A FIRE AND A ROCK
Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking from the area on the south side of the Temple Mount you can look across the Kidron Valley and see the Mount of Olives with thousands of graves along the western slope.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord,
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
The word “oracle” is repeated eight times in today’s reading. Obviously many were claiming to be prophets of God, but they were proven to be false prophets. The dictionary defines an oracle as one who gives “a message that is typically ambiguous or obscure.” That’s quite the opposite to the message given by Jeremiah! “A hammer” and “a fire” are strong and powerful words. Here is a prayer chorus sung in some gatherings: “Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Break me! Melt me! Mould me and use me!” The Word of God, as we read it in our daily two-year blog journey through the Bible, should have that effect on us. The idea of an “oracle” was so misused by so-called prophets that God said, “Do not say, oracle of the Lord.” Why? “You have perverted the words of the living God” (Jeremiah 23:36).
The other misused word featured in Jeremiah 23 is “shepherd.” The title “pastor” denotes a shepherd in our time. For an inspiring look at what God considers that a true shepherd should be, let’s read again Psalm 23 and John 10:11-18.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m praying the words of the chorus I mentioned above. By the hammer and the fire of Your Word, I ask You to do whatever is necessary in me to make me all You want me to be. In and through the Person and work of Jesus Christ (Messiah) I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have often stood on one side or the other of the valley pictured above and meditated on the fact that a huge number of people are buried with their feet pointed toward the Eastern Gate in the wall of Jerusalem, the gate through which it is prophesied that the Messiah will enter into a rebuilt Temple. Most of these people expect to be given resurrected bodies, which will enable them to stand up facing the Messiah as He enters through the gate. Modern science shows that all that is needed to recreate one’s entire being is one microscopic speck of DNA dust. It’s all there! My Bible is still open to John 10 as mentioned above, and my eyes have just moved across to the opposite page where I see John 11:24-45. Jesus, the Prophet and the Son of God, spoke words that had the impact of a “Hammer” and a “Fire” when “He cried with a loud voice, ‘LAZARUS COME FORTH!’ And he who had died came out!” I don’t understand how all this happened, but years ago I made a lifetime decision to believe with childlike faith. I’ve not parked my brain! I read, ponder, and wonder. But at the same time I believe! I’m currently reading a book by a nuclear physicist who believes that Einstein’s Theory of Relativity shows that time is not locked into our perception of a 24-hour day. God is outside of time (the basis of true prophecy about the future), and therefore we should not be thrown for a loop by the modern development called “quantum physics.” Well, that’s another subject.
Yours for keeping the faith and also giving it away to the whole world!
David
P.S. I’m kind of old fashioned. I actually like to receive old fashioned, post office delivered letters. I’ll be back in the office at the Crossroads Centre February 12 – 22. I’d love to read and answer real letters (not e-mails) from you who read this. I’m particularly looking forward to receiving letters from countries far away. I know I’m asking a big favour, but it would mean a great deal to me to hear from you. Just address your letter to David Mainse, PERSONAL, Box 5100, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4M2. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Now this is His name by which He will be called: ” THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. ” Such wonderful prophesies how our Lord will gather His flock out of all countries, and bring them back to their folds and they shall be fruitful and increase! How our Lord tells us He will set up shepherds (priests, pastors, reverends, ministers) over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking. Praise be to our Father, from which all things come! His blessings and strength, be yours!
AMEN!!!!
Amen!
AMEN Brother David!!!
God’s word is so true, and for those ‘on the fence’ who need to see or hear of a ‘sign’ please take David’s blog and what I’m about to say about my experience this morning seriously (CAUTION: LONG POST, BUT WORTH IT).
I am not testifying for David’s or my human glory, but rather boasting in the awesome power of the Holy Spirit and the truth and glory of our Lord Jesus!
Background: I just completed Joe Amaral’s “What would Jesus read?” daily devotional, which I started in January 2013. For those who don’t know, it’s a 378 day reflection on the Old Testament readings, and due to it being longer than most (according to the Jewish calendar- 378 days) it therefore didn’t end as most devotionals do – in time for the new year (2014). So, for 2014, in addition to reading the monthly offerings such as the Daniel Plan that 100 Huntley Street offers, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to read one scripture daily for the remainder of 2014 from another book offered (and former feature) at the Crossroads e-store “The Greatest Words Ever Spoken – Everything Jesus said about you, your life, and everything else” by Steven K. Scott, that my wife and I have on the dresser in our bedroom.
To make things even more interesting, I prayed for God’s word to enlighten me and flipped the page open ‘randomly’…which we know isn’t random in this case 😉 and the Lord really did enlighten me (Matthew 24, verses 33-35)
Continued from previous post….
Apologies for the technical glitch in posting my replies! Hopefully this works….
John, copy and pasting is problematic on this blog; sometimes it works, but rarely. Hope you will finish typing out your post. God bless you!
Enjoyed today’s sermon once again Rev. Mainse. Jeremiah’s true grit is to be admired. How hurtful and sad it is to hear of God’s love for us spurned.
What an honour to have your personal mailing address. May God give it the respect and honour it deserves.
Gods word is always inspiring and as we read about Lazareth what stood out to me was when Jesus said
Father , I thank you that you have heard me and Iknow you always hear me
This should always be our way to pray as well
Jesus said the things He has done we can also do because the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us the ower that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside every born again believer
Praise God Glory to you alone in His name Ame 😉
God Bless your day all my fellow bloggers
Can you also pray for my friend Josephine shes from Kenya and needs furniture to furnish her whole appartment with her children she needs beds table and chairs and evrrything anyone needs to furnish an appartment thank you fellow bloggers for yoyr prayers I know God will provide
Thank you, David for your enlightening commentary on Jeremiah again. Am taking my time and absorb all that the good report by fellow bloggers as well, including you, Samuel Fame. While I was contemplating what to say, my good Samaritan neighbour came in a couple times with the tractor and blower to take care of the snow in my driveway. God is so good and is answering your prayers and has kept a lot of snow off my shed roof the last two storms. Amazing!! Is kind of you to invite letters from your readers, David. Is sunny and quiet here today in central western NB. God bless everyone!
Definitely will write a letter to you, David! Thanks for another great message, today, with excellent connections between books of scripture!
I love the prophecy of the Lord to Jeremiah about the future coming of Jesus in 23:3-6: “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” WOW!
The power of God’s Word is like FIRE–it is all consuming! “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Jn 10:17-18 Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for His flock. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” Jn 11:14-16 And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said,
I feel such blessings to be a part of our daily blog and to be thankful for your inspired direction to help us understand scripture Pastor David. Thank you.
To also be a part of praying for my fellow bloggers is a great privilege and I pray for Josephine who is in need of furniture for her apartment, and that Our Lord will provide for her needs.
Blessings this day fellow saints. OUR GOD IS ABLE!!!!
Amen! Adele
Thank you David
David Mainse, like you I like keeping in touch with people by letter writing, every Christmas I will write a few words in the card or a letter to keep a family member or friend up date to what is happening with us I like that connection. I receive couple of form letters some friends duplicate and send but that is not my style. I will definetly reply to your request. God Bless and safe travels to you & Norma Jean. Adele
Dear Rev. David M.
Your request for a personal letter is actually such an honour for each of us .
Adding my prayers for Josephine . Thank you Lord , Thank you Jesus that we can turn to you in time of needs , how very blessed we are to be able to get a daily filling of Your Word in to our souls . You are truly the light to our feet . , the water for our soul, and the honey for our lips. Amen , Amen .
PS… John dont give up on sending us your full comment I have had the same problem in the past .
Have a blessed day my dear fellow saints.
xxxx Carole.