Category: Jeremiah–BibleTrekToday
The God of peace and love!
Scripture reading for October 2nd: Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2nd Corinthians 13
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-14 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Paul’s closing benediction calls the church at Corinth to joy and peace in the Holy Trinity. God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit bring love, peace and joy to all the saints. They are restoring all believers and bringing comfort, agreement and peace. As believers through the grace of Jesus Christ allow and invite God the Father to live in their midst, His love and peace brings true fellowship through the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit living in each one. This is the pattern for God’s people everywhere–and especially in our lives today!
Psalm 76:1-2 “In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem (Peace), His dwelling place in Zion.”
Faith confession and prayer: Heavenly Father, establish Your abode in my midst and the midst of Your Church. May Your grace and peace and love flow from Your people in unity and fellowship as they are fed by Your delightful Word.
Jeremiah 15:16 “Your Words were found and I ate them, and Your Words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your Name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Conceit can bring deception!
Scripture reading for October 1st: Jeremiah 11-13, 2nd Corinthians 12
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 12:7-10 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
Paul carefully explained how God had given him great revelations, even catching him up to the third heaven. He heard things that he could not reveal or explain. God allowed a thorn in Paul’s flesh from Satan, to keep him from conceit. Conceit is pride that puffs up a person and allows deception. Paul sought God for deliverance, but God assured him that His power would be made perfect in weakness and His grace would be sufficient to keep him. Paul’s boast now was in his weakness so Christ’s power would flow through him.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing grace that can keep me from pride and deception. Help me to boast only in You and my many weaknesses that Your power may work through me to accomplish Your will.
Jeremiah 13:15-17 “Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light He turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness. But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.”
Satan in disguise!
Scripture reading for September 30th: Jeremiah 8-10, 2nd Corinthians 11
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15 “And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
The spiritual warfare Paul warned the Corinthians about came in the form of counterfeit apostles, teachers and “Christian” workers. Satan loves to disguise himself as an ‘angel of light’ when he is really a dark fallen angel. Satan uses people he has taken captive to be his ‘deceitful workmen’ right in Christ’s church. To identify the counterfeit “Christians”, we must know the genuine Jesus and those who genuinely represent Him and His Word. If we fall for the counterfeit, we will suffer now and in eternity. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment if we are teachable.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the Truth and the Spirit of Truth Who brings me discernment. Correct me and help me daily to stay true to You and listen only to Your Word taught by Your gifted people.
Jeremiah 10:23-24 “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in Your anger lest You bring me to nothing.”
Spiritual warfare!
Scripture reading for September 29th: Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2nd Corinthians 10
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 10:3-7 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
Paul was concerned about false teachers and their deceptive ideas and philosophies defiling God’s people. They were making fun of his own humble stature and demeanor when he was present with them and now his bold approach to correction in his letters. Paul set them straight, that they were all in a spiritual battle. This battle was not against flesh and blood, but against wicked spiritual forces who used argument, proud ideas, and opinions contradicting Christ Jesus. We must control our thinking and use the divine weapons of prayer, worship, confession of truth and faithfulness to God’s Word to destroy the strongholds of evil attacking us.
Psalm 75:2-3 “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I Who keep steady its pillars.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the divine weapons You provide Your Church for pulling down strongholds. Help me today to bring every though captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 7:23 “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'”
How’s your harvest?
Scripture reading for September 28th: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2nd Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give cheerfully and with purpose. He did not want to shame them or coerce them to give or to manipulate their hearts with human emotions. He did tell them spiritual truth: the law of sowing and reaping determines the harvest. For a sparing harvest, sow sparingly, but for a bountiful harvest, sow bountifully. God gives the increase and will make all grace abound to you in many areas of need in your life. The abounding harvest is more than money, but brings full sufficiency in all things at all times! Amen!
Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; . . .”
Faith confession and prayer: God’s promises are true and bring encouragement and hope. I want an abundant harvest so I will sow generously and cheerfully trusting in Your Word of promised grace!
Jeremiah 1:11-12 “The Word of the Lord came to me saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My Word to perform it.””
Rejoice in Fiery Trials!
Scripture reading for November 12th: Lamentations 3-5, Ezekiel 1, 1st Peter 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
Life will have its trials and tests. We will be called upon to suffer because we bear the Name of Jesus Christ as our Lord. When we suffer for doing good or as a believer, we can rejoice and be glad. God will bless us with His Spirit of glory resting upon us to give us grace to endure and the sure hope of eternal reward in God’s presence.
Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your faithful mercies and mighty Hand! Help me to rejoice in suffering and trials, relying on Your steadfast love and new mercies each day. Amen.
Sharing our Hope!
Scripture reading for November 9th: Jeremiah 51-52, Lamentations 1-2, 1st Peter 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 3:14-17 “But even if you should suffer for for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
Suffering for righteousness will bring blessings to the believer. We are not to be afraid or troubled by those who persecute us for our good behavior and love of Christ. We should always be ready to share the hope of Jesus with those who are doing the persecuting. Pray that God opens the doors of their hearts and that we have an opportunity to share the work of our God in saving sinners.
Jeremiah 51:10 “The Lord has brought about our vindication; come let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I sanctify You as Lord in my heart today. Give me opportunity and boldness to share the hope of the Gospel with those who persecute me or are hostile to You and Your Church. Amen.
Finding the Way to Zion!
Scripture reading for November 8th: Jeremiah 48-50, 1st Peter 2
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 2:21-25 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, he did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Suffering was a part of Christ’s life on earth. His suffering set an example of patience and faith for all His followers. Suffering will be a part of every believer’s life on earth as well. We must keep our eyes on the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ and allow His healing wounds to steadfast faith.
Jeremiah 50:4-5 “”In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.'”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me and Your followers the Way to Zion! Thank You for the everlasting covenant through the blood You shed. By Your stripes I am healed. Amen.
Obedience and Holy Fear
Scripture reading for November 7th: Jeremiah 44-47, 1st Peter 1
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 1:14-19 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,”Your shall be holy for I am holy.” And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefather, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Peter called the church to live righteous and holy lives, modeled after God and His Son Jesus Christ. He pointed out that God would judge each man impartially, according to his deeds. This should bring a holy fear and a trust in the redeeming blood of Christ as our only hope of standing before a holy God.
Jeremiah 44:10-11 “They have not humbled themselves even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My law and My statutes that I set before you and before your fathers. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set My face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah.”
Prayer: Lord, I humbly accept the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood as my only covering for my sin. I honor you with obedience and reverence. Amen.
Faith shows in Action!
Scripture reading for November 6th: Jeremiah 41-43, James 5
Key Scriptures: James 5:13-16 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess you sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
James concluded his letter to the church with practical instructions on living by faith with corresponding actions. No matter what the circumstance, prayer, praise, thanksgiving and actions prompted by faith will bring God’s response. Faith shows itself by corresponding actions! The people who came to Jeremiah for God’s direction, however, did not want to obey God!
Jeremiah 42:2-3 “. . .and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant–because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us–that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing we should do.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your promises of response to the faith of Your people. Keep me from unbelief and failing to act on Your instructions. Amen.