Whos really in control?

Jeremiah 50-51; 3 John

Jeremiah 51:20-23 ²⁰ "You are my war club, my weapon for battle— with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms,

²¹ with you I shatter horse and rider,
with you I shatter chariot and driver,

²² with you I shatter man and woman,
with you I shatter old man and youth,
with you I shatter young man and maiden,

²³ with you I shatter shepherd and flock,
with you I shatter farmer and oxen,
with you I shatter governors and officials.

Jeremiah was prophesying the destruction of Babylon when he recited these words. God was giving him the words to say as to what would happen to such a strong nation. However, because Babylon went against Zion, God was going to destroy them. Everyone knew that the Lords place was Israel and if anyone would come against it they would be destroyed. However Babylon got too comfortable in doing what they wanted, they didn't see what God had in store for them.

There are times when I feel too comfortable where I'm at. And when that happens a boredom starts and I become unhappy. However when I seek God through this season He begins to bring new things to spice things up. He also allows problems to adhere because with those issues comes new understanding and more wisdom. God knows what we need however when we listen to Him and follow Him He will not destroy us.

Babylon was strong, they were used for many things but they took that strength and threw it back in Gods face. They began to rely on themselves and get greedy. The moment we do that is the moment God will humble us and show us who really is in control.

Lord,
Thank you for always being in control. Thank you for guiding me on the right path and showing me where to go. It is your strength that I have therefore it is your strength i will use when you want me to use it. I am yours.
I forever love you always
Amen

Whats the point?

Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2 John Jeremiah 38:15 ¹⁵ Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me."
Jeremiah heard the voice of God. He knew what God was telling Him and all he wanted to do was give the words to the person they were meant for. He did that before this verse and he shared it with others however the others didn't like what he said so they tricked the king to punish Jeremiah. He was afraid to tell anything else to the king no matter what it was.

There are some of us that go for counsel but don't like what the other person has to say. So what does the counselor do? Why would they want to give advice if the other person won't even listen? Whats the point?

Unfortunately King Zedekiah didn't listen to Jeremiah quick enough and got handed over to the king of Babylon. He saw his sons die before him and than got his eyes cut out. When God is speaking through a prophet to follow Gods orders...we are to follow Gods orders.
Jeremiah 39:15-18 ¹⁵ While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him: ¹⁶ "Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. ¹⁷ But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. ¹⁸ I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.' "

Because Ebed listened to the Lord and followed him, he was saved from Babylons taking over.
When God puts someone in our lives to help us get through life easier and give us good counsel, we are to go to them and follow the word of the Lord. Yes I can discern what i want to follow and not but listening is step number 1. Than taking action is where we show God how much we trust Him.

Father,
Thank you for putting certain people in my life that I can go to and receive wise counsel. You are the first one I go to and then you guide me to the truth. Thank you for loving me more and more even when I don't always show you all the love. You are my ultimate father and my savior.
I forever love you always
Amen

He is the Light

Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1 1 John 1:5-6 ⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
John, the disciple that Jesus loved, had close fellowship with Jesus while He was on earth therefore knew the inner workings of Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, living by Jesus meant you are alive in Him. John knew what it was like to be alive and see the light and run away from darkness. When Jesus died John could have ran into darkness and forget what Jesus had taught him but instead he truly stayed in the fellowship of Jesus and was able to teach others about it.

There are times when I have felt in the dark, but knowing this scripture than that darkness had nothing to do with God and everything that the enemy wants to bring upon me. What I show at home, church, store, bathroom should be me at all times. If I say I love Christ yet don't follow His word than I am lying. I need to be who I am and show others the love that Christ has shown me so than more people can see who I am in Jesus.

Lord,
Thank you for being the light and allowing me through you to get out of the darkness. Any darkness belongs to the enemy and I will remember that You are the Light, at all times.
I forever love you always
Amen

Do you love me?

Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

John 21:15-17 ¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

¹⁶Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

After Jesus died on the cross he came back and appeared to His disciples to make sure that what He taught them while He was human would remain with them and they would keep teaching about Him. Simon was one of the most stubborn in the disciples yet even though he denied Christ, he loved Him wholly. In this passage all Jesus wanted to know what if Peter loved Him. He didn't want to know about his faith or his plans on how to spread the gospel...He merely wanted to know about the simple truth "do you love me?"

Many times me and others over think God. We sometimes put God in a box and try to dissect Him or figure Him out. And its at those times when God shows His simple side. All God really wants to know about us is if we love Him. Because if we do than we gotta show others how much we love Him. Now what does God truly ask of us?
1. Feed his lambs: both spiritually and physically.
:: Since I know God it is for me show others His love. When I'm in love and have a boyfriend i want to show him off. If i get engaged I'm gonna be proud of my ring. Therefore, I am in love with Jesus and need to show off my relationship with Him. When i do that i am not ashamed of my love for Him. Also, when someone tells me their hungry, Gods wants me to show His love by feeding them.

2. Take Care of my sheep: In every way possible. (period)

Lord,
Thank you for your word. Thank you that I can find something new everyday. You surprise me and I pray that everyday you show me more and more of you. You are my holy Father and Savior and I love you.
I forever love you always
Amen

Peoples Choice

2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

John 18:33-40

³³Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" ³⁴"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"³⁵"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" ³⁶Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."³⁷"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."³⁸"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?" ⁴⁰They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

Pilate was the governor at that time. And governors are in charge of their people therefore they have to power to keep a prisoner in jail or to let him out. Governors in Roman times also acted as judges therefore the people took Jesus to Pilate to be judged. In all Gospels, Pilate is shown to hesitate in sending Jesus to His death. However, in the end Pilate allows the peoples choice to overrule his hesitations.

I can sit here and condemn Pilate for what he did and say he was a bad man and cowardly for not following his own feelings. But if Pilate didn't allow this than the prophecy's in the old testament would never have come to pass. Pilate was used by God to allow the crucifixion to happen. Pilate was just an instrument who was used to condemn Jesus to his untimely death.

God will use people for good or bad to make sure His will is done. However that might sound He would never force people to do something. Yes, Pilate had a choice. He could've ultimately let Jesus go and set him free. Yet, if that would've happened God would've used someone else. As we live; As I live there are situations that I am put in that I need to seriously listen to what God wants. I have my own choices to make but God can want me to do something different therefore I need to keep my eyes and ears open to make the right decisions for Him.

Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to make my own decisions. You have given me free will to live my life yet I want to live it for you and with you. I want to be next to you hearing your voice. Forgive me for the MANY wrong decisions that I have made that my flesh made instead of my spirit. I am only human but my spirit is yours.
I forever love you always
Amen

You keep me Juiced

Jeremiah 13-15; John 15 John 15:13 ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus came to earth to promote love. He came to change our mind sets and keep us focused on what was important. In the next verses He explains that He came to make us think differently. In the old testament we were slaves. Everyone was a slave, either a slave to God or a slave to the world. Everyone had a master. Yet Jesus came to tell us that we are no longer slaves, that that word was getting a makeover. That instead of slave we are called friends. Through the connection of the Son we are now friends with God because Jesus showed us the secrets to having that one on one connection with Him.

When someone tries to start something not everything will come out perfectly. When God created the world it started out perfect until evil entered and everything became a ruckus. Than Sodom and Gomorrah and more perversion. Than little by little even after God wiped out the people, evil still lingered. However, when Jesus came it wasn't about being perfect it was about love and what that meant.

Love to me is everything. The love of my Father keeps me going. Knowing that God will never assume things, never judge me, never hate, never turn His back is the sole reason I am still here. He is the juice that keeps me thirsted and the food that gives me energy to have the compassion and drive to help those in need. My friends my family are my everything and the Lord has put in me the love that I wouldn't hesitate to lay down my life for them just like Christ laid down His life for me.

Father,
Thank you for your unconditional love for me. Thank you that through your love and compassion towards me I can show others the light that you have placed. You are everything that I have and without you I am nothing. Without you I can go nowhere and accomplish nothing. It is because of you that I am still strong.
I forever love you always
Amen

Jesus doesn't make mistakes

Jeremiah 3-4; John 11 John 11:47-48 "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. ⁴⁸If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place^c]">[c] and our nation."
Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. His friend had died and Jesus wanted to use this opportunity to show others who He really was and was capable of. Martha and Mary both questioned Jesus as why He took so long to come and heal Lazarus. If He was Jesus, than why did Lazarus have to die in the first place? But Jesus had a plan. He knew what He was doing by waiting 4 days after Lazarus died. Jesus doesn't make mistakes.

However, even after raising Lazarus from the dead and healing sick people and helping out the poor and doing everything to help the less fortunate at all means possible, the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. Jesus could never do anything right in their eyes. They were jealous and bitter and just wanted to get rid of Him because Jesus made them look bad. Once Jesus came the Pharisees and Saducees started to be exposed for who they really were, fakes. They knew the word but they didn't live it.

God wants me to live the word. He wants me to know what the Bible teaches and put it into practice. I can't just sit back and think the word would come to life by itself. The words won't jump off the page if I ask them to. They will jump off the page when I start living them. And now its my turn. My turn to do something and my turn to be like Jesus' followers and not His haters. Its time to know the word more and live it to the fullest extent. No more sitting back and doing nothing, its time to take a step and move forward.

Father,
Thank you for your word, that I can live by something and be proud of it. Thank you that I am a person that can be used by you in any means possible. You are my God and I am your child. You are my everything and I live for you. Keep me in your path that I will follow you all the days of my life.
I forever love you Always
Amen

Breaking Point

2 Chronicles 33; John 4

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

The Samaritan woman was someone who is just like us. She was trying to live life to the fullest, than things struggles happened and she lost her way. She had 5 husbands; 5 men that she thought could make her life better; she tried 5 times to better her life but than she just gave up. Gave up on marriage, gave up on herself, gave up on God.

Jesus came to this woman because He knew what He was doing. He knew what she was doing in her life and knew what she needed to hear. Just like her I also need the living water. At one point in my life i had tried so many times to better my life and was at a breaking point. I didn't want to go no more. All I wanted to do was just give up and do nothing. But God came with His living water. With water that I want to drink. And the best thing is that I only have to drink it once. I don't have to constantly drink it over and over again because the Lord doesn't make me thirsty, the worlds salt does. Its God that quenches my thirst.

Father,
Thank you for quenching my thirst and for giving me of your water. Thank you for sharing your word with the world so we can drink of your cup and know more of you.
I forever love you always
Amen