171 Jeremiah 006 – 008; Luke 023
For review, let us remember that the country of Israel has been divided into two countries. In the north there were twelve tribes and in the south there were two tribes. In the south which was called Judea was the city of Jerusalem. In the city of Jerusalem was the temple of the Lord in which dwelled the presence of God. I believe that God’s people in general had a hard time believing that God would actually discipline them by sending a heathen country into their land to conquer them. If the overall mood was that of God would never do such a thing then can you imagine what the people in Jerusalem thought? We have the temple and the temple priest. We are protected by the ritual and the regiment. Here was their attitude revealed in these words. Jeremiah 6:10 (MSG)
10 "I've got something to say. Is anybody listening? I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice? It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax— deaf as a post, blind as a bat. It's hopeless! They've tuned out God. They don't want to hear from me.
Jerusalem had turned into a city of brutality. The name Jerusalem means a city of peace. It had changed and no one was listening to the one person who was speaking truth. May God give us ears to hear and a heart to follow after Him.
We find Jesus being brought up on trumped up charges. They brought in liars to go against Jesus. Pilate who was a politician saw that this was a no win situation for him so he did his best to wash his hands of the matter. From that point on it became mob justice. The crowd cried out for Christ’s execution and they got what they wanted. They killed the son of God. They murdered God! We read about God’s people not listening to the prophets who were only trying to help. Then God sent His son and they not only did not listen they shut him up by crucifying Him. Wow! How is it that God still loves us? I hope you believe in grace and mercy because if it were not for His mercy and grace we would be so done.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
170 Friday, June 19, 2009
170 Jeremiah 003 – 005; Luke 22.39 – 22.71
Brazen is a great word to describe the way God’s people went about their business. They were not ashamed one bit that they were out worshipping other gods. They wanted to do their own thing and come right back to God in order to get some of His blessing. It has never worked with God in that way. God is God and we are to follow His commandments. Obedience equals blessing in the lives of those who follow after God. It is not as if God is not giving them opportunity to come back. The Lord has sent His prophet Jeremiah to tell them the truth and to help them to repent. The people wanted to come back and act as if nothing had happened. For a while that was working for them. Life was good in so many ways for the disobedient. They just could not see the train wreck that was coming their way. The people of God were warned time and time again and yet continued in their disobedience. As you read this book try to see all the times that God tries to get His people back and how they stiff arm Him. May this not be our case. May we know when we have strayed and come back with a repentant heart.
In Luke we encounter the arrest of Jesus which is the beginning of the end for Him. He knew it was coming and held a pray meeting. His disciples were willing in spirit but were weak in the flesh. They could not stay awake and then suddenly they came to arrest Christ. It is abhorrent what they do to Christ and yet He did this for you and me. Does God love you? Do you sense His love and mercy?
Brazen is a great word to describe the way God’s people went about their business. They were not ashamed one bit that they were out worshipping other gods. They wanted to do their own thing and come right back to God in order to get some of His blessing. It has never worked with God in that way. God is God and we are to follow His commandments. Obedience equals blessing in the lives of those who follow after God. It is not as if God is not giving them opportunity to come back. The Lord has sent His prophet Jeremiah to tell them the truth and to help them to repent. The people wanted to come back and act as if nothing had happened. For a while that was working for them. Life was good in so many ways for the disobedient. They just could not see the train wreck that was coming their way. The people of God were warned time and time again and yet continued in their disobedience. As you read this book try to see all the times that God tries to get His people back and how they stiff arm Him. May this not be our case. May we know when we have strayed and come back with a repentant heart.
In Luke we encounter the arrest of Jesus which is the beginning of the end for Him. He knew it was coming and held a pray meeting. His disciples were willing in spirit but were weak in the flesh. They could not stay awake and then suddenly they came to arrest Christ. It is abhorrent what they do to Christ and yet He did this for you and me. Does God love you? Do you sense His love and mercy?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
169 Thursday, June 18, 2009
169 Jeremiah 001 – 002; Luke 22.1 – 22.38
Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)
5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that's what I had in mind for you." .
This a comforting piece of Scripture that God almighty would know about you and me before we even take shape in the womb. God not only knows us, he also knows what we are to be doing. However, just because God knows what He wants us to do does not necessarily mean we will be all excited about those plans. Moses was told by God exactly what he was to do and God had to do some arm twisting to get Moses in the program. Jeremiah was also a reluctant leader. Jeremiah responds to God’s invitation to be a prophet to the nations with these words,
Jeremiah 1:6 (MSG)
6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"
Some scholars believe that Jeremiah was about 20 years old when God called him to be a prophet. The Lord told Jeremiah not to think in those terms, but to think with a new perspective. Jeremiah, you are to see and believe that the Lord will be with you and direct you. This young man responded and became a great prophet in one of the most difficult times of Judah’s life and times. When God speaks to you about doing something in His kingdom what excuse do you give? Do you eventually join in what God has asked you to do?
In Luke we find Jesus having the Passover meal with his disciples. In this intimate time Jesus reveals who is going to betray Him. It is at this time that Jesus reveals that the Passover will never be the same because He is the Passover lamb. It is also at this moment that some of the disciples argue over who will be the greatest. It is almost comical that with everything that is happening the disciples are in a power struggle. Jesus clears it for them by pointing to himself as a servant and letting them know He expects the same from them. How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a servant? Why do you see yourself as a servant? Jesus became poor for our sakes that we might become rich in grace and mercy.
Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)
5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that's what I had in mind for you." .
This a comforting piece of Scripture that God almighty would know about you and me before we even take shape in the womb. God not only knows us, he also knows what we are to be doing. However, just because God knows what He wants us to do does not necessarily mean we will be all excited about those plans. Moses was told by God exactly what he was to do and God had to do some arm twisting to get Moses in the program. Jeremiah was also a reluctant leader. Jeremiah responds to God’s invitation to be a prophet to the nations with these words,
Jeremiah 1:6 (MSG)
6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"
Some scholars believe that Jeremiah was about 20 years old when God called him to be a prophet. The Lord told Jeremiah not to think in those terms, but to think with a new perspective. Jeremiah, you are to see and believe that the Lord will be with you and direct you. This young man responded and became a great prophet in one of the most difficult times of Judah’s life and times. When God speaks to you about doing something in His kingdom what excuse do you give? Do you eventually join in what God has asked you to do?
In Luke we find Jesus having the Passover meal with his disciples. In this intimate time Jesus reveals who is going to betray Him. It is at this time that Jesus reveals that the Passover will never be the same because He is the Passover lamb. It is also at this moment that some of the disciples argue over who will be the greatest. It is almost comical that with everything that is happening the disciples are in a power struggle. Jesus clears it for them by pointing to himself as a servant and letting them know He expects the same from them. How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a servant? Why do you see yourself as a servant? Jesus became poor for our sakes that we might become rich in grace and mercy.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
167 Tuesday, June 16, 2009
167 Isaiah 064 – 066; Luke 021
We are at the close of Isaiah’s prophecy for Israel and the future of the world. Isaiah is again reminding God’s people that the Lord is always there if only people will turn from their sinful ways and turn to the Lord. People can be saved but what many of us cannot fathom is that people do not want to be saved. They may want the pain removed or they may want some more creature comforts, but truly being saved is not in their hearts. Israel as a nation reflects what happens in many people’s hearts concerning their relationship with God. It is either leave me alone or I will build my own way of serving God. Then, of course, there are those who say yes to God and follow after the Lord. May God give us hearts to always say yes to our Lord Jesus Christ. May God give us contacts who want to say yes to the Lord. One day the whole world will follow after God. The Lord will build a whole new heaven and earth.
In our N.T. reading we are lead right into the heart of giving. A widow gives like two pennies and Jesus gets more excited about that than what the wealthy were giving. God is always looking upon the heart. People love the next portion of Scripture because it gets into the end times. I want you to know that some apply this to the end times while others say it was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the temple was destroyed in Jerusalem. Either way it is a prophecy of Jesus Christ and it was fulfilled in 70 A.D.. What other theologians say is that it is also to be applied to the very end times when the end is near and Christ it about to come back. You see this as Christ continues His message and talks about the Son of Man will be welcomed in grand style which is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Our hope and only hope is for Christ to come and fix this mess. We do not use this to escape from our duties upon this earth. We are to serve and try to make this a better place to live.
We are at the close of Isaiah’s prophecy for Israel and the future of the world. Isaiah is again reminding God’s people that the Lord is always there if only people will turn from their sinful ways and turn to the Lord. People can be saved but what many of us cannot fathom is that people do not want to be saved. They may want the pain removed or they may want some more creature comforts, but truly being saved is not in their hearts. Israel as a nation reflects what happens in many people’s hearts concerning their relationship with God. It is either leave me alone or I will build my own way of serving God. Then, of course, there are those who say yes to God and follow after the Lord. May God give us hearts to always say yes to our Lord Jesus Christ. May God give us contacts who want to say yes to the Lord. One day the whole world will follow after God. The Lord will build a whole new heaven and earth.
In our N.T. reading we are lead right into the heart of giving. A widow gives like two pennies and Jesus gets more excited about that than what the wealthy were giving. God is always looking upon the heart. People love the next portion of Scripture because it gets into the end times. I want you to know that some apply this to the end times while others say it was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the temple was destroyed in Jerusalem. Either way it is a prophecy of Jesus Christ and it was fulfilled in 70 A.D.. What other theologians say is that it is also to be applied to the very end times when the end is near and Christ it about to come back. You see this as Christ continues His message and talks about the Son of Man will be welcomed in grand style which is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Our hope and only hope is for Christ to come and fix this mess. We do not use this to escape from our duties upon this earth. We are to serve and try to make this a better place to live.
Monday, June 15, 2009
166 Monday, June 15, 2009
166 Isaiah 061 – 063; Luke 020
What is your manifesto? What would you write down to tell people this is what I am all about? Most theologians would agree that this is a Messianic passage, meaning it has to do with our Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus read this Scripture aloud in a Synagogue in Nazareth on a Sabbath. You will find this event in Luke 4:18-21. When he finished reading it he said this day this Scripture has been fulfilled. Jesus Christ himself understood that what Isaiah had written hundreds of years ago was written about Him. Let’s look at this portion one more time. Luke 4:18-19 (MSG)
18 God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free,
19 to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
Israel needed hope and the greatest hope in the world is a real Savior that can really save us from our sins. The greatest hope we have is in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Isaiah 62 is a full reminder that God is not finished with Israel. Israel’s savior is coming to them and they will be the city of praise once again.
In our N.T. reading we find Jesus being questioned about His credentials. In the O.T. we see clearly how Scripture applies to Jesus Christ, yet those that were up close and personal did not see Jesus as one sent by God. Jesus did not come in the way that they thought a Savior ought to come. Jesus is truly a cornerstone that helps you build a life on a strong foundation… or He is a stumbling stone? I hope for you that Jesus is the cornerstone of your life. My prayer for you is that you are also sharing your story of how Jesus is helping build your life. Maybe you could also start writing out your manifesto.
What is your manifesto? What would you write down to tell people this is what I am all about? Most theologians would agree that this is a Messianic passage, meaning it has to do with our Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus read this Scripture aloud in a Synagogue in Nazareth on a Sabbath. You will find this event in Luke 4:18-21. When he finished reading it he said this day this Scripture has been fulfilled. Jesus Christ himself understood that what Isaiah had written hundreds of years ago was written about Him. Let’s look at this portion one more time. Luke 4:18-19 (MSG)
18 God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free,
19 to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
Israel needed hope and the greatest hope in the world is a real Savior that can really save us from our sins. The greatest hope we have is in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Isaiah 62 is a full reminder that God is not finished with Israel. Israel’s savior is coming to them and they will be the city of praise once again.
In our N.T. reading we find Jesus being questioned about His credentials. In the O.T. we see clearly how Scripture applies to Jesus Christ, yet those that were up close and personal did not see Jesus as one sent by God. Jesus did not come in the way that they thought a Savior ought to come. Jesus is truly a cornerstone that helps you build a life on a strong foundation… or He is a stumbling stone? I hope for you that Jesus is the cornerstone of your life. My prayer for you is that you are also sharing your story of how Jesus is helping build your life. Maybe you could also start writing out your manifesto.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
165 Sunday, June 14, 2009
165 Isaiah 058 – 060; Luke 19.28 – 19.48
God is calling the religious out again; they fast but it a selfish fasting. What surprises many people in church is how easy it is to go through the motions and have no emotional connection at all. This religious thing that a person does can be no different than getting up and eating a bowl of cereal. People can get in habits that come to mean absolutely nothing. God is calling His people to repent from their practices and to a changed people. Isaiah reminds them that it is not God who has a short arm, but it is the people with sin in their hearts that is the problem. Yes, they were blaming God for the wrong in their lives. Their thought process is: “If God wants us to stop the sinning then God would have saved us from this problem.” I have heard many people say in the church if God wants me to stop this thing then He wouldn’t have put that desire in my heart. You have got to be kidding me?! Please be careful of this way of thinking because it is very dangerous.
God is calling the religious out again; they fast but it a selfish fasting. What surprises many people in church is how easy it is to go through the motions and have no emotional connection at all. This religious thing that a person does can be no different than getting up and eating a bowl of cereal. People can get in habits that come to mean absolutely nothing. God is calling His people to repent from their practices and to a changed people. Isaiah reminds them that it is not God who has a short arm, but it is the people with sin in their hearts that is the problem. Yes, they were blaming God for the wrong in their lives. Their thought process is: “If God wants us to stop the sinning then God would have saved us from this problem.” I have heard many people say in the church if God wants me to stop this thing then He wouldn’t have put that desire in my heart. You have got to be kidding me?! Please be careful of this way of thinking because it is very dangerous.
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