God's Plan 08.19.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday August 19, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Jeremiah. Please read Chapters 15-18 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2015-18&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jeremiah's prayer; the signs of Judah's captivity; regulations of the sabbath; a lesson from the potter; and God's power over all nations. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we are God's people and He has a plan for each and every one of us.

Through Jeremiah God warned the Isrealites, "Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity." (Jeremiah 15:1-2). When they rejected God and His Word as their way of life, they forfeited the privilege of His protection and suffered tragic spiritual and physical loss.

People do not realize it, but God is father to every person here on the earth and just as a parent would love, protect, and correct his or her child God does the same for us. No matter how many times we make mistakes or try to do everything without guidance He loves us and never gives up on us, but there comes a time when enough is enough and we must suffer the consequences if we do not change our ways.

To understand the Israelites' problems and their final outcome if they did not repent of their ways, Jeremiah was sent to the potter's house to see a live demostration of what God was about to do. "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." (18:1-6). The marred vessel represented God's chosen people and the hardness of their hearts, when Isreal rejected the will of God they were marred by sin. The other vessel represented those who returned to God.

We are like earthen vessels and God has a special plan for each of us to be a vessel for His use, even though we too are distorted by sin. When we yield ourself to the Master Potter, with loving hands He will mold us again into another vessel, one better prepared to contain and express the Presence of Jesus Christ Himself. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Jeremiah who said to God: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of our suffering. Through You are we blessed through our suffering. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and blessed day!
God bless,
Christina

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