Daily Devotion (January 2, 2025)
Jeremiah 29:15-20 (NKJV): 15 Because you have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon”— 16 therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, concerning all the people who dwell in this city, and concerning your brethren who have not gone out with you into captivity— 17 thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will send on them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like rotten figs that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. 18 And I will pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence; and I will deliver them to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth—to be a curse, an astonishment, a hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations where I have driven them, 19 because they have not heeded My words,” says the Lord, “which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; neither would you heed,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore hear the word of the Lord, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Verses 19 and 20 should terrify America. It should terrify the “church.” Many have become complacent concerning the terrorist who have attacked this once great nation.
The message sent to those in Jerusalem is being sent to the church in America. Jeremiah 29:11 is a word of hope to the followers of God. Verses 15 and following is a message of severe consequences in being disobedient in not following God’s warning. Do not just hear the Word of God, listen to what he is saying and follow Him and His plan. Too many are following the Jezebels of this world.
We should and must attend worship services, but we must not worship the service but the God we worship in the service. I shake my head when I hear someone say, “The service was boring”. I know then they did not come to worship God. The music, prayers, testimony’s, sermons, etc. are part of the service to deepen our relationship with God, not to overshadow Him.
We are to follow God. We must worship God individually and collectively. We come together with one another sharing with one another, encouraging each other in the Faith. Our faith in God is strengthened by listening to what He has done in others lives.
Church: “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon.”
to share and encourage one another in the Faith. Listening to what He has done in others’ lives strengthens our faith in God