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Christian Devotional – January 4, 2017
What good are plans? As we continue to look at purpose, read Jeremiah chapter 29. God is giving the people of Israel some idea of what is going to happen to them in the future. They have been taken away into captivity and they dont see how any of this could possibly be God’s will for them. Jeremiah receives a word from God that is to help them and encourage them. We are going to focus on verses 10 – 14. God tells Jeremiah that He has plans for the people. God wants the people to know that there is a plan in everything that is going on. God has…
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Christian Devotional – August 20, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 52:13–He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. TRUTH: Finally, the destruction Jeremiah had warned them about happened. The Babylonians came and destroyed everything that the people valued. God allowed it because He wanted the people to understand that there are consequences for their actions and that they can’t trust in things because they can be destroyed. We can trust in God because He never fails. He is all that we need, but if we trust in other things, God will actually show us that they can be destroyed so that we…
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Christian Devotional – August 18, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 50:34–Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. TRUTH: The Lord prophesied the destruction of Babylon and in the middle of this long chapter about the punishment because Babylon captured Judah, Jeremiah says this verse. The people of Judah can rest and relax in their Redeemer. He is strong. He will vigorously defend the. He brings rest. The Lord is the One who will defend us. He is the only One who gives rest. He is to be our strength. As we…
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Christian Devotional – August 16, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 48:10a–Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently. TRUTH: As Jeremiah delivers another prophecy, the people are told that it’s not just about doing the Lord’s work, it’s about doing it whole-heartedly. Are we diligent or negligent as we follow through with His plans? The Lord has given us all a job to do and responsibilities to maintain in obedience. If we are not diligent about His work, then we are being negligent and God will address that. RESPONSE: Father, You have given me work to do and I will be diligent to follow through with that work. I love You and want to follow through with…
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Christian Devotional – August 14, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 46:28–“Do not be afraid, Jeremiah my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go completely unpunished.” TRUTH: Even in the dark times, even in the times where it feels that all hope is lost, God is still in control and there is still a plan. God works to discipline us when we need it, but we can know that He is still with us, even through the difficulties and the disciplines. RESPONSE: Father, things…
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Christian Devotional – August 13, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 45:5–Should you then seek good things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life. TRUTH: Baruch was Jeremiah’s faithful secretary. Now there was a message specifically for him. Baruch was not to seek special positions or greater recognitions for what he did. He was simply to seek God. God had a plan for Baruch and he was to take comfort in that. God has a specific plan for each of us that fits in with His plan to bring Himself glory. We must all seek after the…
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Christian Devotional – August 12, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 44:4–Again and again I sent my servants the prophets who said, “Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!” TRUTH: God tried to warn the people, to get their attention. He sent prophets to warn them and sought to steer them clear of the dangers of their ways. The people were not interested and did not obey, so God was going to bring judgment on them. God gives us multiple opportunities to hear His word and choose to follow it. Do we listen for these promptings. RESPONSE: Father, I want to obey You in everything and I will be looking and listening for ways to show…
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Christian Devotional – August 11, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 43:2–Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying!” The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.'” TRUTH: What is arrogance? Arrogance is believing that you are better than someone else. These men believed they were better than God and knew more than God. They asked Jeremiah to tell them God’s Word, but then once they had heard it, they didn’t like it so they told Jeremiah he was wrong and accused him of lying. How do we respond when God tells us His Word and…
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Christian Devotional – August 10, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 42:7–Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. TRUTH: The people asked Jeremiah to tell them the word of the Lord. They wanted to hear and they promised to obey. However, the Lord did not speak right away to Jeremiah. Jeremiah prayed and sought the Lord for 10 days before he received the message to take back to the people. How long will we seek God for answers? How long are we willing to wait for God to reveal His will? God will move in His own timing. We can trust in Him and wait on Him. RESPONSE: Father, You know best. You see the…
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Christian Devotional – August 9, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 41:8–But ten of them said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us! We have wheat and barley, olive oil and honey, hidden in a field.” So he let them alone and did not kill them with the others. TRUTH: Ishmael was not going to stand for the Babylonians setting up a puppet government, so he just went out and killed everyone. Then when eighty more men showed up just to worship, Ishmael began to kill hem, too. Ten of them offered a bribe in exchange for their lives and Ishmael took it. Ishmael was only after personal power and gain, that was what motivated him. What motivates us? Do we act…