Thursday, February 4, 2016

REPENT!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24-25

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

A cross can be seen in windows of the Church of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. This is the traditional place where Jesus was joined by Moses and Elijah, and where Peter suggested building three tabernacles. There are at least three buildings on the top of the mountain today built to celebrate the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). I think that Moses and Elijah were there to encourage Jesus at a time when He needed human companionship in facing His suffering and death on the cross. Jesus had tried again and again to speak to His disciples about the cross, but they failed to understand the necessity of it.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Jeremiah 25:5

They said, “Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers forever and ever…”

 

Our key verse summarizes the essential message of all the Prophets from Moses to Jeremiah. “Repent” is also a word proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter at the very beginning of their public ministries.

Jeremiah 24 contains the story of two groups taken to Babylon from Jerusalem, the first symbolized by the good figs and the second by the bad figs. The story of the first exiles is found in 2 Kings 24:11-16. These people were taken away for their own good. The Lord, in this way, protected them from the evil influence of King Zedekiah and from the slaughter and total destruction of Jerusalem, which would come eleven years later. Included in these first exiles were Ezekiel and Daniel. In a few weeks we’ll be reading their books.

Jeremiah 25 is another of Jeremiah’s messages to Judah and Jerusalem. For 23 years he has been faithfully preaching the message of repentance (sorrow and regret for sin sufficient to stop doing wrong). Here he predicts accurately that in the future there will be a 70-year captivity in Babylon. Now that 70-year period is history (read Daniel 9:1-4). Throughout human history, because of His love, God continues to offer forgiveness and restoration to all who “repent!” At the same time, because He is holy, justice is absolutely essential. Jeremiah speaks of God’s “fury” and His “fierce anger.” The most horrible crimes against humanity were committed under Judah’s evil kings. Imagine the emotions of the judges, who sat on the bench at the Nuremburg trials of the Nazis following WWII, watching the pictures from the death camps where children were systematically put to death along with their parents. The people of Jerusalem had put their children to death (Jeremiah 19:4-5; 2 Chronicles 28:2-3; 2 Chronicles 33:5-6).

When Jesus prayed just before His crucifixion these words, “Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), perhaps He had in mind the words of Jeremiah, who six times in our reading uses the word “drink.” Evil had filled the cup of God’s anger against all that destroys people whom He loves. After being warned over and over again to “repent,” the religious and political leaders refused to do so. Judgment was the only alternative. Jesus drank that cup. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for grace to live in an attitude of repentance constantly. John, Your Apostle, wrote, “If we say that we have [present tense, and he included himself] no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1John 1:7-10). I confess my sin, and I believe that according to Your Word (You cannot lie), I am forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. I know this to be true because, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin,” and in His Name I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

One of our grandsons is named David-Peter (after his two grandfathers), but he likes to use the name “David Mainse the 3rd.” It’s on the cover of his Bible. I’ll try to get a picture of his Bible to add below. Also the back window of his friend’s Hummer vehicle has on it “Galatians 2:20.” This verse has been my daily confession each morning when I first awaken for many years. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Yours to help raise up a generation, unlike the one in today’s reading, where God’s Word is honoured, studied and obeyed!

David

I’m proud of all my grandchildren. I’ve told them that I would do this blog even if they were the only ones who read it.

Caleb’s grandfather has travelled from the USA to Canada as the guest preacher at Evangel Temple, Toronto. His Dad is a top executive at Hershey’s Chocolates in Pennsylvania. Caleb believes God has called him to preach the Gospel. His determination to witness for Christ is evident on his vehicle. “Fire” is the name of the SEU football team.

David Mainse III and Caleb Harris in front of one of the Southeastern University dormitory buildings. I’m proud of these young men who want to serve Jesus Christ with all their hearts, minds, and bodies.

8 thoughts on “Thursday, February 4, 2016

  1. I woke up at 5;30am and first thing i thought of was Pastor David,thanking you again for leading me on this journey through the Bible.My heart offered up a prayer for you and 100 Huntley ST .Love the pictures.

  2. I was looking for a scripture for Lent and this is it! Gal. 2:20 ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.’ Wow! David, may you always feel showered in the blessings of God.

  3. I have been reading Jeremiah in the NIV as well as the Message. A powerful book and a powerful man through whom God sent his message. One is amazed at the brokenhearted prophet whose message is constantly refused. God spoke to them again and again and they would not listen. Reminds us of our society today. Also, a challenge for me to keep sensitive to God’s voice and direction in His Word and by His Spirit. Thank you for your words David and prayers. “To Thy Cross I come Lord, there for me is room, :Lord; poor unworthy me, yes, even me. Pardon every sin Lord, place thy power within Lord and I from this hour will follow thee”. Thank you for sharing your words and photos. God’s Spirit is still gripping the hearts of young people.

  4. Thank you David for all the pictures…your words and links…prayed
    Gal: 2:20. For all you do I thank you and thank the Lord as He continues to guide, uplift and inspire you. Bless you for giving this spiritual food daily!!

    The first Word/song shortly after awakening: Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all my iniquities; who heals all my diseases; Who redeems all my life from destruction; who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies my mouth with good things; so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

  5. God bless the 2 young men above and may they continue to share the Gospel of the Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Like the Hummer!

    I requested prayers from yesterday for a Mayor and Council to forgive an amount of $600,000 was resulted from a malfunctioning electricial meter in a hotel! The power has already been used, it is GONE! The City survived! It was just a simple meter that did not work correctly! It happened 4 – 5 years ago, please pray this Mayor will just forgive, let it go and move forward! It would sure create a positive attitude in our area, and this would ripple out to the entire Province and to the Country. Lord God speak to this elected Mayor/Council! AMEN

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