Because You Trust

Jeremiah 39: ¹⁵ While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: ¹⁶ “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. ¹⁷ But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. ¹⁸ I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’”

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Nervous about what I was trying to accomplish I tried to move ahead, but something kept coming up. Each time I tried to put one step forward, something would come up and it seemed like I was just standing still. “How am I supposed to do this?” I exclaimed. I mean it seemed like I was facing nothing but opposition.

• Sometimes I cannot see my way out of the situation.
• Sometimes the situation seems so bleak that I cannot fix it or even dream of a solution.
• Sometimes the odds seem so overwhelming that I cannot even think I could get myself out of it.

Many times I have faced something that seemed so overwhelming that I felt like just giving up. “Why continue” or “Why try” would be the words of despair that I was tempted to believe in.BUT GOD had other words for me.

• GOD says to me “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.”
• GOD says to me “Trust and obey and you will live long and prosper.”
• GOD says to me I will save you because you trust in ME.”

Trust is different than faith. I mean it takes faith in order to “trust” GOD. It means I look to GOD for the truth, for HIS direction, for HIS way instead of mine. Trust means I don’t listen to myself rather I look to GOD’s word for the correct answer. When GOD says something I can trust that it will most definitely, exactly, positively come true. When HE says HE is always with me, I can “always” trust that HE “is” there, for HE has never let me down.

• Where are you looking for your answers?
• Do you trust GOD or are you following your own instincts?
• Will you start putting your trust in GOD today?

Getting out of the Hole

Jeremiah 38: ²⁰ “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.

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“Five dollars!” I said to myself as I pulled my jeans from the dryer. I felt I found a nice windfall. I had no money and now I could get almost half a tank of gas. Okay that was a while ago. I went to a friend’s house a couple of blocks over and he said to me “I just lost my job.” He was not asking to borrow any money, just had to talk about it. Suddenly a voice from within said “Give him the five dollars.” “Aww man, do I have to?” was my thought.

• GOD speaks to me and sometimes I do not want to listen.
• GOD shows me exactly what I am supposed to do and sometimes I want to ignore it.
• GOD give me opportunities to gain HIS wonderful heavenly rewards and sometimes I want to pass.

Reluctantly I conceded to the battle from within. “Here man, I found this, you take it.” He pushed it back and I thought “Maybe I should keep the money!” The voice said “Give it to him.” “Okay” I said this time. I insisted that he take the windfall and walked back home. I’d like to say I found some cash on the way home or a miracle happened, but it didn’t. I got in my car and noticed I had a little more gas than I thought. Maybe a miracle did happen. I went on my merry way.

• GOD tells me to serve HIM daily and it is up to me to listen.
• GOD says “Feed MY sheep” daily and it is up to me to accept HIS path.
• GOD talks to me on a regular basis and it is up to me to listen to HIM so “All will go well.”

I have said this before, I hear GOD loud and clear when HE tells me something to do that goes against my selfishness AND furthers HIS kingdom. HE gives me opportunities to serve others when I don’t think I have anything to offer. HE blesses me over and over for being obedient.

Jeremiah was rescued from a muddy cistern. He was obedient, yet faced cruelty. GOD sent servants and he was rescued from the hole. GOD blesses me in ways I don’t understand. I only have to remain obedient to HIM and watch HIM bless me.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is HE telling you to do something that would further HIS kingdom and you are ignoring HIM?
• Will you give up the fight and allow HIM to bless you?
• Can you seek HIS purpose for you today?

Praying for Foolishness

Jeremiah 37: ² Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

³ King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.”

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“Why would anyone go to this church?” I said to myself. As I complained about the same folks who would stand and holler and the same folks who would shout amen at just the right time as if on cue, something happened. Someone broke into my car, meanwhile some crazy misdirected bill came from nowhere and I had pains in my chest. I wonder if the people at church would pray for me.

• There have been times when I have not followed GOD but needed prayer.
• There have been times when I thought GOD and HIS church were made for me.
• There have been times when I thought I could selectively listen to the Bible or preachers.

Looking back I can see my immaturity in my relationship with GOD. I wanted to go to a church that said what I wanted to hear, meet when I wanted to meet and sing what I wanted to hear. I did not want to serve rather be served and did not want to be bored with lists of names and words of repentance. I only wanted blessing without changing my ways. BUT GOD wanted more from me.

• GOD wants a spiritual relationship with me, that is why HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me upon believing in HIS death and resurrection.
• GOD wants a truthful relationship with me, that is why I should confess when I sin so I can acknowledge my need for HIM.
• GOD wants a real relationship with me, that is why I have to get to know HIM.

Prayer is only as powerful as my faith. Faith is only as powerful as my belief. Belief is only as powerful as my trust. If I do not trust GOD then my belief, faith and prayer fall to the wayside. I want a real relationship with GOD which means I need to get to know HIS heart. Why does HE feel the way HE feels about me?  I should find out “What does HE want” instead of always asking HIM for my way. GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM through JESUS, and then my prayers will be heard.

• Do you feel your prayers are not heard?
• Are you still living in your own way?
• Will you ask GOD what does HE want from you today?
• Will you turn to HIM and trust the path HE has you on?

Oppression Because of GOD

Jeremiah 36: ²⁵ Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. ²⁶ Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the Lord had hidden them.

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Warnings of proselytizing were harsh before our trip. “You can be arrested if you tell people about CHRIST” they warned us. BUT GOD was merciful. HE led people to us and we could talk about our beliefs. One person asked me about what holidays I celebrated. “I celebrate birthdays, New Years and Christmas” was the reply. We got into a wonderful conversation and I was blessed to be able to share CHRIST to a few people on that trip.

• There are places in the world where following GOD is difficult.
• There are places in the world where just the mere mention of GOD would have me jailed.
• There are places in the world where people are oppressed because of their belief in GOD.

With a heavy heart I look across the world and see leaders of nations who turn their backs to GOD. This seems like a difficult problem, BUT GOD does not have fear.

• GOD wants me to preach about HIS SON no matter where I am sent.
• GOD wants me to be bold yet wise in my discussion about HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to know that HE is with me, protecting me and leading me to tell others about HIS SON.

It is quite scary to face jail or death and my heart goes out to those brave enough to stand firm on their beliefs in CHRIST. These people are not arguing over buildings, hymnals, types of songs or why “that” person got picked to run the church fashion show. They stand firm on their beliefs and face death every day. I pray for GOD’s protection over those bold enough to preach about JESUS boldly.

• Are you being oppressed because of your beliefs?
• Do you face difficulty because you are trying to tell people about GOD’s love and mercy?
• Can you keep on going and know your efforts are needed and heard?
• Will you continue to have faith in GOD and know HE will continue to protect you?

In memory of Uncle Shelby Moore

Generational Blessings

Jeremiah 35: ¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”

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Following GOD is a decision that has to be made each day. I mean there are so many things that can take me away from focusing on GOD that seem harmless. Any moment I spend thinking about something else, I am not thinking about GOD. I know this seems a bit extreme, but I have noticed more and more “harmless” things popping up in my life and I end up so busy that GOD is no longer there.

• GOD wants me to take time to think about HIM each day.
• GOD wants me to worship HIM with a purpose.
• GOD wants me to belong to HIM rather than HE serving me.

Jehonadab decided not to drink wine, own a house or have a job, all of which are harmless. He decided to only be GOD’s servant and kept that promise all throughout his life. His children, also known as the Rekabites, kept this promise as well. GOD was pleased, not only that they kept a promise but they made one in the first place. Making a promise to GOD to refrain from something one desires is difficult, yet beautiful.

• Each time I deny something in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can spend with HIM.
• Each distraction I can lay aside in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can worship HIM.
• Each harmless item I can deny myself in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can be with HIM.

Obedience, promises and worship are things that make GOD delight in our relationship. When I do these things, GOD has never, ever, ever disappointed me. HE likes when I acknowledge the fact that HE needs to be GOD without my questioning HIS authority, power, ability or supremacy. My full trust in HIM allows me to make promises to HIM for which HE blesses me when I keep them. HE even blesses my family and I am truly grateful.

• Do you want GOD’s blessings?
• Are you willing to make a sacrificial promise to GOD?
• Can you give up something harmless for a short period of time?
• What will you do with your time?
• Will you add a little more worship during this sacrificial time?

Times of Plenty

Jeremiah 34: ⁹ Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage. ¹⁰ So all the officials and people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their male and female slaves and no longer hold them in bondage. They agreed, and set them free. ¹¹ But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.

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“LORD, I will never do that again” were my words of fear. I had come through a trial and did not want to go back through another one like it. I decided I would not sin at all, not even the littlest sin. I mean, if JESUS could spend HIS whole life without committing a single sin, I certainly could for the rest of my life. After dropping off old habits things seemed to be going well for me. “You should stop sinning” were my immature words of judgement as I tried to get others to have what “I” had.

• It is sinful to think I can be sinless.
• It is sinful to think others need to clean up their act.
• It is sinful to think my righteousness keeps GOD’s wrath at bay.

I traded one sin for another, namely blindness. I had declared myself righteous and had not stopped to ask GOD what pleases HIM. When I realized what I had done, I returned to old sins. Now I was confused. BUT GOD straightened me out.

• GOD said to me “While your righteousness is like filthy rags, MY righteousness is pure.”
• GOD said to me “Turn from your sins without turning to yourself.”
• GOD said to me “Live your life a living sacrifice that all may go well with you.”

I soon realized that I was trying to manipulate GOD instead of serving HIM. GOD wants me to deny sinful indulgences “for” HIM, not to protect myself “from” HIM. When the trial is over I have to be on my guard even more. I should be hypersensitive to being susceptible to sins of puffing myself up and a judgmental attitude. And when I sin, I should keep my promises to GOD even though I feel sorry for myself. GOD is there to forgive and it is up to me to have the right attitude that pleases HIM.

• Are you experiencing GOD’s wonderful time of peace in your life?
• Do you feel you earned HIS peace?
• Will you take off your blinders and realize you are a sinner and GOD’s mercy is a gift?
• Will you stop trying to earn GOD’s love and accept HIS wonderful gift of freedom from sin?
• Will you keep your promises with HIM so all will go well with you?

GOD Won’t Mind

Jeremiah 32: ³⁷ I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. ³⁸ They will be my people, and I will be their God. ³⁹ I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. ⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. ⁴¹ I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

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Too tired to pray I skipped it and said to myself, “GOD won’t mind.” I mean HE knows I’m tired. Hanging out with a crowd, saying and doing what they were, I said to myself “GOD won’t mind.” I mean, isn’t HE supposed to forgive me anyway? Skipping church for months, even years and then when I did go I decided not to give, I said to myself “GOD won’t mind.” I mean those religious people are hypocrites anyway and I don’t want to be a hypocrite.

• Many times I took my relationship with GOD as “granted.”
• Many times I thought GOD would never get angry with me.
• Many times I justified my sin by saying “the man upstairs is supposed to forgive me.”

Having the wrong view of GOD lead to calamity in my life. Instead of the freedom I anticipated, I wound up trapped in a cage full of sin with no way out. Broken relationships, broken accomplishments and broken bank made me realize that doing life on my own was incredibly sad and wrong. There had to be something more, something greater.

• GOD said to me “I will be your GOD and you MY people.”
• GOD said to me “I will gather you and give you singleness of heart and action so you will always fear ME and that all will go well with you and your children.”
• GOD said to me “I will make an everlasting covenant with you and never stop doing good to you.”
• GOD said to me “I will inspire you to fear ME, so you will never turn away from ME.”

A solid relationship is what GOD wants with me, but HE can’t have it when I turn my back on HIM and HIS ways. When I run away from HIM and sin like there is no tomorrow, I should expect consequences and hope they are repairable. My fear of GOD should keep me doing what HE wants me to do rather than fulfilling any temptation that pops into my head. I must think to myself “GOD will mind” in order to have a life where all is well.

• Are you living a lifestyle that is not pleasing to GOD?
• Have you said to yourself “GOD made me this way” instead of asking HIM how do YOU want me to live?
• Will you consider stop trying to please people and seeking to please GOD by serving others the way HE has gifted you?

Hope in Days Ahead

Jeremiah 31: ³³ “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.”

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“The days are coming,” declares the Lord are the words I saw repeatedly in this chapter. After sitting for a while the only thing that came to my mind was “hope.” I mean it seems like GOD gets no gratification in disciplining me. In fact it seems like it hurts HIM. HE awaits a time to bless me.

• GOD says to me “I will make a new covenant with you.”
• GOD says to me “I will put my law in your mind and write it on your heart.”
• GOD says to me “I will be your GOD an you will be my person.”

GOD forgives me for all of my wickedness and remembers my sin no more. HE has fully restored me and all I can do is rejoice!

• What are you putting you hope in?
• Do you need a GOD sized savior?
• Will you allow HIM to restore you today, HIS way?

Restoration in Spite of

Jeremiah 30: ¹⁸ “This is what the Lord says:

“‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
    and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
    and the palace will stand in its proper place.
¹⁹ From them will come songs of thanksgiving
    and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
    and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
    and they will not be disdained.
²⁰ Their children will be as in days of old,
    and their community will be established before me;
    I will punish all who oppress them.
²¹ Their leader will be one of their own;
    their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
    for who is he who will devote himself
    to be close to me?’
declares the Lord.
²² “‘So you will be my people,
    and I will be your God.’”

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Looking back I remember many times wanting to “fit in” to a crowd that wasn’t doing some of the best things. I mean they seemed to be rich and powerful, but greedy and lust filled. As I looked with adoration, I tried to justify my sinful actions as temporary. I mean “I” am not like those people. I’m just doing this sin temporarily until I “get ahead.”

• Sin is sin.
• Sin is what GOD has against me.
• Sin is a burden that destroys my relationship with GOD.

There is no such thing as a balancing scale, nor are there “big” or “little” sins. It is plain and simply sin and GOD hates it even more when I categorize my sin as if to justify to HIM that I am “mostly” good. GOD declared me as thoroughly sinful and deserving of Hell. BUT HE had compassion.

• GOD took it upon HIMSELF to do what I could not do.
• GOD decided to take the punishment for my sin, so instead of categorizing them small or large I need to simply ask HIM for forgiveness.
• GOD said “I will restore, I will add, I will honor” even though I do not deserve any of it.

In spite of my sins, GOD restores me. HE does not let any of my sins go unpunished, however HE applies grace or I would be destroyed. Large or small, great or few, sin is still sin in GOD’s eyes. HE wants me to see I need a savior not a lawyer. It is only when I recognize the need that I can ask.

• Do you need restoration?
• Are you feeling lost?
• Will you confess your sins to GOD so HE will show HIS faithfulness and cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Plans to Prosper You

Jeremiah 29: ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

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¹¹ 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. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.

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“Instantly rich” was the temptation I fell into one time. I mean it only cost one dollar, so I bought two. Since this was my first time I sat in front of the television waiting intently. I wrote each number on the Lottery Ticket and noticed something rather peculiar. Each number was exactly one number higher or lower than the ones I chose. What are the odds?

• Money can have me bow down to it.
• Money can make me go to an extreme for it.
• Money can place me in a position where I worry about, crave it, and lose relationships over it.

GOD said “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” and I can see why. For years I have heard this passage of scripture in Jeremiah point to human wealth and lust fulfilment. “Prosperity is my birthright” bumper stickers paved the way to thinking GOD doesn’t mind if I am filled with greed. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD wants me to prosper financially only if it furthers HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants me to prosper financially only if I can remain in prayer to HIM.
• GOD wants me to prosper financially only if I can seek HIM with all my heart.

I missed the part where GOD wanted me to pray for peace and prosperity of the city where I was exiled. In fact I had a disdain for that city where I purchased the Lottery Tickets. I wanted out and had no prayer for anyone there. No wonder I lost two dollars. My attitude towards my neighbors will show how prosperous GOD will make me. The more they prosper because GOD blesses them, the more I will prosper.

• Are you in a tight bind?
• Does it feel like you do not have enough money?
• Can you stop focusing on money and focus on how GOD is blessing you?
• Will you allow GOD to return you from exile?
• Can you pray for your neighbors and your city, asking for peace and prosperity?

Prophesy Correctly

Jeremiah 28: ⁶ He said, “Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. ⁷ Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: ⁸ From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. ⁹ But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.”

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Fascinated by the thought of CHRIST’s return, I listened intently to the words of the preacher. He taught on the book of Revelation of JESUS CHRIST and I ate up every word. It spoke of a future with no worries, no problems, no fights and most of all no more anger from GOD. It intrigued me. Shortly after the weeks of sermons another “preacher” said the world would end that year. I guess the second was wrong.

By the way, the prophet in this passage of Jeremiah was a false prophet and was killed.

• GOD does not take HIS word lightly.
• GOD wants those who speak prophesy to speak only words given to them by GOD alone.
• GOD wants prophets who are not scare to speak the truth about HIS SON.

No one knows the day or the hour so any prediction about when GOD is going to end the world as we know it will be false. Some have looked at old calendars and even made movies showing the apocalypse. This is what we can be sure about.

• GOD loved me so much that HE died for me and everyone else who believes they need a savior to do the same for them.
• GOD is building a new place apart from this earth that has not been cursed.
• GOD is returning soon and while we do not know the year, month or day, we need to act in s sense of urgency.

Each day should be lived like HE is going to return that day. As I look up to the sky each night, I wonder “When?” I do not get an answer to that question, but I do hear “Feed MY sheep.” This means serve GOD and do not worry about tomorrow.

• Has someone given you a false prophesy?
• Are you busy listening to words about houses and cars and mates without truly listening to GOD?
• Will you stop trying to hear what satisfies you and seek what GOD is really saying to mankind?

Being Restored

Jeremiah 27: ²¹ yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: ²² ‘They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,’ declares the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”

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GOD must have truly been upset with HIS people at the time. I mean HE said “I will give the world to who I wish and I am giving it to your captors.” HE banished the entire nation and allowed them to live in captivity. HE even said “You must obey your captors or I will destroy you.” I pondered, why did they have to go through this?

• GOD cannot go back on HIS word.
• GOD said there would be consequences for following other gods.
• GOD does everything HE says HE will do.

I could not think of an extreme example in which I felt “banished” but I do understand the need to be restored. When I choose to sin deliberately I step further and further away from following GOD. Soon I am in isolation that only HE can fix. I crave for HIS warmth and blessing.

• GOD says to me “I will restore you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM coming back for you.”
• GOD says to me “I stand at the door of your heart and knock.”

Restoration is what GOD seeks to do daily. HE opens HIS arms wide and allows me to return and HE always welcomes me back. HE wipes away my tears, cleans me up and sits me down at a feast. HE fully restores my soul.

• Do you need restoration?
• Are you banished?
• Can you ask GOD to allow you to return on HIS terms?

Changing GOD’s Mind

Jeremiah 26: ¹² Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. ¹³ Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.

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After slipping further and further away from following GOD’s ways I noticed I was in a place where nothing I did went right. I mean even the simplest task seem to go wrong. Once I was trying to put my last quarter in the dorm washer and I dropped it, watched it bounce and supernaturally roll across the floor and under an industrial dryer.

• Many times I have tried to change GOD’s mind to do what I want HIM to do.
• Many times I have tried to change GOD’s mind to get HIM to work in my favor.
• Many times I have asked GOD to change the path that I put myself on.

The problem with following my own plan is when something goes wrong I have no one to turn to. I seek to pull myself up and find myself with worse problems than when I started. How can I get GOD to listen to me? I mean HE is supposed to give me stuff right?

• GOD says to me “Reform your ways and I will not bring disaster on you.”
• GOD says to me “Change your actions and I will not bring you down to total ruin.”
• GOD says to me “Obey the LORD your GOD and I will relent and not bring the disaster I have pronounced against you.”

Wow! What a sobering thought. Isn’t GOD a chump? I thought HE was only love and would never harm a hair on my head? Well, sort of. HE does have a very special place for me in HIS heart and wants me to succeed. BUT GOD must have HIS ways followed. HE actually means when HE says “Do not put any other god before ME.” In fact HE was the only one who became a human and executed every law perfectly.

GOD is always willing to change HIS mind. HE does not want wrath to fall on me so HE opens HIS arms wide every day and allows me to return to HIM, no matter what I have done. HE is willing to show me grace when I truly confess to HIM I need it.

• Are you trying to get your way?
• Do you think you deserve better from GOD?
• Can you see that every human, including yourself, deserves death?
• Will you stop pouting about your circumstance and turn to GOD for all the answers?

Escaping Wrath

Jeremiah 25: ³⁰ “Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them:

“‘The Lord will roar from on high;
    he will thunder from his holy dwelling
    and roar mightily against his land.
He will shout like those who tread the grapes,
    shout against all who live on the earth.
³¹ The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth,
    for the Lord will bring charges against the nations;
he will bring judgment on all mankind
    and put the wicked to the sword,’”
declares the Lord.

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Standing outside I could see the clouds turn from dark black to pea soup green. The winds began to swirl and I could actually see a twister being formed. The alarms went off and we went into the house and hid in the basement.

• GOD’s wrath is similar to the worst weather I have experienced.
• GOD’s wrath is like a tornado.
• GOD’s wrath is comparable to typhoons, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, monsoons, avalanches and volcano eruptions all rolled up into one event.

It is strange how humans limit GOD’s wrath only to the weather. Since my insurance policy covers “Act of GOD” claims, then why doesn’t it cover when GOD is upset with my sin and has said “Enough!”? As much as I like to present the soft forgiving side of GOD, HE does have wrath that I must recognize and respect.

There is absolutely no escaping HIS wrath when HE gets upset. While HE is “Slow to anger” it does not say HE is “Impossible to anger.” Turning away from GOD too long can lead to GOD showing HIS wrath here on earth. HE tells me to turn my face to HIM or I will experience a cup of HIS wrath, whether I try to pray it away or not.

• GOD says to me “Accept my SON and MY eternal wrath will be turned away.”
• GOD says to me “Sow MY kingdom and you will reap benefits, sow your own sin and you will reap MY wrath.”
• GOD says to me “All have sinned and fall short of MY glory so choose this day who you will serve.”

GOD is not a pushover by any means. HIS wrath is not only on an earthly scale, HE holds the universe in HIS hand and will destroy it to eliminate sin. The only escape is to believe the HIS SON, JESUS volunteered to take the full wrath that was meant for me, onto HIMSELF. Since HIS SON had to be punished for me, GOD has zero tolerance for my lack of belief in HIM, yet HIS grace is poured out to me daily otherwise I would be destroyed. GOD is gracious in the midst of wrath.

• Do you believe in GOD’s wrath?
• Do you only attribute blessings to GOD and “bad” things to evil?
• Can you see that everyone is evil and GOD demands cleansing only through HIS SON?
• Will you give your life to GOD today?

Return from Exile as Good

Jeremiah 24: ² One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten.

³ Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁵ “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. ⁶ My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. ⁷ I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

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Doing wrong seemed a bit harder this time. I had rededicated my life to CHRIST and I wanted to follow HIS ways further. I studied more and took the words to heart. But every once in a while I just wanted to act like a child and get “my” way. I would do a “little” sin. As soon as I would do something, it seemed like punishment would happen right away. “Wait a minute GOD, Didn’t I serve you last year and didn’t I do x y z?”

• There are times when GOD chastens me.
• There are times when GOD allows me to have consequences of my actions.
• There are times when GOD lets me have wounds from the things I do.

When going into “exile” I act as if I do not deserve consequence. I pout and try to justify my sinful actions as if to say, “Give me a break, don’t YOU realize I am good?” to GOD. HE wants me to have the same attitude when I enter exile as the one when I return.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM for HIS guidance even when it means I have to experience HIS chastening.
• GOD wants me to be excited that HE is willing to correct me and not leave me in my old ways.
• GOD wants me to see that HE “is” watching over me even when I have been exiled.

Instead of saying “GOD are YOU here?” I should say “Thank YOU for watching over me!” I should know HE is building me up not tearing me down. GOD is giving me a heart to know HIM and I know HE loves me!

• Do you feel distant from GOD?
• Do you feel like GOD is punishing you?
• Can you take the dry season and allow GOD wo remold you into HIS own image?
• Will you praise GOD no matter what circumstance you are in?

Added Back to the Flock

Jeremiah 23: ³ “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. ⁴ I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

⁵ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David 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 Righteous Savior.

⁷ “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ ⁸ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

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When the teacher described the lesson plan, I approached her and said “There must be a mistake. I had this already.” She checked and replied “Yes, there seems to be a mistake. You do not belong in this class.” I went to see the principal and asked that I be placed in the correct math class.

• I am not in the right place while being on earth.
• I am not in the right place while following sin.
• I am not in the right place while ignoring what GOD says and following my own thoughts.

There have been times when I just knew I wasn’t in the right place. I mean, everyone else was here with me, yet something seemed wrong. Greedy, lustful, power hungry places seemed attractive at the time and I did not demand that I be removed from those lessons when I should have. BUT GOD was merciful.

• GOD brought me out of Egypt.
• GOD rescued me from places I have been driven.
• GOD saved me from death and stayed with me until the end.

JESUS is the righteous branch who rules and does what is just. I place my hope in HIM.

• Are you demanding that you get out of your sin or are you complacent?
• Have you confessed your sin so that GOD will be faithful and just to forgive  you of ryour sins and cleans you of all unrighteousness?
• Will you allow GOD to bring you back into the flock?