Jeremiah 16:16-18:23 + 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3 + Psalm 81:1-16 + Proverbs 25:6-8
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Old Testament – There are a lot of great verses in Jeremiah’s readings today! Jeremiah 17:5 stands out: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord.” I think oftentimes we put more trust in others than the Lord – our spouses, our pastors, our friends, our family, and even ourselves. The risk here is that people are human and are not perfect. They will eventually disappoint at some point. God is the only perfect option to place our ultimate trust in. I do think we can still “trust” others to a degree – marriage of course being a prime example of this trust in another human. But, marriage will really only ultimately work if God is the “third cord” in the marriage (see Ecclesiastes 4:12). Overall, this verse wisely cautions that our highest level of trust should be reserved for God! Who will not fail us. Ever. Who do you trust these days the most? Do you trust God above anything or anyone else? Do you trust God more than you trust yourself?
Jeremiah 17:7-8 has some great imagery! “”But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.” These verses remind me a lot of Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3. Is God your hope and confidence? If so, do you feel like a tree planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water? How deep are your roots in God’s living water these days?
Jeremiah 17:19-27 are some powerful verses on the Sabbath! I talk a lot with my friends about taking Sabbaths. I am really bad at it… and I know I need it. And I know my friends need it too. I’ll have to remember verse 27 next time I’m having the Sabbath discussions with my friends… 🙂 “`But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.'” How are you doing on taking a Sabbath each week? What would your response be to a modern day Jeremiah standing at the gate and telling you to keep one day a week as a holy day unto the Lord?
I like this verse in Jeremiah 18:15 – “They have stumbled off the ancient highways of good, and they walk the muddy paths of sin.” I like that metaphor – the ancient highways of good. These sound nice! You want to be on these. And not veering off into the muddy paths of sin…
New Testament – The First Thessalonians verses today are great teachings on living to please God and the hope of the resurrection. A verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that I actual use fairly frequently is: “the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” I confess that I don’t get too into predicting “end times” scenarios. Pre-trib, post-trib, etc. I know many good friends who are into all of this. I guess I just come back to this verse about the day of the Lord coming unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. I think this also applies to each of our own lives. We don’t know how many years we have – hopefully many. But, you just don’t know. And I don’t really dwell or worry about it. The end of our lives will likely come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. And if we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we do not need to fear the day of the Lord!
In First Thessalonians 4:3-5 today we read this teaching of Paul’s: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust.” Are these verses contrary in any way to what you might see in our culture today? Are these verses contrary to any way that you might live your life? Do you see the value in this teaching of Paul’s? Is the lust / sexual immorality that our culture sells full of life or emptiness? Is this teaching of Paul’s full of life or emptiness? Are you controlling your own body in a way that is holy and honorable? What does Paul mean when he says it is God’s will that you should be sanctified? Do you want God to sanctify you? Will you participate in the sanctification process with God? Will you avoid sexual immorality?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Thessalonians chapter 4 titled “The Call to Holiness” is at this link. Below is a great image for 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 from today’s readings:
Psalms – I always like reading verses like 1 & 2 in Psalm 81 today – verses that speak of music & God – “Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Israel. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp.” Do you sing praises to God? Is God your strength? I’ll go off on a tangent here, which is always a risky thing to do… 🙂 I’ll admit that I am a music junkie. Really. I have loved music immensely ever since I was a pre-teen and heard K-TEL’s Hit Explosion with such songs as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” 🙂 Well, ever since then music has played an interesting role in my life – both positive and negative. Bottom line is that I think God used music to bring me to Him. Seven years ago I ended up at a rock & roll postmodern evangelical church where I really first heard songs about Jesus in a rock song! It was a paradigm shifter for me… I ended up accepting Jesus as my Lord & Savior at that church two months later – thanks in large part to an amazing pastor there at the time and thanks in large part to the rock & roll worship. I have to
confess that I do love any opportunity I can get to flat out worship God in a rock & roll worship way! 🙂 I do realize the risks of high energy rock music… it can propel people to do very dumb things. But I think it can also propel people toward Jesus. Maybe music is like anything else – it’s a double edged sword. I will share with you that a buddy of mine shared with me how he threw out every single one of his worldly / secular rock & rap CD’s after becoming a Christian. He said he didn’t want to be fed by the messages that are in those songs anymore. I tried following his lead on this – and actually threw a few CD’s in the trash… but I pulled them out before taking them to the dumpster. 🙂 I’m starting to think though that I have a few CD’s that need to get to that dumpster here sooner rather than later… I don’t listen to them. So why hang on to them at all? Hope you don’t mind this long tangent. Does anyone else have any music / God experiences that you would be up for sharing with us all? Please post up in the Comments section below! (And please forgive me for this image below… I couldn’t resist… 🙂
Proverbs – In proverbs 25:6-7 today we read – “Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It is better to wait for an invitation than to be sent to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!” This reminds me of Jesus’ parable of not taking the best seats at the feast, or you may be asked to move down. But take the lowest seats and you may be asked to move on up. This is similar to Jesus’ teaching: “those who are first, shall be last. And those who are last, shall be first.” Are you comfortable being last? This Proverb today also talks about waiting for an invitation. How are you doing these days on waiting? Are you comfortable with waiting? Are you even comfortable on waiting for God? I’ll share with you that when I am in a season of “waiting” I have been incredibly encouraged by Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” And I’ve also been encouraged greatly by the Lincoln Brewster song “Everlasting God” that has the awesome line – “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!” Amen! Do you feel your strength rising as you wait upon the Lord?
Worship Video: Based on my brief comments above about Lincoln Brewster’s awesome song “Everlasting God,” here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT0UodmNhKk
Do you know our God who reigns forever? Click here for your strong deliverer!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living a pure life. Pray that you are pursuing holiness in your life on a daily basis. Pray that you are repenting and fleeing from anything impure in your life.
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:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Kate:
As to the rock and roll music I am with you there. I think of that old song “Just give me that old time rock and roll”. As to whether you should throw it out, I think thats a personal decision, it depends on where your heart is or where it goes when you listen to it. Personally I would have trouble throwing out all of my secular stuff, course my secular stuff is the orginal cast of “My Fair Lady”. I love old musicals but then I love music period, it doesn’t matter what it is, I’ll even listen for a little while to country western, but not too long cause I’m a snob too. : ) But the thought that all the angels in heaven rejoice when I repent, WOW, that got to me. Then God would run to me and put a brand new robe on me and celebrate when I repent. That’s humbling, Thank you Jesus.
Kate
======= Sammy:
Regarding music and our approach to it, I honestly believe God likes all music…After all, he created it. It is so important that we realize that there is no such thing as secular or Christian music. Music is just music! Lyrics determine whether it is secular or Christian. So listen on to the music; just check out the lyrics…they’ll get you every time.
Sammy
======== Laura:
King David was also a music enthusiast. The book of Psalms contain many lyrics written by David. I believe that the book of Psalms offer a good preview of Christian music to come, and are some of our earliest Christian songs. Many Christian music artists today take their lyrics right out of Psalms and many other verses found in the bible.
Christian music does have a major impact on my life. I’ve promoted Christian music concerts at our church before. We invited Mitch McVicker to come once and were very blessed to have him. Some of you have probably heard of Rich Mullins, right? Well McVicker traveled with Rich and was his drummer. Mitch was in the SUV when Rich Mullins died in that accident many years ago. Mitch tours with another guy and they are very good. Mitch McVicker suffered a coma due to the accident and gives an amazing testimony when he sings. I helped arrange for Mitch to play at the Spirit West Coast music festival in Monterey CA back in 1999. I got to meet his family who came out to see him and take vacation. I love going to the music festival and have attended many of them. If anyone is out in CA, I encourage you to check it out. It would be a good vacation get away. I think I might of mentioned this before in another post. Check out this web site: http://www.spiritwestcoast.org. Concert dates in Del Mar (southern Ca) And in Monterey (Central Coast, northern) are posted above. Music concerts appear all over the United States and in other parts of the world as well. There are Christian music cruises such as the one in the Mexican Riviera at http://www.christiantravelfinder.com. I’m not a promoter for them, so don’t get me wrong. I believe that a lot of people come to Christ, as Mike said through concerts and Christian events such as these. Some of those people would never darken the doors of a church. If events such as these, get people to church, it has to be a good thing.
I promoted a youth concert that was lots of fun. We had the band Switchfoot play. They are surfers from southern Ca and are pastors son. Great group of guys.
Laura
====== Jan:
In regard to music: I have lots of secular lyrics/music…some just intrumental movie soundtracks (mostly about flying). I have some CD’s by Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Celine Deon; Nat King Cole & lots of beautiful worship & praise music. AND…I will tell you this…the lyrics to 99.9% of secular music that I listen to brings no life at all. After I listen to it for a while…I have to stop listening to it & go back to Words of Life. It is all about what we put in our “ear” & “eye” gates…the pride of life & the lust of the eye that will tempt & get us every time. I watch less TV than I have in all my life & read more books (Christian nonfiction material) & read the Word daily. I can only listen to secular lyrics for so long & then the Holy Spirit woos me back to the “truth” & I leave the world behind once again.
Jan
======= Pat:
Mike, let me share a true story with you that may explain why you haven’t thrown out the CD’s. When I was in college, I went with my Mom and Dad to a party given by one of their good friends Vic. Years before Vic had told me that he was an alcoholic and hadn’t had a drink in years. I was surprised to see an unopened fifth of Kentucky bourdon sitting in the center of his mantle in the living room and just kept staring at it. Vic came over and explained that it had been nearly 20 years since he had consumed any form of alcohol. He placed the unopened bottle on the mantle the day he stopped drinking and it had stayed there unopened ever since. He said that every time he looked at it he thanked God for opening the door of his heart and throwing out his addiction. This really made an impression on me! I’m now nearly 65 and still tear up when I think about the great message that God used Vic to deliver to me as a young college student. Vic was buried with that bottle and his faithful Bible in the coffin with him and everyone at the funeral was deeply touched and in tears as the minister explained the meaning of them during the service. Maybe having the CD’s in the house but not listening to them is your way of dealing with and accepting how God has changed your life. Why not display one where you can see it and every time you look at it do as Vic did – lift the Lord up in praise and thank Him for coming into your heart and changing your lifestyle?
God Bless!
Pat
====== Halle:
I could go off on a music tangent too. I’m a huuuuge music fan! I gave it to God. He will deal with it over time. I struggled with not listening to secular music for yrs, but I felt restricted, I didn’t feel free in Christ. I monitored wat I listened to of course…and God shows me the thoughts that go in my mind when I listen to bad music, thoughts of self pity or anger…they all take my eyes off Christ…and shows me the consequences, but lovingly.
I pretty much only listen to Christian music now, not because I tossed my cds and am too holy for secular music, but I gradually am just changing, I have a heart now that just wants to meditate on the Lord, worship Him.
I know some ppl think if its rock, even Christian, its bad. My dad is like that…if it has “a beat” it must be bad. But I can tell you, one of the best concerts I ever went to was Kutless and we rocked out hard!!! and worshipped the Lord, it was amazing! God was soooo there, it was amazing!!!
Halle
====== Romanye:
Hmmm, while I have to confess I do love a strong rock beat with the best of them, when it comes to “Christian” music, I think it’s pointless to call it such if it doesn’t then truly edify God. My problem with 2/3 of what’s termed CCM music out there today is that much of it has become so worldly there’s little difference – many of the lyrics could just as easily be secularly aimed as Christian with double meanings about love etc, and then there are the downright diabolical bands (to me) like Stryper and some other extremely heavy metal rock bands that I truly seriously and categorically do NOT think should ever be classed as Christian – firstly their music is so noisy you couldn’t enjoy it unless you’re semi-deaf, and secondly I’ve yet to be able to make out a full sentence in some of the lyrics, and usually if I do manage to do so, I find they’re singing about cars, or drugs or some other secular/worldly topic with the odd “Jesus” maybe thrown in which is presumably what classifies it as Christian for some reason. A fair few years ago I heard a song by a group on an album Salvation Singing which I think was primarily Australian or else the group itself was – they’d come up with a song titled “Yay God”, and it had a superb rock beat to it that I totally fell in love with initially, but the lyrics were primarily “Yay God” repeated over and over like a permanent chorus. It worked well in some respects, but I remember thinking – if I was to come face to face with God today would I EVER be likely to walk up to him and go “Yay God, how’ya doing man”!! You get my drift. I then watched a video about Christian rock that pretty much finished it for me, and I now listen to at least the gentler side of CCM music (Third Day, Jars of Clay etc), but even my ‘hero’ Michael W Smith has veered off at times into more secular music, so I figure the best attitude is to recognise that I can enjoy music for its own sake, and not get too strung up about it, BUT if I desire to use it to worship God, then it absolutely has to have lyrics that speak about HIM, not my relationship with Him, which is where so many get it wrong. The good old fashioned hymn writers had it right more times than not, and I think sometimes we need to be more careful in not being so much a part of the world, we’re no longer distinguishable from it! :)).
Romayne
======= John:
Romayne,
I concur. Lucky for me, I have never been big into music. I used to listen to it occasionally in my life, but never collected or got caught up in it. Now, as a Christian, I love it on Sunday when the music is understated, and the lyrics are scriptural or center on God.
The rest of the week is about prayer and Scripture for me.
I recently found out – that apparently this is a big controversy and the source of more email to the pastoral staff than any other topic????? Makes me wonder – but I refuse to get into discussions (at my church)on this topic, and just pray that whatever is done in my “church” is pleasing to God.
John
======= Michael:
Such a time it was!!
I am glad after reading Jeremiah that I live today and not back then…..or am I?
In those days as I read it, it seems like some people argue that black was black and White was white and you knew who was a follower of “the Lord” and who was not.
Like today, or is it?
Some of the most heinous crimes have been committed by people who eventually went on to be “saved.”
And conversely, some of the “most devout” and “righteous” people I know have fallen greatly and some seemingly to never rise again.
Who knows? The shadow? Like the old cartoon? I certainly don’t. The passage in Jeremiah 17 reads like a psalm and a proverb and a teaching and warning and frankly if I were reading that as a new Beleiver I think I might look elsewhere for hope.
Or become a Puritan, or a very very devout ultra-orthodox Jew, or maybe a Monk.
I remember the quote Mahatma Gandhi said about being a Christian, He would follow Jesus if his followers were more like Him.
When I think about how far we have made Grace apply to freedom…. I am glad we have a balance in reading some rather stiff penalties for disobedience to God….and yet…
if Israel had not returned to the Land….if God had not forsaken his people (for a season) and includes them in salvation for eternal life..,
if God had not given signs to reveal his return and continues to fulfill his promises and not just in a personal intimate way…but also the “big picture” items
I don’t think I would have followed “this Living God.”
but might have choseN to be a buddhist or a monk or some “peaceful” way.
But the radical nature of God calling into question my heart, even thoughts as Jesus Said….,
And the realization of how true I know every other single human heart in the world is: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
No matter who “looks like” they are “keeping commandments” or breaking all the rules, or……
I realize we are all on even ground here except:
“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
You know….I like that.
It’s been a long time coming but without zeal and emotion or emotive rationalizations:
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”
I once wanted to save the World, then I wanted to exit the world, then I hated the world and in some superficial ways I love the world (even some dumb distractions) but all in all I am content in realizing less the “need” in all the passages I read today and more the Rest (or sabbath) in them.
For an A type personality like mine, it is a good thing to find rest in my mind and soul everyday,
then to keep working at saving the Whole World.
God seems to be doing just fine.
Michael
====== Andrew:
we are not to be lazy (proverbs) but work with our hands (1 Thessalonians)
working with our hands is important for lots of reasons and God is talking to me about this – crafts, physical labor, and having credibility in the local scene by MAKING something.
i am planning to include crafts in our training for next year.
Andrew
====== Sam:
Is masturbation a form of sexual immorality? What does the scripture say about masturbation?
Sam
====== John:
Sam,
It does not say much, if anything explicitly.
Truth is, if you do a search (google, yahoo, etc.) with words: [masturbation, sin, Bible] – you will get a variety of articles from differing Christian perspectives.
For me, it can not be done without lustful images – so, to me, it is a form of sexual immorality, thus a sin.
Of this I am convinced in my own mind.
John
====== Jenny:
oh yes, i remember ur music tangent last year. you know..a couple days ago i just had it on my heart to get rid of many of my secular cds. things from my late teens, my former idols like nirvana, alice n chains, etc. I have no business listening to that stuff n no desire any more. Much of that stuff is a sin for ME to listen to, not necessarily other ppl, but some of these dudes were my gods. it only brings me pain and separates`me from God. so i got a big bag and stuffed about 20-30 cds away. I actually dont listen to those anymore anyway…but just seeing them in my room isnt something i feel comfortable with anymore. I never ever want to back to my old life…I dont even want to remember those feelings. So yeah, goodbye former rock gods!
Lots of great scripture today!
Jere.17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,”
v 9-10: 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind,”
–If you dont believe this, that the heart is wicked…ask the Lord to reveal your heart to you. You are in for some extreme pain! He will only reveal a little at a time bcos the shock n pain u will find is just too much to take!
I love this. this is what I desire:
1 Th 4:11-12 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
I cant even tell you what 1 Thess 4:13-18 means to me. My pastor gave me that scripture after my mama died 11 yrs ago…and it just blessed me and comforted me more then anything!! (my mama was a born again believer). I really cant express what it means to me, but of course i think of my mama when I reread that.
Jenny
====== Luch:
loved lincoln brewster’s song–wait upon the Lord!!! great inspiration and focus ON THE LORD!!!
Luch
======== Reuben:
I did pray for a new job, but I also want to thank you for the blessing that this blog has been for me as I continue to cycle through the Bible. Thanks for your faithfulness.
Reuben
======= Grant:
You missed a bet by not commenting on 1 Thes. 4:6. Here Paul is saying that sex with someone other than your mate “cheats another Christian.” Every teen and anyone else contemplating extramarital sex should consider that.
If youth A has sex with youth B, the future mates of each have been “cheated” out of the virginity of their mate. And the two having the illicit sex have cheated their future mates out of being “first” or “the only one.”
As a husband, I’d hate to think my wife had sex with someone else before we married and, as my wife, she’d feel cheated if I’d had sex with someone else.
No question about it – abstinance is the only way!
Grant
======== Kenny:
Like you I do engage the eternal best through the medium of music. Like your friend, I had to get rid of all the stuff from my former life, though I do like to listen to secular music at times, I am very concious of the message that comes along with the lyrics. Just because we like something doesn’t necessarily mean it is what is best for us(yikes!’ LET THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE YOU TOWARD WHAT IS GOD AND RIGHT FOR YOU!!
Kenny
======= Karen:
As we are reading these latest verses in Jeremiah I am thinking of America. Wondering how fed up God is with us and all our sins. Wondering if he’s lifting his shield of protection. Don’t have an answer just realize that as we continue to turn from him he may turn from us.
I have a classic translation of the Greek New Testament and it’s interesting what 1 Thessalonians 4:17 actually says it Greek.. ” … as for us who are living and who are left behind, together with them we shall be snatched away forcibly in clouds for a welcome meeting with the Lord in the lower atmosphere” Kenneth S Wuest (Greek Translation) Just find the snatched away forcibly line to be very descriptive. and the translation also says the clouds are “masses of saints having the appearance of clouds”.
Great reading once again today!
Karen
====== Janet:
I have so enjoyed following your blog over this year of reading through the Bible. I love all the extra pictures, music, etc. you include as well as how you share your heart. However, I have no idea who you are or where these might be originating – what country or area of the US. I thought at first you might be a pastor, but think I read that you aren’t, but that this is your ministry. I’d love an e-mail giving some background on you.
Thanks,
Janet
========= Duane:
I love Christain music, but sometimes the music drowns out the words you want people to remember. My favorite group is Casting Crowns. I also like today’s country music but I don,t listen to it a lot, I look for the message. If the message is steering me away from God, then I know I need to turn away from it. Its funny ,there are alot of songs in my past that I still remember, the Beatle songs and the Rolling Stones. The words are still fresh in my mind.The secular songs of today are twisting our minds, we know what the bible says but then a catchie song will tells us that everyone is doing it. The bible tells us to renew our minds daily.
Duane
======= Greg:
Steven Curtis Chapman has been a great source of renewal for me. Too many songs to name!
Greg
======= Ginny:
Call me old fashioned (and indeed I am!) but I much prefer the more traditional worship music of Bach, Ritter, Pachebel and others but I do also enjoy Chris Tomlin and some other gentler forms of contemporary Christian bands.
Ginny
======== Alan:
I went from Maggie May in my most sinful years to Why me? by Kris Kristofferson in my transforming years. Now Southern Gospel is my favorite. God has brought me back from sin and given me new life. I still slip and fall more than I want to, but in leaning on the Holy Spirit, I find I can keep more away from sin more. He is mine and Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. I’ve been truly blessed and am so grateful we have a God of second chances.
Alan
======== Shinya:
In this chapter, Paul asks us to live to please the Lord. We should not be impure, but holy. We need to try to ignore the evil temptations, and do what is right and holy. This passage made me remember, Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Shinya
====== Angela:
Jeremiah 17:5-8 is the part that stood out the most. God has two main points here: 1.) People who trust in man will be cursed and 2.) People who trust in God will be blessed. God says that people who depend on flesh will be like “a bush in the wastelands”. And people who depend on God will be like “a tree planted by the water”. This shows that we really do need God to prosper and thrive like the tree. With him, we will not need to worry when bad things come our way. But if we don’t follow God, we will end up like that dried bush. (Not a very good way to go.)
Angela
======= Richie:
God tells us to live in a way that pleases God, and if we don’t (including having sinful thoughts and actions), we disobey God and are rejecting him. We do not need to be sad about people who die if they die with Christ, because they are in a better place with God. Also, we should not just rest because the day of the Lord is coming sooner.
Richie
======== Marie:
I like the comment about the sabbath and it just so happens that it’s the fourth commandment. The Lord said remember the sabbath to keep it holy, six days you should work but the seventh is for rest. Since it’s a commandment like the other nine why aren’t churches teaching Christians this and are keeping only nine of the commandments but not the sabbath?
Marie
======= Nancy:
I like Casting Crowns & Steven Curtis Chapman. Gave up Christian radio when they started playing more secular music. On my way to church that was what I heard. Quit & never went back. Hymns & older music are more focused on Bible truth. Noticed lately scripture set to music, similar to “The Living Letters Sing The Living Word” from years ago, is being promoted. Thanks Mike for all you do.
Nancy
======= Dee:
Jeremiah 17:7-8 wow some of my fave verses. Great are the ones who put their trust in the Lord. They are trees planted by the waterside..so we need His source. His loving water and be deeply rooted in Him.
Being sanctified in the Lord and keeping pure for him. I think the biggest distractor is in our mind. It can play tricks and be deceiving. Just trust and focus on the Lord. Amen..
Gratitude and obedience..Asaph celebrating..probably passover..if only we would listen..our life would be much happier
Proverbs 25:6-8..wait for an invite rather be disgraced. Don’t get in such a hurry..
Dee
======= Jill:
I love Christian contemporary music and I love rock music! I grew up in that classic rock era! But I pretty much love the upbeat but don’t think about the lyrics!
God certainly speaks to me now in worship music!
Thanks for being so honest n truthful.
I feel like we need to always put God first before Family too. Even family let us down!! But God never does!
Jill
====== John:
The Coming of the Lord – 1st Thessalonians Chapter 4
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
Thessalonians are expectant that Jesus will return soon – but have a concern – what about the believers who have already died? Are they going to miss out in bodily form?
Paul is giving comforting words, not exhaustive teaching here. But there is much to glean from these and following passages. Paul does not want them to be ignorant about the dead (those who have fallen asleep), nor grieving like men who are not believers – he will share with them what he knows.
The Coming of the Lord here is based on two truths. Christ died and Chris is risen. We all will die, and as Christ was the first fruits of those risen, when we die (before this event) we will be in heaven in spirit. The dead will be coming back with the Lord at this time, by the authority of God, in spirit with Christ.
What next?
======================================================
15According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
Where is the authority for this comforting – from the Lord himself. Whether a revelation, or taught to Paul in Arabia, or a mystery revealed – Paul is clear – what I am saying comes from the Lord.
Those still alive (us right now) at the coming of the Lord… “coming” is Gk. “parousia” and may be better translated “presence” – would make things clearer if one thinks about the Lord’s presence as a series of events – Rapture, Second coming, judgment, etc. all have the earmarks of the Lord’s presence.
When this presence happens we (who are alive) will not precede the dead. Whoa – the dead have already preceded us – they are with the Lord in spirit. What gives Paul? Looking ahead – Paul is saying that in the bodily ressurection of believers – the previously dead (those fallen asleep) will precede those of ua alive at this time of Jesus’ presence.
======================================================
16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
How will this happen? Notice Paul does not say when – set a date though he is anticipating it – probably in his lifetime. We are not to set a date either – no matter how many signs we see in our lifetime – we are to just live in anticipation of this great event.
But it will go down like this – Jesus will come down from heaven as that is where he ascended. He will come down with a command. Since the dead (the bodies who have fallen asleep) will go first – this command may be somethiong like for Lazarus – “Come Forth!”. Archangel reference is interesting. Michael is only angel literally called Archangel in bible, and he is specifically linked to Israel. Not sure what archangel’s role is in this presence of the Lord.
And there will be a trumpet call. Much has been made of the trumpet call saying it is same as in Revelation, and to argue mid-point and pre-trib raptures. Personally, I think too much has been made of this. There are lots of trumpet calls in the Bible. In Ex.19 trumpet is used to assemble the people, in Zephaniah 1:16 and Zechariah 9:14 a trumpet was used as a signal of the Lord’s coming to rescue His people from wicked oppression. Perhaps the trumpet call is no more than that – a signal from the Lord to assemble and deliever His people (chosen ones – believers) from the coming Tribulation.
What next?
======================================================
17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Then we who are still alive will be caught up (bodily)…”caught up” Gk. “harpazō” snatched;claimed for oneself eagerly. It is going to happen quickly as the “twinkling of the eye” reference in the Bible.
And we will meet where? In the clouds, in the air. Clouds are often associated with diven appearances – so this may not be literal as much as “out there” – the important thing is we will be with the Lord and the departed saints in bodily form – to then at some time receive our glorified bodies.
That is the comfort Paul is giving to Thessalonians – don’t worry, it will all work out – at some point in time the Lord will call us all to Him – those dead and those still alive – in rapid succession.
======================================================
Notice the similarity of this event and the bridegroom coming for his bride in the Jewish wedding protocol – Point 11 at the following link.
http://www.linkjesus.com/weddingstudy.htm
Here is my personal belief – Jesus will come back for us (dead and alive believers) before the Tribulation. Why? 1)Because God says the church will not experiance His wrath – we get chastisement and punishment all the time, but not His wrath. 2)Because I believe the Tribulation has a specific purpose – to bring Israel to its knees and have them call on the name of the Lord – Jesus – “Jehovah is salvation”. There is no need for the Church to be involved in that process.
I realize others have passionate disagreement with me. Fine. State your interpretation of these verses for everybody to read. As for me – I am quite comfortable with my interpretation, and will not get into any discussions with other posters or readers over fine points of the “return of Christ”.
John
====== Vance:
Jeremiah 17
5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
6
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.
~~~
NOTE: I know of an American man, born in Kansas, who is an ardent follower of Buddha-based devotion called “Falun Dafa”. Buddhists, and all belief systems growing out of Buddhism, do not believe in God. Their goal is to become “fully human”. My co-worker, and others like him, truly are “putting their trust in mere humans and their hearts are turning away from the Lord.”
Even though their lives seemingly have more of the “fruit” of peace than some Christians I know, it is not God’s peace. God’s peace can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 17
9
“The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
10
But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Jeremiah 18
1
The LORD gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
2
“Go down to the shop where clay pots and jars are made. I will speak to you while you are there.”
3
So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel.
4
But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so the potter squashed the jar into a lump of clay and started again.
5
Then the LORD gave me this message:
6
“O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.
7
If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed,
8
but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.
9
And if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great,
10
but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would.
11
“Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, `This is what the LORD says: I am planning disaster against you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’ ”
I Thessalonians 4
3
God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.
4
Then each of you will control your body[NOTE] and live in holiness and honor—
5
not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways.
[NOTE] 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or will know how to take a wife for himself
***
We cannot love God without obeying God. For what we do reflects what we believe and in whom (or what) we place our confidence. There is no other way it can be. There is no such thing as a “non-choice” in this matter.
I am really praying that I really see my human heart for what it really is, and the outcome of simply allowing myself to follow the human heart. The only way to become “fully human” is to yield to, and become like—through God’s Spirit—the truly Perfect Man, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Again, I like what Martin Luther says about humanity without Jesus:
“Take the talents of wisdom and integrity. Without Christ, wisdom is double foolishness and integrity double sin, because they not only fail to perceive the wisdom and righteousness of Christ, but hinder and blaspheme the salvation of Christ.
The white devil of spiritual sin is far more dangerous than the black devil of carnal sin because the wiser, the better men are without Christ, the more they are likely to ignore and oppose the Gospel.”
May more of the Lord Jesus be understood by me and SEEN in me as I love Him with all of my heart. I am a long way from that. Yet, by God’s grace, I am an avid seeker of that.
Vance
======== Laura:
Why We Must Shine
You just never know when you plant seed where it will fall. It pays dividends to have the word of God hidden in your heart and to be able to be obedient to 1st Peter 3:15 which tells us we should be able always to share the reason of the hope within us with meekness and fear and to present to them the truth of the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
A friend of mine Bob from a Christian chat room shared with me about his friend Ed. Bob said that his friend Ed, a previous co-worker, has been born again quite a while now and he has grown in Christ so much it is unbelievable to watch him share Christ with others, at work, at home, wherever he finds himself. He is a real blessing and indeed a true friend.
Do not be afraid to PLANT SEED WITH THOSE AROUND YOU and to share the gospel message through salvation in the finished work of Christ on the cross and HIS shed blood and your faith in that atonement as the one and only means of Salvation.
Bob goes on to say, Getting this E mail today after coming home from Bible class at the church really blessed me as we studied Ephesians 1:1-14 which has to do with the gospel of salvation to the unbeliever in Christ Jesus and HIS shed blood on the cross of Calvary.
Bob
Bob could you proof this for me. I have to preach this Sunday and would like your feed back. This was from Bob’s pastor:
——————————————————————————–
Why We Must Shine!
Intro: Thank Pastor Fleming and welcome the church
Story/Ice breaker:
Have you ever had someone give up their life to save yours?
I did and I want to share that story with you now!
About 18 years ago I was swimming in a lake. Just having fun and not paying much attention to my surroundings. I was slowing getting pulled in deeper and deeper. Then a friend told me I was in trouble! At first I thought he was kidding then after surveying my condition, I knew he was right! I started heading back to where I knew I would be safe, but I couldn’t get there. Other people started yelling to me with instructions on what to do, but nothing helped! I was a goner, until I spotted this guy. He was coming toward me. As I was going under and I felt his touch and he was able to save me and that is why I’m here today! However a heavy price was pay to save me that day! It cost my Hero his life, he was willing to give up his life in order that I could live! Wow, I would do that for my wife, kids, maybe a close friend, but for a stranger? I doubt it! Yet he was willing to save me a stranger from death.
There may be others here today with a similar story! You see that lake was the “Lake of Sin” and that friend who told me I was in trouble was Bob Durham, I work with him at WCC. He guided me through the Holy Scriptures and showed me I was in trouble with God! I was dead to my sin and only by the Blood of Jesus, someday I will be able to stand in front of the God of this universe and be welcomed!
You see there are only two types of people in this world!
“Children of God” or “Children of Satan”!
In John 3:16 we can see God’s Heart
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God’s desire is that no one would perish and if you are sitting hear today and have never heard this message! Don’t leave till you have talked with someone. If you are born again this message is for you!
Did you know that 7 people die every second!!
That’s over 600,000 people who will die today!
They will either be welcome into heaven or hell today!!
I want to ask the church:”Do you care?”
Do you care enough to do something about it?
I read this great book I would recommend to everyone!
“One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven” by Mark Cahill
Any Idea what that one thing is you can’t do in Heaven is?
The only thing you can’t do in heaven is tell sinners about Jesus! It will be too late!
Let’s read Matthew 18:11
Would someone read this verse aloud!
NIV won’t have this verse in it!
“The Son of Man has come to save that which is lost.”
If this was Jesus main mission! Then that should be our main mission.
You see three million years now, the only thing that will matter is who is in heaven and who is in hell.
That should be our greatest concern now!
There is a lot of BS going in today’s churches. Let me clarify myself here;
BS means “Busy Stuff” not the worldly meaning
You see we are so busy building churches, having meetings, doing Bible Studies, that if we are honest with ourselves we have forgotten to “seek and save the lost”
I don’t want to embarrass anyone, but I want to ask you some personal questions that I want you to know that only I and God will see your responses.
So will everyone close their eyes and if the following questions apply to you please raise your hand.
Has there ever been a moment in your life that you have asked Jesus into your life?
Has anyone shared the gospel with anyone this week?
Has anyone shared the gospel with anyone this month?
How about in the last year?
Last question, who has never shared their faith with anyone?
Thank you for sharing with me!
Let’s look at another verse. Lets all turn to James 4:17
“Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin”
You see most of us know about the sins of commission (doing what God has told us not to do.)
This verse applies to the sin of “OMISSION” not doing what we are supposed to do!
These are our marching orders:
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
So where are we to preach the Gospel?
Into all the world
Who are we to preach to?
Every creature!
I plan to spend the rest of my life proclaiming the gospel to everyone God leads down my path. I know there are going to be days I fall short and fail, but I will just get back up keeping my eyes on Jesus and keep telling others the good news.
Will you join me??????
And the point to my sharing this E-mail with you today is to let you know that God is at work everyday. Whether it be on the Internet in chat or blogs such as this or in Christian music, it is all for the glory of God. If it brings people to Christ and salvation than it’s a good thing. I hope everyone has a blessed day and rejoice because we have a savior who was willing to die for us.
Laura
====== Vance:
Jeremiah 16 (NKJV)
16
“Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the LORD, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
NOTE:
The context determines the proper meaning for these phrases:
a.
“I will send for many fisherman, and they shall fish them”
b.
“I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them”.
Jeremiah 16 (NKJV)
14
“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’
15
but, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.
Thus, the “fishing” and the “hunting” apply to God fulfilling His covenant promise to bring back the remnant of faithful people who are left after God’s judges the larger group for deliberate, consistent sin.
What was the deliberate, consistent and persistent sin of the people?
Jeremiah 16 (NKJV)
10
“And it shall be, when you show this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’
11
then you shall say to them, ‘Because your fathers have forsaken Me,’ says the LORD; ‘they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me and not kept My law.
12
And you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, each one follows the dictates of his own evil heart, so that no one listens to Me.
~~~
O Lord, we need Your help to walk in the purity in which You, Yourself, have created us to live! O Lord, BE OUR PURITY!
The Holy Spirit agrees with our prayer that He would be our purity:
Jeremiah 17 (NKJV)
14
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.
~~~
Jeremiah 17 (NKJV)
1
“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with the point of a diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars,
2
While their children remember their altars and their wooden images [Hebrew: Asherim, Canaanite deities] by the green trees on the high hills.
NOTE:
I ask forgiveness for all of the times I have not meditated on Your Word, Lord.
What we consistently and persistently meditate on will “written with a pen of iron” and “with the point of a diamond it [will be] engraved on the tablet of [the] heart”.
What we, as adults meditate on is what we will, sooner or later, act upon. And our children will copy us:
What we think on and act on, they will follow. “. . . children remember their altars and their wooden images”.
~~~
Jeremiah 17 (NKJV)
21
Thus says the LORD: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
22
nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
25
then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever.
27
“But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.”
NOTE:
Take time to set aside time to seek the Lord and wait on Him. Take time to be holy.
Hebrews 4 (Amplified)
9
So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God;
10
For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.
11
LET US THEREFORE BE ZEALOUS AND EXERT OURSELVES AND STRIVE DILIGENTLY TO ENTER THAT REST [OF GOD, TO KNOW AND EXPERIENCE IT FOR OURSELVES],
that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].
~~~
Jeremiah 17 (NKJV)
9
“ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;
who can know it?
10
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
NOTE:
THANK GOD that God searches and tests our hearts and minds. God does this so we can see ourselves as we really are in the mirror of His Word and His Spirit.
God does this so we will be able to come to Him and ask for His Grace to work in us to make us who He wants us to be.
Only Christ and His
Grace working within can purify us and change us.
Daily surrendering to the One Who surrendered for us!
Jeremiah 18 (NKJV)
5
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
6
“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!
7
The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it,
8
if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.
11
“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”
~~~
I Thessalonians 4 (NIV)
3
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4
that each of you should learn to control his own body [Or. . . learn to live with his own wife; or learn to acquire a wife] in a way that is holy and honorable,
5
not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
NOTE:
What a fitting passage! The same God who inspired and breathed out the Old Testament is the same God who inspired and breathed out the New Testament.
There is great wisdom here.
a.
THERE IS GRACE AVAILABLE. . .to learn to control desires and thus the human body.
b.
THERE IS GRACE AVAILABLE. . .to choose to honor my wife because God honors her
c.
THERE IS GRACE AVAILABLE. . .for us to honor one another in purity and true love
Romans 12 (NKJV)
9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
~~~
Psalm 81 (NKJV)
10
I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11
“But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me.
12
So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.
13
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!
14
I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.
NOTE:
God’s Patience and Love with us is amazing!
May we quickly confess, repent, and daily surrender.
And may we continually surrender each day so we can be filled with God’s Spirit, so the Loving Lord can fulfill His purposes for and in us!
I John 1 (NKJV)
7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
I John 2 (NKJV)
24
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Vance
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