Bible Study

There Must Be Some Mistaken – Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet, was the author of the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations. The son of Hilkiah, Jeremiah was a Levitical priest from the small village of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. The Lord called Jeremiah to deliver prophecies to the unrepentant people of Judah. He warned them of their soon to be bondage by the Babylonians, and begged them to repent of their sins and turn back to God.

Although he faithfully served God for over forty years, when Jeremiah first heard the call of the Lord he did as many of us do, he questioned God. After all being so young there was no way a Jeremiah could go out and be the voice of the Lord! He cried out, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak.” (Jeremiah 1:6) And to himself he thought, “There must be some mistake. I can’t do this.” But there was no mistake. God knew exactly what He was doing. For in His perfect plan, He created Jeremiah just for this time and this purpose.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) God knew the purpose He had for Jeremiah because He knew Jeremiah even before the first beat of his heart. And just as intimately as God knew Jeremiah, He knows us. How amazing is that! For Not only did God fearfully and wonderfully create us (Ps. 139:14), He knows us by name,(John 10:3), how long we will live, (Ps. 139:16), and all we were created to be. (Eph. 2:10) And before we are born, He sets us apart for the purpose that is uniquely ours.

Whatever that purpose may be, we can trust that God never intends for us to accomplish it alone, nor in our own strength. When Jeremiah faced the daunting challenge ahead, God reassured him saying, “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah vs. 1:8) “They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you.” (vs. 1:19)

Although the task God gives may not be an easy or enjoyable one, (Jeremiah himself faced hatred and persecution), God does promise that when we walk in obedience, He will never leave or forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) will be our refuge and strength, (Ps.46:1), and through Him, will make all things possible. (Matt. 19:26).

I love how Dr Charles Stanley says, Each time God calls a servant into action, He essentially says, ‘You can be strong and courageous because I am with you. Victory isn’t about your abilities, your strength, your skill, your armor, your gifts, or your dedication; it has to do with My presence. You can be strong because I will be strong in you.’”

No matter the calling, whether it be as simple as helping a friend in need, or as hard as delivering a message of doom to a nation, the next time you hear God’s voice, don’t ask, “Who me? There must be some mistake!” Remember you were created to be the perfect person for the job, and if God sees you to it, He’ll see you through it. So, as the Lord said to Jeremiah, “Gird up your loins and arise!” (Jeremiah 1:17) There is work to be done!

 

Focused On His Goodness – James 1

When each day brings with it new stories of violence, atrocities, and horrors, it’s getting harder to find the good in the world. I often find myself crying out, “Why God? Why did you allow this to happen?” During the time of James, the scattered Jewish Christians shared these same feelings. Tired of the injustice, poverty, and corruption of Rome, they were angry at God for the evil of the world.

Walking In Wisdom – 2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3

Something is in the air. Can you feel it? Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at record speed before our very eyes. Believers who may have put God on the back burner are now seeking Him with renewed interest. Even the secular world has become enthralled with Armageddon and the last days. With the signs all around us, how can we help but wonder if we are living in the end times.

A Great Faith – Luke 18

In Luke 18:8 Jesus asks this question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Why is faith so important to God? Hebrews 11:6 gives us the answer. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” In order to please God need to believe that He is who He says He is. and we need also to trust in His promise to reward our faithfulness. …

A Better Way – Deuteronomy 7

Deuteronomy 7

Recently while driving to an appointment, I took a wrong turn and ended up in an unfamiliar part of the city. Caught in traffic, and headed the wrong way, as soon as I was able I pulled over. I needed a minute to get my bearings and call my husband. After hearing my plight he asked, “Why didn’t you just follow the route the GPS gave you?” I meekly replied, “Because I thought my way was better.” …

No Greater Love – Psalm 116:15

Visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day has always been a family tradition. And each time I go I’m struck by the rows of flowers and flags, the somber feeling, and the looks on the faces of those lost in thoughts of remembrance and grief. The pain is palpable, as is the pride of the sacrifice made by so many. Without fail, John 15:13 always enters my mind, “Greater love has no other than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

It’s easy to take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. Freedoms that come at a steep price. And it’s just as easy to forget those who are left behind to deal with the crippling pain of loss and with the task of rebuilding their lives. They need our love, compassion, and help. And as we all have faced trials of our own and have found comfort through the Lord, it is our duty as His ambassadors to provide for the needs of those who are hurting. For as 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Our Father understands our grief, and promises to love us through our pain. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4) “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” (Ps. 147:3) Why does God understand? Because the greatest Soldier of all who sacrificed everything was God’s only begotten Son; our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave up everything He had and knew to lay down His life and free us from bondage. He came to defeat the enemy of death, loving us more than He loved Himself. “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

Romans 13:7 tells us to give honor to whom honor is due, and I can’t think of better recipients than those who gave their lives fighting to protect our land, lives, and freedoms; and to those dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. I read a saying once that said, “Grief is never ending. Yet although it never ends, it does change. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor is it a lack of faith. Rather, it’s the price of love”. We know that love is a gift from God. And He loves and grieves with each of His children. Nothing is lost on Him for, “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones”. (Ps. 116:15)

So on this Memorial Day when we are enjoying the ones we love, take the time to remember those who have gone on ahead of us, and those left behind. Remind the ones struggling, and yourself if need be, that one day we’ll be reunited with those we have lost. We will all be together in the kingdom of God, living, loving, and worshiping Him forever with not a tear or sorrow in sight! I personally want to thank those who fought and died for me. Whose boundless bravery is a shining example for all to see! May God bless you and keep you.

Get Behind Me Satan! – Matthew 16

Matthew 16

In Matthew  16:23 when Jesus was foretelling His death to His disciples, Peter pulled Jesus aside saying it would never happen. But immediately the Lord recognized the work of the Enemy saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” And just like he tried with Jesus, The enemy is constantly at work trying to infiltrate our minds, bodies, and spirits.  …

Honoring The Final Words of the King – Mark 15-16

Mark 15-16

The story of the Crucifixion is a tough one. It’s gut wrenching what Jesus suffered at the hands of His captors. He endured savagery, mockery, and rejection. He was brutalized and spit upon. And He did so willingly. At any time more than twelve legions of angels were ready to rescue the Lord at a moments notice. (Matt. 26:53) Yet Jesus bore His Cross to the end. He bore it for our salvation and to see the will of God done. …

Reporting For Duty – Ezekiel 1-5

Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens, was a priest who, along with his fellow Jewish captives, lived in exile by the river Chebar. He was called to prophecy after receiving visions from God. Ezekiel saw the heavens opened and the divine glory of the Lord shining so brilliantly, that when Ezekiel saw it he fell on his face in awe and worship. (vs. 1:28)