THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Among the ruins of ancient Ephesus, Turkey, are these larger than usual stone ossuaries, which were used to house people’s skeletal remains. “Bones” are mentioned five times in the first verse of Jeremiah 8.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 7:23
But this is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”
Jeremiah 7 begins what is known as the “Temple Sermon.” God’s instructions to Jeremiah were that he was to stand at the gate of the Temple and deliver this message as the throngs of people were entering for worship. The people of Judah were still very religious outwardly, but Jeremiah’s message was that they were hypocritical. Several times Jeremiah made the point that “They did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward” (7:24). They practiced what is called “syncretism,” the amalgamation of what otherwise would be two or more distinct religions. In their case, it was an attempt to worship the God of Israel and also the god Molech. Some of them, including King Jehoiakim, who turned away from the reforms of his father, Josiah, had reverted to the practices of his grandfather, Mannaseh (2 Kings 21:3-6).
Chapter 8 predicts the coming judgment as a result of their syncretism. Their bones will bleach in the sun. There’s an old hymn which captures the essence of faithfulness to the One and only true God: “Trust and Obey!” Here’s a musical rendition of this foundational truth! (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God of Israel, through Your Son and my Saviour, I pray for the grace of obedience to You, and to the worship of You and You alone! The Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed in Jeremiah’s day, rebuilt by Ezra and Herod, and then destroyed again. Your temple in this age is my body, and may I keep my body pure and in good shape for You, Lord, and may You alone live in my innermost thoughts, attitudes, intentions and actions. Amen!!! (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My experiences with people practicing syncretism are many. The most common being church Sunday morning and then a variety of practices common to eastern religions during the week. The most dramatic example happened in the summer of 1976. I was in Winnipeg staying in the home of the pro football player Larry Kerychuk when the phone rang. The local Roman Catholic priest was looking for a Holy Spirit-filled minister to accompany him on an exorcism. I agreed, but conditional on the content of the priest’s testimony of his personal journey with Christ. I heard a miraculous story of the power of the Holy Spirit transforming his life. We showed up at a home of recent immigrants from Brazil, where manifestations were reported (we didn’t see any) of objects moving around the rooms mysteriously without human help. We discovered that back in Brazil the husband and father had been in the practice of attending Mass Sunday mornings and voodoo ceremonies Sunday evenings. We discerned that these spirits were not filling the house but the man. He wanted to be free of these, and we took authority in Jesus’ Name, cast out these evil spirits, and he was set free. The whole family received Jesus by faith as Saviour and Lord! The last report is that never again did this occult manifestation occur.
Yours for bringing men, women, boys and girls into genuine experiences in a saving relationship with Jesus!
David
P.S. If you want a blow-by-blow account of the various destructions of Jerusalem, I recommend a book I’m currently reading by Desmond Seward called, “Jerusalem’s Traitor: Josephus, Masada, and the Fall of Judea” (here is a listing for it on Amazon.com).
Father Mark Goring is wonderful. Have just read up on his latest and will post some links. Thank You Lord for instilling in us that we are of great value to You and Your Kingdom. When we follow Your calling on our lives, we make a difference in the lives of others. Thank You for loving us, dear Lord. Without You, we are nothing. We stand in awe of You and give You all the thanks and praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 ESV
A Thousand Years lyrics – Christina Perri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrM-Bkm4c_I
Father Mark Goring has returned to St. Mary’s Parish in Ottawa after being the Director of the Catholic Charismatic Center in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Here is the article on that; very interesting:
Superior orders outspoken priest on sex-abuse scandal to ‘cease and desist’
Father Mark Goring of the Companions of the Cross has appealed to Pope Francis to be permitted to continue talking about the clergy-sex abuse scandal.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/superior-orders-outspoken-priest-on-sex-abuse-scandal-to-cease-and-desist
Here is his sermon from last week; so good:
“Monasticism: Pentecost Serves As The Abiding Reality of Our Lives”.
https://stmarysottawa.ca/sermons/monasticism-the-ideal-and-pentecost-which-serve-as-the-abiding-reality-of-our-lives/
Sounds like a good God-fearing soul. Thanks so much Beverlee for all this info. I’m going to order the book David has recommended too as I love history, long or short term. Have a blessed day dear soul.
Ahhh!! Thanks Lynda!! Wishing you a most blessed day, dear sister-in-Christ! May God hold you in the palm of His hand!!
Oh my–wondering why Goring is waiting 4 anyone’s permission to spread the word of chilfren being abused. That is a criminal act in my opinion. The children will have PTSD 4 years to come I believe. Thanks so much 4 posting this link Beverlee. Will share it with as many as I can, even our Gov’t officials. 🙏
As a Priest, under the hiring of the Vatican, he cannot keep protesting it publicly; which the one article explained. He received a “cease and desist” letter and he wrote Pope Francis to ask if he could keep protesting anyway. He was told to keep silent. St. Joseph was Goring’s favourite Saint (Saint of Silence, prayer and dedicated service). Hence, Goring no longer works in Houston, Texas, and is back at his first parish in Ottawa.
Thank u Beverlee. Don’t have time to read everything at this time but will 4 sure. 🥰🤗 Went to a great musical concert last night and my husband didn’t like it and told me so, many times. I told him God wants us to put a guard on our tongue. Not sure if he likeds me studying God’s word. 🤣 Won’t deter me tho Beverlee. God first, husband second in my book.
🤣
Having our 52nd year anniversary in May. 😁
I think Mark Goring is a wonderful speaker and I do watch his sermons on TV every Sunday.
Amen Blessed!
Yes, I watch Mark Goring as well and like his sermons! Thanks for all the information Beverlee.
I agree… Father Goring is a wonderful speaker, I believe he is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for posting and for all the info Beverlee, so interesting!
I just listened to his homily.
PS…Lynda D…had to smile when I read your comments about your husband, and that your going to celebrate 52 years of marriage!
You sound like a feisty lady…. May God bless you!
Thank u Anne. I had to be like that with nine brothers and 4 sisters and I’m the youngest. Dad acted like a sargent at arms:-). Mom and dad loved us dearly but they weren’t always there. Praise the Lord, God was always around! Bless u as well Anne. I do love my husband:-) 🤗
I have heard sermons by Fr Mark Goring. The first time I heard him was at a funeral many years ago; re metamorphosis; using the butterfly that becomes a butterfly; a worm emerges out of its cocoon. becomes a butterfly. Fr Mark likened this to man as he leaves his body after he dies and is changes into an eternal living soul.
Such a clear message, I believe it may have drawn many who were not born again to search for truth; Jesus.
I enjoyed Fr MacDougall when he was on TV. I did not know that he started
“Food for Life”. I like to watch Fr Mark Goring when he is on TV.
The scripture today “Trust and obey” is what the Lord desires.
The message at church this morning was on “Divine Breakthrough”
keep well saints of the Lord