215th Week, Jeremiah Chapters 20-24 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on Title for Video Intro


Monday, Jeremiah Chapter 20
Jeremiah 20
Verse 9
Jane Jones

Verse 9:  But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, indeed I cannot.

THOUGHT
Jeremiah was getting very tired. He felt the Lord had deceived him.  Jeremiah in this chapter cried out in despair mixed with praise. He had to unburden his heart to God. Yet when Jeremiah tried to withhold God’s Word for a while, it became fire to his bones until he could hold it back no longer.

What a problem to have. How many of us can truthfully say that God’s Word is like a fire in our hearts and that we get weary of holding it in. I pray that I can become more like Jeremiah and continually proclaim the Gospel of the Lord to others, believers and nonbelievers.

PRAYER
We love You, God, but there are times when we want to complain to You because we feel You have left us alone or ignored us. There are times when we feel despair. We know by the gift of Your Son, Jesus, You will never desert us. In gratitude we say, Thank You. Thank You for Your plan in our lives. May we always praise You for Your goodness and put trust in Your timing. AMEN


Tuesday, Jeremiah Chapter 21
Jeremiah 21
Verse 14
Tanya Ruden

Verse 14:  “I will punish you as your deeds deserve.” declares the Lord.

THOUGHT
Can you imagine where we would be without the saving grace of Jesus Christ if we were truly punished as our deeds deserve? Notice there are no huge rewards for the good things we do.  As Christians, goodness is expected from us by God as Christian-living in this world. May we perform deeds honoring Jesus each day!

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank You for taking away from our life the punishment for our daily deeds/sins through Your death on the cross and our belief in You. Help me to reflect on this verse and apply the logic to my daily decisions, ensuring all my deeds are worth “an unnoticed” rather than a punishment. I love You, Jesus. AMEN


Wednesday, Jeremiah Chapter 22
Jeremiah 22
Verse 29
Tanya Ruden

Verse 29:  “O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord!”

THOUGHT
I love the explanation mark and expression with which I read this verse, maybe because it reminds me so much of conversations I have daily with my daughter. It totally represents the frustration we as Christians often have with nonbelievers. We just want to shake them and say, “If you would just listen and obey/believe in God, the rewards would be so great!” (Like telling a 2 year old, “If you would just listen to your mommy and sit in your chair at dinner, you wouldn’t have to go to your room and miss desert!”)

How hard is it really for the rewards received?

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, help us as Christians to share our faith with nonbelievers. In times when we are frustrated and feel no one is listening, help us stay focused and in control. Being a Christian example at those times is the best witnessing we can do. I love You, Jesus. AMEN


Thursday, Jeremiah Chapter 23
Jeremiah 23
Verse 4
Tanya Ruden

Verse 4:  “I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

THOUGHT
You can think of this verse in 2 ways:

1. Whom has God placed in your life for you to tend/to care for? (You as the Shepherd)

2. Who are you allowing to tend/to care for you, and would God be pleased with your choice of Shepherd? (You are the sheep)

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, You have called me to be a shepherd to various people in my life. Help me to look to You, the ultimate Good Shepherd example, for assistance and support in leading the sheep in my life. Allow my leadership to be an example of You. Also, Jesus, make me aware of the shepherds I follow in my life, and if they are not pleasing to You, guide me to proper shepherds to follow. I love You, Jesus. AMEN


Friday, Jeremiah Chapter 24
Jeremiah 24
Verse 7
Tanya Ruden

Verse 7:  “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”

THOUGHT
God gave us a heart that is able to love Him. We are to use it to continue a great relationship with Him. Our relationship with Jesus must be rooted in our hearts, full of love.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I want to love You with all of my heart. I have asked You to live within me and let Your light shine in me, but I know so many times I let evil invade Your space in my heart. Help me to return to You with ALL of my heart every day and love You as You instructed in the greatest commandment You have given us. I Love You, Jesus. AMEN
















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