God's thoughts and plans for us (Jer 29:11)

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11

 The Hebrew word is מַחֲשָׁבוֹת (machashabot), the plural of מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashavah).

This word comes from the root חָשַׁב (chashab), which means "to think, plan, reckon, devise, calculate." The semantic range of machashavah encompasses both:

• Mental activity: thoughts, intentions, purposes
• Deliberate planning: plans, designs, schemes

So the word inherently bridges what we separate in English as "thoughts" and "plans"—it refers to purposeful thinking that includes intention and design.

Why the different translations?

• NKJV ("thoughts") emphasizes the cognitive/mental aspect
• NASB ("plans") emphasizes the intentional/purposeful aspect

Both are legitimate because Hebrew machashavah captures the idea that God's "thoughts" are not idle musings but purposeful intentions that will be carried out. They are thoughts with purpose—thinking that naturally leads to action.

Other uses in Scripture:

You can see this same word used throughout the Old Testament:

• Genesis 6:5 - "every intent [machashevot] of the thoughts of his heart"
• Psalm 33:11 - "the plans [machashevot] of His heart"
• Isaiah 55:8-9 - "My thoughts [machashevot] are not your thoughts"

The beauty of Jeremiah 29:11 is that God's machashavot toward His people are both carefully considered AND purposefully designed for their welfare.

This verse sits in the middle of Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1-23). The context is crucial for understanding its meaning:

Historical Setting:

• 586 BC: Jerusalem has been destroyed, the temple burned, and the people of Judah taken into Babylonian captivity
• The exiles are devastated, feeling abandoned by God
• False prophets were telling them the exile would be short (just 2 years - Jer 29:8-9)

The Message (Jeremiah 29:4-14):

1. Settle in for the long haul (vv. 4-7) - Build houses, plant gardens, marry, have children, seek Babylon's welfare
2. Don't listen to false prophets (vv. 8-9) - They're lying about a quick return
3. The exile will last 70 years (v. 10) - A full lifetime for most
4. But God has not abandoned His covenant purposes (vv. 11-14) - Despite judgment, restoration will come

Critical Point:

This is a corporate promise to the nation of Israel, not a personal prosperity guarantee for individuals. God is saying: "Yes, you're in exile as judgment for sin, BUT this isn't the end of My purposes for you as My people. I will bring you back."

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Other Bible References on God's Thoughts and Plans

God's Thoughts vs. Human Thoughts

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

• Same Hebrew word (machashavot) as Jeremiah 29:11
• Context: God's readiness to pardon and His unfathomable wisdom

Psalm 92:5

"How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep."

Psalm 139:17-18

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand."

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God's Sovereign Plans Over History

Psalm 33:10-11

"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans [machashevot] of His heart to all generations."

Proverbs 19:21

"There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the LORD's counsel—that will stand."

Isaiah 14:24, 27

"The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, 'Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand... For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?'"

Isaiah 46:9-10

"I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.'"

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God's Purposes for Individuals

Psalm 139:16

"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Romans 8:28-29

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son."

Philippians 1:6

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

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God's Good Intentions Toward His People

Psalm 40:5

"Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order."

Lamentations 3:31-33

"For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."

Romans 8:31-32

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

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The Comprehensive Plan of Redemption

Ephesians 1:9-11

"Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ... In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will."

Acts 2:23

"Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death."

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Key Themes:

1. God's thoughts are unfathomably deep and numerous
2. God's plans are sovereign and cannot be thwarted
3. God's purposes are ultimately for good and for His glory
4. God's plans include both corporate (national/church) and individual dimensions
5. Even suffering and judgment fit within God's redemptive purposes

The beauty of Jeremiah 29:11 in context is that it shows God's faithfulness even in discipline—He doesn't promise to remove consequences of sin immediately, but He does promise His purposes for His people will ultimately prevail.

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Seeking (with a salty thirst): His Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matt 5:6,13,6:33, Jer 29:13)

One of my brothers favorite verses is "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)" this came up as I was reading through Matthew 5-13. I know he like journaling in a physical book, and though I gave him a One Step Closer Bible, I have a feeling he won't use it. So I purchased a NLT journaling and note-taking Bible for him.

I was stuck by the idea of people being "the salt of earth", that "lost its flavor. (Matt 5:13). We often talk about the spirit we are born with, verse the Holy Spirit we receive when we are born again (John 3). The big idea from Matthew 5:1-12 is God blesses characteristics of people with promises. These characteristics represent how we view ourselves in relationship with Him. Am I poor and realize my need for him? If so then do I mourn (salty tears) and receive His comfort? Humbly receive my inheritance (rule and subdue the whole earth Gen 1:28)? Hunger and thirst (salt) for justice NLT/righteousness NIV, [those who actively seek right standing with God] AMP. This hunger and thirst is "SATISFIED"

If you're satisfied, you're contented, and you don't need anything more. You're not overjoyed, but you're not complaining either. When something is satisfied, the requirements have been met and nothing more needs to be done. When you pay back the money you owe on a loan, you have satisfied the debt. You sleep well but also wake up energized. 

This progresses in our lives to be merciful and in doing so we are shown mercy. With a pure heart we will see God. We work for peace and are called his children and we're persecuted unjustly as we follow Jesus, actively seeking right standing with God. This is the way of the prophets. 

Discovering Matt 5:6

Psalm 42:1-2: For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

Isaiah 55:1-2: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

John 4:13-14: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 6:35: Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

Revelation 7:16-17: ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ / For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Psalm 63:1: A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

Isaiah 44:3: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

John 7:37-38: On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Amos 8:11: Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Psalm 107:9: For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Isaiah 61:1-3: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Luke 1:53: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

1 Peter 2:2-3: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, / now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Philippians 3:9-10: and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. / I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Romans 3:21-22: But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Alleluia, you have saved me - so much better your way, Alleluia! 

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Idolatry, selfishness, and hurt feelings provoke judgement and brokenness (Jer 18:18-19:15)

"This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will bring disaster (devastation) upon this city and its surrounding towns as I promised, because you have stubbornly refused to listen (and obey) to me.’" - Jer 19:15

Jeremiah 18:18-23

A) Hurt Jeremiah turns from intercesor, to provoking God's judgement against them.

18) People plot to stop Jeremiah with variety, rumors, and ignorance

19) Jeremiah pleads with Lord: hear, help/intercede, listen what enemies say

• 20) good (intercesion, protection) repaid with evil (dug a pit to kill)
• Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
  
• 21-22) let children starve, die by sword, plague, screams of terror because of raiders

23) Knowing the plot, don't forgive crimes/wickedness, or blot out sins, let them die from your anger.

Application: When we are hurt, feeling rejected, disappointed we can feel like giving up on people and pushing a self centered agenda. We want to be proven right in our peers eyes. I'm reminded of Cain, Abel, and Seth. 

Our lives speak long after we've died. What will our life testimony be about? Accomplishments on Linked In, vacations on Facebook, family, friends, and ministry?  

Jeremiah 19

B) God responds with broken jar illustration and devastating prophecy against stubborn disobedient people.

19:1-3) buy clay jar, ask leaders/priest to broken pots dump, listen to this message from Lord

4-6) Israel rejected me, made this place valley of slaughter, incense, blood of innocent, child sacrifice to Baal against Lord's will

• God's point in asking Abraham to sacrifice his son (Gen 22:2, Rom 12:1-3)
• Biblical view on abortion

7-9) Lord will upset plans, allowing slaughter, ruin, destruction - resulting in cannibalism and despair.

10-13) Smash clay jar, Lord of Heaven's Armies shatters people, not mended, beyond hope of repair, homes of idol worshipers like this garbage heap, like Topheth

• Isaiah 30:33: “Tophet” is another name for “the valley of the children of Hinnom” (II Kings 23:10), where the idolatrous Jews made their sons and daughters “to pass through the fire” as an offering to the pagan god Molech. King Josiah “defiled” it, by converting it into the constantly burning refuse dump for Jerusalem.
• Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))
  

14-15) At Temple of the Lord, proclaimed all these cities and towns devastated because you stubbornly refused to listen and obey my words.

Application: our lives are consequential, how we treat one another in word and deed can bring life or death. Choose life. 

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Fasting and Prayer from believing God, undisciplined from unbelief (1 John 5:14, John 9:31, Jonah 3:5-10, Jer 14:10-12)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” 1 John 5:14, "We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will."  John 9:31

"(They) believed God’s message...pray(ed) earnestly to God... turn(ed) from their evil ways and stop(ped) all their violence...When God saw what they had done (believed) and how (turned) they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:5-10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Eph 1:3

I'm excited to get back to Teen Challenge Portland house this Tuesday. Guys and anyone on their guest list comes with their own dinner at 5. We start the video at 5:15, we have 30 minutes to discuss and dismiss at 6:15. This year we're doing the 9 week Prayer Course, Followed by 5 weeks for the Unanswered Prayer Course. 

We pray for the guys by name on Thursdays (over Google Meet), ask them to join while in line for food. We add treats and gifts to incentivize them like Sliced Apple and Carmel for dessert with cookies and giving gifts to anyone who comes two weeks in a row, with an additional bonus gift for 3rd week. These gifts are books on prayer. Keys to Powerful Prayer, How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer, Prayers to Start Your Day, Winning Your Spiritual Battles, 199 Promises of God. 

This week in BSF our doctrine is prayer:

Prayers of the repentant: Jonah 3:5-10,Acts 3:19,1 John 1:9, shows they "believed God’s message" and committed to "(fast and) pray earnestly to God", turn from their evil ways, stop their violence with hope that God would spare their lives. 

• When we believe God, it's always followed by repentance. "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." Acts 3:19
• "if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9

Prayers of non-believers are not answered by God: Proverbs 1:24-28,Isaiah 59:3,Jeremiah 14:10-12,John 9:31 because He calls but non-believers refuse to answer, He reached out but non-believers ignore His advice and reject the correction God offered. So when non-believers "cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me." Proverbs 1:28

• Non-believers are undisciplined who are God's people: Isaiah 59:3 says look at your hands, they are the hands of murderers and our fingers are filthy with sin, your lips are full of lies and your mouth spews corruption. Jeremiah 14:10, LORD says to his people: You love to wander far from me and do not restrain yourselves. Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people. now I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins."

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God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

 Jer 18-19

Key verse: 

...As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. Jer 18:6-10

A) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

1-10) LORD gives Jeremiah vision of potter remolding clay on a wheel

• ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’” Jer 18:11
• Be reliable like snowcapped mountain, or a cold stream flowing (Jer 18:13-15)
• But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” Jer 18:12
• Deserted LORD, incense to idols, stumbled off ancient highways onto muddy paths (Jer 18:15)
• Land will become desolate, monument of stupidity, like wind scatters dust, LORD will turn away from them and refuse to notice distress

Fasting and praying is a wonderful thing. Patience, self-control, perseverance, humility. We talk about what we don't like in ourselves and others but are we willing to change? What will you stop doing, what's no longer working in life that you should put aside and make room for quiet time with the LORD? Fasting does no good if we don't seek the LORD instead of the thing we go to. 

I saw a good video about relationship with God, versus a religious notion about God. If someone comes to your door and asks to stay with you would you let them in? No, you would need to get to know them first as your protecting your home. 

• God wants us in humility to be honest about our shortcomings and out right debauchery, lay your burdons down at the cross and receive forgiveness. His mercy is made new everyday so we turn from our evil way. He puts us back on the path and points us toward righteousness, so that we can do what is right. Alleluia, Amen. 

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True worship is submitting yourself to God wholeheartedly (Jer 17:11-18:17)

focus verse: 

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jer 17:14

 Jer 17:11-18:17

• A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)
• B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)
• C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)

11-12) WORSHIP: Wealth by unjust means is lost by fools, worship LORD instead

• Devotion to God enables visibility and employment in his kingdom (Matthew 6-7)

13) APOSTASY: all who turn away/abandoned LORD (fountain living water) are disgraced, dead

• Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well
• Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles

14) FAITH: LORD, if you heal me, I'm truly healed, save me, I'm truly saved, I praise you alone

15) People scoff, what message from LORD, predictions don't come true

16) WORK: LORD, I've not abandoned my job as shepherd, patient, in your presence, hoping in you alone

17-18) Don't terrorize me but double on them, meshame/dismay on perecuters, not me.

B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)

19-23) LORD says: stop carrying your trade on Sabbath day, make it holy, pay attention, accept discipline 

• Love will slow you down - to your benefit
• Application: I'm here Lord

24-26) Obey me in Sabbath and city will be strong forever, blessing everyone with offering/thanksgiving to the LORD's Temple.

27) Refuse me in Sabbath and I will set fire to gates spreading to palaces

• Application: we have two choices in life, obedience or refusal

C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

1-4) Potter working his wheel, jar didn't turn out, so he crushed it into a lump and started over

5-10) As clay in potter's hand so we are in God's hands; God announces destruction but if nation renounces evil ways, I won't destroy as planned. If announces blessing but then nation turns to evil and refuses to obey, I won't bless.

11-12) Jeremiah warns about disaster instead of good, turn from evil ways, do what's right

• Does God change his mind?

13-17) LORD, "snow capped mountains, reliable cold streams? not so, people deserted, incense worthless idols, muddy path, land desolate, stupidity, scattered - LORD turned back on them, refuse their distress

Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

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Trusting the LORD brings clarity about yourself and others (Jer 16:19-17:10)

 Jer 16:19-17:10

key verse:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. Jer 17:9-10

Divisions

• A) Jeremiah acknowledges God's character and receives God's plan (Jer 16:19-21)
• B) Sin runs deep until the Lord intervenes with crisis and calamity (Jer 17:1-4)
• C) God knows where our trust is and rewards accordingly (Jer 17:5-10)

A) Jeremiah acknowledges God's character and receives God's plan (Jer 16:19-21)

19) LORD, personal strength, fortress, refuge

19-20) Gospel truth; nations confess, "our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, worshiped worthless idols, made gods with their hands - obviously not real. "

• For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 1 Peter 1:18
• This week in BSF we studied Revelation 5.  In Revelation 5, only Jesus was found worthy to open God’s scroll because He,  the Lamb who had been slain, shed His blood on the cross to buy back people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. He delivers them from sin’s slavery and makes them a kingdom and priests to serve God. 
• The Lord brought me to the application of of believing God and speaking. Searching for this I came to The Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. I've been thinking of Christine Foster's conversion into faith as a result of God's calling on my life and Greg/Rich, I just referenced this today. 

21) LORD, "I will show power, might, at last they will know and understand that I am the Lord."

• Lord, help me to minister to my family and make the room for you to be revealed in their life. Give us eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. 

B) Sin runs deep until the Lord intervenes with crisis and calamity (Jer 17:1-4)

1-2) sin of Judah carved into hearts, in children, idol worship everywhere

3-4) LORD hands over holy mountain/wealth/treasure/idols to enemies, slipped away, captives

C) God knows where our trust is and rewards accordingly (Jer 17:5-10)

5-6) LORD says cursed who trust mere humans and turn hearts away from LORD, shrubs in desert (Matthew 13:22 (ESV), Mark 4:17 (ESV)

7-8) Blessed who trust/hope/confidence in LORD,  trees/river, deep roots - heat, drought no problem - always fruitful and green 

9-10) human heart deceitful/desperately wicked - LORD searches all hearts, secret motives/rewards according to actions

• You know/understand my thoughts - Psalm 139:1-2
• God will repay each one according to his deeds - Romans 2:6
• LORD does not see as man does, he sees the heart - 1 Sam 16:7, Proverbs 21:2
• Let the Word of God do it's work within your heart Heb 4:12-13
• Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds. (Psalm 7:9)

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Not just old testament, but applies to us today:

• For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. - Matthew 16:27
• "Churches will know that that I am the One who searches minds and hearts and will repay each of you according to your deeds." - Jesus Rev 2:23
• God knows Proverbs 24:12, Job 34:21
• Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Gal 6:7-8
• For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10
• And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27

As I'm preparing for Alpha tomorrow, ministering to my father in law and have a hopeful heart for Sammy, Paul, Darren, Cassy, Missy, KC, Winn, Benjamin, Check, Joshua... I'm grateful for the call of God on our lives. His loving mercy and kindness, endures. Yesterday at church we celebrated the days of Elijah:

Rev 22:12 - Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 

The hardest part of ministry is loving people even when they are hard hearted, unrighteous and vile because it reveals the reality of our own hearts. 

• God's Word is a mirror when we don't look our best, it's a plumb line when we're leaning on our strength, it's a cold shower to sober us up, it's the shock of lightening that blows up a tree, it's the vault that's impenetrable, without faith eyes that see. (poem based on Rev 22:11-12)

The easiest part of ministry is loving people who are made right with God, practice righteousness and continue to be holy. 

• God's Word is a window into possibility when nothing is left, it's clear way of rescue when I'm this close to death, it's a pure drink of water from a bubbling brook, it's how life was intended, it's how love really works (poem based on Rev 22:11-12)

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Since God sees me, I will stop trying to hide (Jer 16:16-18, Psalm 32:5)

My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin (iniquity) concealed from my eyes. Jer 16:17

Interpretation for verse 18) "double payment for sin" see also Rev 18:6, "Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup."

• wickedness/sins/iniquity = defiled my land with lifeless forms, vile images of detestable gods/idols AND filled my inheritance/territory with carcasses of their detestable idols/abominations
• What's the big deal about sin? Isn't this just one person, with a guilty pleasure? These are questions I wondered about. BSF children's program had a good way of teaching, "the world says [it's no big deal, you were born that way], but God's word says [it's a massive deal, you were created for great purpose]. Sin Types: Iniquity, Transgression-trespass, Apostasy-backsliding
• An Idol is anything we trust in more than God.

Psalm 32:5, mentions sin, trespass, and iniquity and it's cure (Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide my guilt (iniquity). I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion (trespass) to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.)

• Iniquity is our thought process in our heads, premeditated choice: "Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand."
• Iniquity unchecked leads to calloused heart (Matt 13:15 NIV) 
• and God leaving the person, "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves," Romans 1:24 ESV
• Iniquity is carried over generations (Rev 17:4, Gen 15:16). 
• Iniquity leads to unnatural affections, leads to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28-32). 

Iniquity leads to transgression (rebellion/trespass)

• Transgression is to intentionally disobey. Apostasy-backsliding is a gross transgression, treason in which a "Christian" carries the name of God in vain.

Today if you hear his voice don't harden your heart, repent. Ask, seek and knock. Turn to the Lord and receive healing and forgiveness.

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New covenant prophecy for how we identify "Israel" (Jer 3:18, 16:14-15, 23:7-8, 24:5-7))

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 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 - Jer 24:5-7

 Jer 16:14-18

14) No longer people God rescued from Egypt

15) instead God brought pepole of Israel back to their own land from north and from all countries which he exiled them

15b) " For I will bring them back to this land that I gave their ancestors."

• My friend Steve Stang said his favorite reason to give why he believes the Bible is true is prophecy fulfilled about Israel. It's a people, place on the map and part of real history. 
• In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance. - Jeremiah 3:18
• So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.' - Jeremiah 23:7
• Instead they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.' Then they will dwell once more in their own land." - Jeremiah 23:8

Theme is seen in Isaiah 14:1 and Ezekiel 36:23-28

• On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. - Isaiah 11:11
• For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. -Isaiah 14:1
• I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
• “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. - Ezekiel 36:23-28

We are seeing this prophecy fulfilled today in the nation of Israel. Blessed are you who have eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. 

• Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise. - Psalm 106:47
• Lord give us a heart of repentance, glorify your name in us. 
• God has not rejected Israel (Romans 11:1, 11:2, 11:11)
• “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:25-27
• What Does the Bible Say About Restoration Of Israel?
  

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Terror is the absence of God's grace in our lives (Jer 16:1-13)

 Jer 16-17

16:1-4) no marriage, no children, they will die, terrible diseases, like manure food for animals, unburied, war, famine 

5-7) No funerals, sympathy - I removed my protection and peace, taken away unfailing love and mercy, alone (without God and people)

Romans 1:24-25) God gave them over; sinful desires of their heart

8-9) Don't celebrate with them, your lifetime/eyes will see it end

10) Why LORD decreed terrible things against us? What sin against LORD our God?

11-12) Ancestors were unfaithful, didn't obey my word, and you are worse - stubbornly follow evil desires refuse to listen

13) You're thrown out, worship idols without God's favor!

Lord help me to repent and listen to your rebuke. Grant me serenity to accept the things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you for bringing Winn to faith and our prayer for his family to know you. Help him shine as a light for his family. Thank you for saving Joshua from death a year ago and giving him faith, hope, and love for you. We lift up Erik's mom, heal her cancer and may every relationship she has be made right, help Erik to rest in your presents. We're grateful for all the grace you've given to us, help us be good stewards of your grace and reflect you to everyone we meet today. 

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The impenitent are beyond help, yet God guides us to repentance (Jeremiah 15)

 Jeremiah 15

Key verse: When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. (Jer 15:16, Rev 2:17)

A penitent heart is one that sincerely regrets the sin in one's life, sin that alienates us from any relationship with God. A repentant heart is one that humbly accepts that it is only through faith in God's grace that we are brought into a right relationship with him.

A) Jeremiah's intercession will not change the fate brought on by wicked leaders.

1-3) LORD, "Moses or Samuel's intercession wouldn't move me to help, destined for death, war, famine, captivity, I send destroyers, sword to kill, dogs to drag, vultures devour, wild animals what's left.

 4) Because wicked things Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah did in Jerusalem - I make my people object of horror to all kingdom of earth.

 - Principal: one leader can make a huge difference on everyone in community.

 - Manasseh a 12 year old king, idolatrous, repulsive acts of pagan nations LORD dispossessed, he rebuilt altars of Baal, like Ahab (2 Kings 21:1-18) . Manasseh, first born of Joseph means "God made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house" (Gen 41:51).

 - I'm seeing this play out in Revelation 2, where church leaders need to repent: reject Balaam, food offered to idols, sexual sin, reject Jezebel misleads into sexual sin and eating food offered to idols.

• A "modern version of food offered to idols" could be interpreted as any activity or practice where someone excessively prioritizes or dedicates themselves to something non-spiritual, like material possessions, fame, or even a particular lifestyle, to the point where it takes precedence over other important aspects of life, essentially acting as a form of worship or devotion to that thing, even if it's not a traditional deity; examples could include spending excessive time on social media, prioritizing work to the detriment of personal well-being, or obsessive focus on appearance or wealth.
• Some Christians interpret "food offered to idols" as participating in activities that could be seen as supporting practices considered idolatrous by their faith, even if they don't directly worship an idol themselves.

5-7) Jerusalem alone, because they abandoned LORD, destroyed, no more second chance having refused to change evil ways

 - Principal: God gives people chances to change, Holy Spirit at work in our lives, to reject the Holy Spirit is the only unpardonable sin. 

8-9) wealth and opportunity goes away suddenly, childless, disgraced, humiliated - LORD spoken

B) Jeremiah conversation with the LORD brings restoration

10) Jeremiah, sorrow, wish I wasn't born, I'm not lender foreclosing, or borrower refusing to pay, yet cursed.

11-14) LORD, I'll take care of you, your enemies plead, I give them your wealth for sin rampant in land

15-18) Jeremiah, you know, give me time, I discovered your words, devoured them, yet suffering continues, wound is incurable, your help uncertain as a dry spring. 

19-21) LORD, return to me, I will restore you so you can serve me. Speak good words, influence them, they'll attack but I make you secure, protect, rescue you, safe.

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False religion is obvious, life is rotten apart from God (Jeremiah 12-14)

Jeremiah 12-14

outline: 

• A) False religion is uprooted, so that we can learn the way, the truth and the life (Jer 12)
• B) We were made for God, purified in Him to care his flock, nothing from myself (Jer 13)
• C) We need to be completely "poor in spirit" to see God (Jer 14)

AIM: LORD, Create in me a pure heart that pursues You in love and truth. 

Key verses:

• Q: Why are wicked, evil people prosperous and happy... Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. (Jer 12:1-2)
• A: Desolate, wasteland mourns...My people have planted wheat but are harvesting thorns. They have worn themselves out, but it has done them no good. They will harvest a crop of shame because of the fierce anger of the Lord.” (Jer 12:13), So this is what the Lord says to his people: “You love to wander far from me and do not restrain yourselves. Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people. Now I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins.” (Jer 14:10)
• Response: "Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break your covenant with us. Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us." (Jer 14:20-22)

A) False religion is uprooted, so that we can learn the way, the truth and the life (Jer 12)

 Jer 12:1-4) LORD, justice - Jeremiah complaint Evil people happy, God lips, hearts empty, land suffers

• Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

5-13) LORD reply, tired now, family against you, my chosen people act like vultures, now abandoned, overtaken, barren, desolate and no one cares. They plant wheat and harvest thorns, warn out and will harvest a crop of shame.

• Do we spend our efforts on awareness (programs) or life changing power of God (prayer)?
• Do we meet physical (food/shelter) and spiritual (love God/worship) needs, cultivating the ground of repentance? 
• We need both, Knowledge of SIN cultivates a conscience and heart for God

Jer 12:14-17) LORD, I will uproot evil nations, uproot Judah from them - afterward I will have compassion on them all, learn my name, way and obey - else destroyed

• How God's wayward children repent with healed hearts (Jeremiah 3:6-4:2)
• I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do (Zephaniah 1:6)
• Jesus explains working in his kingdom is about giving not taking (Matthew 19:30-21:17)

B) We were made for God, purified in Him to care his flock, nothing from myself (Jer 13)

Jer 13:1-11) Loincloth, buried in a grave, rots - this is how pride of people who refuse to listen, follow selfish desires, worship other gods (popular music). As loincloth clings to mans waste, God created us to cling to Him to be His pride, glory, honor to His name.

• God answers Billie Eilish's question "what was I made for?"
• When have I spent more energy in things taking me away from the Lord than pursuing the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. How is pride at the root of my refusal to listen to the Lord. What might humble me before my I'm dead and buried? 
• Do we wash our robe or love to live a lie (Rev 22:14-15)

Jer 13:12-14) Jars meant for wine, everyone will be drunk; king, priests, prophets, common people - smashed against eachother, parents against children, pity/compassion won't keep Me from destroying them.

Jer 13:15-23) Listen, humbly, give glory to God, acknowledge Him before he brings darkness upon you, poverty, captives, exile, open eyes, where is your beautiful flock he care you to care for? Allies I cultivated rule over me. Why? I can't start doing good, when I've always done evil.

• I've spent more time mentoring non-believers than the beautiful flock the Lord gave me to care for. I've reaped thorns when my lips spoke of the Lord but he was not present. I didn't invite the Lord to show me, I showed the Lord what I would do. My heart now understands and I turn to the Lord to be healed. 
• Scribe who has read and the prophet who has seen

Jer 13:24-27) Scatter like chaff those who forgotten LORD, put trust in false gods, exposed to shame, adultery, lust, disgusting idol worship, sorrow awaits you, How long before you are pure?

• Spiritual believers but not followers of Jesus Christ
• The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)
• Wisdom comes from being sensitive to God's character (Jer 10)

C) We need to be completely "poor in spirit" to see God (Jer 14)

Jer 14:1-10) Drought, dry wells, death - People acknowledge wickedness, God's salvation, yet God reveals people love separation from God, unrestrained lives, wickedness. 

• John 3:16-21, "God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

Jer 14:11-18) Don't intercede, while their prophets lie in God's name saying "all is well", foolishness from lying hearts, war, famine, disease - their own wickedness, pouring out death on them.

19-22) Rejected, wounded past hope of healing? Without peace, terrified. We confess our wickedness, sin against You, please remember us, don't break covenant with us. Worthless foreign gods can't make it rain, only LORD our God.

• Waiting on the Lord like a restaurant server, not a customer in line (Psalm 27:4,7-8)
• Principles and applications in praying for others
• Leave your jar behind and pick up your mat and walk

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God's promise today, my people Obey me (Jer 11)

 Jer 11

1) Word to Jeremiah from the LORD

• For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

2-4) terms of covenant, cursed one who doesn't obey everything commanded ancestors out Egypt, 'you will be my people, and I will be your God', 

• I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Ex 6:7
• I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Lev 26:12
• But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16
• Naomi sees redemption through Ruth, Boaz, and Obed (Ruth 1-4)
  

5) LORD fulfils 'land milk and honey' - land today, Amen

• We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first. As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.” For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? Heb 3:14-16
• God fulfils his promises today, do I have eyes that see and heart that understands? His yoke is easy and burden is light. Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you.
• Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness. Psalm 95:6-8

6-8) Listen to the terms of covenant, follow them: "Obey me", they didn't listen or pay attention, they followed stubbornness of evil hearts, curses on themselves.

9-13) conspired to return to sins of ancestors, disaster/prayer not heart, followed other gods, incense to Baal

14-17) Don't pray for them, they rejoice in wickedness, LORD called you thriving olive tree - fire, broken, LORD planted you, has decreed disaster for evil Baal worship

18-23) LORD revealed to Jeremiah, lamb, slaughter/ But LORD Almighty, judge righteously, test heart and mind - punish them.

• Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:11-13

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Wisdom comes from being sensitive to God's character (Jer 10)

 Jer 10-12

key verse

"The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered." Jer 10:21

AIM: We need the living God who created everything to give us wisdom

A) People look passed God at stars, or look at what they hold

10:1-5) LORD, "Don't read into stars, predictions, idol makers, like scarecrows"

6-7) No one like LORD, king of nations, holy, wise

8-9) idol worshipers foolish, expensive dolls

B) God is everything we need and available right now

10) LORD is only true, living God, everlasting King

11-16) LORD is Creator, power, preserves by wisdom, understanding, causes weather, destroys idols

17-22) siege, trouble, driven out, My wound-grief, unbearable, children gone, shepherds senseless, no longer seek wisdom from LORD, fail completely, destroyed

• Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on Him while He is near. Forsake your wicked way, your unrighteous thoughts, return to the LORD - My thoughts, not your thoughts, my way, not your way (Isaiah 55:6-8). 
• He desires truth in our inmost being and teaches wisdom there (Psalm 51:6). The LORD gives wisdom, His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me (Proverbs 8:17). 
• Perseverance, maturity and completeness. God gives wisdom generously to those who ask in faith, Ask God for wisdom (James 1:4-6). Give me an "understanding heart to judge and discern between good and evil, govern Your people (1 Kings 3:9).
• Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). In all your ways acknowledge Him, He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). 
• Desire wisdom with all of your heart (Proverbs 2:3-5 ). Study and learn God's Word (Psalm 19:7 ). The more you devote yourself to God's Holy Word, the more you open yourself up to the greatest wisdom in the universe.

23-25) Our lives not our own, I submit to your will, correct me gently, let your wrath be on those who refuse to acknowledge you, don't call on your name, removed people making land desolate

• Refuse to acknowledge: Pride, worldview that dismisses miracles (i.e. science, variation "we don't understand")
• God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). If it were not for God’s grace, we would be given over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. He does this for those who continually reject Him (Romans 1:24-32)
• Six theological flaws (God and ourselves)
  
• Analogies of what the Bible is
  
• Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)
  

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Knowing the Lord, starts in the heart and continues in life ( Jer 8:4-9:26)

 Jer 8:4-9:26

Key verse

"Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around...This happened because my people abandoned my instructions, refused to obey what I said. Instead, they have stubbornly followed their own desires and worshiped the images of Baal, as their ancestors taught them...Listen, you women, to the words of the Lord; open your ears to what he has to say. Teach your daughters to wail;teach one another how to lament...“A time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit" Jer 8:5,9:13-14,20,25

A) People on self-destruct path to doom (lie, twist truth, false peace, greedy, unashamed frauds) 

8:4-7) People fall, discovering their wrong self-destructive path, cling to lies, conversations without truth on a path of sin, birds know time of migration but God's people don't know the LORD's law.

• Our words direct the path we take and the paths of others
• Test and prove what pleases the Lord, understand his will (Ephesians 5:10,17)

8-9) Wise, word of LORD? Teachers twisted writing lies, rejected word of LORD.

10-11) Lose wives, farms, ruled by greed, God's leaders - all frauds, superficial treatment of mortal wounds, speak false peace to their destruction (same as Jer 6:10-15)

12-13) Unashamed, lie with slaughtered, punished, consumed, fruit trees die, LORD's gifts soon gone

14) People, wait to die? go to city, LORD decreed destruction, cup of poison drink for sin against LORD

• Jesus had that cup, took our sin upon himself

15) Hoped for peace, but didn't come. Hoped for healing, only found terror

• Difference between Faithful hope and Peace that Jesus gives from wishful thinking/hope. Discipline is painful but treasured by though trained by it (Heb 11-12, John 14-16). 

16-17) terrible army coming to shake the ground, devour cities and people, poisonous snakes bite die

Application: No wonder preachers preach Fire and Brimstone, we need a wake-up call. I was talking with a friend about "spiritual - not religious" as how people describe themselves these days. It's like we know something is wrong in our spirit, but continue to do what we've always done. I believe the role of the church is to Be the Body of Christ in the world, ruled by the Holy Spirit to remind what Jesus taught and did. Today is the day of Salvation. The Kingdom of Heaven has come near. Repent to God for forgiveness of your sins and walk out of your grave into new life. It's so difficult because we need to do this every day that is called today.

Am I ruled by greed? Do I have a gap in my gospel? Do I have counterfeit Hopes?

This is a great listen to help diagnose our lives: How People Change. 

This book explains the biblical pattern for spiritual change in a clear, practical way you can apply to the challenges of daily life as a Christian. But change involves more than a biblical formula: You will see how God is at work to make you the person you were created to be. That powerful, loving, redemptive relationship is at the heart of all positive change you experience as a Christian on your path in life.

B) We learn how to grieve by coming into the presence of God

18-22) Grief beyond healing, heart broken, LORD abandoned, idolatry, not saved, hurt, mourn, no physician/medicine

9:1-2) I wished I could endlessly cry for my slaughtered people, go away and forget, adulterers, liars

3) My people, lie, refuse standing for truth, bad to worse, don't know LORD

• Away from me, I never knew you: I never knew you explained in parable of virgins (Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:12)

4-6) neighbors, family, friends untrustworthy, slanderous, defrauding each other, sinning, refuse to acknowledge LORD.

7-8) LORD of Heaven's Armies "melt them, test metal - they speak friendly words, hearts scheme to kill"

9-11) avenge, weep for mountains, empty pastures, desolate, animals gone, Jerusalem ruined, ghost town

C) Wisdom comes from asking God and truly knowing him (circumcised heart)

12) wise enough to understand, instructed by LORD, explain it to others? land ruined 

13-14) LORD, "This happened because my people abandoned my instructions, refused to obey what I said. Instead, they have stubbornly followed their own desires and worshiped the images of Baal, as their ancestors taught them.

15-16) LORD feeds bitterness, poison drink, scatter, chase, destroyed completely

17-20) Consider all this, mourn, weep, despair, humiliated - listen to words of LORD, open ears, teach one another how to lament

21-22) Death is really near, sneaking up on you, so many dead, no one left to bury

23-24) don't boast in wisdom, power, riches - boast in truly knowing LORD - unfailing love, justice, righteousness to earth, delighting in these. 

• Reminds me of "boasting in my weakness so that the power of Christ can work through me" 2 Cor 12:9. I rediscovered Grace is God’s Lavish Blessings to the Undeserving

25-26) A time is coming says the LORD, when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit, like pagan nations Israel also have uncircumcised hearts

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False religious security of wicked, obstinate people leads to doom (Jer 6:22-8:3)

 Jer 6:22-8:3

Key verse

"This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’ But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward...Say to them, ‘This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips." Jer 7:23-24,28

A) Jeremiah warns against false religious security of wicked people (Jer 6:22-7:15)

B) Don't be sorry, obey God and Be His People (Jer 7:16-23)

C) Obstinate people, will be destroyed by God (Jer 7:24-8:3)

AIM: Warning obstinate people never works, their hearts are senseless

A) Jeremiah warns against false religious security of wicked people (Jer 6:22-7:15)

22-26) LORD, "great army, planning your destruction, no escape, mourn, loss of only son

26-30) Jeremiah tester of metals, quality of people - rebel, slander, hard as iron leading others into corruption, furnace doesn't purifies them, wickedness remains, "rejected silver"

• The sun that melts wax, hardens clay

7:1-7) Another message to worshipers at temple, quit your evil ways, thoughts, deeds - start loving neighbors, justice, orphans, widows 

• True worshipers in Spirit and Truth, not a temple made by human hands. 

8-11) Don't be fooled, Temple bearing my name doesn't shield law breakers, den of thieves, evil going on

12-15) Like Shiloh, Tabernacle bore my name - wickedness of people, refused to listen, destroyed, exiled

Application: Is my heart hard as metal, refusing to listen, repent and put the cast on my shoulders. Am I my own problem - suffering and dying because of a "stiff neck." Woe to me, stop walking in sin, listen to the Lord and be healed. 

B) Don't be sorry, obey God and Be His People (Jer 7:16-23)

16-19) don't weep or pray, wicked people, dough, cakes, Queen of Heaven, hurt God, themselves, shame

• Wowza! clear "wrong turn" of the Catholic Church, not that Protestant churches haven't made many wrong turns as well.

20-23) Fury, consumed by unquenchable fire, not offerings and sacrifices, obedience to God, we will be his people. 

C) Obstinate people, will be destroyed by God (Jer 7:24-8:3)

24-26) didn't listen, stubborn desires, evil hearts, backward, not forward, not listening or trying to hear, worse than ancestors. 

27-29) Speak, they won't listen, national disobedience, refusal to be taught, rejected and forsaken by LORD

• Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

30-34) People sinned in LORD's sight, abominable idols Temple bearing name, killing offspring

• We are the LORD's temple, Christian bearing Jesus name in a land of abortion

8:1-3) Day of the LORD, our legacy, from greatest to least will be erased, idolatrous survivors wish for death.

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Leaders unyoked to God, ruin generations by greed and dishonesty (Jeremiah 5:1-6:21, Matthew 11:28-30)

key verse;

So I will go and speak to their leaders. Surely they know the ways of the Lord and understand God’s laws.” But the leaders, too, as one man, had thrown off God’s yoke and broken his chains. Jer 5:5

“From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are all frauds. They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says:“Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ Jer 6:13-16

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

 Jeremiah 5:1-6:21

A) God sees our dishonest heart attitude

5:1-3) LORD, no one is honest, not paying attention, refusing correction/repentance

4-6) Poor ignorant of God's ways/laws, leaders thrown off God's yoke - bringing beasts, rebellion/sins many

• My yoke is easy, burden is light Matt 11:28-30

7-9) Pardon your family? Idolatry, adultery, covetous - I should avenge myself.

10-13) destroy grapevines, they don't belong to LORD - treachery, lied about consequences, didn't listen to God's prophets

14-17) LORD "Mighty foreigners, unknown language, mighty, devour, destroy all you have"

18-19) Yet, you will live under them because you 'gave yourself to foreign gods'

B) Warning for God's People who rejected God's way

20-25) Senseless, don't see, hear, don't respect presence/boundaries, stubborn/rebellious hearts - turned away, abandoned God, impure heart, wickedness deprives blessing, sin robbed of good things

26-31) Wicked, set traps for people, evil unlimited plots for wealth, refuse justice to orphans, deny rights of poor - they like false prophets, priest iron hand,  

6:1-5) Run for your lives, disaster, destruction, enemies about to devour you

6-9) Prepare for battle, city is wicked - punished, obvious listen to warning, everyone accounted for

10-15) No one listens, ruled by greed, prophets/priest are frauds, superficial treatment of mortal wounds, speak false peace to their destruction 

16-21) Stop, decide path of godly and find rest for your souls, all nations, fruit of schemes, rejecting God's word is disaster. Sacrifices are not pleasing to God. 

• Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt 11:29

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A heart that knows God, is truthfully surrendered before him (Jer 4:3-22)

 Jer 4:3-22

Key verses;

This is what the Lord says..."Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the Lord... (Jer 4:3,22)

A) God's heart change is required, pride and power must be surrendered. (Jer 4:1-9)

4:3-4) LORD says, "Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Don't waste good seed among thorns, surrender pride, power - change heart before the LORD or bear unquenchable fire of anger for sin.

• Today, God's word is living and active (Heb 4:7,12),Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). 
• The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Luke 8:14
• But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15
• I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27

5-9) Shout, broadcast, signal - terrible destruction upon you, land, devastated, ruined, LORD's anger brings mourning, broken heart

Application: When Jesus says forgive and bless don't curse - do you put it into action? This is retention, persevering and producing. What evidence in your relationships 

B) God's people deceived about peace, on the road of destruction without Him. (Jer 4:10-22)

10-12) Jeremiah confused, "People deceived by God's promised peace, but sword, burning wind - no breeze for winnowing grain, blast - destruction

• Jesus, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword... (like Jesus) take your cross and follow, find life in Christ and lose it for his sake. (Matthew 10:34,38-39)
• Apostles given authority; cast out unclean spirits, heal every disease/affliction (even Judas) - Matt 10:1-4)
• Apostles sent to lost sheep of Israel, proclaim 'Kingdom of Heaven is near', no money, worthy house, peace/ else worse than Sodom/Gomorrah (Matt 10:5-15)
• Apostles persecuted like sheep among wolves, wise serpents, innocent as doves, Spirit of Father speaks through you, family's against each other for Jesus' name sake, (Matt 10:16-22)
• Apostle misunderstood like Jesus, run out and perceived as 'Lord of dung/flies', Servant isn't greater than master (Matthew 10:23-25, John 15:18-21)
• Apostle fearless of men, valued by God. Reveal/proclaim, abiding in/given to God (Matt 10: 26-33, John 15, Romans 12)
• Jesus taught to live life with God on purpose (Matt 16:25-27, Job 27:8)
  

13-15) enemy hurricane speed, doom /Jerusalem cleanse your heart, be saved don't harbor evil thoughts destruction

• Doctrine of Election is God's irrevocable call for everyone (Genesis 25:23)

16-18) warn nations, Jerusalem enemy against Judah, 'for my people rebelled against LORD' actions/punishments' bitter/ piercing to heart 

19-21) My heart pain, heard trumpets blast, waves of destruction, battle flags

• For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12
• Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! (Hebrews 12:25 NLT).
• For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it (Job 33:14 NLT)

22) My people are foolish, don't know me says the LORD, stupid, no understanding, cleaver enough to do wrong, no idea how to do right!

Application: Many people don't realize their lack of belief doesn't remove them from God's plan for humanity. As Christians our hearts are broken, we speak yet find few hearers. Yet we believe God is close to the broken hearted and able to heal the hardest heart. The apostle Paul was a Christian Killer who ended up receiving apostleship to the gentiles that includes me. We'll all see clearly some day, in time and eternity.  

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How God's wayward children repent with healed hearts (Jeremiah 3:6-4:2)

Key verse: 

"My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts." 

" Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, "for you are the Lord our God.  Jer 3:22

 Jeremiah 3:6-4:18

AIM: God's people recognize dis-alignment, hearing God and examining our path. 

A) LORD sees our insincerity, yet provides shepherds for repentance (Jer 3:6-15)

• 3:6-10) During King Josiah LORD said, "Israel/Judah like an adulterous prostitute wife, worshiping idols. Faithless, insincere, pretending to be sorry."
• Examine your surroundings, what do you worship? Examine your relationships, where are your faithless. Examine your religion where are you insincere, pretending to be sorry?
• 11-13) Judah knew better, guilty of treachery - God calls "come home, I'm merciful, acknowledge guilt, admit rebellion/idolatry, confess refusal to listen.
• Holy Spirit poured out on all men, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement; John 14, Acts 1-3
• 14-15) Return wayward children, I'll give shepherds from my heart, guide with knowledge and understanding.
• Gifts of Jesus; Ephesians 4:11

Application: Examine yourself, 2 Cor 13:4-6;

"For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test"

B) Father God promises family time, mindful, mature and honorable. (Jer 3:16-21)

• 16-18) "Filled w/People, not wishing to rebuild Ark, Jerusalem Throne, All nations honor LORD, not stubbornly evil desire"
• Don't build on the law, build on Jesus - God's grace; Romans 5:20-21 and Romans 6:14-23
• 19-21) LORD loves us as offspring, call me Father - yet we're an unfaithful wife, crooked path, forgotten LORD their God. 
• Remember Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12

Application: Listen to the still small voice, God has reserved thousands of pure people (1 Kings 19)

"When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me." John 15:26

C) Repentance begins at God's call, we respond with confession and obedience. (Jer 3:22-4:18)

• 22) LORD, "Come back to me, I will heal your wayward hearts" - people reply, "Yes, we come - you are LORD our God."
• 23-25) Israel, "Our idol worship, orgies are delusional, LORD salvation, ancestors squandered on delusion. Shame, dishonor for sin against LORD our God - never obedient."
•  Our world today is falling apart (proud tares stand tall) and becoming awesome (humble wheat bows down). 
• 4:1-2) LORD, "If you want, you could - throw away idols, stray no more, in my name - truth, justice, righteousness - blessing the nations of world, people come and praise my name.
• Repentance is easy, let your yes be yes and no be no. Ask anything in my name and it will be done. (Matthew 5:38, John 14:13-17)
• Prayer for self: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' - Matthew 6:13
• Prayer for our family: I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. - John 17:15, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16, 
• Pray forgiveness: They know not, Luke 23:34, don't hold this sin against them Acts 7:60
• Faithfulness with God: In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. - Ephesians 6:16, But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3, pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)

key verses: 

"...Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God! We don’t need him anymore!’... for years on end my people have forgotten me." Jeremiah 2:31-32

AIM: Every calamity's root is forgetting the God that made you and rescued you to be holy.

A) Leaders stopped asking 'Where is the LORD?' and turned to idols ruining their future (1-13)

1-3) another message to Jerusalem, "remember eagerness as young bride follows, Israel holy first child protected"

 - Interesting "holy first child" is not Isaac 

4-6) Listen LORD, "worship worthless idols, become worthless. Didn't ask 'where is the LORD who saved/led out of Egypt'

• God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

7-9) fruitful land, you defiled/corrupted. Priests didn't ask 'where is the LORD?' teachers ignored Him, prophets name of Baal (Numbers 25 sex plague, 1 Kings 18:21 tested,  Romans 11 explains) - worthless idol. Children's children charged.

• Similar message from Zephaniah 1:2-3) everything on earth, all mankind will be destroyed, Zephaniah 1:4-6) hand against Judah, Baal worship, idolatrous priests, astrologers, apostate believers
• 1 Kings 16:29-34) Omri, evil, worse than others, married Jezebel, worshiped Baal, setup Asherah pole, Jericho rebuilt costing life of oldest and youngest sons.

10-13) sent searching elsewhere exchanging glorious God for worthless idol, abandoned fountain of living water, dug cracked cisterns 

• Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))

Application: Getting off course starts with wicked leaders. Yet the Lord is interceding on your behalf, giving you a thirst for his righteousness. Your broken cisterns can't hold this holy water. We are lost. Pray the Father draws us to himself. Give us the gift of faith - let us repent of ignorance, help me to release my grip on worthless idols. Awake my soul. 

B) God delivered us from slavery, yet we've used our freedom to leave him (14-22)

14-17) "why Israel enslaved, tormented, destroyed? you rebelled against God, though he leading you"

18-19) "what gained from wicked world? punishment, shame - see evil bitterness = fearlessly abandon LORD."

20-22) "freed from slavery, yet said 'I won't serve God' - prostituted instead, stained guilty

Application:   I need to stop rebelling against God and let him led me in the fear of the LORD.

C) We claim to be right with God, yet we are living apart from him, living a lie (23-3:5)

23-25) "you deny worshiping images of Baal, yet lust is obvious, panting after other gods 'I can't stop'

26-27) "thief, shame only when caught, leaders bring idols, turned backs to LORD, in trouble cry out 'come and save us!'

28-30) you don't call on idols because you know the are lifeless, your rebellion punishes children, they don't respond to LORD discipline - because you killed your prophets

31-32) listen to the words of the LORD, why MY people claim freedom from God, forgetting him:

• 33-34) plot, scheme, win lovers, clothes stained with blood of innocent/poor
• 35) you say, 'I've done nothing wrong, God's not angry with me!' - claim you've not sinned
• 36-37) flit from ally to ally for help, Egypt/Assyria let you down, despair/exile - LORD rejected nations you trust
• 3:1) Divorce is final, you prostituted yourself, why are you trying to come back?
• 2-5) Look, shrines of defilement, adultery to other gods, polluted land with brazen prostitution/wickedness, spring rain fails - shameless fake repentance, fake obedience, "you keep on doing all the evil you can."

Application: People claim freedom from God because we don't live as we claim to believe. Lord, I've sinned against you in every way. I've surrounded myself with idols and have grown callous to your discipline. I've lived a life 'I can't stop' - a lie. I don't want to live a lie, but to live in Spirit and Truth. 

Thank you Father, Lord - you're mercy is made new everyday. Help me follow where you lead, the way you lead. Amen. Thank you for conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. Revelation 22:15

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