"You say, "That's not true! I haven't worshiped the images of Baal!"
Jeremiah 2:23
Jeremiah 2:23
My Take Aways
Something Old:
No matter how far I roam in sin, how much I cheapen myself to the dime-store gods I create God will never forgot about me.
"Does a young woman forget her jewelry?""Does a bride forget her dress?"
Something New:
Satan lures me with things that will make me want to return back to my idols. He feeds my human desires with distractions which make me pant for the wrong things.
Something to Do:
Just come home and repent.
12 Comments:
Morgen,
In response to your question yesterday re Courson's comment on 2 Chron 33:17. Here's what he says:
"This proves that devotion can't be dictated. Manasseh commanded his people to serve the Lord God of Israel, but they didn't comply."
As I was reading that my eyes wandered to the other verses like when God heard Manasseh's prayer:
"It's when we're afflicted that we finally cry out to the Lord in sincerity and desperation. If He heard Manasseh's prayers, don't you know He'll hear your prayer when you cry to Him?"
Also re King Josiah 2 Chron 34:1-5:
"...three hundred years earlier, when Jeroboam was king, an unnamed prophet came on the scene and we read that he cried against the altar, saying, "A child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name, and upon thee shall he sacrifice the priests of the high places" (see 1 Kings 13). The promises of God come to pass. Oh, they might take a little longer than we anticipate but they will come to pass." (p. 1212, Jon Courson's Application Commentary OT, vol.1)
Now off to read today's reading.
Just letting all of you know how much you bless me. You might forget that there are many of us out here that listen to Wendy's video and read the posts, but we either don't have time to post or are less vocal. I am so encouraged by your witnesses and testimonies to God's truths. Know that God is using all of you, whether you are aware of it or not. Blessings, Krista
I've been gone for a month - to Europe where I did not have daily access to Wendy. Is there a video archive anywhere? I kept up with the readings, some of which were the most beautiful ever, but I am hungry for Wendy's related daily video messages.
G&P..thank you for looking that up for me. It so reminds me of the old Stav Churches in Norway. The king back then told the people they would be Christian or he would kill them. (Belief cannot be dictated); so on these churches were crosses, but also carved idols that they previously worshipped. They were covering their "butts" just in case Christianity wasn't true.
Now to listen to Wendy!
Be back later...
Morgen
God certainly gave Jeremiah a 'turn and repent' sort of message! I think what struck me most is just how many different ways God was calling these people back, and yet they continued on in their pagan ways. He promised to "heal their wayward hearts" if they turned back to Him, but somewhere else also said that while He couldn't possibly forget them, did they really expect Him to just forget about all this time when they were so disobedient? He even mentioned punishing their children and they still didn't get it. God goes to such lengths to get our attention - and He's still there, still waiting.
I looked up the Matthew Henry commentary to see if there was anything encouraging because the warnings were kind of scary today, and MH said that:
Repenting sinners may encourage themselves that God will not keep his anger to the end. All God's mercies, in every age, suggest encouragement; and what can be so desirable for the young, as to have the Lord for their Father, and the Guide of their youth? Let parents daily direct their children earnestly to seek this blessing.
I bet Jeremiah didn't get invited to many dinner parties! What a sad job he had to be the constant bearer of such bad news - and yet how good to know that you're doing exactly what God wants you to do!
Franny, I've been thinking about your statement ever since I read it yesterday morning. I'm sure God will show you what other plans He has for you in this next stage of your life, but don't underestimate the power of a farmer! We all need you, and there are so many lessons to be learned just from observing God's faithfulness to bring new life and nourishment from the dirt. Lately I keep hearing about summer 'farming camps' where parents send their kids to a farm to work for a week or more just to learn the work ethic or gain some basic knowledge about how a farm works. As a part-time farming kid, that sounds so great to me! God has an awesome plan for you, whatever it may be.
Someone gave me two enormous buckets of apples yesterday through Freecycle, so today I'm canning applesauce! Also getting everything ready to meet the kids in PA tomorrow. I can't wait to see them!
Anonymous is you scroll down on her vlog page you can recall all the recent past ones but keep going down where it says archives and you can pull them all up!!
Dear All,
It is only 11:00 here and my dr.'s appt. isn't until 3:00.
Jeremiah5: 7-9"How can I pardon you? For even your children have turned from me. They have sworn by gods that are not gods at all! I fed my people until they were full. But they thanked me by committing adultery and lining up at the brothels, They are well-fed lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbor's wife. Should I not punish them for this?" says the Lord, Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?"
At the supermarket checkout as I waited in line, my eyes wandered over the impulse items for sale and landed on the magazines - you know the ones. And I thought, talk about neighing for your neighbor's husband. Smile! "Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?"
I pray for God's continued grace and mercy for our nation as we continue our neighing. Wait a minute, Dixie. You stand convicted of doing lots of neighing yourself - for husbands, for clothes, for beauty, for cars(yeah even my car is a Mustang which I shouldn't have been neighing for). And on and on. My biggest neigh all my life was for a house - since I grew up in a 3 room apartment in a city. I have had all these (except the beauty) and the car is rusting, the clothes are outdated, husbands are gone and I live in a very modest house.
Jeremiah 41 "O Israel", (Dixie) says the Lord, "if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the Lord lives," you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world and all people would come and praise my name."
"As surely as the Lord lives." Dixie STOP all your neighing. For I have been forgiven by the death, blood and resurrection.
I ponder this in my heart and send it to you with love. Dixie in Fl.
NO MORE NEIGHS!
I am getting yesterday's video in today's post... am I the only one this is happening for???
Either way, PTL for your comments, Ladies :)
Olivia,
I'm getting yesterday's, too :-(
Michelle in New England
Dear GIGS! I don't post much but with encouragement from a very dear and sweet friend (you know who you are :), I wanted to share my prayer from yesterday and today's reading!
What a beautiful day the Lord has made! We thank You, Lord for Your Word and this fellowship among this group of sister believers. We claim and believe that You are energizing Your Words we have read this day and we believe it will not return to You empty but will accomplish what You desire and achieve the purpose for which You have sent it. Please take the Words we have read this day and sow them deep into our otherwise deceptive hearts and subconscious minds. We count on You to make them active, energizing and powerful in us today! Help us to be strong in the Lord and in Your might Power!
Ladies, the reading yesterday and today were absolutely beautiful. The Word takes on a whole new perspective when I pray and read them with the intention that God's Word is active and alive! Praise the Lord!
Yesterday as I read Jeremiah 2:18-20 here is what the Lord opened up for me!
What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria?
What have I gained through my alliances with shame, guilt, fear and insecurity?
What good to you are the streams of Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River?
What good are the streams of unforgiveness, anger, bitterness or the waters of unapproval?
Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of slavery but still you said, I will not serve you.
Each day we have the choice to allow the yokes to oppress us and keep the chains of slavery or choose to serve the Lord will all our hearts, minds and soul!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord in Jesus Name! What a glorious day it was and is today!
From today's reading I read with the intention that His word is active and alive, thanking Him for the quickening power of His Word in me and this is what spilled out in my journal after I read and felt the passages come to life.....
Lord, may we face the awful sins we have done. May our eyes be open to the idols we worship. When will we stop running and panting for other gods? You Word states all who are hungry will be fed and all who are thirsty, come to You and drink. Be Satisfied. Don't let your hearts be trouble but trust in God. Lord, I no longer want to run or pant after anything but You, Lord! I only want to seek Your face, Lord. Because You love us, Lord, You will rescue us! You will deliver us and protect us! I acknowledge Your Name, Lord, and may our actions win over our unbelieving husbands through Your strength and Spirit living within us. My Confidence and Courage come from You, Lord! You promise to answer me and be with me to deliver me and honor me with long life! (Ps 91:14-15)
To be continued...getting to long....
Lord, I want to not only listen to Your words but do what they instruct. To obey You and Your Ways, Dear Jesus! Forgive me for forgetting You and turning my back on You, Lord, as I chased other idols and panted after other gods! I am a sinner and You showed Your Great Love for us by sending Your Son to die for our sins even as we were sinners!
May I not only talk but my actions speak louder than my words. When I am weak, You are strong, Dear Lord! By Your Spirit and Your Strength only, Lord!
You are calling your faithless people home, Lord, for You are merciful. You will not be angry with us forever! I acknowledge my guilt and admit my rebellion and adultery against You, Lord! I confess I have refused to listen to Your voice! you are my master and My Father! I desire to return home to You, Lord! Thank You for giving me a shepherd after Your own heart who will guide us with knowledge and understanding! Lord, I will no longer stubbornly follow my own evil desires but set my mind on what the Spirit desires because the mind of the sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace! Teach us to feed the Spirit and starve the flesh. Through constant use of solid food of Your Word, help me to train myself to distinguish good from evil. (Heb 5:14)
You look forward to us calling You Father! You have faith in us to come home, Lord! Heal our wayward hearts, Sweet Jesus! You see and believe in our reply, Yes we're coming! For You are the Lord our God! For every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord! Only in You will we find salvation!
Let us lie down in shame and cover ourselves with dishonor because we have sinned against our God! We swear by Your Name we will throw away our detestable idols and turn to You with truth, justice and righteousness through our faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ!
Help us to plow up the hard ground of our hearts where we won't waste our good seed among thorns. We surrender our pride and power and allow You to change our hearts before the Lord. Yes, the devil stalks us. He has left his liar but we cleanse our hearts so You will save us through the blood of Jesus. We will no longer harbor evil thoughts but love You will all our minds, Lord! I understand our actions have brought this punishment but Your sacrifice of Jesus has paid the ultimate price, it pierces my heart, the pain You had to endure, the great love You have for us!
Lord, I want to know You. I want to understand You. I want to do what is right and You will guide me! You are the Way, the Truth and the Life! In Jesus Name, we pray! Amen!
Please know you are all an encouragement to me as I watch Wendy's video each day and read posts as time permits!
Love in Christ,
Bethany
Good Day, and it is such a good day here in hot Dallas/Ft.Worth area. I experienced something this morning that I had never done before. My son-in-law, who is my favorite, (but as he says he doesn't have any competition) was sworn as a US citizen. He was crying so much that you knew just watching him. It was very emotional. 75 people from 27 countries were represented, stood as their country was announced. Lots of cheering and flag waving. "Proud to be an American" was played on the TV screen, also Star Spangled Banner, pledge of allegience. Had Lady Liberty - about 9 feet tall, and large flag for pictures to be taken. I did not know that if you are under 50 you have to be able to read and write conversation English. You are tested on that along with history and civics. He now knows how many in the House of Reps. 362
etc. Thought you might be interested in that. They have been married 24 years next month, and he said, he had just been to busy to do it. - Yeah right. :-)
Now to today's reading. I want to post about Jer.3:1, If your spouse divorces you, marries someone else never repented, you would not take that spouse back. That action would corrupt the land. Yet, Lord, how many times do I turn to worship other things, oh not idols of course like they did, but other idols. Longing for usless things that takes time and money away from God. LORD, help me I really don't want to ever do that. I do believe - please help me in my unbelief. Then in 3:11 our LORD says that He is angriest at Judah. Wait Judah was the southern kingdom, with the most good kings, and they are more guilty than the land of Ahab - there was never a good king in Israel. The closer we know to walk with our LORD, and when we stray a little He is more hurt by that than a regular sinner, that he expects and knows that they will sin. LORD to much that is given, much is expected. I thought that just meant my pastor, deacons, the great men of God. You mean that means me. As I lay with my head on my desk weeping - I know that the only way that I can be better, is to read you WORD to know how to love YOU more. To pray for You to always show me what my sins are. To be aware of them. To always be listening to what my tongue is saying, to put my brain in gear ahead of that awful tongue. Lord take away my brashness, humble my spirit, teach me how to witness to everyone that I meet. I do love you Lord, and I want to give back something to You more than You have given to me. Holy Spirit take these words of mine and translate them to my Maker. Thank you Jesus for belittleing yourself for my sake. Amen.
OK FIGs, because I don't see you, I can open my heart to you, and not worry about what you might think of me. You don't see my faults, only my words of the very best of me. This normally would have gone in my journal, to be read after I no longer walk on this Earth.
I am not going to sign this. Some of you will know and that is ok. It is a good thing when we have a moment that we pull the skin back and let God really come into lives.
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