Restore Us

Today’s readings are Jeremiah 47-49, Psalm 80, and 2 Peter 2.

The title in my Bible for 2 Peter 3 is “The Day of the Lord Will Come” speaking of the 2nd coming of Jesus. Our reading for today, 2 Peter 2 is titled “False Prophets and Teachers.

Here are some verses from 2 Peter 2…

And many will follow their sensuality and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:2

For speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice for sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

2 Peter 2:20

Be whatever or whoever you want to be. Do whatever what every you want to do. Do whatever you feel you want to do. It’s your choice. Follow the science…until it doesn’t fit what you want or how you feel.. or the agenda.

These are common themes of the world we live in today, and this world sounds an awfully lot like what Peter describes in 2 Peter 2…especially in the United States.  I’m not going to try to predict the end times will happen soon even though it may seem like it based on Peter’s description and what’s going on in our world. Most can a agree though that regardless of when it will occur…each day we’re getting closer in same way that we don’t know the day each of us will die, but we know today we are closer than we were yesterday.

Our readings in the book of Jeremiah from chapters 47-49 describe the judgement on or fall of the Philistines, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Most all of these were caused by them turning away from God and His truth. While one could say the United States is not mentioned in Biblical end times prophecies due to not being near Israel geographically, others say it’s because it’s because we don’t exist then which could be as a result of our turning away from God like the aforementioned peoples or cities.

However, there is hope for the United States and us as Christians.

Let us learn from the Psalmist who cries for help for Israel in Psalm 80  where we read in Psalm 80:3.

Restore us O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:7 and Psalm 80:19 say nearly the same. We can see where God has protected Israel through thousands of years and even through tumultuous events in the just last few months which could have brought Israel’s end, despite all of Israels flaws and mistakes throughout generations.

We can also read in 2 Peter 2:9…

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement,

As a Christ follower in the US, I will pray for our country to turn back to Jesus and the truth He gives us in the Bible which is the only real truth on how we are to live, and we know that in following Jesus He will protect us and our souls through His saving grace and Resurrection.

And while we wait, I can only borrow the words of Joshua…

..But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Lamenting is Worship

Today’s Readings: Lamentations, Psalm 137, 1 Peter 4

Can you find the book of Lamentations in the Bible?  An impactful book with only five chapters, nestled between Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Lamentations, a poetic expression of grief over Jerusalem’s destruction, speaks to enduring suffering, loss, and hope in the face of despair. Written by Jeremiah, it reflects on the devastation Israel faced as a consequence of turning away from God. Today, it offers insight into dealing with personal and communal suffering. The deep expressions of pain and sorrow highlight how we, too, can honestly bring our struggles before God. Lamentations teaches that lament is a form of worship, acknowledging pain without losing faith. This book emphasizes that while suffering may feel overwhelming, it isn’t the end. Jeremiah’s words about God’s mercies being “new every morning” remind us of God’s faithfulness even in the darkest times (Lamentations 3:22-23). We are encouraged to hope and trust in God’s compassion and justice, especially when we don’t understand our circumstances.

Furthermore, Lamentations challenges us to reflect on personal and collective responsibility. It invites us to examine our actions, acknowledge when we’ve gone astray, and seek restoration. The communal grief expressed encourages us to stand in solidarity with those who suffer, reminding us of the importance of empathy and collective healing. Ultimately, Lamentations reassures us that God’s presence endures even amid despair, offering hope and a path toward restoration. In a world marked by loss and uncertainty, this message remains profoundly relevant today.

Bring your sorrows, pain, and trials to the Lord and He will see you through it.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Slowing Down to Be Present with God and Others

Do you find yourself constantly in motion, always on the go, and rarely stopping to take a breath? Do you experience restlessness? When people ask how you’re doing, is your automatic response something like “good, just really busy”? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I catch myself saying it too, and I hear it from people of all walks of life—retirees, students, stay-at-home parents, and professionals alike.

I constantly find myself in a hurry, trying to accomplish one thing after another so I can accomplish more. This includes activities related to my employment, in the home, where I serve, and even when I’m supposed to be rejuvenating.

This summer while on vacation to visit family and friends my heart was convicted. It was as though I was trying to get through every conversation and gathering as quickly as possible. This left me feeling exhausted and guilty as I was supposed to experience peace and joy with these wonderful people, yet I felt the opposite. My mind wandered and I was frequently mentally “somewhere else”.

What convicted me wasn’t a specific friend or family member, it was through self-reflection, alone time, and prayer. One phrase kept coming to mind: Be present.

My selfishness is what got in the way. I was the problem, not anyone else. Our most limited resource is our time, and more important than time is our attention. While I “spent time” with these people, my attention was elsewhere.

Worse than inattention to family and friends is inattention to God and his will for my life. The more focused I am on myself, the less focused I am on God. This goes for prayer time, acknowledging the beauty of His creation, and giving thanks for the many blessings he has given.

Since that moment of conviction, I’ve started making small but meaningful changes. By intentionally focusing on the present (and on others), prayer, and time with God, I’ve found more joy in my interactions.

Today’s reading in 1 Peter 3 gives some simple instructions for good living which relates to my story:

  • Love each other (v. 8). It is loving to give our attention to others.
  • Be tenderhearted (v. 8). We can only have tender hearts when we see others for who they are (God’s creation) and we let go of selfish desires.
  • Keep a humble attitude (v. 8). Again, putting others first, dying to self.
  • Bless those who hurt us (and we will be blessed by God) (v. 9). The world says to take revenge but how is that working out for the world?
  • Tell the truth and speak with kindness (v. 10). This talks about being able to enjoy life. While scripture doesn’t guarantee a “happy life”, we can still live life abundantly in Christ. Too often we chase things we don’t need to find happiness. This scripture keeps it simple.
  • Do good, maintain peace (v. 11). This verse contains action words. Good living doesn’t come from just sitting on the couch watching television. Take action!

All of those verses lead me to close with 1 Peter 3:15.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

As you reflect on these scriptures, I invite you to carve out some quiet time today or tomorrow to pray over these questions:

  1. What do my time and attention say about me? Do these choices indicate Christ as Lord of my life?
  2. If someone asks about my hope as a believer, am I ready to explain it? What will I say?

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 126; 1 Peter 3

Simple, Not Easy

Jeremiah 38, 39, 52, 1 Peter 2

1 peter 2 tells us to put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.  What are they, exactly?

Malice – malice is the conscious and willful desire to hurt or harm others

Deceit – deliberately misleading or lying to others

Hypocrisy – pretending to be something you are not

Envy – desiring what others have

Slander – the act of making false, damaging statements about someone in order to harm their reputation

Is it possible to “put them away,” as Peter commands?  Maybe, for a minute.

It seems similar to catching a child picking his nose.  When I yell  “stop it,” he stops.  He will even obey for a while.  Then, once he discipline wears off and the discomfort returns, his natural self takes over.  The same is true for us.   I might be able to take the action of putting them away for a minute but if it is to persist over the long term, I must first replace the mindset with something else.

Peter tells us directly in verse 13.  He says,

Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 peter 1:13

Harvest

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 21,34,37 Psalm 79, James 5

This last weekend, I was in Detroit, Michigan, for one of my son’s hockey tournaments.  Along the drive, I was grateful to observe the beautiful colors of the fall foliage in Michigan.  On the way there, the route showed delays throughout the interstate route . I knew I couldn’t do the traffic, so I took the back route, which presented as only a few more minutes.  Most of these additional minutes would be spent behind farm vehicles harvesting the fields. For me It was the perfect ride.  This drive made me reflect on James who uses numerous metaphors and illustrations to make his point very similar to the way Jesus would.

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

The ride also helped me think about the loss of one of our close friends ( Heidi Zell), who was our neighborhood mother and/or grandmother to many.  To me, she modeled kindness, care, and love for many. There was a lot of tears in our family and loss ow words.  The only words I could use for my 13, 9, and 6 year old is that God loves us more than anything and He decides when we spend eternity with Him.

James shairs with us that the lives of those who believe should be marked by a peaceful assurance of His returnand faithful efforts to increase the harvest of souls for the Kingdom. Just as the farmers I saw understood to wait patiently for the crop to grow, so we should all be patient in waiting for Him to com once again.

 

Enjoy being with our Lord in Heaven Heidi! Thanks for showing His love through the love and kindness you gave to everyone. Luke 23:43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

 

 

I’ve Got You

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24,27,28,29 and James 4

One of my favorite messages from God is this “ I’ve got you”.  This is one of the most comforting and reassuring messages that God continues to give me throughout my life. In the world where so many things are variable and ever changing, God continues to tell me “I’ve  got you “.  This message doesn’t say that it’s going to be easy or that it’s going to be fair or that I’m not going to have hardships or trials.  It states that he will help us and be there to guide us through everything.

“Then God told me, “This is the Message from the God of Israel: The exiles from here that I’ve sent off to the land of the Babylonians are like the good figs, and I’ll make sure they get good treatment. I’ll keep my eye on them so that their lives are good, and I’ll bring them back to this land. I’ll build them up, not tear them down; I’ll plant them, not uproot them. “And I’ll give them a heart to know me, God. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God, for they’ll have returned to me with all their hearts.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“‘I’m the one who made the earth, man and woman, and all the animals in the world. I did it on my own without asking anyone’s help and I hand it out to whomever I will. Here and now I give all these lands over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have made even the wild animals subject to him. All nations will be under him, then his son, and then his grandson. Then his country’s time will be up and the tables will be turned: Babylon will be the underdog servant. But until then, any nation or kingdom that won’t submit to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon must take the yoke of the king of Babylon and harness up. I’ll punish that nation with war and starvation and disease until I’ve got them where I want them.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home. “Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. “Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.” This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭4‬-‭7‬, ‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In reading Jeremiah, I have a new understanding of God‘s provision for us. In these chapters, we have some of the most memorable verses: 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope“. 

But when you really dive deep into this, you can see a different story. The majority of my life I have thought of the Babylonian conquest and the Babylonian empire as a season where the Israelites were persecuted and deliberately mistreated. But reading through chapters 24, 27, 28, 29 and actually understanding it in a different perspective, God actually had them covered from the beginning to the end and the exile and the Babylonian conquest. God actually protected the people in their exile. He gave them instructions that he was there in the midst of everything. He instructed them to grow and flourish in this exile from their land. He was putting his hand of protection around them in the midst of their exile. This is a continuation of God‘s provision for us. 

When we look back at the chronicles of the Bible Cannon, we can see how God has protected us in the midst of change and in the  midst  of chaos. 

  • Egypt 
  • The wilderness 
  • Exile 

God is continuously protecting us in these chaotic times. He is allowing us to grow, and he is allowing us to lean into him.  From my own experience when things become chaotic and difficult, I tend to retreat into myself. But as I am reading, and having God mentor me through these passages, I will attempt to lean into him more. I will attempt to not retreat into me, but retreat into Him, and not hinder my blessings that He has in store for me. I will make an effort to not withhold my seeds in time of famine, but just continue to sow them for His growth. He doing an amazing work in me. He is the Gardener and the Protector and the Perfector  of all that he does in me. So I remembered that he’s telling me “I’ve got you”.

Are You Wise? Prove It!

Jeremiah 25, 35, 36, 45, Psalm 133, James 3

Conventional wisdom tells us that wise people should be teachers.  While that may be true, James suggests a different approach.  Wisdom, he says, is demonstrated through your conduct.  James 3:13 highlights three key characteristics of wisdom:

Good Conduct

Some translations use the term “good works.” Living wisely means doing good not for ourselves, but for the benefit of others. “Good works” also suggests helping and serving.

Show your works

Our good works need to be visible; they should make an outward impact on the world.

Be Humble

It’s not about me—true wisdom is grounded in humility.

How Does the World Show Wisdom?

The world’s idea of wisdom focuses more on preaching and moralizing rather than on service.

Wisdom Leaves Clues

How do we prove that we are living wisely according to God’s plan? The following traits from James 3:17 offer evidence:

– Peaceable

– Gentle

– Open to Reason

– Full of Mercy and Good Fruits

– Impartial

– Sincere

Spiritual Formation

Today’s readings are Jeremiah 22-23,26, Psalm 77 and James 2. We will focus on James 2:14-26.

Most Christians agree the Bible is very clear that works do not get you into Heaven and only the grace of Jesus dying on the cross can (Romans 3:23, 6:23). When you first read James 2, it can be confusing by making it sound like faith alone does not get you into Heaven. So, do works actually get you into Heaven then?

Diving in deeper can help us get a better understanding what James is saying. Check out James 2:19 where James tells us believing Jesus was who He said He was is not enough. Why?

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder!

James 2:19

Knowing Jesus is the Son of God does not gain you eternal life in Heaven…even the demons know.

We are currently doing an all-church study which is based off the book, Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. Jesus told us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The word disciple can be confusing because it’s not used much outside the church. John Mark tells us we can gain better perspective for its meaning by looking at the Hebrew word which is talmid, and it can be translated as a student of a teacher. John Mark contends a better word for us to translate talmid into is actually apprentice. As an apprentice, your job is to be with your teacher, become like your teacher, and do as your teacher does.

So, John Mark says Christians should have 3 goals as an apprentice of Jesus.

  1. Be with Jesus.
  2. Become like Jesus.
  3. Do as Jesus did.

He argues spiritual formation is not an option. We are all following someone or something whether we realize it or not, and we are being spiritual formed by whoever or whatever we are following.

This gives us better context for James 2:14 which might initially have us raising our eyebrows when James says…

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead.

James 2:14

To be saved by Jesus, you can’t just believe..the demons believed as James 2:19 says. If you are truly a follower and apprentice of Jesus spending time with Him..then you will become more like Jesus and do as he did. It is by works that your faith becomes active and fully complete. James speaks to this and gives the example of Abraham in James 2:22.

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

James 2:22

He expands as we read on…

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James 2:22

There you have it. You do not really have faith in Jesus if you are not completing works that demonstrate you are becoming more like Jesus and doing like He did.

Who or what are you following most closely that is shaping you?

Are you spending time with Jesus so that you are becoming more like Him and doing as He did?

Are you becoming an apprentice of Jesus?

I pray we will all reflect on these questions and let God speak into our hearts, telling us what He wants us to know.

God’s Grace Is Enough

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 11-13; 2 Corinthians 12

The quote from Jesus, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), provides profound encouragement and a new perspective on strength. It teaches us that true strength does not come from self-reliance or the absence of hardship, but from relying on God’s grace in the midst of our struggles. This truth can deeply transform how we face challenges and lead to spiritual growth.

It is only natural for us to ask questions about the presence of God during our worst hardships.  I have heard people ask emotional questions like “Why would God let this happen?”  “If there is a God, then why would I want to have faith in a God that does not fix or stop awful things.”

First, Jesus’ words remind us that grace—His unearned favor and help—is enough to sustain us, no matter the situation. We often look for strength in our abilities, resources, or circumstances, but Jesus shifts our focus away from self-sufficiency to dependence on His grace. This means that when we feel inadequate or overwhelmed, we can stop striving to do everything on our own. Instead, we can lean on God’s grace, which is available to us in every moment of weakness, doubt, or fear.

The Bible is the voice of God.  God does not promise ease in our lives.  God never indicated in any verse in the Bible that life on earth would be simple or easy because he would remove all pain and hardship.  In fact, scripture tells us quite the opposite.  I think this is a very important facet to remember when we witness to non-believers.  Non-believers simply have a different expectation of who and what God is, and candidly, He will never meet it.

Second, this passage teaches that God’s power is most evident when we recognize our own limitations. The world often equates strength with independence or self-reliance, but Jesus flips this concept on its head by saying that His power works best in our weakness. This doesn’t mean we should seek out suffering or challenges, but when they come, we don’t have to be defeated by them. In fact, acknowledging our need for God opens the door for His power to work more fully in our lives. When we stop trying to be self-sufficient, we experience more of God’s strength.

This truth can be incredibly freeing. It means we don’t have to be perfect, have all the answers, or live without difficulties to experience God’s power. Our weaknesses—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—can become opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength and love in our lives. By humbling ourselves and admitting that we need help, we position ourselves to receive more of God’s grace and power.

We can gain strength from Jesus’ promise by embracing our weaknesses, trusting in His grace, and depending on His power rather than our own. This shifts our perspective on difficulties, showing us that God is at work even in our most vulnerable moments. His grace is always enough, and His power is most clearly seen when we admit that we need Him. This truth brings both peace and strength, allowing us to face life’s challenges with confidence and hope.  We will never be able explain or rationalize the sins and pain we experience in this life, but God’s grace will be the profound love that carries us to our next life in Heaven, where all the pain and suffering will be worth it.  Oh, I cannot wait to see that day, but not today.

This is my second time writing on this chapter.  Here’s was my post from 2023.  Enjoy!

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Friendship and Faith: Lessons from Paul

What are the characteristics of the people you call best friends?

Here are some of the attributes that I admire the most. People who are:

  • Loyal. Not only to me as a friend, but they are loyal in whatever they do, as workers, servants, and leaders.
  • Honest. The bold, direct truth-tellers, who clearly say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said. Confrontation with these individuals is healthy.
  • Humble. Their mission in life is not about them, it is about a greater purpose. They’re willing to take bumps and bruises as they stand up for what they believe.
  • Self-aware. They know what they are capable of and better, they know their weaknesses and are unashamed to admit them.
  • Sacrificial givers, expecting nothing in return. They add to the relationship.
  • Escape artists. They can get out undetected from a sticky situation at a moment’s notice.

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 8-10; 2 Cor 11

The characteristics listed above are how I’d refer to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11. I was just joking about the escape artist thing but how thrilling would it be to escape an enemy via a basket through a window in a city wall?

“When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul was loyal to his friends and those whom he served, he told the truth no matter the consequences and humbled himself to the point of many beatings and severe physical pain. He wasn’t out to win hearts for him but for Jesus. Paul knew his strengths and weaknesses and was bold enough to be vulnerable in admitting his inadequacies. He gave and gave, ultimately to the point of death, much like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul’s example is a powerful reminder that true friendship, leadership, and discipleship are not about self-promotion or personal gain. They are about serving others with a pure heart, living with integrity, and standing firm in faith, even when it leads us into challenging or painful situations. Like Paul, we are called to be loyal, honest, humble, self-aware, and sacrificial in our relationships, grounded in the mission of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on Paul’s life, I also find myself confronted with my imperfections—areas where I’ve allowed worry, fear, and doubt to cloud the peace and joy that come from trusting fully in God. However, through repentance and realignment, I feel His joy beginning to restore me.

What about you? Are there areas in your life where doubt or fear has clouded your vision? What steps can you take to trust more fully in God’s plan and purpose in your life? Reflect on the traits that define your closest and uplifting relationships and how you can become more like the friend, servant, and follower of Christ that Paul exemplified.

Take time over the coming days to let go of anything that may be holding you back, and embrace the freedom that comes from walking in faith in Christ alone.