Pause

Well, It was a good time. I love writing and sharing my devotionals. But now i have to pause. Different reasons but same outcome. I will continue my personal blog and will come back to this one as time will allow.

Internal disconnect.

Jeremiah 26:3 (NIV) Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.

It seems like people in Jeremiah’s time had internal disconnect. On one hand they hear Jeremiah and the prophesies of destruction and God’s punishment. On another hand they think that they are doing everything that God commended them to do. And so there is no repentance. How couldn’t they see that worshiping other gods was against the law? And there is unrighteous leadership of a king? Didn’t they know better? What covered their eyes and ears to get the message?

Where does this disconnect comes from? As I think about it I think it would be lust. Lust for more than God gave them. For more gods, more power and more money.

The cure is found in 1 Timothy 6:6. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Prophecies fulfilled

Jeremiah 25:3 (NIV). For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the LORD has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.

I see two pictures here. Picture of Jeremiah faithfully speaking for twenty-three and going through persecution and strive. And now he sees the word of God coming to pass. And second picture is picture of patient God that gave twenty-three years for repentance (and many more years to previous generations) and now His patience coming to an end. It’s time for prophecies to be fulfilled.

Lord, help me to have ears to hear Your word and be quick to respond to it. And faithfully carry the ministry You entrusted to me like Jeremiah. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Time to let go

Jeremiah 24:5 (NIV) “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians…

The Israelites had to separate with something so precious. The land of promise.  Sometimes we have to let go of something really dear to our hearts. It could be a thing or person. Life is full of separation. And it’s hard. Yet God promises us to be present with us and bless us in our separation. What kind of hearts did these Israelites must’ve had? Broken, heavy, sad. So when we depart with things that are precious to us and come to God in our brokenness,  his promise of blessing extends to us as well.

Jesus of Old Testament

Jeremiah 23:5 (NIV) “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David [a] a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Every time I read a prophecy about Jesus in Old Testament I get so excited. It’s just so beautiful. The LORD Our righteousness! Now we have righteousness not our own but Jesus’ righteousness.

Nothing unclean can be in the presence of God and we are doomed, because our lives are full of sin of one kind or another. We can’t come to God on our own accord. It’s like trying to shoot a satellite down with a sling and a stone. Can you do it? No one can. That’s why there is a need for a Savior.

Do you feel unworthy to come to God? Or that your sin is pulling you down and there is no way God can hear such a sinner?  Remember, you are not coming to God on your own but through the righteousness of Christ and there is no sin that can stain His righteousness. So the road to God stays open, always.

Faith and Repentance

Jeremiah 21:1 (NIV) The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: 2 “Inquire now of the LORD for us because Nebuchadnezzar [a] king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

Was it really a request from King Zedekiah? Or was it an insult? Didn’t he hear what Jeremiah was telling all along? Really, who has ears to hear, let them hear.  God was not going to save Jerusalem just because it was the city of David or for any other “because” for that matter. He would only save this city if the deeds of people would turn for better.  And the “perhaps” that Zedekiah speaks says of no faith at all. Perhaps He will save us and perhaps He won’t.

No faith and no repentance. This is the heart that will not please God.

Opposite of Zedekiah is King David with the heart of repentance and faith in God’s goodness.

Dear Lord help me to fight this two foes of every Christian, hardened heart and unbelief. Make my heart soft to Your teaching and make my faith strong. I ask In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

God’s advice to government

Jeremiah 22:15 (NIV) “…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.”

Somehow and somewhere there is a thought among Christians that God doesn’t care about government. That government is some human invention, dirty, dishonest and to be there you have to compromise your position as a believer. And though it looks like it is as described above, it doesn’t have to. Do you feel like you want to be a government official? Do you feel you would like to speak for your people or lead them? Take the advice from today’s scripture. Read what it takes to be a king. To do what’s right and just. I think that today politicians would benefit greatly if they would apply it to their life and career.

Sunday

No post today. Have good time in church or take some time for reflection.

His presence.

Jeremiah 20:13 (NIV) Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.

This verse stands from the rest of the chapter as a single ray of sunshine on a dark, stormy day. And it seems like among his complain Jeremiah got a glimpse of God. And when you see God there’s no way you wouldn’t worship Him and praise Him. I convinced that the only way you can get through the troubles is to look at God and not on yourself.

Acts 16:25That’s what happened to Paul and Silas in prison. May be they were really strong men and could just be singing and praying after being beaten but I believe they weren’t just singing the praises to God but they were experiencing His presence.

Dear Lord. As I am facing everyday with its problems and joys let me have times when I can look at you and worship you for who You are. Let me enjoy your presence and peace. In Jesus name. Amen.

God speaks

Jeremiah 19:1 (NIV) “…This is what the LORD says …”

Do you know the voice of God? Do you know He speaks? He is not silent like the idols. If you don’t know how He speaks ask Him. He will find the way that you will understand. It could be a voice or could be a scripture, may be a song or just one word. As you follow Him it could be Holy Spirit encouraging you to help someone or to testify to someone. Take some time to listen to Him and learn His voice.

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20(b)