A Study in Hebrews-Week 7

Hebrews Chapter 07

In Hebrews 5:10 and 6:20 we were told that Jesus is “…in the order of Melchizedek” (refer to Genesis 14:17-24).

In Chapter 7, Paul (whom I believe to be the author of Hebrews and uses it as a Hebrew commentary on his letter to the Romans), expands on the Melchizedek analogy.

The Verses

Verses 1-3 – “Melchizedek” means my king is righteous. He was king of Salem (Jerusalem), which means peace.

He was not a priest by virtue of the Mosaic Law, but of the “most high God.”

We have no record of his parentage, and had no “pedigree.” There is no record of the end of Melchizedek’s priesthood.

Verses 4-12 – Abraham had given Melchizedek a tenth of the spoil (Genesis 14:20).

Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood. You and I are in Adam (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22). You and I are in Christ (Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:1).

Aaron’s priesthood belonged to the Mosaic Law. Christ has delivered us from the Law.

The purpose of the priesthood is to bring perfection— to restore and continue the relationship to God. The Levitical priesthood was powerless.

Verses 13-19 – This section shows us a contrast between two types of priesthood: Law vs. Power (Law restrains — power enables); Commandment (external) vs. Life (internal); Carnal (flesh) vs. Endless (eternal life); Changing vs. Unchanging; Weakness and un-profitableness vs. Nigh to God; Nothing perfect vs. Better hope.

Verses 20-24 – Here we have a quote from Psalm 110. The “better covenant” in verse 22 is the New Covenant. The Levitical priesthood was interrupted by death. Christ is the perpetual, perfect priest (vs 23-28).

Verse 25 – This is the key verse of this section and the center of the gospel. Christ is not dead, but living. Emphasize the death and resurrection of Christ — but go on from there (see Romans 8:34; Revelation 1:18). He died down here to save us; He lives up there to keep us saved. He is able to keep on saving us.

“To the uttermost” is all the way through; completely; perfectly. “Intercession” is intervention. “We shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

Verse 26 – Christ “became us,” that is, He is just what we needed. He is “Holy” in relation to God. “Harmless” is free from malice, craftiness, or cleverness. “Undefiled” is free from moral impurity. “Separate from sinners” — He is like us, yet He is unlike us.

Verses 27-28 - This underlines the value of the sacrifice. Christ is the sacrifice that the Aaronic priesthood could not provide.

Christ is the final word in priesthood.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION-The University of Nebraska Lincoln's UNIVERSITY SINGERS-Dr. Peter Eklund

CHRISTMAS SONGS OF PRAISE-Where's the Line to See Jesus-Becky Kelley

A Study in Hebrews-Week 6

Hebrews Chapter 06

Many Hebrew Christians wanted to go back to Judaism, with its rules and regulations.

Verses 1-3: Let’s grow up! Grow up from the works of the Law. Israel was in a pattern of keep-break-keep-break…baby stuff.

This is a reference to the ceremonial washings of the Old Testament-they wanted to go back and do those things (see the book of Galatians). The “laying on of hands” sprung from ceremonial washings in OT.

Verses 4-9: Is this about whether it is possible for a saved person ever to be lost?

Many theologians have shied away from this passage.

Some hold the position that it is possible to lose your salvation.

Some contend that the “if” is hypothetical. Others say this is talking about those who “profess” but have not really accepted Christ.

Some theologs hold that it is impossible for those who have turned away from Christ to be brought “back” to Him because they never were with Him to begin with.

Still others teach that we have a sure salvation (Romans 8:1 & 33-37; “My sheep hear my voice…eternal life…they shall never perish…”). It is about His ability to hold on to you. “it is impossible for those who have tasted (not eaten)…” the gospel and who do not embrace it to come back to it.

Some theologians say this is not about salvation at all. They say this is about believers and their rewards. This is for the repentance of believers. It is about the fruit, not the root, of salvation. Paul is talking about the things that accompany salvation. They are in danger of losing their reward.

(Verse 6) “fall away” is the Greek word, “parapipto,” which is the same phrase used of Christ in the Garden when He “fell” on His face in prayer. It means to fall down, and does not refer to apostasy.

(Verse 8): Works do not save you, but they give evidence of your salvation. Before you are born, heredity determines your life. After you are born, your environment determines your life. Before you are born again, works do not enter into your “goodness.” After you are born again, works are important to witness to your salvation.

Verses 10-20: We are to minister to the saints. We are not to be lazy Christians. We must not say, “OK, I’m saved. Now I’ll sit back and enjoy my salvation.”

(Verse 15): After waiting Abraham received his promise. And he had to wait a LONG time.

(Verse 18): The two unchangeable things are: the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ These are the condensation of the four principles in Romans 8.

We are approaching the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is important to remember the following:
1) The birth of Jesus is important, but not the point; 2) Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah) always has been (John 1:1ff); 3) He came for one reason...to die a sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins and sealed that deal with His resurrection (Romans 10:9 & 10).

Trusting in the birth of Jesus will gain you nothing. Trusting in, and only in, Christ's finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection will gain you eternal life.

CHRISTMAS SOUNDS OF FAITH-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Mannheim Steamroller

NOTE: Today's Bible lesson in Hebrews will appear next Saturday due to special programming at our church this week.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-O Come, O Come Emmanuel-Celtic Christmas

A Study in Hebrews-Week 5

Hebrews Chapter 05

Definition of a priest. Important, because Paul calls Christ a priest. A priest engages in Sacrifice; Substance; and Prayer. A Priest is one who offers gifts and sacrifices. He is: 1) Taken from among men…he must be a person; 2) Be acceptable to God…ordained by God and 3)Be ordained for man…Representing man to God

A priest goes from man to God to represent man to God. A prophet comes from God to man with a message from God. A priest does not tell us what God has to say. He represents us before God. The only one who can represent us is the Lord Jesus, Christ. The priesthood is not for lost sinners but for saved sinners.

We tend toward either an emotional or a ritualistic approach to worship. We need to come to Him simply and rid ourselves of the meaningless trappings.

The verses:

1. The gift Christ offers to God for the forgiveness of our sins is Himself. No other gift would have been sufficient. He is our advocate (lawyer), and the best one there is.

2. Jesus was sinless, but can have compassion on those who commit sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:2.). Christ takes care of those sins. He does not lecture us about how badly we have behaved…he just cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

3. The priest had to sacrifice for himself as well as for others. Christ did not have to make an offering for Himself.

4. He is the highest priest because He is acceptable to God

5. The beginning of His priesthood has to do with the resurrection.

6. Aaron’s order is not adequate…Christ is a Son, Aaron was just a servant. Melchizedek is only mentioned in Genesis 14. He brought forth food and wine for Abraham as the priest of the Most High God. Psalm 110 the prophecy of Christ in the order of Melchizedek.

7. Three occasions Jesus wept: Grave of Lazarus; over Jerusalem; Garden of Gethsemane. Some theologians teach that “Let this cup pass” refers to His dying in the garden. He did not want to die there. If He prayed in the garden to “let this cup pass” and that meant He didn’t want to die on the cross, His prayer was not heard. In a very real sense, He wanted to go to the cross! He found the cross joyful…He submitted to God. That is unfathomable to us.

8. He only offers eternal salvation. If you can lose it tomorrow, it wasn’t eternal, was it? (See John 3:16)

Why did the Son of God need to learn obedience by suffering? The only answer is that God got
something out of the death of Christ that has made Heaven more wonderful.

9. Why did the one who was perfect need to be made perfect? These are two significant mysteries. Lots of theologians have given their answers, but none of them satisfy me.

10. “Designated” comes from the word for “salute.” Melchizedek was a “type” of the priesthood of the Lord, Jesus, Christ.

11. As a group, we are not very good learners. We are “dull of hearing.”

12. We ought to be teachers, when we, ourselves still need to be taught. What we need to learn is not the depth of the Word. Paul says we need to learn the elementary truths of the Word…milk, not solid food. And we need it again and again.

13. Turn this around and realize that too many of us teach what we call “righteousness” when it is really nothing more than “behaviorism.” Not the same thing at all.

14. Ask yourself the question: Am I mature enough to absorb the solid food of the Word?

If we are not growing, we are dying, both personally and corporately as the church. Let us grow as the Body of Christ, into mature, Word-filled people of God.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-My Name Is Lazarus-Greater Vision

A Study in Hebrews-Week 4

Hebrews Chapter 04

Verse 1: “Let Us” be careful (KJ: fear)that we are really saved. So many people call themselves Christians without the slightest idea what that really means.

A Christian is one who has believed in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary, His resurrection, and who has recognized and repented of sin in his life giving himself over to Christ in all areas of his life.

Verses 2-3: (Vs 2)We have heard the gospel. We will never be able to stand before God and say that we have not heard the good news.

This has to do with putting your absolute trust in Christ.

Verses 4-8: This references Sabbath rest.

The Sabbath is not a day you keep. The real Sabbath is knowing what it is to trust Christ and find eternal rest in Him. It is a day of grace for every day. (God rested, not because he was tired, but because he had completed the work of salvation).

Verse 7: “Today” is emphasized because TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

Verse 8: “Joshua” means “Jesus” or “Savior.” But Joshua was not able to secure salvation. Jesus is.

Verse 9: People of God will find a heavenly rest…deep joy.

Verse 10: Once you enter into the rest of salvation, you realize that your own works are virtually worthless.

The rest here is the rest of completeness.

The only work God is involved in now, is the work of a “new creation.” Romans reminds us: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation…”

Verse 11: This is not a suggestion that one can work for salvation. It is a recognition that one cannot rest from rest, one can only rest from work.

The “disobedience” referenced here is the unpardonable sin: the sin of unbelief. It is the Greek word, apeitheia, which means “unbelief.” In fact, the King James has this properly translated as “unbelief.”

Verse 12: “For” is the cement that holds Paul’s argument together. It is the conclusion from what came before.

We serve a living (quick) Savior, and He is active in the lives of His children.

God knows your heart…He really knows it. You cannot hide anything from God: no thought; no deed; no attitude…nothing.

Verse 13: When the Bible says something once it is important. When it says it twice, you better listen up! The idea here of being laid bare is that God can “see right through you.” Don’t you think you can compartmentalize you life and keep some of it from God.

Verse 14: Jesus is our Great High Priest. He is superior to the Levitical priesthood.

Paul’s conclusion is that because of all he has written in verses 1-13, we must hold fast; trust in; live by our faith…not our faith in our faith, but our faith in Him.

Verse 15: Jesus knows every struggle we go through. He was tempted in every way in the wilderness, but He did not succumb to the temptation.

Verse 16: We do not serve an unapproachable God. He is the One we can come to with confidence and assurance that He will receive us. He understands us. He gives us mercy and grace in our times of need.

The Word of God will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Word of God.

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-No More Night-David Phelps

A Study in Hebrews-Week 3

Hebrews Chapter 03

In chapter 1 we found Christ superior to prophets. In chapters 1 & 2 we found Him superior to the angels. Now we find Christ superior to Moses.

Verse 1: “Therefore” is Paul’s way of presenting his linear logic (just as he did in Romans). “Holy” means separated or set apart unto God.

Israel had an earthly calling. Messianic Jews (we, too) have a heavenly calling in Christ. “...fix your thoughts on Jesus”…He must be our constant focus.

He is the high priest to whom we must confess our sins. There is no longer an earthly priest to whom we confess.

“Apostle” is one who is sent. Earthly apostles saw Jesus, Jesus is THE sent one. Apostle comes from God to man. High priest represents man to God. That’s Jesus.

Verses 2-5: Moses was the one chosen to bring God’s Law to His people.

Jesus must be greater than Moses, or he is not a useful savior.

Moses made mistakes: smiting the rock when he was told not to; he lost his temper; but he was faithful to God.

Who built your house? Most people know, and more people know the builder than know about your house.

So it is with Jesus. He is the builder of everything (John 1:1ff).

Verse 6: Moses was a servant in God’s house. Jesus is the Son in God’s house. To whom does a good father give more honor, his son or his servant? “…if we hold on…” is not the conditional, but the logical.

The proof that you are a child of God is your faithfulness, not the faithfulness of your own power, but of His.

Verse 7-11: As we learned from Jeremiah, we must not harden our hearts against God as the Jews did when they heard His Word. (Psalm 95:7). They doubted God and never entered the land of Canaan.

Vs 10. I was grieved by their unbelief.

Verse 11: The “rest” referred to here is the “rest” of salvation.

Verse 12: We are to encourage one another so that we will be certain that our salvation is not only head knowledge of Christ but is unwavering heart knowledge of Him.

Verse 14: Here is one of the strongest passages in all of scripture that once we are saved we cannot come unsaved. “If we hold firm till the end…” we are saved. If we do not hold firm to the end, we are not saved.

Verse 15: From Psalm 95:7-8. Be certain that when He speaks, you hear His voice and when you hear His voice that you listen and follow Him.

Verses16-19: The Jews were the very people God had led out of Egypt…His chosen people. Yet, they did not trust Him.

Unbelief will keep a person from Heaven. Trusting Him will open the gates of Heaven and you will hear God say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Be Ye Glad-Glad

A Study in Hebrews-Week 2

Hebrews Chapter 02

The key concept in the book of Hebrews is "better." Thirteen times Paul exalts Jesus as “better than.”

Jesus is better than angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. He has better promises, is a better sanctuary, a better sacrifice, and achieves better results.

Chapter two continues the comparison of Jesus to the angels and then turns the corner to His power to save.

Verses 1-2 “The ‘attention’ we must pay” is referring to what we have heard about Jesus. Paul’s “For if the message spoken by angels was binding…” tells us that nothing else can provide salvation for us.

“What we have heard” is a reminder that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Word
spoken by and through the prophets.

Verses 3-6 If we don’t accept the salvation offered by Christ, there is no hope for us. We will perish with all of those who reject Him.

Not only did those who listened to God’s Word hear about His salvation plan, it was testified to through His miracles and by the fact that the Holy Spirit has given us gifts, according to His will.

Verses 7-9 Again, Hebrews makes it clear that we are not saved by angelic beings, or by some adherence to a set of rules, but by the power of Jesus, Himself.

Paul quotes Job 7:17ff and references Psalm 144. This helps us remember our deep need for salvation, as well as reiterating Christ’s position above all things, us included.

Everything is subject to Him.

Jesus became lower than the angels to be born a man, and did so for the crown of glory that would be His for what He accomplished in His death, burial and resurrection.

Verses 10-13 Jesus’ suffering (not our own) is what makes us perfect, if we are in right standing with Him.

He tells us that we are all one family…joint heirs with Jesus.

Verses 14-18 Continues the “family” theme and describes what Christ has accomplished through His sacrifice: absolute power over Satan (death); and the freedom of His disciples (us).

He did this, not for the angels, but for those who would accept His offering of salvation through trusting in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary.

By His suffering, He identifies with and understands everything man has ever been through, is going through now and ever will go through.

A VETERANS' DAY TRIBUTE

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Go Light Your World-Kathy Troccoli

A Study in Hebrews-Week 1

Hebrews Chapter 01

From the earliest times, the church acknowledged Paul as the author. Some however, in the third and the fourth century, did not regard Paul as the author, but Luke, or Clement, or Barnabas.

I subscribe to the idea of Paul as the author.

Scholars divide Hebrews into two main sections: 1. The didactic (designed or intended to teach), made up of the ten first chapters and the parainetic (offering strong encouragement) from the 19th verse of the tenth chapter to the end of the Epistle.

Verses 1-2 The prophets, such as Jeremiah, whom we just studied, were God’s vessels to
carry His message. But now He has spoken through His Son, Jesus.

Verses 3-4 Jesus is the exact representation of God. Here is a strong Biblical declaration that God and Jesus are one.

We are under the authority of Christ, not the Law.

Do not think that the Law has been done away with. It has been fulfilled in Christ, that is: He does the fulfilling because we can’t. According to Romans and Galatians, the purpose of the Law is to reveal our sin and to point us to Christ.

Verses 5-12 Here Paul “compares” Jesus to the angels by pointing out that there is no comparison between Him and the angels.

Here we also find that Christ is the perfect embodiment of God.

In Him the majesty of God is seen. In Him the glory of God is shown. Until Christ, one could not look upon the glory of God. In Christ we can see it plainly.

He is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

In Him what had always been a mystery is solved. In Him is life.

Verses 13-14 Jesus’ position is equal to God and no angel can say that. The angel’s purpose is to serve you and me (“…those who will inherit salvation”).

This comes from Psalm 110:1, a direct reference to Christ.

No angel can experience salvation, and thus they miss the joy of being saved.

But they can assist us in opposing Satan and can defend us from him.

Because of sin, mankind has been banished from God’s kingdom. But through Christ, we can find reconciliation with Him.

This, by the way, is pictured in many Old Testament accounts, some of which immediately come to mind. One I find interesting is Jacob’s ladder, a vision of the possibility of attaining the Kingdom of God. (Genesis 28:10-19)

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 11

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 11 (

Jeremiah Chapters 51-52

Chapter 51

This is a continuation of the prophecy against Babylon begun in the fiftieth chapter.

You can compare Jeremiah 50 and 51 with Isaiah 13, 14 and 47.

Jeremiah’s prophecies can be found in Daniel 5.

The record of the fall of Babylon is a picture of the overthrow of the antichrist’s kingdom.

Chapter 52

Many scholars believe that Jeremiah 52 was written by someone other than Jeremiah (Probably Ezra) as a historical supplement to the Prophecies.

This is about the destruction of Jerusalem.

You can see more about this in II Kings 24 & 25; II Chronicles 36 and Jeremiah 29.

Review of Jeremiah

The Lord's call to make Jeremiah His prophet summarized the message of the man of God: "See, I have set you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)

It was primarily a message of doom, but it included hope.

Jeremiah was the prophet of DOOM.

He called Judah to repent (3:1; 7:4-7), but they refused (6:16-17; 20:1-2; 32:2-5; 37:11-21; 38:1-13; 43:1-7).

Thus, Jeremiah foretold their destruction (5:9-10,14-18,29; 6:22-26; 7:16,32-34; 14:15-16; 25:8-10).

Israel was to be so destroyed as a nation that they could never be made whole again (19:10-11).

But Jeremiah was also the messenger of HOPE. He preached that Israel should place their trust in the Lord (9:23-24).

A faithful remnant would be restored (23:3; 31:7-9).

Ezra's record of the fulfillment of the restoration promise means this prophecy has been fulfilled.

Jeremiah also prophesied salvation in Christ (23:5-6; 33:15-16).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Amazing Grace-Wintley Phipps

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 10

Jeremiah Chapters 46-50

The Prophecies, Forty-sixth through Fifty-second Chapters, Refer to Foreign Peoples.

Chapter 46: Jeremiah begins with Egypt, the country to which he had been removed.

The forty-sixth chapter contains two prophecies concerning Egypt: 1) the defeat of Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar, and 2) the long subsequent conquest of Egypt by the same king.

Jeremiah also speaks of the preservation of the Jews

Chapter 47: Prophecy against the Philistines.

Who are the Philistines?

They occupied the southern coast of Canaan and were considered Israel’s most dangerous enemies.

Who can forget Samson tearing down the Philistine temple with his bare hands? Or the
ultimate long-odds battle: young David versus the Philistine Goliath.

Chapter 48: Prophecy against Moab.

Moab is the historical name for a mountainous strip of land in Jordan.

The Moabites had taken part with the Chaldeans in war against Judea.

Five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar attacked and defeated the Moabites.

Chapter 49: Predictions as to Ammon, Idumea, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam.

As to Ammon, Jeremiah predicts that their day of judgement is coming.

In verse 12 we learn that what we do as a nation affects the rest of the world…indeed, what any nation does affects the rest of the world, even the “innocent” ones.

A nation that turns from the Lord hurts not only itself, but other nations as well.

As the poet, John Donne, said in “Meditation XVII,” “no man is an island.

Chapter 50: Jeremiah’s predictions of Babylon's coming downfall and Israel's redemption.

There are many repetitions of the coming destruction of Babylon.

Remember: repetition in the Bible is tied to importance.

Babylon is representative of the sin nature of man, which is dealt with in the resurrection of Christ.

It is Israel’s rejection of Messiah that continues to bring them war and disorder.

That is true of every living, breathing human being.

There is redemption for the remnant Israel that turns to Messiah in the future.

There is redemption for ANYBODY who turns to Messiah…right now!

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-He Is Jehovah-Kenneth Copeland

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 9

Jeremiah Chapters 41-45

Here are the major events of each chapter:

Chapter 41
a. Ishmael Murders Gedaliah and Others.
b. Ishmael then Flees to the Ammonites.
c. Johanan Pursues Ishmael, Recovers the Captives, and Decides to Flee to Egypt for Fear of the Chaldeans.

Key Truths: No one can prosper who hardens his heart against God.

The removal of a prudent and peaceable ruler, and the succession of another who is rash and ambitious, affects the welfare of many.

Only those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways are happy and steady.

Chapter 42
a. The Jews and Johanan Inquire of God, through Jeremiah, as to Going to Egypt, Promising Obedience to His Will.
b. Their Safety on Condition of Staying in Judea, and Their Destruction in the Event of Going to Egypt, Are Foretold.
c. Their Hypocrisy in Asking for Counsel Which They Meant Not to Follow, if Contrary to Their Own Determination, Is Reproved.

Key Truths: God is ever ready to return in mercy to those who are afflicted; and he never rejects any who rely on his promises.

We don’t know what is best for ourselves; and what we are most fond of, and have our hearts most set upon, often proves hurtful, and sometimes fatal.

Chapter 43
a. The Jews Carry Jeremiah and Baruch into Egypt.
b. Jeremiah Foretells the Conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Fate of the Fugitives.

Key Truths: God can find his people wherever they are.

Chapter 44
a. Jeremiah Reproves the Jews for Their Idolatry in Egypt.
b. Jeremiah Denounces God's Judgments on Them and Egypt Alike.

Key Truths: To mingle idolatry and superstition with Divine worship, and to reject the mediation of Christ, dooms one to an eternity separated from Him.

Having a part in God’s mercy is always united with repentance and obedience.

Chapter 45
a. Jeremiah Comforts Baruch.
b. After the completion of the prophecies and histories pertaining to the Jewish people and kings, Jeremiah adds one referring to an individual, Baruch.
c. Baruch seems to have been regularly employed by Jeremiah to commit his prophecies to writing

Key Truths: Young beginners in Christianity may be discouraged with small difficulties, which they first begin servicing God.

Serving God, whether in the “professional” ministry or as a lay person, is never easy. It requires the leadership of the Holy Spirit and perseverance beyond measure.

SENT TO ME IN AN EMAIL

APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE THAT EXPRESSES A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH.

1. The nicest thing about the future is . . . that it always starts tomorrow.

2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.

5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?

7. Business conventions are important. . .because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.

8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?

9. Scratch a cat . . . and you will have a permanent job.

10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.

11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.

12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m. - like, it could be the right number.

13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.

15. Be careful about reading the fine print. . . . there's no way you're going to like it.

16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
(And rap music will be the Golden Oldies!)

18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Yugo.

19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.

20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind . . . . and the ones that mind don't matter.

21. Life isn't tied with a bow . . . . . . . . but it's still a gift.

SUNDAY SONGS OF PRAISE-Soon and Veery soon-Jessy Dixon & Andre Crouch

Beloved gospel singer, songwriter and musician, Jessy Dixon, died Monday in his Chicago home.

During the lifetime of a career that spanned upwards of five decades, Dixon wrote more than 200 songs. Author of gospel classics such as ‘I Love To Praise His Name’ and ‘, ‘He’s The Best Thing…To Happen to Me’, Dixon was perhaps most known for his 1993 hit ‘I Am Redeemed’ a song that impacted audiences worldwide, and held a top-ten position on the gospel charts for over five years.

Dixon began studying music at the age of five, and his original aspiration was to become a classical pianist. However, during a 1997 interview with the associated press, Dixon revealed that since early childhood, he knew he wanted to use his gifts and talents in the church. Dixon was catapulted into a broader gospel scene after being discovered by gospel music legend, James Cleveland, but remained dedicated to his desire of sharing that gospel he heard about as a youth.

For the past 16 years, Jessy Dixon had been a cherished fixture on the Bill Gaither Gospel Hour television series, and concert tours. His unbridled enthusiasm for sharing the gospel, and the boundless energy he brought to the stage made him an instant favorite to all who knew and loved him, both in the United States and in Europe. "Nowhere else in the world will you find such a delightful, pure, and honest performance, ingeniously combining brilliant vocalizing, and high energy excitement as when you listen to Jessy Dixon. When your feet begin to tap with the beat, the desire to get up and dance becomes overwhelming, and maybe a tear comes to your eyes; that is when Jessy Dixon's performance has reached its pinnacle," (International Herald Tribune).

Over the course of his career in gospel music, Dixon received several Dove award nominations for his work, seven Grammy nominations, garnered five gold albums, and was a 2008 Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee.
In addition to his accomplishments in the realm of gospel, Dixon also enjoyed success in other genres of music. Dixon was well known for his collaboration and friendship with Paul Simon, with whom he toured for eight years, and was contributor on several of Simon’s albums.

Aside from his work with Paul Simon, Dixon also wrote numerous songs for such artists as Cher, Natalie Cole, Amy Grant, and Diana Ross. In addition to singing and songwriting, Dixon played keyboard with Earth, Wind, and Fire, and guitarist Phillip Upchurch, as well as piano for gospel legend, Mahalia Jackson.

Despite international recognition and acclaim, Dixon stated the greatest joy of his life was to 'bask in the love of the one whom this gospel music is all about.”

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 8

Jeremiah Chapters 36-40

Here are the major events of each chapter:

36:1-32
a. Baruch writes for Jeremiah, then reads Jeremiah's prophecies publicly.
b. They are collected in a volume (on a scroll).
c. The scroll is burned by Jehoiakim, and written again by Baruch at Jeremiah's dictation.

Significant lessons: Reading the Word is crucial, but can get you in trouble, even today. People have tried to destroy the Word throughout history, but the Word of the Lord has survived.

37:1-21 (Chapters 37-44 are the so-called historical sections.)
a. The Chaldeans raise the siege to go and meet Pharaoh-hophra.
b. Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah to pray to God on behalf of the Jews.
c. Jeremiah tries to escape to his native place, but is arrested.
d. Zedekiah helps soften the rigor of Jeremiah’s imprisonment

Significant lessons: Being a prisoner for the Lord is honorable. In Ephesians 3:1, Paul proclaims himself a prisoner OF Christ Jesus FOR the gentiles.

38:1-28
a. Jeremiah predicts the capture of Jerusalem.
b. He is cast into a dungeon.
c. Jeremiah is transferred to the prison court when Ebed-melech intervenes
d. He has a secret interview with Zedekiah.

Significant lessons: God demands total surrender. If we are not willing to surrender to Him, we need to examine our relationship to Him in Christ (Romans 6:13 and Luke 18:28).

39:1-18
a. Jerusalem is taken.
b. Zedekiah's fate.
c. Jeremiah is cared for.
d. Ebed-melech is given assurance.

Significant lessons: With God there is always the way of escape…not from the day-to-day trials, but from their devastating spiritual effects.

40:1-16
a. Jeremiah is set free at Ramah.
b. He goes to Gedaliah, to whom the remnant of Jews returned.
c. Johanan warns Gedaliah of Ishmael's conspiracy in vain.

Jeremiah was set free from his physical chains. But there are chains more distressing than physical chains. They are the chains of sin. The only way to be free from those chains is by trusting in, and only in, the shed blood of Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection (Romans 10:9).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Panis Angelicus-Cesar Frank

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 7

Jeremiah Chapters 30-35

Chapters 30 and 31 are a song of restoration.

Israel would be delivered from the final tribulation at the end of the age.

In Verse 22 we have a prophesy that Messiah would be born of a virgin. This is fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-20.

They will enjoy the blessing of the NEW COVENANT (verse 31). This is fulfilled in Matthew 26:28.

This is a definite prediction that the Mosaic Covenant would be superseded by another.

Chapter 32 Jeremiah, Imprisoned for His Prophecy against Jerusalem, Buys a Patrimonial Property (His Relative Hanameel's), IN Order to Certify to the Jews Their Future Return from Babylon.

A year before Jerusalem fell, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase the field of Hanameel, his uncle’s son.

Here is a good example of the Kinsman Redeemer and a sign that the captives would return and cultivate the land.

(32:17) “…there is nothing too hard for thee.”

Chapter 33 Prophecy of the Restoration from Babylon, and of Messiah as King and Priest.

Verses 14 & 15 tell us that Messiah will be a descendant of David. This fulfilled in Luke 3:23-31

Jeremiah continued the theme of Israel’s restoration through the prophecy of the “BRANCH.”

Here we have a message of salvation and praise.

Chapter 34 Captivity of Zedekiah and the People Foretold for Their Disobedience and Deceitfulness.

The people had promised to free the Hebrew slaves, but did not keep their
Promise, so they, too, would become captives.

Chapter 35 Prophecy in the Reign of Jehoiakim, when the Chaldeans, in
Conjunction with the Syrians and Moabites, Invaded Judea

Here a rebuke was given to Israel through the example of the Rechabites, descendants of Moses’ brother-in-law.

Israel failed again to obey God.

The fact that prophecies are fulfilled is more than an academic exercise. It is evidence that God can be trusted in all that He says.

God has told us that all have sinned and come short of His glory. He has also said that if we will trust in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection, we will be saved.

You could trust God to fulfil His prophesies, and you can trust God to provide you with salvation through, and only through, Christ, Jesus, Messiah.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-The Power of Your Love-Rebecca St. James

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 6

Jeremiah Chapters 26-29

Chapter 26 Jeremiah in Danger for his life.

People don’t like getting a “word from the Lord.” They’d rather figure everything out for themselves and have God just leave them alone.

When Jesus made His claims to be God, the religious leaders wanted Him dead, too.

Chapter 27 God tells Jeremiah that people from many countries will become Nebuchadnezzar’s servants.

Jeremiah put on a yoke, like those worn by oxen, and went about the city saying, “Thus shall Babylon put on the necks of this people.”

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus speaks of His yoke. He invites us to take it on and learn of Him.

Chapter 28 Subjugation through Babylon

The false prophet, Hananiah, broke Jeremiah’s yoke and predicted that God would not do what He said He would do.

God promised Hananiah a yoke of iron that could not be broken.

Its not a good idea to be a false prophet “for God.”

God always keeps His word, and Hananiah died in the seventh month of the same year.

Sometimes, religious leaders get so full of themselves that they lose sight of the One whom they are supposed to elevate: Jesus.

That is what happened to the Pharisees. They were so full of their own “religious importance,” that they lost sight of the God they were supposed to be serving and substituted “logic and good sense” in their religious lives.

The church stands in danger of doing the very same thing, especially when she leaves the Word of God and starts following her own devices.

Chapter 29 Jeremiah is Comforting the Captives in Babylon

In a letter to the captives in Babylon, He prophesied the return to their homeland after seventy years.

There is always hope, always an opportunity to turn back to God.

Our country has decided to move away from the God of our founders and to remove Him from any and all “public” forums.

But it is not too late.

WE can be a part of bringing America back to the One who will bless and sustain her.

But we must each be involved in the turn-around.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Awesome God-Rich Mullins

CLICK HERE

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 5

(After a week's hiatus for special doings at the church, our overview now continues)

Jeremiah Chapters 21-25

Chapter 21: Zedekiah Consults Jeremiah. What Is to Be the Event of the War?  God's Answer.

Zedekiah—a prince having some reverence for sacred things, for which reason he sends an honorable embassy to Jeremiah; but not having moral courage to obey his better impulses.

Nebuchadnezzar – The “chief of gods; the god of fire.

In verse 8. Jeremiah urges complete surrender to God’s will, instead of opposing their invaders.

God always requires complete surrender.

Verse 12 speaks of administering justice.

You do not want God to dispense justice to you. If He does, you will spend eternity in Hell. You want His mercy and grace, not justice.

Chapter 22: Exhortation to Repentance; Judgment on Shallum, Jehoiakim, and Coniah.

Verses 1-5 – God gives another list of the indications of His requirement for perfection from His people, something they could not offer.

Verse 24 Even if you were a “signet ring” God would reject you because He requires perfection and you can not meet that standard, even if you think you are perfect.

Failure to meet God’s standard (also called committing sin) results in His condemnation. Freedom from condemnation is found only in Christ; not in self and not in “proper” behavior.

Chapter 23: The Wicked Rulers to Be Superseded by the King. Who Should Reign over the Again United Peoples, Israel and Judah?

Verse 1ff - The “shepherds” are comparable to preachers or religious leaders.

Verses 5-6 – This is a prophesy of Messiah.

Verses 7-40 presents the idea of “prophets” who are really not prophets at all, because their prophesies are based on their own philosophies and lies, instead of on the Word of God.

Chapter 24: The Restoration of the Captives in Babylon and the Destruction of the Refractory Party in Judea and in Egypt, Represented under the Type of a Basket of Good, and One of Bad, Figs.

The baskets of “good” figs represent those who have found favor with God in Christ.

The “bad” figs represent those who have tried to accomplish life in their own power, strength and goodness.

God’s righteousness will prevail.

Chapter 25:  Prophecy of the Seventy Years' Captivity; and after That the Destruction of Babylon, and of All the Nations That Oppressed the Jews.

Verse 5 - Each must separately repent and turn from his own sin. There is no corporate salvation.

Verse 28 – There is to come a cup from which each must drink if he/she is to receive God’s salvation. That cup is Jesus’ blood and His righteousness.

“I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name-Acapella

LEST WE FORGET

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Wonderful, Merciful Savior-Selah

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 05

Jeremiah – Chapters 16-20

Chapter 16

Verses 1-9 The Word of the Lord tells Jeremiah not to marry and have sons and daughters because, in the end, their disaster would be greater than their parents’.

Why?

Verses 10-13 tell us. It’s because their parents wrongdoings were those of action, but the children’s sins were those of the heart . (Verse 12 “…the stubbornness of his evil heart…”

Romans 2:29 requires a circumcision of the heart. I Corinthians 14:25 “…the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.”

Chapter 17

Verse 5 - From the beginning God designed us not to depend on our own strength, intelligence or philosophies, but to depend upon Him for everything.

Verse 9 – Man’s heart is deceitful and without God, the truth is not in him.

Verse 10a – It is God who searches and evaluates the heart of man.

Verses 19-27 The “rules” were simple: Don’t neglect a day of rest – the Sabbath. Verse 23 lets us know that they couldn’t even obey the one “rule.” If they could not obey the one, how were they going to obey them all? Answer: They couldn’t. That’s why we needed Jesus to come and fulfil the Law for us.

In Him, all the requirements of the Law are satisfied…All of them.

Chapter 18

There was a problem with the potter…his clay was marred. God wants His people to be clay in His hands that he may “…mould them and make them after His will…”

In verse 18 the people met to “make plans against Jeremiah,” just as the Pharisees plotted against Jesus. God’s message, although it is a message of unalterable love, is always seen as a threat to people, because they don’t know Him with their hearts.

Chapter 19

The “highlight” of chapter 19 is verses 14 & 15 where Jeremiah refers to those who heard the message but refused to follow God as “stiff-necked” people.

Stephen repeats this accusations in Acts.7:51, “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears. You are just like your fathers…”

What should have been a compliment (You are like your fathers) was, after all, a put-down, as we see their “fathers” had not been receptive to God’s word.

Chapter 20

When Jeremiah is arrested and placed in stocks, he is not exactly happy, with Pashhur or with God.

For proclaiming the word of the Lord, all he got was trouble. Like Paul, he ended up arrested. But Paul refused to stop proclaiming the gospel

Jeremiah curses the day he was born (much like Job did) in verses 15-18.

How Can We Forgive?

To begin with, we must realize that forgiveness is not a natural human characteristic. Real forgiveness must originate with God, for it is a part of His character.

Then, we must understand the forgiveness offered us by God at the cross of Calvary in the person of Jesus as He died to forgive us.

From what did He forgive us?

He forgave us of all of our sin(s), past, present and future.

So what? What is so special about the forgiveness of sin?

To understand that is to understand why nothing else could pay for our sins, except the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

The tiniest sin is so abhorrent to God that it is worthy of an eternity separated from His presence in a place called “Hell,” a place not designed for us but for Satan and his demons. God won't send us there. We have to step over Christ to get there, but more get there than don't.

That is why James wrote: “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10)

The Law might be likened to a drinking glass. It is good. It does what it is supposed to do: it holds liquid.

But if the drinking glass developed just one little hole in it, it would no longer be useful. Even if the “whole” glass was not broken, the one little hole would make it leak and the glass would no longer serve it’s intended purpose.

So it is with the Law.

According to Paul’s letter to the Romans, the purpose of the Law is to reveal to us our sin and our need for a savior.

Sin is pictured in Scripture as any thought or action that is not in the absolute center of God’s will.

That’s pretty severe, for it means that every second of every day we are all guilty of sin.

In and of ourselves, there is no hope, for it is impossible for us to adequately keep the Law.

That is why Christ died for us.

He did for us what we could not do for ourselves: he bore the penalty for our sin.

He provided for us God’s eternal forgiveness!

Now, the Lord’s Prayer (properly called the disciples’ prayer) says, “…and forgive us our trespasses, as (in the same way) we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Luke 11:4 and others).

In Colossians 1: 13 & 14, Paul wrote: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

He set the example of forgiveness for us, and taught that we should forgive others the same way He forgives us: not after we have “fixed” whatever wrong we have done, but just because forgiveness is the emulation of Christ’s forgiveness of us.

Realizing the depth and seriousness of God’s forgiveness toward us is the first step toward learning to forgive others.

When someone has wronged us personally (which is the way we wronged God through our sin), we feel hurt. We often want to strike back, or at best, strike them from our list of friends.

Through the teaching process afforded by God’s Spirit, we can learn how to forgive others.

After realizing how God has forgiven us, the next step is to realize that unforgiveness is really a result of our own, personal feeling of having been “wronged.”

In other words, it is about self.

He/she hurt ME. He/she did such-and-such to ME. He/she said so-and-so about ME.

I become the focus of my own perception.

Once we know that our difficulty with forgiveness is self-directed, we can begin the process of letting go of the real or imagined offense.

Forgiveness is not a wishy-washy “poor me” response. It takes determination and strength to forgive others.

Those attributes can only come from God.

True forgiveness does not even bother to take into account the seriousness of the offense.

It is not about forgetting, for memories are stored in our brain and are not easily overwritten like some computer code.

Forgiveness is about letting go and allowing God to deal with it.

Even if the other person does not change, let it go.

Even if the other person has not asked for forgiveness, let it go.

As God sees the redeemed person who sins through the eyes of Christ and therefore as having not sinned, so we must see the other person through Christ’s eyes and forgive.

It is not easy, for we like to harbor our hurts. We like to hang on.

If hanging on to our hurts did not benefit us in some way, we would not do it.

It makes us feel somehow “superior” to the other person to be able to point to their offense and say, “See! That’s how they are. I’m much better than that.”

But Jesus saw our offense and said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” speaking more to you and me than to the people who hung Him on the cross.

Forgiveness must be directed toward those who have done us personal wrong.

There is no generalized forgiveness, such as: “I forgive all of the people who have done anything bad against me.”

In many cases, the person we have not forgiven does not even know we have anything against them.

Forgiveness is personal and specific.

There are benefits to learning to forgive others.

One benefit is the sweet release from emotional pain that accompanies unforgiveness.

Another is the ability to realize the “peace that passes understanding” that God provides those who are His.

There is also the knowledge that we have done what is right in God’s eyes.

Finally, there is the ability to re-direct our focus onto those matters that need our attention without the distraction of holding whatever attitudes we may have against the one who wronged us.

Prayer: Father, teach us to forgive like Jesus forgave us.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-A Heart that Forgives-Kevin Levar

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 04

Jeremiah – Chapters 11-15

In theology, Jeremiah is a “type” of Christ.

What is A "Type?"

A type can be described as: "to mark an impression. A fore-shadow; a prefigure of things to come." A type can be seen as an object, person, symbol or event that is similar but not identical to the anti-type (the fulfillment of the type). So, a comparison between the two will bring out an analogy that will present a clear Biblical truth.

Jeremiah (Chapter 11)
Verses 2-5 - A covenant is a binding contract between two parties. Israel entered the covenant at Mount Sinai and God was calling them to obey that covenant.

COMPARING JEREMIAH WITH CHRIST

Jeremiah 11:19 - "I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, Let us cut him off from the land of the living, that His Name be remembered no more."

Christ
Isaiah 53:8 - "By oppression and judgment He was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living, for the transgression of my people he was stricken."

COMPARING JEREMIAH WITH CHRIST

Jeremiah
Verses 11:19 - "I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."

Christ
Isaiah 53:7 - "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth."

Jeremiah (Chapter 12)

Verses 1-4 - Jeremiah’s question is: “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Verses 5-17 - God’s answer is: “His people are NOT good.” As Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us: “There is no difference, Jew and Greek, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

COMPARING JEREMIAH WITH CHRIST

Jeremiah (Chapter 13)
Verses 1-11 - God’s people had soiled themselves with sin and became good for nothing.

Christ: Jesus said salt that has lost its flavor is good for nothing, (Matthew 5.13)

COMPARING JEREMIAH WITH CHRIST

Jeremiah 13:17 - "But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride, my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s block will be taken captive."

Christ
Luke 19:41 - "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it."


Jeremiah (Chapter 14)

Because of their sin, Judah would experience drought, famine and the sword.

Sin always has been, is now and forever will be a separator of man from God. Even though God cannot forsake those who are truly saved, sin will surely disturb our fellowship with Him.

How can one serve God and realize His righteousness and claim on one’s life while he/she is practicing sin?

In verse 13, Jeremiah states what the prophets have been saying. God responded by telling Jeremiah that the prophets are liars.

We live in a day of false prophets.

A false prophet is anyone who “brings a message from God” that contradicts, does not conform to or adds to His Word.

We must be able to “…test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1)

I John 4:2 tells us how to test the spirits: see what they do with Christ. If He has preeminence and if they are proclaiming Him as being Messiah (God) in the flesh, their message is valid. If they do not, they are liars (Jehovah’s Witnesses; Mormons; and many 7th Day Adventists, along with Islam and other “religions”).

Jeremiah (Chapter 15)

Verse 1 — The nation is in such a desperate condition of sin that even the prayers of Moses and Samuel would not be heard.

How is OUR nation today?

Verse 16 — Jeremiah finds comfort and joy in the Word of God, though it is hard to swallow.

Verse 19 — God emphasizes the importance of repentance and of telling His message.

He warns, however, that we must respond to people who “turn to you, but you must not turn to them.”

You cannot force salvation on people. You may introduce the subject, but if the Spirit has not prepared their hearts, don’t feel pressured to press the matter…just plant the seed. God will take care of the rest.

Verse 21 – God promises salvation. That salvation comes when He “incarnates” Himself in the form of the babe in the manger, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

A CAT'S TALE

A blogger was weed-wacking her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat which was hiding in the grass.

She rushed her cat, along with the tail, over to WAL-MART!

Why WAL-MART??

HELLOOOOOOOOO!

WAL-MART is the largest re-tailer in the world!!!

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Russian Orthodox chant

It is so harmonically rich, and very moving - even if you don't know the words exactly. The harmonies emote. You can hear the grief and pain.

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 03

Jeremiah – Chapters 6-10

Jeremiah typifies Christ and his reward -- and our future reward as well:

Chapter 06 - Announcement of Jerusalem’s Siege – Why did God allow the “north” to lay siege on Jerusalem?

The Discourse in the Temple gate:

Chapter 07 – Five reasons for God’s Judgement on Israel.

1. False worship in the God’s temple.
2. Idolatry
3. Violation of God’s Law
4. Rejection of His messengers
5. Universal and incurable backsliding.

Verse 11 - "Is this house, which is called by My Name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?” Does this not remind you of Jesus “cleansing the temple?”

Chapter 08 - The People’s Lack of Understanding

Verse 1 - Jeremiah's lament for his people evokes great similarities to Christ and his lament for the judgments to come upon his stubborn generation.

Verse 8 – “How can you say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?”

Verse 12 - Just like today, people call good, bad and bad, good, and have no shame at all.

Just watch a little TV or spend some time on the Internet and you’ll see examples galore.

Verse 22 – Jesus is the Balm of Gilead and the Great Physician. He heals all wounds.

Chapter 09 - The Prophet’s Lamentation

Verse 1 – Jeremiah again weeps for the people.

Verse 17ff – The Lord reveals that there will be weeping and wailing as the people discover the significance of disobedience.

Verse 25 – As we saw in Romans, Ephesians and Philippians, fleshly circumcision means nothing. Jesus said it is the heart that must be circumcised to please God, by faith.

Chapter 10 - Jehovah and the Idols

Verse 1 – This world will always lead you astray.

Verse 11 – There will come a time when the things (gods) of this world will yield to the power and will of God.

Verse 16 – This is a direct reference to Christ, the maker of all things (John 1:1).

Verse 23 – We are not our own, and we must not direct our own paths. God I Christ must be our leader and our portion.

Verse 24 – Jeremiah pleads with God to correct him as an adopted son.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Blessed Be Your Name-Newsboys

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 02

Jeremiah – Chapters 2-5

One of the astonishing themes of Jeremiah is God’s unbelievable forgiveness of the constant waywardness of His chosen people.

If God was able to forgive Israel, who sometimes actively worshipped idols, He is certainly able to forgive us our sins.

II. God’s Appeal to the People’s Conscience

CHAPTER 2-5

Chapter 2 – This is a review of Israel’s past. It is a reminder to them of their former blessings. It is also a series of rebukes for their present backsliding.

Key Verses:

2 “…how as a bride you loved and followed me”
6 “…They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us up our of Egypt”
8 “…The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord…”
11 “…But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.”
13 “My people have committed two sins: …forsaken me…dug their own cisterns…”
(“spring of living water” is a picture of Christ.)

Chapter 3 – God uses Jeremiah to remind Israel that ten northern tribes had been taken captive because of their idolatry.

Key Verses:

3 “…you have the brazen look of a prostitute…” (right out of today’s newspapers).
14 “…for I am your husband” (just as we are the Bride of Christ)
15 “…I will give you shepherds…who will lead you” (God’s forgiveness is near.)
22 “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of your backsliding.”

Chapter 4 – Here we have a call to repentance. Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation, because is indicates our recognition of our sin and our willingness to turn from it.

Key Verses:

2 “…As surely as the Lord lives, then the nations will be blessed by Him…”
4 “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your Hearts.”
6 “…for I am bringing disaster from the north…” They’re about to be invaded.
22 “My people are fools; they do not know me.”

Chapter 5 – Judah hardened their hearts against Jeremiah and against God’s message. Because they rejected the appeal for repentance, God pronounced the judgement of the Babylonian Invasion.

Key Verses:

1 “…If you can find but one person who deals honestly…I will forgive this city.”
7 “…sworn by gods that are not gods…thronged to the houses of prostitutes.”
12 “…They have lied about the Lord…He will do nothing!” (Wanna bet?)
18 “…’I will not destroy you completely”
31 “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my
people love it this way.”

The history of God’s people is replete with examples of them turning from and disobeying God. Yet He always stood ready to forgive…if they would repent

We are not better than the Jews. We have idols (money, vacations, family, things and so much more, yet in Christ, God stands ready to forgive our sins; past, present and future.

Admit that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23), and repent (change you mind about who Christ is).

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and in His finished work at the cross of Calvary. (Romans 10: 9 & 10.

Commit your life to His Lordship and follow Him.

SUNDAY SONGS OF FAITH-God Will Make a Way-Don Moen

A Study in Jeremiah - Week 1

Jeremiah 1 1-19

By necessity, this study will be an overview of Jeremiah, since one chapter per week would take at least a year.

A prophet (Hebrew: nabi, “to bubble forth, as from a fountain”) is one who proclaims a message given to him by God. The foretelling of future events was not a necessary but only an incidental part of the prophetic office.

In the Old Testament, prophets are divided into four groups:
1.  The prophets of the northern kingdom (Israel), viz., Hosea, Amos, Joel, Jonah.
2.  The prophets of Judah, viz., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.
3.  The prophets of Captivity, viz., Ezekiel and Daniel.
4.  The prophets of the Restoration, viz., Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.


Chapter 1 – The Call of a prophet during reign of Josiah

Verse 1 — Jeremiah is the son of Hilkiah, the priest of Anathoth. Evidently this was the Hilkiah who found the book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses, which sparked the revival during the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14-21). Anathoth was a few miles directly north of Jerusalem.

Verses 4-10 — Jeremiah was called to the prophetic office before his birth.

The Lord knows ALL about you, from before you were born. You can hide nothing from Him and you cannot hide from Him.

The Lord told Jeremiah this to give him courage and conviction.

Verse 6 — Notice the reluctance and hesitation of Jeremiah. “Child” is “young man”; he was about 20.

Does this remind you of Moses (Exodus 3:11) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5-8)?

Verses 7-10 — God empowered Jeremiah and put His word in his mouth.

God’s word refers to three things: 1) The words God speaks; 2) The Living Word (Jesus) and 3) The words He gives you to say.

Verses 11-12 Sign of a rod of an almond tree — the almond tree is called “waker”
because it wakes first from the long night of winter to bloom in the spring.

Jeremiah was to be an alarm clock to wake the nation from a life of ease, luxury, and indifference to the coming danger.

Verses 13-19 Sign of the seething (boiling) pot in the north — Egypt and Assyria
were no longer a danger to the southern kingdom of Judah, but the boiling pot in the
North was the rising power of Babylon, which eventually would destroy the nation.

Verse 19 Jeremiah was to alert the nation to the new danger, but they would resist and reject his warning — in fact, they would attempt to destroy him.

It is a serious thing to ignore God. That is sin (sin is defined as anything said, done or thought that is not directly in the center of God’s will).

The only remedy is trust in Christ’s finished work at the cross of Calvary.

SUNDAY SONGS OF FAITH-Hosanna-Hillsong

A Study in Philemon Week 01

Philemon 1 1-25

Onesimus was a slave belonging to Philemon, a Christian of Colosse. This slave had opportunity to run away and seized on it.

He made his way to Rome where he expected his identity and past life to be swallowed up by the great metropolis. One day he chanced upon a gathering where Paul was preaching. There he heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit regenerated him, making him a new creature in Christ. He told his story to Paul, and Paul sent him back to Philemon with this accompanying letter.

The primary purpose of this epistle is to reveal Christ’s love for us in what He did for us before God in pleading our case. This is the finest illustration of substitution: “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee anything, put that on mine account” (Philemon 18).

We can hear Christ agreeing to take our place and to have all our sin imputed to Him — “For he hath made him…to be sin for us…” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He took our place in death, but He gives us His place in life: “If thou count me, therefore, a partner, receive him as myself” (Philemon 17).

We have the standing of Christ before God, or we have none at all. He took our hell, and He gives us His heaven “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Onesimus, an unprofitable runaway slave, was to be received as Paul, the great apostle, would have been received in the home of Philemon.

Verse 1 Paul uses his “prisonship” as a basis for his plea for Onesimus’ release from slavery.

Verse 2 “Apphia” is the wife of Philemon. “Archippus” is the son of Philemon. He is a young man who is a fellow soldier, enduring hardness for the gospel. “Church in thy house” — there were no church buildings in the apostolic period. The church assembled in homes.

Verse 3 Grace and Peace God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense and the peace that passes understanding.

4-7 Why does Paul thank God for Philemon? Because of his faith in Christ, which is manifested in his love for other Christians.

Verse 6 tells us that sharing our faith leads to understanding what we really have in Christ: a salvation beyond our wildest dreams.

8-16 Onesimus became a Christian because of Paul’s witness to him. Remember how he called Timothy his son? That meant that he lead Timothy to Christ. The same thing applies here.

Paul says, in verse 11, “Formerly he was useless to you;” that is: he was a slave and only a slave, doing Philemon’s every command. “But now,” says Paul, “he is useful to both of us.” By that he meant that Onesimus now has a spirituality that comes from a relationship to God through Christ.

In verses 15-16, Paul tells Philemon that he should no longer consider Onesimus a slave, but should realize that he is now a brother in Christ.

17-21 Paul uses himself as a “type,” or picture of Christ and reminds us of the Good Samaritan, who told the innkeeper that if anything was owed, he would pay it.

Verse 22 tells us that Paul expected to be released from prison, and when he was, he assured Philemon that his release would be an answer to his prayer for Paul.

23-24 Imagine being in prison with Paul! It must have been one fine revival meeting. Each of those men listed in these verses got to experience Paul’s commitment and faith.

Verse 25 Paul closes with a reiteration of his greeting: GRACE.

THE PHENOMENAL 2 LETTER WORD!

Do you know the one word in the English language that can be a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb or a preposition?

This will further your education.

UP

This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.' It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.

We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car.

At other times, this little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out, we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth. When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now . . . my time is UP!

Oh . . . one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?

U


P!

Did that one crack you UP?

Now I'll shut UP!

GUESS WHAT THIS COMMERCIAL IS ABOUT BEFORE IT'S OVER

READ...AND FEEL LIKE A GENIUS

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I handed the teller at my bank a withdrawal slip for $400.00
I said "May I have large bills, please"

She looked at me and said "I'm sorry sir, all the bills are the same size."
When I got up off the floor I explained it to her....

IDIOT SIGHTING:
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'it's open!' His reply: 'I know. I already got that side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS

IDIOT SIGHTING:
We had to have the garage door repaired.
The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.
I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.
He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4.
He said, 'NO, it's not..' Four is larger than two.'

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill.
Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter.
She said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.
She sighed and went to get the manager, who asked me to repeat my request.

I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but we could not do that kind of thing.'
The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change.

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I live in a semi rural area.
We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.
The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!

I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco.
She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.'
He said he was sorry, but they only had iceburg lettuce.
-- From Kansas City

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked,
'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?'
To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'
He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

Happened in Birmingham , Al a.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street.
I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for.
I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.
Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS


IDIOT SIGHTING:
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker who was leaving the company due to 'downsizing,'
our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.'
Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.


IDIOT SIGHTING:
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself
and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.



IDIOT SIGHTING :
How would you pronounce this child's name?
"Le-a"

Leah?? NO

Lee - A?? NOPE

Lay - a?? NO

Lei?? Guess Again.

This child attends a school in Kansas City, Mo.
Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong.
It's pronounced "Ledasha".

When the Mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "the dash don't be silent."

SO, if you see something come across your desk like this please remember to pronounce the dash.

If dey axe you why, tell dem de dash don't be silent.