Day 223 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 11 August 2023 reflections
Day 223, 11 August 2023
1) Jeremiah 23,24,25
Jeremiah 23:1-32
Jeremiah 23
The Righteous Branch
1 (Jer 10:21; 2:8) Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep
of My pasture! says the Lord.
2 (Ex 32:34) Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds
that feed My people: You have scattered My flock and driven them away
and have not visited them. I am about to punish you
for the evil of your deeds, says the Lord.
3 (Jer 32:37; 29:14) I will gather the remnant of My flock
out of all countries wherever I have driven them and bring them again
to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 (1Pe 1:5) I will also set up shepherds over them who will feed them;
and they will fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor will they be missing,
says the Lord.
5 (Isa 4:2; 9:7; 11:1-5) The days are coming, says the Lord,
that I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
and he shall reign as king and deal wisely,
and shall execute justice and righteousness in the earth.
6 (1Co 1:30; Isa 9:6; Jer 33:16) In his days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell safely.
And this is the name by which he will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 (Jer 16:14-15; Isa 43:18-19) Therefore, surely the days are coming,
says the Lord, when they will no more say, "As the Lord lives
who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,"
8 (Isa 43:5-6; Am 9:14-15) but, "As the Lord lives who brought up
and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country
and from all countries where I had driven them."
Then they will dwell in their own land.
Lying Prophets
9 (Hab 3:16) My heart is broken within me,
because of the prophets;
all my bones shake;
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the Lord,
and because of His holy words.
10 (Ps 107:34; Jer 9:2) For the land is full of adulterers;
for the land mourns because of the curse.
The pleasant places of the wilderness have dried up.
And their course is evil
and their might is not right.
11 (Jer 6:13; Zep 3:4) For both prophet and priest are profane;
indeed, in My house I have found their wickedness,
says the Lord.
12 (Ps 35:6; Jer 11:23) Therefore their way will be as slippery ways to them;
they shall be driven into the darkness
and fall in it;
for I will bring disaster upon them,
even the year of their punishment,
says the Lord.
13 (Jer 2:8; Isa 9:16) In addition, I have seen folly
in the prophets of Samaria.
They prophesied by Baal
and caused My people Israel to err.
14 (Isa 1:9-10; Jer 29:23) I have seen also among the prophets of Jerusalem
a horrible thing.
They commit adultery and walk in lies.
They also strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one repents from his wickedness.
All of them are as Sodom to Me
and her inhabitants as Gomorrah.
15 (Jer 8:14; 9:15) Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts
concerning the prophets:
"I will feed them with wormwood
and make them drink the water of gall,
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
profaneness has gone out into all the land."
16 (Jer 14:14; 27:9-10) Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.
They lead you into vanity;
they speak a vision of their own heart
and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
17 (Mic 3:11; Jer 8:11; 13:10) They still say to those who despise Me,
"The Lord has said, 'You will have peace'";
and they say to everyone who walks after the imagination of his own heart,
"No evil will come upon you."
18 (Jer 23:22; 1Co 2:16) For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord
and has perceived and heard His word?
Who has given heed to His word and listened to it?
19 (Jer 25:32; 30:23) Look, a whirlwind of the Lord
has gone forth in fury,
a tempestuous whirlwind.
It will fall tempestuously upon the head of the wicked.
20 (Jer 30:24; Ge 49:1; Zec 1:6) The anger of the Lord will not turn back
until He has executed and performed
the thoughts of His heart.
In the latter days
you will understand it perfectly.
21 (Jer 14:14; 27:15) I have not sent these prophets,
yet they ran.
I have not spoken to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 (Jer 23:18; 25:5) But if they had stood in My counsel
and had caused My people to hear My words,
then they would have turned them from their evil way
and from the evil of their deeds.
23 (Ps 139:1-10) Am I a God who is near,
says the Lord,
and not a God far off?
24 (1Ki 8:27; Job 22:13-14) Can a man hide himself in secret places
so that I do not see him?
says the Lord.
Do I not fill heaven and earth?
says the Lord.
25 (Jer 23:28; 23:32) I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy
lies in My name, saying, "I had a dream, I had a dream!"
26 (1Ti 4:1-2) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who
prophesy lies? Indeed, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart,
27 (Jdg 3:7; 8:33-34) who plan to cause My people to forget My name
by their dreams, which they tell to their neighbor, as their fathers have
forgotten My name for Baal.
28 (1Co 3:12-13) The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream.
And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What is the chaff to the wheat? says the Lord.
29 (Jer 5:14; 20:9) Is not My word like fire, says the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30 (Dt 18:20; Ps 34:16) See, therefore I am against the prophets,
says the Lord, who steal My words, each from his neighbor.
31 (Jer 23:17) See, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use
their tongues and say, "The Lord says."
32 (Jer 7:8; La 2:14) See, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,
says the Lord, and recount them and cause My people to err by their lies
and reckless boasting. Yet I sent them not nor commanded them.
Therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23
[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my
pasture! saith the LORD.
[2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that
feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have
not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings,
saith the LORD.
[3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I
have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall
be fruitful and increase.
[4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they
shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith
the LORD.
[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth.
[6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and
this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
[7] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no
more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt;
[8] But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the
house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I
had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
[9] Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones
shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome,
because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
[10] For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land
mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their
course is evil, and their force is not right.
[11] For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found
their wickedness, saith the LORD.
[12] Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the
darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil
upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
[13] And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in
Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
[14] I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they
commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of
evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them
unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
[15] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold,
I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for
from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
[16] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the
prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of
their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
[17] They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall
have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination
of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
[18] For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and
heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
[19] Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous
whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
[20] The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and
till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye
shall consider it perfectly.
[21] I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to
them, yet they prophesied.
[22] But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear
my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from
the evil of their doings.
[23] Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
[24] Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith
the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
[25] I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name,
saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
[26] How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies?
yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
[27] Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which
they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my
name for Baal.
[28] The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath
my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?
saith the LORD.
[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that
breaketh the rock in pieces?
[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that
steal my words every one from his neighbour.
[31] Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their
tongues, and say, He saith.
[32] Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD,
and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their
lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not
profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
False Prophecy
33 (Mal 1:1; Isa 13:1) When this people or the prophet or a priest asks you,
saying, "What is the oracle of the Lord?" you shall then say to them,
"What oracle? I will forsake you, says the Lord."
34 As for the prophet and the priest and the people who say,
"The oracle of the Lord," I will punish that man and his house.
35 Thus each of you will say to his neighbor and to his brother,
"What has the Lord answered?" and, "What has the Lord spoken?"
36 (2Pe 3:16; 2Ki 19:4) And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention
no more, for every man's word will be his oracle.
For you have perverted the words of the living God,
of the Lord of Hosts our God.
37 Thus you will say to that prophet, "What has the Lord answered you?"
and, "What has the Lord spoken?"
38 But if you say, "The oracle of the Lord"; therefore thus says the Lord:
Because you say this word, "The oracle of the Lord," I have also sent to you,
saying, You shall not say, "The oracle of the Lord."
39 (Jer 23:33; Eze 8:18) Therefore, surely, I, even I, will utterly forget you
and cast you and the city that I gave you and your fathers out of My presence.
40 (Jer 20:11; Eze 5:14-15) And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you
and perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten.
[33] And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee,
saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What
burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
[34] And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say,
The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
[35] Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his
brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
[36] And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's
word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God,
of the LORD of hosts our God.
[37] Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee?
and, What hath the LORD spoken?
[38] But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the
LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto
you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
[39] Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will
forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you
out of my presence:
[40] And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual
shame, which shall not be forgotten.
Jeremiah 24
The Good and Bad Figs
1 (Jer 29:2; 2Ch 36:10) The Lord showed me two baskets of figs that were
set before the temple of the Lord after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and the officials of Judah with the carpenters and smiths from Jerusalem
and brought them to Babylon.
2 (Isa 5:4; 5:7) One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that
are first ripe, and the other basket had very rotten figs,
which were so rotten they could not be eaten.
3 (Am 8:2; Zec 4:2) Then the Lord said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
And I said, "Figs, the good figs, very good. And the rotten, very rotten,
that are so rotten they cannot be eaten."
4 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 (Na 1:7; Zec 13:9) Thus says the Lord the God of Israel:
Like these good figs, so I will acknowledge those who are carried away captive
of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans
for their good.
6 (Jer 29:10; 42:10) For I will set My eyes upon them for good,
and I will bring them again to this land. And I will build them up
and not pull them down. And I will plant them and not pluck them up.
7 (Jer 30:22; Heb 8:10) I will give them a heart to know Me,
that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God,
for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
8 (Jer 24:2; 43:1-44:1) But as the rotten figs, which cannot be eaten,
they are so rotten, says the Lord, so I will forsake Zedekiah
the king of Judah and his officials, and the rest of Jerusalem
who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
9 (Jer 15:4; 29:18) And I will make them a horror
and an evil to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach
and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places wherever I shall drive them.
10 (Isa 51:19; Eze 5:12-17) I will send the sword, the famine,
and the pestilence among them until they are consumed from
off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.
Jeremiah 24
[1] The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before
the
temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried
away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the
princes of
Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them
to Babylon.
[2] One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe:
and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they
were so bad.
[3] Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said,
Figs;
the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten,
they are so evil.
[4] Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[5] Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I
acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent
out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
[6] For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them
again
to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will
plant them, and not pluck them up.
[7] And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they
shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me
with their whole heart.
[8] And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely
thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his
princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them
that dwell in the land of Egypt:
[9] And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the
earth
for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all
places whither I shall drive them.
[10] And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them,
till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their
fathers.
Jeremiah 25
Seventy Years of Captivity
1 (Jer 36:1; 2Ki 24:1-2) The word that came to Jeremiah concerning
all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah,
king of Judah, that was the first year of NebÂuchadnezzar king of Babylon,
2 (Jer 18:11) which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah
and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying:
3 (Jer 1:2; 11:7) From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon,
king of Judah, even to this day, these 23 years the word of the Lord
has come to me, and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking,
but you have not listened.
4 (Jer 25:3; 26:5) The Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets,
rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined
your ear to hear.
5 (Jer 7:7; Ge 17:8) They said, "Turn now again everyone from his evil way
and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell in the land that the Lord has
given to you and to your fathers forever and ever.
6 (Dt 8:19; 6:14) And do not go after other gods to serve them
and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger
with the works of your hands; and I will do you no harm."
7 (2Ki 21:15; Dt 32:21) Yet you have not listened to Me, says the Lord,
that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands
to your own harm.
8 Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
9 (Jer 1:15; 18:16) I will send and take all the families of the north,
says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations; I will utterly destroy them,
and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
10 (Jer 7:34; Eze 26:13) Moreover I will take from them the voice of laughter
and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the candle.
11 (Da 9:2; 2Ch 36:21-22) This whole land shall be a desolation
and an astonishment, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon
seventy years.
12 (Isa 13:19; Jer 29:10) It shall come to pass when seventy years
are finished that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,
says the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans,
and will make it perpetual desolations.
13 (Jer 1:5; 1:10) I will bring upon that land all My words
which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book,
which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.
14 (Jer 51:6; 27:7; 50:9) For many nations and great kings will make
slaves of them, even them. And I will recompense them according
to their deeds and according to the works of their hands.
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the
fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first
year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
[2] The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and
to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
[3] From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even
unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD
hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;
but ye have not hearkened.
[4] And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising
early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to
hear.
[5] They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the
evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you
and to your fathers for ever and ever:
[6] And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and
provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no
hurt.
[7] Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke
me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
[8] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my
words,
[9] Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the
LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring
them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against
all
these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an
astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
[10] Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of
gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound
of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
[11] And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and
these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
[12] And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I
will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their
iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual
desolations.
[13] And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced
against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath
prophesied against all the nations.
[14] For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also:
and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the
works of their own hands.
The Cup of God's Wrath
15 (Ps 75:8; Isa 51:17) For thus says the Lord God of Israel to me:
Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand and cause all the nations
to whom I send you to drink it.
16 (Na 3:11; Jer 51:7) They will drink, and totter, and be mad,
because of the sword that I will send among them.
17 (Jer 1:10; 25:28) Then I took the cup from the hand of the Lord
and made all the nations, to whom the Lord had sent me, drink:
18 (Ps 60:3; Jer 24:9) Jerusalem and thecities of Judah and the kings
and the officials, to make them a desolation, an astonishment,
a hissing, and a curse, as it is this day;
19 (Jer 46:2; 46:13-26) Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants,
and his officials, and all his people;
20 (Job 1:1; Isa 20:1) and all the foreign people, and all the kings
of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines
(even Ashkelon, and Gaza, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod);
21 (Jer 48:1-49:22; Ps 137:7)Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon;
22 (Jer 47:4) and all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Sidon,
and the kings of the coastlands which are beyond the sea;
23 (Jer 9:26; 49:8) Dedan, and Tema, and Buz,
and all who cut the corners of their hair;
24 (2Ch 9:14; Jer 25:20) and all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings
of the foreign people who dwell in the desert;
25 (Ge 10:22; Isa 11:11) and all the kings of Zimri,
and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes;
26 (Jer 51:41; 25:9) and all the kings of the north, far and near,
one with another; and all the kingdoms of the earth
which are upon the face of the earth,
and the king of Sheshak shall drink after them.
27 (Jer 25:16; Hab 2:16) Therefore you shall say to them,
Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel:
Drink and be drunk and spew and fall and rise no more because
of the sword which I will send among you.
28 (Job 34:33) It will be, if they refuse to take the cup
from your hand to drink, then you will say to them:
Thus says the Lord of Hosts: You shall certainly drink!
29 (Pr 11:31; Eze 38:21) For I am starting to bring calamity
on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished?
You shall not be unpunished. For I will call for a sword upon
all the inhabitants of the earth, says the Lord of Hosts.
30 (Joel 3:16; Am 1:2) Therefore prophesy against them all these words,
and say to them:
The Lord will roar from on high,
and utter His voice from His holy habitation;
He will mightily roar against His fold.
He will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes,
against all the inhabitants of the earth.
31 (Hos 4:1; Joel 3:2) A noise shall come even
to the remote parts of the earth,
for the Lord has a controversy with the nations;
He shall enter into judgment with all flesh.
He shall give those who are wicked to the sword,
says the Lord.
32 (Jer 23:19; Isa 34:2) Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
See, disaster shall go forth
from nation to nation,
and a great whirlwind shall be raised up
from the remote parts of the earth.
33 (Isa 66:16; Ps 79:3) The slain of the Lord on that day will be
from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth.
They will not be lamented or gathered or buried.
They will be as dung on the ground.
34 (Jer 6:26) Howl, you shepherds, and cry;
and wallow in the ashes, you leaders of the flock.
For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished;
and you will fall like a choice vessel.
35 (Job 11:20; Am 2:14) The shepherds will have no way to flee,
nor the leaders of the flock to escape.
36 (Jer 4:8) A voice of the cry of the shepherds
and a howling of the leaders of the flock shall be heard,
for the Lord has devastated their pasture.
37 (Isa 27:10-11) The peaceable habitations are cut down
because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
38 (Jer 4:7; 5:6) He has left His lair as the lion;
for their land is desolate
because of the fierceness of the oppressor
and because of His fierce anger.
[15] For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of
this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to
drink it.
[16] And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword
that I will send among them.
[17] Then took I the cup at the LORD's hand, and made all the nations to
drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
[18] To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and
the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing,
and a curse; as it is this day;
[19] Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his
people;
[20] And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and
all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and
Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
[21] Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
[22] And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings
of the isles which are beyond the sea,
[23] Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,
[24] And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people
that dwell in the desert,
[25] And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the
kings of the Medes,
[26] And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all
the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the
king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
[27] Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the
God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no
more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
[28] And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink,
then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall
certainly drink.
[29] For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name,
and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will
call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of
hosts.
[30] Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto
them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy
habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a
shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the
earth.
[31] A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a
controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give
them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
[32] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation
to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the
earth.
[33] And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the
earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented,
neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
[34] Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye
principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your
dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
[35] And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the
flock to escape.
[36] A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of
the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
[37] And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger
of the LORD.
[38] He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate
because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce
anger.
2) Our Daily Bread for 11 August 2023 Titles Who Am I?
Romans 5:6-10
6 (Ro 4:25; 5:8) While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly.
7 Rarely for a righteous man will one die. Yet perhaps for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 (Ro 1:18; 1Th 1:10) How much more then, being now justified by His blood,
shall we be saved from wrath through Him.
10 (2Co 5:18-19; Col 1:20-21) For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be
saved by His life.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a
good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of
his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Robert Todd Lincoln lived under the extensive shadow of his father, beloved
American president Abraham Lincoln. Long after his father's death, Robert's
identity was engulfed by his father's overwhelming presence. Lincoln's close
friend, Nicholas Murray Butler, wrote that Robert often said, "No one wanted
me for secretary of war; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son. No one wanted me
for minister to England; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son. No one wanted me
for president of the Pullman Company; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son."
Such frustration isn't limited to the children of the famous. We all are
familiar with the feeling of not being valued for who we are. Yet nowhere
is the depth of our value more evident than in the way God loves us.
The apostle Paul recognized us for who we were in our sins, and for who we
become in Christ. He wrote, "At just the right time, when we were still
powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). God loves us because
of who we are-even at our worst! Paul wrote, "God demonstrates his own love
for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (v.
. God
values us so much that He allowed His Son to go to the cross on our behalf.
Who are we? We're God's beloved children. Who could ask for more?
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt lost in another person's shadow?
How will you permit this to teach you about God's concern for you
individually?
Father, I thank You that You love me for who I am
and what I am, and that Your forgiveness and love are mine.
For further study, explore Finding Our Identity in Christ.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 6 - Eternal Life, Beginning now
John 10:28 - I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,
nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand.
28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
In C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, one of the Spirits in heaven, identifying
himself as George MacDonald, makes some startling statements on the nature of
eternal life. Depending upon the individual's choice for or against Christ,
MacDonald says, everything in life takes on the character of haven or hell.
"At the end of ALL THINGS, when the sun rises here (in heaven) and the twilight
turns to blackness down there, the Blessed will say, 'We have never lived
anywhere except in Heaven,' and the Lost, 'We were always in Hell.'
And both will speak truly" - From the Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.
Lewis was not trying to make a theological case, but to demonstrate
a principle: eternal life begins now.
The choices that we make for or against obedience to God, the life we live,
the patterns we establish, all move us in one direction of the other.
And when we have decided to choose obedience to God (the forsakeness of sin),
when we give ourselves fully into his hands, he is able to take the worst of
circumstances and redeem them for our good, use them to mature us in his image.
Again Jesus says in John 10:28
"I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,
nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. "
In Christ is a very secure place to be. No experience is lost, no pain is
wasted. Everything in our lives is redeemed by God for our benefit.
Application
a) How have I experienced the truth that "eternal life begins now"?
b) How can this verse help me put life in perspective during times
of stress and anxiety?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 1:3
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season;
its leaf will not wither,
and whatever he does will prosper.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
James 1:19-25
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, and slow to anger,
20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining
wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able
to save your souls.
22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
viewing his natural face in a mirror.
24 He views himself, and goes his way,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into
the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this man will be blessed in his deeds.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
New Brunswick
Total population 753900
Muslim population (est.) 4543
Moncton, followed by Fredericton and Saint John, each have a growing Muslim
population in New Brunswick, In 2007, the building that was formerly a Baptist
church was converted into Moncton's 1st mosque. The University of Moncton
also has a Muslim student association hosting prayer services, fellowship
getherings, and outreaches on campus.
Fredericton also has one mosque and a Muslim student association serving the
campuses of the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.
Fredericton's Muslim population consists in 2014 of about 50 families,
and between 300 to 400 university students.
Saint John is home to the 1st Muslim Association for the province,
which also helped foster the Islamic associations of Fredericton and Moncton.
a 'musalla', or prayer location that is not officially structured as a mosque,
has been established in the Uptown area with the intention of seeing it grow
into a 2nd official place of Muslim worship. Demand for this new location has
been primarily for university students moving into the area.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
11th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,
city or community, and in Canada.
(
Ps 86:12
12 I will give You thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
and I will glorify Your name forever.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
And I will glorify thy name for evermore.
John 12:28
28 "Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying,
"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
28 Father, glorify thy name.
Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
)
b) Pray for the province of New Brunswick
I) Pray for the leaders of New Brunswick, that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of
God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming forth
the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that your pastors and leaders are not deceived.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, I thank You that You love me for who I am
and what I am, and that Your forgiveness and love are mine."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that eternal life begins now.
Pray to the Lord and pray to rooted in righteousness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a doer of the word.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,
city or community, and in your country.
Pray that the expatriate community of Qatar will find
creative ways to share God's love.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Jeremiah 23,24,25
Jeremiah 23:1-32
Jeremiah 23
The Righteous Branch
1 (Jer 10:21; 2:8) Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep
of My pasture! says the Lord.
2 (Ex 32:34) Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds
that feed My people: You have scattered My flock and driven them away
and have not visited them. I am about to punish you
for the evil of your deeds, says the Lord.
3 (Jer 32:37; 29:14) I will gather the remnant of My flock
out of all countries wherever I have driven them and bring them again
to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 (1Pe 1:5) I will also set up shepherds over them who will feed them;
and they will fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor will they be missing,
says the Lord.
5 (Isa 4:2; 9:7; 11:1-5) The days are coming, says the Lord,
that I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
and he shall reign as king and deal wisely,
and shall execute justice and righteousness in the earth.
6 (1Co 1:30; Isa 9:6; Jer 33:16) In his days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell safely.
And this is the name by which he will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 (Jer 16:14-15; Isa 43:18-19) Therefore, surely the days are coming,
says the Lord, when they will no more say, "As the Lord lives
who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,"
8 (Isa 43:5-6; Am 9:14-15) but, "As the Lord lives who brought up
and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country
and from all countries where I had driven them."
Then they will dwell in their own land.
Lying Prophets
9 (Hab 3:16) My heart is broken within me,
because of the prophets;
all my bones shake;
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the Lord,
and because of His holy words.
10 (Ps 107:34; Jer 9:2) For the land is full of adulterers;
for the land mourns because of the curse.
The pleasant places of the wilderness have dried up.
And their course is evil
and their might is not right.
11 (Jer 6:13; Zep 3:4) For both prophet and priest are profane;
indeed, in My house I have found their wickedness,
says the Lord.
12 (Ps 35:6; Jer 11:23) Therefore their way will be as slippery ways to them;
they shall be driven into the darkness
and fall in it;
for I will bring disaster upon them,
even the year of their punishment,
says the Lord.
13 (Jer 2:8; Isa 9:16) In addition, I have seen folly
in the prophets of Samaria.
They prophesied by Baal
and caused My people Israel to err.
14 (Isa 1:9-10; Jer 29:23) I have seen also among the prophets of Jerusalem
a horrible thing.
They commit adultery and walk in lies.
They also strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one repents from his wickedness.
All of them are as Sodom to Me
and her inhabitants as Gomorrah.
15 (Jer 8:14; 9:15) Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts
concerning the prophets:
"I will feed them with wormwood
and make them drink the water of gall,
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
profaneness has gone out into all the land."
16 (Jer 14:14; 27:9-10) Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.
They lead you into vanity;
they speak a vision of their own heart
and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
17 (Mic 3:11; Jer 8:11; 13:10) They still say to those who despise Me,
"The Lord has said, 'You will have peace'";
and they say to everyone who walks after the imagination of his own heart,
"No evil will come upon you."
18 (Jer 23:22; 1Co 2:16) For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord
and has perceived and heard His word?
Who has given heed to His word and listened to it?
19 (Jer 25:32; 30:23) Look, a whirlwind of the Lord
has gone forth in fury,
a tempestuous whirlwind.
It will fall tempestuously upon the head of the wicked.
20 (Jer 30:24; Ge 49:1; Zec 1:6) The anger of the Lord will not turn back
until He has executed and performed
the thoughts of His heart.
In the latter days
you will understand it perfectly.
21 (Jer 14:14; 27:15) I have not sent these prophets,
yet they ran.
I have not spoken to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 (Jer 23:18; 25:5) But if they had stood in My counsel
and had caused My people to hear My words,
then they would have turned them from their evil way
and from the evil of their deeds.
23 (Ps 139:1-10) Am I a God who is near,
says the Lord,
and not a God far off?
24 (1Ki 8:27; Job 22:13-14) Can a man hide himself in secret places
so that I do not see him?
says the Lord.
Do I not fill heaven and earth?
says the Lord.
25 (Jer 23:28; 23:32) I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy
lies in My name, saying, "I had a dream, I had a dream!"
26 (1Ti 4:1-2) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who
prophesy lies? Indeed, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart,
27 (Jdg 3:7; 8:33-34) who plan to cause My people to forget My name
by their dreams, which they tell to their neighbor, as their fathers have
forgotten My name for Baal.
28 (1Co 3:12-13) The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream.
And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What is the chaff to the wheat? says the Lord.
29 (Jer 5:14; 20:9) Is not My word like fire, says the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30 (Dt 18:20; Ps 34:16) See, therefore I am against the prophets,
says the Lord, who steal My words, each from his neighbor.
31 (Jer 23:17) See, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use
their tongues and say, "The Lord says."
32 (Jer 7:8; La 2:14) See, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,
says the Lord, and recount them and cause My people to err by their lies
and reckless boasting. Yet I sent them not nor commanded them.
Therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23
[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my
pasture! saith the LORD.
[2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that
feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have
not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings,
saith the LORD.
[3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I
have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall
be fruitful and increase.
[4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they
shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith
the LORD.
[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth.
[6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and
this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
[7] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no
more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt;
[8] But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the
house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I
had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
[9] Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones
shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome,
because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
[10] For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land
mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their
course is evil, and their force is not right.
[11] For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found
their wickedness, saith the LORD.
[12] Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the
darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil
upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
[13] And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in
Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
[14] I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they
commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of
evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them
unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
[15] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold,
I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for
from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
[16] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the
prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of
their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
[17] They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall
have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination
of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
[18] For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and
heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
[19] Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous
whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
[20] The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and
till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye
shall consider it perfectly.
[21] I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to
them, yet they prophesied.
[22] But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear
my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from
the evil of their doings.
[23] Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
[24] Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith
the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
[25] I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name,
saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
[26] How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies?
yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
[27] Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which
they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my
name for Baal.
[28] The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath
my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?
saith the LORD.
[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that
breaketh the rock in pieces?
[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that
steal my words every one from his neighbour.
[31] Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their
tongues, and say, He saith.
[32] Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD,
and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their
lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not
profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
False Prophecy
33 (Mal 1:1; Isa 13:1) When this people or the prophet or a priest asks you,
saying, "What is the oracle of the Lord?" you shall then say to them,
"What oracle? I will forsake you, says the Lord."
34 As for the prophet and the priest and the people who say,
"The oracle of the Lord," I will punish that man and his house.
35 Thus each of you will say to his neighbor and to his brother,
"What has the Lord answered?" and, "What has the Lord spoken?"
36 (2Pe 3:16; 2Ki 19:4) And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention
no more, for every man's word will be his oracle.
For you have perverted the words of the living God,
of the Lord of Hosts our God.
37 Thus you will say to that prophet, "What has the Lord answered you?"
and, "What has the Lord spoken?"
38 But if you say, "The oracle of the Lord"; therefore thus says the Lord:
Because you say this word, "The oracle of the Lord," I have also sent to you,
saying, You shall not say, "The oracle of the Lord."
39 (Jer 23:33; Eze 8:18) Therefore, surely, I, even I, will utterly forget you
and cast you and the city that I gave you and your fathers out of My presence.
40 (Jer 20:11; Eze 5:14-15) And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you
and perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten.
[33] And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee,
saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What
burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
[34] And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say,
The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
[35] Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his
brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
[36] And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's
word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God,
of the LORD of hosts our God.
[37] Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee?
and, What hath the LORD spoken?
[38] But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the
LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto
you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
[39] Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will
forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you
out of my presence:
[40] And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual
shame, which shall not be forgotten.
Jeremiah 24
The Good and Bad Figs
1 (Jer 29:2; 2Ch 36:10) The Lord showed me two baskets of figs that were
set before the temple of the Lord after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and the officials of Judah with the carpenters and smiths from Jerusalem
and brought them to Babylon.
2 (Isa 5:4; 5:7) One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that
are first ripe, and the other basket had very rotten figs,
which were so rotten they could not be eaten.
3 (Am 8:2; Zec 4:2) Then the Lord said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
And I said, "Figs, the good figs, very good. And the rotten, very rotten,
that are so rotten they cannot be eaten."
4 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 (Na 1:7; Zec 13:9) Thus says the Lord the God of Israel:
Like these good figs, so I will acknowledge those who are carried away captive
of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans
for their good.
6 (Jer 29:10; 42:10) For I will set My eyes upon them for good,
and I will bring them again to this land. And I will build them up
and not pull them down. And I will plant them and not pluck them up.
7 (Jer 30:22; Heb 8:10) I will give them a heart to know Me,
that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God,
for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
8 (Jer 24:2; 43:1-44:1) But as the rotten figs, which cannot be eaten,
they are so rotten, says the Lord, so I will forsake Zedekiah
the king of Judah and his officials, and the rest of Jerusalem
who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
9 (Jer 15:4; 29:18) And I will make them a horror
and an evil to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach
and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places wherever I shall drive them.
10 (Isa 51:19; Eze 5:12-17) I will send the sword, the famine,
and the pestilence among them until they are consumed from
off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.
Jeremiah 24
[1] The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before
the
temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried
away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the
princes of
Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them
to Babylon.
[2] One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe:
and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they
were so bad.
[3] Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said,
Figs;
the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten,
they are so evil.
[4] Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[5] Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I
acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent
out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
[6] For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them
again
to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will
plant them, and not pluck them up.
[7] And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they
shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me
with their whole heart.
[8] And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely
thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his
princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them
that dwell in the land of Egypt:
[9] And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the
earth
for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all
places whither I shall drive them.
[10] And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them,
till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their
fathers.
Jeremiah 25
Seventy Years of Captivity
1 (Jer 36:1; 2Ki 24:1-2) The word that came to Jeremiah concerning
all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah,
king of Judah, that was the first year of NebÂuchadnezzar king of Babylon,
2 (Jer 18:11) which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah
and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying:
3 (Jer 1:2; 11:7) From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon,
king of Judah, even to this day, these 23 years the word of the Lord
has come to me, and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking,
but you have not listened.
4 (Jer 25:3; 26:5) The Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets,
rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined
your ear to hear.
5 (Jer 7:7; Ge 17:8) They said, "Turn now again everyone from his evil way
and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell in the land that the Lord has
given to you and to your fathers forever and ever.
6 (Dt 8:19; 6:14) And do not go after other gods to serve them
and to worship them, and provoke Me not to anger
with the works of your hands; and I will do you no harm."
7 (2Ki 21:15; Dt 32:21) Yet you have not listened to Me, says the Lord,
that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands
to your own harm.
8 Therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts: Because you have not obeyed My words,
9 (Jer 1:15; 18:16) I will send and take all the families of the north,
says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant,
and will bring them against this land and its inhabitants,
and against all these surrounding nations; I will utterly destroy them,
and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
10 (Jer 7:34; Eze 26:13) Moreover I will take from them the voice of laughter
and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the candle.
11 (Da 9:2; 2Ch 36:21-22) This whole land shall be a desolation
and an astonishment, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon
seventy years.
12 (Isa 13:19; Jer 29:10) It shall come to pass when seventy years
are finished that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,
says the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans,
and will make it perpetual desolations.
13 (Jer 1:5; 1:10) I will bring upon that land all My words
which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book,
which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.
14 (Jer 51:6; 27:7; 50:9) For many nations and great kings will make
slaves of them, even them. And I will recompense them according
to their deeds and according to the works of their hands.
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the
fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first
year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
[2] The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and
to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
[3] From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even
unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD
hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;
but ye have not hearkened.
[4] And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising
early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to
hear.
[5] They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the
evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you
and to your fathers for ever and ever:
[6] And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and
provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no
hurt.
[7] Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke
me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
[8] Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my
words,
[9] Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the
LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring
them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against
all
these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an
astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
[10] Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of
gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound
of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
[11] And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and
these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
[12] And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I
will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their
iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual
desolations.
[13] And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced
against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath
prophesied against all the nations.
[14] For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also:
and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the
works of their own hands.
The Cup of God's Wrath
15 (Ps 75:8; Isa 51:17) For thus says the Lord God of Israel to me:
Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand and cause all the nations
to whom I send you to drink it.
16 (Na 3:11; Jer 51:7) They will drink, and totter, and be mad,
because of the sword that I will send among them.
17 (Jer 1:10; 25:28) Then I took the cup from the hand of the Lord
and made all the nations, to whom the Lord had sent me, drink:
18 (Ps 60:3; Jer 24:9) Jerusalem and thecities of Judah and the kings
and the officials, to make them a desolation, an astonishment,
a hissing, and a curse, as it is this day;
19 (Jer 46:2; 46:13-26) Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants,
and his officials, and all his people;
20 (Job 1:1; Isa 20:1) and all the foreign people, and all the kings
of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines
(even Ashkelon, and Gaza, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod);
21 (Jer 48:1-49:22; Ps 137:7)Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon;
22 (Jer 47:4) and all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Sidon,
and the kings of the coastlands which are beyond the sea;
23 (Jer 9:26; 49:8) Dedan, and Tema, and Buz,
and all who cut the corners of their hair;
24 (2Ch 9:14; Jer 25:20) and all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings
of the foreign people who dwell in the desert;
25 (Ge 10:22; Isa 11:11) and all the kings of Zimri,
and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes;
26 (Jer 51:41; 25:9) and all the kings of the north, far and near,
one with another; and all the kingdoms of the earth
which are upon the face of the earth,
and the king of Sheshak shall drink after them.
27 (Jer 25:16; Hab 2:16) Therefore you shall say to them,
Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel:
Drink and be drunk and spew and fall and rise no more because
of the sword which I will send among you.
28 (Job 34:33) It will be, if they refuse to take the cup
from your hand to drink, then you will say to them:
Thus says the Lord of Hosts: You shall certainly drink!
29 (Pr 11:31; Eze 38:21) For I am starting to bring calamity
on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished?
You shall not be unpunished. For I will call for a sword upon
all the inhabitants of the earth, says the Lord of Hosts.
30 (Joel 3:16; Am 1:2) Therefore prophesy against them all these words,
and say to them:
The Lord will roar from on high,
and utter His voice from His holy habitation;
He will mightily roar against His fold.
He will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes,
against all the inhabitants of the earth.
31 (Hos 4:1; Joel 3:2) A noise shall come even
to the remote parts of the earth,
for the Lord has a controversy with the nations;
He shall enter into judgment with all flesh.
He shall give those who are wicked to the sword,
says the Lord.
32 (Jer 23:19; Isa 34:2) Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
See, disaster shall go forth
from nation to nation,
and a great whirlwind shall be raised up
from the remote parts of the earth.
33 (Isa 66:16; Ps 79:3) The slain of the Lord on that day will be
from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth.
They will not be lamented or gathered or buried.
They will be as dung on the ground.
34 (Jer 6:26) Howl, you shepherds, and cry;
and wallow in the ashes, you leaders of the flock.
For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished;
and you will fall like a choice vessel.
35 (Job 11:20; Am 2:14) The shepherds will have no way to flee,
nor the leaders of the flock to escape.
36 (Jer 4:8) A voice of the cry of the shepherds
and a howling of the leaders of the flock shall be heard,
for the Lord has devastated their pasture.
37 (Isa 27:10-11) The peaceable habitations are cut down
because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
38 (Jer 4:7; 5:6) He has left His lair as the lion;
for their land is desolate
because of the fierceness of the oppressor
and because of His fierce anger.
[15] For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of
this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to
drink it.
[16] And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword
that I will send among them.
[17] Then took I the cup at the LORD's hand, and made all the nations to
drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
[18] To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and
the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing,
and a curse; as it is this day;
[19] Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his
people;
[20] And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and
all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and
Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
[21] Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
[22] And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings
of the isles which are beyond the sea,
[23] Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,
[24] And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people
that dwell in the desert,
[25] And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the
kings of the Medes,
[26] And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all
the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the
king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
[27] Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the
God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no
more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
[28] And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink,
then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall
certainly drink.
[29] For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name,
and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will
call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of
hosts.
[30] Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto
them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy
habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a
shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the
earth.
[31] A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a
controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give
them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
[32] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation
to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the
earth.
[33] And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the
earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented,
neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
[34] Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye
principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your
dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
[35] And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the
flock to escape.
[36] A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of
the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
[37] And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger
of the LORD.
[38] He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate
because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce
anger.
2) Our Daily Bread for 11 August 2023 Titles Who Am I?
Romans 5:6-10
6 (Ro 4:25; 5:8) While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly.
7 Rarely for a righteous man will one die. Yet perhaps for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 (Jn 15:13; 1Pe 3:18) But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 (Ro 1:18; 1Th 1:10) How much more then, being now justified by His blood,
shall we be saved from wrath through Him.
10 (2Co 5:18-19; Col 1:20-21) For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be
saved by His life.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a
good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of
his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Robert Todd Lincoln lived under the extensive shadow of his father, beloved
American president Abraham Lincoln. Long after his father's death, Robert's
identity was engulfed by his father's overwhelming presence. Lincoln's close
friend, Nicholas Murray Butler, wrote that Robert often said, "No one wanted
me for secretary of war; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son. No one wanted me
for minister to England; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son. No one wanted me
for president of the Pullman Company; they wanted Abraham Lincoln's son."
Such frustration isn't limited to the children of the famous. We all are
familiar with the feeling of not being valued for who we are. Yet nowhere
is the depth of our value more evident than in the way God loves us.
The apostle Paul recognized us for who we were in our sins, and for who we
become in Christ. He wrote, "At just the right time, when we were still
powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). God loves us because
of who we are-even at our worst! Paul wrote, "God demonstrates his own love
for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (v.
. Godvalues us so much that He allowed His Son to go to the cross on our behalf.
Who are we? We're God's beloved children. Who could ask for more?
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt lost in another person's shadow?
How will you permit this to teach you about God's concern for you
individually?
Father, I thank You that You love me for who I am
and what I am, and that Your forgiveness and love are mine.
For further study, explore Finding Our Identity in Christ.
3) From The Billy Graham Evangelical Ministry Association
Words in Season - Scripture Memory Tools
Week 3 - Saved Now and forever Day 6 - Eternal Life, Beginning now
John 10:28 - I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,
nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand.
28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
In C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, one of the Spirits in heaven, identifying
himself as George MacDonald, makes some startling statements on the nature of
eternal life. Depending upon the individual's choice for or against Christ,
MacDonald says, everything in life takes on the character of haven or hell.
"At the end of ALL THINGS, when the sun rises here (in heaven) and the twilight
turns to blackness down there, the Blessed will say, 'We have never lived
anywhere except in Heaven,' and the Lost, 'We were always in Hell.'
And both will speak truly" - From the Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.
Lewis was not trying to make a theological case, but to demonstrate
a principle: eternal life begins now.
The choices that we make for or against obedience to God, the life we live,
the patterns we establish, all move us in one direction of the other.
And when we have decided to choose obedience to God (the forsakeness of sin),
when we give ourselves fully into his hands, he is able to take the worst of
circumstances and redeem them for our good, use them to mature us in his image.
Again Jesus says in John 10:28
"I give them eternal life. They shall never perish,
nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. "
In Christ is a very secure place to be. No experience is lost, no pain is
wasted. Everything in our lives is redeemed by God for our benefit.
Application
a) How have I experienced the truth that "eternal life begins now"?
b) How can this verse help me put life in perspective during times
of stress and anxiety?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Ps 1:3
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season;
its leaf will not wither,
and whatever he does will prosper.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Angry of Vengeful
James 1:19-25
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, and slow to anger,
20 for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and remaining
wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able
to save your souls.
22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
viewing his natural face in a mirror.
24 He views himself, and goes his way,
and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into
the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this man will be blessed in his deeds.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
New Brunswick
Total population 753900
Muslim population (est.) 4543
Moncton, followed by Fredericton and Saint John, each have a growing Muslim
population in New Brunswick, In 2007, the building that was formerly a Baptist
church was converted into Moncton's 1st mosque. The University of Moncton
also has a Muslim student association hosting prayer services, fellowship
getherings, and outreaches on campus.
Fredericton also has one mosque and a Muslim student association serving the
campuses of the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.
Fredericton's Muslim population consists in 2014 of about 50 families,
and between 300 to 400 university students.
Saint John is home to the 1st Muslim Association for the province,
which also helped foster the Islamic associations of Fredericton and Moncton.
a 'musalla', or prayer location that is not officially structured as a mosque,
has been established in the Uptown area with the intention of seeing it grow
into a 2nd official place of Muslim worship. Demand for this new location has
been primarily for university students moving into the area.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
11th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,
city or community, and in Canada.
(
Ps 86:12
12 I will give You thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
and I will glorify Your name forever.
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
And I will glorify thy name for evermore.
John 12:28
28 "Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying,
"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
28 Father, glorify thy name.
Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
)
b) Pray for the province of New Brunswick
I) Pray for the leaders of New Brunswick, that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of
God our Savior, 4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses beaming forth
the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding
the Hope Campaign and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that your pastors and leaders are not deceived.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, I thank You that You love me for who I am
and what I am, and that Your forgiveness and love are mine."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that eternal life begins now.
Pray to the Lord and pray to rooted in righteousness.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a doer of the word.
Pray for Muslims and New Brunswick
- that the eyes of pastors, believers and entire congregations will be opened
to see this growing body of Muslims, and their hearts will be opened
to sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with them
- that intentional ministries to Muslims will grow and flourish in these
areas of concentration
- that cooperative CNNMM Networks will form to really, encourage,
and equip believers to lovingly reach Muslims in this province.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for God's name to be glorified in your life, home, neighbourhood,
city or community, and in your country.
Pray that the expatriate community of Qatar will find
creative ways to share God's love.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.