Lamentations 4:1-5:22 ~ Hebrews 2:1-18 ~ Psalm 103:1-22 ~ Proverbs 26:23
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Old Testament – Lamentations Chapters 4 and 5 are tough chapters to read. We know why everything that we read in these chapters has come to pass from our readings in the book of Jeremiah. I guess the thing personally that jumped out at me today when reading this chapter were these thoughts: Have I personally ever experienced anything like what we read about in this chapter? The answer is no. The second thought or question that came to me, however, was this: Are there people in our world today that are experiencing similar things that we read about in this chapter? And I believe the answer is obviously yes. Not for the same "reasons" that Jerusalem was experiencing all of this of course – but the same experiences of starvation and lack of hope are indeed happening in our world today.
Then…. the question becomes – is this fair? Is this right? Should we try to do something for people in our world that are experiencing starvation, lack of hope, and worse? What will we do? I know there are thousands of organizations that we could support to help those in need in our world. One that I have personal experience with is World Vision. If you have an extra dollar a day, you can sponsor a child and radically change that child’s life – forever. Or, even if you have an extra dollar a month, World Vision can do incredible things with that dollar. If anyone wants to post up other good relief orgs in the Comments sections, please do? I’d love to hear about which international relief organization you invest in. Thanks.
Actually, since I started down the path of mentioning World Vision, let me go off a bit more on my tangent here if you don’t mind… 🙂 I don’t know about you, but I have had a hard time buying gifts that are simply "more stuff" for my friends and family in recent years. Don’t get me wrong. I think there are wonderful hand-made gifts or books or music or even some stuff that is just the perfect gift for someone in our life. But, more often than not – if I’m going to a wedding, holiday party, birthday for kids, housewarming party – I feel like I’m just buying more "stuff" for my friends and family who have plenty of "stuff"! And so, I just want to share with you what I do now for weddings and birthdays and holidays: I may get a small personal gift for folks, but more likely I’ll get them a goat! Yep, you read that right. A goat. The thing about this goat is that my friends and family won’t actually have this goat walking around their house – and I’m sure they appreciate that. This goat actually goes to a family in our world that is living on less than $1 a day. This goat will provide milk and cheese for this family’s personal use and for sale in the market. This goat might even allow the family to breed more goats and start up an entrepreneurial business so that this family can get self-sufficient. So… I’ll be 100% honest with you here – my friends love receiving this type of goat!! They really do. With the holiday season coming up – and with weddings and birthdays and the list can go on – will you consider buying a goat for your family & friends instead of buying them more "stuff"? World Vision is one organization where you can buy these types of goats as gifts – but I’m sure there are more. World Vision actually recently unveiled their holiday gift catalog online at this link! At this link you can peruse their catalog of more than 100 gift items for families world-wide living on less than $1 a day. You can buy goats, fruit trees, wells for clean water, clothing, sheep, chickens, and the list goes on. During this holiday season, will you consider buying life-changing and life-saving gifts for others in our world this holiday season rather than just buying more "stuff"? (Thanks for reading all this… I know I’ve gone way off from the Bible readings today… or have I?)
New Testament – Hebrews chapter 2 starts strong with the first verse: "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." This is powerful. We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we’ll drift away from it. My thoughts here are that listening carefully in this sense also means listening often to the truth. Or reading often of the truth. Reading the Bible often. Say, every day? 🙂 I think our human nature is such that we’ll oftentimes hear something and it goes in one ear and out the other. We need repetition. We need a routine. We need the truth. Please don’t drift away from it! On this topic of drifting away from God, Tim Challies over at challies.com (a blog I read frequently) wrote up a very interesting post titled "The Folly of Solomon". This is a very interesting look at Tim’s thoughts on why Solomon drifted away from God in his later years and how you and I must be vigilant in our lives to not drift away – please read Tim’s post on this topic at this link.
Verse 12 is beautiful: "I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters." Here Jesus calls those who believe in Him his "brothers and sisters." What a great thing! To be brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ! And in the gospels Jesus also calls those who believe in Him his "friends." This is incredible to consider. Who better is there to be your brother and your friend than Jesus? And verse 18 is a great reminder that "Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted." We all will go through temptations in this life. Don’t feel bad if you are "tempted." Jesus himself was tempted by the devil in the gospels. The problem comes when we give into temptation and commit the sin. However, when in the midst of temptation, this verse reminds us to turn our minds to Jesus when we are being tempted – and he will help us! He has been there – he has been tempted. Another great tool to combat temptation is bringing Scripture to mind. In fact – this is exactly what Jesus did with the devil in the desert. Each temptation the devil threw at Jesus, Jesus combated with Scripture. What a holy sword Scripture is in the midst of temptation! To help us in the midst of temptation, memorizing Scripture regularly is a very wise practice. Do you memorize Scripture? Do you think it would help you in the midst of temptation?
Psalms – Psalm 103 is a great Psalm today! Each verse is a powerful reminder of God’s character and our relationship to God. Verse 8 definitely stands out today – "The LORD is merciful and gracious. He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love." Do you believe that God is merciful and gracious? Have you experienced God’s mercy? His grace? Do you believe that God is slow to get angry? When was the last time you experienced God’s unfailing love? (think now… God loves you so much he’s given you beautiful life-giving oxygen to fill your lungs as you read this… praise God for the very air we breath!)
Today in Psalm 103 verses 11 & 12 we read these verses about God – “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” I think these verses are a wonderful look at what it means to be spiritually reborn and living in relationship with God. These verses are a glimpse of the true freedom that is found in relationship with God – freedom of living in God’s perfect love, and freedom from our slavery to sin. Do you believe that God’s love for you is as high as the heavens are above the earth? Do you believe that God has removed your sins (transgressions) from you as far as the east is from the west? Do you thank God often for His love for you? Do you thank Jesus often for saving you from the bondage of sin?
Proverbs – Proverbs Chapter 26, verse 23 is so true – "Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a common clay pot." Be watchful for the smooth words or smooth talker. Again, think of the devil tempting Jesus in the desert in the gospels… do you think those were smooth words being said by the devil in those temptations? Another thing I’d like to caution each of us on – let us not be smooth talkers ourselves! Really. Think about your talk to others – are your words simple and sincere? Or are you smooth talking at times? I on occasion catch myself "talking smooth" and I’m so disappointed when I hear myself talk like that! I don’t think I’m hiding a wicked heart with those smooth words – but I’m sounding just fake as can be. I think maybe I default to smooth talking if I’m feeling tired or rushed or not confident for whatever reasons. I just pray that we would be sincere-talkers. Speak sincerely to each other from the heart. Through our relationship with Jesus, we should have nothing to hide from others. Let us leave our smooth talking ways completely behind! Let us talk simply and sincerely!
Worship Video: Psalm 103:11-12 reminds me of the Casting Crowns song "East to West." Enjoy this live version of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUkTenwz_mw
How far are your sins from you? Click here to send them as far as the East is from the West!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray immediately for Jesus’ help, whenever you are being tempted. Pray that Jesus will strengthen you in your sufferings and temptations and lead you to everlasting victory.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Hi. I am brand new here. This was my first time reading the blog. I just wanted to respond to your question about our favorite charitable organizations. I worked with Convoy of Hope last month for the huricane Katrina relief…and they were really great…I have also had some experience with World Vision…as our local Christian radio station works a lot with them.
Jennie
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Yes, Mike, I’m all for your suggested type of gift giving! Or vice versa – how about asking for those gifts when people ask if there’s anything they can get us for our birthday/ Christmas?
Oxfam have a similar gift giving scheme. (See http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.) Last year someone in our office organised that instead of spending money on Christmas cards for each other, we’d donate our £2 to Oxfam, and we ended up being able to buy a few goats and a cow and some chickens. I thought it was a great idea.
Caryn
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This year I think I might order alternative gifts to help “fight Bible poverty”, eg the Bible in audio, on a Megavoice player for a blind person, or Bible story books for Sunday School children in Russia. I have a catalogue from Bible Society, http://www.bibleresources.org.uk There are some good ideas, if you want an alternative to giving a goat! (UK)
Gill
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Strange image in Lamentations 4:3
“…my people have become heartless
like ostriches in the desert.” (TNIV)
I wonder what it meant to the writer.
I guess ostriches in the desert become mean, heartless, (maybe dangerous) creatures through lack of food and water.
Andrew
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PSALM 103 (English Standard Version)
1
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3
Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4
Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
8
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
10
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14
For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
~~~
He initiates and we respond. God loves to make the first move. Scripture says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” Only God can love God. It takes God to love God. Only God can love God. What does He do?
He sends out His Love to us. His Love comes to us, it changes something inside of us, and we end up giving back to God the very thing He gave us—Love! We love Him because He first loved us!
Whatever God wants from you, He intends to give you! So all of the commands of God are actually the desires of God.
~~~
What God wants from you, He intends to give you first!
So when He asks you to give Him the preeminence in your heart, what place do you have in His heart?
Preeminence!
God loves you as if you were the only person in the world. It is that personal. He loves you like you are the only person in the world. That is how great He is.
Vance
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Thankful that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love!
Johnnie
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I didn’t mind your tangent on the World Vision/Chistmas gifts. I think we all need to reminded once and while to GIVE! Thanks for all that you do.
Nicole
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Billy graham has suggested that some two thirds of Christians will not make it to heaven. The famous story of a man on his roof as the flood waters rose who prayed to God for salvation while ignoring the people God sent to save him also reminds us that prayer alone will not likely provide salvation or solutions to our problems. Alas, a Christian that prays is often worse than an Atheist that doesn’t as prayer is often only a tool that is itself worshiped (as Gideon did in Judges 8:27b or just as the inerrancy doctrine worships the Bible over God). There are many things one can do that are in effect doing less than nothing. An important real-life example is how political scientists have long concluded the greatest reason why there is such great hunger and violence in Africa is exactly the support efforts by Christian relief funds (movies like Lord of War like to suggest the reason is guns even though there is eight times more guns in America than all of Africa) that are trying to help (an effort so great as to equal 10% of the continent’s GNP) – good intentions are NEVER enough! When food shipments stop and doctors fighting disease go home even more children die as it is just like removing morphine injections from the body of an addict. African governments are generally less than three decades old and they are far more violent and poorly organized today specifically due to the addiction we have caused by giving fish rather than teaching them to fish. Most third-world groups respond to offers of help with, “Please, don’t send money!”
Nouwen has said (in a 1993 book Mike said was one of the most important in his life and so asked us what we thought of it, but we were all too busy being relevant to respond), “For Christian leadership to be truly fruitful in the future, a movement from the moral to the mystical is required” — that we must remember that it is more important to love Jesus than to be relevant. Robertson Davies adds that there is nothing more pitiable, nothing more pathetic, and nothing more irrelevant, than a church that tries to be relevant. We regularly read books and attend conferences that are supposed to help us and our churches become relevant, do something / anything remarkable, and lead boldly. Christ’s first temptation, however, was to be relevant: “turn stones into bread;” the second was to be spectacular: “throw yourself from the pinnacle of the temple and allow the angels to catch you in their arms;” and, the third was of power: “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world.” Kevin Miller also reminds us to “pause and reflect on the fact that Jesus regularly refused to do miracles on demand (John 6:26-31), that he asked many of the people who did receive his miracles not to talk about them (Mark 5:41-43), that he said some things almost certain to drive people away (John 6:53, 60, 61). And ultimately he was led away, like a lamb to the butcher.” For a society that normally measures success in terms of individual effectiveness, Nouwen offers a counter suggestion of “communal and mutual experience.” (p.40) He reflects on the success of Jesus’ disciples who were sent out in twos (like the paired, mature, autonomous workers of the IT’s Extreme Programming System Development Life Cycle Model) to proclaim the good news as all Christian leaders are called to live the Incarnation, in their own body as well as the corporate body of the community, and to discover there the presence of the Holy Spirit. (p.48)
Alas, if Rapture had only occurred thirty years ago, Africa would be a much better place today as Christians only curse our world (as they tithe less and divorce more than even atheists). We would likely do better focusing on the largest English speaking missionary field – America. Whatever, we need to wait on God’s answer and if we don’t hear Him speak… wait some more. François Fenelon said, “How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak” and Amy Carmichael added, “If you have never been hurt by a word from God, it is probably that you have never heard God speak.” Mark 16:17-18 states: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Paul did all these things… can you?
FG
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Psalm 103:12 says,”As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” What does this mean? How far is the east from the west? If one were to start at the North Pole and travel south, they would eventually end up in the South Pole. This is a measurable distance. But if one were to start travelling west they would never arrive at a point called East; you could never say that you have arrived at the East Pole; it is an inmeasurable distance. So it is with God’s forgiveness; it is infinite.
Michael Del.
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God’s love was greater than His pain.
Today during communion, I had a thought as I was contemplating how much Jesus suffered in my place. Oh, that I would love as God does and be more willing to take up my cross and walk in obedience to Him and meet needs with His love, no matter what the cost to me.
Then, I will meet needs like those talked about in this blog, because I have known and experienced a greater revelation of God’s love. How great is His love? – Psalm 103:11-12
Wendy
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We have given goats or chickens as gifts. People really do think it’s a wonderful idea to step away from “stuff” and know that someone is being helped. Don’t forget about our local Food Banks. There are many people who are suffering because of the economy. A local donation would be appreciated in any community.
Ann
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I appreciate your comments about the poor. There’s a proverb, can’t seem to find it, that says when we give to the poor we are giving a loan to the Lord. That verse really got my attention. The Baptist Global Response just held World Hunger Day and took collections.
God bless you!
Debbie
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Another wonderful charity that deals with world hunger is Samaritans Purse an organization that is headed by Franklin Graham. They too have a “gift Catalog”. God Bless you.
Ginnie
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I’ve been sponsoring children for the past 15+ year through Compassion International. I exchange letters with the children I sponsor and it’s truly a blessing for me. I also have a lot of respect for Samaritans Purse (Franklin Graham’s organization) and have supported them as well.
I take the mindset that if I’m reading or hearing or doing something and I get that voice in my head that says “give”, I give and trust that God will use my gifts in whatever way He deems best whether it’s a gift to someone I know personally or a gift to someone I don’t know personally.
Cheryl
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I thought your gift of a Goat is a great idea and I will try and put this into practice. I give to Samaritan’s Purse on occasion.
Billy
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Samaritan’s Purse also does a great job of helping those in need
William
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We contribute as best we can to filling “shoe boxes” to Franklin Grahams’ organization http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ that is done through our church.
Bob
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Compassion International is the organization I support.
Susan
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World Vision is certainly one of the great organizations. I love Heifer International as one not only buys a goat but the recipient is required to pass on the first born of her goat to another worthy person…and thus one goat can begin to bless many people in that community. Giving to our local food banks is critical today. We collect weekly at our church to sustain our local food bank that seems to have more and more families that need help. This seems the least we can do!!
Baxter
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We have given our children and grandchildren gifts in their name to Samaritan’s Purse for Christmas gifts the past ten years. It’s another great organization that reaches out in times of disaster and meets many of the needs of impoverished people. Also through them is Operation Christmas Child where people pack a shoe box full of fun and useful items that go to children all over the world.
What better to show Christ’s love !
Brian
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Watching our words…
God impressed me with the fact that I may as well use swear words because it was what I meant when I used substitute ones. Damn vs darn etc. This may only be for me. A purifying of my life by the Holy Spirit. It may be something else for another but ok for me.
Psalm 19.14 gwt
May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O LORD, my refuge and my redeemer!
Compassion is a child relief agency I used, to sponsor a girl until she aged out. They also had a catalog like World Vision.
Just a random thought. The direction of East to West is continuous. Whereas North to South is not. So if North to South was used instead our sins would not be as removed if my thinking is correct.
Nancy
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Indeed it is great to live for others and not just ourselves. I also do my bit through Dreams Arise Ghana. Others are welcome to look at the work of this organization as well.And Hebrews 2:16, was really loud in my heart and ears this evening; for surely it is not angels he helps but Abraham’s descendants 👏🤲🙌. God is indeed our very present help in our journey of faith, hallelujah
Deborah
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Hey Mike, I sponsored a child recently! It is so very rewarding. From World Vision. I dod sponsor from Holt International before as well. Good ministries.The Psalms today reminded me of several songs: Bless the Lord Oh my soul..worship his holy name. Also, Blessings. Lord bless you and keep you to your children and children’s children. Yes! Amen!!
Dee
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