Promises and Plans

O. T. #1789 "Promises and Plans"

Sept. 30, 2020

Jeremiah 29-Part 2

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future.  (Verse 11, NIV)

LET IT GLOW 

Some of us are at the age where we are making plans for our retirement or
at least our future. They are good plans for us to enjoy, not harm or evil. 
Well, God gave the Jews an insight to His plans for them, although they 
were living in foreign lands. His plans and promises can apply to us, also. 

I always thought that the people of Judah who were taken away to Babylon as 
captives were slaves there. However, some commentaries say they were deportees. 
The Jews were allowed to live in their own settlements. They were free to build 
homes, marry, and settle down in Babylon, just as Jeremiah encouraged them to do. 
He advised them to interceed in prayer for Babylon and be loyal to her, living in peace, 
which preserved the Jews for 70 years. Remember, there were many people who 
remained faithful to God through it all. They were the returnees of over 46,000 people. 

Now then, shall we take a look at some promises God gave His people there? We 
find them in verses 10-14. God said He would:

• Visit them after 70 years;
• Perform His good Word toward them, do all the good things He had promised;
• Cause them to return to Jerusalem. (verse 10)

Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can trust Him to keep His
 promises to us. Our God is a Promise Keeper. What He says He will do, He does. 
Doesn't that thrill your heart? Can you look back on your life and see the faithfulness of God? 
I certainly can! His compassions fail not. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

LET IT GROW 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, smith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (V. 11)

This is a well-known verse. There are some words we need to look at
closer because we hear this verse using different words from another
version.

Thoughts refers to intention, plan, purpose. 
Peace is well, happy, prosperity, rest, wealth, health. 
Expected means hope, live, thing that I long for. 
End is future, reward, prosperity. 

Here is one version from New American Standard:
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares 
the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity
to give you a future and a hope. 

The most popular one is our key verse, NIV. 
God is our leader here who encourages us to
move ahead, believes we can accomplish
the task He has given us, and who will be
with us all the way.
God knows our future, so His plans for us
are good and full of hope. This doesn't mean
that we will not experience suffering, pain,
or hardship. God will see us through to a
glorious conclusion.

Do you need a new beginning, a future and
a hope for both? Trust God to give it to
you, for He gave it to the Jews in Babylon.

LET IT GO
Please give us a new beginning, a hope for
a good future, Jesus.
Heaven is our ultimate expected, good future.
We can trust Your promises and plans for You
are faithful and kind. All You do is for our good
and Your glory. 

Make the Most of a Situation

O. T. #1788
Sept. 29, 2020
Jeremiah 29

LET IT GLOW 

You know, sometimes we just need to be reminded 
that God loves us. Especially during this hard year
I know it is true for so many people (and me). Has 
life been a struggle to just keep on feeling His love
and control over everything? So here are some 
encouraging words I found. 

In Rick Warren's The Purpose Druven Life, he answers
 this question: How do you know God loves you?
God gives you many evidences:

• God says He loves you. Ps  145:9 says, The LORD                                                                     is good to all; and His tender mercies (love) are                                                                  over all His works.
• You're not out of His sight. Ps. 139:3 says, Thou                                                          compasseth  my path and my lying down, and                                                                        art aquatinted with all my ways.
• He knows about every detail of your life.                                                                            Matthew 10:30 says, But the very hairs of your                                                                    head are numbered.
• He gave you the capacity to enjoy all kinds of                                                                       pleasure.  (1Timothy 6:17)
• He has good plans for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• He forgives you. (Ps. 86:5)
• He is lovingly patient with you. (Ps. 145:8)

God loves you and me infinitely more than we can
 imagine, dear one. Therefore, God deserves our love 
and our all, wouldn't you agree?


LET IT GROW 

This chapter contains 3 letters.
The first one Jeremiah wrote to those who had been                                                                                     taken away from Judah to Babylon. Shemaiah was included.
Zedekiah reigned next, appointed by Neb. of Babylon. Jeremiah
advised the captives to settle in the land, multiply, and
become peaceful, law abiding exiles because they were going to
be there for a while. Seventy years to be exact-mentioned in
verse 10.

The second letter was written by Shemaiah, an exiled false
prophet, sent to Jerusalem authorities protesting Jeremiah's
letter. He asked for Jeremiah to be put in prison. (verses 24-29)

The third letter was sent to the exiles by Jeremiah after he was
read Shemaiah's letter. Jeremiah predicted that the false prophet
and his descendants would not live to see the day of any returnees
to Jerusalem. This happened because he taught rebellion against
the Lord.
As it turned out, 2 false prophets were thrown into the fiery furnace
along with Shemaiah. (verses 21-23)

The Lord knew and was a witness to the lies of the false prophets.
(verse 23)
He knows when we have been mistreated and lies told about us. So
we must let God handle our defense.

LET IT GO
Jesus, help us make the most of our situation while You have us in it.
Give us faith in You to handle it for us.

Our Will Versus God's Will

O. T. #1787 "Our Wishes Versus God's Will"
Sept. 28, 2020
Jeremiah 28
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto 
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

LET IT GLOW 

We left Jeremiah in the Temple with a wooden yoke on
his neck illustrating a hopeless bondage ahead of Judah
if the did not turn to God in repentance of idolatry. Other
nations were included in this prophesy that Babylon
was coming to conquer them, for they worshiped idols,
also.
Jeremiah had already told the people that Judah's priests
and prophets were telling lies-peace was ahead for them.

In this chapter, a false prophet, Hananiah, said in only 2
years God would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar and
the stolen vessels in the Temple would be returned. He
had the audacity to say it was the Lord's declaration. He
even broke the yoke on Jeremiah's neck.

We know he was a false prophet because their captivity
 lasted 70 years. Jeremiah wished Hananiah's words
were true, but it was contrary to what God revealed to
him.

Positive or negative, God's Words are always and
exactly true. We may wish for results or benefits outside
God's plans. But if we are going to be faithful to God,
there will be times we must disagree with our own wishes
in order to speak the Truth and be obedient to God.
(Life Application Study Bible)

Are we willing to deny ourself, take up our cross, and
follow Jesus?

This happened to us when God sent us to another state
where my husband became pastor. It was one of the
hardest things to do, but God blessed our faithfulness.
Later, He opened the door for us to move close to our
 parents in our home state. My mother passed away 6
weeks later and my mother in law passed away 8
months later. We got to spend time with them, which
we are so grateful for.

Following Jesus is the best path for us to take, even
if it is against our preferences or wishes.

LET IT GROW 

Jeremiah received another Word from the LORD of
Hosts:

• Say to Hananiah, "You have broken a wooden                                                                          yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron.
• The Lord has not sent you, Hananiah, but you made                                                             people to trust in your lie. Therefore, this year you                                                                  shall die because you have taught rebellion against.                                                                    the Lord."

God forced Judah and surrounding nations to become 
slaves to Babylon, as a yoke of iron for them. 
Everything would be under King Neb's control, even
wild animals.  
Are our words words of truth? 
Are we teaching others rebellion or obedience toward 
God by our life?
Will we join His kingdom work and experience blessings 
or oppose Him and be put to shame?

LET IT GO
Obey God no matter the cost. He will bless us
for it.
May we always be truthful.
Follow His will no matter what our wishes are.

Healing and Deliverance

O. T. #1786 "Healing and Deliverance"
Sept. 26, 2020
Jeremiah 27

LET IT GLOW 

Zedekiah was reigning as king of Judah during the events
of this chapter. He and neighboring kings were planning a
rebellion against Babylon. But it would turn out to be
worthless.
What unusual instructions did God give Jeremiah to warn
the king? Jeremiah was told to put bonds and a yoke on
his neck. It was to show that the Babylonian captivity
was inevitable to Judah and her allies.

The throngs that bound the wooden yokes together
symbolized the hopelessness of trying to throw off
the Babylonian bondage. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Do we have any yokes which are keeping us in bondage
that prevents us from wholeheartedly serving the
Lord Jesus?

Only Jesus can set us free. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quoted
Isaiah 61:1 His purpose in coming to earth: to preach the
Gospel, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance
to captivites, recovery of sight to the blind, set at liberty the
bruised.

Are you in need of any of these, friend? Jesus is the source
of deliverance and healing, whether it be physical, spiritual, or
emotional. Will you come to Him for healing today?

LET IT GROW 

What was a problem that Judah had? False prophets that
lied. They gave the king false hopes that they would
never be taken captive to Babylon. It is mentioned 3 times
(verses 10,14,17), so that should get our attention.
However, the first exiles were taken away in 609 BC-Daniel
and his 3 friends were among them.

The false prophets had a chance to change the outcome for
the vessels in the Temple being taken to Babylon. (verse 18)
How? If they made intercession to the Lord of Hosts, but they
would not. Therefore, those vessels of gold, silver, and
bronze, precious treasures, were taken to Babylon. In verse
22, God said that He would restore them to the Temple. (It
would be the second Temple.

Do we interceed for others?
Will we ask God to restore faith and love for Him in our
nation?

LET IT GO
Look up child.
God is in control. 
Lord Jesus, will you bring repentance and restoration 
to America?
Will you forgive us if our sins today and change our hearts?
You are faithful God. 

Escape From Death

O. T. #1785 "Escape From Death"
Sept. 24, 2020
Jeremiah 26

LET IT GLOW 

This message was given 4 years before chapter 25 and 11 years 
before chapter 24, according to MacArthur. So this chapter was
before the figs and cup of wrath metaphors. Keep in mind that
Jeremiah spoke the words which God told him to speak. They
were not his own words nor a partial obedience. (I am still highlighting
"thus sayeth the Lord" in green. It gives me the right perspective as
to the speaker.)

Jeremiah was told to give the entire message, every word.
What was the message?

• If the people listened and turned from their evil ways then God                                            would change His mind about the disaster He planned for them.
•  If not, then He would destroy the Temple like He did at Shiloh.                                             (That is where Israel worshiped. Assyria destroyed it because of                                         Israel's rebellion and idolatry.)

God was very patient with Judah, the false prophets and priests, and the
people. For 21 years Jeremiah had been faithful to warn them of their
future destruction, but they refused to repent.

2Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some
men  count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that 
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

In Hebrew, the word slack means to delay; tarry. 

When the last soul is saved, Jesus will return to earth to take us home;
He will have a new heaven and new earth for us.

So continue to pray for our loved ones to come to Jesus for salvation while
there is time.

LET IT GROW 

After hearing Jeremiah's message from God, the people said for him
to die. He had prophesied against the Temple and Jerusalem-their
destruction. But Jeremiah said if they did kill him, they would bring
innocent blood upon them, the city, and the inhabitants.

It did not look good for Jeremiah, did it? But God had more years
for him ahead. The elders stood up for Jeremiah. They reminded
the people of  what the prophet Micah had said to King Hezekiah-
Zion would be plowed like a field and Jerusalem ruined.

Urijah was a prophet who had spoken the same message as Jeremiah.
He ran to Egypt when his life was threatened, but the king brought
Him back and killed him. God had other prophets proclaiming the
same message-Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum.

After this was said, Ahikm stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the
 court to not turn Jeremiah over to the mob to be killed.

What a true story! We will not die until it is God's timing.
So be encouraged, friend.


LET IT GO
Live for Jesus today. 
Stand up for others who are proclaiming His Truth. 

Don't Give Up

O. T. #1784  "Don't Give Up"
Sept. 23, 2020
Jeremiah 25

LET IT GLOW 

Jeremiah's message in this chapter was given his 23rd year of prophesying and 20
years before it happened. This chapter occurred during the fist year of Nebuchadnezzar
reigned as king of Babylon. He is first mentioned in 21:2 by name. Verse 11 is the
first mention of the length of the Exile-70 years.

Israel had failed to let the land rest according to the Sabbath law (Lev. 25:1-7). Every
7th year they were to not till the ground. They failed to do this for 490 years, so they
missed a total of 70 Sabbath years. God saw to it that the land received its rest-with
His people's obedience or without it. 2Chronicles 36:21 confirms this happened. The
Lord is slow to anger, but that doesn't mean He forgets. (Tony Evans)

The Medes and Persians later conquered Babylon. King Cyrus of Persia sent Jews
back to Jerusalem to rebuild it. He even provided materials for this.

Jeremiah did not give up. God never stopped living and providing for him. God never
stops loving us, either. He doesn't give up on us, even if we give up. Is your faith
holding on by a string, dear one? Keep holding onto Jesus. He's got this. Our God is
faithful and His Words are Truth.

LET IT GROW 

In verse 15, what did God tell Jeremiah to do?
Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all nations, to whom I send thee, 
to drink it. 

This intoxicating cup was a symbol of divine wrath. Nations and kings are mentioned that
would drink from this cup of judgment. Sadly, Jerusalem and Judah were the first ones.
Judah had mistreated the poor and defenseless among her people. The other nations had
harassed the Jews on their journey to the Promise Land, picking off the weak and
defenseless. God never forgot this.

But this cup can in no way compare to the cup of  divine wrath our Lord Jesus
drank to atone for the sins of the world.   (Luke 22:42).

Atonement means exchange; reconciliation; restoration to (the divine) favor. 

Does Jesus deserve our love, devotion, service, and our all? YES! For sure!

LET IT GO
Jesus, I owe my life, breath, and salvation to You alone. 
I can never pay this debt of love that I owe to You. 
Cleanse me, Use me for Your kingdom work. 

Good or Bad Fruit

O. T. #1784 "Good or Bad Fruit"

Sept. 23,2020

Jeremiah 24-Part 2

And I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD:
and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: 
for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart. (Verse 7)

LET IT GLOW 

This title reminds me of the bananas I have in my
kitchen. I buy them partially green, which we like to eat. 
Ooh, they are good tasting to us. But by the end of the week,
they are too ripe for us, rotten to us.  If I didn't put them in
pudding or make banana bread with them, they get thrown
out. (Your preference for eating bananas may be different.)
We can be like the good or rotten fruit. Read on to see how.

This chapter was written when King Jehoiachin

of Judah was taken to Babylon along with officials,

carpenters, and smiths. 

Then God gave Jeremiah this vision:

He saw two baskets of  figs placed at the Temple 

in Jerusalem. One basket was filled with fresh, 

good, ripe figs. The other basket was filled with 

bad, rotten figs. 

What did Jeremiah's vision mean?

The good figs represented the exiles God sent 

to Babylon. He sent them out for their own good. 

What are the 6 "I will's" that God says?

1. I will set My eyes upon them for good-He will 

     watch over the exiles and care for them. 

2. I will bring them again to this land. 

3. I will build them up not pull them down. 

4. I will plant them, not pluck them up. 

5. I will give them a heart to know Me. 

6. They will be My people and I will be their God

     for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart.

Whole refers to all, any, every. 

Do we come to God with all of our heart, with which we
love Him? Or do we only come with a partial heart loving
God? Are we serving God in every part of our life? (At
work, family time, church, friends?)

Do we find reassurance here? If our children, family members 

have strayed away from God, we can be comforted in knowing 

that He will bring them back to Himself. And they will return to

God with their whole heart. Do I hear an amen?

Are we the good, moral figs that are pleasing our God? God knows 

those who are His children. In His due time God will deliver

you from the trial you are in today. May we come out like gold put 

into the furnace to be purified and tried. Do we need to return to God 

with our whole heart?

LET IT GROW 

The bad figs represented those who remained in Judah or ran to Egypt.
They thought God would bless them, especially King Zedekiah.
But those people were arrogant.

God gave them 3 "I will's":
1. I will treat them like bad figs, too rotten to eat.
2. I will make them an object of horror and a symbol of evil to
    every nation on earth. They will be disgraced, mocked, taunted,
    and cursed wherever I scatter them.
3. I will send war, famine, and disease until they have vanished from
    their land.

Since those people acted like rotten fruit, rebellious, then they
would be treated like rotten fruit. Instead of being humbled,
their hearts were hardened in the trials. They were removed
from the Promise Land.

Do we know people whose heart is hardened? Only God can
soften it. So continue to pray for them.

LET IT GO
Keep a humbled, soft heart.
Love God with it.

What is God's Word to Us?

O. T. #1782  "What is God's Word to Us?"
Sept. 18, 2020
Jeremiah 23-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

What word appears 7times in this chapter?  Word is the word. 
Now that got my attention. What is God telling us here?

Word refers to commandment, chronicle, decree. 

We know that false prophets at this time did not receive a Word from God,
for the were tickling the ears of the people. That means they said what
pleased the people and not God. They lied and deceived others. However,
Jeremiah's words were from God. His message was one of doom since
Judah would not repent of their sins.

What can we learn about God's Word?

• It is to be seen, heard, listened to, paid attention to, perceived, and obeyed. (v. 18)
• Perceived means respect, see, view, regard. 
• It is to be spoken truthfully and faithfully. (v. 28)
• God's Word is like a fire-powerful and effective. (v. 29) It softens wax, hardens clay,       
• purifies gold, and consumes the dross. 
• It is like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces. (v. 29)  The heart of people can be
• broken. 
•  It is to be magnified and honored, but the false prophets made it a burden of the Lord. (v33)      

LLET IT GROW 

"What is the burden of the LORD?" the false prophets asked Jeremiah. 

The false prophets had made the Word of God doom for them. Burden can mean prophecy, utterance, chiefly doom; tribute; song. 

Those false prophets and priests were profane scoffers, ridiculed the messenger of Truth, 

perverted the Words of God. So Jeremiah 'S words became a burden for the people as they 

rejected it. They refused the burden of the covenant responsibilities. 

How was God going to handle this rebellion? Verses 39 and 40 explain:

He will forget them, forsake them and the city of Jerusalem. He would bring an everlasting 

reproach and perpetual shame upon them, which meant disgrace that would not be forgotten. 

We must beware of false prophets of our day. Are they compromising, have not

 personal character, lie, pervert God's Word? Revelation 19:20 says their doom is the lake

of fire. 

 What is God's Word to you and me?
Does it give us hope, strength, wisdom, love, and forgiveness?
If we teach, preach, or share God's Word, we must make sure we are being truthful, not changing it, and living it, too.

LET IT GO
Honor God's Word and share it as Truth. 
Live it in my life. 

How Big is Your God?

O. T. #1781"How Big is Your God?"
Sept. 18, 2020
Jeremiah 23-Part 4
Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? (verse 23)

 LET IT GLOW
 In our key verse, God asserts His omnipresence and omniscience. Not only is God on His throne in heaven, but He is here in our world. Our God is everywhere. No one can hide from Him. (verse 23)He knows the minds of men and angels. In Jeremiah's day, people thought a diety was limited and localized-a neighborhood  god. They assumed that God did not care about their situations in their lives. Nor could He handle things beyond our control. How big is your God? My God can see everything and knows everything. He can fix our messes. Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) Do you have an impossible? Have faith.

 LET IT GROW
Jeremiah was heartbroken because of the false prophets. His bones trembled and he staggered like a drunkard. Why was he feeling like this? It was because of the holy words the LORD had spoken against them.
 How did he describe Judah's priests and prophets?
*They were ungodly, wicked men, who did despicable acts (adultery) in the Temple.
 *They lied, made up everything they prophesied, deceitful,smooth words.
*They prophesied in the name of Baal, the false god.
*They encouraged those who did evil so no one turned from their sins.
*Nothing bad was going to happen to Judah, they told the people. There was only peace for them. The result? Those false prophets and families would die when Babylon invaided.

 LET IT GO
Be near to each of us Heavenly Father.
Encourage us as we encourage others.
You alone are worthy of praise and worship.

How to be Righteous

O. T. #1780  "How to be Righteous"
Sept. 17, 2020
Jeremiah 23-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

I think we have in our mind what traits of a "righteous" person are-moral, virtuous, good conduct, avoiding evil and fleshly temptations, uprightness. Perhaps they walk a good, straight path of faith, do not gossip, say only good things about others. These are wonderful qualities, but we can still be unrighteous in God's eyes.

Our righteousness is as filthy rags, according to Isaiah 64:6. We fall short of God's standard. It's not our good works nor good conduct that makes us righteous. We are undeserving and unmerited. Righteousness is a gift from the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is the righteous Branch and King of David's line. His name is THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (verses 5,6) Jehovah Tsidkenu is the Hebrew name. It is faith in His blood sacrifice for us that makes us righteous before a Holy God.

[Resource: Knowing God By Name, by David Wilkerson]

LET IT GROW

Who was it that was a righteous man in the Old Testament, a patriarch? It was Abraham.
What was it that made Abraham righteous? Not his works, as he was obedient in about to sacrifice his only son on the altar to his God, but faith.

Romans 4 tells us that:
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (verse 3)
Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (verse 9)
(Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (verses 20-22)

Do we have strong faith like Abraham? Do we have faith the size of a seed of mustard? That is all that is required.

Jude 24 says, [He] is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Are you enduring afflictions? simply hold onto faith with patience. Trust God to be working, keeping His Word, being your Jehovah Tsidkenu.
Are you feeling unrighteous? Believe Jesus and He will look upon you as righteous.
Is your life a mess and think you need to do something to make it right with God? Trust Jesus, Jehovah Tsidkenu. That kind of faith is pleasing to God.

LET IT GO

In this trial, in this waiting, in this mess, Lord Jesus, we surrender to You.
All I am is Yours.
Be our Righteousness.
Grow our faith.

A Righteous Branch

O. T. #1779  "A Righteous Branch"
Sept. 16, 2020
Jeremiah 23-Part 2
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (verse 5)

LET IT GLOW

As I have shared before, there was an old pecan tree in our back yard, at least 50 years old. As a child, I played in that tree, climbing to the middle branches, overlooking my kingdom as a queen.
Well, due to high winds throughout the years, large branches fell off of the tree. Eventually, it was cut down. Then a sprout grew out of the sawed off tree trunk, which still had its roots in tact. The sprout grew, so I though we would have a new pecan tree there, but it did not happen. Today, we read about a sprout growing. Continue to find out who it is.

Jeremiah gives us a contrast between the bad shepherds, leaders in Judah and The Good Shepherd which is to come. The bad shepherds scattered God's flock, drove them away, and did not visit them. Their false teachings of false prophets and pastors gave assurance to the people that they were ok and promised peace, but their sin of idolatry and immorality was not pleasing to God. In fact, it angered Him, so much that judgment was coming for Judah and Jerusalem in the form of the Babylonian army. We know that they paid for their sins 70 years in captivity.

Now, the contrast hope was coming in the form of a Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  He would feed them the Truth because He is the Truth. In our key verse, what is Jesus called? He is a righteous Branch from David and a King.

In the Hebrew language, branch is a sprout; bud; that which grew; spring (forth, up).

The Branch (tsemash) was not an individual twig or branch of a tree, but a sprout from a fallen tree or a sprout directly out of the ground from a root, forming a second tree. Therefore, out of the fallen dynasty of Israel life would spring through an individual Messiah, upon whom the nation's, as well as the world's hopes, would rest. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Isaiah predicted this Branch in 11:1-2, And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Secular history and the Bible both teach that Jesus Christ was that Branch that came.

This righteous branch is Jesus Christ, who will reign one thousand years, establishing His kingdom on earth as King. What will He do?

• He shall reign (to ascend the throne; make king; to induct into royalty).
• He shall prosper (teach. instruct, wisdom, intelligent, understanding, prudent, skillful).
• He shall execute (to do or make; appoint; fulfill; use) judgment (a verdict; divine law; a sentence or formal decree) and justice (rightness; virtue).

In other words, Jesus Christ will ascend the throne as King over all the earth at that time. He will use wisdom to use the divine law and rightness as He reigns. The Messiah came the first time as Savior; the next time He comes, He will be Judge. This judgment and justice has not happened yet on a local, let alone worldwide, scale. Israel will dwell safely and Judah will be saved.

What a time that will be for Israel. They shall recognize that Jesus is the awaited Messiah that came to save them from their sins.

LET IT GROW

Today, it seems that the word "righteous" is thrown around carelessly. People do not understand its meaning. They do not recognize that we are not righteous, but it take the blood of Jesus to make us righteous.

Unlike Zedekiah and those last kings of Judah, this King will do what is right. What does verse 6 call Him? The LORD is our Righteousness is His name Jehovah Tsidkenu is His name. The Hebrew word for righteousness is tsedeq (tseh'dek), which means the right; equity; just.

Jesus was without sin when He died on the cross, for He was God in the flesh. He had overcome the temptations of Satan while living on earth. He was the Perfect Lamb of God that overcame the world, as Peter called Jesus. Do you know this Lamb as your Savior today? Simply ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be your Savior. He willingly awaits you, dear one.

Next time, we will see how Jesus is our Righteousness, for ours is but filthy rags. And it is by faith in Him that we are counted as righteous before a Holy God.

LET IT GO

O Holy One, Righteous King, You alone are LORD of everything.
We bow before You, Jesus, praise and adore You, thank You for being our Righteousness.

Scattering and Regathering

O. T. #1778  "Scattering and Regathering"
Sept. 15, 2020
Jeremiah 23

LET IT GLOW

Is there anything that is causing you to be afraid? Reassurance is found here in this chapter, so please read on, friend.

Evil shepherds, false prophets, and unrighteous rulers (kings, civil leaders) were common in Judah. The pastors had destroyed and scattered the sheep of God's pasture, the very ones that were expected to care for. (verse 1) That's the bad news.

Now, the good news is that:

• God will gather a remnant of those scattered out in different countries together back in Jerusalem. They will be fruitful and increase. (verse 3)
• He will appoint responsible shepherds over them that will feed them spiritually and care for them. (verse 4)
• The people will not fear, be dismayed, nor lack anything.

The remnant of believers in God would have to go into exile with the rebellious ones. They would be affected because the majority of people were idolaters and immoral. However, God gives them hope.

Dismayed means afraid; discourage; to break down, either violence or by confusion and fear.

Numerous times God's people were reassured by being told to not be dismayed.

Isaiah 41:10 says, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Are we trusting God to strengthen us, help us, uphold us with His righteous right hand? He says that He will.


LET IT GROW
Judgment begins at the household of God. In verse 2, we read where the pastors affected the people by:

• causing them to scatter as the flock of God's people;
• drove them away;
• did not visit them.

God said He would visit upon them for the evil of their doings. It was the false priests and false prophets that were supposed to walk close to the Lord, but did not. They prophesied peace when God had proclaimed destruction. They didn't tell the truth that Judah was sinning against God with their idols. They pretended all was well when it was not. They had large enthusiastic audiences and were very popular as a result.

Life Application Study Bible gives us 4 warning signs of a false prophet:

1. They appear to speak God's message, but they do not live according to God's principles.
2. They water down God's message in order to make it more palatable (agreeable or acceptable to the mind).
3. They encourage their listeners, often subtly, to disobey God.
4. They tend to be arrogant and self-serving, appealing to the desires of their audience instead of being true to God's Word.

We should observe if our pastors are like this.

LET IT GO
Let's go back to Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Thank You Father, for the Word of Truth.
You do not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a strong mind.

A Chance to Change

O. T. #1777  "
Sept. 14, 2020
Jeremiah 22-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Chapters 22-25 are not in chronological order as events occurred. We studied about King Zedekiah of Judah in the previous chapter, although he was the last king of Judah. God sent Jeremiah directly to the kings of Judah to prophesy what was to come if the did not repent of their sins and turn back to worshiping Him.
In verse 4, we see that it was not too late to change. There was still time for the kings to obey what God had said in verse 3.

The faithful discharge of their duties (verse 3) would advance and secure their prosperity, plus the royal family and city.
Had they actually changed, there would have been a descendant of David sitting on the throne as king in Judah. but they would not do it. Therefore, Judah and Jerusalem would become desolate.

There was some hope of favor yet remaining, provided the king and the whole people received the admonitions of the Prophet; provided their repentance and conversion were sincere, God was still ready to forgive them. (Calvin's commentary on Jeremiah)

If only those kings had turned from evil and done what was right in God's eyes, according to His Word, then they could have rebuilt their nation. If only. Do you have any "if only's?"

Doing what is right is more than simply believing all the right doctrines about God. It means living in obedience to God. Good deeds do not save us, but they do display our faith (James 2:17-26). (Life Application Study Bible)

Our God is King of all nations, Majesty on High, is the One True, Living God, and Everlasting Father.

There is still hope for our nation (and individual) if we will confess our sins, turn from our sinful ways, and obey God.

LET IT GROW

Josiah was a good king of Judah, who did away with idols and restored worship of God in the Temple. He led a much needed revival and cared deeply about his people. He died at the battle of Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29). The next 3 kings to reign in Judah were Josiah's son, I think. Judah was a theocracy, so it was the king's responsibility to establish justice, enforce moral law, social justice, and worship. Jeremiah was sent to them to warn them of the coming judgments of God.

First was Shallum, called Jehoahaz (1 Chron. 3:15), who was the fourth son of Josiah. After his 3 month reign, Jehoahaz was carried off to Egypt. He was the first leader of Judah to die in exile.

Next was Jehoiakim, who was spiritually bankrupt. He was a puppet king installed by the Egyptians and was so self-serving and corrupt that he made his subjects work for him without pay to build him a massive palace (verses 13-14). He was not above shedding innocent blood, committing exhortation and oppression.  Jehoiakim was so disposed that his dead body was dragged off and thrown outside Jerusalem's gates (verses 18-19). No one mourned for this king.

The third king was Coniah, also Jehoiachin, was as a broken pot, useless to the Lord. When he took off the king's signet ring, it showed he rejected God's leadership. So he was useless to the Lord. (verse 24) He had no descendant to sit in the throne of David, though he had 7 sons. He brought a curse in his line.

Jesus Christ is a descendant of David, who will sit in the throne to rule in Jerusalem during the Millennium. It is through His mother's line, Mary, that His genealogy traces Him through Nathan's line, not Solomon. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus. The Holy Spirit caused Mary to conceive Jesus. Had Joseph been His father, He would not have been eligible to sit on the throne.

LET IT GO
As long as we are breathing, we have a chance to turn from our sinful lifestyle. We can change our ways to please God. So can others. That is good news to share. 
Thank You Jesus!

Fires and Forests

O. T. #1776  "Fires and Forests"
Sept. 11, 2020
Jeremiah 22

LET IT GLOW

Previously, we read about the message God sent to the last king of Judah, Zedekiah, through the Prophet Jeremiah. He had the opportunity to surrender to God, turning from idolatry, yet he would not repent of his sins.
God sent Jeremiah to the last kings of Judah because they were responsible for the spiritual leadership of their country. Had the last 4 kings of Judah not been a sorry bunch and heeded the warnings, they would have obeyed God and Babylon would not have taken the people of Judah captive and Jerusalem would not have been destroyed, along with the Temple.

What was the message Jeremiah delivered to those kings, found in verse 3?

• Execute judgment and righteousness; being fair-minded and doing what is right. 
• Helped those who have been robbed.
• Rescue them from their oppressors.
• Quit your evil deeds.
• Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows.
• Stop murdering the innocent.

If the kings obeyed God, then there would always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne in Jerusalem. The king would ride through the palace gates in chariots and on horses, with his parade of attendants and subjects. But if they refused, to pay attention to this warning, then their palace would be a pile of rubble.

He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

Those are all related to how we treat others. Are we doing what is right and good? Are we helping others in need? Are we merciful? Our God is merciful toward us, or we would have been taken out of this world already.

LET IT GROW

If Judah's kings did not hear and heed God's Words, then their royal palace and city would be destroyed. We read this in verses 6-9.
God loved His people as much as fruitful Gilead and the green forests of Lebanon. Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, is mentioned 3 times in this chapter-verses 6, 20. 23. It was a region where livestock and goats grazed. Certain trees grew there-pine, cedar, cypress, and terebinth, which dripped a liquid rosin, balm, used for medicinal purposes. Back in 8:22, the question is asked, Is there no balm in Gilead?"

Lebanon was a mountain range in Palestine. The cedar of Lebanon is mentioned 72 times in the Bible. It is known that cedar trees grow best in deep soil where their roots have access to water.  (Numbers 24:6) Thick cedar forests found in Lebanon during that time provided the wood used in building may things. Solomon used the cedars of Lebanon to build the Temple and the second building of the Temple, Ezra 3.

God said that He would turn their cities into a desert with no one living within their walls. The cedar beams would be torn down and thrown into the fire.
People who passed by would wonder why the LORD destroyed such a great city as Jerusalem. The answer was because they violated their covenant with the LORD their God by worshiping other gods.

We can see how God can burn thousands of acres as it has happened in our northwestern states lately. Those are mountains with forests of trees we use in our nation for paper and building wood, which is important to us. Are we asking God to stop the fires? To bring people to Him? To protect His children in that region?

LET IT GO
At the cross, I surrender my life; I owe all to You, Jesus.
There is nothing that our God can't do. He is all-powerful. He can send rain to put out fires.

Finding Rest

O. T. #1775  "Finding Rest"
Sept. 10, 2020
Jeremiah 21-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Finally, my husband and I were able to get away this past weekend for some rest. Not only did we need rest for our tired bodies, but our weary souls. When working with people day in and day out, it can take its toll on a person. Especially when your situation is dealing with those who are disgruntle.
So we enjoyed a short getaway to Branson. The highlight of our trip for me was a self-driven golf cart ride through the woods. There were fantastic waterfalls, a variety of huge rocks, an amazing cave with a waterfall, green hills, cute squirrels, and  happy singing birds in the quiet setting. A lake was in the background at one stop. How grateful I was for eyes to see God's splendorous creation, hidden away and rest.

This chapter jumped to the latter years of Jeremiah's ministry. It was during the reign of the last king of Judah, King Zedekiah, who protected the Prophet and consulted him secretly. Although, the king never carried out his advice. It was during this period of time that Jeremiah was thrown into prison (chapter 37) and put into a dungeon to die (chapter 38). However, a royal eunuch, Ebedmelech, showed compassion on Jeremiah had him moved from the pit to the court of the guard, where he remained until Jerusalem was taken by Babylon.

A large part of the blame for Judah's sins could be laid at the foot of the throne in Jerusalem. Judah's last 4 kings ruled badly for their last 22 1/2 years and failed in the spiritual leadership role God had for them. They were descendants of the royal household of King David, through whom the Messiah would come. Certainly, they should have practiced righteousness and justice. (verse 12)

David was a "man after God's own heart." He had been promised by God to have a relative on the throne of Israel if they would remain faithful to God. There was no insider advantage of being of this Davidic line, unless it was accompanied by obedience. How it must have been painful for God to address such a sorry bunch of kings.

LET IT GROW

The Jews fought the invaders outside the walls of Jerusalem on the hillsides and valleys. However, they were driven back into the city. When their enemy built ramps outside Jerusalem's walls, it should have brought Zedekiah and his officials to their knees, but not so.

Since King Zedekiah refused to surrender, his eyes were put out; and he died in a Babylonian prison. (chapters 39 and 52) Some say that this king died of grief when his son was killed by the enemie's sword.

What were some warnings that Jeremiah predicted would happen, and did?

• God would fight against the sinful Judeans with His outstretched hand and strong arm in anger, fury, and great wrath. (verse 5)
• God would not spare the people of Judah, neither have pity, nor have mercy on them. They would die by the sword, pestilence, and famine. (verse 7)
• Those who surrendered to the enemy would live.(verse 9)
• God set His face against Jerusalem for their evil, and Jerusalem would burn, as well as the land. (verse 10)
• Because of their evil doings, God would punish its inhabitants according to the fruit of their doings. (verse 14)

[Resources: The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

King Zedekiah turned to God for help, but without acknowledging God's warnings or admitting his sin. Too often we expect God to help us in our time of trouble even though we have ignored Him in our time of prosperity. But God wants a lasting relationship. Are you trying to build a lasting friendship with God or are you merely using Him occasionally to escape trouble? What would you think of your family or friends if they thought of you only as a temporary resource?
(Life Application Study Bible)

Are you in need of spiritual rest? Jesus invites us to come to Him, weary and heavy hearted friend.
Find rest from struggles, opinions, criticisms, challenges at every corner, and temptations to quit or give in.

Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

LET IT GO

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea, as long as we have faith.
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
Come let us worship the King, let us bow down before Him. He has done great things.

Lord Jesus our Savior, bless all who read this with Your peace and rest.

A Choice of Life or Death

O. T. #1774  "A Choice of Life or Death"
Sept. 9, 2020
Jeremiah 21
And unto this people thou shalt say, thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.  (verse 8)

LET IT GLOW

Jeremiah's book is not always follow a chronological order as events happened. Now we jump to the last king of Judah, Zedekiah, before Judah fell to Babylon. With that said, King Zedekiah was hoping for a word of deliverance from God as the Babylonian armies were attacking. He asked Jeremiah to pray to the LORD for them. The king desired the LORD to deal with Judah according to all His wondrous works, so God would help, do a mighty miracle, as He had done before.

There was no answer of comfort. The only hope of the rebellious people of Judah was to surrender to the Babylonians. They had a choice: life or death. (verse 8) Those who remained in Jerusalem would die from war, famine, or disease. Those who surrendered to Babylon would live. Their reward would be life. When we read in chapter 52, the number of those taken into captivity was 4,600.

Folks, we have a choice today that is set before us-choose Jesus for everlasting life or choose death, separation from Him forever.

Jesus is the only way to God. He is life. Will you believe in Jesus as your Savior today? Simply put, just ask Him to forgive you of your sins and be your Savior. Believe that He died on the cross to take your punishment for your sins. He lived a perfect life in order to meet the standards for a perfect sacrifice.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26)

Christian, we have before us daily to choice of living for Jesus, choosing life, or death, which is living for the flesh. May we choose Jesus.

LET IT GROW

You know, God gave Judah so many chances to repent of their idolatry, but they refused. The time for God's judgment had come.

In verse 5, He said, And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.

This was not the response King Zedekiah was looking for from God. The only hope for the people of Judah was to surrender to their enemy and stay alive in Babylon. God lifted up His hand to crush them, cutting off their food supply, sending the sword to kill them, and die by disease.
Here we see the omnipotent power of our God. He keeps His word. It happened as He had said. some think how cruel God was, but He had given them so many chances to repent and turn from their sinful ways, but they refused to do so.

God acts by His agenda, not ours. We're to conform to His kingdom plans, not expect Him to bless our programs. (Tony Evans)

Will we surrender to God today? Will we choose life in Jesus?
America seems to be going down this same path. Will our time come to make such a choice? Perhaps it is set before us in November.

LET IT GO
Surrender to God while there is time to receiver His amazing salvation.
Your love is amazing. Your mercy and grace is above all.
Lamb of God, Savior, Redeemer, have mercy on our souls.

Suffering

  O. T. #1773 "Suffering "
Sept. 8, 2020
Jeremiah 20-Part2
Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for He hath
delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil doers. 
(verse 13)


LET IT GLOW 

Even after being ridiculed, beaten 40 times, and put in stocks, as well as loosing his friends,
Jeremiah could sing and praise his LORD. We read it in verse 13 today. And we
think we have it bad in our life. I'm not saying that your situation and
my situation isn't difficult, nor do I take circumstances, testings, or
ridicules lightly, but have we ever really and truly suffered for our
faith in Jesus? Especially those of us living in America?
So, I have been made fun of for my conservative dressing, lifestyle, and
trying to follow Jesus, as well as teach the Truth; we have even been told
we need to leave a church, but no physical beatings have I endured. They
may have been emotionally painful, resulting in discouragement, however,
Jesus heals those wounds and picks me up and sets my feet on the solid
Rock, the Rock of Ages. In comparison to the sufferings Jesus endured for
us, ours is but a tiny speck.

How about you? Are you suffering for Jesus? Keep your faith growing
dear one. It will be worth it after all when we see our Lord face to face
one day. Consider all He endured so He could be our Savior.
In the meantime, let's sing praises to Jesus.

It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes. 
Psalm 119:71

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared 
above all gods. Psalm 96:4

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 
Psalm 118:14

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him
with thanksgiving.  Psalm 69:30


LET IT GROW 

Read verses 8 and 9. For sure this Prophet was discouraged again.
How did he react to all he experienced?

Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in 
His name. But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up
in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. 

How did the Word of the LORD make Jeremiah feel?
It was a reproach (disappointment) and a derision (ridicule, mockery). 
(verse 8)

Jeremiah decided to not even mention God nor speak His name.
Was he low or what? Would he really turn his back on his
calling of God? Nope.

God's Word was in Jeremiah 's heart as a burning fire shut up in
his bones. His hear couldn't contain it. Jeremiah had to share it.
It was a strong raging fire inside of of him and Jeremiah had to
share God's Word. He had to continue on. No stopping now,
no returning home. His conscience accused him and his heart
condemned him.

And so Jeremiah continued to speak the prophetic words from
his God.
Paul and Silas sang praises to their God while in the dungeon.
(Acts 16)  Job really got down after loosing his children, wealth,
reputation, and respect in the community. But he never cursed
God. Although he was reprimanded by God, he passed his
testing. Then God restored all that Job had lost and then more.

Friend, we must keep the faith in our trying times. God is faithful.
God is good, all the time. Even if they slay me, I will praise Him.

LET IT GO
Sing to the Lord Jesus. 
Give thanks unto His name. 
His love endures forever. 

Persecuters

O. T. #1772 "Persecuters"
Sept. 7, 2020
Jeremiah 20
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: 
therefore my persecuters shall stumble, and they shall 
not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall 
not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be 
forgotten.  (verse 11)

LET IT GLOW 

Read our key verse. How does Jeremiah describe God?

• He is with Jeremiah;
• He is a mighty terrible (fearful, powerful, mighty) One;
• He will cause Jeremiah's persecuters to stumble and not prevail;
• He will make them greatly ashamed and not prosper;
• Their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. 

Jeremiah was not a hard, thick-skinned man, and it hurt him when he
was ridiculed as his people did to him. Although, he did not give up
his calling. Jeremiah lost his friends because of it, which is hard to endure.

In his heart Jeremiah knew his persecuters would eventually stumble,
not prevail, nor prosper, but would be ashamed. That is what they would
be remembered for later on.

Are there people persecuting you, making fun of you, because you are
a Christian? Do they talk behind your back when you stand up for
biblical principles? Friend, remember that God is mighty and powerful.
He can handle them. So stay faithful to Jesus.

LET IT GROW 

What happened to Jeremiah in the beginning verses of this chapter?
The chief governor, who was the chief officer of the Temple was in charge of security.
He smote (to strike, wound) Jeremiah with 40 lashes. Then, he placed the Prophet in
stocks (to confine). It was a thing in which a prisoner's hands and legs were detained
in a contorted position that resulted in cramped muscles. The next morning Jeremiah
was released.

Jeremiah told the man that he would be a terror to himself and his friends for the Lord
was sending Babylon to invade Judah. Some would be killed and some would be taken
captive. Also, this chief governor would die.
This is the first mention of who would do that-Babylon.

God can take care of our enemies so be encouraged.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, what can 
man do unto me?  Psalm 117:6

LET IT GROW 
Trust God.

Faithfulness

O. T. #1771  "Faithfulness"
Sept. 4, 2020
Jeremiah 19

LET IT GLOW

What good thing can be said of  this message Jeremiah had to deliver? It made me sick just reading it a couple of times.
Well, we have to give Jeremiah credit-he was faithful in saying what God told him to say to Judah. And God is faithful in His love and protection of His children and the remnant of faithful believers in Judah.

Deuteronomy 7:9 says, He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him.

Psalm 9:10 reminds us, Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 55:22 tells us to, Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 57:10 says, Great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Our God loves us, cares about our cares, is faithful, and never leaves us. How encouraging!

LET IT GROW

The Lord sent Jeremiah shopping for a broken potter's clay jar at the Hinnom Valley, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. (verses 1-2) It was the passage through which potters took their potsherds (broken pieces of potter) to be discarded. (Today it is a very deep valley called Kidron Valley on the south side of the city wall.) He brought the elders and priests to be a witness of this message so no one could plead ignorance of this prophesy.

Take a deep breath, friend, for God points out the vile sins of Judah and judgment of God:

• The ears of those hearing Jeremiah's message would tingle because God was bringing a terrible disaster upon that place. (verse 3)
• The people of Judah burned incense to foreign gods and filled this valley with the blood of innocents.  They threw their children into the fire, as sacrifices to sons of Molech. Drums were beaten to drown out the cries of the children.
• Their houses were desecrated by idolatrous worship of the sun, planets, and stars. (verse 13)
• They built pagan shrines to Baal, and burnet their sons as sacrifices to Baal. (verse 5)
• Desperate for food (enemies surrounded Jerusalem) during a long siege, some would resort to cannibalism, eating family members and friends. (verse 9)
• God would make Jerusalem desolate; people passing by it would hiss because of all the plagues. (verse 8)
• Desperate for food during a long siege, some would resort to cannibalism, eating family members and friends. (verse 9)
• As Jeremiah broke the bottle, potter's vessel that could not be made whole, he illustrated God breaking this people and this city. (verse 11)
• After hearing this prophesy, they hardened their necks, that they might not hear God's Words. (verse 15)

We know this prophesy came true. As Babylonian army came in 586 BC, they destroyed the Temple, businesses, and houses in Jerusalem. Those who were not killed were taken captive to Babylon.

May we not close up our eyes and eyes to God's Word. May we share with others the salvation Jesus has provided for us. When we repent of our sins, agree with God, and ask His forgiveness, He will save us.

LET IT GO
The God of the mountain is God of the valley.
His mercy never fails.
There is nothing better than You.

The Potter and the Clay

O. T. #1770 "The Potter and the Clay"
Sept. 3, 2020
Jeremiah 18-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Hey ya'll, I can't move on with our study until I share some valuable lessons Jeremiah learned down at the potter's house. I ran across a message on You Tube that spoke to my heart and wanted to share the main points.

The Potter's Wheel, by Van Moody
1. The Potter's Choosing
     A. He selects the clay type to use, usable and pliable for His service and purpose. God chose us to
          be His child and for His service to fulfill His purpose.
     B. He separates the clay from everything else. God may separate us from some things, some
          people, and some places that a dedicated Christian should not have.
     C. He sanctifies the clay, washing and cleansing it. Imperfections and impurities are revealed as
          Jesus sanctifies us, setting us apart from others for His service.
2. The Potter's Cycling
     A. Clay is on the spinning wheel as the Potter is working with it and makes it stable. Our life may
          be spinning us around as the Jesus works in us. The Word of God may bring challenges in our
          life. The Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out. The Potter works on us to get us a ready  
          vessel for kingdom work.
 3. The Potter's Touch
      A. With His hands, the Potter applies an amount of pressure for molding the clay. Our decisions 
            can be different from usual. He uses situations and circumstances to influence those.
      B. The Potter uses water (Holy Spirit), His hands, and mind. His design is in His mind for our
           life. We live by faith, not by sight.. God knows what He is doing.
      C. The problem with marred clay is sin. It prevents us from doing His purposes. Call sin, sin and
           repent.
      D.  Clay can't fix itself. It can't change its blemishes, defects, and certainly can't save itself. Only
            Jesus can clean our heart of sin. If God doesn't do it, it won't get done.
4. The Potter's Choice
     A. He can destroy the marred clay and start over with another.
     B. He can reshape the clay that has flaws and mistakes. That is grace! God loves us so much that
          He doesn't give up on us, broken vessels, but continues to spin the wheel. God has our future,
          destiny, health, finances, family in His hands. The enemy wants to steal and destroy the clay.
5. Clay's Choice
      A. Stay on the wheel, allowing God to shape us into something beautiful. He wants to show the
           world what He can do with a lump of clay, a sinner that is moldable; that we are a beautiful
            lump of clay, a useful vessel, that brings Him honor and praise.
      B. Let God use us on His wheel for His will. Clay can't do things without the Potter, neither can
           we without God. Don't go off the wheel when in an uncomfortable season. Allow God to
            mold  us and shape us as He sees fit, into the vessel that He can use.

The Potter wants to put us back together again, even when we mess up and are a broken vessel. So go down to the Potter's house. Don't resist the working of the Potter in our life. Remember, He sees the finished product.

LET IT GROW

Poor Jeremiah. He was a faithful prophet, speaking the messages that God gave him to say to Judah. They devised devices (verse 18), slandered him, and plotted to take his life. They put Jeremiah into the bottom of a dungeon, a pit of mire. We can read about his rescue in chapter 38.

Jeremiah did not pray for his enemies, for God told him not to do so. Their destiny had already been determined because they would not repent of idolatry.

Jesus taught us to forgive our enemies, to love our enemies, and to do good to them. That would burn them up in attitude. (Heap coals of fire upon their heads.) In doing so, we show the forgiveness of Jesus, His grace and mercy.

LET IT GO
                    ... and let God mold us into vessels of honor.
                              ... and let Him put our broken life back together again.
Have Thine own way, Lord.
Father, You are the Potter and we are the clay.
Mold us and make us after Thy will, while we are waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord.

Destroy or Build and Plant

O. T. #1769  "Destroy or Build and Plant"
Sept. 2, 2020
Jeremiah 18-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We last studied about Jeremiah going down to the potter's house. He saw the potter molding the clay into a jar, but it became flawed. So he remade the jar; as it seemed right for him to do. (verse 4) The potter had the right to make whatever he chose from his clay, a do over with the same clay or throw it away.

In the Hebrew language, the word potter means to mold into a form; frame; purpose.

This illustrated that God has the right to save or destroy any individual or nation, since He is their Creator and Potter. He can remake any vessel as it seems right to Him, to send blessing or doom. An example was the Ninevites repenting of their sins when Jonah finally preaching to them.

Jeremiah was sent by God to deliver His message of repentance and spell out the options to Judah. However, God warned him ahead of time what the response of the people would be-rejection. (chapter 12).

LET IT GROW

And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it. (verses 7 and 9)

God had the right to remold His people. In His sovereignty He could:

• pluck (to tear down; forsake) up what He planted;
• pull (tear, beat, break, or throw down) down what He built;
• destroy (perish, break);
• or build,
• and plant.

Judah still had the responsibility of choosing righteousness, turn from their evil, or sin, doing evil. Judah would be the nation that would be molded by the Exile. God would rebuild and replant them again. And Judah would worship the Only True Living God, then.

Sin is the great mischief-maker between God and a people; it forfeits the benefit of His promises and spoils the success of their prayers. It defeats His kind intentions concerning them and baffles their pleasing expectations from Him. It ruins their comforts, prolongs their grievances, brings them into straits, and retards their deliverances (Is. 59:1-2).

Time and again we have seen families destroyed by sin. It comes with such a high price-reputation and trust. But God will forgive our sins. He will rebuild and plant good things in our lives after we repent.
We must continue to pray for our nation and her sins, interceding for others.

LET IT GO
Jesus has overcome sin. We must turn to Him for strength to resist temptations.

Do Overs

O. T. #1768  "Do Overs"
Sept. 1, 2020
Jeremiah 18

LET IT GLOW

Sixth Message

The Lord sent Jeremiah to the potter's house for an object lesson, as we read in this chapter. There, God spoke to Jeremiah with the sixth message to give Judah. (This probably occurred during the reigns of King Josiah and King Jehoiakim.) This pictures God's grace toward us.

Here is some helpful information on the potter and the clay as found in Liberty Bible Commentary:

Pottery-making was a familiar sight throughout the ancient Near East. Probably, the potter's house was located in the southern section of the city, or perhaps in the potter's field south of Jerusalem, just beyond the Valley of Hinnom. Wheels were two circular stones connected by a vertical shaft. the potter could sit at the wheel, spinning the lower stone with his feet and causing the upper disc to rotate. This enabled both hands to be free in order to work the clay. should the vessel become marred or any impurity detected, the potter would not discard the clay, but simply remold it into another vessel.

God is the Potter.

• A Person: Our lives are in the hands of a Person-Almighty God. He is our Creator, Father, and has a personal concern for our lives. He is the Potter. (Isa. 64:8)
• Power: Only God has the power to guide our lives. He is sovereign over all people. We cannot be blessed if we argue with Him or try to tell Him what to do (Rom. 9:20-24).
• A plan: God has a perfect plan for the clay (Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 2:10: Phil. 1:6).  He sees the finished product in His mind. We cannot see the finished product, but He promises us that it is wonderful ( 1 Cor. 2:9).
• Patience: The potter patiently works the clay, tenderly molding its shape. God patiently directs in our lives, seeking to fulfill His will. Often He uses the hands of others to help shape us. It takes time to make a worthwhile product, and God is willing to wait. (Warren W. Wiersbe)

God knows how to bring salvation to our family, friends, community, and world. He looks for people who are willing to allow Him to shape them into the instruments He requires to do His divine work. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, as well as our abilities and spiritual gifts.

Just as a potter has freedom to make what he chooses from his clay, so the sovereign Lord has freedom to save or destroy any nation based on its response to His pronouncement of doom or blessing. (Tony Evans)

Jeremiah saw the potter shaping a vessel or jar. Do we see how God is shaping our life for His kingdom work? Are we a willing vessel, or does He have to break us in order to make us pliable to do His will?

LET IT GROW

We are the clay.

• We are clay, dust mixed with water; water of the Holy Spirit has given us life through faith in Christ.
• Clay has no great value in itself; but it can become something beautiful if molded by the right hands for the right purpose. When we yield to God's shaping our heart and life, we become something beautiful to be used for His purpose.
• The most important quality of clay is that it yields. If it fails to yield to the potter, then it is spoiled. If we fail to surrender to what God wants for us, He doesn't throw us away.
• It cannot mold itself, for it needs the potter. There are no self-willed Christians in the will of God. God wants us to pray, meditate, obey His will, and yield to His tender touch.
• A marred lump of clay, hard heart, can be changed into a vessel of great honor. If we have failed God, He graciously forgives us of our rebellion and sin, then remakes us again.
• Useful vessels do not manufacture anything; it only receives, contains, and shares. We receive His blessings and share them with others.
• God asks us to be available, clean, and empty. If we are too full of self, God cannot fill us, and if we are not filled, we cannot share anything with others. So may we yield to God and He will fills us with His love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and faith.

The soft clay became misshapen, but the potter shaped it back into a good vessel. God will so do with Judah, if she repents, and us. God gave do overs, second chances, to David, Jonah, and Peter. Where ever we are in life, God can still use us in kingdom work, sharing what He has done for us.

LET IT GO
Be compliant, moldable, yielded clay.
Submit to His agenda and allow God to shape us like clay.