Church Under A Bridge

Jer 31:1-14 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
This is what the LORD says:
“The people who survive the sword
will find favor in the wilderness;
I will come to give rest to Israel.”
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
I will build you up again,
and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
Again you will take up your timbrels
and go out to dance with the joyful.
Again you will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria;
the farmers will plant them
and enjoy their fruit.
There will be a day when watchmen cry out
on the hills of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the LORD our God.’”

This is what the LORD says:
“Sing with joy for Jacob;
shout for the foremost of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
‘LORD, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.’
See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame,
expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return.
They will come with weeping;
they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,
and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
“Hear the word of the LORD, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
For the LORD will deliver Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD—
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.
Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty, ”
declares the LORD.

When a lost person comes to the Lord and accepts the gift of salvation, there is joy in his or her heart and soul, but there is even more joy in Heaven. The Lord and the angels celebrate each new addition to God’s family. The saved person may not fully understand all that God has for them, but our Lord has so much more He is waiting to share, a life long love and guidance, help through hard times, joy during good times and a lifetime of walking right along side with us and sometimes even carrying us when we feel we can’t go on. Sharing with us His Holy Spirit and sending angels to help us along this pathway of life. He loves us even though we may not feel love for ourselves at times. Helping us stay humble when that human pride wants to make us full of ourselves. Surrounding us with blessings and love that we should never take for granted.

Lord, my words can never express my gratitude and love I have for You and all You provide. May my life and actions reflect my appreciation and love for You. Amen

Jer 27:12-22 I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the LORD has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’”
Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the LORD says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the LORD’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin? If they are prophets and have the word of the LORD, let them plead with the LORD Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the LORD and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon. For this is what the LORD Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the LORD and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: ‘They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,’ declares the LORD. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”

Our Lord does work in mysterious ways to us. We may question the way He does some things, but He knows what He is doing. He understands us humans and what will help us better understand Him and His ways. He is, at times, a tough love parent that has to deal with a very stubborn child. Once we better understand the ways of God, we can better serve Him and stop thinking like a stubborn child and be more intune with the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t make life or us perfect, but it does help us stay on the path God has for us.

Lord, I may not always understand why You allow or do some things, but I trust in You fully. May I always listen and follow the guidance You provide. Amen

Jer 26:1-9 Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened ), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’”
The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! Why do you prophesy in the LORD’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Why don’t people listen?! The root of all sin and evil is pride. People are to prideful to believe there is a God and that He knows them better than they know themselves. To many people have a “No one, even God, is going to tell me how to live!” attitude. I have that attitude at times concerning HOAs and government overreach, but not about God. I know, without any doubt, that God knows much better than me about everything, including how I should live. My Lord saved my life from a life of self indulgence foolish choices and addiction. He can save yours also. Our Lord can and will save you and help you overcome the sin in your life. You just need to allow Him into your life, soul and heart.

Lord, I pray that lost souls admit they are a sinner and repent of his or her sin. I pray they accept Your gift of forgiveness and turn from their wicked ways. I pray they make You Lord over themselves and allow Your Holy Spirit to guide them in all they do. Amen

Jer 23:1-8 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing, ” declares the LORD.
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteous Savior.
“So then, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

God did that very thing in 1948. Over 2000 years ago Christ Jesus was born to become the only true King of the world. Sadly, many still don’t understand all He came to do and did. Many are still waiting for the savior. He walked with and spoke to many for three years of ministry before He was tortured and killed, only to raise again to truly pay our sin debt and overcome death. God’s plan is still playing out, but time is running out and soon Christ will return to take all who have accepted His gift of salvation. Are you ready?

Lord, please help those who refuse to believe Your truth to finally understand it and accept it before it’s too late for them. Amen

Jer 22:15-19 “Does it make you a king
to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?”
declares the Lord.
“But your eyes and your heart
are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood
and on oppression and extortion.”
Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
“They will not mourn for him:
‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’
They will not mourn for him:
‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’
He will have the burial of a donkey–
dragged away and thrown
outside the gates of Jerusalem.”

Our Lord desires for everyone to accept His gift of salvation and love, but many refuse. No matter how hard we try to convince them, they still refuse to believe and will not accept Him. They think they can't see Him, hear Him or touch Him, so He's not real. They don't understand how a true believer sees Him all around in everything good and beautiful. How a true believer does hear Him deep in their heart and soul all the time, because the Holy Spirit speaks and guides them daily. They fail to understand how a true believer is touched by God in many ways throughout his or her life. They can't understand how by not believing in the one true God, they, by default, believe and follow satan.

Lord, please, help to open their soul to allow Your light to drive out the evil just long enough, so they can see, hear Your truth and be touched by Your love. Amen