more weeks of a hot and dry August in my area ahead of us. That is according to the weather predictions. Our leaves are beginning to fall and grass is turning brown already. But God can send our dry land rain. What about our land of spiritual dryness? Do we pray for Him to reign and send rain?

Do we acknowledge God as being sovereignly in control over all things?
Are we waiting upon Him to do His thing? Is our heart sincerely pleading with God before it is too late?
When we wait, our confidence and faith is in God whose timing is perfect and ways are best.

LET IT GO
Jesus, You have done great things.
We lift Your name high.
We wait upon You.
You can make a way, for You are The Way, Jesus.

Our Hope and Savior is Jesus

O. T. #1758  "Our Hope and Savior is Jesus"
August 18, 2020
Jeremiah 14
O the hope of Israel, the savior thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? (verse 8)

LET IT GLOW

We have had a shock the last few days. Two people from our last church passed away. One was suddenly and unexpected with a heart attack or stroke, the wife of a deacon and good friend. The other was expected with cancer taking him, our youth director. Both are hard realities for the families to face. So please pray for us and those families today as we attend both funerals. My husband is officiating one.

We know that death is eventually coming for all of us. So we must be prepared for our eternity as we meet Jesus face to face. Judah thought they were okay spiritually, but God knew better.

Here is the fifth message Jeremiah gives-God is sending a dearth [restraint (of rain); drought] on Judah. It was during a time of war and famine that Jeremiah spoke the word of the LORD. (verse 1) The was the consequences of the people's sins. Jeremiah's heart still ached when his folks were suffering, although he predicted it would come. Their cisterns were empty, so people, animals, and grass all lacked water, as well as the cracked land. They were ashamed and confounded. (verse 3)

In verse 7, the people admitted their wickedness had caught up with them. They asked the Lord for help for the sake of His own reputation. They had turned away for God and sinned against His again and again.

In verse 8, what did the people call God?

• Hope, (miqve/mik-vay') which means  something waited for, in the Hebrew language;
• Saviour, (yasha/yaw-shah'), refers to deliverer, rescue, defend.

Is Jesus your Hope and Savior? He wants to be today. Have you turned to Him?

LET IT GROW

The people began to cry out to God in their suffering and expressed what sounded like genuine repentance. (verses 7-9)They admitted that they had been very sinful and rebellious, and called God the Hope of Israel and their Savior. (verse 8) They reminded God that they carried His name and pled with Him to save them on that basis if for no other reason. (Tony Evans)

So how did God respond? He said that they wandered far from Him and did not restrain themselves. Therefore, He would no longer accept them as His people. He would remember all their wickedness and punish them for their sins. (verse 10)

God saw into their hearts. He was finished with them and the sword, famine, plague, and captivity was God's judgment. Their pleadings was a little too late. (A faithful remnant had to endure those things, too.)

Dear one, there is not always going to be time for repentance. God calls folks to salvation just so many times and then withdraws His Spirit. Today is the day of salvation. When He calls, answer.
Maybe we should wake up our lost family members with reality that death is inevitable for all of us.

LET IT GO
We are an overcomer when Jesus is living inside of us.
There is nothing He can't do.
God is holding you right now, even when you feel hopeless.
Don't quit, don't give in; you're an overcomer.

The Weeping Prophet

O. T. #1757  "The Weeping Prophet"
August 17, 2020
Jeremiah 13-Part 2
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive.
(verse 17)

LET IT GLOW

Even in the gloom and doom that lay ahead of Judah, Jeremiah continued to prophesy. By rejecting the light, darkness of judgment was coming. Jeremiah was faithful in delivering God's message calling His people to repentance. The results was rebellion in Judah. Pride kept them from surrendering to their God. It so touched Jeremiah's heart and burdened him, that he wept over the destruction coming upon his people. (verse 17)

It was the haughtiness, stubbornness, vain confidence that pride succeeded to separate the children of God from their Heavenly Father.

Jeremiah is known as "the weeping prophet', living a life of conflict because of his predictions about judgment by the invading Babylonians. He was threatened, tried for his life, put in stocks, forced to flee from King Jehoiakim, publicly humiliated by a false prophet, and thrown into a pit. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

When is pride harmful?
Life Application Study Bible tells us it is when it causes us to:

1. look down on others;
2. be selfish with our resources;
3. force our solutions on others' problems;
4. think God is blessing us because of our own merits;
5. be content with our plans rather than seeking God's plans.

Prophet Jeremiah is a good example for us to follow.
Time for self evaluations. Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Are we prideful? Are we lifting up our self instead of Jesus?
How do we treat others that are prideful?
Do the sins of others cause us to mourn over them?

LET IT GROW

In verse 23, God asks if a man can change his skin color or a leopard his spots. Of course, we know the answer. It would be easier for that to happen than for Judah to do good.

Judah preferred the filth of her harlotry to the purity offered by God. (Falwell)

They had so long been used to doing evil that it was next to impossible for them to repent, and amend, and begin to do good. (Matthew Henry)

The Lord asks two questions in verse 27: Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be?

However, the Gracious Almighty God can do the impossible. He awaits for us to come to Him with loving and open arms.

LET IT GO

Burden our hearts over our pride, Father.
We need Your grace.
Give us a heart burdened and aching over our family and nation. Oh, how we need You.

Are We Humble or Proud?

O. T. #1756  "Are We Humble or Proud?"
August 14, 2020
Jeremiah 13
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud for the LORD hath spoken. (verse

LET IT GLOW

When I looked out the window of my front door, I saw such a contrast of the tiny hummingbird and the huge vulture. They were both flying around searching for food. The red flowers on my porch attracted the small bird for sweet nectar. There must have be a dead animal in the wooded area that caused the big bird to fly overhead. Jeremiah's life was a contrast of an obedient, godly servant and those marred with corruption and sin; humility and pride.

When Jeremiah surrendered himself to be used by God, little did he know what that involved and where he would go. In this chapter, God gave specific instructions in order to use Jeremiah to illustrate an effort to bring Judah to repentance and their condition. Judah was a precious people to God who were to give Him praise and glory. There were two object lessons for the people found here-a linen girdle and bottle of wine.
Concerning the first, what were those instructions?

• Go buy a linen girdle (a belt; also a band), wear it, and don't wash it.
• Wear the girdle to the Euphrates River, hide it in a hole in the rocks.
• After a long time, go get the girdle that was hid.
• It was marred (to decay; ruin; corrupt; waste) so the girdle was good for nothing because it was rotting and falling apart.

Some commentaries say that this linen girdle was worn as an undergarment under Jeremiah's robe. Others say it was like a belt that held the robe in place and used to gird it up out of the way while working or running. It was a sash that was to not get wet nor washed. This way it was stronger and less likely to rot, as well as stiff and less apt to bend. Judah was to remain close to God, strong and showing God to the world. But their rebellion spoiled it all.
The Euphrates River was far away, in Babylonian territory, perhaps 700-1,000 miles total journey by foot. It would have taken a few weeks for Jeremiah to accomplish this trip. Babylon is where their bondage would take place. The moisture in this area would ruin the girdle. As the rotten linen was like rags and good for nothing, so were the chosen people. That is why it must have remained dry before it was placed in a hole in the rock. It was their idolatry that spoiled their relationship with God.
Then Jeremiah was told to make another trip to retrieve the girdle. (I recon he got his exercise, huh.)
The girdle was useless, good for nothing, and do was Judah, for pride made them that way.

Have we been closer to God than today? Have we allowed pride to seep into our life and we go on our merry way? Have we allowed sin to seep in our heart and make our life seem to be good for nothing? Are we clinging to Jesus during this pandemic?
There is hope-Jesus Christ. Come to Him if you are weary and heavy laden and He will give you rest.
Even if sin has marred us, Jesus will forgive and clean us up.

LET IT GROW

The second object lesson or illustration?

• Bottles (animal skin or earthen jars) were to be filled to the brim with wine.
• The people, kings, priests, propjets, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, would be filled with drunkenness (intoxication).

The drunkenness of the people, their irrationality and helplessness, showed their ruin under divine judgment. God told them that He would not pity, spare, have mercy on them, but destroy them. (verse 14) Judah had digressed into a people worthlessness, uselessness, despicable, and gone to the rag pile.
Pride kept them from repenting. But pride goes before destruction and a fall. God resists the proud. But His grace was available for the humble.
Are we proud or humble? Is it our self that we are exalting or the God who provides us with everything we have?

LET IT GO
Americans need rescuing, Jesus, for we are a proud and prosperous people, in need of nothing.
Reach down and rescue us, O God of mercy.
Just give me Jesus.

Who Are We Pleasing?

O. T. #1755  "Who Are We Pleasing?"
August 13, 2020
Jeremiah 12-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes we are confronted with a choice of either pleasing God or pleasing others. We learned that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours and are not like ours. (Isaiah 55) Certainly, it is good for us to strive to keep good relationships, but it is more important for us to obey and be steadfast in our relationship with Christ Jesus. We should not even consider compromising God's Word and disobeying Him. Isn't it more important for us children of God to obey our Father? Even though our obedience may result in divisions, misunderstandings, or even oppositions in our family and friends relationships, we must realize God requires first place in our heart. And He deserves it, may I add.   [Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day Devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

Peace of mind, love overflowing, a heart of joy, these come when we obey Jesus. So don't be discouraged when others tempt us, discourage us, criticize us. We owe our allegiance to a higher King.

Judah did not stay faithful to their God. We know what happened to them-everything they worked for was destroyed, they were taken captive into a foreign land by horrible Babylonians. It took the disciplining hand of God to bring them back to worshiping Him only.

Will we compromise our standards and beliefs in God today or stay true to them and Him? It is our choice.

There were three times that we had to decide to follow Jesus and leave family behind or not. The first time was when we moved 6 hours away to attend college. The next time was when we moved away for my husband to attend seminary. The last time was when we move to another state, some 12 hours drive away. Our families had a hard time accepting those moves, for we took their grandchildren away from them. Jesus blessed us with other families in our churches and schools. It was very difficult to remain obedient, but how it was worth it all.
Is God calling you away from your family to follow Him?


LET IT GROW

Jehovah lamented over His children of Judah. We read it in verses 7-13. Judah broke their covenant with God and His judgment was coming. How did He describe Judah using figures of speech?

• house: They polluted the Temple, forcing God out of it.
• heritage: Their sins caused God to no longer delight in, care for, and protect them.
• beloved: Once being God's dearly beloved and precious children were no longer honorable.
• lion: They acted like a ferocious lions against God.
• speckled bird: They were speckled with sin and compromise.
• beasts: Judah and Israel digressed into beasts of prey, whom nobody loved and avoided.
• vineyard: Sweetness and kindness had left them. Their were no longer valuable and  interesting.
• portion: Their land became a desolate wilderness instead of a land flowing with milk and honey.

Friends, may we not become like what Judah and Israel described above.

LET IT GO
May we not compromise God's Word, but tell the Truth-Jesus.
May we remain faithful witnesses of His love, kindness, peace, joy, hope, grace, and mercy.
He has done great things. What a Savior!
His love overcomes.
How trustworthy and faithful He is!
 

O. T. #1754  "When You Are Plucked Out of Here, Where Will You Spend Eternity?
August 12, 2020
Jeremiah 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

While Jeremiah was absorbing that warning of the plot to kill him, God continued pronouncing doom on Judah (verses 7-13). God used various illustrations to describe the wicked and His intended judgment. The Babylonians were coming with the sword of the Lord to devour Judah and Jerusalem.

There is a good promise that God makes His (rebellious) children-after this happens, He will return and have compassion on all people (evil nations and Judah), and bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession. What was required? If they will learn the ways of God's people and swear the LORD lives, then they will be included in this promise. (verse 16)

There is one promise in the New Testament that comes to my mind:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Romans 10:12)

Dear one, have you called on the name of Jesus for salvation? Just believe that He was God's Son, lived a perfect life, died in your place to pay for your sins, and rose from the dead. Then ask Him to save you. Jesus is the only way to heaven and to God.

Everyone who is saved, say "Amen!"

(Folks, we have people coming to this site from countries around the world. That is why I am including this so much.)


LET IT GROW

The nation of Israel was so blessed. The 12 tribes of Jacob were given their own land/country. They were to be a witness of how faith in God brought them blessings. However, so many times they failed at this task as they turned to idol worship. The Temple was made with gold, silver, and precious materials, which the evil ones wanted and took.

When we read verses 14-17, what word is repeated 4 times? Pluck/plucked means destroy, forsake.

Did it get your attention like it did mine? Who was God going to destroy, pluck out of their land?

• God said He was going to destroy those evil nations reaching out for the possession He gave Israel. (verse 15)
• He would pluck out Judah from among them. (verse 14)
• Then, God would return the believers to their own land, having compassion on them. (verse 15)
• If they would not obey God, then He would utterly pluck up and destroy that Gentile, heathen nations. (verse 17)

The remnants of Judah and Israel did return to their desolate land some 70 years after Babylon captured them and took them for slaves.
The latter part will be fulfilled during the millennial kingdom reign of Jesus Christ.

God gave warnings ahead of time through the prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah. They were without excuse, yet did not heed the warnings of repentance.

Are we being a faithful witness in our lifestyle and words that we are believers in Jesus Christ?
Do we surrender our heart to Him daily?

Did you know Jesus used the word pluck? In John 10:27-30, He said, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave theme, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.

In the Greek language, the word pluck means to seize; catch (away, up).

What a promise for the Christian! Once we are save, we are always saved. Folks, we will never perish, for our soul is eternal. One day, we will be caught away to heaven, thanks be to Jesus!!!

When you are plucked out of here, where will you spend eternity forever?


LET IT GO
Thank You Jesus for saving my soul, for making me whole.
Thank You Lord for giving to me-Thy great salvation so rich and free!

Why Are Evil Ones Prosperous and Happy?

O. T. #1753  "Why Are Evil Ones Prosperous and Happy?
August 11, 2020
Jeremiah 12

LET IT GLOW

Doesn't it sound like Jeremiah is having a hard time with the plots to kill him were from the people of Judah? I mean, who wouldn't? Even the members of his own family turned against him. They plotted and raised complaints against him. (verse 6) The news so shook up Jeremiah that he had a heart-to-heart talk with his God. What an example for us!

First of all, Jeremiah recognizes the LORD to be righteous, which means just, lawful.
Next, he admits that God knows his heart, sees him, and tried his heart.

He wasn't accusing God of being unjust here, but at the same time he was upset about the way God was handling things. (Tony Evans)

Isn't it something that we can bring our feelings and thought to God, being truthful? (He already know all about us, but it sure helps us to get things off our chest, so to speak.)

Jeremiah asked God two questions:

1. Why are the wicked so prosperous?
2. Why are evil people so happy?

Aren't those age-old questions we sometimes wonder about but often don't come out and ask?
Do we stop and recall that that God is righteous, sovereign, wise, and knows best. Sometimes God doesn't interfere with the sinful ways of man, but leaves us to our devises. We reap what we sow.
It helps to take a step back and take a different perspective of our situation.

Poor Jeremiah, he wasn't prosperous and happy. His obedience to doing God's will was not easy.
That is when we must depend on God working things out for our good and His glory, even when we don't understand.

LET IT GROW

God doesn't have to explain things to Jeremiah nor to us. We must trust Him.
He doesn't have to defend His righteousness or the wisdom of His ways, according to Evans.

Sometimes we want to argue with God about the way He is handling things. Do we get alone with Him and battle it out? It's in the secret places of God's will that we must understand in the secret places of our soul and not use external worldly ways. (Oswald Chambers)

Isn't the battle with our will, our soul, our selfishness? Surrender is what we must do. I didn't say it was easy. Do I know that! Friend, we have to come to the place where we want God's will done His way, above all else, and not ours. When we deny our self and take up our cross, then we can follow Jesus in and through our circumstances. Then our soul will be prosperous and happy. That is what we want anyway, isn't it?

Since we know the rest of the story, we know that those evil people were killed and starved to death.
God is just.

LET IT GO
You make everything glorious.
Your are glorious, Lord Jesus.
You're a good, good Father and we are loved by You.
You are perfect in all of Your ways.
That is Who You are.

Plots and Plans

O. T. #1752  "Plots and Plans"
August 10, 2020
Jeremiah 11-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever had a plot to get rid of you, whether it was on your job, in your community, your church, or family? I have experienced it several times during my teaching career, as well in churches which  my husband pastored. It cuts your heart out when you are doing your best, doing what is right, are faithfully doing God's will, yet people are offended and want to get you out of their presence. We have had our mailbox smashed in, office broken into, lies spread about our reputation, hateful words said to us, accusations made falsely, and the list goes on. So I can understand just a smidgen of Jeremiah's pain as he was faithful in delivering God's message in prophesy. (But mine has never been to the extent he experience.) It makes you question if you are actually doing what is right, tempts you to quit and leave.
However, God wants us to be overcomers, rise above our circumstances, conquer the evil.

It was to Jeremiah's surprise, the people of his hometown were plotting to kill him. Why in the world would his people hate Jeremiah so much?

Life Application Study Bible gives reasons they wanted to silence Jeremiah's message:

1. economic-his condemnation of idol worship would hurt the business of the idol makers;
2. religious-the message of doom and gloom made the people feel depressed and guilty;
3. political-he openly rebuked their hypocritical politics;
4. personal-the people hated him for showing them that they were wrong.

Jeremiah had two options: run and hide, or call on God. Jeremiah called, and God answered. Calling on God for help strengthens us, renews our faith in Him, fills us with love for our enemies, and aids us with endurance.

The thing is, if Jeremiah could not handle his situation, how could he handle the injustices ahead? Isn't it natural for us to demand fair play and cry for justice against those who take advantage of others? However, we must realize that we ourselves would be in big trouble if God gave each of us what we truly deserved. So may we pray for God's grace and mercy, a repentant and soft heart for our enemies instead of justice.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

The word despitefully means falsely accuse; persecute refers to pursue, follow (after), suffer. 

Are we loving, blessing, doing good, and praying for those who falsely accuse us and cause us to suffer? After all, isn't it when we show love that people see that we are a child of God?

LET IT GROW

Jeremiah had no idea that his enemies were planning to kill him. The LORD told him about the plots of his enemies against him. They wanted to destroy this man and all his words, cut him down so his name would be forgotten forever. But God had other plans for Jeremiah and He wasn't finished with him yet. Even though he was put in prison and in a pit hole, cistern, Jeremiah survived.

In his prayer, Jeremiah committed his cause to God, revealed his cause. (verse 20) He wanted to see God's vengeance upon them. God said He would punish them, their young men would die in battle, and their children would starve to death. Not one of those plotters would survive.

Wow! My experience has been that when we leave the revenge to our God, His punishment is worse than we could imagine. He takes care of His own.

LET IT GO
Your promises stand, great is Your faithfulness, Jesus.
I'm still in Your hands, this is my confidence-You have not failed me yet.
My heart will sing Your praise again.
You make a way when there is no way. I believe I will see You do it again.

(God, You know what we need when we need it. Thank You for the songs of encouragements.)

A Conspiracy

O. T. #1751 "A Conspiracy"
August 7, 2020
Jeremiah 11
And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (verse 9)

LET IT GLOW

There were 6 covenants in the Bible that I can find. They were made with Noah, Abraham, Moses, priests, David, and the everlasting covenant of Jesus Christ. These covenants that God made promised blessings for obeying and curses for disobeying (Deut. 27:26-28:68).
Here at the the beginning of this chapter, God is restating the basic terms of the Mosaic covenant-obey and be blessed, disobey and be cursed. (verses 2-5)
In verse 5, we read that God was faithful to keep His oath by giving Israel a land flowing with milk and honey.

Folks, we come to God on His terms, not ours. We are blessed when we obey His voice and keep His commandments. Are you blessed today?

LET IT GROW

In spite of the history lesson, Judah remained disobedient to God's voice and His commands. Most of the people in Judah did not obey, remaining to idolatry.

How did God describe the breaking of the covenant in verse 9?
He said there was a conspiracy (an unlawful alliance, treason, confederacy) found among the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

The word conspire in Webster's Dictionary, means to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result of the secret agreement; a scheme.

Falwell said there were 3 conspiracies: a national conspiracy, against the Word of God and its messenger, and against God.

• It was a shameful thing for Judah to break their covenant with God, having numerous idols in the streets of the beloved city of Jerusalem. They turned back to the sin of their forefathers, refused to hear God's words, went after other gods to serve. (verse 10)
• This was so serious a thing that God did not hear their cries and hearken unto them. (verse 11)
• When people reject God's Word, they reject His messenger, also. The Lord revealed their shrewd doings to Jeremiah.(verse 18-19)
• Jeremiah's reactions to the threats were as a lamb, even when they wanted to cut him off from the land of the living. They didn't succeed in such a conspiracy, for his name is still remembered in the Word of God. The Lord saw to that. (verse 19)
• God said there would be no remnant of those evil men. (verse 23)

Jeremiah's fellow townsmen from Anathoth, one of the 48 cities throughout the land dedicated to the Levites, plotted his death, destroying the tree. (MacArthur)

Jeremiah was kept alive, for he had more prophesying and preaching to do. God told Jeremiah that He would punish the evil ones as they died by the sword and famine.
When the world and Satan conspire against a servant of God, they are really conspiring against the invincible God. He takes care of His own children and brings revenge on those who seek harm to them.

Isn't it sad that people tried to persuade others to not hear nor heed God's Word and His messengers?
And that today, we have those who do the same things, who conspire against those in authority over them, who attempt to destroy the good ones. Keep praying for the rebellious ones in our nation, friend. God can soften hard hearts. Keep proclaiming hope in Jesus, standing firm.

LET IT GO
God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26)
When people try to shut up our mouth of witnessing for Jesus, stand firm. God is in charge still.

Our Living God Verses Lifeless Idols

O. T. #1750  "Our Living God Versus Lifeless Idols"
August 6, 2020
Jeremiah 10-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Previously, we discussed that Jeremiah was making a contrast between the Living God and the lifeless idols in this chapter. We established that our God is great, true, living, everlasting, and Creator. (verse 10) There is none like our God!

What did Jeremiah think of those idol worshipers?

• The people who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!(verse 8)
• They spent time and energy, as well as their talents beating sheets of silver and gold into a worthless idol. (verse 9)
• The tailors wasted royal blue and purple material to make robes for useless idols.
• They were stupid because their graven images were only dead idols, having no breath in them nor any power. (verse 14)

Did you know that there was no idol worship mentioned in the Bible until after the Flood? Men were trying to build a way to heaven, so God changed their language into many languages so they could not communicated to complete the task. Idolatry began at Babel and continued in Babylon.
The first mention of idol worship (images) was when Rachel stole her father's idols to take with her to Jacob's home. (Genesis 31:19)

The word images refers to a family idol, in the Hebrew language, in which the O.T. is written.

In Exodus 20, God says to not have any other gods before Him, and to not make any graven images to bow down and serve. These are the first two of the Ten Commandments.
The word image, in verse 4, means resemblance, especially an idol.

What consumes our time? What are we pursuing? The kingdom of God is not riches and power, but godliness, like God. Are we seeking God and His righteousness first? When we do, He will take care of us.

LET IT GROW

Jeremiah ended his sermon with a prayer, found in verses 23-25. What does he pray about?

• Our lives are not our own.
• We are not able to plan our course. (verse 23)
• Gently correct him, not in anger, lest he die. (verse 24)
• Pour out Your wrath on the nations who refuse to acknowledge You and have consumed His people. (verse 25)

Jeremiah submitted to God's direction in his life, so God's agenda is Jeremiah's agenda. God is the Creator and we are the creature.

God's discipline is for our good, if we are willing to receive it. It may be painful. but for those who are trained by it, "It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb. 12:11). (Tony Evans)

We are not capable of adequately guiding our life. God had a plan for each of our lives before we were born (Jer, 1:5). Are we willing to follow God's will for us?

LET IT GO
Hang onto the God who never lets us down, never lets us go, and never leaves us.
Our world is not falling apart, it's falling into place.
He's on the throne; stop holding on.
Just be held by the Savior.

Who is Great?

O. T. #1749  "Who is Great?"
August 5, 2020
Jeremiah 10-Part 2
But the LORD is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation. (verse 10)

LET IT GLOW

 Jeremiah shows the contrast between our LORD God and idols. First, God is described as:

• great (exceedingly, high, mighty, noble) (verse 6)
• Great in Might, His name (verse 6)
• King of Nations (verse 7)
• there is no one like You (verse 7)
• The Only True (stability, trustworthiness, faithful, right, sure) God (verse 10)
• The Living (alive, strong, life or living thing) God (verse 10)
• An Everlasting (always, eternal, without end) King (verse 10)
• The LORD (Jehovah, Self-Existent or Eternal) of Hosts (company, soldiers),which is The LORD of Heaven's Armies (verse 16)
• Portion of Jacob, the God of Israel (verse 16)
• the former (potter, framer) of all things, as the Creator (verse 16)

J. Vernon McGee said, "Those words 'true, living, everlasting' designate God in the meaning of His name, Yahweh. He alone is self-existent. He is without beginning and end."

Matthew Henry's Commentary describes God in this way:
Our God is not a counterfeit nor a pretender; He is the One whom we may depend on, for He is not a deceiver, but truthful; He is life itself, has life in Himself, and is the fountain of life to all the creatures. He is the Living God and has immortality. He is owner and ruler, and absolute monarch over creation. As king, He protects the creatures, provides for their welfare, and preserves peace among them.

How reassuring it is to know such a wonderful God!  Isn't it always good to be reminded of who He is and what He is like?
Which aspect of God do you need today?

LET IT GROW

Verse 8, NLT, says it this way: People who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!

Why worship things that can't do anything? What consumes your time? The knowledge you possess reveals who you worship. (Kay Arthur)

Do we know more about baseball, basketball, or football heroes than Jesus Christ?
Do we spend more time being entertained watching television than studying God's Word?

LET IT GO

Help us to let go of anything that takes our time and thoughts away from You, LORD God.
To You we surrender our hearts and lives.

Signs in Heaven

O. T. #1748  "Signs in Heaven"
August 4, 2020
Jeremiah 10
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. (verse 2)

LET IT GLOW

As believers in God, we believe the first chapter of Genesis to be truth. God created the heaven and the earth, as well as the planets, the sun, moon, and stars. The great lights were given for light, measuring time, seasons, providing heat for crops to grow, and warmth for people. The stars should point us to their Creator and amaze us, especially their formations. And then there are eclipses, also, comets. I guess the celestials have always intrigued men. Perhaps that is why they enjoy traveling into the outer space and unknown.

What is God warning us about in our key verse?
First, we are not to learn the ways of the heathens, unbelievers in God. Next, we are not to be dismayed at the signs of the celestial creations. The word dismayed means afraid; discourage.

When we are trusting in our Sovereign God to control all things, that includes those heavenly bodies that He placed in their place for a purpose. They bring Him glory. Aren't we supposed to be astonished at the power and majesty of our God? Our God has done great things.

This song of praise came to my mind as I was studying this chapter:

We sing great are You Lord, for we adore You,
Lift up Your name and fall before You.
We stand in awe and sing, great are You Lord.

LET IT GROW

Why are we warned to not be like the heathens? It is because in Jeremiah's day, they made idols and deities of  the sun, moon, and stars. Thus, they worshiped those, giving them honors, and expecting divine favors from them. When unusual celestial phenomena occurred, the heathens would be dismayed, afraid.
We are told to not be involved in astrology, which is the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planet on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspect. [from Webster's Dictionary]
So that would include reading the horoscopes and be involved in astrological signs. We are to worship the Creator, not the created heavenly beings. Our focus is to be on praising our God Almighty.

LET IT GO

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only.
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You Lord!

Boasting or Bragging

O. T. #1746  "Boasting or Bragging"
August 3, 2020
Jeremiah 9-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

What do we brag about? Is it our accomplishments or the Lord's workings? We have instructions as to what we are to brag about or boast, which is found in verse 24.
We are to glory in this alone:

• that we truly know God;
• we understand that God is the LORD;
• He demonstrates lovingkindness, unfailing love;
• He brings judgment, justice
• and  righteousness on the earth.

God tells us that He delights in these things. Do we share with others how God has worked in our life? How He has provided or protected us, His child?

The same God who blessed Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, James, John, and Paul now lives within you. His is still capable of working out His purposes through our life. He gave them victory over seemingly invincible enemies, who provided for them, and guided them in their decisions, and is prepared to work as powerfully in our life today. We are ordinary people, like them, with no power of our own, but have the mighty presence of God. (Joshua 1:5) (Blackaby)

So may we give thanks and praise openly as we go about our day. This week God has given us refreshing and replenishing summer rains during the hot summer season. Thank You, thank You, Father.

LET IT GROW

Looking at verse 23, we read what we are not to boast about:

• wisdom,
• might or strength,
• and riches, wealth.

People have a tendency to brag about educational achievements, employment accomplishments, financial successes,  physical prowess, and the list goes on.
God tells us, if we are going to brag, fi we really want something to shout about, brag that we know Him. If you can't talk about that, you don't have much to boast about.
We need this lesson today. To know God (not merely to know about God) in intimate fellowship is the most meaningful pursuit of life. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

There is our challenge for today-boast about our God, knowing Him, and when He has shown His lovingkindness to us.

LET IT GO
How wonderful You are, Heavenly Father!
Thank You for choosing us to be Your child.
How gracious a God Your are!
Thank You Jesus for providing salvation for us.
We will let go, relax, be still, and know that You alone are Almighty God.