Jer. 35 [The Message]

Jeremiah commended the Rechabite clan because they had honored their father’s commands for generations. They refused to drink strong drink and lived in tents as their forefather had encouraged.

Joshua made this statement … “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” No doubt, his example and statement of faith impacted his descendants. In Galatians 5, Paul made reference to the “Household of faith.”

As a Christian school leader, I quickly saw how the students would bring the culture of their home to school with them. They generally rooted for the same football team that daddy rooted for etc.

Parents, teach your children well how to live and conduct themselves. Your influence will shape the rest of their life.

Jer. 33 [The Message]

The Lord promised Jeremiah that there would be a perpetual priesthood to serve the Lord, all descendants of David who would offer the continual sacrifice (of praise) to the Lord.

Peter says it best … Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [1 Pet. 2:5]

It’s so thrilling to read the prophecies of God’s men of the Old Testament and see how The Church finds its place in God’s economy. You and I are the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prediction.

Jer. 32 [The Message]

The value of a restored automobile usually eclipses the original value of the car. Valued oil paintings by the masters are of far greater value than the original. A lot depends on the skill of the restorer. God is the GREAT RESTORER.

When the cleansing blood of Christ is applied to a broken and destroyed life, a RESTORATION happens.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [2 Cor. 5:17]

Jer 28-31 [Te Message]

To Jeremiah was given a message not only to his contemporaries, but to us and whomever participates in the New Covenant He cut with His People. When we read the Old Testament, we seemingly wade through minutia about what God’s People were going through at the time, but get occasional glimpses of The Eternal Church. As he proclaimed the message that the exiles were to return to Jerusalem, he also spoke of a New Jerusalem that would never again be destroyed. Whenever we read of Jerusalem or Zion, insert “The Church” and see what it means to you.

God is building and restoring people, not necessarily cities.

Jer. 27 [The Message]

When we play chess, we sit down and consider how to move our pieces. It must be similar for the Lord. He looks at nations and people groups and does what He wants to with them. His decisions are based upon the obedience or disobedience of their constituents, their inhabitants, and too often the conduct of their leaders. It’s not really our place to try to figure why He does what He does. It’s our place to pray and live lives of obedience and worship.

God ALSO bases His moves on what He hears His people praying.

If my people which are called by My Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chron. 7:14]

Jer. 26 [The Message]

We always consider that a message from the pulpit that leaves us excited and positive is a good message. This is true to a certain extent. Jeremiah was VERY UNPOPULAR because his message really ruffled feathers. He called out the sin and hypocrisy of Jerusalem’s inhabitants. Although a court of religious officials acquitted him, he could have lost his life.

David Wilkerson presented an unpopular message to the Church back in the 70s. It was called The Vision. Many still call it a false prophecy, but elements of it have come true. He primarily called out the sin of New York City and America’s slide from grace.

Christ’s message was unpopular to many. When He overturned the tables of the money-changers in the Temple, He created quite an uproar.

Preachers who harp on sin usually have small congregations. So, they give up the pastorate and become an evangelist.

Simply and profoundly, the messenger is responsible to God to give it as he/she received it … in love that is.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [2 Tim 2:24]

Jer. 24-26 [The Message]

This was some of the essence of what my Transplant Doctor said to me yesterday. First of all, we are glad he shared that my cancer remission is holding. I am to keep to the medicine regimen I’m on. But, if I want more energy, I need to exercise more. Patty will help me get on more of a disciplined way of living. Hopefully, results will follow.

How about you? Are there some ruts in your spiritual life? NOW is a good time to change. Establish daily spiritual exercise … time in God’s Word and prayer. Be faithful to church. Get involved in a small group Bible study. GOOD RESULTS will follow.

Jer. 22, 23 [The Message]

As Jeremiah was prophesying about Christ, he identified the fact that undersheperds need t round up the lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. After all, they are the Lord’s sheep and don’t belong to the undershepherds. In fact, a GOOD shepherd will leave the 99 and go retrieve the lost sheep.

It seems to me that pastors may spend too much effort on attracting the healthy sheep at the cost of allowing the unhealthy ones to remain out in danger. Rescuing dirty, rebellious sheep is hard work. SOMEBODY needs to do it.

Jer. 20, 21 [The Message]

New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle … we’ve witnessed the decay and degradation of many prominent cities recently. We must value them more than God does. He allowed Jerusalem to be downtrodden and burned by the Babylonians. We hear in the news that even Nazareth, Christ’s hometown, is in trouble right now.

Sin. It’s the one-word reason for their corruption and loss of prestige. You can’t keep kicking against God’s principles and His messengers and go merrily on your way.