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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…
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Christian Devotional – August 8, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 40:3–“And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.” TRUTH: It’s one think for Jeremiah the prophet to share this message. However, this time these words are spoken by the Babylonian commander to Jeremiah. He knew exactly why his country was allowed to overthrow the people of Judah. The word of the Lord, spoken by Jeremiah, had been heard by multitudes of people and that included those who were unexpected. Do we, as believers, hear and respond to God’s Word? God shares His message with the…
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Christian Devotional – August 7, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 39:12–“Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever her asks.” TRUTH: Even in the midst of the destruction of Jerusalem, God provided for Jeremiah. The Babylonian commander issued these orders above to keep Jeremiah safe and protected and provided for. God knows our needs and He has a plan to fulfill His will and display His glory. God is perfectly capable of using whatever means He chooses in order to provide for us. We can trust in Him. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will keep me and protect me during the difficult times ahead. I know You have a plan for everything…
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Christian Devotional – August 6, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 38:20–“They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you and your life will be spared.” TRUTH: No matter what God is telling us to do, we will have reasons and excuses that will come to mind for why we shouldn’t. The Lord has a plan for us, but it can be scary and Satan is quick to whisper all sorts of reasons to us to disobey. The Lord desires our obedience, but He doesn’t try to rationalize with us or explain reasons. He desires our obedience simply because we love Him and know…
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Christian Devotional – August 5, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 37:2–Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet. TRUTH: The new king of Judah wasn’t any better than the previous. He didn’t want to hear or know anything about God. Interestingly, in the very next verse, he called to Jeremiah and asked him to pray for him. The new king wanted God’s blessings without God Himself. Do we seek only the things of God instead of the Creator and Giver of those things? RESPONSE: Father, I love You and I desire You, and not just Your blessings. I want my relationship…
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Christian Devotional – August 4, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 36:24–The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. TRUTH: When confronted with God’s word, the king had no interest, no repentance, no remorse. He didn’t feel guilty and proceeded to throw the written word of God into the fire. God’s word is truth and when we are confronted with the truth of our ways, how do we respond? Do we turn with repentance and a desire to be made right with God or do we resist God’s instructions and refuse His corrections? RESPONSE: Father, I do not like correction, but I know that I can’t fully…
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Christian Devotional – August 3, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 35:13–Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘ Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instructions by listening to My words?” declares the Lord.” TRUTH: How do we know what God would have us do? We receive instruction by listening to God’s word. As we read, study, and meditate on the Word of God, the Bible, we see God’s character and His commands clearly before us as God speaks to us through His word. Are we listening? RESPONSE: Father, Your Word is the revealing of Yourself to me. I will treasure Your word and study…
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Christian Devotional – August 2, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 34:11–But afterward they turned around and took back the male servants and the female servants whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection for male servants and female servants. TRUTH: The Lord had given the people a specific command: free the male and female servants that you have. So the people obeyed and let them go. However, just after that, they went out and took their servants back. The Lord wanted the people to understand that partial obedience is still disobedience. They Lord wants us to honor the directions that He gives. He wants to help us, but we have to be willing to follow Him…