Jeremy 7:5-7

Israel failed time and time again to hear the word of the Lord and instead listened to their own evil hearts.  All of Judah suffered because of the lack of compassion and caring shown to those who could not take care of themselves. Do we really want to follow in their footsteps?….wake up Christians!

Jeremiah 7:5-7

5 “For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, 6 if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, 7 then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.

The only true hope for dwelling in the context of the temple was a radical restructuring of Judah’s society. Thoroughly amend, or “make good” or “do good,” emphasizes the necessary transformation of Jerusalem’s inhabitants. The emphatic phrase form implies the depth of corruption that existed in the land; there was no justice. Stranger refers to resident aliens who were dwelling in the land. The fatherless and the widow were accorded special treatment in the Law, but they had been abused by the leaders of Jerusalem. Innocent blood refers to those convicted of capital crimes on false charges, such as Urijah the prophet. Humanitarian concern for all persons was a central element of the covenant. To walk after other gods is to serve and worship them.

Acts 13:47-48

Jesus came to provide salvation to anyone who chooses to accept Him! When He knocks open the door.

47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

 ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

 That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Daniel 8:25

Although terrorism is everywhere and governments failing keep ever present in your heart.....God alone is in control...do not fear.

Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule........but he shall be broken without human means

Matthew 12:33-37

A family, a city, a state or a nation is only as good as the love,peace, mercy and kindness that it shows to all of it's members. We show our Christianity when we make sure that our neighbors have food, healthcare and housing just as we do. Our actions speak volumes about our character.

33: either make the tree good and it's fruit good, or else make the tree bad and it's fruit bad; for a tree is known by it's fruit.......for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

My thoughts for the week...for whatever that is worth!

God alone controls the world and nothing happens that He is not aware of.  Jesus came to save anyone who would humbly accept that only God can provide the sacrifice needed for salvation, His birth, death and resurrection.  His salvation is given as a free gift to anyone who accepts it in love. 

Faith alone pleases God but we should not use our freedom as a weapon against our neighbors. Who are our neighbors?……..every person born is our neighbor. We should treat everyone with love and respect… EVERYONE.

 There is hypocrisy in God’s house but He will correct it, it is not our job. Christians are supposed to show God’s love to a dying world that others may be saved. God wants that no one perish, no not one!

Jeremiah 43:8-13

Nothing happens in this world that God is not aware of and everything is used for His purpose. God is in control!

This judgment oracle echoes earlier pronouncements against Judah, with Nebuchadnezzar identified as the servant of God. The stones symbolized the strong foundation of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire, the point from which he would spread his royal pavilion. Severe judgment is pronounced on Egypt, including judgment on the disobedient people of Judah.  The destructive judgment was extended to the temples of Egyptian gods and goddesses. Destruction of Egyptian temples was carried out by Esarhaddon of Assyria in the seventh century b.c.,

Jeremiah 43:8-13

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, 9 “Take large stones in your hand, and hide them in the sight of the men of Judah, in the clay in the brick courtyard which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes; 10 and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will set his throne above these stones that I have hidden. And he will spread his royal pavilion over them. 11 When he comes, he shall strike the land of Egypt and deliver to death those appointed for death, and to captivity those appointed for captivity, and to the sword those appointed for the sword. 12 I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them and carry them away captive. And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment, and he shall go out from there in peace. 13 He shall also break the sacred pillars of Beth Shemesh that are in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians he shall burn with fire.” ’ ”

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

It is time for Christians to stop wasting time bickering among themselves about doctrine and to start doing the work of salvation. We need to respect each other not to offend each other. If we find ourselves in a church with traditions different than ours we need to respect  and observe them so that we do not offend people. Offense is the little fox that destroys God's work. Remember God wants no one to perish but all to have the choice of eternal life with Him. God offers His free gift of love to anyone who will accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! We need to be about our Father's business.

Paul put his ministry of the gospel above his personal desires. He was willing to conform to the customs of other people, whether Jew or Gentile, in order to bring them to Christ. For example, in order to relate to the Jews in Jerusalem he made a Nazirite vow in the temple. Around those who were under the Law—the Jews—Paul obeyed the Law. Around those who were outside the Law—the Gentiles—Paul did not observe Jewish custom. Paul clarified this, however, lest anyone misunderstand his actions. He obeyed God’s law through obedience toward Christ. This was a broader law than the Mosaic legislation; this was the fulfillment of Christ’s will.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Mark 3:20-22

Jesus came to educate and provide salvation to the masses from the hypocrisy in His Church and In their own families…..remember the truth is not complicated and it will set you free not put you in bondage to the traditions of men!

Opposition to Jesus came not only from His enemies. Jesus’ own people, no doubt close friends and perhaps even relatives, heard of His teaching and assumed that He was out of His mind. The scribes, or teachers of the Jewish law, were more harsh and direct in their assessment of Jesus. They accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebub, another name for Satan. This false charge demonstrates a hardness of heart and is akin to blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

Mark 3:20-22

20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”

Acts 21:27-29

We must be slow to speak and slow to anger….not all things are as they appear to be! The tongue can bring about great good OR bad and we need to know the truth before we speak.

The temple in NT times was surrounded by three courts. The innermost court was the Court of Israel where Jewish men could offer their sacrifices. Only consecrated priests actually entered the temple building itself, and only the high priest could enter the inner sanctuary of the Most Holy Place—once a year on the Day of Atonement. The second court was the Court of the Women where Jewish families could gather for prayer and worship. The outer court was the Court of the Gentiles, open to all who would worship God. If any Gentile went beyond the barrier into the second court, he or she would be liable to the death penalty. The Roman authorities, out of respect for the Jewish religion, authorized the death sentence for this trespass even for their own Roman citizens.

Acts 21:27-29

27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

Luke 9:23-26

The way that Jesus taught while on earth was one of loving God above all and loving others as much as we love ourselves. Putting the needs of others on the same level as our need is a true sign of a disciple. Christians cannot be an outward expression of Christ to a decaying world by not taking care of the least of its people, if we disrespect  them we disrespect  God……love alone passes from this world to the next.

Although Jesus offered salvation as a free gift, He also warned that following Him would entail suffering and hardship. It makes no sense to attempt to save our lives on earth only to lose everything when our lives quickly and inevitably pass away. The wise course is to invest our earthly resources—our time, talents, and wealth—in what is eternal. Even if we lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, that investment will produce returns for all eternity. Recognition of Jesus will be rewarded in the coming judgment. Failure to recognize Him will lead to significant loss.

Luke 9:23-26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Isaiah 6:1-6

Sometimes we forget that even though He is Daddy to us He is also God, all seeing, all knowing and all powerful. God has the final word and He uses His word made flesh, Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His will on earth and all honor and glory belong to Him alone. In God’s mercy we are forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and raised up by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The throne where the Lord is seated, high and exalted, represents His eternal, sovereign, and universal rule. He is high above all other kings, but at the same time He is concerned about the welfare of His people. All human pride is mocked by the behavior of these angels. They know that in the presence of God there is no room for pomp, no reason for pride.

To say the word holy twice in Hebrew is to describe someone as “most holy.” To say the word holy three times intensifies the idea to the highest level. In other words, the holiness of God is indescribable in human language. To be holy means to be different, distant, or transcendent. Thus the song of the seraphim is a constant refrain that the transcendence of God is indescribable. Although the Lord is totally different from us—He is perfect—in His mercy He still reaches down to take care of us.

Confronted with this vision of the Lord, Isaiah realized that he was under judgment—that he was undone. Isaiah’s plight is the plight of every person. No one, in his or her present state, is capable of standing before the Holy One.

The live coal … from the altar symbolizes both the purification of blood and the fire of the Spirit that enabled the prophet to speak. From that point on, his words would be light to his hearers and power to those who would listen. The fact that a coal from the altar was used reminds us that ultimately all sin is forgiven because of a sacrifice. The sacrifices on the temple altar point to the ultimate sacrifice of the Savior Jesus. God sovereignly and graciously forgave Isaiah’s sin.

Isaiah 6:1-6

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

 The whole earth is full of His glory!”

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 So I said:

 “Woe is me, for I am undone!

 Because I am a man of unclean lips,

 And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;

 For my eyes have seen the King,

 The Lord of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

 “Behold, this has touched your lips;

 Your iniquity is taken away,

Ezekiel 37:11-14

Without the Holy Spirit, the breath of eternal life, we are just dust blown about by the winds of life.

This identification picks up on imagery already used: (1) those identified as dry or spiritually dead; (2) those identified as despondent and dejected, with no apparent hope of being “resurrected” as the people of the living God; and (3) those described as disassembled and dispersed before being rejoined and rebuilt. The major thrust of this passage is the coming spiritual rebirth of God’s chosen people through the agency of His Spirit. The spiritual rebirth would miraculously revive and restore human beings to what God had intended them to be in the beginning. The same body-breath sequence occurs in the creation of Adam.

Ezekiel 37:11-14

11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I l will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

Luke 10:25-28

This passage is simple to understand and hard to accomplish. Why is it that with our mouths we proclaim our love for others and in the next instant recall someone’s past to bring them down to our level? Human nature is to level the playing field and we do that by recanting everyone’s sins so that we look just as good or better in the eyes of someone else. I agree with Paul that if we could just control our tongue we could conquer hatred and out of the depths of our hearts we would speak of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. Without love we are just making noise!

To inherit something is to receive it. In other words, the man was asking, “What must I do to share in the reward at the resurrection of the righteous at the end?”  Jesus countered the lawyer’s test by having him answer his own question. The basis of the man’s response is an expression of allegiance and devotion that also can be seen as the natural expression of faith, since the total person, heart, soul, strength, and mind, is involved. Jesus develops the theme of love for one’s neighbor.

Luke 10:25-28

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him,  “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 And He said to him,  “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”