CHRIST'S ADMONITION

CHRIST'S ADMONITION 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+4:14-21Dear Father, king of the ages,I am proud to be your child, and I want to listen carefully toyour admonition. Help me to listen to you through the words of myspiritual fathers in the faith, your apostles. May I imitate them!Remind me of their ways in Christ. From them and through them mayI learn that the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but inpower.Come to me, Lord, to chasten me and change me. But please showyour love in a spirit of gentleness, rather than with the fiercerod of your anger.I renounce all egotistical thinking and all arrogant talk. I turnmy heart and mind toward you and submit my life! You, Father, aremy God, my Lord, my Savior! You are worthy of all my love andobedience.In the name of Jesus I submit to your authority and ask yourblessings to continue forever. Amen.

CHRIST'S ADMONITION

CHRIST'S ADMONITION 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+4:14-21Dear Father, king of the ages,I am proud to be your child, and I want to listen carefully toyour admonition. Help me to listen to you through the words of myspiritual fathers in the faith, your apostles. May I imitate them!Remind me of their ways in Christ. From them and through them mayI learn that the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but inpower.Come to me, Lord, to chasten me and change me. But please showyour love in a spirit of gentleness, rather than with the fiercerod of your anger.I renounce all egotistical thinking and all arrogant talk. I turnmy heart and mind toward you and submit my life! You, Father, aremy God, my Lord, my Savior! You are worthy of all my love andobedience.In the name of Jesus I submit to your authority and ask yourblessings to continue forever. Amen.

Morning Reading

Morning Reading
With His stripes we are healed.
—Isaiah 53:5
Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of His flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body.
Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him without tears, as He stands before you the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing which His stripes have wrought in us, does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.
"See how the patient Jesus stands,Insulted in His lowest case!Sinners have bound the Almighty's hands,And spit in their Creator's face.
With thorns His temples gor'd and gash'dSend streams of blood from every part;His back's with knotted scourges lash'd.But sharper scourges tear His heart." We would fain go to our chambers and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day, and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him, and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dear.

VERSE:

VERSE: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above allthat we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout allages, world without end. Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+3:20-21&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than thatthrough you! The real question is whether or not you will believeit, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!PRAYER: God, you are glorious, generous, and gracious. You have blessedme physically and spiritually with so many wonderful touches ofyour grace. I praise you for your faithfulness. I thank you foryour grace. I exalt your name above every other name and hold it asa personal treasure. Please be glorified in me -- my speech, myactions, my influence, my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

WHAT IS A SALT COVENANT?

WHAT IS A SALT COVENANT? All Bible believing Christians believe the Covenants of God are made with His people of His Creation. A covenant establishes a spiritual relationship with His believing people. The Biblical witness makes it clear that any partnersip with God is His idea and not mankind, as it is with false religions.Agreements that are permanent between God and humans are called 'Covenants of Salt'. they are Covenants of strength and loyalty. Offerings and tithes to the priesthood, and the covenant between God and King David, are called Covenants of Salt as stated in the Bible. Treaties made between men were also Covenants of Salt. Both the covenant with David (being symbolic of God's everlasting pledge through David down to Christ, including the future), and the priesthood covenant were permanent arrangements. Numbers 2, 18:19, 20,21,26 & 2 Chronicles 13:5Salt represents preservation, stimulation of thirst, commitment, purity and loyalty, faithfulness and obedience, it seasons and is flavourable, a sign of valued friendship, it cannot lose its effectiveness.God's Word indicates His loyalty to His people, He is committed to preserving His promises with His people, satisfying them spiritually and establishing permanent relationships with them for eternity.Jesus is faithful and expects His disciples to return their faithfulness to Him, as well as being committed to each other, loyal and loving to one another, given to God in service.Jesus called His disciples to be the preserving salt in a decaying world. The kind of salt that does not suppress their allegiance to Him. Believers whose devotion to God is mixed with attachment of the world will find a weakened spiritual point in their lives. The Covenant of Salt represents also might and constant faithfulness. Salt is the distinctive mark of Christian discipleship, of those who have allegiance to Jesus and The Gospel.Jesus died so that mankind could be reconciled with God and to those who receive the message of The Gospel is given a gift of being members of a priesthood unto God, with Jesus Himself, as their High Priest. (The Book of Hebrews) Believers are given the privilege and honour of serving God in a Covenant relationship which is also personal, via the everlasting Covenant of Salt.The Old Testament was a shadow of things to come and salt was a big part of Israel's worship. Salt had to be added to their offerings and firstfruits (the priestly tithes and their tithe of tithes) and the priests were instructed by God that it must not be left out for it was a Covenant which called to remembrance God's loyalty and faithfulness towards them and His people. Salt also had to be added by the priest. The Covenant of Salt was also known as The everlasting Priesthood Covenant.Salt was a sign of a covenant that required God's ministers, His co-workers, to receive provision through His people. Salt was costly and prized, it emphasised durability and was used to remind worshippers to be faithful to God, and Jesus used this illustration when He told His followers that they are the salt of the earth, and their inheritance was Christ Himself.Salt being a precious preservative, was everlasting like God's promises. It was a good reminder of God's faithfulness, of His activity in peoples lives for salt penetrates throughout, preserves and aids in healing. Pure salt maintains its flavour, impure salt is useless. The quality of salt improves taste, in the same way believers should 'say and do' what leaves a 'good taste' for others, their godly wholesome living, as Christ's ambassadors should influence others for eternity, showing forth Christ's examples of sincerity, courteousness, honesty, integrity, compassion and mercy, including the Fruits of The Holy Spirit which are the Salt of Christian virtues. Pure salt required considerable commitment to separate the sand and other impurities to make it valuable. Christians are to be totally committed to Christ, full of flavour, retaining His teachings. Anything 'salted' mixed with the sand of the world would be of no value. Salt is a necessary part of a person's natural diet, as God is, spiritually and interacting daily with His people, which strengthens the symbolism of salt and covenant making. Trust, fidelity and loyalty is seen in the Covenant of Salt. Saltiness in a Christian symbolised preservation from corruption, bringing to memory loyalty to Jesus as he asked Christians to be faithful to Him, just as He was faithful for their sake. This is especially noticeable in the seven letters to the Churches in The Book of Revelation.Salt addresses the morality in a Christian's life; being examples as morality declines around them in a dying world. Power of The Holy Spirit loses flavour in the sight of others if believers compromise and become lukewarm towards God when they do not resist the prevailing spirit of deception in the 'saltlessness' of the world system. Only salt with flavour is useful in The Kingdom of God. Believers compromise most in their conversation. God asks that His people speak with 'seasoning of salt', but this does not rule out stern words when necessary.Salt in the Old Testament days was considered as a sign of treasured friendship, so it was easy for the Israelites to equate salt in their offerings and tithes to remind them of God's unchanging love. They knew that the motive for the Covenant was a relationship and salt, a personal friendship, that it was to take first priority. It was a bond, to be taken seriously of a permanent relationship and if broken, had serious consequences because of the violated and damaged fellowship. Enemies when warring always parted ending a truce or treaty with a seasoned meal, with the container of salt visible, so they would know the seriousness of the bond of the treaty. This is also shown in parts of The Old Testament, before and after the Law was given to Moses, including Melchizadek's meal of friendship and hospitality with Abraham. Both with a pledge made with God or man, a Covenant of Salt was known as a principle of God and was irrevocable. In making a Covenant between God and man, it is God who sets the terms by promise and oath, bonded by His personal loyalty. All Covenants by God are everlasting. He is a covenant making God, seeking friendship and alliance between Himself and mankind. He takes on the obligation of fulfilling the conditions Himself.Today Christians are under the Covenant of Spirit and Grace but the principles of The Covenant of Salt remains the same.INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SALTThe Bible mentions salt more than 30 times. Salt has a religious significance and symbol of purity. Salt is essential to health. Body cells must have salt in order to live and work. Blood, sweat and tears are salty.Salt is an antiseptic (germ killing) property that make it useful for bathing of infections including being used as a mouth wash. It is also used for cleaning teeth.It is estimated that salt has 14,000 uses.Among people today salt is still used as a sign of honour, friendship and hospitality. A saying is "there is salt between us" meaning "we have eaten together, we are bonded friends".Salt was once so scarce and precious that it was used as money. Caesar's soldiers received part of their pay in common salt. This was known as salarium from which the word salary comes. Dating back to the days when workers were paid their wages in salt is the modern expression "not worth his salt", and it literally means not working good enough to earn his wage.Salt was a chief economic product of the ancient world. It was important in the development of the earliest highways of trade. Roman soldiers built one of the great military roads in History, the Via Salaria (Salt Road), from the saltworks at Ostia to Rome.SCRIPTURES Numbers 18:19, 20; 21, 26, 2 Chronicles 13:5. QUESTIONS 1] What makes the Covenant of Salt important? 2] Does the priesthood carry on through the New Testament under Christ today? 3] What did Jesus call His disciples? 4] Who sets the terms of covenants between God and man?

THE HOLY PARADE

THE HOLY PARADE 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+4:8-13Dear Father, king of the ages,Would that your people were already filled! Would that they werealready rich! Would that they were already kings and sharing thereign with each other! For then I would be sharing in it too.We know all this grandeur awaits us in the kingdom that is tocome, but for now, give us the endurance to follow your apostles ina parade that is a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.Many are strong, but we may have to put up with weakness. Many areheld in honor, but we may be held in disrepute. We may have to behungry and thirsty, ill-clad, buffeted and homeless, and we mayhave to do toilsome labor with our hands.When I am reviled, help me to bless in return. When I ampersecuted, help me endure. When I am slandered, help me beconciliatory. To follow your apostles in this parade, I am willingto become the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things!In the name of Jesus, give me a willing heart! Amen.

Solitary Time With God

Solitary Time With GodPastor Andre Butler And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. --Matthew 14:23 Jesus not only went apart to pray but also spent considerable time in prayer. It appears from study of the Word that this was His daily practice; He didn't pray every now and then or only when He was in trouble. He would go away consistently to spend time with God.He was staying full. If you are to be like Him, then you need that time, also. You need some time alone with God. Jesus understood that, so He went out "into a solitary place" and prayed. He communed with the Father. This tells me that prayer is of the highest importance.It is time for mature saints of God to move beyond praying one hour a day. When you're first saved, it's good to start with fifteen minutes or so of prayer a day, but once you arrive at the time when you should be eating meat, you need to increase the time you spend with the Father.You need to become more and more like Jesus. Dr. David Yonggi Cho pastors one of the largest churches in South Korea, and he prays two to three hours a day. In fact, The average member of that church spends an hour and a half a day in prayer."Yes, but they live a different life than I live," you may say.They are people just like you. They have lives just like you have. Seoul, South Korea is comparable to New York. And yet this church has all night prayer every Friday night. It is no coincidence that these people are blessed and have reached the whole country.You may say, "I can't see how I can do this." It all starts with getting an understanding of how important prayer is, then having a commitment to do it, then going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. You need to be able to get up early to pray!You will not be where you are supposed to be and you will not experience Holy Ghost breakthrough if you do not increase your prayer life. Breakthrough happens when you make a firm commitment to spend quality time with God.Yes, it is time to step up the amount of time we spend in prayer.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009The EpistlesI Corinthians 13-14
Monday: Exodus 9-12Tuesday: I Samuel 26-31Wednesday: Psalms 45-47
1 Corinthians 13
1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 14
1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5
I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

VERSE:

VERSE: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord JesusChrist .... That he would grant you, according to the riches of hisglory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the innerman. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith... -- Ephesians 3:16-17 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+3:16-17&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: What's the greatest thing we can do to bless those we love inChrist Jesus? What is the most helpful thing we can do when abrother or sister in Christ or even a whole congregation of God'speople, is facing a major challenge from the Evil One? What is oneof the greatest gifts we can give to our children or our parents asthey seek to live for Jesus today? The apostle Paul just showed us.We can ask God to strengthen his people with the presence and powerof the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Then we can let them knowthat we have prayed this for them, and that we will continue topray it until their storm is past.PRAYER: Gracious God and Almighty Father, please bless ... (mentionseveral people specifically by name as you pray) with your powerand presence through the Holy Spirit. I will continue to do all Ican to encourage and strengthen them, but I believe that they needyour Spirit's power far more than anything I could do for them.Thank you for hearing my prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

EVERYTHING IS YOUR GIFT

EVERYTHING IS YOUR GIFT 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+4:6-7Dear Father,Help me to live according to your Holy Scriptures. That is why Ipray to you in their very words. I want to be conformed to yourwill, for you will what is best for me. Help me not to be puffed upagainst my brothers and sisters in Christ. For who sees anydifference in me. We all have been freely justified by your grace,forgiven of our sins.What have I that I have not been given? I cannot boast of anythingas if it were not a gift. Whatever I am or have, Father, you havegiven. I would not be addressing this prayer to you if you had notcalled me to be your servant, your child, and your warrior inprayer.Thank you for calling me. Thank you for all your gifts. You are sogracious, so kind, so bountiful, so wonderful. My God, let me walkhumbly with you all my days.In the name of Jesus, who calls us to his own kingdom and glory.Amen.

The Worthy Of Lamb

The Worthy Of LambBishop Jim Swilley
"The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world'" (John 1:29).
With these famous words, John the Baptist made the greatest statement ever spoken about the power of praise. There is, indeed, power in praise, and the Lamb of God is certainly worthy to be praised and worthy to be worshipped at all times, but to be able to praise and worship Him fully, we must learn to behold Him completely.
Beholding the Lamb means to focus on Him entirely... refusing to be distracted by our doctrinal differences or by the temptation to constantly judge the motives and actions of those around us. Beholding the Lamb of God means to magnify the Lord, instead of magnifying the daily problems that we face and/or the sin which does easily beset us. Beholding the Lamb of God means to refuse to break your fixed gaze upon Jesus.
When you magnify something, you don't make it bigger... you make it appear bigger. God is big... omnipotent... omnipresent... omniscient... but when you magnify the negative things in your life through your words, or wrong paradigms, you cause the problems to become bigger than God in your perception!
You either have "BIG GOD, little problems" or "little god, BIG PROBLEMS!" In the same way, you either have "BIG GOD, little devil" or "little god, BIG DEVIL." It's all a matter of perception, and perception is developed by what you magnify in your life.
When the Apostle John had his vision of heaven, he observed that the Lamb was the central focal point of every creature there. As we manifest the Lord's Prayer that the Father's will be done "on earth as it is in heaven," it is imperative that the Lamb become our central focal point in this dimension, as well.
So I looked, and there, surrounded by Throne, Animals, and Elders, was A LAMB, SLAUGHTERED BUT STANDING TALL. Seven horns he had, and seven eyes, the Seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth...The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twenty-four Elders fell down and WORSHIPPED THE LAMB...And they sang a new song: WORTHY! TAKE THE SCROLL, OPEN ITS SEALS. SLAIN! PAYING IN BLOOD, YOU BOUGHT MEN AND WOMEN, BOUGHT THEM BACK FROM ALL OVER THE EARTH, BOUGHT THEM BACK FOR GOD. Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth. I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders -- ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song: THE SLAIN LAMB IS WORTHY Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing! (Revelation 5:6-12 - The Message)
Activate the power of praise in your life today by magnifying the Lord--instead of your problems--and see how big your God becomes! Behold the Lamb of God!

Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough!

Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough!Dr. Creflo A. Dollar Do you need God to make a way out of no way? The swiftness and surety of your deliverance starts with how you respond to hard times and difficult situations. Hear me when I say that it is not just enough to thank God and honor Him only when you've received a blessing. God wants you to show the extent of your faithfulness and trust in Him even in the midst of going through a challenge. The power of your praise will determine the magnitude of your breakthrough. Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired. Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!" Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what. Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness. When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing. The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV). When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined

VERSE:

VERSE: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we arethe children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, andjoint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that wemay be also glorified together. -- Romans 8:16-17 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:16-17&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: Your Brother died and left you the family inheritance! That'sthe message here. Because we have God's Spirit, we are God'schildren. If we are God's children, then we are heirs of all thatGod has to offer us. We are co-heirs with Christ, whose death madeour adoption into God's family possible. So if we have to put upwith some hard times or some painful difficulties, we will notdespair. We know the time is coming when we will inherit all theblessings of heaven!PRAYER: Father, thank you for your grace. I need you to pour out thatgrace more and more. Please help me bear up under the weight of mytrials and temptations with character and faithfulness. Please giveme the courage to hang on through the tough times because I knowthat I will eventually share heaven with you. Thank you for yourSpirit, my assurance that I am your child and that I will share inall of your blessings. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Face the Music

Face the MusicMilan Ford So I'm driving home from work the other day, and decided to turn the radio on to a local gospel music station. Something (I have to admit) I rarely do.They were playing a popular praise and worship song from recording artist Israel Houghton entitled, Friend Of God. Great song. Incredible message.After listening to the song, and having somewhat of a party in my minivan at the thought of an awesome God, creator of all the universe, who has chosen to love us, be mindful of us, and to even go so far as to call us His friend, I was quite saddened by the song that came on next. This time, by a totally different artist.I promise you...the artist must have named 'the devil' at least 32 times throughout the whole song, before I finally decided to shut it off. The essence of the song was to encourage believers to 'take back' everything 'the devil' stole from us as believers.Now although there is plenty room for some form of theological debate as to why the artist felt it necessary to pen a song with such a purpose, I couldn't help but wonder if the essence and design of praise and worship is to help believers like you and I become fixated on the name and nature of God......rather than His defeated foe.In addition to the spoken word of God, one of the most powerful tools you and I have to help align our faith and relationship with God is through praise. Our ability to become consumed with His character and attributes is essential to our growth in Him.The content of our praise should always reflect our faith in Him. The content of our worship should also always reflect our maturity in Him. Without His heart at the core of our lives, our songs will begin to be set on things and concerns that God (to be quite honest) may not even be concerned about. Like prayer, praise and worship is not a time for us to try updating an all-knowing God about our private concerns and pains. But rather it is a tool to become completely engaged with Him and His perspective regarding our lives.So why do I bring that up? How is that at all relevant? (I'm glad you asked...)News flash: We Are Free!We are free from the bondage of man.We are free from the bondage of sin.We are no longer defeated. We are no longer scorned.We are no longer cast down. Our lives, as well as our songs of praise, have to always reflect our renewed position in Christ.Colossians 3:2-3 states to "set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died (in Christ) and your life is hidden with Christ in God." This passage is a clear reminder that there is nothing you and I face in this life that can surpass the incredible liberty we now have as believers in Christ!I encourage us all today to begin to face the music. Let's all take a strong examination of the songs we embrace and sing as praise and worship. We must all mature to the point that His message can never be lost or exchanged for an exciting or soulful melody.I think Dick Gregory said it best. As a panelist one year for Tavis Smiley's State Of The Black Union, he said something I will never forget:"...my momma was so busy telling me about the devil, I became a grown man before I found out the beauty of God."Let's show the world together how much we've grown.Today, let's face the music.

ALL THINGS ARE OURS

ALL THINGS ARE OURS 1 Corinthians 3:16-20 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+3:16-20Dear Father, who loves to dwell with man,Thank you for dwelling within our spirits, for making us your holytemple!Help us not to be deceived or to deceive ourselves. Let us be seenas foolish to the world, let us be fools for you, that we may betruly wise. For the wisdom of the world is pure folly in your eyes.For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and"The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." Sodon't ever let us boast of men, or of ourselves. Don't let us beimpressed with Ph.D.'s, or millions of dollars, or glamor or fame,or titles a mile long, or recognition banquets.Give us humility, in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wickedshall rot. -- Proverbs 10:7 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+10:7&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: Sometimes the wisdom of God is short, succinct, and sweet forthose who seek to do his will. I refuse to live the kind of lifethat poisons the lives of those I touch and leaves rot in theheritage of my descendants. I want my children and grandchildren toremember me with sweet thoughts because their dad, and granddad,sought to be righteous and love the Lord with all their hearts.PRAYER: O Holy and Righteous Father, I want my character to be ablessing to my children and my children's children. Please give mewisdom, discernment, tact, honor, integrity, and compassionateholiness in all my actions, words, demeanor, and influence. May Iprovide a godly influence and a righteous memory for those in bothmy physical and spiritual families. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,Father. -- Romans 8:15 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:15&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: How revolutionary. Just as Jesus prayed to God addressing him as"Abba Father," we too can speak so frankly and openly with God."Ab-ba" are some of the earliest syllables babies spoke. The word"Abba" was used by very young children to speak intimately,respectfully, and openly with their earthly fathers. The HolySpirit gives us that same privilege as God's children. We can callthe Creator of the universe, the Great God of Israel, the Father ofall peoples, the Almighty of eternity, Abba! Incredible.PRAYER: Abba Father, thank you for your presence within me through yourHoly Spirit. Thank you for letting me address you with suchfamiliarity and boldness, such respect and dependency. Thank youfor being my Heavenly Father for eternity. In Jesus' name I pray.Amen.

Answered Prayer

Answered PrayerJothany Blackwood "Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord." II Kings Ch 20:5 Hezekiah's testimony demonstrated that his faithfulness in living for God resulted in God's swiftness to answer. As he was sick and near death, we see that Hezekiah's appeal was effective because he was morally upright and ceaseless in entreating God. A little over a year ago, I was suddenly fighting for my life against pulmonary embolism, where blood clots attacked my lungs. I could not breathe on my own and was immediately placed in critical condition. The reports and faces of the staff told a bleak story. I recall the physician telling me he did not know if I would live until morning and the complete faith I felt, when I responded he must not have met the God I serve. Despite the predictions of the reports, I had belief that I was going to walk out of there. Like Hezekiah, I have sought to live a life for God's approval. Even when I fell short of the mark, I would try again with a humble heart. So then how do we make our prayers as prevailing as Hezekiah's?He first showed us that prayer was a personal request. You need to be able to go to your Father yourself and speak on your own behalf. There's a time for the saints to cover you in prayer, but we have to also have a personal relationship with God. I stayed in a place of constant prayer as I fought day after day in the hospital. I was able to speak with my Daddy and ask what was it He wanted me to know from this experience. I would simply say, Speak Lord. Speak to me. Next, Hezekiah showed us that he had the potential of being righteous. He reminded God that he had a pure heart and had lived a life good in his sight. And sometimes we have to remind God of His own words and promises for our lives. I was not in denial about dying, it was more that I was denying the possibility that I would not walk into my destiny. I reminded God constantly about the promises He had spoken into my life and that He could do anything but lie, so I had to live to fulfill my purpose in Him. When we live a righteous life, we can be confident that God will hear our cry and answer our prayers in His own time. Finally, we see that God's power is revealed when He answers us. According to man, I'm not supposed to be here but I am. And if you looked over your journey, you'd understand that we're exactly where we're supposed to be.

GENUINE SPIRITUALITY

GENUINE SPIRITUALITY 1 Corinthians 3:1-7 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+3:1-7Dear Father, growth-giving God,Help me to be a genuinely spiritual person in Christ. Let me growbeyond having to be fed like a baby on soft food and milk. May Istrive for maturity so I will be able to digest solid food.Keep me from being jealous and full of strife, from acting as merehuman beings act - carnal!Help me to understand the equality of all your servants, and notto put one above another, or to claim special discipleship to any!Help me to see that it is not a question of who waters and whoplants, for it is only you, God, who gives the increase.In the name of Jesus. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from thebeginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. -- Isaiah 41:4 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Isaiah+41:4&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This isgreat comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in thecourse of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father'sleaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about hisWord becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always.PRAYER: Eternal Father, God of mercy and grace, thank you for yourfaithfulness. You were faithful to your promises to Israel. Youwere faithful in your promises to send a Messiah. You are faithfulto lead and guide me by your Spirit. You will faithfully bring meinto your presence at the return of the Lord Jesus. Thank you forbeing my stable Rock and Refuge in times that are so unstable,transient, and fickle. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard KnocksAqualyn Toi Jones I have a list of pet peeves that seems to grow as I grow older. Number seven on that list is speaking to a customer service rep who cannot answer my question. It's kind of like an oxymoron. The whole point of asking a question is to receive a response. It's impolite to not answer. And when a request seems unheard, it's easy to feel ignored or insignificant.When we go to God in prayer, we go expecting an answer. We desperately want to know that He hears us and that He cares. When we inquire about the deepest issues of our hearts, we need to know that there is an answer and that we will receive it. Jesus promises that if you ask, you will receive. If you seek, you will find and if you knock, the door will be opened for you (Matthew 7:7). We have a promise that our prayers will be heard AND answered. But what happens when the answers aren't so clear? What do you do when what you've been fervently praying for doesn't happen? This is what I call the "School of the Hard Knocks." Typically that phrase refers to the knowledge you gain from life's negative experiences. Here, it is the lessons we learn as we persistently ask, seek, and knock. It is the growth we experience as we wait for our prayers to be answered. Waiting. There's another item on my list of pet peeves. Possibly, number one. But it goes hand-in-hand with prayer.We live in an "instant" society. I can send a message in an instant. I can prepare a meal in an instant (thanks to the handy dandy microwave). I can download music in an instant. No wonder we're so accustomed to instant gratification. So accustomed, in fact, that we expect instant answers from God.Let's be clear. He can answer in an instant. He can answer before you even ask the question. But often there will be a delay between the time you ask and the time you receive. This is the time when our faith is tested and strengthened. Sometimes before prayer can be answered, we have to be changed. Perhaps when we are our changed the nature of our prayer request will also change. God is working while we wait. Don't stop asking or seeking. Keep knocking. Remember, patience is made perfect in the School of the Hard Knocks.

Prophecy Revelation

Prophecy RevelationJeremiah 7-11 Saturday: Mark 7-8Sunday: I Corinthians 11-12Monday: Exodus 5-8Jeremiah 71 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. 3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. 5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; 6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: 7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. 8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. 12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; 14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. 16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. 17 Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. 19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched. 21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. 22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: 23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. 24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: 26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. 27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. 28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. 29 Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. 30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. 31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. 32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. 33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. 34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. Jeremiah 81 At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves: 2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth. 3 And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts. 4 Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? 5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. 6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. 7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. 8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. 9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? 10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. 13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. 14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. 15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble! 16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. 17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD. 18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. 19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? 20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Jeremiah 91 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD. 4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. 5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. 6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. 7 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? 8 Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. 9 Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone. 11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. 12 Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? 13 And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; 14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: 15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. 16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them. 17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come: 18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters. 19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out. 20 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation. 21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets. 22 Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them. 23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; 26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart. Jeremiah 101 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. 10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. 12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. 14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name. 17 Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress. 18 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so. 19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous; but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it. 20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains. 21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. 22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons. 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate. Jeremiah 111 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, 2 Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, 4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: 5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD. 6 Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them. 7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not. 9 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. 11 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. 12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. 13 For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. 14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. 15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. 16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. 17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal. 18 And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings. 19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. 20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause. 21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: 22 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: 23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+2:14-16Dear Father, who gives us the mind of Christ,The natural person cannot understand us or you, or what you aredoing in us, for these things are spiritually discerned, and hecannot receive your gifts.Natural people cannot judge us, but you enable us to judgeeverything. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as toinstruct him?" But we understand, for you have given us the verymind of Christ!How wonderful it is! How great and merciful you are to give usthis precious gift! I love you, Lord.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.In the name of Jesus I give you thanks for the supernatural wisdomyou have bestowed on us by reason of our faith. Amen.

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+2:14-16Dear Father, who gives us the mind of Christ,The natural person cannot understand us or you, or what you aredoing in us, for these things are spiritually discerned, and hecannot receive your gifts.Natural people cannot judge us, but you enable us to judgeeverything. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as toinstruct him?" But we understand, for you have given us the verymind of Christ!How wonderful it is! How great and merciful you are to give usthis precious gift! I love you, Lord.Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.In the name of Jesus I give you thanks for the supernatural wisdomyou have bestowed on us by reason of our faith. Amen.

Answered Prayer

Answered PrayerPastor Olu Brown Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Have you ever prayed for something and it seemed like God was on vacation and allowed your prayer to linger in Heaven's In-box too long? You felt like life gave up on you and God had forgotten about you. No matter how much you prayed, begged, or read the Bible, there seemed to be no response from God.Not only is this a frustrating time but it is also a frightening time. Frustrating because you can't get a prayer through and frightening because you begin to wonder if God is really even there. I can imagine Paul wrote Romans 12:12 to a group of people who were experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. He encouraged them to remain "Faithful in Prayer." Every once in a while we have to be reminded to continue to pray even when our prayers don't seem to be answered or when we think God has taken a vacation during our most critical time of need.One of Paul's most consistent roles was to encourage the people. He had to reassure them of God's steadfast love and protection. I hope whenever we feel like God does not hear us or our prayers are being ignored, we remain faithful in prayer.Often, I am reminded of how much God really cares and how many times God truly answers my prayers. Sometimes I have to slow down, live a little and look around to see God's answered prayers in my life and the world around me. I know this may sound cheesy, but God's answers to our prayers are everywhere. Look around!

SUPERNATURAL WISDOM

SUPERNATURAL WISDOM 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+2:11-16Dear Father, giver of your Holy Spirit,All praises to your blessed name, to you, our God! You havedisclosed incredibly wonderful things to us through your Spirit,for your Spirit searches everything, even the deep things withinyou.No one comprehends your thoughts except your Spirit, just as noother person truly knows my thoughts as my own spirit does.But, all thanks to you, we have not received the spirit of theworld but you have given us your very own Spirit, that we mightunderstand the gifts bestowed on us by you.In the name of Jesus I give you thanks for the supernatural wisdomyou have bestowed on me by reason of my faith. Amen.

GOD'S SECRET WISDOM

GOD'S SECRET WISDOM 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+2:6-10Dear Father, revealer of secret wisdom,Thank you for revealing to us what has been hidden, the wisdomwhich you decreed before the ages concerning our salvation andglorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this orthey would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.Thank you, Father, that you intend to glorify us along with yourSon, Jesus.But you, O gracious God, have told us your secret - you mean togive us all things in glory with the Lord of Glory! As it iswritten, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceivedwhat God has prepared for those who love him," you have disclosedto us through your Spirit.Thank you for this precious promise! Thank you for this hope!Thank you for your love!In the name of Jesus, by his authority and according to his will,I lift up this petition. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sonsof God. -- Romans 8:14 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:14&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: Over the last two weeks we have been blessed to read a number ofScriptures that speak of the Spirit's work in our lives. In thelast several days, we've celebrated being God's children. Now thetwo concepts come together in one glorious declaration: we areGod's "sons," his children with full inheritance rights. We havenot only been given grace, but we live as his children and enjoythe blessings of his eternal family.PRAYER: Dear Father in heaven, may your name be recognized as holy in mylife as your child. May your will and your reign be known in mylife just as the hosts of heaven honor it. Father, I am confidentthat you will give me today, the food that I need and I thank you.Please forgive me of my sin as I commit to be forgiving to thosewho sin against me. You are glorious, dear Father. Your Kingdom iseternal and is the goal of my heart. Your power is my source ofstrength. I love you, dear Father. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Eliminate the NoiseMilan Ford Does anyone remember the days when T.V. just went off? Although I'm not exactly sure when, I believe it used to happen right after midnight. You begged your parents to let you stay up just five more minutes to watch the end of that late-night movie, but then all of a sudden, there it was:The waving American flag.The Star-Spangled Banner.That annoying mono-tone sound.And then yes of course, those infamous color bars.Ah, those were the days. For those you (like me) who tried staying up a little longer than you were supposed to, you may have discovered that nothing else came on till the morning. Throughout the night, all you would see were those color bars, accompanied with a dead silence.My how things have changed.With the emergence of cable television, XM radio stations, iPods, social media networks, and cellular phones that are admired more for their video and music playing ability, than their ability to effectively make or receive a call, it is nearly impossible for you and I to even imagine a world that silence can be effectively pursued. If even slightly appreciated.Whether we may believe it or not, noise is now very much a part of our daily lives. Whether we are entering our homes, our cars, or even our churches, it is often the first thing we seek: Noise.What is it about silence that we no longer appreciate? Why has it become so difficult for us to take just a few minutes out of our day...and pursue silence?In 1 Kings 19:11-12v., God provides us with a great reason why silence may be something you and I (as believers) may no longer want to overlook: Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire......and after the fire a still small voice."This passage of scripture is just amazing to me. Here we find God, who through an angel, provided a prophet by the name of Elijah, with some instructions as to where to meet Him. For those of you who may not be familiar with him, Elijah had had some pretty good on-the-job work experience on knowing how and where to find God in the ast (see 1 Kings 17:2-4; 1 Kings 17:8-9; 1 Kings 18:36-38v).Yet this time, God revealed himself to Elijah in a way he may have never expected. While standing on the mountain, God allowed a strong wind to pass by Elijah. But God, surprisingly, wasn't there.Then God allowed Elijah to experience an earthquake. But God still wasn't there. God even allowed Elijah to witness a raging fire, and although God had used fire before with Elijah, God could not be found in the fire this time. And then it happened.After the wind passed.after the earthquake ceased.And after the fire disappeared...there it was.A still small voice.It is amazing how many of us have difficulties spending time with God, yet fail to recognize one important element that remains absent throughout our pursuit of Him: Silence.As believers, the noise we have surrounded our daily lives with is very much a distraction to achieving the type of intimacy and quality time with God that He so desires for us to have.Time alone with God is imperative to our spiritual growth. And while I realize many of us already know this to be true, I wonder if you and I can consider something together on today:Aside from the need for more silence and quality time with Him, are there any noises around you now that you simply can NO LONGER hear God speaking through?Remember, fire was something Elijah had once found God in. But this time, He wasn't there Be sure to spend enough time alone with God to know when He has changed His methods of communication with you. This day, hunger after His voice.Eliminate the noise.

Prophecy Revelation

Prophecy RevelationJeremiah 1-6
Saturday: Mark 5-6Sunday: I Corinthians 9-10Monday: Exodus 1-4
Jeremiah 1
1
The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2
To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
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It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
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Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
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Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
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Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
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But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
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Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
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Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
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See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
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Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
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Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
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And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
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Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
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For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
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And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
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Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
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For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
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And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
Jeremiah 2
1
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
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Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
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Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
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Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
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Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
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And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
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The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
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Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
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For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
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Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
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Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
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For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
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Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
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The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
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Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
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Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
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And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
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Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
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For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
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Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
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For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
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How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
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A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
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Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
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As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.
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Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
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But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
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Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
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In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
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O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
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Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
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Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
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Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
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Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
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Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
37
Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
Jeremiah 3
1
They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
2
Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
3
Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
4
Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?
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Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
6
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
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And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
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And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
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And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
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And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
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And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
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Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
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Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
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Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
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And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
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And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
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At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
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In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
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But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
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Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
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A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.
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Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
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Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.
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For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
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We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
Jeremiah 4
1
If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
2
And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
3
For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
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Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
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Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
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The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
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For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
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And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
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Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
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At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
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Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
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Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
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O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
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For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
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Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
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As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
18
Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
19
My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
20
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
21
How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
22
For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
23
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
24
I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
25
I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
26
I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
27
For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
28
For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
29
The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
30
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
31
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
Jeremiah 5
1
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
2
And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
3
O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
4
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
5
I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
6
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
7
How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
8
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
9
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10
Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD's.
11
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.
12
They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
13
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
14
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
15
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
16
Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.
17
And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.
18
Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
19
And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not your's.
20
Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
22
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
23
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
24
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
25
Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
26
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
27
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
28
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
29
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
30
A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 6
1
O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
2
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
3
The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
4
Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5
Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6
For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7
As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
8
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
9
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12
And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
13
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
15
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
19
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
20
To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21
Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
22
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24
We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
25
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
26
O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
27
I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28
They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
29
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.