Category Archives: Character of God

All Powerful / King of All, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Place Your Trust in God Above All Else

Life can be challenging.  We can get absorbed in trying to solve our problems without God. When God provides guidance to us about a situation, we need to let go of our anxiety and stop trying to solve things our way and trust in Him.

Think about the Israelites when they refused to go into the promised land of Canaan because they were intimidated by the “giants” there.  God would have given them victory. Instead, they got 40 years of delay in the wilderness.

That same group, as they were leaving to go back to the wilderness,  decided to attack now against God’s direction to avoid the extra time in the wilderness and they were soundly defeated.

It can be hard and very uncomfortable, but we need to learn to tune into and trust God.

Jeremiah 46 shares an example where the people put their trust in Pharaoh rather than God to protect them from the Babylonians. They disobeyed the word of God through Jeremiah to stay in Israel and fled to Egypt instead.

God was not pleased and showed it by planning for Pharaoh to be defeated. He was going to show His people in whom they should put their trust. (Hint: It is Him!)

Jeremiah 46

Defeat of Pharaoh Foretold

      1That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

      2To Egypt, concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was by the Euphrates River at Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

      3“Line up the shield and buckler,
And draw near for the battle!

      4“Harness the horses,
And mount the steeds,
And take your stand with helmets on!
Polish the spears,
Put on the scale-armor!

      5“Why have I seen it?
They are terrified,
They are drawing back,
And their mighty men are defeated
And have taken refuge in flight,
Without facing back;
Terror is on every side!”
Declares the LORD.

      6Let not the swift man flee,
Nor the mighty man escape;
In the north beside the river Euphrates
They have stumbled and fallen.

      7Who is this that rises like the Nile,
Like the rivers whose waters surge about?

      8Egypt rises like the Nile,
Even like the rivers whose waters surge about;
And He has said, “I will rise and cover that land;
I will surely destroy the city and its inhabitants.”

      9Go up, you horses, and drive madly, you chariots,
That the mighty men may march forward:
Ethiopia and Put, that handle the shield,
And the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.

      10For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of hosts,
A day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes;
And the sword will devour and be satiated
And drink its fill of their blood;
For there will be a slaughter for the Lord GOD of hosts,
In the land of the north by the river Euphrates.

      11Go up to Gilead and obtain balm,
O virgin daughter of Egypt!
In vain have you multiplied remedies;
There is no healing for you.

      12The nations have heard of your shame,
And the earth is full of your cry of distress;
For one warrior has stumbled over another,
And both of them have fallen down together.

      13This is the message which the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to smite the land of Egypt:

      14“Declare in Egypt and proclaim in Migdol,
Proclaim also in Memphis and Tahpanhes;
Say, ‘Take your stand and get yourself ready,
For the sword has devoured those around you.’

      15“Why have your mighty ones become prostrate?
They do not stand because the LORD has thrust them down.

      16“They have repeatedly stumbled;
Indeed, they have fallen one against another.
Then they said, ‘Get up! And let us go back
To our own people and our native land
Away from the sword of the oppressor.’

      17“They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a big noise;
He has let the appointed time pass by!’

      18“As I live,” declares the King
Whose name is the LORD of hosts,
“Surely one shall come who looms up like Tabor among the mountains,
Or like Carmel by the sea.

      19“Make your baggage ready for exile,
O daughter dwelling in Egypt,
For Memphis will become a desolation;
It will even be burned down and bereft of inhabitants.

      20“Egypt is a pretty heifer,
But a horsefly is coming from the north—it is coming!

      21“Also her mercenaries in her midst
Are like fattened calves,
For even they too have turned back and have fled away together;
They did not stand their ground.
For the day of their calamity has come upon them,
The time of their punishment.

      22“Its sound moves along like a serpent;
For they move on like an army
And come to her as woodcutters with axes.

      23“They have cut down her forest,” declares the LORD;
“Surely it will no more be found,
Even though they are now more numerous than locusts
And are without number.

      24“The daughter of Egypt has been put to shame,
Given over to the power of the people of the north.”

      25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says, “Behold, I am going to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her gods and her kings, even Pharaoh and those who trust in him. 26“I shall give them over to the power of those who are seeking their lives, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of his officers. Afterwards, however, it will be inhabited as in the days of old,” declares the LORD.

      27“But as for you, O Jacob My servant, do not fear,
Nor be dismayed, O Israel!
For, see, I am going to save you from afar,
And your descendants from the land of their captivity;
And Jacob will return and be undisturbed
And secure, with no one making him tremble.

      28“O Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the LORD,
“For I am with you.
For I will make a full end of all the nations
Where I have driven you,
Yet I will not make a full end of you;
But I will correct you properly
And by no means leave you unpunished.”

Spend time in prayer and reflection asking God to show you any areas of your life where you are putting your trust in something other than Him. This could be money or a job or a spouse or parent. It could be many things.

Give thanks to God for who He is and how He provides for us. Ask Him to help you fully trust in Him.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Contentment, Faith / Trusting God, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest, Provider

God’s Provision Is Not Always Easy, But It Is Always Enough

Paul learned how to be content in all circumstances, and he faced some very difficult ones. He rejoiced when others expressed concern for him because for having brothers in Christ who were concerned for him.  When he was amply supplied, he said so. He did not keep asking for more.

These are all important aspects we should pursue in our lives as well.

Philippians 4:10-23

God’s Provisions

      10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

      15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

      21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

      23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

When Paul says he can do all things through Christ, he is not talking about literally moving mountains or flying or anything silly like that. He is pointing out that Christ has helped him to deal with real life situations with contentment and even joy. Most of us have so much abundance of things, and always have, that we may struggle if we were to suddenly do without them. Paul experienced that and overcame it through Christ.

Let us ask the Spirit to help us be content in all circumstances and to rejoice that we have brothers and sisters in Christ that care for us.

Let us not constantly exert our efforts always seeking more worldly things or wealth but rather to focus our efforts seeking an ever growing relationship with our Lord.

Ask the LORD to show you areas where you need to find contentment in your life. Take time to reflect. Consider discussing with someone close to you who can act as an accountability partner to help you change.

Thank God for His provision, even if it is not all you would like.

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Submitted / Servant, Thankfulness

Rejoice in the LORD; Be Anxious for Nothing!

Don’t miss this advice for all Christians.

  • Live in harmony with the Lord.
  • Help fellow believers.
  • Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS
  • and again I say, rejoice
  • Dwell on what is true, honorable, right pure, lovely, and of good repute.

Philippians 4:1-9

Think of Excellence

      1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

      2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

      4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

      8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Take a few minutes to stop and rejoice specifically reflecting on your life and your walk with the LORD. Make it personal. Give thanks and rejoice.

What are the things you are anxious about today? Picture yourself putting them in a box and giving them to God. Release control of those things and any anxiety associated with them. Trust in God to handle them.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Contentment, Faith / Trusting God, Humility, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Jeremiah 45: Embrace Humility, Contentment, and Faith

Jeremiah 45 contains a message from the prophet Jeremiah to his scribe, Baruch. In this passage, Jeremiah delivers a message of both warning and comfort to Baruch during a time of great turmoil and uncertainty in the history of the people of Israel.

The primary message of Jeremiah 45 can be summarized as follows:

  1. Warning: Jeremiah tells Baruch not to seek great things for himself. He advises him not to be preoccupied with personal ambition, wealth, or fame, especially in a time of great upheaval and distress.
  2. Comfort: Jeremiah assures Baruch that even in the midst of adversity and turmoil, God will protect him and allow him to escape with his life as a reward for his faithfulness.

The broader context of this chapter is the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Israelites. Jeremiah’s messages throughout the Book of Jeremiah often focus on the people’s disobedience, God’s judgment, and the eventual hope of restoration. In this particular chapter, the message is directed toward Baruch, reminding him to maintain humility and faith in God’s protection during these challenging times.

Jeremiah 45

Message to Baruch

      1This is the message which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written down these words in a book at Jeremiah’s dictation, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying: 2“Thus says the LORD the God of Israel to you, O Baruch: 3‘You said, “Ah, woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.”’ 4“Thus you are to say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, what I have built I am about to tear down, and what I have planted I am about to uproot, that is, the whole land.” 5‘But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the LORD, ‘but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go.’”

The message of Jeremiah 45 can be applied to our lives today in several ways, emphasizing the importance of humility, contentment, and faith, especially during challenging and uncertain times:

  1. Embrace Humility: Jeremiah’s message encourages us to be humble and not to seek greatness and personal ambition at the expense of others or at the wrong time. In our lives, it’s important to recognize the value of humility, modesty, and a willingness to serve others without constantly seeking self-aggrandizement.
  2. Avoid Excessive Materialism: The warning against seeking “great things” can remind us not to become overly materialistic or obsessed with wealth, fame, or success. Prioritize values like integrity, relationships, and personal growth over the pursuit of material possessions.
  3. Contentment and Gratitude: Cultivate contentment with what you have rather than constantly striving for more. Gratitude for the blessings you already possess can lead to greater satisfaction and peace of mind.
  4. Trust in God: The message of comfort in Jeremiah 45 emphasizes the importance of trust and faith in God, even in the face of adversity. This can be applied by maintaining trust in a higher power or in your inner strength and resilience during difficult times.
  5. Perseverance: In the face of challenges and uncertainty, Jeremiah’s message to Baruch encourages perseverance and determination. We can apply this by staying resilient and committed to our goals and values, even when the road ahead is difficult.
  6. Recognize the Bigger Picture: Remember that life has its ups and downs, and difficult times are often part of a larger journey. Just as Baruch was assured of his life’s protection in the midst of turmoil, we can find solace in the belief that, with patience and faith, we can weather life’s storms.

In essence, Jeremiah 45 encourages a balanced approach to life, advocating for humility, contentment, and faith in the face of adversity. By incorporating these principles into our lives, we can find greater fulfillment and inner peace, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainty.

I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and personal reflection as you ask God to help you apply these lessons to your life today.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Protector / Deliverer, Slow to Anger, Through Prophets

When God Rebukes You, Don’t Miss the Message!

Have you ever felt that God was giving you a message for something He wanted you to do? Did you ever talk yourself out of it, if it was something you really felt uncomfortable doing on your own?  This message is for you.

After God brought the Babylonians to conquer Judah as punishment for the people worshipping other gods and not following God’s law and instructions… He gathered a remnant together to remain in Judah.

The people became afraid to remain in Judah, fearing Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would do them harm. They decided in their wisdom to go to Egypt for protection. Yes, the same Egypt they once relied on to prevent Babylon from conquering them in the first place.

Spoiler alert: It did not work the first time. Pharaoh’s  army was beaten by the Babylonians (and God who was using the Babylonians at this time).

The remnant is making a mistake we all are vulnerable to if we are not careful. When we hear from God, sometimes He will call us to to things we are very uncomfortable doing. We need to trust Him and obey.

In the case of Jeremiah 44, the remnant was getting a second chance, after the first judgment God inflicted on them. They missed the message. They made excuses and tied the problems and defeat they faced to their failure to worship the false gods enough, rather than their failure to follow the one true God.

It sure feels like they are about to get a second helping of God’s correction and judgment because they refuse to hear His message and obey.

Jeremiah 44

Conquest of Egypt Predicted

      1The word that came to Jeremiah for all the Jews living in the land of Egypt, those who were living in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and the land of Pathros, saying, 2“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are in ruins and no one lives in them, 3because of their wickedness which they committed so as to provoke Me to anger by continuing to burn sacrifices and to serve other gods whom they had not known, neither they, you, nor your fathers. 4‘Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets, again and again, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing which I hate.” 5‘But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to burn sacrifices to other gods. 6‘Therefore My wrath and My anger were poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so they have become a ruin and a desolation as it is this day. 7‘Now then thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, “Why are you doing great harm to yourselves, so as to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant, from among Judah, leaving yourselves without remnant, 8provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you are entering to reside, so that you might be cut off and become a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth? 9“Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 10“But they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared nor walked in My law or My statutes, which I have set before you and before your fathers.”’

      11“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am going to set My face against you for woe, even to cut off all Judah. 12‘And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have set their mind on entering the land of Egypt to reside there, and they will all meet their end in the land of Egypt; they will fall by the sword and meet their end by famine. Both small and great will die by the sword and famine; and they will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach. 13‘And I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, with the sword, with famine and with pestilence. 14‘So there will be no refugees or survivors for the remnant of Judah who have entered the land of Egypt to reside there and then to return to the land of Judah, to which they are longing to return and live; for none will return except a few refugees.’”

      15Then all the men who were aware that their wives were burning sacrifices to other gods, along with all the women who were standing by, as a large assembly, including all the people who were living in Pathros in the land of Egypt, responded to Jeremiah, saying, 16“As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we are not going to listen to you! 17“But rather we will certainly carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths, by burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, just as we ourselves, our forefathers, our kings and our princes did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no misfortune. 18“But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” 19“And,” said the women, “when we were burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and were pouring out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands that we made for her sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”

Calamity for the Jews

      20Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men and women—even to all the people who were giving him such an answer—saying, 21“As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them and did not all this come into His mind? 22“So the LORD was no longer able to endure it, because of the evil of your deeds, because of the abominations which you have committed; thus your land has become a ruin, an object of horror and a curse, without an inhabitant, as it is this day. 23“Because you have burned sacrifices and have sinned against the LORD and not obeyed the voice of the LORD or walked in His law, His statutes or His testimonies, therefore this calamity has befallen you, as it has this day.”

      24Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt, 25thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, as follows: ‘As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying, “We will certainly perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” Go ahead and confirm your vows, and certainly perform your vows!’ 26“Nevertheless hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who are living in the land of Egypt, ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the LORD, ‘never shall My name be invoked again by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord GOD lives.” 27‘Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword and by famine until they are completely gone. 28‘Those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt to the land of Judah few in number. Then all the remnant of Judah who have gone to the land of Egypt to reside there will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs. 29‘This will be the sign to you,’ declares the LORD, ‘that I am going to punish you in this place, so that you may know that My words will surely stand against you for harm.’ 30“Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I am going to give over Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt to the hand of his enemies, to the hand of those who seek his life, just as I gave over Zedekiah king of Judah to the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and was seeking his life.’”

When God tells you to do something, even if it is hard, confirm it with His word and then do it. If He rebukes you and gives you a second chance… don’t miss the message again!

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Prophecy, Through Prophets

Do Not Ignore God to Do What Seems Right to You

Do what the LORD says. Do not try to take matters into your own hands. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, mind, and soul. Lean not on your own understanding and be not wise in your own eyes. Obey what God says.

After all the accurate prophecy that God shared through Jeremiah leading up to the Babylonian victory over the Israelites, they still would not listen to Jeremiah about what God told them to do.

They insisted on deciding based on what made sense to them and doing right in their own eyes to try to take control of the situation.

After reading Jeremiah 43, I am sure we can see where this approach will not work out well for them.

Jeremiah 43

In Egypt Jeremiah Warns of Judgment

      1But as soon as Jeremiah, whom the LORD their God had sent, had finished telling all the people all the words of the LORD their God—that is, all these words— 2Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You are not to enter Egypt to reside there’; 3but Baruch the son of Neriah is inciting you against us to give us over into the hand of the Chaldeans, so they will put us to death or exile us to Babylon.” 4So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces, and all the people, did not obey the voice of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah. 5But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the entire remnant of Judah who had returned from all the nations to which they had been driven away, in order to reside in the land of Judah— 6the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, together with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah— 7and they entered the land of Egypt (for they did not obey the voice of the LORD) and went in as far as Tahpanhes.

      8Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9“Take some large stones in your hands and hide them in the mortar in the brick terrace which is at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes, in the sight of some of the Jews; 10and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold, I am going to send and get Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and I am going to set his throne right over these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his canopy over them. 11“He will also come and strike the land of Egypt; those who are meant for death will be given over to death, and those for captivity to captivity, and those for the sword to the sword. 12“And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely. 13“He will also shatter the obelisks of Heliopolis, which is in the land of Egypt; and the temples of the gods of Egypt he will burn with fire.”’”

Spend time in prayer and reflection. Are there areas in your life where you are not fully listening to and surrendering to God’s direction? Are you going your own way because it makes sense to you?

Ask God to help you make changes to fully rely on Him and do as He leads.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, His Timing Not Ours, Salvation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

He Who Began a Good Work In You Will Perfect It

For those who are called by God to be reborn in Christ, and who take on such pursuit with humility, we can take great comfort that our Father will complete in us what He begins if we are obedient and submitted vessels for His use. We need not fear that He will start a work in us and then leave us unfinished. We may need to be patient, however, as His timing is not always the same as our timing… it usually is not the same.

Philippians 1:6

6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:12-13

  12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

It is not so simple as just a prayer and one time submission to Christ. Yahweh transforms us over time. It is more of a crock pot than a microwave. We begin a journey and must continue in submission and obedience to His prompting. He will help us to work out our salvation and transformation from the life of sin and self to submission to Him as Lord. He will not abandon us halfway in our journey. All we must do is see to it that we remain obedient and wholeheartedly seeking Him. This also means that we are not idle waiting for Him to transform us, but rather we are seeking Him in prayer and Bible study. We are taking what we learn and changing our lives to reflect His instruction.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassion, Compassionate, Humility, Love, Loving / Kind, Pride, Selfishness

Regard Others as More Important than Yourself, in Humility and Love

Yeshua set a powerful example of humility and love for others. Let us follow in His example. Read and reflect on the words in Phil 2.

Philippians 2:1-11

Be Like Christ

     1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As you read and reflect on this scripture, ask yourself the following. How do you measure up? What changes do you need to make?

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Finding Strength in Faith: A Message of Hope for Every Believer

In Jeremiah 42, the remnant of the people who remained in Judah after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem seek guidance from the prophet Jeremiah. They ask him to pray to God and provide them with guidance on whether they should stay in Judah or go to Egypt to escape further Babylonian oppression.

There are several key themes which apply in our  lives even today:

Seeking God’s Guidance: The people in Jeremiah 42 come to Jeremiah seeking guidance and direction from God. They recognize the importance of seeking divine wisdom in making significant life decisions. In our lives, we should also seek God’s guidance through prayer and reflection when facing important choices or challenges.

Obedience to God’s Will: In their request, the people commit to following whatever God instructs them through Jeremiah. This theme emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s will, even when His guidance may not align with our preferences. It reminds us to be willing to submit to God’s plan and trust in His wisdom.

Fear vs. Faith: The people in Jeremiah 42 were motivated by fear of the Babylonians, which led them to consider fleeing to Egypt. The chapter highlights the tension between fear and faith. It encourages us to examine our motivations and consider whether our decisions are driven by fear or a deep trust in God.

Consequences of Choices: The chapter also serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of our choices. The people’s decision to go to Egypt, despite God’s warning through Jeremiah, resulted in calamity. This underscores the importance of making decisions with a full understanding of the potential consequences.

God’s Sovereignty: Ultimately, Jeremiah 42 reinforces the theme of God’s sovereignty. God’s guidance through Jeremiah is a reminder that His plans and purposes prevail over human decisions. This encourages us to acknowledge God’s authority and trust in His providence.

In our lives today, we can apply these themes by seeking God’s guidance through prayer, committing to obey His will, examining the role of fear in our decisions, understanding the consequences of our choices, and recognizing God’s sovereignty in our lives. Jeremiah 42 offers valuable insights into decision-making and the importance of aligning our choices with God’s purposes.

Jeremiah  42

Warning against Going to Egypt

      1Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people both small and great approached 2and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our petition come before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, that is for all this remnant; because we are left but a few out of many, as your own eyes now see us, 3that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do.” 4Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you.” 5Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. 6“Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God.”

      7Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah. 8Then he called for Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him, and for all the people both small and great, 9and said to them, “Thus says the LORD the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. 11‘Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand. 12‘I will also show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own soil. 13‘But if you are going to say, “We will not stay in this land,” so as not to listen to the voice of the LORD your God, 14saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the sound of a trumpet or hunger for bread, and we will stay there”; 15then in that case listen to the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “If you really set your mind to enter Egypt and go in to reside there, 16then the sword, which you are afraid of, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine, about which you are anxious, will follow closely after you there in Egypt, and you will die there. 17“So all the men who set their mind to go to Egypt to reside there will die by the sword, by famine and by pestilence; and they will have no survivors or refugees from the calamity that I am going to bring on them.”’”

      18For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “As My anger and wrath have been poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so My wrath will be poured out on you when you enter Egypt. And you will become a curse, an object of horror, an imprecation and a reproach; and you will see this place no more.” 19The LORD has spoken to you, O remnant of Judah, “Do not go into Egypt!” You should clearly understand that today I have testified against you. 20For you have only deceived yourselves; for it is you who sent me to the LORD your God, saying, “Pray for us to the LORD our God; and whatever the LORD our God says, tell us so, and we will do it.” 21So I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the LORD your God, even in whatever He has sent me to tell you. 22Therefore you should now clearly understand that you will die by the sword, by famine and by pestilence, in the place where you wish to go to reside.

Take time to reflect on the key themes above. Perhaps reread them now that you have read the scripture itself. Ask God to help and guide you in major decisions in your life and then obey, even if it is not what you want.

I am experiencing that in my life today and for the last year. God led me to leave my job of 26 years and called me to ministry to help heal and restore broken marriages. It was not a path I would have chosen and it has had challenges along the way. For me, His calling is a bit like His call for the Israelites in Jeremiah 42 to stay in Israel and not flee to Egypt. It goes against my reason, and brings my fear into tension with my faith.

I choose faith. What will you choose in your life?

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Sins of the People Can Lead to Destruction of a Nation

Jeremiah 40:13 through Jeremiah 41 contains an account of events that occurred during a tumultuous time in ancient history. While the context of this passage is specific to the fall of Jerusalem and its aftermath, there is a central themes that can be applied to our lives today.

Consequences of Sin: The events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem were a result of the Israelites’ disobedience and sin. This passage reminds us of the consequences of our actions and the importance of living a righteous life. In our lives today, we should be mindful of the choices we make and their potential consequences.

The challenges and trials Jerusalem and its people endured did not stop with Babylonian conquest. There continued to be further strife and conflict even after Babylon took control. Many people continued to be hurt due to the sin and rebellion of the people against God.

Jeremiah 40:13-16

 13Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14and said to him, “Are you well aware that Baalis the king of the sons of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them. 15Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah, saying, “Let me go and kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and not a man will know! Why should he take your life, so that all the Jews who are gathered to you would be scattered and the remnant of Judah would perish?” 16But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “Do not do this thing, for you are telling a lie about Ishmael.”

Jeremiah 41

Gedaliah Is Murdered

      1In the seventh month Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family and one of the chief officers of the king, along with ten men, came to Mizpah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. While they were eating bread together there in Mizpah, 2Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him arose and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land. 3Ishmael also struck down all the Jews who were with him, that is with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war.

      4Now it happened on the next day after the killing of Gedaliah, when no one knew about it, 5that eighty men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria with their beards shaved off and their clothes torn and their bodies gashed, having grain offerings and incense in their hands to bring to the house of the LORD. 6Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went; and as he met them, he said to them, “Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam!” 7Yet it turned out that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men that were with him slaughtered them and cast them into the cistern. 8But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death; for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

      9Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had made on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain. 10Then Ishmael took captive all the remnant of the people who were in Mizpah, the king’s daughters and all the people who were left in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard had put under the charge of Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; thus Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and proceeded to cross over to the sons of Ammon.

Johanan Rescues the People

      11But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done. 12So they took all the men and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and they found him by the great pool that is in Gibeon. 13Now as soon as all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and the commanders of the forces that were with him, they were glad. 14So all the people whom Ishmael had taken captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah. 15But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men and went to the sons of Ammon. 16Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces that were with him took from Mizpah all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, after he had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, that is, the men who were soldiers, the women, the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon. 17And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, which is beside Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt 18because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, since Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

We will not likely face an army conquering our cities and towns. However, we are definitely facing a time where the sinful and rebellious attitudes of the people against God are leading our nation down a bad path filled with malice and apathy toward God and His instructions for us.

Seek God’s help to identify areas in your life where you need to make a change and submit to Him again. Where do you need to stand up and join with other followers of Christ to resist the sinful nature of our nation and the path it is on. Do not sit by and accept it as our nation continues to degrade and move farther from God. Stand up. Get involved. Take action. Also, pray for communities, cities, states, and our nation and for the leaders.

Shalom. Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.