FIRE IN MY BONES
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, pilgrims can visit stone pavings which are believed to be the “Pavement,” “Gabbatha,” (Lithostrotos). Nearby, Pilate had his judgment seat (John 19:13). This place is considered the second station of the Via Dolorosa (the path that Jesus took while carrying His cross on His way to be crucified). The Roman soldiers’ game in Lithostrotos pavement can still be seen as shown in the picture. Markings in the paving stones indicate a dice game known as, “The King’s Game.” It may be that this was where Jesus was mocked by the placing of a crown of thorns on His head, the old robe of royal purple, and the words, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:2-3).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.
Jeremiah considered being “politically correct” and keeping quiet about God’s Word of judgment which the people were bringing upon themselves. However, regardless of the pressure to be silent, he continued to shout God’s message of warning, calling for repentance! Is it possible that we could be so consumed by the fire of God’s Spirit that holding back makes us “weary,” and we open our hearts and out of our mouths comes God’s Word to our generation? What does Jeremiah’s level of commitment look like in the lives of the first generation of those who followed Jesus? Read of the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul wrote, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open!” Jesus describes a good man as recorded in Luke 6:45. He says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks!” This blog’s main purpose is to make sure that our hearts are full of God’s Word daily! Amen! So be it!!!
Jeremiah’s prophecy about King Zedekiah was 100% accurate. Read 2 Kings 25:6-11 and 2 Chronicles 36:11-21. How tragic it was that the leadership of Israel failed to act on the message of Jeremiah 21:8, “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.'” Moses said, centuries before when he presented the same challenge to Israel, “THEREFORE, CHOOSE LIFE!!!” (Deuteronomy 30:14-20).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I choose life! I pray that I will never falter in that choice, giving in to the pressures of political correctness. You, O Lord, are the Judge, not me. I know that my job is to speak Your Word to those with whom I come into contact. Holy Spirit, I pray that Your breath will blow on the embers of my heart daily, causing fire, as Jeremiah experienced, to burn in my bones so that I feel helpless to contain Your Word for my own benefit only. I ask You for the boldness of Peter and John who said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve stood several times on the “Pavement” pictured above and tried to explain how the Roman soldiers would use the game engraved on the stone to mock their prisoners. During my first visit in 1968, a Roman Catholic Nun took us down to the level of the ancient street below her convent and explained what happened. She was quite distant, lacking any passion when she explained the place. The next time I visited, the same sister took us downstairs. This time she passionately described how Jesus’ claims to be King were mocked, and then she began to sing, “He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” I said to her, “Sister, the last time we were here you just gave us cold facts. Something has changed. What has happened?” She answered, “O, I know Him now!” In further conversation I discovered that she had begun attending a charismatic prayer group’s meetings in the Old City of Jerusalem, and she had come into the assurance of her salvation, and been baptized with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4!
I ask my readers, “Do you know Him?” If you have any doubt about this and would like an introduction to Jesus in Person, please, please call 1-866-273-4444 toll free and ask one of our prayer partners to introduce you to Jesus Himself. They, like the Nun in Jerusalem, “KNOW HIM NOW!” The person who will answer the phone is filled with God’s Spirit. They are non-judgmental, loving, caring friends of Jesus! Go ahead, call as soon as possible. It’s available 24/7! If you get a busy signal, please don’t give up! Try until you get through.
Yours for “Knowing Him!”
David
Amen to David’s prayer and message about the Nun, filled with the Holy Spirit to proclaim His Name! Praise God through whom all blessings flow! Amen, saints?
WINTER
Jane Tyson Clement
1917-2000
“The dark emerging trees
from the new-winter wood
are lovelier than leaves,
as cold is also good.
The heart’s necessities
include the interlude
of frost-constricted peace
on which the sun can brood.
The strong and caustic air
that strikes us to the bone
blows till we see again
the weathered shape of home.
No season of the soul
strips clear the face of God
save cold and frozen wind
upon the frozen sod.”
Beautiful poem Beverlee. Thanx for sharing. God bless u.
Amen Beverlee; lovely poem!!
My daughter & her husband are having a well deserved vacation in Hawaii just now! No snow there, I would think. They live in Calgary where the winter has been very cold. I was distressed today to read that Franklin Graham is being prevented from preaching in the Scotland & Liverpool areas of Great Britain because of possible hate in his speeches. Complaints by LGBTQ groups. My heritage is from the Manchester area so it is very disturbing to me. I believe Jesus return is eminent with all that we see happening in our world now.
Agreeing Doreen. The world is becoming a dark place. Starting to feel like Jeremiah did. Nice to see Britain got out of the EU but now it will have issues with Scotland and Ireland. Praise the Lord for prayer as He hears us loud and clear.
It is interesting you mentioned this, Doreen, and Lynda, because just this morning I was feeling the end times coming soon, with all that is going on in the world. God bless you, both.
I am feeling this also Beverlee.
Bless you, Nan.
Amen Doreen thanks for sharing
Amen…. our prayers for FranklinGraham and those concerned.
Bless Doreen Lord; bless her daughter and the husband; we pray they have a great vacation in Hawaii;
we pray for Franklin Graham; keep him safe Lord as he shares the Good News of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour in Scotland and Liverpool; May his word travel to every ear; Thank you Lord; we pray Lord You will surround him with angels; You will keep Franklin Graham safe Lord, Lord we pray that You would send the Holy Spirit into the hearts of the LGBTQ people, they are your children Lord, speak to them Lord; hear their confession s; love them Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Dear Irene. Just noticed your post from yesterday so put some help there for your choir director, I hope, to get the video for “A Place in the Choir”. Been diagnosed with mono so don’t get to this website too often lately. Blessings on your day as always.
Haven’t heard from these guys for a long, long time. Miss them.
Statler Bros.: How Great Thou Art
https://youtu.be/C2YCGhh1bAg
Lord I pray for Lynda D for a complete and quick recovery from mono, thank you Jesus, Amen
Thank u dear Irene, very kind. God bless.
praying for healing for you Lynda; May God look after you and heal you; May God help you smile; May God help you heal ; we pray all this in Jesus NAme amen amen amen
Thank you dear Sah. Feeling better already. God bless.
Good morning dear fellow bloggers I am finding the book of Jeremiah very difficult to read but yes I agree with David’s prayer also one more thing today is my girlfriends Memorial funeral service her name is Pat and the service is at 1 p.m. this afternoon and I would just cover your your your prayers that God’s spirit would be felt in the service is my sincere prayer and thank you for remembering me as we celebrate her life
Praying for God to comfort you, Marilyn and everyone dear to your friend Pat. I pray also that the gospel message will be spoken at her memorial service and that many will heed it and come to faith in Jesus Christ! Through her death, may others find life eternal!
Bless you!
Amen Luisa
Amen
Agreeing with Luisa in prayer for you, Marilyn, in the celebration of your friend Pat’s life and for all who attend. Heavenly Father, comfort those who need strength and comfort in the passing of Pat, and may Your Word and Truth be spoken to those present. May Your precious Blood wash over them. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
I pray for comfort and peace of mind for you Marilyn, Amen
Agreeing in prayer with you Luisa and Beverlee for Marilyn at the funeral of her friend Pat. May the gospel message be clearly spoken and conviction fall on those attending in Jesus name. Amen!
Also Agreeing in prayer a little late if in is in Ontario.
Marilyn I also pray that the Lord will strengthen you for the days that lie ahead, you will miss your dear friend, but I am sure you have wonderful memories of her to hang onto. God Bless you and comfort you at this sad time in your life. ❤️🙏Eleanor M.
AMEN AMEN AMEN dear Marilyn……..The Lord God speak to all those who attend the funeral; thank you Lord, amen amen amen
Dear Father, thank You for the strength and guidance You give through Your Word. Thank You for faithful people. Please keep on building up all Your people to be the faithful ones You intend them and us to be. Thank You for Franklin Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Ravi Zacharias, Michael Youssef, Charles and Hilary Price, and all Your many evangelists, pastors, and leaders throughout this world. Help them, and us, to proclaim Your Word clearly, simply, and honestly. Please open the doors that no one can shut, so Your Word can go out everywhere and accomplish Your divine purposes. Build up, equip, and send out Your workers, Lord, and may Your will be done on earth as in heaven. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen, Rob. Amen!
Yes men Rob
Amen
Amen!
Amen Rob !
Knowing Jesus and being born anew in Him, changes everything and I am a new creation, Amen!
Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord thy GOD in the midst of you is Mighty; He will save, HE will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over you with singing” Amen,
Praise His Holy Name!
God is sooo good!!
Amen Rob!