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 (left) and Caleb Harris in front of one of the Southeastern University dormitory buildings (2016). I’m proud of these young men who want to serve Jesus Christ with all their hearts, minds, and bodies.
Amen to David’s prayer and Galatians 2:20. Because of Your love for us, Lord, we love You from the bottom of our hearts and depths of our souls. That love drives us forward as Your faithful servants on earth, spreading Your seeds to others. May His love continue to strengthen and comfort you today, saints of the living God, as we live for Him and praise His Holy Name. Amen.
For the love of Christ compels us, having concluded this, that One has died for all, therefore all have died (2 Corinthians 5:14 BLB). “There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of ‘the love of Christ.’ This total surrender to ‘the love of Christ’ is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, February 4
Goodness Of God (Lyrics) by Bethel Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq2LDvxmdUo
Amen Beverlee
Before I leave for the pool, here is another great worship song, I had to share:
Blessed – Hillsong Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0NPps2VpY0
SOutheastern University in Lakeland, Florida is only about half hour or so from where we live in Zephyrhills. For several years we have their students preach it our Sunday morning church services. They are truly an amazing group of young adults. So blessed in the the Lord. I look forward eagerly to Sunday service every week.
Amen to you Beverlee and Nan.
God is still working in our young people and I am praying for them to pave the way for others in the future.
David and his family continues to do this , I just love this blog for sharing words of encouragement to all of us. We must never give up no matter how we feel, that things have gone to the dogs. God is still in control and He is the one in charge not us. May We do His Will each day and not our own.
Many blessings to each one of you dear friends. Eleanor M.
Phil: 4:13 my life verse.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Amen Eleanor, Nan, and Bill.
Amen Eleanor M
The Lord smiles on your congregation,Nan.Robin Mark once remarked that the bible does mention God smiling,
Numbers 6:26a NKJV “The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,”
I’m so delighted to be living on this earth in the same time frame as David Mainse (all of them) and his family — as well as Billy Graham and all teachers and lovers of God’s Word. Such an honour!!
In Mark 2, Jesus “saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me’” (v. 14). He did not say, “listen to me” or even “believe in me,” but “follow me.” To “follow” someone requires the holistic commitment of our lives, a call God’s word regularly extends to us (cf. Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1).
“The person who does not know Christ “does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Lest we take pride in our spiritual knowledge, remember that we were once where they are and that our salvation “is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Dr. Jim Denison
https://youtu.be/ad54bH-nQTM Bringing in the sheaves.
Blessings from our heavenly Father on all dear saints this and every day.
Amen,Lynda….”Not long ago we were them”
The World Forgot
The world forgot what is right
For we were supposed to teach them,
By sharing with them the light
But we could not reach them.
Not long ago we ‘were’ them
Until we found the light He gives;
The One the world would condemn,
Then died to show He lives.
They don’t want to know our ways
For they think their ways suit them best,
But we know how it dismays
When one begins the quest.
We must begin to reach out
Or we may loose them all to sin,
So we must defeat the doubt,
To plant the seed within.
Using words at their command
Will allow His word to imbed,
Thus they can then understand
How He rose from the dead.
GW(Bill) Marshall/26 July, 2015
Amen
Amen Lynda D
Father God, You are righteous and holy, absolutely pure. Thank You for calling us out of this world, for forgiving us, for cleaning us, for giving us hope and encouragement… Thank You for Your pastors, evangelists, and missionaries in all places. We ask You to build them up, strong in You, faithful to Your Word and Your Spirit. May Your Word go out to all people everywhere and accomplish Your purposes in all who hear it. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen!
Amen, Rob
Amen to your prayer Rob.
Amen Rob
I hope someday I can say with confidence “…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. “https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2%3A20&version=NIV Galatians 2:20
Here is the assurance that my mentor and now close friend,Rev John Fortier,had always fortified me with when I was a self doubting baby Christian: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A6&version=NIV “He Who began….” Philippians 1:6
The Only One
If I had been the only one,
No matter what I had done,
He would have sent His only Son,
To die before the setting sun.
I may have thought I was dirt,
But He loved me anyway,
Through all the trials and hurt
To save me for judgement day.
He broke the demon’s strangle hold
But we have to be free to choose,
Either love or Satan’s earthly gold,
But choose the glitter,then you loose.
So choose the path away from wealth,
For riches bring a fool to ruin
And you will find in heaven’s stealth
That treasure there is widely strewn.
Free choice is a gift to all,
It came with Him off the cross,
And if I stumble and I fall,
He saves me from eternal loss.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 23 March, 2014
Read all your posts today as always and thank you. Jeremiah prophesied and preached for 23 years but the people were dull of hearing as a result of sin. Prayed David’s prayer and Lord help us all to spread your Word. Blessings on all today.
Amen Ger