Devotion
People Don’t Like To Have Their Faults Pointed Out
Frances Taylor
Jeremiah was trying to do God's work. He was charged with encouraging the people to return to God, to stop worshiping idols, to turn away from evil or they would be destroyed. So they decided to kill Jeremiah. God warned him about their plan. So appropriate that this comes as we are nearing the time when the chief priests and the Pharisees were plotting against Jesus. None of us likes to have someone point out our faults. Most of the time we don't act out of anger, but there are times when people have actually lost their jobs or their lives for being "whistle-blowers." Jeremiah did not stop prophesizing; he continued to work at bringing the people back to God. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew there was wrong-doing, and you had to make a choice whether or n ...
Prayer
O Lord, it is not easy to be your messenger in our world today. When you need me to speak your truth, be with me and give me both the courage and the ability to do so. Amen.
Devotion
United as One Kingdom
Frances Taylor
The last time before the Judeans and the Israelites were united with one king was under the kingship of Solomon. Then the lands were divided – Israel in the North and Judea in the South. But both kingdoms fell first to the Assyrians and then the Babylonians and the people were sent into exile. The kings at that time allowed idol worship and other sins against God. They refused to listen to the prophets and suffered the consequences. God is now promising those in exile that they will return to their homeland and there will be one king of the now reunited country. Now we know that they were only faithful for a time and then were conquered by the Greeks and then the Romans. At the Last Supper, Jesus will appeal for unity among his followers. Christianity started out as one, but now is also divided. God must be wondering if human beings will ever get it together and learn from the mistakes of the past. We even sometimes forget that Jesus offered...
Morning Prayer
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Inspiration
In verse 10 of this chapter, "Israel His (God's) people" is referenced; in verse 11, "My people" is used in reference to Israel; and in verse 14, "My people" does not change reference. It refers to Israel. Thus, God says here that if Israel His people will humble themselves and repent of their wicked ways, He will heal their land. God will deal the same with any other nation, healing their land if national repentance takes place. But today, the only hope for national repentance is if repentance begins in the Church of God, for the world knows not God.
Prayer
O Lord, we need not twist this verse to refer to the Church instead of Israel in order to learn its principle and apply it in our day and situation. It is true today as it was then that you will...
Night Prayer
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Inspiration
God is not swayed when we live selfishly, and then try to assuage our guilt with a donation to the church or a charity. God doesn’t need our money or our stuff. But He does desire our hearts. When we give Him our hearts, He imparts His own righteousness on us. And our communion in prayer is a joy for Him and us, as He uses this time to fill us and renew us.
Prayer
God, thank You for inviting me into Your presence. I don’t have much to offer You, but I give You myself. Please make me more like You, guide me by Your righteousness, and use me to Your glory. Please keep me close to You, so that my gifts may always be sincere, and they may be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.
