RETURNING GOD’S CALLS
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is part of an ancient road that is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. An artist depicts what the rest of it might have looked like from the time of Jesus. How tragic that such a beautiful city should be reduced to rubble with its people either killed or taken as slaves.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak and give warning,
That they may hear?
Indeed their ear is uncircumcised,
And they cannot give heed.
Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them;
They have no delight in it.
Jeremiah 5:21-25 is God’s attempt to communicate with His people in Jerusalem. He says, “Hear this now!” We bring disaster upon ourselves when we fail to listen to God’s Word! It’s not His fault! It’s ours! Jeremiah and a few others heard God, but the political leadership and the majority would not listen.
In our key verse in Jeremiah 6, God seems to be giving up after many attempts to communicate. The time comes when God resigns Himself to allowing the stubborn free will of people to prevail. He’s not wanted, and He won’t force Himself on them, which would reduce His people, made in His image, to being puppets and robots who are forced to do His will. God knows when He is not wanted and He withdraws. The communications breakdown is never at God’s end of the line. People hang up on Him!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You promised that You would answer when I call You! You said, and I quote You, “Call to Me and I will answer you!!!” (Jeremiah 33:3). I’ve heard that reference called, “God’s telephone number.” I pray that You will keep me alert to hear You and to answer when You call me! I hear You calling me now and I hear Your voice as I read Your Word to me through Jeremiah. I say, “Yes Lord, I hear You!!!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
For the first 15 years of Crossroads television, the Lord sent in enough money to pay all our bills to cover the costs of the 30-minute weekly Crossroads show and the 30-minute Circle Square show for children. Never did I mention money on TV. I was shocked to hear what I believe was the voice of God saying to me, when we signed the contract for release of the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, “David, you are going to have to ask for people’s support on TV. I don’t have enough people who take the time to hear My voice to raise the necessary funds for this expansion.” I was dumfounded, but said “Yes, Lord.” One way or the other, God made sure that bills were paid and that His Name was honoured by that fact. But that’s a very small thing compared to the failure to listen to God on the part of the people of Jerusalem who were not only failing to pay attention to God, but who had deliberately disobeyed Him after they had heard His words through Jeremiah!
Yours for listening quietly, carefully and obediently to God’s Word!!!
David
Below is a picture of the big rock in front of the Crossroads Centre. The words on the plaque are from Jeremiah 6:16, the New International Version translation. Instead of the word “ways” inferring a crossroads as in the NKJV, it says, “crossroads,” in the NIV. This is an essential message from God to each one of us.
P.S. On the national news this week I heard these words, “What’s happening to a young Christian boy from Stratford, Ontario?” They were referring to the arrest of Justin Bieber in Miami on drunk driving and resisting arrest charges. My heart is heavy for Justin. In yesterdays blog the words “Backsliding” and “Return” were repeated over and over. Please, please, let’s not judge him (leave that to God) but let’s pray fervently for him until he returns to the Lord and the Christian life he once exemplified. Here’s a clip from Full Circle, a telecast hosted by Ann Mainse. That was 5 years ago when Justin was only 14 when he sat in beside his Mom on the couch (click here). Let’s also pray for his Mom, Patti! To watch her full testimony from that program it’s in four parts, click part one … part two … part three … part four.
The plaque below the big rock outside the Crossroads Centre in Burlington reads, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).
Father God
I pray for Justin I know you love him as you love all your children he really needs
you sorround him with your love bring christians in his path that can help him to
draw him back to you, and for your purpose in his life to spread your word.
I call out to you to be with him and to heal his pain if he is hurting.
I also pray for his mom that you will help her to trust in you to do this and not worry.
Lianne Hogg
Amen Lianne!! I pray this prayer along with you this morning.
Amen I believe
I am deeply concerned for Justin as he is apparently depressed and acting out. Justin’s manager has lost control and his “handlers” may need to be replaced for those who could be looking out more carefully for him. Although Justin is ultimately responsible for his actions, he is only nineteen and needs more mature and responsible adults around him. I pray for his friendships, intervention and for professionals who are able to understand by providing wise and appropriate counsel. Stay warm wherever you are!
God always answers me when I call on him, but ninety percent of the time, the answer is never the one I wanted to hear LOL. For example I was expecting a family member to come today and help me bring in firewood for the month, and prayed that today would be a nice day, snow-free and dry– but I got a stormy day with blizzard like conditions and my relative cancelled.
Disappointing yes, because I needed this firewood, and not sure when this relative will be available again to help me, but nothing can alter God’s character and goodness. So I am holding onto to the Holy Spirit and God’s promises, not to allow these circumstances, being the opposite of what I wanted, to alter my perceptions of God.
And that is the only thing could change, my perception, not God’ character. God will always remain true to Who He is, yet we must be careful, to stay firm in trusting that character when the opposite of what we expect from Him occurs.
So, if this stormy day motivated me to write this, and if this comment helps someone out there who might be struggling with their perceptions of God because He didn’t answer them in the way they hope–then disappointing me makes it all worth it, if helps you to trust God’s character and not the circumstances.
Hey Donna! I love chopping firewood as I am a diehard camper! Too bad I live in sask.prob far away from you Lol Well I pray the job gets done soon .
The pictures on this blog keep wanting me to go there Lol but they inspire me..and I really enjoy them thx. !
I d love to go there too I pry God will make a way for those who want to ho next November when their seems to be no way Amen
It was great to see Justin as a young fellow. I pray he makes it to an old fellow. His father also needs to be prayed for. Sons need to feel proud of their fathers. If dad is a wingnut and hanging around with the son, the dear son doesn’t see life as it should be, with our heavenly Father. How I pray for Justin, his biological father and mother.
May God help us all in our individual needs, not wants.
Saying “Amen” to the prayers for Justin and his family. Donna M. I’ve been there and keep holding on and praying. God will answer; like Job said,
“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”(23:10). Lord Jesus, we pray that you will undertake for all of Donna’s needs today as you have so faithfully met mine even yesterday. Thank you Lord, Amen.
It must be very hard to live in Justin’s skin – you couldn’t go anywhere without being swarmed by crowds continualy. Sometimes when he is on tour he doesn’t even remember what city he is in. Then he’s off to the next engagement. Very difficult. I think he must realise that the photographers are behind every corner and there’s no way out. That’s part of the reason, I’m sure, that he’s acting out. We will keep looking to Jesus for your wood solution, Donna.
We have to remember that the Good Lord disciplines His children when they are going the wrong road and also when they are putting something else before Him e.g. money or material things!!! That does not mean He does not love us. in fact just the opposite!! Don’t parents discipline their children? That means they care about them, too!! So although we pray for Justin Beiber, we understand the reasons behind this!
Stay well David, your blog is very enjoyable and meaningful!
Blessings,
Margaret
I was just thinking the other morning as I was listening to the latest on Justin, if he could just go back to his roots, ‘wouldn’t he make a wonderful Chrictian rock star’ ! I pray LORD that Justin will be surrounded by people who believe in You. I pray that His life will be turned around and that He will bring Your Word to life through his music. Amen!
In agreement with everyone; praying for God’s angels to intervene in Justin Bieber’s life and correct his path. It is very sad knowing his mom raised him on her own as a Christian and to know his faith was centered in the Lord before Hollywood got a hold of him. It breaks my heart when performers are destroyed by outlandish material success and opportunists who prey on them. He has been spiraling out of control for some time. Indeed, there is nothing more powerful than prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for protection around Justin Bieber and ask that You wrap Your loving arms around him, Lord. Please intervene in his life and bring him back to You, our gracious and precious Father. Speak to his heart and let him hear Your voice, Lord. Bring comfort and peace to heal his anger and rebellion. Wipe the taste for alcohol and drugs from his lips and make it be so bitter he is repelled by it, Lord. Return his mom, Patti, into his life. Lord, as a guide and mentor. May Justin repent of his ways and return to serving You, Lord. May he use his musical talents to honour and worship You, Lord. May the light of Jesus shine forever in his heart. We pray for this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen, amen, and amen.
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jer 6:16