Jer 12:1  Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Jeremiah is saying O Lord, your ways are right. Your judgments are right but I  have to ask you a few questions.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Jer 12:2  Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Not fair he cries.
What is being dumped on for 60/70/90 years when you are rewarded for all eternity in heaven. Long term investing.

Jer 12:3  But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
Jer 12:4  How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

God is merciful.
God has waited so long to return because He is merciful. He wants people to come to Him. We get saved and we want Him to hurry and come back, but what if He had come back a year before you were saved? How would you feel had you been lost for all eternity.
We need to worry about all those who would be lost. We need to get out there and cry out to them. Tell them the way of the Lord. We need to worry about their souls. So that they can be ready also when the Lord returns or they die.

Jer 12:5  If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

Here God answers him. God tells him to stop whining and toughen up.

There are brothers and sisters in death camps in North Korea right now because they are Christian. We want to whine at God because something little isn’t going our way. We need to be reminded. People in some countries are being killed because they are Christians.

Jer 12:6  For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
Jer 12:7  I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
Jer 12:8  Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.

God says they turned on me.

Jer 12:9  Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

God will forgive us when we repent but there are consequences. What you sow you will reap.

Jer 12:10  Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jer 12:11  They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
Jer 12:12  The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

No peace, or happiness.

Jer 12:13  They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
Jer 12:14  Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
Jer 12:15  And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
Jer 12:16  And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
Jer 12:17  But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

Luke 10:21-25 KJV  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.  (22)  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.  (23)  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:  (24)  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.  (25)  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Lawyers expound and teach the law.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 KJV  And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.  (2)  And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.  (3)  And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

6 hours…..Morning to Midday

Nehemiah 8:4-8 KJV  And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.  (5)  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:  (6)  And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.  (7)  Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.  (8)  So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Expository Teaching. Read through the word of God and then explain it. That was a teacher/lawyers job.
Lawyers job:
1) Study
2) Interpret
3) Instruct the next generation.
4) Exercise authority over the law

This guy is a pro on the word of God.

Luke 10:25-26 KJV  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

You are the expert. How do you interpret it? (The lawyer would have been used to being asked how to interpret things)

Luke 10:27-28 KJV  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Love God and obey Him. He doesn’t mention sacrifice.
It is one thing to say it. It is a whole other thing to actually live it. You can’t do it without God.

Luke 10:29 KJV  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Define Neighbor

Luke 10:30 KJV  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

17 miles…..lots of twists and turns….unsafe route….robbers.
He was robbed.
Robbed = to take something from (someone) by unlawful force or threat of violence; steal from.

Luke 10:31 KJV  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

He saw him. It wasn’t like he didn’t see him.

Luke 10:32 KJV  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

He looked at the guy and passed by.

Luke 10:33 KJV  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

Samaritan had compassion. Samaritans are 1/2 Jews. They were considered corrupted bloodline. Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along.

Luke 10:34 KJV  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

He could have been attacked too. They could have been laying in wait. It could have been a trap.

Luke 10:35 KJV  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

He basically gave the inn keeper a blank check. said get him whatever he needs and I’ll pay you back.

Luke 10:36-37 KJV  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Go and do likewise.
Troubles me to see people who claim to be Christian but hate someone because of their race or social status. We are all human. By your love for one another the world will see Christ.

Galatians 6:10 KJV  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Luke 10:38-40 KJV  Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  (39)  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  (40)  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

She came and said Lord don’t you care.

Luke 10:41 KJV  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Worried, Troubled, upset.

Luke 10:42 KJV  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Only one thing really matters.

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;  (2)  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  (3)  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  (4)  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (5)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  (6)  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  (7)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

So busy serving, you forgot to love Me. We need to sit at His feet.

He is more worried about what you are doing WITH Him then what you are doing FOR Him.

God bless you and draw you closer to Him

You Know You’re a Parent When …

You eat dinner on dinosaur-decorated placemats
You catch yourself singing the “Barney” theme song — in public.
You stop the tears by taping broken crayons back together.
You long for nothing more than a good night’s sleep
You know the best way to scrape dried Cheerios off the floor
You share the storage closet with a miniature broom and vacuum cleaner.
You take phone messages in crayon.
You always buy the big pack of batteries– but you can never find one when you need one.
You find action figures in your washing machine
You find yourself cutting your spouse’s meat into bite-sized pieces

Martin Luther once said, “People who do not like children are swine, dunces, and blockheads, not worthy to be called men and women, because they despise the blessing of God, the Creator and Author of marriage.”

(Deu 6:4-7 KJV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: {5} And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. {6} And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: {7} And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

There’s lots of good books and other materials on parenting, but the most important thing that you can be reading for the sake of your children is God’s Word. And more than just reading it, it needs to get into your heart.

Your kids need you to be having a daily time in God’s Word. They need to see you as a mom or dad who reads their Bible. But they also need to see you living it out as well.

Billy Graham wrote, “Children will invariably talk, eat, walk, think, respond, and act like their parents. Give them a target to shoot at. Give them a goal to work toward. Give them a pattern that they can see clearly, and you give them something that gold and silver cannot buy.”

(2 Chr 17:3 KJV) And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

(2 Chr 20:32 KJV) And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

(2 Chr 26:4 KJV) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

(2 Chr 27:2 KJV) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

(2 Th 3:6-9 KJV) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. {7} For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; {8} Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: {9} Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

100 years from now it will not matter:

What kind of car I drove.
What kind of house I lived in.
How much money I had in my account.
Nor what my clothes looked like.
But the world may be a little better.
Because I was important in the life of a child.
– Unknown

Jer 11:1  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jer 11:2  Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
Jer 11:3  And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

This is not very “seeker sensitive” is it?
God had brought Israel in a special relationship with Him.

Deu 27:1  And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
Deu 27:2  And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
Deu 27:3  And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
Deu 27:4  Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
Deu 27:5  And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
Deu 27:6  Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Deu 27:7  And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
Deu 27:8  And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
Deu 27:9  And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
Deu 27:10  Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
Deu 27:11  And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
Deu 27:12  These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
Deu 27:13  And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Deu 27:14  And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Deu 27:15  Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
Deu 27:16  Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:17  Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:18  Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:19  Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:20  Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:21  Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:22  Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:23  Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:24  Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:25  Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 27:26  Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 28:1  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deu 28:2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deu 28:3  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
Deu 28:4  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deu 28:5  Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deu 28:6  Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deu 28:7  The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Deu 28:8  The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deu 28:9  The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
Deu 28:10  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
Deu 28:11  And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Deu 28:12  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Deu 28:13  And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
Deu 28:14  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Deu 28:15  But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Deu 28:16  Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
Deu 28:17  Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
Deu 28:18  Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Deu 28:19  Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deu 28:20  The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
Deu 28:21  The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.
Deu 28:22  The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.
Deu 28:23  And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
Deu 28:24  The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
Deu 28:25  The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
Deu 28:26  And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.
Deu 28:27  The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
Deu 28:28  The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
Deu 28:29  And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.
Deu 28:30  Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
Deu 28:31  Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.
Deu 28:32  Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.
Deu 28:33  The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
Deu 28:34  So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
Deu 28:35  The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.
Deu 28:36  The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
Deu 28:37  And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.
Deu 28:38  Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.
Deu 28:39  Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
Deu 28:40  Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
Deu 28:41  Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.
Deu 28:42  All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.
Deu 28:43  The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
Deu 28:44  He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
Deu 28:45  Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
Deu 28:46  And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
Deu 28:47  Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
Deu 28:48  Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
Deu 28:49  The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
Deu 28:50  A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:
Deu 28:51  And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
Deu 28:52  And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
Deu 28:53  And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:
Deu 28:54  So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
Deu 28:55  So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.
Deu 28:56  The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
Deu 28:57  And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.
Deu 28:58  If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
Deu 28:59  Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.
Deu 28:60  Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.
Deu 28:61  Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
Deu 28:62  And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.
Deu 28:63  And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Deu 28:64  And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
Deu 28:65  And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Deu 28:66  And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
Deu 28:67  In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
Deu 28:68  And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.

Follow me and I will bless you God says. If you will not keep the covenant, God says, I will judge you.

Jer 11:4  Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

Deu 4:20  But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

God brought us out of bondage….If you are a believer. He wants us to walk with HIm. Jesus said, If you love me, Keep my commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Jer 11:5  That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
Jer 11:6  Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
Jer 11:7  For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

Be doers of the word. Not just hearers.

Jer 11:8  Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.
Jer 11:9  And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jer 11:10  They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Jer 11:11  Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

Conspiracy is more then one person agreeing to do something.
Ever try to share the word of God with someone who knows it and is compromised? They don’t want to hear it. Ever been there?

Some people say how can a loving, just God bring evil on them. How can He have anything to do with evil?
He is going to allow Babylonians evil to bring judgement on Jerusalem.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Are there people out there that want to destroy the United States? Yes. I am sure many of those who want to have the ability to and have people already inside the U.S. but God has yet withheld it. I am concerned for our country.

Jer 11:12  Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

A piece of wood can’t save them.

Jer 11:13  For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
Jer 11:14  Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

God told Jeremiah that they have reached such a state don’t even bother praying for them.

Jer 11:15  What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

God views their turning to idols like a wife who has forsaken her marriage vows.

Jer 11:16  The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
Jer 11:17  For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

Our  sin sorrows God. It hurts our relationship with Him. It hurts us.

Jer 11:18  And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
Jer 11:19  But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Jeremiah is busy showing what God is saying and then God says, Jeremiah. Jeremiah says Yes? And God says they want to kill you.

Let us kill him and shut him up they say.

Jer 11:20  But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Jer 11:21  Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
Jer 11:22  Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
Jer 11:23  And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

They will not listen…. Judgement comes.

God bless you and draw you ever closer to Him.

(yes, I know, my fourth post of the day. what can I say too much to talk about today lol)

Last post was a picture of Great Grandma’s Wedding dress. It made me reminisce a bit.

Both great grandpa and great grandma Wise died before I was born.

Great Grandpa Martin was still living and Great grandma and Great Grandpa Hoover.

Great Grandpa Martin lived on the farm across the road. And if you
traveled Back great grandpa Martin’s field you would get to Grandma and
Grandpa Herr’s house and Great grandma and great grandpa Hoover.

I spent a lot of time playing at Grandpa and Grandma Herr’s house.
Grandma Herr died this past January.

Grandpa Herr (or Grandpa Harold as many of the Children at Charity and
Ephrata Christian Fellowship call him) is a missionary in Haiti. 


This is a picture of the Herr family back when my mother was a baby.

Christian and Ells Martin came to America on the Pink Plaisance ship on September 21, 1732.
Christian Martin was born 1669 in Eriswil, Switzerland, and died 1753 in Lancaster County,Pa..
Emprisoned: Bet. 1717 – 1732, In Tracheswald Castle for ” Religious differences- beliefs contrary to Catholic church.

They were Anabaptist. They were leaving the persecution.

Map of the land

Jer 10:1  Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Jer 10:2  Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Did you ever have your children say something and you look at them and say “Where did you learn that?”

Learn not the way of the heathen. You know it is funny. Churches decide they are going to build a building and they bring in these secular people to tell them how to raise money. Or they adopt a Madison Avenue technique to try to get people interested in the things of God. A whole movement on how to market the church…. build an exercise room, something to get them in. Whatever happened to faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God? The church has adopted many practices of the heathen. There is a whole movement of bringing philosophy in to try and decide if Jesus us a blood atonement or just a great example of sacrifice.

Learn not the way of the heathen.

The problem is when the church starts to adopt the things of the world pretty soon the church and the world look exactly alike.

Jer 10:3  For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
Jer 10:4  They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Jer 10:5  They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Hey Fred, What are you doing this weekend?
Oh, I am going out to the woods to get a new god.
Really?
Yeah, I saw a beautiful tree out there that would make a great god. I am going to cut it down, sculpt it and put some silver and gold on it and set it up and we will be good.

How many of you think that sounds insane? That is what idolatry is.

Jer 10:6  Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Jer 10:7  Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Jer 10:8  But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Jer 10:9  Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Jer 10:10  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jer 10:11  Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
Jer 10:12  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

The creation shows the power of God. It shows the wisdom of God.

Jer 10:13  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Jer 10:14  Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Jer 10:15  They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Idols are worthless

Jer 10:16  The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
Jer 10:17  Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
Jer 10:18  For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.

God is kicking them out.

Jer 10:19  Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
Jer 10:20  My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

What a shame when people come broken hearted saying “If only…”
Yeah

When the Lord says listen I want to bless you with ___________ , but you have to wait until ___________. The world comes around and says that doesn’t look like any fun. I want it now. God knows what is best for you. God wants to protect you.

Jer 10:21  For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jer 10:22  Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jer 10:24  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 3:8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Pro 3:9  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Pro 3:11  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Pro 3:12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Jer 10:25  Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

Correct yourself or God will correct you. If you are a believer and you are caught up in something that you know you shouldn’t be. I know the things of the world are glittery and exciting. People wouldn’t sin if it didn’t look fun. You don’t belong there. Correct ourselves so God doesn’t have to.

The church many times forgets about the holiness of God. We get so comfortable. We are saved by grace. Yes we are. I wont argue that. Praise God! but God is holy. He tells us be holy as I am holy. Your life should be different then the world. This is important because people will watch you and your life should point them to the Lord. If we are not different then the world we are no longer salt and light.

Israel and Judah had prophets. Today the world has the church to warn them. That’s us.
We need to examine….
     What are we doing with our time?
     Where are we putting our eyes?
     What are we listening to?
     What are we watching?
     What are we filling our heads with?
     What are we meditating on?

May we be faithful servants. May we hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

God bless you today and keep you according to His will.

Below will be pictures my husband and I took as they went by.

The very first Tour de France-style “espoir” race in the United States (“Espoir,” French for “hope,” denotes the race is for up-and-coming riders under the age of 25).  Six-day stage race televised around the world and covering more than 450 miles of Pennsylvania’s rolling hills and city streets.  A total of $150,000 will be awarded in stage prizes, overall general classification and special competitions — the world’s largest-ever prize list for U25 riders. Comprised of at least 20 teams of six riders each from the United States and around the world. Racers of 15 nationalities will compete including at least one Pennsylvania-based team, the PA Lightning.

2008 American Eagle Tour of Pennsylvania
June 24 to June 29, 2008
420 Miles

Prize List: $150,000 including daily stage prizes, special award categories and general classification.

Eligibility: UCI 2.2 Open to invited teams only, consisting of pro/1/2 riders age 19 to 24 (year of birth 1984 to
1989). No mixed pro/amateur teams. Twenty, six-man teams will participate including at least
five international teams.

Spectators: Free viewing along all courses. Healthy High 5 Finish Line Festival at each stage finish.

Pro Cycling Tour: The Tour of Pennsylvania is managed by Tour of PA, LLC of Audubon, PA, a partnership between Pro Cycling Tour, LLC and ISM-USA. For the latest information on the race, go to www.tourofpa.com.

The American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania, presented by Highmark Healthy High 5, is as pioneering as the historic Forbes Road that its riders will traverse.

Why?

The race is… The very first Tour de France-style “espoir” race in the United States (“Espoir,” French for “hope,” denotes the race is for up-and-coming riders under the age of 25).

    * Six-day stage race televised around the world and covering more than 450 miles of Pennsylvania’s rolling hills and city streets.
    * A total of $150,000 will be awarded in stage prizes, overall general classification and special competitions — the world’s largest-ever prize list for U25 riders.
    * Comprised of at least 20 teams of six riders each from the United States and around the world. Racers of 15 nationalities will compete including at least one Pennsylvania-based team, the PA Lightning.
    * An opportunity for the world’s top young cyclists including national champions, Olympians and future Tour de France stars to showcase their talent.
    * Hundreds of thousands of spectators descending on Pennsylvania from around the country and around the world.
    * A signature sporting event for Pittsburgh 250, a commission established to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary in 2008.
    * A unique event to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Bedford, Ligonier and Pittsburgh, all of which were founded in a single year during the Forbes Campaign of 1758.
    * An opportunity for Pennsylvania communities to display their uniqueness through festivals and expos at the start and finish of each stage.
    * Anticipated to be the only espoir event on USA Cycling’s American Pro Tour for 2008, a series of the best bike races in the United States.
    * A USA Cycling sanctioned race sponsored by American Eagle Outfitters and Highmark Healthy High 5, an initiative of the Highmark Foundation.

Here are the first of the pack going through here

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. We enjoyed watching them go by. I hope that they do this again next year.

Jer 9:1  Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

The Babylonians haven’t shown up yet. Jeremiah sees it though. This is part of why he gained the name the weeping prophet.

Jer 9:2  Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

If you think about it what is on TV every night? Adultery, blasphemy, murder.
What do the people at work, who don’t know Christ (and sadly many “Christians”), fill their head with all day long? What do they talk about at work if you happen to listen in? Ever want to leave? Jeremiah understands.

Jer 9:3  And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Know anyone like this?

Jer 9:4  Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

Sadly sin has ruined relationships. Natural affections. Turn on the news and see what people do to each other.

Jer 9:5  And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

It is sad. God is saying come to me and I will give you rest

Jer 9:6  Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
Jer 9:7  Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

God tried to bring them to repentance.

Jer 9:8  Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.
Jer 9:9  Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Jer 9:10  For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.
Jer 9:11  And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
Jer 9:12  Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
Jer 9:13  And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
Jer 9:14  But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:
Jer 9:15  Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

They turned their back on God so He turned from them.
They walked after the imagination of their own heart. Reminds me of the entertainment industry. Now days children see all sorts of evil cartoons and TV shows. Violent stuff for children. What do you think that does to them?
What you fill your heart with tends to direct your thoughts. There is a saying garbage in garbage out, but the problem is the more truthful saying would be garbage in and garbage stays.
What are you teaching your children?

Wormwood is a bitter plant.

Jer 9:16  I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
Jer 9:17  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
Jer 9:18  And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
Jer 9:19  For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
Jer 9:20  Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.
Jer 9:21  For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.

They had professional mourners. The more wealthy you were the more mourners you had. He is saying that there is going to be so much death that there aren’t going to be enough mourners.

Jer 9:22  Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.
Jer 9:23  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jer 9:25  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Jer 9:26  Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Forget religious show. You need the knowledge of God. All the show and outward can’t save your soul.
God exercises kindness, judgment and righteousness.

God doesn’t tempt us. He tests us but He doesn’t tempt us. The world and satan tempt us. God doesn’t.

God does not change. He is holy. He is pure. What God does is righteous.