Jeremiah

But This I call to Mind

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
Lamentation 3:21-23 ESV

When we look around at our society, there are some days when we wonder how things could possibly get any worse. But more than 2,500 years ago as Jeremiah wrote today’s passage, things were worse: far worse. His home city lay in ruins; many people had either been killed by the Babylonians, or simply died of starvation during the siege of Jerusalem. Afterwards Jeremiah reacted much as you or I would have done – he wept uncontrollably. Though his own life had been spared, everything around him had been burned, torn down or stolen. But instead of giving up, he tells us that he called to mind God’s promises.

First, he called to mind, that God’s steadfast love had not changed. It was not altered by their failure or success, or even their sins. His care was not based on His people’s performance, but on the unchanging nature of His heart. And today, God still so loves the world so much that He still sends His only Son into the world by the good news of the Gospel. It is still true that anyone who believes Him will NOT perish but begin to experience eternal life. Now that kind of love gives me hope, and yet God is not done!

Then Jeremiah tells us that God’s mercies never come to an end. Yes, His nation was defeated, and their enemies were busy plundering and burning the temple, yet God wasn’t finished with His people. The people of Jeremiah’s day discovered, there are times when God allows His children to reap what they have been sowing and stands back to let us experience the results of our selfish choices. But God isn’t through with us! He hasn’t now, nor will He ever, stop being merciful to His children. Our very real hope is that even when we reach the bottom of the barrel of our sin, God is still willing to reach down and pull us out, when we cry to Him for mercy and put our hope in Him alone!

Last of all Jeremiah remembered that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on ours. God stands by His promises and faithfully keeps covenant with His people. At the Last Supper, while Jesus was blessing the bread and passing the cup, one disciple was running off to betray Him, another would soon deny knowing Him and all the rest were arguing about which one of them was the most important. Why would Jesus choose to lay down His life for them? Because Jesus was not giving a new philosophy to be understood, a new club to join or a cause to defend. Jesus was offering His own body and blood for a New Covenant for them to receive. So, the next time you take the bread and drink from the cup as you receive communion, remember. Remember His loving sacrifice, receive the mercy that has never come to an end and call to mind once again the unchanging faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ at Calvary!

Which Way to Go?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

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“Row harder! More to the left! Don’t stand up! Just be careful!” Who hasn’t heard all these instructions as you began your first solo voyage in a kayak? You might have been feeling a little nervous, but then just as you launched out, barely ten feet from the shore it seems you were sinking under waves of advice.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Jewish people as they arrived in their new home in Babylon were in very much the same situation. Some people were so depressed they just literally wanted to hang up their harps and give up. There were also some “Prosperity prophets” around telling the people to cheer up because God was going to destroy Babylon any minute and they would soon be back in their own land (PS send a big offering to me) Last of all, there were folks with their hands just itching to pull out their swords because they hated the foreign rulers and wanted revenge. With so many voices pushing and pulling at them many ordinary people were plenty confused.  That is exactly when God sent Jeremiah this word of encouragement and guidance.

A) I Know the plans I have for you     No matter the situation you are facing today, the first person to listen to is God! Rick Warren once said, “God loves you and everybody else has a wonderful plan for your life!” It is human nature to give advice but unless the advice they are offering lines up with God’s direction for your life it is at best just well meaning confusion. Most of the difficulties I have gotten myself into have been snap decisions that haven’t been tempered by prayer and patience. Don’t allow others to stampede you into their direction.  God already knows which way you need to row and if we are ready to listen He is ready to guide us.

B) Plans to prosper you and not to harm you… There is no one more interested in your true prosperity than God. Wanting our best is at the heart of God’s very nature. When we  were separated by sin God sent His son. When we felt alone, God promised to be with us. When we didn’t understand, God promised His wisdom. There is nothing in this life or in the world to come that God will not give us if we will listen and do things His way! Most of the spiritual snake oil salesmen actually bank on us wavering in our trust of God’s control. So remind yourself today that you don’t need to send $19.99 to anyone for God to act on your behalf. You don’t need to sign up to partner with a stranger or pick up the phone and call a special help line to hear what Jesus has to say. The promises of God in the Bible are just as powerful for you as anyone else in the world!

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C) To give you a hope and a future                  The people of Israel had lost hope. They had no idea how things could ever improve. They were being lied to and manipulated by the very leaders who should have been concerned for the welfare. But God sent Jeremiah to them with words of calm encouragement. He was given the message that even though they would be in Babylon for 70 years (a lifetime for most) that even there He could bless them. They were to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives right where they were. God wanted them to know above all things that He was still in control. In your fast paced world you may fell lost, disoriented and discouraged but God still has a plan. His plan always begins right where you are and it is the best plan of all.Because of the cross of Calvary God has already amazingly decided to bless us, to provide our needs and to lead us all the way home to him if we will trust Him alone!

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