Lamentations 3-5

Why am I lonely? - Lamentations 3-5

Lamentations Key Verse
The LORD has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago - Lamentations 2:17

Good Morning! Today is the start of the last, big 3 day weekend. It is usually a goodbye to summer and hello to the fall season. I hope that your summer was good and you have many fond memories. I also hope that you are excited about the fall, and the plans that GOD has for you.

I usually do not like to talk about myself, and I have a hard time asking for help when it is needed. But, as many of you have pointed out, we are a body, and the body supports each other. This fall (October) we are launching a new church, and the attacks have been pretty harsh. Please take a minute and visit the section below on our new church start. :)

Today we read Lamentations, and if you remember, Lamentations tells about deep personal suffering and spiritual agony. It is a series of 5 laments. Lamentations reflects a huge turning point in biblical history; the fall of Jerusalem.
One interesting point that I was talking about to my Spiritual Architect (Pastor, neat name for a pastor, huh?) and I did not realize, was when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, they surrounded the city for 2 years and would not let anything or anyone in or out. (Jeremiah 52:4-5) They basically starved the city to death. There is evidence of this all over Lamentations.
We get our bread at the peril of our lives,
because of the sword in the wilderness. - Lamentation 5:9
See 1:19, 2:11-12, 3:38-45, 4:4, 9-10 for more crying out for food.

Lamentation 3:22-26 ESV
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Thought for the Day
As I was reading Lamentations last night, I started to become very sad. I could imagine one of my friends hurting and crying out for help. I then had flashbacks to some of my times when I had been that lonely, scared, and hurting. Just reaching out for someone to support, love, and just give me a hug, telling me that everything is going to be OK.

I believe that at one time in our lives we have felt alone, even if you are married or have a lot of people around you. You have this empty feeling inside. I know that sometimes GOD will back away from us, so that we seek HIM, HE wants us to pursue HIM. But, sometimes we do this to ourselves, we sin, and sin separates us from GOD. Separation from GOD is LONELY.

In fact, I believe, that that is what hell will be like....total separation from GOD.....very lonely. Even here on earth you are surrounded by GOD. HE is in the sky, the wind, the sunsets, HE is nature, HE is in people, your animals, just imagine a place without any of that......very LONELY place.

Because we sin, we feel alone because we are building a wall between us and GOD. It does not have to be "Big" sins either. Pride, jealousy, anger, all of that puts up another brick on the wall that separates us.

Is it time that you tear down the wall and have that close feeling with GOD again?

The other reason that I have felt alone in my life, is that I was not connected to another group of believers. I was amazed when I did make the effort to get connected to a group of people that cared for me. It was/is amazing! To have people that love and accept you for who you are, to know that I ALWAYS have someone that I can call, that will help me. People that call me and see if I am OK. It is a feeling that I am never alone.

If you have not experienced this or have not felt like this, I would encourage you to seek it out. Find a group of believers and get CONNECTED.

Our Church Plant
A group of us are starting a church in Ocean Shores, WA. Please visit our web site; The Connection to watch us grow.
We would love your opinions as a believer or non- believer, please visit our Questionnaire Page. Please forward this page to your friends and family if you like, we need your input.
We need and would covet your prayers! Since we have started this, satan has been right there, the spiritual warfare has been pretty heavy. If you would like to commit to prayer for us or if you feel lead to help with start up costs, please visit our donation page.

Bible Trivia
What was the potter's field also known as?
Hint: Matthew 27:7-8

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Have an Awesome Labor Day Weekend!

Jeremiah 51-52

Why Does the Bible Repeat Itself - Jeremiah 51-52

Good Morning! Today we finish up with Jeremiah, then Thursday we start into Lamentations. The end of Jeremiah is a final historical epilogue, this epilogue serves to vindicate Jeremiah as a prophet.
Lamentations is a series of 5 laments over the fall of Jerusalem. The date that Lamentations was written was probably after the fall of Jerusalem (586B.C.) Lamentations emphases on the deep personal suffering and spiritual agony at the fall of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 52:4-7 ESV
This is an arial photo of Jerusalem, these are the same wall that Nebuchadnezzar broke through over 2,000 years ago.4 And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem, and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it.
5 So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
6 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.
7 Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled and went out from the city by night by the way of a gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, while the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah.

Thought for the Day
As I was reading Jeremiah I found myself starting to skip over sections. I would be reading a certain section, and think to myself, "Oh, I have already read this!" Have you ever found yourself doing that? I mean let's face it, the Bible does repeat itself again and again. But, as I was starting to skip over these sections I thought to myself that GOD put everything in the Bible for a reason, and HE put it in there that many times, so what then, is GOD trying to teach us by repeating HIMSELF again and again.

I believe that GOD is trying to teach us a couple of lessons when we read about the fall of Jerusalem.

First, would be GOD's unending Love, Grace, Mercy, and Patience. Those are 4 pretty deep words, aren't they? Something that we will never understand fully here on earth. GOD has so much love for us that we could sin again and again and again, and HE would forgive us and love us just the same. The other by-products of GOD's great love for us, is HIS grace; giving us what we do not deserve. And HIS mercy; not giving us what we do deserve. The bottom line...... there is nothing that we can not do to, to make GOD not love us, HE just does. Unconditional LOVE.

In my past, I have thought that GOD loves me so much, and I know HE is going to forgive me, so why don't I just keep on sinning, because after all I know that HE will keep forgiving me, right? Well, there are two thoughts that come to mind, first as we grow in Christ, and our relationship grows in Christ, we grow in obedience to HIM. We do not want to sin, we want to make HIM proud of us. It is kind of like the relationship of a father/son or mentor/student. You want your father to be proud of you.

The other lesson, that we can learn from the fall of Jerusalem, sin comes with consequences. Yes, GOD loves us, but HE will correct us when we sin. The most important thing to GOD is our relationship to HIM, and sometimes it can be a painful road back to HIM, as Jerusalem found out.

The last lesson from the fall of Jerusalem, is that whatever GOD says is going to happen, will! Whatever GOD says in HIS Bible will happen. If GOD says that HE will provide for you, HE will. If HE says that HE will always be with you, HE will. HE does not go back on HIS word (The Bible) so hold those truths close to your heart, live by them, they are GOD's promises to YOU. Now for Jerusalem it was not good what GOD promised, but it did happen. I know that we can learn from their mistakes! Have a Blessed Day!! - Jim

Bible Trivia
True or False:The crowds were pleased by the prospect of Jesus dining with Zacchaeus?
Hint: Luke 19:5-7

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Have a Beautiful Day!

Jeremiah 45-48

Learn From Your Past - Jeremiah 45-48

Happy Monday! I hope that you have had a restful weekend. I know for some, our kids are starting back in school. Our son has about a week more, I would encourage us to all pray for our kids as they start back in school. Pray for protection, guidance in what at times can be a very stressful and alot of pressure to fit in with others.

In our readings, starting in chapter 46 to 51, you will read several oracles against the nations. These are prophetic in nature and are placed at the end of the book. Notice how The Doom of Babylon is GOD's final word.The Doom of Egypt is chapters 46:1-28, then Jeremiah moves to the Doom of Judah's neighbors in chapters 47:1-49:39.
In today's thought we read about the queen of heaven. This idol was a Mesopotamian goddess of love and fertility. See Jeremiah 7:18 for more insight on her.

Jeremiah 44:9-10, 15-18
9 Have you forgotten the evil of your fathers, the evil of the kings of Judah, the evil of their wives, your own evil, and the evil of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10 They have not humbled themselves even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in my law and my statutes that I set before you and before your fathers.
15 Then all the men who knew that their wives had made offerings to other gods, and all the women who stood by, a great assembly, all the people who lived in Pathros in the land of Egypt, answered Jeremiah: 16" As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.
17 But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster.
18 But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine."

Thought for the Day
Do you learn from your past? When you make a mistake are you able to look at it honestly and admit that you did make a mistake, learn, and move on? If we honestly look at ourselves we do not like to admit when we are wrong, it feels better to be right than wrong.

But, here is the problem, if we can not admit when we are wrong, we will repeat the same mistake or sin over and over again. We will never learn from our mistakes.

This is what was happening to the people of Judah. They could not and did not want to learn from their mistakes, even when a prophet from GOD called them on it. They were to the point in verse 16 where they flat out refused to listen, and said "We will not listen to you". They were so stuck in the sin, they had lost sight of GOD.

That is the next dangerous step of not learning from our mistakes. We become disillusioned, we start to believe what we want to believe. We drift farther and farther from GOD and the real truth, into satan's lies and deceit. I have been in this place and it is a sad place to be where your lies become the truth.

The people of Judah were so far from GOD they actually believed that when they were serving the queen of heaven they had better times, now all they have seen was famine and everything they did not have anymore. They could not see that these bad times were due to their sinful ways.

Learn to learn from your mistakes quickly. When you sin be quick to repent, and learn what caused you to sin. How could you avoid it in the future, what steps could you take to not sin again....... learn from your mistakes. - Have a great day, and remember to say a prayer for our kids today. - Jim

Bible Trivia
According to James, what should a tempted person never say?
a) The devil made me do it.
b) My own strength shall save me.
c) It is of little account
d) GOD is tempting me.
Hint: James 1:13

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Have a wonderful Monday!

Jeremiah 34-36

GOD's Work - Jeremiah 34-36

Good Morning! Some of you have been taking our devotional for quite some time now, and you might have noticed that we did not send a devotional out everyday this week. I was not sure if I should say anything or not, I do not like to focus on me, but those around us, but we could use your prayers. For those of you that are familiar with Kim and ours story, I am sick. Right now I am needing treatment again, so it really zaps about all the energy that I have, which is not much to begin with. I hope to get back on track soon!

Anyways, about today's reading, have you ever wondered how the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah? I have always envied the close communication that Moses and the prophets of the Old Testament had with GOD.
In verse 34:18 you will read about people that cut a calf in half, then walk between those two halves. This was done to make a covenant between two people.

Jeremiah 37:14-15"That's not true!" Jeremiah said. "I am not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. 15 They were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had made into a prison. 16 Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time.

Thought for the Day
If you were not a follower of Christ and if you were to read the Bible from cover to cover, I could not help to think that the person reading could not help to think "These Christians sure do have a hard time." I mean let's face it 11 out of Christ's 12 disciples were martyred, GOD's own son suffered a terrible death, they were always struggling with sin and doing the right thing in a world that does not want to accept them or what they stand for.

For the most part it is true, anyone that has been a Believer knows that life here on earth is not the easiest. So, when then would you want to become a "Christian?" Let me stop here for a minute. If you are saying to yourself that I am a Christian, and my life is pretty easy, you need to move closer to the front lines. You need to become dangerous for Jesus, satan needs to shake in his boots when he hears your name, knowing that you do damage to his mission.

So, to get back to the question, why would anyone want to take this on....the heart ache, going against the world? Well...........
Once you have met Jesus, He changes your life. I would guess that this is the case with most of the people in the Bible, once you have met Jesus, your life is changed forever. You will feel love, acceptance, and peace at a new level (These are just to name a few!) For me and I am sure others, Jesus came and rescued me, when I did not deserve it. I have personally seen things that should have not happened, I have seen things that I can't explain how they happened, except..... that was Jesus.

The other reason, is our reward is not this earth. It is meeting this person; Jesus face to face and spending a lifetime with Him in Heaven. I personally can not fathom meeting Jesus....... my words can't describe it. But, beyond that we will live forever in heaven; a place that even if you tried to imagine how amazing it is going to be, you can't. It is beyond what you can imagine. WOW.

We need to remind ourselves of this, because yes, we are not at home here, our home is heaven. And yes, things down here sometimes are not easy, they are down right hard. So fight the good fight, keep running the race, knowing that when you are done, Jesus will be waiting in heaven for you! - Have a great weekend!! Jim

Bible Trivia
Around whom does the angel of the Lord encamp?
Hint: Psalm 34:7

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Have a BLESSED Weekend!

Jeremiah 29-31

Consequences - Jeremiah 29-31

Good Morning! Today we move through chapters 29 to 31. When you read these chapters GOD's people have been captured by the Babylonians. I would guess that the tone would be very somber, their hope would be lost, they have let GOD down for the last time, maybe they feel there are no more second chances.

Chapter 30 and 31 foretell's of how GOD is going to restore, and heal Israel. Chapter 29 is what we are going to focus on today.

Jeremiah 29:4-114 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of
Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from
Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens
and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and
have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons
and give your daughters in marriage, so that
they too may have sons and daughters. I
ncrease in number there; do not decrease.
7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.
Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets
and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage
them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,"
declares the LORD.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will
come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I
know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thought for the Day
Chapter 29 was very interesting to me. It is a letter from Jeremiah, on behalf of GOD, to the people that are in exile. The tone of the letter has a very parenting tone to it.

GOD is telling the surviving people to adapt to their new surrounds, keep on living lives, do as the Babylonians tell. GOD even goes as far as to tell them to seek peace, and even pray for the city that has taken them captive, for if they do well, you will do well. But, even though they are living in a foreign land, they must still keep ME as your GOD. Be prepared because they are going to be there awhile (70 years).

That is good advice from GOD. So many times we get ourselves into sin and places that we should not be. I mean let's face it, while we are in that sin it is OK, it feels good for awhile, but GOD is the one being hurt.

But, as soon as we repent, we want GOD to save us right away. We want everything to be the same as it was before we started sinning. The really neat thing about our GOD is that HE is right there, even though we betray HIM and leave HIM, He is right there when we want to return, full of love, and mercy.

But, sometimes there are consequences for our sin, and we should be prepared to accept those consequences and use that time, as a time to get back to GOD, and repair our relationship. During that time, it may feel as if GOD is far away, HE is not, I think sometimes HE may want to see how serious we are and how strong our faith is.

I would hope that we all grow in our relationship with Jesus we would stray away less and less, so that our relationship with Him continues to become more intense. So even when satan launches everything he has at us, we are firmly planted In HIM!!! :)

Bible Trivia
Which one of Joseph's brothers kept his other brothers from killing Joseph?
a) Judah
b) Benjamin
c) Dan
d) Reuben
Hint: Genesis 37:17-21

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Have a BLESSED Day!

Jeremiah 23-25

GOD is in Control - Jeremiah 23-25

Listen to Jeremiah 23-25

Good Morning. I hope that you have had a great weekend. A lot of times when we read the Bible we will read a couple of chapters or maybe even an entire book. It is hard to remember that what takes us minutes to read, represents years back in the time period we are reading about.
Chapter 25 is a good example of this. In verse 3 it states that Jeremiah has been speaking to the people of Judah for 23 Years, over and over again. But, they did not listen.........for 23 years! What mercy and patience GOD had.

Jeremiah 25:8-148 Therefore the LORD Almighty says this:
"Because you have not listened to my words,
9 I will summon all the peoples of the north
and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon," declares the LORD, "and I will bring
them against this land and its inhabitants and
against all the surrounding nations. I will
completely destroy them and make them an
object of horror and scorn,
and an everlasting ruin.
10 I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and
bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole country will
become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy
years. 12 "But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and
his nation, the land of the Babylonians, [b] for their guilt," declares the LORD, "and will
make it desolate forever. 13 I will bring upon that land all the things I have spoken
against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the
nations. 14 They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will
repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands."

Thought for the Day
As I was reading these verses, I could not help to think how "In Control" GOD was. HE used Nebuchadnezzar, who was king of Babylon to capture HIS chosen people. I bet that Nebuchadnezzar had no idea that he was carrying out GOD's plan, it was most likely a desire that he had to capture Jerusalem.

GOD had even planned out how long Jerusalem would be under capture; 70 years. Then GOD would punish the Babylonians, the ones who HE put the desire to concur HIS people, for their guilt. GOD was controlling every step for as long as HE needed.

We need to remember that even when our lives feel out of control, and there is no way that GOD could know what we are going through; GOD does. GOD is in control every step of our lives, HE knows what we are going through. The trials that we are going through are preparing us for future events and helping us to grow in our faith. So, remember that everything, good or bad that happens in your life GOD knows and HE is in control.

Bible Trivia
Match: First Passover....
a) Raisin Cakes
b) Barley Bread
c) Bread Without Yeast
Hint: Exodus 12:8-11

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Tuesday, August 21st Reading - Jeremiah 26-28
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Have a BLESSED Day!

Jeremiah 11-14

A Linen Belt - Jeremiah 11-14

Listen to Jeremiah 11-14

Good Morning! I hope that you enjoyed yesterday's devotional. I was gone all day, and we thought that it would be neat if Kim could share what she was feeling when I was being unfaithful to her. We know that GOD is GOD, but HE refers over and over to how our unfaithfulness is that of an affair. So, HE must feel that pain and hurt as we would when we are unfaithful to HIM.
Some wrote us and asked how we are today. Because of Christ, Kim and I have a wonderful relationship. I am a much better person due to the work that Jesus did in my heart. Jesus is the difference and He does change lives, we are living proof.OK, starting in chapter 11 through the middle of chapter 13 we read of GOD's chosen people broke their covenant with HIM. You will also read of how Jeremiah's own people make a plot against him to kill him (Yes, sometimes GOD's work is not easy).Then starting in chapter 14 through the weekend you will read of YAHWEH's rejection of HIS people.

Jeremiah 13:1-11
A Linen Belt 1 This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and
buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water." 2 So I bought
a belt, as the LORD directed, and put it
around my waist.
3 Then the word of the LORD came to me a
second time: 4 "Take the belt you bought
and are wearing around your waist, and go
now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks." 5 So I went and hid it at
Perath, as the LORD told me.
6 Many days later the LORD said to me, "Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you
to hide there." 7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place
where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 "This is what the LORD says: 'In the
same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the
stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them,
will be like this belt-completely useless! 11 For as a belt is bound around a man's waist,
so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,' declares the LORD, 'to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.'

Thought for the Day
After you read this, put yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. Can you imagine how he must have felt when GOD told him to buy a linen belt, but do not let it touch water. At first Jeremiah might have thought, "OK LORD, this is a little strange, but I trust you, so I will do it."

Then GOD came to him a second time, and told him to take the belt he was not suppose to get wet, and hide it in the rocks. Jeremiah might have been thinking, "Ya, OK LORD...... sure, but where are we going with this, this seems pretty trivial with all the large problems we are facing, what about those?" But, Jeremiah did it.

Then the Bible says that many days past, so it must have been a long time because when GOD told Jeremiah to dig up the belt it was ruined and useless. By now I can imagine Jeremiah might have been thinking, "Ya, this was worth my time." But, then GOD in all HIS wisdom revealed to Jeremiah HIS plan and all these little tasks made sense.

How many times in your relationship with Christ have you been in a hurry? How many times have you thought, where are we going or this is a waste of time, there are bigger and better things that I should be doing? Then later GOD reveals to you why you did all those little things, and you say to yourself, "OK, now I understand why, now it makes sense."
In your relationship with Jesus, there will be things that HE allows you to go through or asks you to do, and I am sure that some of these things will not make sense. Our job is to be faithful to Jesus and trust that HE knows what He is doing. Jesus is taking each one of us down a different path, and a lot of times He needs us to grow before we can take the next step. Remember Jesus says that if we are faithful in the little tasks, He will trust us with the larger ones. - Jim
Note from Kim; Thank you God for such a great transformation in our lives separately and together, without You we would not be one! Have a great day everyone, I love you honey.
In His Grip

Bible Trivia
Connect the Thots:
Using spit to heal a blind man
Raising Lazarus to life
Walking on water
Hint: Mark 8:22-25, John 11:38-44, Mark 6:45-50

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Saturday, August 18th Reading - Jeremiah 15-18
Sunday, August 19th Reading - Jeremiah 19-22
View August's Reading Schedule
Have a BLESSED Weekend!

Jeremiah 7-10

The pain of adultery - Jeremiah 7-10

Listen to Jeremiah 7-10

Good Morning! I hope you are hanging in there with this and seeing the frustration of YAHWEH. Let's take another look at this adultry being commited over and over again. Poor YAHWEH!

Jeremiah 3:7-10
7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.
8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.
9 Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood.
10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD.

Thought for the Day
We thought we would take a different point of view on this devotional.....from the side of the one being betrayed and hurt, like YAHWEH.

When you love someone and you marry them, you want to spend the rest of your life with them, it is the start of a new life, love and adventure. You love, trust and are excited to be with your new spouse. I remember when Jim and I got married, we were those silly young kids laughing and giggling with each other. I tried so hard to be the perfect wife, I did everything, never made a fuss about anything, life was good! not want them to do. What comes next......the consequence, then maybe they will learn?

Then one day out of the blue he says, I don't want to be married anymore! WHAT!!! Oh the pain and shock of it all is like it was yesterday. He moved out and then after a week moved back and said, I am sorry, I don't know what happened, I will make it up to you, I promise!! He was having an affair already, I had no idea.

About six months go by and I found phone numbers in his phone. Now I know that I trust this guy, he has been my husband now for 13 years! He would not be doing anything.....well he gives me the song and dance of "that is one of my employees". I believed him and being the good wife, trusted him.

Nine months and I find out! There is another person, still painful thinking about it. He says I will end it. Ok good, let's get on with life. Weeks later he moves out, still has not ended it! The pain, frustration and confusion is so overwhelming!

I was a good wife, a good mother and friend, why?? I served him with divorce papers and THAT woke him up. It took a year and that much for him to see, this is serious. YAHWEH must have been and still is so frustrated. After the warnings and chances, and it is still going on. The pain He must feel.
Be true to your loved ones, God and yourself, satan is NOT worth it!!! Thank you for spending time with me. God Bless. Kim

Bible Trivia
Connect the Thots:
A drinking Party
Handwriting on a Wall
Knocking Knees
Hint: Daniel 5:1-6
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Friday, August 17th Reading - Jeremiah 11-14
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Jeremiah 4-6

Modern Day Idols - Jeremiah 4-6

Listen to Jeremiah 4-6

Good Morning! Boy, the first chapters were pretty strong words by YAHWEH. You could tell that YAHWEH had it with giving Israel and Judah, chance after chance. The imagery that HE uses leaves no room for imagination. HIS people were an adulterous people, have an affair again, and again.

Jeremiah 3:1, 3:6-10
1 "If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers-
would you now return to me?"
declares the LORD.

Unfaithful Israel
6 During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there.
7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.
8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.
9 Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood.
10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,"
declares the LORD.

Thought for the Day
When we speak of someone having an affair on their spouse, our heart might break for the person that was cheated on. We also might feel some anger towards the one that had the affair. And usually the marriage is destroyed, it does not last. All trust is lost, and as the saying goes, "Once a cheater, always a cheater" the person that had the affair can't stop the sin they are in.

This is exactly how YAHWEH describes what HIS people were doing to HIM. Israel and Judah would have an affair, repent and say they were sorry, just to turn around and do it again and again. The cycle never ended. Can you imagine how hurt YAHWEH was. The pain that it caused HIM to see the ones that He LOVED so dearly lie and hurt HIM again and again?

Now let's move from back then to today. We may read these passages and think, "How could they put a wooden image and worship it? I know that I would never do anything like that!" Well...... would you?

Do you have a favorite hobby or sport? Maybe you have an XBOX, cell phone, laptop, 50 inch plasma TV, or other cool electronic toy. Or maybe you are pursuing a member of the opposite sex? How much time do you spend on the above "Things?" Now how much time do you spend reading GOD's word and time in prayer vs. the other toys?

One of my friends (Who is a believer) has a cell phone, if he lost his cell phone, it would be the end of the world. I really believe that his world would implode. But, if he lost his Bible, huh, no big deal. Would you say that his cell phone has become an idol? Which is more important?

The point I am trying to make, we look at our brothers and sisters in past history and look down at them for making idols. But, my friends we are guilty for doing the same thing, we are just more modern. It is OK to have these cool toys, I love technology, but we always have to make GOD THE priority of our lives. HE comes first. If you have watched 8 hours of TV, and not spent 30 minutes in your Bible......... not so good. You may want to re think where your priorities lie.

Bible Trivia
What term describes Samson, who was never to cut his hair?
Hint: Judges 13

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Thursday, August 16th Reading - Jeremiah 7-10
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Jeremiah 1-3

Take the Good with the Bad - Jeremiah 1-3

Listen to Jeremiah 1-3

Good Morning! Are you ready to get started with Jeremiah? Let us first look at historical background of Jeremiah and look how this book plays into the Bible as a whole. As I have said before, once you understand why and when the book was written, the Bible will really start to come alive for you.

Jeremiah is made of oracles of judgment against Judah and the nations, it also gives future hope for these nations. Jeremiah is written in mostly poetry form. This prophetic activity took place between 627 to 585 B.C. You might pick up that Hosea and Deuteronomy had influences on Jeremiah.

Like Isaiah, Jeremiah takes place in the time period of The Kings and The Chronicles, so this chapter is a flashback of something we have already read. Remember king Josiah (A good king) see 2 Kings 23, 25? Jeremiah received his call during the thirteen year of king Josiah's reign, but most of Jeremiah's activity took place with Josiah sons; Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Zedekiah was the last king before GOD handed his people into captivity to the Babylonians.

OK, so here is the heart of the book. This is why Jeremiah is called "The Weeping Prophet". When you read these chapters remember this, the book will make more sense.

Jeremiah was sent to tell the people they were DONE. There was NO hope, GOD had it, there were no more chances to get it right. They were going to be taken captive by the Babylonians. Now, if that we not bad enough, Jeremiah was told to tell them to accept this, if they wanted to live and have any future at all. WOW what a task!

Put yourself in Jeremiah's shoes. Imagine that you had to tell someone that their sons had died in the war, and that they needed to accept it and move on. Would you like that task?

Jeremiah 1:5-6, 17-19
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not
know how to speak; I am only a child."
17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be
terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.
18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the
people of the land.
19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Thought for the Day
I really enjoyed the call of Jeremiah in chapter 1, it has a Moses kind of feel to it. I know that it is hard to read all the readings for the day, but if you have time, Jeremiah 1:4-19 is really worth reading. Especially if GOD has ever called you into some task. Or remember these verses, highlight them, WHEN GOD calls you, it would be encouraging to read them. (Notice how I said when, not if GOD calls you) :)

As I was read the call of Jeremiah, I could not help to think that GOD does not always call us into doing pleasant work. It would be nice if we only went around encouraging, baptizing, preaching, loving, and caring. But, sometimes GOD needs to get the attention of HIS people. I believe that HE allows things to happen in this world to do just this, But sometimes HE needs a more gentle approach.

I guess what I am trying to get at, is that sometimes we have to be the "Voice of truth" to our friends and loved ones. Sometimes our friends and loved ones are so stuck in a dark, sinful place they need the loving and caring "Voice of Truth" to help them. Remember when David was sinning with Bathsheba? (2 Samuel 11-12) It took a good friend (Nathan) to help king David see his sin. Then when David saw his sin, he repented whole heartily.

Now let me stop right here, NONE of this is good if it is not done with LOVE. Read that again. We are not out to get, and catch people that are sinning. It should be that we love them, and want the best for them.
I know that it is sometimes hard to tell your friends, it can be a battle. I know that in the past I have felt like GOD was prompting me to talk to one of my friends. I remember thinking, "Oh man, I do not want to do that, it is going to take forever to make him see, and I do not have the time for that right now." Sounds familiar? That is satan, trying to protect the time that he has invested in your friend. he wants to keep them.
So, has GOD been prompting or calling you to speak to someone you love or care about? Is someone you love stuck in sin? Have you been making excuses? maybe it is time to help your friend see the light again? - Have a Blessed Day!! Jim :)

Bible Trivia
What did David take from an unsuspecting King Saul, rather than killing him as David's men urged?
a) A Lock of hair
b) A corner of his robe
c) An arrow from his quiver
d) A strap from his sandal
Hint: 1 Samuel 24:1-11

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Wednesday, August 15th Reading - Jeremiah 4-6
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Isaiah 64-66

Your Future - Isaiah 64-66

Listen to Isaiah 64-66

Good Morning! Wow, we are finishing up the last chapters of Isaiah. I hope that you have enjoyed this neat book. Tuesday, we are going to start the book of Jeremiah; the "Weeping prophet." Do you know why Jeremiah was called the "Weeping prophet? If not, we are going to find out why. :)
As we finish Isaiah, the book ends with the judgement and salvation of Israel. Then Isaiah moves to a future Zion and a new heaven and new earth! AMEN!
These last chapters that we read over the weekend had a lot of good meat. I would encourage you to read Isaiah 58 , it is a chapter on true fasting.
On a more personal note, I had shared with you how GOD was allowing me to be involved in a church plant, and the journey that HE has taken me to get here. I just finished the web site and would like your input gottheconnection.com. Thanks :)

Isaiah 64:8, 65:17-258 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

New Heavens and a New Earth
17 "Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.

18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.

19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.

20 "Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.

21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the works of their hands.

23 They will not toil in vain
or bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.

24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
but dust will be the serpent's food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,"
says the LORD.

Thought for the Day
I was not going to post the entire passage, but we need to be reminded of this. It seems like a lot of the time we are always focused on what we need to do better, how we need to live a better life, how we need to fight the good fight, how to try and live in a world that we do not fit into too. How we need to spread the good news.
We do these things because Jesus is the most amazing being that we have ever known. We do these things because He came down and touched our hearts where no one had ever touched them before. We do these things because He did them for us first. We do these things because He loved us like no one ever has. We share these things because we have never felt this peace and security before, and if we do not, we may explode with Jesus! Yes, we do all these things for our JESUS!
Now here is the neat part that we need to not forget, we need to remind ourselves of this. This is our reward; A New Heaven and Earth! and you will be in it!
These verses touched me. No more weeping, no more infants that will die after birth, no more old age, we will be blessed by the LORD. The searching to find Jesus will be no more, before we call He will answer; while we are still speaking He will hear. And satan will suck dust! Heh heh heh heh. What a wonderful time! Remind yourself daily....... this is why.

We receive this amazing gift, all because we LOVE JESUS!

Bible Trivia
What intelligent and beautiful woman, the wife of the surly Nabal, married King David after Nabal died?
Hint: 1 Samuel 25:3, 39-42

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Tuesday, August 13th Reading - Jeremiah 1-3
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Have a BLESSED Weekend!

Isaiah 47-51

MY Ways & MY Thoughts - Isaiah 47-51

Listen to Isaiah 47-52

Good Morning! I would encourage you to keep up your reading over the weekend. The next couple of chapters are really good, especially through chapter 55. Starting in chapter 49 through 55 foretells of YAHWEH's Servant who will bring salvation to the world; Jesus! Then in chapters 56 through 66 Isaiah tells of Israel's present failure, and Zion's glorious future.Below are two very good verses that I have always loved. When I was very sick the first verse was one that I kept on repeating and repeating.

Isaiah 55:8-9, 56:1-2
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This is what the LORD says:
"Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this,
the man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating
it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

Thought for the Day
Most of the time GOD's ways are not my ways. Usually my timetable is ahead of GOD's. It seems like I am always pushing HIM to do what I want to do, not seeking HIS will, and HIS ways.

I know that I have told you this before, but right before I became very sick, I started a pastor's program at our church. I was so sure that this is what GOD wanted me to do, I mean why not, it was for HIM so why would HE not want me to be a pastor? Almost to the day that I started the program I became sick. I was very confused.

Then during my sickness I started to become better, so guess what? Yes, I started back up the pastor's program. Guess what happened again? Yes, I relapsed and became very sick again, so, I had to drop out of the program, AGAIN. Finally, I stopped and figured out I had never sought GOD's ways, and HIS time table. I wanted it, so I pushed GOD, I did it on my own.

GOD promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations, in fact Abram acknowledged it. But, I believe that pressure from Sarai, and Abrams' doubt and impatience took the best of him. He took matters into his own hands. He did not wait for GOD, and even though it may have not taken away his blessing from GOD, it added stress and hardship in the future. Right away Abram and Sarai's impatience started to cause problems. Sarai had ill feelings towards Hagar and then blamed Abram for her problems. Abram's response was "It is not my problem, it is yours. You take care of it.

In your life I would encourage you to wait upon the Lord, remember that HIS time table will rarely coincide with yours. I have learned to walk with Christ, not ahead or behind him, and I can tell you that the peace I have is amazing, life is so much easier.

I have to tell you that by walking with Christ, He has shown me what I believe He had planned all along. I am now, yes for a third time, in a pastor type program. But, to make it even sweeter, this time it is with a brand new church plant. I believe that GOD is allowing me to be in a birth of a new church of His. I would have never guessed this when I was trying to do things my way.

Bible Trivia
What name for Jesus, meaning "Anointed One," did the angel of the Lord use when speaking to the shepherds?
Hint: Luke 2:8-11

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Saturday, August 11th Reading - Isaiah 52-57
Sunday, August 12th Reading - Isaiah 58-63 View August's Reading Schedule
Have a BLESSED Weekend!

Isaiah 43-46

Moving into YOUR Blessing - Isaiah 43-46

Listen to Isaiah 43-46

Greetings! As we are moving onto the next chapters (42-44) tells of GOD's gracious redemption so that Israel might become HIS servant to the nations.Chapter 44 to 45 tells of how GOD is raising up Cyrus to be HIS deliverer. Then starting in chapter 46 we start to read where GOD in a series of oracles the actual fall of Babylon.

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Thought for the Day
I really like this verse, don't you? Why do we have such a hard time not dwelling on the past and looking to the future? Maybe it is a lack of trust, we do not trust GOD that HE will take care of us? Maybe we are afraid of the future? Maybe, some of us do not want to move from the past? Whatever your hang up is, I know that we all could benefit from living this verse.

I know I have spent time dwelling on the past. The problem on dwelling on the past, is that you will not move forward into GOD's blessings. For me, I would feel terrible about my past sins, so satan would tell me what a bad person I was. You see satan loves to keep you in the past. he wants you to not forgive yourself, even though Jesus did ,the moment you asked for forgiveness for the sin.

GOD knows that we are sinful creatures, HE knows that we are going to screw up, that is why Christ paid the price for your sin. GOD wants you to move on. HE has such neat things planned for you, with blessings that would make your head spin. The problem in that is we can't forgive ourselves. The problem lies with us, we are the ones blocking our blessings. This is a tool that satan loves! DO NOT let him use that on you.

You are forgiven, learn from your past, and use your past to help others. Then look where GOD is moving. HE is always moving somewhere in your life. Sometimes it may be inches, sometimes you do all you can do to hang on, because HE is moving miles.

If you are stuck in a desert of your past right now, it is time to move on. GOD needs you to move on, HE has amazing things planned for you, but, if you are stuck in the past, HE cannot move you forward.

This is a great verse to remember and give to others when they are stuck. We all need to encourage each other, and love each other to the future. I hope that you have a blessed day! - Jim

Bible Trivia
What event did Jesus use as an example to emphasize the need for repentance?
a) An earthquake in Jerusalem
b) A tower that collapse that killed eighteen people
c) An outbreak of the plague
d) The drowning of seven people in a boat accident
Hint: Luke 13:2-5

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Friday, August 10th Reading - Isaiah 47-51
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Isaiah 38-42

Fear Not, I am With YOU! Isaiah 38-42

Listen to Isaiah 38-42

Good Morning! As we said yesteday we switch gears in chapter 40. Chapter 40 deals with the Consolation of Israel. When you read these chapters you will read a theme that keeps on coming up again and again. Israel may go through tough times, but GOD is always with them.

Isaiah 41:10, 13 ESVFear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I, the LORD your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, "Fear not,
I am the one who helps you."

Thought for the Day
I am sure you have heard the story of Joseph, how he was sold into slavery, then thrown into prison. There are a couple of thoughts that I have, these are very important for you to understand if you are to receive all of the Lord's blessings He has for you. In life you can do everything right, follow God, live a Godly life, and still end up in "Life's prison". Joseph may have been a little cocky in his young age, but surely did not deserve to have his brothers turn on him and be sold to be a slave. He also could have easily slept with Potiphar's wife, but he chose to do the Godly thing and run, he ended up in prison. Life is what you make of it. Joseph, if anyone, had every right to be angry and bitter towards God. After all, he did the right thing, and this is what "Doing the right thing" landed him; in prison. Joseph instead accepted where God had him. I can imagine it is not where Joseph thought he would have been, but he knew God was in control. Wherever you are in your life, whatever your situation, GOD IS WITH YOU. When Joseph was a slave, GOD WAS WITH HIM (v39:2) When Joseph was in prison GOD WAS WITH HIM (v39:21,23) Let me say this again, wherever you are, GOD IS WITH YOU, and if God is with you, you are blessed, all you need to do is accept His blessings

Bible Trivia
To whom did Jesus say, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise"?
Hint: Luke 23:39-43

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Wednesday, August 9th Reading - Isaiah 43-46
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Have a BLESSED Day!!

Isaiah 32-37

Isaiah 32-37

Listen to Isaiah 32-37

Good Morning! In the chapters we read today we finish up with "The Woes" and "The judgements." Then starting in chapter 36, most of this narrative has been repeated in 2 Kings 18:13, 17-20:1. So if it seems like you have read this before, you have :)To give you a heads up in your reading so the book as a whole makes more sense. In chapter 40 - 48 Isaiah switches themes. The mood of these chapters are consolation and confrontation.

Isaiah 33:2, 5-6LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
Be our arm every morning,
our salvation in the time of trouble. -
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and
righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and
knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.

Thought for the Day
Hello everyone, it is late and we just got home from Seattle, WA which is a days trip away from us. We had one of my Dr. Appt for my on going sickness. I wish that I had satellite internet, because then I could be typing as we were driving.

I went back and pulled one of my favorite devotions for you. We must get this and live it. GOD is love, our religion and our beliefs revolve around love. GOD is not a GOD of rules and fear, HE is a GOD of love. I know that some days it does not feel like that, but when we are in heaven, everything is going to click, then will we truly understand GOD's intense love for us. GOD has been pursuing us with HIS love from the beginning to time. This is a good story that we need to remind ourselves of. I hope that you enjoy this, I am a sucker for a good love story. :) Have a Blessed Day - Jim

My wife and I were watching the movie "The Last of the Mohicans". It is a love story where two people from different worlds meet, fall in love, but, due to the war going on, the woman is captured by Indians who vowed to kill her. But, before she is captured, her love vows, he will find her no matter the cost, "I will find you"! After her capture, her love bravely walks into the Indian camp where he is cut, beaten, and mocked. He then boldly tells the chief to take his life and spare hers. But, due to a twist in the movie they both are spared, the movie fades with them in each other's arms watching a sunset. Don't you love a good love story?

Did you know that you are reading the greatest love story ever written? And, better yet you are involved in this love story. Your Jesus will do anything for you, in fact He paid the ultimate price.Last night, while talking with my Best Friend, He showed me this love story. You and I might have become a Believer for eternal life; to spend eternity with Christ, but then after you become a believer you gain a relationship with Christ. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had many God's, they did not have a Bible to show them right from wrong, they did not have eternal life, so how did they come to a relationship with God? He pursued them.

Do you remember the first time when you met your true love? What did you do? I can imagine that you pursued them, I know that I pursued my wife and courted her. In ancient times they had many gods, so what made them follow Yahweh? God pursued them, revealing Himself to them little by little, and what they felt was amazing. Thus this love story begins, and still continues today, God LOVES; LOVES you, He wants to be with you forever, He has done and will do whatever is best for you, all you have to do is accept this amazing love.

Bible Trivia
Connect the Thots:
"Hosanna"
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
"Crucify Him"
Hint: John 12:12-13, Matthew 27:27-29, Luke 23:21

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Wednesday, August 8th Reading - Isaiah 38-42
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Religion or Relationship? - Isaiah 27-31

Religion or Relationship? - Isaiah 27-31

Listen to Isaiah 27-31

Good Monday Morning! I hope that you have had a great weekend!As you are reading these chapters, always keep in mind that Isaiah is warning Israel and Judah's kings and people of what is to come. But, we have already read what has happened in 1 & 2 Kings and The Chronicles. So, what you are reading here, has already taken place in your Bible.
There were two thoughts that I had while I was reading today. First, Isaiah is a great book of poetry that uses great imagery. One example is verse 28:20
"For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on,
and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in."

The other thought that I had, I do not know how people could say the Bible is boring? It is anything but boring, with a lot of "In your face", bold statements like the one in 30:22
"Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold;
you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"

That does not leave much to the imagination, does it?

Woe's to Ephraim, Judah, and Who Trust in EgyptThe Lord says:
"These people come near to me with their
mouth and honor me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me. Their
worship of me is made up only of rules
taught by men." - Isaiah 29:13

Thought for the Day
This is one verse or concept that has been very dear to my heart. It is something that GOD has burdened me with, and my heart goes out to this cause. This is one of the reasons that most of our Christian Churches are not doing well. This is the defining difference between "Organized Religion" and a real, living relationship with JESUS CHRIST!

It is so easy to play "A Christian" is it not? I know because I played "A Christian" for a long time. I would go to church, play the good "Christian" man, act holy and loving. Sing all the "Christian" songs, listen to the "Christian" message, and say "Amen" when there was a good point in the sermon. But, then as soon as I hit the doors, and I was driving home from church I was a different person.

I was not being faithful to my wife, I was selling drugs over the internet, I was a self-centered, angry jerk. Right Kim? (I would use more vivid words, but I do not want to offend anyone) so jerk is a very nice and kind word that would describe me.

What kind of a "Christian" was I being? TERRIBLE! Just imagine if someone knew that I attended church. They would see me go to church, be holy, then lead a life that was NOT pleasing to Jesus. Why in the world would that person want to come to my church. Why would they need my religion or my Jesus? To answer your question; They would not, they could do all that stuff without Jesus or my church.

I know that there are alot of people in the church like that today. They live the "Christian" life at church, but they are totally different outside the church. A relationship with Jesus is a 24/7 deal, not a 1 hour Sunday meeting. We need to show the world that we are different, we do have something they do not have. It needs to be so evident in our lives, that other people will say, "I want what they have!"

Some of you may say, well then forget the church, I will just do my own thing with a couple of people. Almost start an "Organic" Church. But, this is not what Jesus intended the church to be either. A church is a group of people, supporting each other, while we do life together. We are not perfect, but we are working together towards one goal, supporting each other! Yes, instead of blowing off the church, we need to fix our churches. Be the one that makes the difference. Be the one that the other person says, "I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE!" - Have a great day Jim :)

Bible Trivia
What civic duty did the chief priests and scribes hope to use to get Jesus in trouble with Caesar
Hint: Luke 20:19-26

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