Jeremiah 17 - 6.6.23

Scripture

Jeremiah 17:1

“Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool,
    inscribed with a flint point,
on the tablets of their hearts
    and on the horns of their altars.”

Observation

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, I am no longer condemned and there is no record of my sin! And like I have been forgiven, I must learn to forgive.

Application

Did you know that in many states, if someone commits a felony they are barred from voting for the rest of their life? I have never understood this life-long consequence that doesn’t line up with my idea of justice (appropriate punishment – with a hope of rehabilitation afterward).

Reading Jeremiah this morning, I am so thankful that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, I am no longer separated from God because of my sin. My sins are not held against me – they aren’t on my record.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Of course, this does not mean we are free to do whatever we want or that we don’t have consequences – there are always consequences for our actions. But if we ask for forgiveness, God forgives us and wipes the slate clean. We are forgiven and we can start fresh without the weight of guilt or shame. When God runs our record, it is empty!

While I have internalized this promise enough that I want to apply it to our justice system, I struggle to apply it to others in my daily life. I move on, but I can’t quite seem to forget. I find myself being like the man in the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35), begging for forgiveness and then not truly offering it to others. But God clearly directs us throughout the Bible to forgive:

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice and for your promise that my sins are washed away. Please forgive me for my spirit of unforgiveness. I need your help to learn to love and forgive like you do. Nudge me, remind me in those times when unforgiveness is rising up in me that I have been forgiven and, with your help, I can forgive too.

- Debbie Dunn

Psalm 77 - 6.5.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT

“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”

Observation

This is a psalm of Asaph. He is crying out to God because he is in deep trouble and sorrow. But he feels God has left him. He is getting no answer, no response from God regarding his prayers. But, then Asaph takes a moment to pause and reflect on ALL the wonderful things God had done. His heart begins to turn from a heart of sorrow and despair, to a heart filled with hope and joy. He comes to an understanding of just how great and mighty the God He serves is.

Application

God is BIGGER and MIGHTIER than any problems that I will face.

I love this quote I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie:

“If you have a ‘big God’ you will have relatively small problems. If you have ‘big problems’ then you have a small God.”

It just puts things in perspective for me. How big is my God? 🤔 Like Asaph in this passage here, God doesn’t always answer my prayers right away. It may even feel that God is not listening to me, or He is punishing me for something. But I put my faith in what God’s Word says.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”-Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭

I know that God is good. He will never leave me or forsake me. I know that the God who did all those miracles for Abraham, Moses, and David…is the same God I serve. So no matter how bad life gets for me, I will choose to remember God. I will remember the great and mighty things He has done in the Bible, and I will remember the great things He has done for me in my life. I will choose to worship Him. Because I know at the end of the day, God loves me and has my back. No matter how big an obstacle is that I may be facing, my God is BIGGER!

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” -Jeremiah‬ ‭32‬:‭27‬ ‭‬‬

Prayer

Father God, You are awesome in power. There is no one like You. Nothing is too big or too small for You to handle. I know that You are always with me no matter where I go, and no matter what I’m going through. I give You praise in advance for the times You give me the strength to get through it, and I give You praise for the times You get me out of it. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi

Titus 2 - 6.2.23

Scripture

Titus 2:7

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness…

Observation

Paul encourages Titus to lead the young men well by setting a good example for them. He tells him to show integrity in his teaching.

It’s one thing to teach, it’s another to have integrity when it comes to what you teach. Demonstrate what you declare. Show what you say. Practice what you preach.

It reminds me of the adage, “You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are.” If Titus was going to raise up young men to be strong and to follow Jesus well, he need to not just be a good preacher and teacher, he needed his life to be his greatest sermon illustration.

Application

I don’t just want to preach the truth and tell people how to follow Jesus, but I want to demonstrate it with my life.

Prayer

Jesus, I need you. Please help me, and help all of us who have chosen to follow you. May we not just tell people about following you, but may we show them how. May we all be able to say like the Apostle Paul, “follow me as I follow Christ.” Amen.

-Levi Thompson