Posts from 2022 (Page 11)

  DISCUSSION                                                                            In Jeremiah 27, the LORD has Jeremiah use an object lesson for the nation of Judah and their neighbors.   He has Jeremiah build a yoke and place it upon his neck as he prophesies.  The lesson is this: any nation who does not accept the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon, the LORD will punish.  Yet, if they do accept the yoke, then he will bless them while they are under…

  DISCUSSION                                                                 In Jeremiah 24, God sends a vision to the prophet of two baskets of figs that were placed before the Temple.  One basket was full of good figs, yet the other basket was full of bad figs that could not be eaten.  The meaning of the vision was directed towards those exiled from Judah that would be sent to Babylon.  The good figs are compared to those that go away into exile;…

  DISCUSSION                                                         Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah had to endure intense persecution because of his stand for God’s word to him (15:15).  Jeremiah knew that his life was in danger and yet he chose to serve God. He never wavered from telling his people of their wrongs with little fear for his own life. Jeremiah loved his people and Jerusalem. Today, we have similar opportunities…

  DISCUSSION                                                  Jeremiah lived in a world of cultures based on idolatry (Jeremiah10: 3-10). His own nation, Judah, was given over to idols during the reign of Manasseh and Amon, probably the period when Jeremiah was a boy. In fact, Jeremiah says that Judah had as many gods as it did cities (2:28). Also, each society around Judah worshipped many false gods. Looking back on these religions from today’s perspective, we have a…

  DISCUSSION                                    Having faith is not a onetime event in one’s life, and it is not a state of moral perfection that only a few can attain. Faith is a dynamic lifelong journey that each of us as Christians are on. At any given time we are either moving toward God or away from Him. The people in Jeremiah’s day were under God’s judgment because they turned away from Him – they went backward not…

  DISCUSSION                                           The prophets frequently compared the city of Jerusalem to the city of Sodom. God destroyed Sodom for its wickedness. God would have spared the city if Abraham could have found 10 righteous people. They weren’t there. How many would have saved Jerusalem from a similar judgment? only one (Jer. 5:1). Jeremiah searched in poor neighborhoods, in the area of the leaders, but he found no one righteous and following Gods way. People of…

DISCUSSION                           Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.”       These two verses clearly show us that God does have a plan…

  DISCUSSION                                   The book of Zephaniah has only 53 verses, but Zephaniah refers to the “day of the Lord” 18 times. He warned his listeners to be silent in the presence of God (1:7). To listen to the warnings of repenting and being ready, for the day of the Lord is at hand. You will be judged. Along the seacoast there are many threats to…

  DISCUSSION                                                      The small book of Nahum is a collection of visions that the prophet has concerning the downfall of the Assyrians.  However, the book is not entirely about the fall of the Assyrians, but He rather uses them as an example to show us that God will always punish those nations that prey on and persecute the innocent.  This is good news for God’s people…

  DISCUSSION                                       I used to work with a man who had one of the kindest, gentlest of hearts I had ever seen in someone.  I was shocked to hear that this man wasn’t attending any form of worship service and that he had never become a Christian.  I had decided that I was going to begin praying for him and invite him to come to church with me on Sunday.  I…

  DISCUSSION                                         As we already know from our daily bible readings, King Hezekiah will become sick to the point of death.  However, due to his humility, God grants him fifteen more years into His service.  There is however a statement that Isaiah makes to the king that I feel is very significant for our lesson today.  Isaiah tells King Hezekiah “Set your house in order, for you shall die…”.  Although…

  DISCUSSION                                                              As Isaiah closes out his book, he gives his people a clear understanding of what God is looking for out of His people.  “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66.2b).  The same message could be said for us in the church today.  If we want God to…