August 31

God again gives ANOTHER chance for the people who haven’t been destroyed to live in prosperity, but the word of Jeremiah falls on deaf ears and they trust in Egypt. These people are dense and bordering on dumb. What are they thinking? Well, they are thinking logically – at least according to their logic. When we were doing this, (idol worship), everything was fine, so we need to do it again. They had no spiritual sense!

I can’t say that I have been there, but it does seem in my life that the Word of God has come to me and I have neglected it for the “logical option”. I have noticed in my life that God constantly puts before me, reasonable choices and His choice which is unreasonable to me. Only in His will is found abundance and life, even if the land has been raped by another and is still under their control! God offers me prosperity in a land that is taken over by an enemy IF I’m directed by His Word.

August 30

Lamentations 3:22-25 (NIV)
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

In the middle of the worst circumstance one could ever face, this is what the prophet (most likely Jeremiah) says. There is always hope with God. Tomorrow is another day with the Lord and it brings a new opportunity for triumph, release and even the circumstances changing.

Verse 24 says; “I say to myself”. I always find it interesting when that happens in scripture. It is as if there needs to be a declaration to oneself to either convince, (because of what the eyes are seeing or the soul is enduring) or it is meant to produce a change of spiritual climate in the area around you. Either way it is what I was talking about on Sunday and here see again as something I should take note of. I must speak to reign, even if it is over my own feelings.

August 28

Out of all of Israel and all of Judah, the record talks about one man. No doubt there were others, but here in Jeremiah is Obed-Melech. The prophet receives a word for one man in the midst of all this is going on – one man. He then tells this man that he won’t be taken captive nor will he be killed in the siege. The reason – because Obed-Melech trusts the Lord.

What hope, what promise, what a wonder! It really is amazing that God would single out one person for is mighty and famous prophet to speak to. He wanted to ease His mind and quench His anxiety, but I think it went further than that. This man had a destiny to fulfill and he was going to be an example for millions that would come after him. This is what you get when you trust in God – saving.

It is difficult sometimes to believe that God pays attention to me, one guy out of billions! Over the years it has been much easier to believe, yet this story touched me today of God’s ability to distinguish those who trust Him. Doesn’t it say that he is looking everywhere for people whose hearts are fully His? God sees me, He saves me, He loves me. That brings a smile to my face.

Thank you Papa for not forgetting about me. Thank you for my reward of salvation – to the next life and in this life. I will not forget you!

August 27

An unlikely hero, King Zedekiah delivered Jeremiah not once but twice! So they guy who wouldn’t listen is now inquiring of the prophet and saving his life. Hmmmm…..

Sometimes I feel like giving up on people. I have brought them along, given them encouragement, spoken my council, but it has more times than not fallen on deaf ears. I watch them make bad choice after bad choice and I shake my head in frustration. Then, just when I think that they are becoming a lost cause, something happens in their life and they come back to God. For some it is a short stay, but for others if finally takes – or they finally take hold of God and won’t let go. It never ceases to amaze me how patient the Father is with people, and with me. I can’t look to people and think they will make the right decision, but I can look to my Father in heaven and know that when He is on the case, when He is on the mission, all things are possible. I must not stop hoping that those I have invested in will come back after they have rebuffed me and all the words I have given them. I must never give up on people.

August 26

I can’t help but get real today. I am tired of reading about judgment. Israel and Judah are under God’s judgment for good reason, and now Tyre especially is being wiped out because they are taking advantage of God’s people when they are down and out. There is a lesson in that but my soul is crying out for some encouragement! How about some good news! It dawned on me – 2 things really – first God was setting His people up and the people of the whole earth up for the coming of Messiah! Even Babylon will be in great need, everyone will! Everyone needs a Savior and the stage is being set for just that, not to mention that over and over it has said through all the proclamations of judgment that God will be exalted in all this and the whole earth will know of Him.

The second thing I received is how thirsty my soul is for the good news! I crave the blessing of God and I want it for others too! All of this judgment and wrath is having an effect on me, it is making me hungry for the promises of God.

August 25

Don’t gloat! There is a verse in Proverbs about not gloating over your enemies falling and I bet you Egypt and the others were bummed that they took advantage of Israel and Judah when they were being punished by God. God is so righteous, He so perfect, there is no toleration of so many things, yet even these prophecies took years to come to fruition. I can’t help but think if they repented and blessed that the judgment may have been averted.

For me, I am not going to gloat over anyone. Gloating is really a form of pride and God resists the proud. We teach our kids to shake hands after a loss or after a win because it is good sportsmanship. We should pity those who are struck by God because of the harm they inflict on us. Honestly, I like to at least flash a look to say, I told you so, but there is no room for that as a Kingdom Priest.

August 24

All I have to say to today’s reading is – thank God Jesus is coming! Whew! Thank God Jesus has come and saved me from all the judgment and wrath. The Messiah would change everything for the people of Israel and He has changed everything for me. I will never be under God’s wrath! I am under His favor forever. It sure was nice to read about some hope today!

August 23

Sometimes your faith is weakened because of the struggle that you are in and you see no way out. You have been wanting to help God be God, but have refrained and it has gotten you nowhere. Yet what is the choice? Try to help God out?

There is a timely verse today for me, “I will satisfy the priests with abundance.” I need to believe that word is for me. It takes faith to believe it when you see what I see, but what is the alternative – worry, anxiety and fear! Dr. John read a great scripture yesterday and it was for me. The message was that his praise needed to be on my lips for me to survive without worry, anxiety and fear. Is this too real for this blog? Isn’t that your choice too? Trust, praise and faith or worry, anxiety and fear?

Lord I reach out today and grab your word. I confess it and stand on it – I need it! Defeat my enemies and crush my adversaries! Restore my joy because I know that joy is my end.

August 21

Today is summed up by saying, "Papa, I don't understand". I said the same thing as I watched my pop struggle for every breath for a couple of days. I could get more graphic but the reality in my soul was, "I don't understand", just take him home Papa!" I don't understand things like this, but I do know that God does and my pop and Ezekiel's wife (most likely for Ezekiel's wife), are in heaven.

Sometimes things come from the hand of God that we don't like. Especially cups of suffering. The question to me is will I take it from the hand of God. Dare I say I will? God, I am yours and want to be unafraid of all things - who else to I have to place my life in, to put my trust in? Only you.

August 20

Wow! That was a graphic story with some stinging rebuke! You can really see God's hurt heart in all of this. For me, I saw the depth of the betrayal that God was feeling and it ceased to be about doing wrong things (which is was about as well), but it was God's heart that had had enough. He had put up with all that He could.

It was interesting that He gave them to their lovers. Isn't that just like my Papa. He lets me have what I am after to persuade me to never want it again. It is this very reason God is judging His people - to bring them back - to get them to repent so they won't prostitute themselves anymore. I think I trust in my own strength too much and rely on it as if it is going to get me through. I don't think I have quite prostituted myself, but I have seen God give me over to what happens when I do it in my own strength. Honestly, I am thankful for that - it is a correction that I need.

Lord may I receive it NOW and not later. I want to plant good seed and not seed that will grow up to choke out what I want so desperately, to trust you with everything. Love you Papa.

August 19

"Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made the holy." I don't think I have ever thought about the Sabbath in those specific terms - a sign between us. Not between me and the world, but between the Lord and I. There are multiple Sabbaths, but the one that came into my head was the 7th day. It is a sign to God that I trust Him and not myself. It is a sign to me that He is my supplier and He has made me "set apart", different than the dog eat dog world.

We all must work - even if you don't have a job. Work is mandatory under the curse of sin and we will work in heaven under no curse. I will gladly farm some great fruits and vegetables in heaven! (I digress) When I cease from working - earning money - I give a sign to God that I trust Him and not me. When I spend my day specifically around God centered activities, I say to Him that you are my all - you deserve a day! Hey, even more than that for me - when I rest from my works in this life I give a sign to God that I trust in the blood of Jesus to attain righteousness, miracles, provision or anything else.

Think for a few moments of how it is a sign from God to us. What does that mean?

August 18

I once saw Cindy Crawford interviewed on the Jay Leno Show. Jay was asking her about her beauty and how she isn't conceited. She said, “I did nothing to look like this, I was born this way.” I thought that was a marvelous statement, which I was reminded of as I read this Word about the prostitute in today's reading.

Sometimes we not only think we are something because of what God has given us, we use it for our own gain. It is a like a rich person who lavishes on himself instead of lavishly gives. Who do you think gave you the anointing to become rich? Use your riches for God! But instead of thinking about someone else and what their problems are, what about us? What about me? Where have I misused what I have been given, or even this ---- what have I not used? The prostitute used her beauty to advance her idolatry through sex and seduction, when she was supposed to use her beauty to glorify God and attract people to the Lord – not to her.

Show me where I have done this Lord. Show me what I have buried as well. I want to bring glory to you – not me, for my greatness is found in You!

August 17

The has been much said about false prophets, but I saw something today about them. The Word said that they “prophecy what is in their own spirits” and not from God's Spirit. That gave me pause. That gave me some caution! Prophesying is something we should do when God speaks to us and not we speak to ourselves. These prophets spoke what they wanted to have happen, not what God was going to do.

So now what? Do we not prophesy? God forbid! This passage gives me a clue into discerning my own “spirit” from God's Spirit. (Fortunately in us as believers, our spirit is indwelt by God's Spirit). The question I want to ask myself is, “Is this what I want?” There could be times that I want the same as God's Spirit, hopefully most of the time! But within me, when I wait on the Lord to tell me to say something or not, there is a depth of knowing and a conviction that I need to say it that is stronger than my own desires.

God help me to never to give a prophecy that isn't from you. I want to speak your Words, not mine. Quicken me and teach me your voice.

August 14

The King decreed something good – don't hold fellow Hebrews as slaves. It was in the law and was not the will of our King (Jesus) to hold other brothers and sisters in slavery. So the people obeyed the king and let all of their Hebrew slaves, their fellow partakers in the covenant of God, go in freedom. After they let them go, they enslaved them again. They couldn't handle letting people be free because of their personal cost or their perceived rights.

I can't help but think about letting people go from our jail, our criticism, our punishment, out from under our control. Not only does God want us to forgive and free people, but He wants us to let people be free to be themselves! Free to not conform to what we think they should be like. Life is too short to spend our time running other people's lives. It is an arrogant spirit that thinks it knows best for everyone.

Oh God remove my pride that thinks I know best for everyone. Lord you know best, you handle your servants! Me, I'll major in setting them free!

August 13

My Redeemer is strong and He will defend my cause. This morning I need you to do that Lord. I need healing Lord! I need you to defend me against this enemy! Bring your Kingdom and take from my body this vexing. I will take refuge in you - who else can I go to? Even in pain I throw myself at your feet, not understanding your delay. Yet I will praise you. I will believe that you love me in the midst of my agony. You are God, I trust in You.

August 12

False prophets have been a topic for many years. The who hate, (maybe that is too strong), dislike anybody giving a prophetic word have said that we should not prophecy because the standard for a false prophet is death. Nothing like a little fear to quench the Spirit of God. How they can read 1 Cor. 14 and think that God wants us to be to "afraid" to prophecy is a wonder to me. Jeremiah 25 gives me an understanding of the kind of false prophets that God calls out and clearly judges. It is those prophets who fill people with false hopes.

They keep saying to those who despise me,
"The Lord says: You will have peace."
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say,
"No harm will come to you."

Clearly these people were not connected with God because people who despise the Lord or reject His Word from their heart are in for some tough times. So the caution for us who "eagerly desire to prophecy" is that we should not give someone a word from God that says, "yea, just keep on sinning, God is going to give you great peace and prosperity." Maybe this oversimplifies the issue, but is that so hard to stay away from?

August 11

The figs that were in exile are the good figs. That is interesting isn't it? It is in this context that the wonderful verse, Jer. 29:11 is given. What stuck out to me was that God said to the exiles, settle in, plant gardens, find wives, etc... He also said that they were to pray for the peace and prosperity of the land so THEY WOULD HAVE IT as well.

Larry Norman wrote a lyric for one of his songs; "I'm only visiting this planet." The exiles were only visiting and I see myself like them in a way. I am not exiled from the Lord, but this world is not my home - heaven is my home. Yet, the instructions given to the exiles are the instructions given to me. Pray for the land, pray for peace, pray for prosperity in the land - don't rejoice that America is going through a financial crunch, pray for to end it so MY FAMILY and I can live in peace and prosperity. Do you get it? By my presence, as the good fig that can be eaten, by my prayer that will be heard by the God who wants to prosper me, those around me will be affected in a positive way. The people of the world have no hope, nobody but themselves, I have the Lord and His heart is FOR me!

August 10

David prayed, “cast me not away from your presence.” In today’s reading God, the One who wanted to live among His people had finally been hurt enough and cast His people away from His presence. This could only come after years, decades even centuries of pleading and warning His people that this would happen if they didn’t turn from their wickedness.

The cool thing that I thought of today is that God’s covenant with me is different. He will never cast me from His presence. The debate over how far I could go from God (by my own decision) will be debated until He comes again, but what I am secure in is my sonship! My sins are paid for therefore He doesn’t treat me with wrath and anger. The only time I have prayed don’t take Your Spirit from me is when I have been wandering away from Him and I feel distant. It is me that walked away – it will never be Him and He will never take His Spirit from me. I am so thankful for the New Covenant! As the song says, “I am secure, I’m confident, that I am loved, I know who I am.”

August 9

As I was reading today I saw something that is elementary, but I never thought about it in the way I did today. It is the fact that nations are destroyed because they despised the Lord and they defied the Lord. They had their own strength, prosperity and their own gods that they worshipped, even when they worshipped (I say that loosely) the Lord. So God in His anger destroyed these nations and one day, some of them will be built again. It is as if God is sending them a message of humility to get them to turn to Him through destruction. I was thinking - God will use whatever means necessary to humble these nations even if He has to destroy them. Hmmmm….

Then I began to apply this to my life and I became a little afraid. Not in a fearful sense but in a cautious sense. God will destroy whatever need be to humble me so I won’t defy Him. I think the anti goes up when you are in ministry, or at least when you have been walking with the Lord for years. God would rather have us completely destroyed, devoid of any pride and sense of self ability because He could build us back up again to greatness. I am thinking – why don’t I just get rid of all sense of self anything so I don’t have to go through any kind of destruction or occupation by another.

Keep me humble before you Lord. I want my heart to be yours. I have nothing without you, but with you I am great and will attain greater greatness!

August 7

Today I had to work a little – be quiet before Him – wait for a Word. Nothing stood out in this short day of reading. Then it came to me, in pain it came to me. God gives us His Word, and there are some who would try to burn it up. They tear it piece by piece until it is all burned in the fire. We have to be on guard and watch out for the stealers of God’s Word from our hearts.

I not only experience people who triy to take or mitigate God’s Word in my heart, but I most often experience “thought bombs” from the enemy designed to rob me of God’s Word. Sometime I feel like people are working with the enemy, but either way the scheme is to get me to doubt and to be pre-occupied with the “other” thoughts that have bombed into my mind. I have got to put God’s Word on my mind all the more when the enemy comes in and tries to distract and discourage me. I am in the middle of that right now, but now this word has come to me – put My Word on your lips! Even when someone burns God’s Word, He will write it again on our minds and hearts.

August 6

Out of the blue we are told the story of Jonadab and his sons. His sons obeyed him – period. It doesn’t really matter what they obeyed, but that they obeyed. (Although what they obeyed was NOT unrighteous, which I think was important). God is now asking why His people couldn’t do the same. This speaks to me about my ability to obey and to obey is better than sacrifice (and going to church).

Often times in ministry I wonder about the capacity of people to actually choose what is right. The toxicity of their past seems to so pollute them that they can’t choose correctly. I think there is some truth in that, however it is clear to me that God holds people accountable for obedience and therefore we can obey if we choose. Therefore my proclivities to do things because of the way I was raised or because of things that happened TO me only make obedience harder not impossible. I have the power to choose righteousness and when I don’t I am without excuse even though in my humanity I can understand the reason I didn’t. In addition, when I am so bound by sin that I myself chose to embrace, that was my choosing and therefore my responsibility.

Lord, don’t let me ever excuse myself from responsibility for any reason. I know you have freed me to live righteous before you – and I am FREE! Don’t let me be deceived to think I am not.

August 5

The Lord will use whatever He wants to get His point across to us. He will speak through whomever He wants and will chastise us using whatever means He chooses. There is no doubt to the above facts, but what I heard in today’s reading is that God’s deliverance will come, but we have to wait. That means that we have to be in the “storm” until He delivers. I don’t like the storm, but want to be driven safely to shore - immediately, but God at times, has ordained that I stay on the sea in the storm for His purposes. To be honest, I don’t like that, especially the analogy with the sea all churned up until I am sick, but I guess this is where I am really challenged to submit isn’t it. Submitting to blessing or even to some act of obedience seems easier than waiting for His deliverance while in the middle of difficulty.

Remember me, your son Lord. Don’t delay too long, but deliver me. Sustain me while I wait.

August 4

Egypt was full of themselves, and so was Babylon. God was saying to them, you cannot and will not be able to sustain yourselves because I will be against you. You think you have it all together and are strong, but not strong enough for my will!

I can’t imagine even being at a place where I think I have conquered so many things and am “something else” and can sustain myself. But pride is sneaky! I must understand my enemy wants me to think I am “all that” so I will forsake God to ANY extent. He will settle with the smallest forsaking. I must keep watch over my heart.

God when you bring me successes, remind me that I am nothing but clay in your hands and a tool within your Kingdom. I am satisfied to be used by you and to partner with you, don’t let me think more highly than I should about myself. I am your son, keep me in that thought – that is high, a good high!

August 3

Josiah did so many great things. In fact he almost single handedly averted the judgment of God towards Judah. But as we will see, their hearts really had not turned towards the Lord with conviction as they will go back to the old practices under a new king. It is the end of Josiah’s life that interests me.

He picked a fight with Egypt and lost. Neco told him that he wasn’t coming against him so back off, but Josiah felt like it was his job to stop this bully king. It was an honorable thing to do in a way, but without God, it was simply dumb. He died because of it.

There are so many causes, so many ministries, so many people groups that I could minister to, but God is warning me to stay on vision – stay on task. If I try to fight against the wrong evil, I may die because of it. Whether it is in ministry, as I am taking it, or elsewhere, ONLY FIGHT THE FIGHTS YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO FIGHT! Seek the Lord and ask Him if you will have victory. Ask Him if He has called you to this ministry – if not, stop immediately – if so, go for it!

Give me wisdom, prudence and vision for what I should be doing and to whom. There I will find Your strength and Your victory.