Why should this city become a desolation?

Reading: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27, Psalm 33, and Romans 5

Scripture: Jeremiah 27:17, Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a desolation?

Thoughts: This morning reading Jeremiah and how Jeremiah was pointing out the false prophets who were saying it was going to be good and all things are going to come back to them from Babylon. Then this passage stood out to me and the idea that if the poles are correct, close to half America will at the least be disappointed at the results of the election on November 3, 2020. The country is divided, there are churches divided, and even households that are divided. What I hear God saying though Jeremiah is no matter who wins, no matter what policies they put in place God will work it for his good. We are called to pray for our leaders, no matter if they are corrupt or even the antichrist we are called to pray for our country and our leaders. Vote 

Prayer: Father God you are our one true King, no matter who is in the office of the nations we live in you are in control I bow my knee to only you father. I lay my pride and my arrogance at your feet, I seek your forgiveness for those things that fail at. I Thank you for all that you are doing in my life and the refining that you do every day. I thank you Lord for your guidance and 

Leadings in my life. I thank you for my family. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out on us every day. I ask that you open the hearts of all to hear your voice encounter our current and future presidents and all those who are in the governmental system from the top down to the bottom, encounter them show them who you are and bring them all into alignment with you. Father I ask that you help us all accept the outcome and uphold your kingdom above our own wants and desires.

What wages are you looking for?

Reading: Jeremiah 48-49 and Romans 4

 

Scripture: Romans 4:4, Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

 

Thoughts: Most people today understand the work pay relationship, we do something and want to be compensated for our time and maybe things we have put into. Paul was reminding us that then and even now there are those that look at this sort of relationship as how God works. There are many religious groups out there that have developed this. Much of this came from Pharisees, the lawyers of the Mosaic law, do this and don’t do that. Paul want to remind us that God does not work that way. The wages we deserve is death let us not seek what we deserve but look to honor God with what he give us the ability steward.

 

Prayer: Father God your mercy is so amazing, you offer us blessings though we deserve cursing, you pour out love over us even when we turn our backs on you. Forgive me those times I strive after my own will and not seek you. I thank you for your forgiveness and blessings that you pour out on us. I thank you for my family and friends who are as family. I thank you for your provision and blessings. I ask that you help me to see the places where I still seek my wages and lay down those desires and seek after you. 

Who’s got your rudder?

Reading: Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 86, Romans 3, and 2 Corinthians 13

 

Scripture: Romans 3:3-4, What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

 

Thoughts: It is so easy to let the world take the rudder of our life when we watch people around us. In today’s climate of a crazy year and two candidates Fighting over who is going to be president in January and the deviation over who you are voting for. We are being reminded that we cannot judge God’s faithfulness by the faithfulness of those around us who say they are apart of the family. Are we allowing God to work in our lives to develop the fruit of the spirit, we are living in an unfaithful world do not let the faithless world direct you, listen to God’s voice speaking from the still small voice. 

 

Prayer: Father your words are truth, your wisdom surpasses all understanding. Your glory is cried out by creation. I lay my life before you and seek your forgiveness for the I have done and seek my place in your plan. I thank you for all you have done and all you are doing in my life, the refinement and training. I thank you for your forgiveness and bringing me into your family. I thank you for my family and friends that point me to your. I thank you for your provision and blessings that you pour out on us every day. I ask that you lead and guide me today and give me the strength to walk in your faithfulness and not with the world. 

 

Why cant you take instructions and listen to the warnings?

Reading: Jeremiah 26, 35-35, and Romans 2

Scripture: 

Scripture: Jeremiah 35:13-14, Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. 

Thoughts: Every day I want to do things my way, in my own power be successful. We are called to seek God, in the old testament it was about seeking and keeping the Law that was given to Moses, today it is about a relationship with God. Jeremiah brings us this family who was commanded to sojourn and live in tents without land and not to drink, and pointing out that if they could do this hard thing put our by their forefathers why cant you take instructions and listen to the warnings and exhortation of a prophet of God. God has brought up many men and women who hear his voice and have authority to speak into the lives of others. Are we listening to God or the people who have authority or are we seeking our own drum so we can walk out own beat? 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, your peace and joy surround me, and your love pours over me. I lay my pride and arrogance at your feet and ask that you help me to walk in your love. I thank you for your forgiveness, I thank you for your grace and mercy in my life. I thank you for my family and friends that are here to point me back to you. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you pour out upon us every day. I ask that you help me to listen to your voice and to those who you speak though into my life. Help me to walk in your ways and seek your plan and my place in it. 

And they did evil in the sight of the Lord.

Reading: Jeremiah 23&25 and Romans 1

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:21-22, I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds.

Thoughts: Jeremiah was speaking to Israel and Juda because of their continuous running after other gods, when reading though 1&2 Kings and 1&2 Chronicles you get the phrase over and over “and they did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Not only were seeking after other gods these other gods had people saying what blessings would come from them. This passage also speak of today, there are pastors and teachers, teaching on false gospels people who claim to be prophets of God to only sow discourse in the church. Just as in the time of Jeremiah we have people running around and speaking for God who are not sent by God or have been spoken to by God. Let us seek God that he may send us and speak to us.

Prayer: Lord God your are so wonderful, your glory shines upon us, your grace and mercy pours over us. I lay at your feet the failures and sins of my life, take me anger and lust, refine me. I thank you for all you are doing in my life. I thank you for my family and those who are as family, those who help in times of need. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you pour out on us. I ask for your healing hand on those who need it open the eyes of those who need to know you and help us to bring them in to community with you and your body. I ask that you help me to continue to only speak your words. 

He, however, shook off the creature into the fire

Reading: 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 43, Acts 28, and 2 Corinthians 12

Scripture: Acts 28:3-5, When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Thoughts: Paul not only had the confidence in God who had told him that he would speak in Rome he also knew what no matter wat happens God is in control. We walk in trials every day sometimes it is to keep our faith, others is it to keep from looking at things we shouldn’t and others to refrain from doing things we shouldn’t. For Paul this was just another thing attacking him. We have our own ways of reacting to these trial we can freak out in the vain if I can’t believe this is happening to me or we can like the Taylor Swift song says we can “Shake it off.” If we look at this allegorically, in the Bible satin is many times referred to as the snake. That snake was trying to get Paul to die, or at least be ineffective in his ministry. Knowing who he was in Christ he shook off that snake not just onto the ground were it could try to attack again but into the fire where the attacks would become ineffective. As we are attacked in our day to day life we can ether shake that attack off into the fire, shake it off onto the ground, or let it latch onto our lives and poison us.

Prayer: Father God your truth shines upon us though your creation and your word. Your glory manifests in the beauty of creation and the movement of the heavens. I thank you that you are faithful to lead and guide us as we seek you. I thank you for my family. I thank you for those who speak into my life. I thank you for your discerning spirit. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you pour out in our lives. I ask that you help me to not only shake off these snakes that are trying to poison my life but to shake them into the fire where they cannot come back at me. 

Burning Bones

Reading: Jerimiah 19-20, Psalm 146, Acts 27, and 2 Corinthians 11

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9. If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Thoughts: When we answer the door, the Christ is knocking on in our lives, we are given a mission. As our relationship with God deepens and grows, we start feeling or hearing a calling. Jeremiah is telling us for him if he is not doing what he was called to do the fire that God has put in him will burn in his bones and eventually it would come out. We need to find our calling and find that ministry we are to be part of to let that fire out of our bones and be affective in whom we are to reach.  

Prayer: Father God you are the fire in my veins you are the one who calls and knocks on the door to my heart. The beauty of your creation magnifies your glory. I lay my life before you and long to walk in your ways. I thank you for all that you are going in my life and the people you bring into my life, I thank you for that you have them speak into my life. I thank you for my family and the joy they bring to me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you pour out on us every day. I ask your healing hand be upon all who are sick or suffering, pour your health and love and joy into their lives in a way that can only be explained by it being from you. I ask that you help me to release the anger and lust in my life. Help me to be the man you call me to be and dive deeper into your arms. 

As we spin on the potters wheel.

Reading: Jerimiah 17-18, Acts 26, and 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture: Jerimiah 18:3-4, So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Thoughts: I know that I fail and fall on my face, I cannot remember the number of times I have raised my voice in anger or hit an inanimate object because I was having a difficult time doing something. Yet even though that form may have been a pot that was spoiled, God is still working with me. We never really know what end product of our lives is going to look like, every time something that happens in our lives good or bad God will use that to form who we are as we spin on that potters wheel. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” In the context of Jerimiah 18:3-4, when we fail or fall spectacularly the way we were being formed may have fallen but adjustment can be made, and we can be reworked into something different. Remember that the potter’s and refiner’s work in our lives will not be done this side of eternity, let them lead you into who you need to be. 

Prayer: Father God, your grace and mercy are so abundant, they cover me and pour over me every day. Your creation shouts of your glory and points you. I lay my anger and outburst at your feet, I want to be the man you need me to be. I thank you for your continual work in my life, leading and guiding but also working all things for your good. I thank you for my family and my friends, I thank you for the provisions and blessings you are working around us. I ask for healing for those sick and hurt. Help us all to give more grace to those around us especially those whom we don’t agree. I ask that you help me to see those things that need removing and help me to get to the root of them to remove and to help your fruit to show in my life. 

What curses are in your life?

Reading: Jerimiah 15-16, Psalm 10, Acts 25, and 2 Corinthians 9

Scripture: Jeremiah 16:11-13, then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me. Therefore I will hurl you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’

Thoughts: There are places throughout the word talking about generational curses, and how we are going to suffer the sins of our father. This passage reminds me of issues that I have not released or through Christ broken those curses. Are we letting the evil one keep a hold on us or a foothold where he can pull us back down to keep us from God’s blessings? Let us reflect on where we are in our walk with God and in the refining process, asking God to show us what we need to release, break, and give to God.

Prayer: Father you are in control, you are the great healer, you have known what was going to happen with me from the beginning. I lay my failures at your feet and ask your forgiveness for the places where my thoughts and actions do not align with yours. I thank you for my family, I thank you for my church and the family I have in you. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that are pouring out on us. I ask for healing and recovery for all who are sick, give them and those around them the wisdom on what to do. I ask that you continue to open my eyes to those things in my life that are not of you and need to be refined and burned out of my life.

What is God Measuring out to you?

Reading: Jeremiah 13-14, Psalm 141, Acts 24, and 2 Corinthians 8

Scripture: Jeremiah‬ ‭13:25, This is your lot, the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord, because you have forgotten me and trusted in lies.‬

Thoughts: As I watch the world around me strive away for m God and his truth. Seeing them chasing after lies and running towards things that even 25 years ago seemed absurd now are being pushed as normal and acceptable. I don’t want to be swept us into the world, I long for my firm foundation in Christ and His word, I don’t want to find myself drifting off from my faith and my relationship with God to find my portion of what will be poured out on those who are not in right relationship with Him. 

Prayer: Father you are the great creator, you have set things in motion that I could never understand. Your wonders abound and glorify your name. I thank you that you are seeking me even as I fail. I lay my faults before you, my anger and my pride. Father Forgive me and help me to grow and deepen in you help me become the man you need me to be. I thank you for my family and the men you have brought into my life. I thank you for your provisions and blessings in my life. I thank you for all creation. I ask that you help me to talk in your will, help me to see the next step and the things I need to remove from my life. 

Lean harder into God!

Reading: Jeremiah 11-12, Psalm 97, Acts 23, and 2 Corinthians 7

 

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

 

Thoughts: This passage is still speaking to me I’m still working though whatever is at the center of this for me. I am being told there is so much greater things for me to do yet I am struggling with the trials that I am in. I want to be a good steward of the things that we are blessed with yet even as I watch God turn my budget sheet from red to black I still struggle with placing all trust in God. For almost two years I have not had an issue and watched God take care of me but recently I am face to face not knowing. With a draw to ministry where things will almost be guaranteed to be more stressful in many ways, God is pointing me into leaning harder into him. 

 

Prayer: Lord you are so wonderful, your blessings pour from your hands and fill my cup to overflowing. Your grace abounds and your quiet voice leaded me. I lay down my stubborn ways before you. I long to walk with you in your plan. Help me to see the next step and walk in it. I thank you for your world that you have done so far and the work you are still doing. I thank you for your provision and blessings that you pour out on us every day. I thank you for my family and the those who are as family. I thank you for all that you are teaching band leading me in. 

Are you just circumcised in the flesh?

 Reading: Jeremiah 1-10, Psalm 100, Acts 22, and 2 Corinthians 6

 

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:25,Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh

 

Thought: Jeremiah the weeping profit started talking about finishing a place to morn and lament over Israel. Just as God does has a broken heart for those lost so too should we. Later he brings up the passage of saying in the authors paraphrase “ok I have let this go long enough, be ready I’m going to take out those who just look like mine.” There are many Christian that will find themselves being told I do not know you when judgment comes because they let more of the world get on them than they got on the world. Lord help us to seek you and be the light and pour your love on the world around us. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, your glory shines through out the world. Your grace and mercy knows no bounds. I lay my short comings and failures at your feet, I know that I struggle and I ask for your forgiveness and help overcoming these. I place them in your hands and walk in your truth. I thank you for all that you have done in my life and those things you are still working. I thank you for my family. I thank you for the provision and blessings you pour out on us every day. Open my eyes to the next step and lead me in your plan, help me find my place 

 

Remove the foreskin of your hearts

Reading: Jeremiah 3-5 and Acts 19

Scripture: Jeremiah 4:4, Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.

Thoughts: Circumcision was given to Abraham as a sign of the covenant between him and God, being part of the tradition and just a thing you did to your sons. Jeremiah was reminding them that they need to be set apart for God not only physically but with their heart. As a gentile circumcision is not required but we are all called to remove the foreskin of our hearts, to set ourselves apart from the world. We are all sinners and through the death and resurrection of Jesus we have been washed clean and are on a daily journey to righteousness. Let us set remove those things that do not glorify God or point to him so that we become more like him.

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, your creation shouts of your glory. You are the one who knows everything about me and love me despite my failures. I lay my shortcomings and sins at your feet, I ask that you help me to recognize were I am falling short and what needs correction. I thank you for you corrections. I thank you for your love and mercy. I thank you for my family and friends. I ask that you be with all who are sick, give them the strength to overcome and they wisdom to walk though the situation. I ask that you open my eyes and ears more to see and hear you and help me to walk in your ways. 

Share what God has done like a child.

Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 and Acts 18

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:7-9, But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.

Thoughts: I cannot tell you how many times I have said, “I need more training before I get into ministry.” I have said this both before going to school and after. These passages dose not say how old he was but there are those who think late teens but in calling himself a youth it could be been earlier. God tells him that he is going wherever he is sent and tell them what God has for them. Then touching his mouth and saying I have put my words in your mouth. God has given us all Holy Spirit to help us, we all can have God’s words in our mouth and minister to others. We are all called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in that is ministry. A young child who has come to understand who God is, can minister to people and sometimes do it much more boldly then we will. Let us let go of our fears and share what God has done like a child. 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, you give us what we need in the moment so that we can sow your seeds into the lives around us. I thank you for planting a seed in me and bringing people around me to water and prune me that I may bear fruit. I thank you that you are doing a work in me, leading and guiding me. I thank you for the molding you are doing in my life to create the man and father you have called me to be. I ask that you continue to open my eyes to see the things that need to be pruned and the things that need to be at my core. 

Who are we following?

Reading: Zephaniah 1-3, Acts 17, and 2 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:4-5, I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom,

Thoughts: As I watch the world change over the last 40 years I also realize that much of it has not changed. We are called to seek after God and proclaim the blessings that come from Him who created all things. We are here to be the voice of God to the people around us. We are told to be in the world but not of the world. God is the standard that all things are to be measured. No, none of us can measure up to that standard but that is why Christ died for us. Here in Pacific North West specifically Oregon we hear about being the most unchurched area. I am watching this world disintegrate and dive deeper into idolatrous ways, they may not have gods with names like Baal or Milcom today but the worship of money and debauchery is rampant just yesterday I drove about 50 miles and passed 10-15 adult stores not to mention the strip clubs. Are we claiming to be followers of Christ and walking with the world letting the world fill us or are we truly being a light and letting our hearts be broken for what breaks God’s heart. 

Prayer: Father you are the creator of all things, your glory shines in your creations, I ask that I be polished to better reflect your light into this dark world. I thank you for the opportunities to shine your light and I long to be a better mirror. I thank you that you know me and seek after me. I thank you for my family and friends. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you provide. I ask that you continue to break my heart for what breaks yours and to help me to see the things in my life that are issues and need work so that I may better reflect your love and mercy to the world around me.