Instructions for Timothy

2 TIMOTHY 2:22-3:17

(October 24)

How often have you tried to instruct your teen or young adult to stay away from trouble? We do this to shield them from the problems and situations that can come from being at the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, with the wrong people, at the wrong time. Sometimes they heed our advice, other times they don't.

Timothy is still a young man and Paul is warning him about the things that might get in the way of his calling. He urges him to pursue righteous living with like-minded and like-hearted people, and not get tempted by his youthful lusts.

Paul urges him to stay away from arguments that will lead to fights, and to be kind to all. If he comes across someone who opposes the truth he teaches, he should be gentle in his instruction to them i the hopes that God might change their hearts.

Timothy is warned about the cruel, hateful, boastful and arrogant people who will betray their friends, choose pleasure over God, love their money more than God, and slander others with unloving and uncaring hearts. He is to avoid these people at all costs.

Paul mentions the "gullible women who are burdened with the guilt of sin." He is talking about the women in the Ephesian church who have never had any religious training. They were loving the new freedom they had to study Christianity. They were so eager to learn that this made them a target for the false teachers who would take advantage of them.

Paul mentions that these false teachers oppose the truth "just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses." These two were magicians who counterfeited Moses' miracles in front of Pharaoh. They opposed Moses and what he could do, and they wanted to be seen as having the same abilities he had.

Paul spoke a bit about the troubles he had faced. Timothy was very aware of what Paul had been through. He had witnessed Paul being stoned to death and left for dead in Lystra, which was Timothy's hometown. That was just the tip of the iceberg of what Paul experienced for the sake of the gospel. It is mentioned at this point of the letter as a contract of his experience to that of those who were teaching false information and seeking only their own personal pleasure.

Timothy is reminded to remain faithful to all that Paul has taught him. Since his childhood, he has been taught scriptures, and has put his trust in Jesus. Paul reminds him that scripture is truth, "inspired by God." God's word is more than just a collection of stories and tall tales. It is a collection of writing by believers chosen by God, in which he revealed his person and plan through the Holy Spirit.

These writers wrote from their own personal experiences and what they knew of history and culture, using their own minds, language, and writing style. They wrote only what God inspired them to write, it was all coming from him. That is what makes scripture completely trustworthy, because we know God was in control of all of it.

This BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth) is what guides us, teaches us, encourages us, and holds us accountable to a life of faith and righteousness. Without it, where would we be?

Shut De Door

October 24 Jeremiah 44:24-47:7

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

“The Family Quagmire: “Shut De Door”

“Shut de Door, keep out the devil. Shut De Door, keep the devil in the night. Shut De door, keep out the devil. Light the candle, everything’s alright.” (Shut De Door, Gaithers)

Did you know that DOORS are mentioned about 180 times in the Bible?

That’s a lot of doors! The question is, “Where do they lead?”

We also might want to consider WHO is on the other side of the door and what the purpose of the door really is for… Many of the Bible verses about doors pertain to closed doors, not open doors.

The garage door opened and I drove up my driveway and into my garage after a LONG day at work. It was 113 (not exaggerating) and the humidity was high. The excessive heat warnings were out and there were nightly flash flood warnings. However, no rain came that week… Except for the trickle running down my driveway which originated from my freezer in the garage.

I opened the door of the freezer and felt some of the packages inside. Ah Ohhhhhh! They were all rather warm, soggy, and disintegrating! “This can’t be good!”, I said out loud. I quickly realized that everything in there was ruined! (And I admit that I had too much in there.) My husband would see DOLLAR signs, and I saw my new pints of chocolate peanut butter oat milk ice cream, that I hunted all over town to find. They were ruined and there would be NO SNACK on this hot night! Perspective!

You see, a certain little person in my house wanted to make some Turkey burgers and had gone out to the freezer and the door doesn’t always close easily or tightly. It had been standing open. I have no idea how long the 113 had been seeping in and the cool refreshing temperatures had been drifting out. All I know is that now our dumpsters were loaded with rotten Meat and everything else we had wanted to eat. Neighbors, dogs, and passing by cars probably thought they had put fertilizer on the fields. Oh no… it was just a case of an “OPEN DOOR” gone awry.

How many “open doors” have we read about in regard to God’s chosen people going in a wayward direction?

I don’t know about you but I was so relieved when they pulled Jeremiah out of that dirty pit and the king said, “Look after him well and give him anything he wants.” (39:12) Finally!

The captain of the guard even gave Jeremiah some food and money and let him go and he was going to be able to live in Judah with the remnant that had been left behind. (Sigh of relief.)

Gedaliah was appointed the governor to watch over the poor people of Judah who were left behind and Jeremiah was one of them. He told the people that he meant them no harm and not to be afraid. (More relief!)

Before Jeremiah could even take a long winter’s nap, Ishmael and his ten men suddenly jumped up, drew their swords, and killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor. Ishamel set the next trap and killed eighty men who came to worship at the Temple and dumped their bodies in a cistern. He then made captives of the king’s daughters and other people who had been left under Gedaliah’s care.

Ishmael snuck in through the “FRONT Door” and waltzed right on in…

A man named Johanan rescued people whom Ishmael had captured after he killed Gedaliah. They were afraid of what the Babylonians would do when they heard that Ishmael had killed Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonian king.

These military leaders approached Jeremiah to pray to the LORD YOUR God for us… They said that they would be faithful and do whatever God told them to do “whether they liked it or not”.

Ten days later Jeremiah came back with a reply to their request. They were to stay right in their land and trust God to protect them from the Babylonians.

“Listen, you remnant of Judah. The LORD has told you: ‘Do not go to Egypt!” Don’t forget this warning I have given you today. For you were not being honest when you sent me to pray to the Lord your god for you.” (42: 19)

What was the response of the people? They replied, “You lie! Baruch convinced you to say this because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or be carried off into exile.” (43: 2-3)

Where do you think this remnant of God is heading?

Sadly, why would any of God’s people ever head back to Egypt, the land of their captivity, that God had miraculously delivered them from with plagues, signs, and wonders? He had even parted the RED SEA for them. Talk about an OPEN DOOR!! But, they weren’t walking through HIS DOORS…

Guy Fieri, a famous Food Network personality has a saying when he really likes a restaurant he visits. “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!”

This story today reminds us that you need to not only watch the FRONT DOOR that is in plain sight, but you better beware of the “BACK DOOR” where unfinished business, sin, and fear are calling you back into slavery.

Shut De Door keeps out the DEVIL!

Gold & Silver

2 TIMOTHY 2:1-21

(October 23)

Strength, endurance, and hard work are what Timothy will need to continue the work Paul has started. Paul advises him that the suffering he will face is what will define him as a good soldier of Christ. Not getting tied up in the things of this world and always being obedient to the Gospel will bring the reward of a job well done.

Anything Timothy endures will be worth it if it brings salvation to others. The world may put Timothy in chains, as they have Paul, but the Good News can never be chained.

Paul goes on to quote a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him,

we also live with him.

If we endure hardship,

we will reign with him.

If we deny him,

he will deny us.

If we are unfaithful,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny who he is.

Paul urges Timothy to remind everyone of this, encouraging them to stop the arguing and the foolish talk that has led to foolish behavior. Because the Lord knows who is walking in the faith and who has turned away.

By keeping himself pure, Timothy will be honorable and ready to be used by God. Paul likens it to the everyday wood and clay utensils in wealthy homes and the gold and silver utensils used for something special. Paul is telling Timothy that HE can be the silver and gold ... the special utensil used by God for the special task of leading others to know the gospel.

Paul wants Timothy to know how special he is, how worthy of this calling he is. Each of us have the same ability as Paul, to shed off the wood and clay and put on the gold and silver by leading an honorable life that sets us apart. We can all be shares of the Word and builders of the Kingdom.

There is also a warning I see hidden in these words today. Yes, Timothy can become the silver and gold, the special one. So can we. But we need to be careful that we don't lead others to OUR TRUTH, but to the ONE TRUTH. We are not the Savior, Jesus is. We don't deserve the praise, Jesus does. It's not all about us and what we can do for someone else. It's all about Jesus. He is so much better than silver and gold.

Silver and gold
Silver and gold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold
No fame or fortune
Nor riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold (Kirk Franklin)

Hidden Out of Sight

October 23 Jeremiah 42:1-44:23

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

“The Family Quagmire: HIDDEN OUT OF SIGHT

Do you worry more about “WHAT IS HIDDEN” or “WHAT IS SEEN”?

Most people worry more about what they can see… We have our “junk drawers”, “extra rooms”, “storage tubs”, overflowing pantries, and closets. As long as no one “peaks” we are “good to go”.

The definition of “HIDDEN” is “kept out of sight; concealed” and “hidden dangers”. Yikes!

Speaking of “Object Lessons that Demand Obedience”, I feel God goes beyond “the call of duty” to give me overt lessons when I am writing on topics. It’s like He says, “There you go; use this.”

This year’s back-to-school was the roughest ever for me in many ways. The temperatures have averaged triple digits (114 and humidity). I have literally been MELTING… but it’s not just me.

I got in my car to go to work and it literally smelled like someone had died in there. I had my car loaded with things to take to Good Will from cleaning the house over the weekend. I made the deduction that something in my storage boxes was the problem and so I headed over to Good Will (to share the love).

Come to think about it now, that is probably why the man had a funny look on his face. He was wondering if I was dropping off Grandma…

When I got home that night it was even worse. The high heat had cooked “whatever was wickedly hidden in my car”!

The next morning my husband took my car to get new cars put on it. Boy, did he have a surprise! I am sure he was embarrassed to drop it off, and he began hunting for “grandma’s remains” also.

Finally, he found the culprit! We had been shopping and my daughter had one bag to carry and it didn’t look like a grocery bag. She had left her bag in my car and it was filled with MEAT!

Bad, Rotten, TWO DAYS in the hot desert sun raw rank meat… Could I use more adjectives?

As the grinch would say, “Stink. Stank. Stunk.”

The problem was in what was HIDDEN! It was not on the surface or obvious. Instead, it was festering like a rank cancer multiplying by the minute.

Now, I ask you, “Would you try and salvage some of the rotten dead meat?”

Of course, not! If we ate that we would BE “grandma’s remains found in the car”!

The keyword used in our passage today is, “HIDDEN”.

First, there was a lineage of kings that were growing (like my meat) in the backseat! Each year was worse than the day before.

It was more than a Physical Quagmire… ...it was a Generational Choice of Sin!

You see, more is CAUGHT than TAUGHT and they definitely CAUGHT the family dysfunction! They were part of the “Family Quagmire”.

What is interesting in reading the Old Testament, we see that God had placed judges over the people to point them to Himself as KING. The people rebelled and wanted “a king” and that is exactly what they got… someone to RULE over them. These men were raised to a level they never should have been. God was supposed to direct the affairs of HIS nation.

Jeremiah is fighting more than the obvious SWAMP that he has been cast into… He is dealing with a generational dysfunction described as a Quagmire, “A Swamp, Quicksand, or Mire”.

Not only is there a spiritual bacteria festering in the kings but there was also one in the people. After a group of the Judean people was taken away, a remnant comes to Jeremiah and asks him to plead with God for them. They promise to do whatever he says. Jeremiah says, “I will HIDE NOTHING from you.” (42:4)

God gives him the message to give the people. They are to stay there and put their trust in God rather than in Egypt because Egypt is “going down” also.

God then gives them another OBJECT LESSON about THE HIDDEN ROCK. You see, they think they will place themselves in a safe hiding place, but King Nebuchadnezzar will spread his canopy over this rock too and they will be destined for death. Which choice will they make?

The Wrong One!

This “smelly meat” people keep on pouring out liquid incense to the “Queen of Heaven”. The men blame their wives and the wives “rat out their husbands”. Listen to their little squabble, “Besides, the women added, “Do you suppose that we were burning incense and pouring out liquid offerings without our husbands knowing about it and helping us? Of course not!” (44:19)

Jeremiah’s response, “Do you think the LORD doesn’t know what ALL of you and your officials and your ancestors have been doing?” (44:20)

Where was THE ROTTEN MEAT?

Well, it was HIDDEN OUT OF SIGHT. But, make no mistake, the LORD’s nostrils were burning with disgust and anger!

Paul’s Gratitude

2 TIMOTHY 1: 1-18

(October 22)

It is A.D. 66/67 and there is great persecution going on towards the Christians. Emperor Nero has decided to pass the blame for the great Roman fire onto them, and they are suffering greatly ... ostracized, tortured publicly, and murdered.

Paul finds himself imprisoned again. This time, he is not held captive in a house where he can continue his teaching. Now he is living in a dark, cold dungeon, knowing he is facing his final days.

If you knew you were living your last days, and death was so close it hovered around you like a dark cloud, who would you write your last letter to?

For Paul, the answer was obvious. He wrote his final letter to Timothy, the young man who had been like a son to him, the person he had taught, shaped, and molded to be a teacher of the Good News.

He tells Timothy how thankful he is for him, how much he misses him, and how joyful it will be when they are together again. As Paul knows he is about to die, we can assume he is speaking of their reunion in heaven.

Paul is proud of the faith that Timothy has and urges him to use it boldly to spread the gospel, never being ashamed. He doesn't want Timothy to be fearful of what might happen if he is persecuted, but to use the strength of the Lord to endure whatever comes his way.

Paul is not ashamed of his own suffering. His trust is in Jesus, and he knows his work will not be in vain. Timothy needs to have that same trust and let the Holy Spirit guard the truth he has been trusted with, never letting any false teacher sway him away from what Paul has taught him.

His last words are to the one who has been so dear to him, the one he has shared joy, tears, and sorrow with. Timothy is Paul's legacy, continuing on the great works Paul originated for the sake of the gospel.

In his final days, Paul is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to pass on what he knows and have Timothy carry on the work of the Lord.

Who’s On First?

October 22 Jeremiah 39:1-41:18

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

“Who’s on First”

“Zedekiah son of Josiah succeeded Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim as the king of Judah. “ (37:1)

Do you remember the famous baseball comedy routine by Abbot and Costello, “Who’s on First”?

The players’ names can simultaneously serve as the questions but also the answer. For instance, “Who is the first baseman?”, and the response, “Yes. The first baseman’s name is “Who”!

Sometimes my job is like this. Many students have at least two last names (maybe more). At the same time, their parents have different names from each other and from the children. Often names are pronounced in Spanish. ( I took French. Oops!) We have a program that tells us information about each family. It has, however, been “non-operational” this school year so far…

So, each day for me is like a little game. I play “hide and seek ”trying to match students with parents. It is a wonderful pastime while trying to get a new year up and running.

Sometimes, I feel this way when it comes to figuring out the backstory of “The “Family Quagmire” of OT kings. It is deep, dirty, smelly, and crazymaking, but here we go…

So Zedekiah is the third son of Josiah, the godly king who was the grandson of Manassah, (an evil king) and the son of Amon, (also evil) who was assassinated. (2 Kings 21: 2, 6)

Josiah was hidden from his evil grandmother in the temple by Jerhosheba and Jehoiada for six years because had a ROTTEN family tree!

However, he was raised in the temple and instructed in the ways of God by Jehoiada and God intervened to providentially bring him to the throne as king. He was godly and restored all the ways of the Lord’s teachings, traditions, and celebrations. He destroyed idols.

Now, you know who is on FIRST. It is Josiah. He is the first king in the lineage to return the people to God. Now it gets kind of confusing and follows a downhill trend. (He’s really not actually the first in the lineage. That was Manassah his diabolical grampy.)

Before his death, King Josiah appointed his Fourth son, Jehoahaz as successor to the throne. Who’s on SECOND? Yes, the FOURTH son, Jehoahaz is up SECOND.

He “HAZ” a very short reign of THREE MONTHS (Yes, that was not a type error. Months!!) His father thought he was more inclined than his older brother to follow in his footsteps, but he didn’t even try! He “ticked off” Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, and he was dragged away into captivity probably crying like a baby because he was the baby of the family.

So, that’s who was on “SECOND”. Got it? (Good, because this is confusing.)

Who’s on THIRD? Well, the SECOND is the THIRD, you see? The oldest brother, Eliakim was placed on the throne by Necho… but his name was changed to Jehoiakim. (Which sounds a lot like Johoiachin, but it’s not his turn YET… So, don’t jump ahead in the batting order!)

So, who’s on THIRD? Yes, it is number TWO, but his name was changed. Wheewwww!

By the way, Jehoiakim was even worse than his brother, but he reigned for eleven years.

Now you do understand why baseball players wear jerseys? I am thinking kings should also!

With weeping in his heart, Jeremiah watched the growing depravity that flowed down like a “sick sap” from the family tree. Each king was worse than the one before, and all of them would make their father ‘roll over in his grave’.

Now, you probably thought I was confused but really there is also a Jehoiachin. (He made it in by the hair on his Chinny-Chin-Chin because he only reigned for a short THREE MONTHS. Well, he was the grandson of King Josiah and the son of King Jehoiakim, and he came to the throne at the age of 18 (2 Chron. 36:9)

By the way, Jehoiachin was the grandfather of Zerubbabel and that is very important.

Then, there was Zedekiah (Josiah’s #3) also called Mattaniah. He reigned for 11 years. (But don’t confuse him with Zedekiah the brother of Jehoiachin the grandson. Do you see what I mean?) Zedekiah was the embodiment of the attitude of Judah. Sometimes he sought God and protected Jeremiah and then he “turned on a dime”. He was a “Royal Flip-Flopper”.

While we are playing “hide and seek” go ahead and take a peek for yourself.

“The sons of Josiah: Johanan, the firstborn, Jehoiakim, the second son, Zedekiah, the third, Shallum (called Jehoahaz), the fourth. The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin his son, and Zedekiah”.

(I Chronicles 3:15-16)

Josiah’s sons and grandsons were the last kings before the exile, and were important in provoking the judgment of God and bringing “the house down”. Whew! Now, it’s time for the seventh inning stretch at the Ol’ ball game…

I hope you don’t think I am “Going Out On A Limb Here” talking about “The Family Tree”, but here is what hits me… If you look at a chart of the kings of Judah not a single one of them is considered “Good” after Josiah. How can it be that a godly king raised such ungodly sons?

You see, only Josiah was raised by a priest in the house of God and learned to be king by following God’s laws. Every other king learned to be king by watching the debacle before them.

“Who’s on First?”.…Tragically, it wasn’t The Sovereign God!

Godliness is Wealth

1 TIMOTHY 6:1-21

(October 21)

Our culture is full of the philosophy that "more is better." More clothes, more cars, more homes, more money. Great significance is put on wealth.

A previous pastor used to say, "You can't haul a U-Haul on the back of a hearse." In other words, you can't take any of that with you when you leave this earth. The only thing that goes with you is the souls that you have led to Jesus, who will join you in their right timing.

That longing to be rich, to be wealthy, is a huge temptation when "things" are all around you. When Mrs. Jones, the neighbor, drives up in her new SUV, you can't help but get an itching for a new car. When Mrs. Jones steps out of the house in a fabulous new outfit, you decide you need to go shopping. Remember, Mrs. Jones' grass may look a little greener, but it still has to be mowed just like yours.

According to Paul, true wealth comes from our godly life. He reminds us, "we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (vs. 7-8)

The desire for riches leads us into temptation, ruin and destruction. I am sure you have heard verse 10 many times in life ... "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." This desire is deep enough to make many wander away from their faith.

Paul urges believers to run from evil things and put all your efforts into living a godly and righteous life. Stand firm in your faith. Share it with others, especially those who are rich, and teach them not to be proud and not to trust in their wealth.

Speak to them about putting their trust in God, instead of their belongings. Their wealth should come from good works and generosity. When it does, they are storing up their treasures in heaven.

I don't know about you, but if I have to choose, I choose the treasures of heaven over the treasures of earth ANY DAY!! Even when Mrs. Jones gets a new SUV.

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

October 21 Jeremiah 37:1-38:28

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

The Family Quagmire

Imagine beautiful lakefront property below all imaginable prices anywhere else in the country? Sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it?

In fact, what if I told you that this was once a resort for celebrities and presidents? The area became a destination for Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, the Beach Boys, and President Dwight Eisenhower, who used to come by the golf course.

When you drive by going from El Centro to Palm Springs California you see glistening water on the right and beautiful mountains on the left. Just recently we were staying at a resort in Palm Springs and I met a nice couple in the pool who were going for a little day outing to see his “former tourist destination”.

My words to them were, “Be careful. Be VERY careful.”

This idyllic California lake is called, “The Salton Sea” and it is now the home to algal blooms, endless dust, toxic air, and boiling mud pots! It smells of rotten sulfur or dead fish, but that’s not even the bad part.

People as far away as Imperial Valley (where I live) have a greatly increased level of asthmatic respiratory problems. The water level has dramatically gone down and the toxic levels have gone sky-high. They blow in our direction.

I have read about and actually know a family who went there to visit and got more than they ever bargained for… The Salton Sea has “Boiling Mud Pots”.

This is a volcanic fault area as well as a lake that has turned toxic. People go to explore these boiling mud pots and see dead fish, and interesting sights. However, the ground is not very hard in places. People will walk around the lake and one foot gives way and they sink in a “quagmire” of hot boiling muck.

There have been lawsuits and I know one little girl that this happened to in the last few years…

Today’s passage is about “A Family Quagmire” and also an “Actual Physical Quagmire” for Jeremiah…It’s going to be a hot mess, so get a cold drink as we take a little field trip together.

This little trip is going to take us a couple days to investigate all of the “Behind the Scenes” HIDDEN DANGERS UP AHEAD…

So, let’s start with the first obvious “HOT MESS” and then we will work our way to the back story of ‘The Family Quagmire…

Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “Stick-In-The-Mud”. This is an idiom that can be traced back to the 1730s. It denotes someone that is “set in their ways and does not appreciate change”. This is Judah’s view of Jeremiah; it is also where they want to “STICK HIM”.

As Jeremiah was walking through “The Benjamin Gate”, a sentry arrested him and said, “You are defecting to the Babylonians!” (37:13) “That’s not true!”, Jeremiah protested. “I had no intention of doing any such thing.”

They had already tried blackmail, gossip, competition with false prophets, and a host of other tactics (Including kindling of the scroll) to stop Jeremiah but he was “STUCK-IN-THEIR-SIDES”.

So, they set him up and then “lit him up” by flogging him and then imprisoning him. He was put into a dungeon cell, where he remained for many days. (37:16)

King Zedekiah commanded that Jeremiah not be returned to the dungeon. So, he was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace. There he received fresh bread each day. (Upgrade!)

However, some officials caught wind of the recent words of Jeremiah. Of course, they didn’t care for them at all as he was continuing his same theme of repentance and captivity for the unrepentant (Namely them!).

These officials went to King Zedekiah and said, “Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will UNDERMINE THE MORALE of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!

Never mind that they had UNDERMINED the MORALS of God and HE was the one behind their discipline, capture, and captivity. They weren’t going to down without a FIGHT!

King Zedekiah AGREED. “All right,” he said, “Do as you like. I can’t stop you.”

What a weak, weak, Greek Greek! ( I know he was Jewish but was he Greek? Hmmm)

“So, the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard… There was no water in the cistern, but there was a THICK LAYER OF MUD at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.” (38:6)

How low can one person go?

Poor Jeremiah had once again encountered...

“The Family Quagmire”!

The “Do’s” and the “Do Not’s”

1 TIMOTHY 5: 1-25

(October 20)

I like lists. There is satisfaction to be found in checking off completed items and feeling like you have accomplished something. I also like things spelled out for me, so I don't have to spend my time guessing. What is allowed, what is not; the "do's" and the "do not's".

In today's reading, Paul is giving the believers of Thessalonica a list of things they are TO DO and NOT TO DO. He does this in the hopes of keeping them growing in the faith and living a life that is pleasing to God, without allowing the enemy to penetrate their hearts.

He talks about how we are to speak to other people. He spells it out pretty clearly that we are to treat others just like family, with respect, grace, and gentleness.

He talks a lot about widows. He defines the TRUE widow as "someone who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband, well respected by everyone because of the good she has done, has brought up her children well, has been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly, has helped those in trouble, and always been ready to do good." (Vs. 9-10)

In those days, it was crucial that the church take care of these widows. They didn't have a 401K or Social Security to fall back on. There was no life insurance left behind for her, and really no jobs of value. Basically, they had no way to support themselves.

If they had family, it was that family's responsibility to care for her. A family was not supposed to pass that responsibility off to others, but to care for the widow and see to her needs and support.

Those widows who had no family were in grave danger of poverty. The church was to step in and offer care and support. The widow, in turn, would serve the church. I think of Naomi, with both sons and her husband gone. What would've happened to her if Ruth didn't step up and provide for her?

What about the younger widows? Paul advised them to remarry and spend their days caring for their new family.

He goes on to speak about the Elders of the church. According to Paul, these Elders deserved respect and payment for their preaching and teaching. He backs up that claim with several scriptures. He warns against gossip about an Elder. He also stated that those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church. WOW!! That would be EMBARASSING!!

And when it comes to choosing a church leader? Paul advises that they take their time. Pray over it. Right now, my church is without a youth pastor. There is someone filling in temporarily, but the Elders of the church are being very prayerful and patient about who they choose to guide the youth in our church. They want to make sure our youth stay focused on Jesus and growing in their faith.

Have you heard the saying "To whom much is given, much is required"? Well ... much has been given to us as believers. We have received grace beyond measure, incomparable love, and unbelievable promises. In turn, we need to give much ... our prayers, our patience, our respect, our love, our kindness, and our thoughtful consideration to covering all the "do's" and "do not's" spelled out in God's word.

The Smoldering Scroll

October 20 Jeremiah 35:1-36:32

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

“The Smoldering Scroll”

My husband has told a story from his childhood of a time that he got angry with his mom and tore a Bible into shreds and threw it down. He was a rebellious little handful on that day!

Why do you think he did such a thing? His mom was a very godly person and the Bible was a symbol of what was most important in her life… her God. It sounds like he was trying to get her attention in a “big way” and I am sure he did! I am pretty sure that some kind of “wisdom” was applied to him. I can tell you that in the years to come he has admired her faith above rubies and she was the rock that anchored their entire family. She prayed for everyone!

One way to show utter contempt for something is to rip it up and publicly burn the symbol associated with what one is protesting. People have in recent years taken to the act of burning our nation’s flag which is the symbol of our country. They are showing their public contempt for the land that gives them freedom and burning the flag that many brave soldiers have given their lives to uphold that freedom. While their coffins came home draped in the flag, others shred it and burn it.

Perhaps you remember hearing of the riots in Portland, Oregon in 2020. Groups of protestors burned stacks of Bibles and American flags. All of their actions were revolting against rules, spiritual truth, order, and the church.

Do you know that there is actually a recording of this exact type of rebellion in the Bible?

Oh, by the way, it wasn’t by a young child having a little temper tantrum.

Quite the contrary, it was by the King of Judah, tyrant King Jehoiakim who sliced up Jeremiah’s scroll and threw it in the fire. He was begged not to do this but did it anyway. In fact, he took a knife and cut off the section of the scroll that he didn’t want to hear and threw it section by section into the fire.

Neither the King nor his attendants showed any sign of fear or repentance in response to what they heard. They simply wouldn’t listen!

In case you haven’t connected all the dots yet, King Josiah, the godly child king who turned the kingdom around for God by destroying idols was King Jehoiakim’s father.

Well, maybe it was a childhood temper tantrum! This king seemed to stand against everything that his father had given his life for. Sad, so sad for his dad!

He not only disrespected the prophet whom God had sent, but he also disrespected his own father, and his heavenly Father and sovereign God!

Next, he commanded his son and another to arrest Baruch he read the scroll, and Jeremiah who wrote the scroll as God had commanded. “But the Lord had hidden them.” (36:26)

Have you ever wondered why were are reading such a long reading in the book of Jeremiah where the people are given “object lesson after object lesson”?

“So, Jeremiah took another scroll and dictated again to his secretary, Baruch. He wrote everything that had been on the scroll King Jehoiakim had burned in the fire. Only this time he added MUCH MORE!

“Turn & Burn”!

This is exactly what happened to King Jehoiakim. God pronounced judgment on him, “ Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim King of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out (There’s the TURN!), and exposed to the heat by day (There’s the BURN!), and the frost by night.” (Jer. 36:30)

“He will be buried like a dead donkey--dragged out of Jerusalem and dumped outside the gates!” (22:19)

According to Josephus, a famous historian, Jehoiakim was killed during the siege, and his body was thrown over the city wall.

God had been utterly removed from Judah’s political process and so God removed their leaders and people. This shows how far they had fallen away from “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.”

Instead, the king is using the scrolls of instructions for the people from God through Jeremiah for kindling and to light his fire!

It is interesting to me that in Revelation 5:4 we see another passage about a “famous scroll”. Here is what we have learned about it, “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.”

In prior verses, the angel had asked who was worthy to open this scroll that contained judgments from God. The answer was no one was morally or legally able to open it… SAVE JESUS.

When I look at this passage today through New Testament eyes, here is what I see.

The king cut up the words of God and threw them into the fire, but another king named Jesus would take upon himself the judgment of the world written in the scroll upon himself. He went to HELL and back so that we wouldn’t have to go into eternal captivity.

That, my friends, is “The Smoldering Scroll.”

Training for the Marathon

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16

(October 19)

In his younger years, my son was quite an athlete. He spent 12 months of the year training, so you can imagine how that felt to us like a very long marathon. He put much time and effort into several sports, and his hard work paid off for him. His reward was great.

Paul is urging the church to stand guard and prepare their hearts and minds for the false teaching that is coming at them. There will be many who are tempted by false teachers and turn away from the faith. Paul wants them to not worry about arguing with these people, but to spend their time training themselves to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." (V8) Paul wants everyone to trust in this.

The false teachers were threatening the church, just as Jesus and the apostles had often warned. Certain people in Ephesus began to follow some Greek philosophers who claimed the body was evil and only the soul was of importance. They also stated that the God of creation could not be good, because he had physical contact with the world, which would have caused him blemish. They honored Jesus but did not believe in he was truly human. Paul feared that if their teachings weren't halted it would greatly distort Christianity.

Paul called them "Hypocrits and liars." (v. 2) Satan is so good at deceiving us by offering clever imitations of the real thing. To make themselves appear more righteous and self-disciplined, these false teachers gave stringent rules such as not being able to marry or eat certain foods.

Paul urged the church to teach the importance of godly training to everyone. He especially urged Timothy to do so, and to not worry about his youth, his faith, or anything else. He wanted Timothy to continue to pour into the church through reading Scriptures, encouraging, and teaching them.

Timothy had received that spiritual gift when prophecy had been spoken over him and hands had been laid on him. Paul urged him to throw himself into his gift, keeping a close watch on how he lived, staying true to what is right. Paul was preparing Timothy for the marathon before him.

Eye to Eye

October 19 Jeremiah 33:1-34:22

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

Eye to Eye

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Go speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire. You shall not escape from his hand but shall surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You shall see the king of Babylon EYE TO EYE and speak with him FACE TO FACE. And you SHALL go to Babylon’.” (Jeremiah 34: 2-3)

What can we learn about King Zedekiah mentioned here at the downfall of the nation of Judah? The phrase “He did evil” is used to describe him. This phrase is somewhat misleading yet insightful. His name was changed to Zedekiah, meaning “a righteous king,” but he was far from righteous in his actions and leading of the nation. (Or not leading, to be more precise)

What kind of evil did he do? From the book of Jeremiah, we see that Zedekiah practiced a “passive evil,” not an “active evil.”

If your child is abused in your house and you stand by silently, would that be abuse?

That is the summary of King Zedekiah…

He watched Jeremiah being abused as a young prophet, but he did nothing. He flip-flopped, wiggled, reversed, and left him hanging. This was King Zedekiah’s sad MO.

He did not commit aggressive idolatry like Manasseh or outright persecution like Jehoiakim.

His wickedness was far more subtle. He allowed compromise, remained neutral, and closed a “blind eye.”. He allowed the people to continue their “abominations” and “evil practices.”

Why do you think King Zedekiah chose to go this apathetic route?

Was it fear of people, apathy, or lack of zeal for the Lord?

Here are a couple of interesting statements made about him, “He did not humble himself before Jeremiah.” Interesting that the King kind of “flitted” between ignoring his words and then trying to protect Jeremiah a little bit. He seemed to know there was truth in his words, but he just didn’t want to hear them.

Here is another interesting comment about him, “He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart.” ( 2 Chronicles 36: 16)

This short summary points us to PRIDE which often accompanies a man in his position. No one was going to tell him what to do. He had everything under his power, or so he thought.

Let’s take a closer look at his “wickedness” or “lack of caring”...

He had a DEVOTION to idols. He recognized the LORD, but he was not fully committed to Him.

He had a DISBELIEF in God’s Word… He heard it over and over, but he didn’t believe what he heard enough to ACT on it.

He had a DISREGARD for the Spiritual authority placed over him by God in His prophets and a DISREGARD for his role as the king under God’s authority.

He was “Blind to the Truth,” and that, my friends, is the worst kind of evil. To know what you should do and have the ability to help those around you, but apathetically choose to do nothing much at all.

King Zedekiah did not listen and heed Jeremiah’s warnings. He also rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (which Jeremiah warned him about). As a result of this, he only reigned for ten years. Babylon attacked Jerusalem and broke through its walls. Zedekiah attempted to escape, but the Babylonian army caught him. Then they executed his sons right in front of him. (2 King 25:7)

This was literally the last thing he ever watched with his two eyes in this lifetime because then the Babylonians gouged his eyes out and put him in prison.

Let’s revisit the opening passage that I shared with you as we began today, “You shall see the king of Babylon EYE TO EYE and speak with him FACE TO FACE. And you SHALL go to Babylon’.” (Jeremiah 34: 2-3)

Interesting choice of words, isn’t it?

The man who refused to see and was “Blind to the Truth” was told that he WOULD SEE the king of Babylon EYE TO EYE and FACE TO FACE.

That king was his punishment for the evil of his turning “A BLIND EYE” toward the evil of his people and being their Enabler.

On the Sabbath, he worshipped in the Temple. He certainly gave it a “half-hearted effort,” but how did that turn out for him?

We live in a day and age where many are evil in the same way as King Zedekiah. But make no mistake, a great day of reckoning is coming in our age as well...

“Behold, he comes with clouds, and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE him, even those who pierced him…” (Revelation 1:7)

Do we cozy up to evil and enable it in the life of others?

Eye to Eye… Face to Face… we shall see HIM!

Leaders of the Household of God

1 TIMOTHY 3: 1-16

(October 18)

While many people desire to be a leader, they often don't realize what is involved in the position. Often times, it puts you under a microscope, where everyone sees and has something to say about you ... the way you talk, how you dress, what your spouse or kids are doing, how you spend your free time ... your life can be very much on display.

Because of this, leadership in the household of God (the church) requires a person to lead an exemplary life, so that he can stand up to the scrutiny that is sure to come.

Does this mean a sinless life? Of course not. But many times, those watching forget that. They expect their leaders in the church to be sin free, when that is not humanly possible. Our leaders need and deserve the same grace as anyone else.

Paul spells it out in chapter 3, giving the characteristics necessary for a man to lead the church: a seasoned believer, faithful to his wife, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach others, sober, peaceful, gentle, not a lover of money, able to manage his family, and with a life above reproach. WOW!!! That's a lot! Much is required for a man in such an honorable position.

Then there are the qualifications for deacons. What is a deacon? Deacon means "one who serves." It is thought this position originated with the apostles in the Jerusalem church. They needed people to care for the physical needs of the congregation, including the widows. These men were leaders in the church who were basically overseers of the church. According to Paul, men should be closely examined before being put in this position. Their requirements closely matched that of the church leader.

Paul emphasizes that following this protocol for leadership was necessary because the church of the living God was the pillar and foundation of the truth. What does he mean by this? He is affirming the fact that Jesus is both human and divine. Because Jesus lived his human life in perfection, he is the perfect example of how to live our lives. As God, he gives us the power to make choices in our life, choices to do the right thing over the wrong thing. We can't live the PERFECT life that Jesus led, but through him we can live a GODLY life.

That is expected of us all, but none more than the leaders of the household of God.

Hindsight

October 18 Jeremiah 31:27-32:44

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

HINDSIGHT

“In the days to come, you will understand all this.” (Jeremiah 30:24)

Have you ever been far from your home with no return in sight?

Can you begin to emotionally relate to how God’s wayward children felt?

During my sophomore year in college, my parents and younger sister sold our home, left my home church, and drove from Springfield, Illinois to sunny Orange County, CA.

My brother and I literally sat on the curb in front of our home and cried…

It’s not like we weren’t invited or strongly encouraged to move. My mom seriously put college flyers in my bedroom when I came home for break. My college was just thirty minutes away from my home in Illinois and all of my life, friends, church, and memories were there. Not to mention my college that I loved and traveled singing for on the weekends. My world was rocked!

“In the days to come, you will understand all of this.” (Jeremiah 30:24)

I am pretty sure they were scratching their heads like I was mine when they heard these words.

Fast forward about thirty years… My husband is a pastor like my father was, and I was telling my dad about moving to El Centro, Ca. “I hate the heat and I don’t speak Spanish, and did I mention that I really, really hate the heat?” When I first went shopping here the music playing was in Spanish and the person waiting on me spoke Spanish, and when I went to the mall my phone said, “Welcome to Mexico” and gave me “roaming charges”.

I felt like I had moved to a foreign country! Everyone spoke Spanish everywhere, and I took French in high school, and Greek in college. “French is a lovely language”, my mother said…

I will never forget the few but meaningful words that my dad spoke to me about this.

He said, “Give it time. It’s the people that make a HOME”

It has taken me a long time to fully grasp this concept and yet it is the center of our reading today. So, let’s unpack the power-punched passage from yesterday’s message.

“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make A NEW COVENANT with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

The word, “Covenant” means “Relationship”. (As in it’s the people, not the things.) Making a “Covenant” is a binding agreement between two or more parties.

The first covenant was between God and Abraham. God promised to multiply and bless Abraham as he was faithful to him. God also made covenants with Noah, Moses, and David. He gave the people of the Old Testament the Ten Commandments to live by and asked them to always, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy.” Basically, the covenant was “I am your God and you are to be my chosen people.” But sadly, He wasn’t their God…They had gods.

The covenant was irrevocably broken when the LORD said, “Your injury is incurable-- a terrible wound.” (Jeremiah 30: 12). That was their state of being. They had chosen other gods and did not want God to be their God. They were not listening, reachable, or repentant.

Although He loved them like a groom loves his bride, they were the “runaway bride” who spent their days at the brothel…So, God tells them that he will now make a NEW COVENANT. How will this be different than the old?

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people…“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)

God is going to “put his instructions deep within them, and write them on their hearts”.

You see, they never could uphold their part of the covenant, and a covenant is a two-sided agreement. So, God is going to pay their debt for “the damages” and make a way for them to be in a right relationship with HIM. Their wickedness will be forgiven and remembered no more because of the death of His son, Jesus Christ, and God is going to place the Holy Spirit in their hearts. That is their seal and conviction that will be written deep within their hearts.

Before this gift, His people never really knew where HOME was. God’s people will once again sing songs of joy and thanksgiving because they are about to find out what HOME is all about.

What I learned from my many moves is that HOME is a place in your heart that is filled with God and being part of HIS very large kingdom. It is bigger than a hometown and more beautiful than any landscape. It gives you Living Water in the desert and this new family holds your hand even when they do not know your name.

This home is filled with brothers and sisters who are adopted into God’s family, and they are connected to you by an invisible hotline called prayer. God sends you HIS people by HIS mere promptings “written deeply in their hearts”.

HOME is wherever your Father and all His children reside. It may be in the heartland, the mainland, or the desert. It is the kingdom of God and you are never an outsider. You belong. You are welcome. You are loved.

That is what I have learned in… Hindsight!

A Woman’s Place

1 TIMOTHY 2: 1-15

(October 17)

There is much discussion about a woman's place in the church. Should she lead? Should she teach? What does scripture say is permissible?

In this portion of Paul's letter, he spells it out. Women were to be modest in appearance, not drawing attention to themselves with their clothes, hair and jewelry. Women were to learn quietly and submissively, not teaching me or having authority over them.

Does this indicate that Paul was against women? To get a better idea, we have to look at it from their perspective, from their time in history. In 1st century Jewish culture, studying wasn't permitted for women. By saying women should learn in quietness and full submission, what Paul was actually doing was offering them a wonderful new opportunity, to gain knowledge. He didn't want them teaching because they didn't know enough yet, and there were already enough "false" teachers, and he didn't want the women to be swayed by these imitators.

Paul didn't forbid women from ever teaching. If you remember, Pricilla, who was his friend and coworker, taught Apollos. Paul talked often about the women who had positions of responsibility in the church. What Paul is most likely saying is that the Ephesian women shouldn't be teaching.

What about his comment about women being silent? He is using the word silent as a reference to having an attitude of quietness and composure. In Paul's own words he spoke about women who prayed in public and prophesied.

Have you ever heard that phrase, "give them an inch and they take a mile?" Well, that was what the Ephesian women were doing. They were taking advantage of the new freedom they had in Christ and trying to influence others. It was Paul's thought that they were simply too new at Christianity to teach those who already had a biblical education.

As stated earlier, this is a huge subject of conversation, even today. There are many who think women have no place in church leadership. There are others who think women have the ability to play a powerful part in teaching others and leading them to Christ.

What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Bring Them Home

October 17 Jeremiah 30:1-31:26

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

Bring Them Home

“God on high. Hear my prayer. In my need, You have always been there. He is young. He’s afraid. Let him rest. Heaven bless. Bring him home.” (Bring Him Home, Les Miserable)

I just finished listening to the song, “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables with Hugh Jackman. Oh my goodness! If you just want to push “Pause” right now on this devotional, I suggest you just sit in the middle of that song and take it in for just a moment… or hit rewind, like me, a few times! If you have read my writings before you probably have guessed that I love music and musicals and this musical is at the top of my list because of its powerful message.

Perhaps you may wonder about the meaning of the lyrics of this song. Hugh Jackman is playing the part of Jean Valjean, the man who needs redemption and he sings this song as a prayer for a young man named Marius. Cosette was an orphan who Jean Valjean had cared for and she fell in love with young Marius. He wants her happiness more than his own and would trade his life for Marius’ life. Young Marius had participated in anti-government riots and this had put his life and their relationship in an awkward position.

“You can take. You can give. Let him be. Let him live. If I die, let me die. Let him live. Bring him home.” (Bring Him Home, Les Miserable)

Do you understand why this song touches my heartstrings as I read this passage today?

Here is what the LORD says, “Your injury is incurable-- a terrible wound… No medicine can heal you.” (30:12-13)

They are in exile, like young Marius, away from their homeland and love, but God says of his people, “In the days to come you will understand all this.” (30:24)

How can they understand their judgment, captivity, and homecoming?

“Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, MY VIRGIN ISRAEL. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines. Again you will plant your vineyard on the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there. The day will come when watchmen will shout from the hill country of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord our God.” (31:3-6)

Did you catch what he called this rebel nation that had been unfaithful repeatedly? In previous verses, they were called “prostitutes and whores” because they continually gave themselves to IDOLS physically, sexually, mentally, and emotionally.

But now he calls them, “My Virgin Israel”.

Interesting that they are now made “clean and pure in His sight again”. How can this be when they have lived now for 70 years among unclean, unkosher, non-Jewish people?

Interesting that Jesus was born of a Virgin...

We are now in the second act in a message greater than any seen on Broadway, and the feeling of doom is beginning to lift and the music is changing to a major key. Something grander than the people can begin to imagine is coming to light…”In the days to come, you will understand.”

“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make A NEW COVENANT with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD. ‘For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already.” says the Lord, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)

Tomorrow, we will ponder all of the rich prophecies that are jam-packed in this passage.

God is sharing a word with His broken, exiled people that is beyond their comprehension. He is talking about much more than just their return to their homeland as a Remnant.

“He is like the son I might have known. If God had granted me a son. The summers die. One by one. How soon they fly. On and On….Bring him peace. Bring him joy. He is young. He is only a boy. You can take. You can give. Let him be. Let him live. If I die, let me die. Let him live. Bring him home.” (Bring Him Home, Les Miserable)

The young man, Marius, was not the actual son of the main character, but Jean Valjean was willing to lay down his life to bring this son home for because of his deep love for the orphan under his care, Cosette. And, so he sang and prayed, “God on high. Hear my prayer. In my need. You have always been there.”

I love this picture of redemption in this musical because it is a small glimpse of what God really does for his people. He steps in to take their place and says, “Bring Them Home”.

Faith and a Clear Conscience

1 TIMOTHY 1: 1-20

(October 16)

As Paul continues his writing to all who need a word from him, he includes this first letter to Timothy, which was meant to encourage Timothy as he went out on his own.

Paul visited Ephesus for the first time when he took his second mission trip. On his third trip, he spent almost three years there. As one of the major cities in the Roman empire, and being a center for commerce, politics, and religions, there was quite a bit of false teaching going on.

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy in about A.D. 64, after he has spent his first stint in prison. After being freed from prison, he spent several years visiting many of the churches in Asia and Macedonia.

After he and Timothy returned to Ephesus, they witnessed a lot of false teaching going on, just like Paul had warned would happen.

While Paul went on to Macedonia, he left Timothy in charge of the Ephesian church. It was while Paul was separated from Timothy that he wrote this letter to his protégée to help him deal with the issues in that church.

This letter was meant to encourage and instruct Timothy. He wanted Timothy to lead these believers to have pure hearts, clear consciences, and genuine faith. He reminds Timohty that ALL are sinners, but Jesus considers us worthy and shows mercy on all who call on his name.

He encourages Timothy to cling to his faith in Christ and keep his conscience clear. And by doing so, it will help him fight well in the Lord's battles.

When we are facing battles, not knowing where to turn, may we always remember that our faith in Christ is our strength. We can cling to him. He is our life raft when the oceans are roaring around us.

Unpack Your Bags

October 16 Jeremiah 28:1-29:32

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

Unpack Your Bags

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

Perhaps you have read, memorized, and loved this passage of scripture for a very long time. To many people it is a favorite life verse, but have you ever fully examined this verse in context?

Today, we are going to do just that…

When I showed up for Bible college I loved this verse too, but I lacked “the big picture” about much of anything. Truly! In fact, I would say that it would be an understatement to say that I was “ill-prepared” for college life.

Many set goals and visit lots of colleges and fill out information for grants and scholarships. How I even got to college is still a mystery to me today!

I loved my hometown, friends, and job. I was a lifeguard at a summer camp in the summer and life to me was a gigantic pool, a glass of iced tea, and fun days of meeting new people and skiing on the lake that surrounded the camp and pool there. I had zero goals beyond that. I went on a two-week backpacking trip to CA at a Christian ranch where I was challenged to give God the first chance with my life. So, the night before college started, I packed.

When I got to college, I didn’t unpack (for a very, very long time). I really wasn’t too sure at all that I was going to stay. (It was a ‘play it by ear thing, and I was a music major.)

One day a fellow music major and future friend of mine came into my room and realized that everything I had was still in suitcases. She actually put my underwear in the drawers and set me on the task of putting pictures on a board in my room.

Her kind words, message, and actions were, “Unpack Your Bags”.

Friends, it is excruciating to leave your homeland and be in an unfamiliar place, and that is exactly what this story is about today.

False prophets were speaking messages for God that He never gave. One of the false prophets, Hananiah, broke the yoke that Jeremiah was wearing which symbolized their need to surrender to their captivity. Two months later this false prophet was dead!

Speaking prophecies for God is dangerous since he holds life and death in His hands!

Other false prophets tried to have Jeremiah killed, but God controlled their fates as well.

Have you ever had someone speak a false prophecy over you?

My family has experienced that a few times and I was so afraid. I wonder how Jeremiah felt…

We had a man in our church that had actually raped a couple girls and confessed this information, but when it got time for him to go to court his family started death threats against some of us so that we wouldn’t testify. He drove a pizza delivery truck, and I lost all desire for pizza for quite some time…

I wish I had read Jeremiah’s story back then. I had this Hallmark perfect-ever-after view of life and I placed that verse right into my little happy package. “For I know the plans I have for you”... (Oh I bet they will be just ideal with a white picket fence, four kids, a pool in the back, lots of friends and parties, and a happy, happy church!)

Let’s take a peak at the end of the verse, “I will be found by you, says the Lord. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (29:14)

What proceeded this verse was the context that God’s people were going to be in captivity for seventy years… not TWO like the false prophets told them. But, with the seventy long years, t came the promise, “I will bring you home again.” (29:10)

Here is what God told them to do during this time that they were strangers in a strange land, “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Have grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (29:5-7)

And P.S. “Don’t listen to the false prophets who are telling you to leave your bags packed because you’re going home soon”!

I have come to learn that being a kingdom person is really a delicate balance. My treasures are not to be buried here in this life with me holding onto them tightly. I am just “a passin’ through”.

In the meantime, I am supposed to plant, produce, pray, and bless the community in which I live while there is time, however long God says that is supposed to be.

After all, it is about “The plans that He has for me…”

Is it time for you to “Unpack Your Bags” spiritually, mentally, or physically and plant, produce, and pray for your area?

Idleness is Unacceptable

2 THESSALONIANS 3: 1-18

(October 15)

As Paul wraps up this letter, he is asking for prayer for himself and his co-workers. He requests prayer for the spreading of the gospel, and for protection from the wicked and evil.

His last request to the Thessalonians is that they stay away from believers who live idle lives and don't follow what Paul and his team laid out for them. This team did not demonstrate idleness while with the Thessalonians. They worked hard, bought their own food, and asked for nothing. They wanted to set a good example to these believers on how to live.

But some of them were living idle lives. They spent their time being nosey about what was going on with those around them and refused to work. Perhaps they had heard some false teachers say that if Jesus was coming back any day, why bother with work. The problem was, being idle leads to sin. When you have nothing to do, you get into things you shouldn't, like gossip. This was becoming a burden on the church, because the church then had to support them.

That is why Paul told the believers to stay away. He did not tell them to consider these idle ones as enemies but warn them as they would a brother or sister.

Just recently I encountered someone who was not working, enjoying the hospitality of another person, yet refused to help them when they needed help with something minor. It just frustrated me so much to see that happen. Where this person should have helped out of gratitude for the help he was receiving, instead his laziness glared boldly for all to see. Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE!

Surrender a Heavy Yolk

October 15 Jeremiah 26:1-27:22

Object Lessons That Demand Obedience

SURRENDER A HEAVY YOKE

“The battle rages on. As storms and tempests roar. We cannot win this fight, inside our rebel hearts. We’re laying down our weapons now. We raise our WHITE FLAG. We surrender all to You, all for you.” (White Flag, Chris Tomlin)

The message in today’s reading is “SURRENDER”!

Unfortunately, none of the people of Judah want to hear or obey the message from Jeremiah.

The nation of Israel has received many doomsday messages… Both then and now!

Prophets make a lot of money proclaiming the destruction of God’s people. It is kind of like the Jews were the teacher’s pet and everyone wants to “bring them down to size”, but not Jeremiah. In fact, he doesn’t fit this profile AT ALL!

He was young, humble, and one of them! He did not get to marry or have a family, and he was persecuted, whipped, and thrown in prison for preaching a message of repentance and upcoming captivity. They HATED him! Even the religious leaders HATED him!

Face it, Jeremiah was “Bad for Business” and they were making money at the Temple Gates! It’s not that people weren’t “coming to church”, so to speak! They were just keeping ALL their options, OPEN… REAL OPEN! They gave a meager bit to God and the rest to their gods. They were people of CHOICE who were living life according to the old song, “I did it MY WAY”.

This morning I walked past the TV and heard a man talking about how they need to put out more “HORROR MOVIES”. (Oh yea, that’s what we need!) He was a scientist and is behind movies about MASS DESTRUCTION. He wants to show the world how global warming and other things can bring the entire nation down. So, he will “scare them to death” so that they will listen and follow science, because “Science is the only thing that can save us.”

Did you catch that? That is IDOLATRY. We don’t call it Baal; we call it Science. The worship of Baal was worship of Intellect. The name has changed but the very same battle is going on right now!

We read about famine, wars such as Ukraine, massive disease outbreaks like COVID, and major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Then there are scandals, political unrest, and the nightly news. We are just plain ol’ tired to the bone!

Can we just turn it ALL off already? That is how Jeremiah felt!

Perhaps you get tired of READING THIS BOOK of the Bible. Jeremiah was exhausted from LIVING THE STORY in this book!

Listen to what God says to him and then what he calls him to do…“If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

The low-down of what God is saying is, “You’re telling me!”

Do you think you’re weary of these people? You don’t see the half of it! You don’t know how many chances I have given them, how faithful I have been over and over again. You don’t know how many prophets, kings, and miracles I have sent them. However, they prefer to “sell their soul” to idols. In fact, they prefer to kill their own children by offering them to idols. So, the time is coming to a close on my patience…

Now they will be ruled by the very IDOLS they worship. It is TOUGH LOVE. Very TOUGH!

So, the new object lesson that God sends to the people is a YOKE and Jeremiah is going to be the one to wear this heavy leather yoke fit for an animal.

They say that this occurred around 593 B.C. and Nebuchadnezzar had already invaded Judah once and taken many captives. God’s people want to fight their ungodly enemy, but instead, Jeremiah is telling them to Repent and Submit. This goes against their “Grain” (or "STRAW" as the case may be).

But listen to the backstory, “Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals under his control. All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson UNTIL his TIME IS UP. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon. So you must SUBMIT to Babylon’s king and SERVE HIM; put your neck under Babylon’s YOKE” (Jer. 27:6-8)

Jeremiah is wearing the YOKE as an Obedience OBJECT LESSON.

However, the real object lesson is going to be the nation of Jerusalem, “And I will make Jerusalem an OBJECT OF CURSING in every nation on earth.” (26:6)

There is no HEAVIER YOKE than the bondage of sin and the resulting captivity. The message for all of God’s people today is simply the very same, “SURRENDER”

“We raise our WHITE FLAG. We SURRENDER all to YOU, all for YOU…” (White Flag, Tomlin)