Tuesday August 7

Jeremiah 36:2-3

"Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin."

Jeremiah 36:23-24

Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

God instructed Jeremiah to record His words on a scroll so they could be shared. The people of Israel and Judah continued to ignore God's directions and followed their own desires. The scroll was yet another way that God wanted to give His people a chance to turn repent of their wickedness and return to Him. After all they had done to turn their backs on Him, He still was giving them the option to choose His mercy over His judgement. 

How did they respond to the scroll? King Jehoiakim burned the scroll piece by piece and tried to have Jeremiah arrested. My heart breaks as I think about this. Because the king took a message straight from the Lord (a message of warnings, repentance, and forgiveness) and he burned it as if it were garbage... and I know that I do the same thing when I stubbornly refuse to repent of my sins. 

How did God respond to the king's actions? Jeremiah 36:31 "I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened."

My prayer is that all of us will learn from the mistake that King Jehoiakim made. He was given a chance to repent of his sins and he literally threw it away. God wants to give us all the gift of forgiveness, a gift that is to be cherished, not thrown away!

Monday August 6th

Sometimes I fail to really ponder all that Christ did for me when he suffered and died on the cross. 

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."                 Matthew 26:39

It really wasn't until today's reading in Jeremiah 25:15-38 that I realized the magnitude of what it was that Christ was praying in the garden that night over 2000 years ago.

In Jeremiah we read that the cup of God's wrath was literally being passed to those who had chosen to live a life of wickedness and sin.  A life in opposition and rebellion to God.  A life void of obedience to his word: his laws and commands.  They had no choice but to drink, as God's wrath was imminent, ready to be poured out on the people of the earth (Jer 25:30-38)

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: "Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.  When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them."  Jeremiah 25:15-16

That is when it hit me. This is the cup that I was to drink before a new one was poured out for me.  This cup of wrath was meant for me not for Christ.  It was filled for my destruction because of my rebellion and sin.  But, because God so loved the world (you and I) he gave his one and only son to drink of this cup (of wrath) in my place (in your place).  He gave me (and you) another cup to drink from if I  (we) trust him and believe in him: the cup of forgiveness and mercy so that we could be spared his wrath and death and have eternal life (John 3:16 with my spin added to it).

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  (Jesus speaking to his disciples and ultimately to us) Matthew 26:27

When we drink of the communion cup it is not just acknowledging what Christ did on the cross.  When we drink that cup we should lift up abundant thanks to our God who spared us the cup of wrath by having his son drink it for us.  In return, through grace (not deserving it in any way shape or form) we get to drink of the sweet cup of forgiveness and bask in the mercy that has been shown to us.

What a truly gracious God I have that loved me so much more then I can possibly fathom.

Thank you Lord for submitting to your father's will and for drinking my cup of wrath so that I could partake in the healing, quenching cup of forgiveness.  No words can truly express my gratitude but my heart is overwhelmed with thanks at the magnitude of this precious gift.  Thank You!!!

August 5th

August 5^th 2012

Habakkuk

Today's reading answers two big questions for those doubting their faith. The first asks how can a God so caring allow evil to exist? The answer is so sophisticatedly simple: free will. God doesn't want to force anyone to follow Him; He wants people to follow Him because they want to, not because they have to. Because of this, He gave us free will. Free will is the ability to make choices without constraint. Sounds pretty great, right? No limitations, anything goes. People are free to do whatever they want, whenever they want. But doing whatever you want, whenever you want, doesn't always match up with what other people want. If I wanted to mow my lawn, and my neighbor has one of those nice ride on lawn mowers, free will allows me to go into his shed and borrow his lawn mower. Free will allows me to return it with no gas left, or to not return it at all. Free will then allows my angry neighbor to egg my car. Free will is starting to sound a little less awesome now, isn't it? If you think of this on a national level, free will is what allowed the Babylonians to do all of the evil things they did, but it is also what brings them down. When free will is abused, or used in an evil way, God doesn't have to do any work to eliminate the evil, it will eventually eliminate itself. This is why He allows it, allows being the key word. Obviously He would rather us choose Him and His path in the first place, but by giving us the ability to chose for ourselves, He is allowing us to grow as people, and to grow in faith.

The second important question is in the very second line of today's reading. "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" This is a question we have probably all asked while praying. It is in our nature to turn to God when we need some help. It is also in our nature to expect immediate and complete results. God doesn't work that way, however. Because He wants us to grow, He wants us to solve as many of our own problems as we can. This, for most people, seems entirely too hard, and it's understandable. A lot of us have a lot on our shoulders, and a lot of us would love to have someone take care of these problems for us. But if He just took away all of our problems, we wouldn't grow. He does not, however, neglect our problems entirely. When He sees us struggling, He sends help, sometimes subtly, and sometimes pretty bluntly, but either way He does send help. And for the rest of our problems, He knows that we can solve them ourselves, and that problems most often have a way of working themselves out if a little effort is put into it.

Hope that you all had a lovely Sunday, and congratulations to those baptized today!

Gina  

August 4: Jeremiah 46,47

(Posted on behalf of Jon Lanuza)

Jeremiah 46, 47

 

Finally the Lord punishes Israel's oppressor...yet it is interesting that (1) He does not eradicate Egypt completely - "'Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past' declares the Lord."  He seems unprepared to condemn Egypt eternally for its sinfulness.  And (2) the instrument of His judgement is yet another sinful nation, perhaps an even more sinful one - Babylon. 

 

As I reflect on this I am reminded of the times I was discouraged seeing people prosper despite their sinfulness, sometimes because of their sinfulness; of all the times I was dismayed by the success and prosperity of people whom I knew to be corrupt, whom I knew were breaking the law, whom I knew thought nothing of the means by which they were achieving the success others could only dream of, but would never enjoy, others who played by the rules, even better others who were close to the Lord and walked in His ways.

 

And then I read the reassurance - "'Do not fear...do not be dismayed...I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile.  Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.  Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you' declares the Lord..."I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished."  And then I realize, what God permits others really should not matter to me - far more important the state of my relationship with God, and His willingness to forgive me, to discipline me with justice by not letting me go entirely unpunished for my own sinfulness.  And whomever He chooses to use, however He chooses to use them, is up to Him, for He knows best.  If He wants to use a sinner, a Babylon, to put me in situations that will ultimately reconcile me back to Him, then I thank Him for the persistence of His mercy, and the perfection of His wisdom, a wisdom that allows Him to use the imperfect to put me back on the path to His perfection.  And I beg Him the grace to permit this exile to survive until he is permitted to return home.

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Friday, August 03, 2012 - God's Word

Friday, August 03, 2012
God's Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God." (John 1:1)

Think about that – before we were even created, God's Word existed.
The wisdom of the Bible, which is God-breathed, has always been. When
God first brought us into being (via Adam and Eve), we naturally
walked in this wisdom. We were in perfect fellowship with God and His
Word. Subsequently, through an act of disobedience, we separated
ourselves from God and His Holiness. Since then, every human has spent
their earthly days moving towards and away from God.

In yesterday's reading, we witnessed a revival (a recovery of
fellowship with God) that began with the reading of the Book of the
Law. Through hearing God's Word, King Josiah (of Judah) was convicted
of his sin and the sin of the nation. Immediately, Josiah destroyed
every pagan altar and idol in the land that the Israelites had put
above God. The people then repented and recommitted themselves to the
Lord, choosing to follow His Word with all their heart, soul, and
strength.

Unfortunately, in today's reading, the Israelites turned away again
when Josiah's sons (first Jehoahaz, then Eliakim) chose to live for
themselves and follow false gods. The prophet Jeremiah spoke at length
about Jehoahaz's sin:

Jeremiah 22:13-17
13 "Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,
his upper rooms by injustice,
making his own people work for nothing,
not paying them for their labor.
14 He says, 'I will build myself a great palace
with spacious upper rooms.'
So he makes large windows in it,
panels it with cedar
and decorates it in red.

15 "Does it make you a king
to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?"
declares the LORD.
17 "But your eyes and your heart
are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood
and on oppression and extortion."

I encourage you all to continue to stay in God's Word and follow it.
Otherwise, we might fall into worshipping the idols around us and live
selfishly. Ultimately, we're all worshipping someone or something.
Perhaps, it's a significant other, who we're expecting to make us
happy. Perhaps, it's our job, house, or bank account. These are all
temporary power sources. They will all fail at fulfilling our needs.
There's only one eternal power source. Only one that can fulfill. He's
the Great "I Am." Let's plug into Him today by filling our stomachs
with His Word.

God Bless,
Anthony

August 2: The Reforms of Josiah

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

The Reforms of Josiah

In today’s passage, we read about some positive changes that come from interaction with God’s Word.  Even as Jeremiah has foretold further destruction, King Josiah brings sweeping changes to a nation that had strayed from the truth.  There are several means by which this revival transpires, which all start from the Lord Himself.

 

 

The value of leadership.  “When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.  He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micha, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant:  ‘Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found.  Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not accepted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” (2 Chronicles 34:19-21)

 

We see that God has moved Josiah’s heart, challenging him to bring reform to a flagging nation.  He calls the people to Jerusalem for a time of repentance and attacks the sources that has drawn people away, literally destroying the high places, altars to other gods, and physical idols.  He understands that these sites had entrapped people.  A great leader shows concern for the whole person and for the least – and Josiah displays this love for others clearly.

 

In today’s postmodern thinking, the majority of the population has accepted relativism, which argues that each person may determine his or her own truth.  This method appears to work well during times of prosperity, as it brings forth temporal “freedom” during our earthly life.  Yet, the Scriptures clearly indicate that, if we do not follow obediently after God’s Word, we are deceiving ourselves and will become in bondage to sin.  The prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah point to Judah’s bondage to sin and the coming righteous judgment.  As Sovereign King of the universe, we would do well to show leadership like Josiah, taking God at His Word and living according to it wholeheartedly and encouraging others to do the same.

 

 

The value of repentance.  [Huldah speaking] “‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard:  Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.  Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace.  Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.’” (2 Chronicles 34:26-28a)

 

The nation’s change of heart draws out the compassion of God.  He relents in His judgments for a time.  The truth of the Word demands a response, and we honor God by acknowledging our shortcomings and turning back to the Lord when we have strayed from Him.  Isaiah 55:11 comes to mind:

 

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth:

       It will not return to me empty,

       but will accomplish what I desire

       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

 

Also, 1 John 1:9 discusses the effects of personal repentance:  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

 

The value of the covenant.  “The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord – to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.

 

“Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.

 

“Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God.  As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers.”

 

Commitment to the truth brings about actions that honor God.  The people followed behind Josiah and lived for the Lord through the remainder of their days.  To what or whom have you committed yourself?  How do you remind yourself of that commitment?  How can your commitment to the Lord bring you closer to Him?

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Jeremiah 17:19 – 20

Jeremiah 17:19 – 20

 

My mom grew up in Sile, New Mexico, a tiny town located between Cochiti and Santo Domingo Indian Pueblos.  The history of these pueblos stretches back for centuries and there is evidence of these people all over the land.  When I was younger, my brother, cousins and I would embark on grand adventures where we went on archeological digs and knew we were Indiana Jones in the making.  We would explore my grandma's land and squeeze through wire fences onto neighbor's land in order to find pieces of broken pottery that peppers this land.  We found a good number of broken pieces over the years, always with hopes that we would gather enough pieces to recreate the original piece.  Of course that never happened, but I couldn't help but think all those pieces that had been shattered, what once was a beautiful, practical, used pot or jug, resembling the many pieces of Indian pottery my mom and grandma have.  Each piece is precious and hand made by those great people.  For many it is their lively hood and they have artistic skills and craftsmanship that is beyond me.   

 

In the book of Jeremiah we have seen God as the Potter and have seen Israel as the pot.   What a practical, yet powerful image of the Creator and creation.  Knowing what I know about pottery, I know it involves design, time, and the major elements of earth, water, and fire.  The Potter uses His hands to mold and shape the pot.  On a spinning wheel, the shape is manipulated and unique.  It takes patience and precision to make the piece just the way you want it.  To harden, the pot needs to be put in a very hot oven to bake the clay.  We'll get to this later.  The finished product is hard, ready to use, but with one drop, one bad bump, it can crack or shatter beyond repair.   God wanted Jeremiah to use this image of the broken pot when speaking to Judah.  God was still their Creator and God had the power to shatter and break them.  But the people refused to listen and went as far as punishing Jeremiah for his message sent from God.

 

I can't imagine being in Jeremiah's position and you can see in the scripture the struggles he faced both spiritually and physically.  He is very transparent in this book.  He was shackled up in front of the very dwelling place of God, a humiliation and unpleasant place to be.  He was rebuked by the leaders and the people, facing insults and backs turned against him. I can appreciate Jeremiah's frustration and anger towards God, because I am guilty of the same.  It's easy to question the Maker and wish you had never been born.  He cursed his parents and lifted his hands and eyes up to God asking why he was even there.  Life is not easy and evil is all around us.  We have all faced struggles where giving up is the only thing that makes sense.  We question the Creator.  I love Jeremiah and see him as a great example because he has these conversations with God many times, and every time, he ends with absolute love, worship, and thanksgiving. 

 

In my NKJV chapter 20:7-18 has the title "Jeremiah's Unpopular Ministry."  He took God's message to a people who refused and did not believe.  There are many missionaries all around the world that can share the same title of their ministry.  I think of those missionaries in Europe, in the Middle East, North Africa, and in Asia.  They too take a message from God, but of hope and salvation in Christ Jesus.  In my Bible, I have a note from 8.13.03 with a little sun and the note, "God, make this my desire."  20: 9b says, "But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not."  Knowing that the pot must go through a burning oven to take hold, I pray that God would be that fire in my life.  I prayed back in 2003 that my heart would be on fire for God and His word that people would watch me burn.  This is my prayer again tonight.  That we would continue to fall in love with God's word that we would be grounded in faith, that it would fill our hearts, and we would burn.  Be a solid, and as Paul said in II Corinthians 4:7-10, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [jars of clay,] that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus."