“GOD’S CALL” suggested 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:
As I type these words, our Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, is on a visit to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. His message is 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, the P.M. is pro Arab as well. He has announced increased financial support from Canada for the Palestinians. He is encouraging a two-state solution to the current impasse in treaty negotiations. We are told in Scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Let’s pray fervently for Prime Minister Harper, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and for President Abbas of Palestine. Also pray for the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, as he does his best to help negotiate a comprehensive and acceptable agreement between the peoples who inhabit the lands which once made up ancient Israel.
Yours for praying for all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2),
David
P.S. Our Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Crossroads Ministries, businessman and member of the Telecommunications Hall of Fame, Don Simmonds, is traveling with the 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, Prime Minister Harper, David Sweet, Member for Hamilton, James Moore and John Baird, 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 Simmons, Chairman of our Crossroads Board, Don Hutchinson, legal counsel to the Centre for Faith and Public Life, and the Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I'd like to know what was said that brought those big smiles to their faces. I'll ask Don Simmonds about this when he returns, and I hope to report back his answer right here on this blog.
Thanks for all the photos, today, David. Starting with the wild donkey, and its caption. Jer 2:23b-24: ‘You are a swift she-camel running here and there, a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her craving–in her heat who can restrain her? Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves; at mating time they will find her.’ If only the people of Jerusalem had listened to Jeremiah. But without everything that happened in the Bible, OT to NT, start to finish, we would not be so utterly blessed by God’s Son, Jesus Christ, having come to earth to save and forgive us from our sins. The photos including the PM and Don Simmonds in St. Catherine’s Church are wonderful, as well. God bless ye merry saints!
Although I am all for obedience a part of me thinks one of main lessons of the OT was to prove how totally incapable mankind is at following instructions. In the garden, God only had one simple instruction, or commandment– don’t eat the fruit from the tree of good and evil– and we ate it.
The chosen people, were given ten instructions or commandments and they broke most of those before Moses had a chance to give them the message. As the instructions or laws increased making it clearer and clearer what God wanted, the less able His people were able to follow them. They would repent for a while, but eventually all the laws would be broken.
Then God came up with a better idea or rather His Idea from day one, and that is foster obedience motivated by love rather than submisssion. Wanting to do God’s will not because you are told to it, but because we want to do it. And that is why Jesus said the two greatest commandments hinge on the verb love. If we love God–obeying Him becomes an act of love, not an requirement.
But human love is immature and imperfect compared to God’s love for us, so we will often still choose are own way over God’s or try to get God to endorse our plans instead of trusting His love for us, and His plans for our lives here and beyond. But at the end of the day isn’t imperfect love better than obedience without love? If I am not mistaken I think that was the point Jesus was trying to make to Pharisee’s in His day
Listening to Prime Minister Harper’s address to the Israeli Parliament made me proud as Canadian. It is imperative we maintain strong support of Israel and their rightful distinction as a Jewish nation, including many Christian Jews. It is the only way to take stand and defend against those who would otherwise enemy against our beliefs and faith. We must remember, any destruction against Israel is a direct threat to us. We would be next in the attack! Of couse, our Lord is omnipotent and history will forever render this truth. Our Lord’s blessings and strength be yours this day.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel every day. Jeremiah, a great role model for his obedience to the Lord and his compassion for his people, the”weeping prophet”. Wonderful! Glad to see Prime Minister Stephen Harper take a stand and promise support for Israel and see the other men there too. They represent Canada well and proud to be a Canadian!
Amen, Ger!
I watch on tv how Don Simmons is being persecuted for stating his belief on homosexuality. I thought of him when you wrote about Jeremiah being persecuted for telling the people about the truth of God. I am another proud Canadian.
Yes we must keep praying for the peace of Isreal , for this God’ command
God bless us all especilally Isreal…R..
Poor Jeremiah, he had one daunting task and then God’s people still went their own way. God certainly has more patience than many earthly parents would have.
What a beautiful creature the wild donkey is!
Super pics of our Prime Minister and his delegation. We are sooooo blessed to have all these men as pillars of our Canadian society.
Great pics again Reynold, thanks as always.
I always pray for Prime Minister Harper and his dear family. He has a tough row to hoe. May God bless them and everyone of us who love and obey Him.
Dear Rev. David M.
Thank you so much for the wonderful picture. I am so proud and grateful to be Canadian and pray for Gods wisdom and Will to guide our Prime Minister to bring peace in Israel , in the Name of the One and only PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS. Amen.
PS… Could I request from all my fellow bloggers that as our church is looking for a new pastor , that the one that comes to us will be the one that The Lord wants for us.
Have a blessed day everyone, and stay warm.
xxxx Carole.
Lord, we pray fir Carole’s church right now. We pray that you will give guidance and direction to the board as they seek a new pastor. We pray also for the search committee that You would guide and direct them as well. And for the new pastor that will come, I pray even now before the call comes, that his heart will be stirred and that he would know that this is the correct place for him to come. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen & Amen
In Jesus Name I pray too.
Always praying for the peace of Jerusalem. This very cold weather is very hard on many people. My sister’s nursing home is locked down because of flu – we can’t visit. Donna is confined to bed with fever and her very precious roommate died suddenly. She is alone there because of the outbreak. Donna had a wonderful life in a Christian Horizon’s home (featured on 100 Huntley today). She cannot bear to be alone. She usually skoots around in her wheelchair visiting with everyonee. I feel so uneasy not being able to visit and comfort her.
In Jesus Name I pray for your sister Donna.
Praying for peace in Israel!!
Thanks be unto God for his amazing gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,
for God’s wrath remains on him.”
John 6:36 NIV
Amen!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Amen
Amen.
I Join and agree in prayer for Carole’s church…and the Pastor that the Lord will provide for them!
I too am proud to be a Canadian…and Praise God for our PM Stephen Harper and his strong stand for Israel…and for the men with him!!!