Mon.’s Devo - A Better Future

Read: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24

Jeremiah had been put in prison by King Zedekiah for prophesying he would be taken to Babylon. The army had torn down the houses of those taken to Babylon already and made fortifications to keep the enemy out, but these houses would soon be filled with dead bodies. 

God told Jeremiah to ask him and he would show him great things for the future. He did ask and God showed him that God would bring them health and healing and an abundance of peace and truth…all the while, they were facing war and death. God said that the ones that got captured would return and rebuild what was being destroyed. God would cleanse them from their sins and he would pardon their iniquities. They would be a joy to him and he would greatly prosper them. In this city that would stand desolate for so many years, there would one day be sounds of life and joy and praise to him. The fields would once again be filled with cattle. God would bring Israel a king of righteousness and Jerusalem would be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. David’s posterity will reign as their king. God will multiply his descendants and those who worship him. 

God sent Jeremiah to speak to King Zedekiah and tell him that Jerusalem would fall to Babylon and be burned with fire but Zedekiah would not die in the siege. He would die in peace and be honored by the people. 

Jeremiah had warned the king to have the people set their Hebrew slaves free like the law said. The law commanded that they were only to keep them for six years then set them free. Zedekiah and the people promised to do this and did for a while. Then many took their slaves back and broke their covenant with the Lord. The ones who did this would die in the battle and not be buried. The birds and beasts would eat their bodies. The people would be taken captive to Babylon, but they will return. Jerusalem would go down in flames and the rest of the cities of Judah would lie desolate.

In Timothy, Paul’s letter was to expose the false doctrines of demons and man-made laws of abstinence from certain foods. These were foods that God created for them to eat. 

Paul urged Timothy to preach this to the people and not participate in their silly myths, but to teach godliness which will prosper them in their lives and in eternity. Paul told Timothy not to be intimidated because he was so young because he was to be an example to them in his conduct, his love and faith and his pure living. Paul encouraged him in his gift that they had given him through the Holy Spirit when they prayed for him and laid their hands on him.  It was important that he keep his people grounded in truth.

Lord, thank you that there are some battles that we don’t have to fight. You fight them for us. May we be diligent to obey what you tell us to do and let you do what you want to do. Thank you that the victory is yours! Thank you that you have planned a better future for us and our world.

 

Sun.’s Devo - God’s Plan of Restoration

Read: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22

Many would die during God’s judgment but then he would cause them to multiply once again. He would punish them for their sins then he would give them a new covenant where he would write his laws on their hearts and he would be their God. He would forgive their sin and they would know him as their God. 

Jerusalem would be destroyed and then at the right time, it will be rebuilt much bigger than before. Zedekiah would not escape, but be taken to face the king of Babylon. There he will stay until the Lord visits his people. Even if they try to fight the Babylonians they will not succeed. 

God told Jeremiah that his uncle would come and visit him in prison where Zedekiah had put him for prophesying against him and Jerusalem. His uncle will offer to sell him their family land and he was to buy it to prove that one day they will return to Jerusalem and live once again. This land was in Anathoth which means “afflictions” and “answers”. This was to be the answer to their affliction - they would surely return and prosper.

When Jeremiah’s uncle came to him and offered him his land for sale, Jeremiah bought it for 17 shekels of silver. Seventeen means a test is over. When their time of testing was completed, he would return to this land.

God told Jeremiah that he was giving Jerusalem over to the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar would capture it and set in on fire. All the altars of Baal would be destroyed. They would be punished for their idolatry and all their child sacrifices. All the people would be given to the king of Babylon to do as he pleased. But, one day, God would gather all his children and bring them back to him and make an everlasting covenant with them. They will come to him and be faithful to him with all their heart and soul. Business will once again thrive in the land of Israel and God will restore their fortunes.

In Timothy, Paul wanted them to know that positions of power in his church would require great character and self-control. They must be honorable at home as well as in their public life. They were to behave so that the world could see the household of God as an example of Him. The church was to be built on the truth that God came down in flesh, was confirmed by the Holy Spirit and by angels, proclaimed his gospel to the nations and was believed in by the world and then taken up to glory. 

Lord, may we stand on your gospel and live our lives as examples of your kingdom in heaven. Thank you, Holy Spirit for enabling us to hear and know you. Thank you, Jesus for giving up your life that we might live eternally. Thank you God for being such a gracious and loving Father. We trust in your plan. 

Fri.’s Devo - Taking Names

Read: Jeremiah 28:1-29:32; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 25:17

God was taking names. He called out many offenders in today’s reading. The first one was the false prophet Hananiah. Hananiah addressed Jeremiah in the temple in front of the priests and the people. He declared that God had broken the yoke of Babylon from them and within two years, God would bring all those he had taken captive back to Jerusalem. 

Jeremiah agreed that the Lord would bring back to Jerusalem all the captives and the vessels they had stolen. Then he reminded them of all the prophets before them that had prophesied war, famine, and pestilence for many countries and kingdoms. They would see who had prophesied the truth when it comes to pass. 

To make his point greater, Hananiah took off the yoke-bars that Jeremiah was wearing and broke them. He told the people again that the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar would be broken in two years. Jeremiah left the temple.

Later, the Lord told Jeremiah to return to Hananiah and tell him his words. Hananiah had broken off the wooden bars, but He has caused them to be replaced by an iron yoke. All the nations God had spoken about would serve Nebuchadnezzar and even the beasts of the field. He told Hananiah that the Lord had not sent him, and because he caused the people to trust in a lie he would die within the year. In the seventh month of that year Hananiah died.

Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles who had been taken to Babylon. He told them to build houses and plant gardens and plan to stay there for a while. They were to bless the place they had been sent to live and pray for its peace. When the seventy years appointed by the Lord was over, they would return to their land. God had great plans for their future and they were filled with blessings so they could put their hope in their future. 

Jeremiah called out Ahab and Zedekiah who were prophets in Babylon. God was not speaking through them and the king would roast them in the fire because they had committed adultery with their neighbor’s wives and they had not given the people the Lord’s words. 

The people in Babylon sent a letter to the priest, Zephaniah who read it in front of Jeremiah. They said that they had given him charge over the priests in Jerusalem and one of his jobs was to put all the madmen in prison who prophesied against them. So, why hadn’t he put Jeremiah in prison for prophesying that they would be in exile for a long time? 

Jeremiah told Zephaniah to send them back a letter telling them that because Shemaiah had prophesied to them a lie, he nor his descendants would live to see the good things the Lord has planned for his people. 

Today we begin the book of Timothy. Timothy was the son of Eunice who was saved during Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey to Lystra. She and her husband had a son who was raised in the Jewish religion because of his mother. His father was a Gentile, so he refused to allow Timothy to be circumcised. Paul and Timothy formed a close bond. 

When Paul returned to Lystra on his second missionary journey, he found that Timothy was highly respected at his church and the Holy Spirit urged Paul to make Timothy an apostle. Because they would be ministering to the Jewish people, Paul suggested that Timothy be circumcised to avoid offending the Jews since his mother was Jewish. 

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he gave him the duty of talking to the teachers who were teaching a different doctrine which included myths and genealogies that made people question the validity of God and the simple faith of the gospel. 

He explained that the law was good if it was used properly. It was given by God to point out what was sin and give them common sense about how to live their lives. 

Paul reminds them of who he was once and how God changed him. He once used the law to kill and oppress, but now lives for Christ whose law is love. 

Paul also called out the troublemakers: Hymenaeus and Alexander who he had handed over to Satan that they would learn not to blaspheme. They had caused many people to lose their faith. 

Lord, may we be counted among the faithful who built up God’s kingdom through truth, righteousness and love. 

 

Thurs.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Word to Repent

Read: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3: 1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

God sent Jeremiah to the court of the Lord’s house to speak to those entering in to worship. He was to tell them to turn from their evil ways so the Lord wouldn’t have to destroy them. If not, he would make this house like Shiloh, that was destroyed when Israel was taken, and this city a curse.

When Jeremiah finished his word, the priests and prophets and all the people arrested him for saying would happen to the temple and the city. 

The political officials took their seat to judge the situation. The priests and prophets said that Jeremiah deserved to die for what he said. Jeremiah defended himself saying God had told him to say what he said and begged them to repent. Then he surrendered himself to them reminding them that if they killed him they would be bringing innocent blood upon themselves and this city because God had truly told him to prophecy what he said.

The officials with the backing of the people told the priests and the prophets that Jeremiah did not deserve to die because he spoke in the name of the Lord. He reminded them of Micah who prophesied in the days of Hezekiah and said similar words. Hezekiah did not put Micah to death but feared the Lord and repented. They did not want to bring disaster upon themselves. 

Another prophet, Uriah prophesied the same and King Jehoiakim was going to kill him, so he fled to Egypt. Jehoiakim had him brought back and killed. God was with Jeremiah and he was not given over to be killed.

When Zedekiah began to reign, God gave Jeremiah another word. He told Jeremiah to wear a yoke with bars on his neck. He was to send word to the king of Edom, Moab, Tyre, and Sidon and tell them that God who made the earth will give their land to Nebuchadnezzar. All the nations of the earth will serve Nebuchadnezzar, and his son and his grandson. Then, many nations will make him their slave. Any nation who refuses to serve Nebuchadnezzar will be put under his yoke and God will punish that nation with war, famine, and pestilence until it is consumed. 

He told them not to listen to their sorcerers and fortune-tellers who were telling them lies. If they refuse to surrender, they would be removed from their land and God would drive them out and they would perish. But if they come under the rule of Babylon and serve him, God would leave them in their own land to live and work there.

Jeremiah told Zedekiah to do the same and surrender to Babylon. The warned them not to listen to their false prophets and sorcerers. They were saying that the things Babylon had taken when they came the first time would be returned shortly. This was not true. Babylon would return and take the pillars, the sea and the rest of the vessels in the Temple and they would not return until God declares them to return. Then they would all be restored back to Jerusalem.

In Thessalonians, Paul encouraged them to guard against the evil one, Satan. Paul was confident that they would do the right thing. He prayed that the Lord would direct their hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. 

Paul warned them against being idle and hanging with those who were idle. God has called us to be busy about his work and not busybodies. 

Lord, may your peace be with us to work in your kingdom without fear or malice. May your grace be with us all. 

Wed.’s Devo - The Coming Judgement -

Read: Jeremiah 23:21-25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15

God rebuked the false prophets who did not speak his words. He reminded them that he was a god who was near to them, who fills heaven and the earth with his presence. He heard all the false predictions the prophets told the people, and all their dreams that they used to spread their lies to lead the people astray. 

God told Jeremiah that when someone came to him and asked what was the burden of the Lord, he was to answer that they were the burden of the Lord. God’s burden was their own perverted words. God would cast them out of his presence and bring them to perpetual shame.

Nebuchadnezzar came and took many of the officials and craftsmen to Babylon. Then the Lord gave Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs that were placed in front of the temple of the Lord. One basket contained very ripe figs and the other very bad figs that were too bad to eat. He explained that Israel was like these two baskets. He was sending the good figs to Babylon and they would return to the land. They will receive a new heart to know that He is God and they are his people. They will return to him with their whole heart.

The bad figs were King Zedekiah and his officials that had been left in the land and those who went to Egypt. They would become a reproach and a curse wherever the Lord sent them. They would be utterly destroyed from the earth.

In the fourth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim the Lord said that for 23 years he had been prophesying what was coming and they people refused to listen or repent. He had warned them to not go after false gods and they refused to stop, so the Lord’s anger was provoked over and over.

Since they refused to repent, Nebuchadnezzar would come to this land and the surrounding nations and destroy it. The time of partying and joy was over. The whole land would be devastated and they would be made to serve the king of Babylon for 70 years. All the nations would be made to drink the cup of God’s wrath. The nations were Egypt, all the kings of Uz and the Philistines, Edom, Moab and the sons of Ammon all of the kings of Tyre, Sidon, Dedan, Tema, Buz, Arabia, the mixed tribes in the desert, the kings of Zimri, Elam, Media, and all the kingdoms on the earth. They will all drink from the cup of God’s wrath.

In Second Thessalonians, Paul changes from talking about the Day of the Lord to talk about the second coming of Christ. He told them not to be alarmed about it. A rebellion must come first and the man of lawlessness will be revealed. He will take his seat in the temple of God and proclaim to be God himself. He will do false signs and wonders and deceit those who refuse to love the truth. They will be condemned along with this man of lawlessness. Jesus will kill him with his breath and bring him to nothing when he appears. 

Paul rejoices in the fact that we are chosen to walk in the glory of the Lord. We must stand firm in our convictions and the truth of the Word. Paul prayed comfort for our hearts.

Lord, we know in the end we inherit your kingdom and all the goodness that you have stored up for us. May we walk looking forward to our reward and may we not be deceived or afraid of the lies we see and hear. Our hope is in You and your promises and You cannot lie. 

Tues.’s Devo - May We Be Found Faithful -

Read: Jeremiah 19:1-21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:7b-10

God told Jeremiah to go and buy a piece of pottery and ask the 72 elders go with him to the valley of the Son of Hinnom. The seventy-two elders were composed of the Sanhedrim, or Great Council, which were taken partly from "the priests," and partly from the other tribes. They represented the spiritual and political leaders of the people. This valley was where they offered human sacrifices to Molech and Baal. At the gate of this valley potters met to make vessels to use in the temple. 

Jeremiah gave them the word of the Lord. Because they had filled this place with the blood of innocent children and babies, this place would soon be called the Valley of Slaughter where they would be killed with the sword. Their bodies would be left to be food for the birds and the beasts. Food will become so rare, they would eat one another in their distress. 

Then, Jeremiah broke the piece of pottery he had brought and told them that this was how God would break his people and they would not be able to recover. All the houses in Jerusalem that offered offerings on their roofs to the hosts of heaven would be destroyed. 

Jeremiah then went back to the city and stood on the court of the Temple and told the people that disaster was coming upon their land because they refused to hear God’s words.

When the priest, Pashhur heard what Jeremiah was saying he beat him and put him in stocks for the night. The next day, he released Jeremiah. Jeremiah told Pashhur that God called him Terror on Every Side because God would make him a terror to himself and his friends. He would witness their death and others all around him and see the fall of Jerusalem. He would witness their exile and all the wealth of their nation being seized by the king of Babylon. He would be taken to Babylon and have to live through what was coming so he could see that he was wrong and Jeremiah was right. 

In Chapter 20, Jeremiah has a meltdown as he talks to the Lord about what he sees coming and how hard it has been to try to tell a people who refused to believe.

In Chapter 21 he has a word for King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. He tells him that the Lord is not coming to their aid; he is actually fighting against them. They will not survive this attack and many will be killed. A remnant will be taken to Babylon. He still begs the king to do the right thing and judge righteously. He warns him that he will be judged for his evil deeds. 

In Thessalonians, Paul is still explaining the Day of the Lord. He tells them not to worry because if they are walking in the light, this day will not come as a surprise to them. They will be warned and ready. God will not come to believers in wrath but with love and salvation. They will live with him. 

Paul encouraged them to respect and have love for their spiritual leaders and to walk with peace with their brothers and sisters in the faith. We are to help the weak, encourage the fearful, and admonish those who are stuck in complacency. We are not to repay evil for evil but to do good to one another. We are to always rejoice and pray and be thankful for every situation we find ourselves in. We are not to quench the Spirit and to love prophecies, having discernment. We are to stay away from evil in every form.

Lord may your peace cleanse us and may we stand blameless before your when you return. May you find us accomplishing your purposes on the earth. May we be found faithful. 

Mon.’s Devo - Woe to the Last Kings of Judah

Read: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

In this chapter Jeremiah is addressing the last four kings of Judah who were all kin to Josiah and all wicked: Shallum or Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim,  Jeconiah, and Zedikiah. He addressed them as kings who oppressed the foreigners living among them and the fatherless and the widow. They all shed innocent blood which is the blood of children and babies. God was preparing destroyers to come against them and all would know it happened because they forsook the covenant they made with the Lord and worshiped other gods and served them.

Jeremiah said that Jehoiakim would be taken into captivity and never again see Jerusalem in his lifetime. God reminded Jehoiakim of his father Josiah who ruled with justice and righteousness. He judged the poor and needy and fought for them. Jehoiakim would die away from Jerusalem and no one would be sad. 

Jehoiakim’s successors would not care for the people and they will be taken into captivity. God would bring his people back one day and set a king over them who does care for them. Then they will prosper. God will raise up his king to reign and he will be wise, just and righteous. Judah will be saved and Israel will rest in peace. 

The day is coming when people will no longer call his people the one God brought out of Egypt, but the one God brought out of the countries he has scattered them. 

Jeremiah gave a word to the prophets who no longer gave his words. They had become adulterers who went after other gods and forsook the Lord. God would bring disaster upon them. They prophesied by Baal and led the people astray. The prophets of Jerusalem walked in lies and encouraged the evil people to continue sinning.  Jeremiah told the people not to listen to these prophets who filled them with vain hope. They were not speaking God’s words and what they were saying would not come to pass. They prophesied peace when God was saying destruction.

Paul wrote a second letter to the church in Thessalonica praising them for their continued growth of faith. Paul had boasted about them to the other churches because they stood firm in the midst of persecution. He reminded them of the reward they would receive from God and the eternal punishment their enemies would face. He prayed that the name of Christ would always be glorified through their lives.

Lord, we pray that also that your name would be glorified through our lives. May we walk steadfast, unmoveable in our faith. Thank you for the grace to do this.