"I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken."
Jeremiah 2:11
Jeremiah 2:11
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Yet I still dare to remember:
- His never failing love
- His never ceasing mercies that come afresh each morning
- His never ending faithfulness
Stop complaining about what God has done or is doing that you don't like. Take action:
- Test and examine my ways
- Turn back to God
- Testify to Him concerning my rebellious ways ways
- Dare to remember
- Stop complaining
26 Comments:
Hi figs.
I love Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV. I have a mug with these two verses written on it.
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Just two days left of my wonderful vacation. We will be leaving on Sunday. Yesterday we didn't do much because when we were planning to go to the beach it was too hot and my dad and his friend fell asleep for two hours. This evening we went to feed the turtles and drive around.
I feel the need to apologize for not making any of my comments this week about our reading. I've been doing the reading but there hasn't been anything that has stuck out to me until today of course. I've been trying to listen to the vlogs all week but every day the vlog has been starting and stopping. I don't know if it's my computer or the internet connection. Wendy as you could tell I did catch when you mentioned me on the boogie board. Hopefully on Monday things will be back to normal with the vlog and my computer. I'm sorry to say that I haven't really had time to read all the comments but I have been skimming them in the mornings when I can. Last night everyone was watching a movie that isn't interesting to me and my dad said it would be too hard to describe to me so I read the comments from yesterday.
Keep me in prayer. Today I have become depressed (hormones) and I've had a slight headache. I haven't had a headache in over a week.
You all are always in my prayers.
There wasn't a whole lot that REALLY jumped out at me today. I loved the 'mercies afresh every morning' part, of course, and I liked how the author told exactly how he felt but tempered it by reminding himself that God is still in control and that he could trust Him. I especially liked the reminder that God would care for those WHO DEPENDED ON HIM, as the Israelites had not.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Good Morning, Sis!
I love you...and I love your passion for Him and His word!! Thank you for your obedience and devotion!
Praying He will show you some great glory today!!
I love you!
Our God is Sovereign. He can and will do anything that He wants. We need to trust that; find peace with that; and cling to Him in all things. Surrender your hearts more and more each day friends. There's comfort in knowing He's in control and I control nothing. Take the reins, Lord Jesus!
Blessed Friday's GIG!
Morgen
Wendy, your enthusiasm for the Word, just comes right through the screen! Truly, I love it! I do believe, what starts my day off in the right direction, is – taking time to afresh myself in the morning! Saturated with Him, first. Somehow, He helps me rid myself, of me…then, I’m able to focus more on ‘around me.’ What a Father we have dear Girls. We are reading about His faithfulness, we witness it in our day, and in His mercy we can count on His faithfulness, tomorrow! Gotta love Him!!! Just like Morgen said, “Take the reins, Lord Jesus!”
My Old:
“The Lord in his anger” (2:1) “did what he had planned” (8).
My New:
“And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline” (27).
This may just be part of the problem in today’s society. Children are not being disciplined. Since, the parents do not take an authority role at home, the students, too - do not submit to their teacher’s authority…once they get a job, they have a hard time submitting to their bosses. And, all along, they were not taught to submit to their Father. It’s called, ‘a world all about self.” And, there is only one way out: to get into God’s Word, and let God direct our path. Only through the indwelling Holy Spirit can we submit and obey God.
My To Do:
Truly, I want Jeremiah’s heart. This man is full of anguish and distress over the people who have sinned. “My heart is broken. My spirit is poured out in agony as I see the desperate plight of my people” (11).
Jesus is coming! We don’t know the day nor the hour, but, am I full of anguish over the unsaved members of my own family/extended family? Is my heart in pain over this? Lord, take away the selfish parts still lingering in my heart, and open it up to wanting what you want:
*Lives saved.
* Glory seen.
*Praises given.
*Thanks offered up.
*Love shown.
*Honest compassion.
*Applying Your Word in my life.
Friday, woowee, --- weekend, here we come! Loving hugs, Lori
Wendy, when you said "don't you love His word?" your dog responded with a "Yep!" Did you hear him? Can you blame Max for wanting to come out of the house to hear you and feel your love of the Lord. Smart dog!
I, too, was very stirred by Jeremiah today and underlined Lamentations 3:20-42, which is exactly what you taught on. I especially liked 31-33
"For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.
Though He brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love.
For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow."
And also 37-39 --
"Who can command things to happen without the Lord's permission?
Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?"
My to do: Apply the verses directly above to my life as I think about those I know and pray for who are hurting, sick, lonely, fearful, anxious or sad. I will pray for them in confidence that our Lord will, eventually and in His time, have mercy on them.
Jennifer Renee, when I was on vacation in North Carolina, Wendy's vlog kept stopping on me, too. Safe travels home for you!
Jessica, I'm SAPing for you getting ready to move. You'll surely be busy packing this weekend for your move Wednesday!
Jodi and Jodie, a suggestion that you both consider Polymyositis as a possible diagnosis. My niece went through what you two have been describing, and that was the diagnosis -- finally -- and she is getting relief from the drug Arava.
My husband and I are off to New Hampshire for the weekend to bid farewell to summer at the same lakeside resort where we ushered the summer in. It was a fast summer, but a glorious one filled with many blessings and much peace, thank you, Lord.
Have a blessed, 4:8 day, all!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Today, I love that in the midst of all the dark and horrible things going on around him and that he is experiencing, Jeremiah can still see God's character, find hope and see that His mercies are new every morning and that His compassion does not fail. Can I do that every day? My life is a piece of cake in comparison, but do I find myself complaining---maybe not even out loud? I want to always remember what God has done for me and in all my ways acknowledge that He is good and is control of all.
Also, when Wendy talked about getting up early so that we can spend quiet time with the Lord, I so need to start getting up earlier than my little ones so that I can have a focused and truly quiet time and really hear what God has to say to me. I had to hold my little computer up to my ear, plug my other ear and close my eyes for a minute today so that I could hear and concentrate. I had to laugh. But with school starting in a week, I really need to get my day started earlier and start afresh with God.
Have a great weekend!
Michelle in VA
I posted today, and then wanted to see if I could cut and paste, and lost it all. So you are saved today. Just one comment that I must include. His faithfulness and mercies are new every morning, He never gets tired of me. My friends with skin on sure do.
Lord help me today to be like Jeremiah, so much on his plate, yet he never turned away from what You LORD wanted of him.
Lori, my trip in Oct. is back on the calender. God is good, and I will rise to the occasion.
Donna - TX
I posted today, and then wanted to see if I could cut and paste, and lost it all. So you are saved today. Just one comment that I must include. His faithfulness and mercies are new every morning, He never gets tired of me. My friends with skin on sure do.
Lord help me today to be like Jeremiah, so much on his plate, yet he never turned away from what You LORD wanted of him.
Lori, my trip in Oct. is back on the calender. God is good, and I will rise to the occasion.
Donna - TX
Wendy, your vlog is powerful as ever.
Morgan and Lori, I have copied what you both wrote so eloquently for what I could not seem to put into words. Thank you so much for that.
I am forever thankful that the Lord "took up my case, (He) redeemed my life." (3:58). I am not perfect, but I am His.
Have a great weekend all!
His,
Gaylene
Blessed Friday!
The word today was about complaining. Do you all remember the blue bracelet? Well today I found one on my kitchen counter from so long ago. How it appeared there I have no idea. I did have two around the house - one I finally put away in my jewelry box. It is still there. And the other appeared on my counter. Coincidence? I think not.
Yes, I have been convicted of mentally complaining AGAIN. The week of radiation that seemed like ten years. I had right in front of me at least ten other women who had gone thru chemotherapy and now were going thru radiation - some for 33 treatments. My life, I thought, was consumed with cancer treatments. God, please forgive me for not all out praising you instead for your mercy to me.
My earthly father was a very quiet man. But I do remember a few times he spoke in seriousness. One time he said, "I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet." Not original I think. But how true!!!
Let me put my complaint bracelet back on and remember my closetful of shoes. I think I told you last Spring about the Pastor of our church asking us to remove our shoes during the service and exiting barefoot. The shoes were collected and distributed to those in need. Maybe it is that time for me again.
Thoughts to ponder on for me - how about you?
I pray for Linda with her surgery coming up, for recovery for Teeny, for faithfulness from G&P, Karen and Lori, for inspiration from Jacques, welcome for Gina, and the rest of my sisters. I will not be alone this weekend.
Dixie in Florida
Good morning GIGs,
Lori, Amen, sister! Jesus IS coming soon and yes, Lord, we want more of You and less of us.
Michelle, enjoy your away time with hubby.
Donna, do you use Firefox as your browser? If you do, you can download an app called "Lazarus" to recover lost text. And I see that you're going to Turkey in October. Praise God!!!
Today's reading broke my heart, too. In particular the part where the mothers had to resort to cannibalism to survive. I am thankful for the glimmer of hope in 3:21-23: ...His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Thank you that we serve a God who does not hold grudges and is willing to forgive if we repent.
I had the chance to read Jon Courson's commentary on Lamentations. Here are some points he raised:
For 40 years, Jeremiah called to Jerusalem, warning her to repent. But she continued in her rebellion and now she is afflicted...If we sin, we are guaranteed to experience sorrow. A loving Father tells us over and over in His Word to stay away from sin because sin always brings sadness. Yes, there is pleasure in sin for a season - but the end result is always death (Romans 6:23).
*Sin always leads to captivity. That with which we once flirted, that we once flaunted inevitably become the things to which we are in bondage. That is why the Lord calls us to holiness. holiness means we're not ensalved by anything. Holiness is the highest form of liberty.
*Sin not only leads to captivity but it steals one's beauty. The inner beauty that once shined forth is inevitably replaced by weariness and sadness.
*Sin results in weakness. In Judges 16 Samson did not even know the Spirit had left him. As a result, he was wiped out by the Philistines. Moses glowed after spending 40 days and nights with the Lord. The people saw it, but Moses was not aware of it (Exodus 24:29).
When you spend time with the Lord, you'll be the last one to know you glow. Other people will observe it, but you won't know it. Conversely, when you're in trouble with the Lord, you're oftentimes the last one to know it as well. That's what happened to Samson.
*Everytime you're tempted to sin, turn to Lamentations 1 and ask yourself if it's worth it. Say to yourself, "This will lead me into captivity, take away my beauty, lead me into weakness, make me a laughingstock in the world, cause me to wander and wonder, pollute me, cause the Holy Spirit to be grieved and will affect the entire congregation. Do I really want to do this?" Lamentations 1 is a good passage to remember when you wonder if sin is worth it.
Whew.
Have a blessed day, dear ones and may you all glow today.
Dixie,
(((HUGS))) to you. Our Father understands how you are feeling even if we don't. How gracious of Him to bring you back into focus though by using the blue bracelet. How wonderful that you heard Him and listened and turned back. I know you have a glow about you - and it's not because of the radiation.
Friday Welcomed….Everybody Hi,
Thank Wendy …Love your enthusiasm…Thanks for coming back and explaining the funeral song yesterday. I really loved how you and Michelle NE put it together. Michelle loved your to do yesterday: Die to myself daily and TRUST the LORD with everything….I copied these words and they are going to be posted somewhere….might even copy them 5 or 6 times and put it them in several different spots. Thanks much. Wendy I just love to sit in silence….There are so many time I wonder why am I the only one whom seems to enjoy peace…not having to be going going going all the time. Our sons sporting events (sometimes are overwhelming enough for me) there are times I could just scream…. wondering and listening to others always on the go and me wondering inside….Why do you always having to be doing something? Why? Why? Why? Are families being destroyed because of this? The one’s whom seem to have to be on the go all the time whom I know ….there families are struggling. I feel I am getting carried away here…so I will stop….It’s just that it is something that weighs on my heart and I do remember the verse I am mere human ….I am not God. Reminder Rhonda “Die to myself daily and TRUST the LORD with everything.
For me today after check out and reading from them both. Got a new meaning and some understanding behind the word Horn. Placing (power and strength) behind the word horn in these verses.
Lamentations 2:3:
Chronological: All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath his fierce anger. The Lord has withdrawn his protection as the enemy attacks. He consumes the whole land of Israel like a raging fire.
The New American: He broke off, in fiery wrath, the horn* that was Israel’s whole strength; he withheld the support of his right hand when the enemy approached; He blazed up in Jacob like a flaming fire devouring all about it.
Footnote 2:3: Horn: symbol of power and strength: cf Lam 2:17, 1 Sm 2:10, Lk 1:69
Lam 2:17:The LORD has done as he decreed: he has fulfilled the threat He set forth from days of old; he has destroyed and had no pity, Letting the enemy gloat over you and exalting the horn (power and strength) of your foes.
1 Sm 2:10: the LORD’s foes shall be shattered. The Most High in heaven thunders; the LORD judges the ends of the earth. Now may he give strength to his king and exalt the horn (power and strength) of his anointed!”
Lk 1:69: He has raised up a horn (power and strength) for our salvation* within the house of David his servant,
Footnote Lk 1:69: A horn for our salvation: the horn is a common Old Testament figure for strength (Ps 18:3; 75:5-6; 89:18; 112:9; 148:14). This description is applied to God in Ps 18:3 and in here transferred to Jesus. The connection of the phrase with the house of David gives the title messianic overtones and may indicate an allusion to a phrase in Hannah’s song of praise (1Sm 2:10), “the horn of his anointed.”
Love all written here today…I pick up lots from each and every one of you.
Blessings today ALL,
Rhonda
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What an inspiring teaching today, Wendy! The posts added so much.
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I also underlined those same passages, Michelle. They spoke to my heart. One of my favorite hymms is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" for His mercies are new every morning!
Dixie, my prayers have been for you and I am so pleased that your treatments are completed. Have you heard from Lt. Laurie? Praying for her.
Michelle (NE) thanks for yur prayers and have a great weekend with your husband.
Amy, my love and prayers for you as you raise your little family. The Lord sees your heart for Him.
Jacque, may you continue to shine His love. Praying for Michael.
Karen, G&P, Lori, Morgen, your posts continue to give me much food for thought. Thank you for sharing.
Praying for your children, small and big, that God will protect, provide, and draw them closer to Himself.
Has anyone heard from Brandee?
Thank all of you for your prayers. I am feeling stronger each day. Have an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and am red in my unseen body parts. :( Ugh! Not complaining, just praising God for my new pacemaker!!
Have a restful weekend with the Lord.
Blessings,
Teeny
Sweet Dixie, I love your heart, (and you, too!) You got me pondering, sister! I have to share, that our church, too, did the very same thing with our shoes. And, as I sat there in church, do you know what I was thinking? Well, I sit here ashamed to admit it, but I had almost worn a ‘different’ pair that morning, and I was relieved because that ‘particular pair’ happened to be my most expensive pair. The pair I wore, was not one of my favorites, and all I was thinking about was, aahh, it’s good I wore this pair today. How sad is that?! Lord, forgive me for my selfishness. I, too have more shoes than can fit on my closet shelves. You, Dixie put things into perspective this morning! I knew at the time I was wrong having those feelings; but, I still thought them.
I will say, that, I enjoyed a particularly long walk this morning – I pondered over our reading. It’s not a cheerful read, girls. In fact, it’s gloom and doom. But, what hit me, was precious Jerusalem, the city hand-picked to house God’s Temple. And, us sitting here in America. We were founded on, One Nation Under God. We are looked at for our Christian morals…and, I’m beginning to wonder, are we just like our dear ancestors were? See the similarities? They, too thought they were doing ‘enough.’ They were not being obedient to God’s Word. They were blending in with their neighbors. They were not worshiping Him and giving Him the glory for everything. Look what abundance, power and prominence did to them! Look how corrupt, untrustworthy, and fraudulent our nation is becoming. Look how self-centered its citizens are becoming.
Jesus is coming! Lord, get us ready! Jeremiah tried to warn our dear ancestors, but they would not listen. Let’s seek to hear His voice today. Let’s not ignore His desires. Let’s be His hands and feet and reach out to those who still do not know Him. {And, sweet Rhonda, I certainly do believe that we will not hear him, if we are running around and keeping ourselves, too busy.}
“Let us test and examine our ways.
Let us turn back to thee LORD.
We have sinned and rebelled”
(Lamentations 3: 40-42)
Oh, thank you dear Lord, that we can turn to you, -you will hear our cries and pleadings. You will forgive us. Thank you for exposing our sin. Lord, may we live for you, may you be the one we serve. May we follow your will for us.
My goodness, sweet sister’s what, ---oh what, ----would we do without His precious Word? How it DOES guide our steps, and teach us His ways! Thank you dear Lord, for drawing me to journey through the Word, with sisters, ---sister’s who love You. Your desire is that we be in community. You do not want us isolated. You want us encouraging each other till the Day approaches!
Loving Him,
Lori
Wendy, your message yesterday was another one that I “starred” for myself, so I could listen to again. I have so many marked now! They are inspiring and motivating, and I appreciate your great teaching so much.
Morgan, it is so true about creating new trust—I appreciate your understanding and encouragement.
Amy, I am loving hearing about little Andi’s first days! You are doing great, Mom. We can’t shut our little ones out from the world, but we can be there for them everyday, communicating our love and being open to their questions.
G&P, thank you for the information on the history of the date of the Temple’s destruction—that is so eerie!
Sue, what a lot going on, but what a blessing it is to have your dad nearby! I will keep you all in my prayers as you make this new transition and create new memories for him.
Karen, thanks so much for your wonderful resources! I am definitely going to explore them. And thank you for your prayer-- it is beautiful, and I copied it into my notes to reflect on. You are such a blessing.
Dixie and Teeny, my sweet big sisters, praying you are feeling ever stronger in body and spirit!
“Dare to remember”—I have a terrible memory! I have to write everything down, and then read it again and again. This is exactly why I love having God’s Word with me! Many of you have the ability to memorize, and what a gift! But I need to read and re-read. This is the way I can remember, by studying and processing, along with the important insights from Wendy and all of you. The best part is, the Word is always there for me, whenever I need it. How blessed we are to have the freedom to steep ourselves in God’s promises and accounts of His love, mercy and faithfulness through generations. Donna, what a gift you will be to those in Turkey who will also be able to treasure their bibles! Thank you for serving your fellow man and your Lord! Thank You, Lord, for my freedom to read Your precious Word over and over. I want to remember Your goodness, not to complain in my trials, but to give thanks.
Blessings,
Jacque
Lamentations 3:26-So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. That spoke to me today. I pray Hosea 2:20 for salvation for my family and friends. I will be faithful to you and make you mine and you will finally know me as Lord (insert name)
Wendy your enthusiasm is wonderful! Love it. Gods word is so exciting and I am so grateful that I am in it daily. Thank You Lord!
Lam 3:32-The greatness of HIS unfailing love!
Grateful, Debra
I truly can give a witness to this devotional today....
Suicide Loss...empty nest, remarriage, broken relationships, has tested me to deep tears & heartbrokeness.
Yet shall I praise HIM alone THRU IT ALL..
Isaiah 61:1-3 Beauty from the ashes ...of whats left. Its a Refiring of the Spirit I tell ya .
THank you for reaching me today ...
My friend linked me to this blog today said this entry made her think of me.......Fits my blog entry today. Thank you so much =)
I wish this would be the cry of my heart as i look at our people that are not following the Lord:
lamentation 3:48 Tears stream from my eyes
because of the destruction of my people!
49 My tears flow endlessly;
they will not stop
50 until the Lord looks down
from heaven and sees.
51 My heart is breaking
over the fate of all the women of Jerusalem.
As the time nears for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His bride, my hearts desire should ( and i am struggling with this) be to see people come to the love and saving grace of our Lord. Surely the Lord is coming back for His church, are we ready to receive him. will we have accomplished that which he left us after he ascended to heaven? Lord,i know that my commission is to tell of your goodness, yet, i don't. i pray for a heart that will be zealous for you, a heart that will look at the world with some sense of urgency, a heart that will sacrifice all to live for you, Lord i don't have that now, but i pray this will become a reality in my life. Let it not just be a head knowledge, make it a hearts issue, to like Jeremiah cry for our people that are headed for destruction. Lord, forgive us for we have gone our own ways, we have left the path of righteousness and are headed for doom. have mercy on us for you are a God full of new mercies every morning. Great is your faithfulness oh lord.
We are rejoicing down here, winter is coming to an end. We can enjoy the beautiful sun once more. It was a very cold winter, almost freezing, but we have survived .
Loice-melbourne
Loice,
Your comments always bless me. I join you in your prayer.
Lyn in Texas
I can not find this scripture in my bible (NIV) "I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken." Jeremiah 2:11
what translation are you using?
He Lifts Me Up - your question -
Reference is Lamentations 2:11.
translation comes from the Living Bible Lam 2:11
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