The Simple Life

And if they say to you, 'But where can we go?' tell them, 'This is what the LORD says: "Those who are destined for death, to death; those who are destined for war, to war; those who are destined for famine, to famine; those who are destined for captivity, to captivity.'” Jeremiah 15:2 (NLT)   I want to focus our thoughts on the most powerful phrase, "This is what the Lord says." Regardless of what I think, feel, or wish, what God says will happen, and I will either be aligned with God or I will wish that I was.   This is both humbling and empowering. It is humbling in the fact that my thoughts and feelings and community could be harmful unless they are aligned with God's will. It is empowering to think of what could and does happen when I, my thoughts, feelings, and community are aligned with God's will.   There are times when those in authority, parents, for example, must demand obedience because of their position. This occurs when those in subor...

Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading for these people, I wouldn't help them. Away with them! Get them out of my sight!” Jeremiah 15:1 (NLT)   There is great love between Godly leaders of nations and their people, yet the people will always be held personally accountable for their actions. Communities are important and have a vital role in shaping the thoughts and ideas that drive their members. The leadership of these communities will be held accountable for their actions and how their actions affected their communities.   We are told that those who actually follow God will be few. They are the ones who have chosen the narrow gate, road, and lifestyle. Those who follow God are unique or holy, and will always stand out in the community.   Believers are indeed part of the body of Christ, the community of believers. Yet, there will come a day when we stand before God without that community support and be held accountable for ourselves ...

But the Lord said to me, "These prophets are prophesying a lie in My name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit of their own minds." Jeremiah 14:14 (HCSB)   The Ten Commandments tell us not to use the Lord's name in vain. We have, for good reason, considered that using the Lord's name as an expletive or disrespectfully in conversation falls into this category.   Often, we hear leaders or church members talk of "God's" will revealed to them, thereby justifying their actions. If someone came to me and told me that God has told them something, I am in no position to counter what God has said. The trouble may be that God did not say that, and that this individual is using the name of God to avoid accountability questions from someone walking with God.   Using God's name in vain, no matter how it is done, will always be evil. https://www.podbean.com/relat...

This is what the Lord says concerning these people: Truly they love to wander; they never rest their feet. So the Lord does not accept them. Now He will remember their guilt and punish their sins. Then the Lord said to me, "Do not pray for the well-being of these people. If they fast, I will not hear their cry of despair. If they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Rather, I will finish them off by sword, famine, and plague." Jeremiah  14:10-12  (HCSB)   Those who wish to find fulfillment apart from God may get the chance to try and fail. Once again, there is no hope for those who wander from God. Once again, Jeremiah is told not to pray for such wanderers, because there is no way fix this self-induced problem. Prayer in this case would be a waste of Jeremiah's time.   Many in the modern church want to believe that God never reaches a point where man has no way to return, but it is evident here that this is the case. It's not for me to sa...

Say this to them: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Every jar should be filled with wine. Then they will respond to you, 'Don't we know that every jar should be filled with wine?' And you will say to them: This is what the Lord says: I am about to fill all who live in this land — the kings who reign for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets and all the residents of Jerusalem — with drunkenness. I will smash them against each other, fathers and sons alike" — this is the Lord's declaration. "I will allow no mercy, pity, or compassion to keep Me from destroying them." Jeremiah  13:12-14  (HCSB)   This is an interesting use of "wine." God basically tells the people to cast off restraint, indulge in "wine," and see the results. Alcohol has a way of taking over one's thinking, allowing a person to let their "inhibitions" be displayed. When reality no longer checks our inhibitions, disaster awaits.   Often...

If they will diligently learn the ways of My people — to swear by My name, 'As Yahweh lives,' just as they taught My people to swear by Baal — they will be built up among My people. However, if they will not obey, then I will uproot and destroy that nation." This is the Lord's declaration. Jeremiah  12:16-17  (HCSB)   There are principles and methods. Methods are used to teach principles and will change with age, experience, culture, and so on. The principles never change. Effective teachers understand this and never "adjust" the principle, while always challenging the method.   The principle in this passage is clear. A nation that has, for whatever reason, abandoned God will wish it had not. However, God wants to communicate this principle; it is up to Him, and whether or not we listen will be irrelevant to the fact that abandonment equals disaster.   God does not change. His Word does not change. People change, and Satan loves to take advantage of our abili...