Tues.’s Devo - Learn God’s Ways

Read: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26; Colossians 3:1-17; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 24:27 The teachers of Judah had twisted God’s words with lies to manipulate the people to get their wives and steal their property, but it would backfire on them. God would give their wives and their land to foreigners. The priests and prophets are all frauds and lied about what was coming. They prophesied peace when judgement was near. They were not repentant or ashamed of their actions or their lies. *** Jeremiah saw the future and the evil ones were all consumed along with their fields. He saw that the people would leave Jerusalem and flee to the fortified towns. Jeremiah could hear the weeping of the people as they lamented their fate. The Lord explained that he did it because his people had abandoned him for false gods. Jeremiah wept for them because their punishment was great. He told the people that they should lament for their sins and teach their children to repent. *** All of their riches and wisdom and power would be stripped from them. The only boast they should have is that they know the Lord. *** Paul tells us to set our sights on heaven where Christ is seated at God’s right hand. In Christ is where our lives are hidden. When he is revealed to the world we will share in his glory. *** Why would we want what the world wants? Our character now can be the same character that Christ had when he waled the earth. He was full of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. When we live like he did, we will have peace. *** Lord, may we have your heart and learn your ways and choose to walk in them.

Mon.’s Devo - We are Free

Read: Jeremiah 6:16-8:7; Colossians 2:8-23; Psalm 78:1-31; Proverbs 24:26 Jeremiah warned the people of coming disaster yet they refused to listen. They kept giving to the Lord what they wanted to give him, but it was not what he wanted. Their outward sacrifices couldn’t atone for their hard hearts. The enemy was coming to destroy and the only thing that could save them was a change of heart. *** God told Jeremiah he would be a metal tester. He would test Judah’s heart and find it was like rejected silver. Nothing about them was pure and holy. *** God sent Jeremiah to the entrance of the Temple to warn the people to repent of their evil ways. They distorted justice, oppressed the widow and the orphan and murdered. On top of that, they worshipped idols. They burned incense to Baal and gave their sons and daughters to Molech to be burned at the shrines at Topheth. Their bodies would become food for the vultures and wild animals. They refused to be taught God’s laws and his ways. *** Because they refused to obey the words of the Lord through Jeremiah and the other prophets, their land would become desolate and their bones would be defiled. They were on the road to self-destruction and no one was turning around. *** In Colossians, Paul gives a description of the sanctification process. It is a cutting away of our sinful nature. We were buried with Christ and raised to new life in Christ. He disarmed the spiritual leaders by canceling the charges they held against us. He won the victory over them on the cross. *** So, he told the believers not to let the religious leaders hold their pious rules over their heads. They are now free from religious expectations that require strong devotion, self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. These practices can not help us conquer our sinful desires. *** Lord, thank you that the power of the Holy Spirit is what can help us overcome our weaknesses. Thank you that we are free from the penalty of sin.

Sun.’s Devo - Warning! Warning! Warning!

Read: Jeremiah 4:19-6:15; Colossians 1:18-2:7; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 24:23-25 Jeremiah describes the people as clever at sin but having no idea how to do right. They were dishonest and though the Lord rebuked and punished them for it, they continued to be deceptive. They worshipped gods who were not gods and committed adultery in their brothels, even lusting after their neighbor’s wife. They had no respect for or fear of God. They refused to give justice to the people they oppressed. They were wicked and did not desire to repent. They were stubborn and rebellious and it had kept them from God’s blessings. *** Because of their many sins, God would bring destruction to their towns and cities. They would be plundered and those who survived would be taken to foreign lands. God warned them to get out of Jerusalem and flee to the hills and caves, but they didn’t heed the warnings. God gave them extended time and plenty of warnings from many different prophets, but they listened to their own priests and prophets who were all frauds. They prophesied peace when God was saying the opposite from his prophets. *** In Colossians, Paul wrote that Jesus was the first fruit to rise from the dead and head over all who rise after him. He is the head of the Church and we are the body. Because of his death, we who believe in him are blameless before him. Christ now dwells in us! We are now his mouthpiece to tell others about him. His power now works through us. *** Lord, may our roots grow deep in You and may our lives be built on the foundation of Christ. We are so thankful for your love and salvation.

Sat.’s Devo - The Truth of the Gospel

Read: Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-17; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22 Judah forgot the Lord. When they needed help, they reached out to Egypt and they took their money but didn’t help them when they needed them. Why didn’t they call out to the Lord? Judah had prostituted herself with all kinds of foreign gods and forgot her God. Throughout the reign of Josiah who commanded all the pagan places of worship be torn down. They had watched as Israel was punished for turning away from God. Now Judah is even more responsible for her sins because she refused to be reformed. All she needed to do was to confess her sins and repent and God would take her back. *** The day was coming when they would return to the Lord and to Jerusalem. They wouldn’t need the Ark of the Covenant to worship God with. The whole city would be a place of worship. *** Jeremiah tried to get them to see that if they threw away their worthless idols, they could save themselves from the punishment that was coming. They could be a part of his remnant that he saves and protects from the storm that was coming. *** The church in Colosse was believed to have been founded by Epahras and met in Philemon’s house. Paul had actually never visited the church but wrote this letter while he was in prison. Epaphras asked for Paul’s advise because there was so much false teaching in Colosse. The teaching blended pagan-occultism, Jewish legalism and Christianity which was called Gnosticism. They taught that Jesus was not fully God and fully man but a semi divine being sent from God to unite man with God. They taught that Jesus didn’t have the authority or ability to meet their needs. They believed they could be enlightened and achieve spiritual fullness by obtaining special knowledge and through rigorous self-discipline. *** Paul wrote the letter to expose the heresy of Gnosticism and warn them of its dangers and lead them back to the truth of Christ’s love. *** In this first Chapter Paul reminded them of the simple truth of the gospel that is going out all over the world and changing lives. He reminded them of their conversion and how it had touched them and gave them love for one another. He encourages them to walk in that love. *** Paul proclaims who Jesus is. He is the visible image of God. He existed before the earth and was the one everything was created through. He made the thrones and kingdoms and set up the authorities in the unseen world. He existed before it all. *** Lord, may we not get confused over all the false teachings on the earth. May we understand the simplicity of your salvation and the awesomeness of who you are.

Fri.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Call -

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20 Jeremiah came on the scene around 65 years after Isaiah died. He was born in a priestly town and was commanded not to marry or have children to show that the next generation would be swept away. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah who brought spiritual reform after the evil reign of Manasseh. Josiah’s godly reign temporarily delayed God’s judgment. He rid the nation of idols and destroyed the pagan high places in Judah and Samaria. His three sons and a grandson followed him on the throne. They were not like Josiah and refused to heed the warnings Jeremiah gave them. *** Jeremiah began with the account of when God called him before he was formed in his mother’s womb. He was young when he was told him he would go where God sent him and he was not to fear the people he would be speaking to because God would protect him. God even told Jeremiah if he did fear them, God would make him look like a fool to them. God promised to strengthen Jeremiah so he could stand up to the whole land and all the leaders. They would oppose him, but God would take care of him. *** Jeremiah reminded the people of how they loved and trusted God in the beginning. God asked the people why they had abandoned the Lord to worship idols instead of asking for His help. The priests and the prophets, along with the people turned to Baal and wasted their time and effort asking dead idols for help. They would be tried at God’s judgment seat for their actions. *** God told them to look at other nations. They didn’t trade their gods for the gods of other nations so why had Israel? They had the only real God but traded him for worthless idols. The heavens were shocked at this. *** Egypt had taken Israel’s glory and power. Israel and Judah had made covenants with Egypt and Assyria instead of asking the Lord to deliver them. It will back-fire on them. *** No argument against God’s rebuke would stand. God accused them of being like thieves who only felt bad when they were caught. They would have to see if these gods they love can save them. God had warned them with his prophets but they killed them to shut them up. *** In Philippians, you can feel the love Paul has for the people there. He pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to settle their differences. These two women were deaconesses who disagreed about something in the church. *** Paul encouraged all the people not to worry about anything but to fill their thoughts with good things and anything worthy of praise. That is how they can live in peace. Paul had learned how to be content no matter his circumstances and they could too. *** Paul thanked them again for their financial gifts to him. He blessed them with the promise that God would supply all their needs according to his riches in heaven. *** Lord, thank you for your promises. You are our provision and our peace. We worship you.

Thurs.’s Devo - What Impresses God?

Read: Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:5-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16 God explains that man can never please him with their temples and sacrifices. He made everything, so how can we impress him? He tells us. He is impressed with a humble and contrite heart. Contrite means that you are sorry and repentant of your sins. He is also impressed by those who tremble at his word and obey it. *** Then, Isaiah tells us what will happen to those who tremble at his words. They will be hated for being loyal to God, but God will take vengeance against their enemies. In a moment, God can come to our rescue and turn everything around. God did that for Jerusalem once and will do it again. Jerusalem is a metaphor for God’s Church universal. She will become a river of peace and prosperity. She will grow and flourish and be comforted. But, God will punish the earth with the fire of his judgment and many will die. Those who worshipped other gods will die a terrible death. The Gospel will spread to the ends of the earth and all will hear the good news of Christ. *** The heavens and earth will be renewed. The dead bodies of the wicked will be a reminder to all of what God did to bring us a new earth full of righteousness and peace. We are watching this unfolding. *** In Philippians, Paul had just stated that we can put no confidence in our own human effort. Then he gives us his impressive pedigree making the point that though he was given every opportunity and was great in the world’s eyes, all that was worthless. The only thing he has to boast in is finding Christ and becoming one with him. He continues to press on to know him greater and reach the end of his race to receive his heavenly prize. *** Paul lived his life so he could tell his followers to pattern their lives after him. Can we say that to those who follow us? I hope so. *** Lord, thank you that we are now citizens of heaven though we dwell on the earth. May your light shine through us so that others might know and see that light and come to know you. You are the prize at the end of our race.

Wed.’s Devo - Keep Praying

Read: Isaiah 62:6-65:25; Philippians 2:19-3:4; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 24:13-14 God gives the intercessors the job to pray until Jerusalem is the pride of the whole earth. We are to pray until we see Jesus as the pride of the whole earth. God has plans for us as his people. We are to be preparing the way for the Lord to return to the hearts of the people. *** God, alone took down his enemies and avenged his people. He was sad that no one stepped up to help the oppressed, so he had to do it. He thought his people would be thankful he saved them and never forsake him again. But, they did rebel against him. So, the Lord fought against them. Then they cried out to the one who saved them in the days of Moses. Then they wanted the Lord to be with them like he was with Moses. They asked for God’s mercy and help once again. *** They questioned why God would desert them and if he would come now and save them. They acknowledged their sin as they see Jerusalem torn down and destroyed. They asked God for a response and Isaiah gives them one. God says he wanted to respond to them and help them but no one was asking him to help. Instead, they went to their idols for help and profaned his laws and blasphemed his name with their actions. God promised to destroy those who hated him and save the ones who were faithful. The faithful will possess the land. Everything will flip and the faithful will be the ones who are blessed. Jerusalem will be a place of happiness and delight. Life-spans will expand and they will live to see their children blessed. There will be peace among nations where there was never peace. *** Paul was planning to send Timothy to Philippi so he could bring back the good news about their church. Paul had such love and respect for Timothy and the faith of the believers in Philippi. Paul longed to see them again and promised to send Epaphroditus back to them also. God had healed him of a fatal illness while he was faithfully serving Paul. *** Paul reminds us once again that salvation is by faith and not works. *** Lord, may we stand in your truth and witness your salvation of our families, our land and the world.