“GOD’S CALL”
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A wild donkey (Somali Wild Ass) at a nature reserve in Israel’s Jordan Valley. In Jeremiah 2:24 the people of Jerusalem are likened to this creature at mating time. It is said that the wild donkey cannot under any circumstances be domesticated for service to people as regular donkeys are. Jeremiah uses this animal as an illustration of Jerusalem’s determination to do its own thing in opposition to serving God.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 1:4-5
Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
When Moses was called by God, he believed that he was unequipped to do the job. When Isaiah was called, he felt unworthy. When Jeremiah was called, he felt too young to accomplish God’s purposes (Jeremiah 1:6). When God calls us to do a work for Him, He always equips us to fulfill the assigned tasks. Otherwise, why would He bother calling us? All that is required of us is OBEDIENCE to His call! Jeremiah began his ministry when good king Josiah reigned over Judah. Jeremiah served as an advisor in helping Josiah initiate reforms which were in line with God’s revelations to His people as found in the Scriptures. Reforms? Yes! But the hearts of the people needed to be transformed, and that did not happen. Josiah was succeeded by ungodly kings who rejected Josiah’s message and led their people deeper into sin against God, persecuting Jeremiah for his stand for the truth of God.
Jeremiah’s first recorded sermon is in chapter 2. Jeremiah is called, “The Weeping Prophet.” His heart was broken with those things that break the heart of God!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, it could’ve been so different for Your people if only they had followed Your ways. I pray that I will pay attention to those who have genuinely been called by You to preach Your Word. Please grant me grace to obey Your Word! May I not break Your great heart of love by turning my back on You as did Your people in Jeremiah’s time. I pray this in the Name of the One who always obeyed You, Jesus the Messiah (Christ). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Our message should be one of total support for the Jewish people’s right to have a state, which hopefully will ensure that never again will there be a time of the destruction of Jews, this most persecuted people in all history, as has happened in the past. At the same time, while supporting the Jewish state, we should be pro Arab as well. We are told in Scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Let’s pray fervently for the leaders of the western world, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and for President Abbas of Palestine.
Yours for praying for all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2),
David
P.S. Our past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Crossroads Ministries, Don Simmonds, travelled to Israel in 2014 with our then Canadian Prime Minister, along with several Federal Cabinet Members and other leaders from various segments of Canadian life. Below are some pictures that help tell the story of this significant journey.
In Saint Catherine’s Church in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Left to right, a security officer, Dr. David Wells, leader of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nainaimo, former Prime Minister Harper, David Sweet, Member of Parliament, James Moore and John Baird, former Cabinet Ministers. Perhaps the infectious joy of the birth of Christ which happened right next door has touched their hearts. They look like they are thoroughly enjoying their time and no one had to say “cheese.” Well, maybe someone said, “Say Jesus!”
A happy moment in this church built right next to the cave/stable where Christ was born. Rev. Dr. David Wells, The Honourable Stockwell Day, former Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition Party, Don Simmonds, former Chairman of our Crossroads Board, Don Hutchinson, legal counsel to the Centre for Faith and Public Life, and the Honourable John Baird, Canada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs. I’d like to know what was said that brought those big smiles to their faces.
Hi,Ron,in the email is a repeat of yesterday’s lesson but my toolbar link gives ‘me’ the correct one.Thought you should know.Thanks for all you do.God bless
I got both versions!
I am sorry I didn’t let you all know sooner that my husband’s surgery (which he had a week ago yesterday) went well. However. since then things haven’t been great. The meds he got were giving him very bad hallucinations. Finally on Friday before the sent him home, they are found one that stopped them,. Since he got home I have had to use a catheter on him, which was quite stressful for both of us. Finally, I think this is getting better. It will take about 3 months recovery. I am kept busy so I might not always make comments, if there is a prayer request you can be sure I will pray about it. Thanks for all your prayers I feel like we are a family. Eleanor M.
That is very understandable,Eleanor.I am still not running on all cylinders since my 2nd total knee replacement in one year on Dec 11.I am praying for you and your husband.Don’t look for improvements daily but look back in a week’s time or 2 weeks’ time to see the difference.God bless
amen William amen!
yes, Amen, William!
Thank you for the update, Eleanor; keeping you and your husband in prayer. God bless you, as you move through this healing period. It takes a lot of strength and reliance on God’s cushion.
Amen, Beverlee
God bless you Eleanor and we have been praying for you and your husband that his recovery will go well; we praise and thank God for all the medical staff that looked after your husband;
We thank God that He gave you the love, care and patience in looking after your beloved husband!
we pray that the Lord will heal your husband completely from head to toe and that he and your family will enjoy and celebrate a healthy spring and healthy summer, a very healthy year ahead and many more.
we praise the Lord! we thank the Lord! We praise and thank the Triune God, OUR FATHER, OUR LORD, OUR SAVOUR AND KING!
amen amen amen
Amen!
Some poems to consider:
From Jerusalem
From Jerusalem like a mighty Lion,
Shall come His voice out of Zion,
As the heavens and earth shake,
But His people need not quake.
He is always the strength and hope
Of Israel’s children as they cope
In a world of sin and living threat,
But doom will pose never a fret.
In His hands shall the faithful rest
And in His heart,the chosen best,
But all who fail to know His name
Shall feel His wrath and their shame.
He is just and our loving Sovereign,
Who knows that we are all brethren,
So He forgives us within His grace
To take us home to His holy Place.
GW(Bill) Marshall
The Mountains Of The Lord
His mountains shall be above all mountains,
His house above Zion’s hills shall rest,
For this is the pool of the golden fountain,
His people,the chosen few and best.
The rivers will flow to the shores of Zion,
For the world will soon know this King,
The proven Master we could rely on,
The Shepherd worthy above everything.
His exalted name will be widely praised,
When He returns to vanquish the beast,
And everywhere voices will be raised
In cellebration with His banquet feast.
Let fair warning go throughout the land
He will return with shield and sword
And as Satan shall take his last stand,
My Friend shall show that He is Lord.
G W (Bill)Marshall /Nov 9,2012
Jer 29.11
reminds us of call
and purpose.
Love the Book of Jeremiah and learned that Jeremiah may have been around 21 years old when he got the call. Prayers for you Eleanor as you care for your husband. Please pray friends for my oldest brother Les who has celluitis in his leg and in the hospital. Thank you and God bless you saints.
Praying for your brother, Les, Ger, for proper intervention diagnosis and healing for his leg, through doctors and the healing touch of our Lord and Saviour.
Lord God I praise and thank you for guiding me to Walmart on Sunday and purchasing EXACTLY what I needed and at l/2 price! Thank you Lord! I need funding to replace toilets! My home is 22 years old and upgrades are needed!
I pray the Lord will send me some funding through some organization for seniors on low income!
I than k you Lord that you spoke to me about the age of these items and that they would have to be replaced very soon. thank you for talking to me Lord.
In Jesus name I Pray amen
Agreeing with all comments made, in Jesus Name!
What a stately looking donkey, beautiful photo…thank you for posting it!
Powerful scriptures….to think the Lord knew Jeremiah before he was formed in his mother’s womb and sanctified him before he was born…how awesome!!!