Here are pictures from the cabin. Enjoy

This picture was taken when we first arrived. The reason my daughters cheeks are so red is Fifth disease.

Sitting on the porch watching it rain

Picture of some of the cabins

Playing at the table

Time to brush teeth

Who knew, Spongebob  came along too

Still sitting around, raining

Sitting on daddy's lap at bedtime

Mommy and Daddy sitting on the porch while the children are in bed.

Another picture of us on the porch at around 10pm

Reading her bible this morning. She is in Genesis right now.

What did you do for the 4th of July? Did you do anything special?

We are at the camp grove this weekend. Reverend Glenn Sell is preaching in the evenings. Rev. Sell is a Mennonite minister note for his preaching, teaching and counseling ministries. He has been married 51 years and has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Hope to have pictures to show you all later. Hope you are all having a great weekend.

There are Morning (9am), Afternoon (2pm) and Evening (7pm) services.

Romans 13:1 KJV  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

be subject unto – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one's self, obey; to submit to one's control; to yield to one's admonition or advice; A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

higher – huperecho – to have or hold over one; to stand out, rise above, overtop; to be above, be superior in rank, authority, power

powers – exousia – power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; physical and mental power; the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege); the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed); one who possesses authority like a ruler, a human magistrate

Submission (Greek word #5293) is not just a single issue subject, as if only wives are to submit to their husbands. It's quite a broad subject.

Jesus submits to the Father

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued <5293> unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject <5293> unto him that put <5293> all things under <5293> him, that God may be all in all.

Jesus submitted Himself to His parents.

Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject <5293> unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Angels submit to Jesus

1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject <5293> unto him.

We are to submit to each other

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves <5293> one to another in the fear of God.

Wives are to submit to their husbands

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves <5293> unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject <5293> unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves <5293> unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient <5293> to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection <5293> to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Some women have the idea that they should only submit to their husband if their husband is nice, or if he "loves her like the Lord does". But Peter says women are to submit even when the husband is a jerk.

1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection <5293> unto their own husbands:

We are to submit to our employers

Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient <5293> unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject <5293> to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Again, submission isn't based on whether your employer is a Christian or whether he's nice.

We are to submit to the government (as in Romans 13:1)

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject <5293> to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves <5293> to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Who was the "higher authorities" when Paul and Peter wrote their letters? It was the wicked emperor Nero.

We are to submit to our elders

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves <5293> unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject <5293> one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

At one point in the early church, the Jewish leadership had the apostles arrested:
(Acts 5:27-29 KJV) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, {28} Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. {29} Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The place where you draw the line on submission is when you are being asked to specifically go against God's clearly revealed will.

Romans 13:2-4 KJV  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  (3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  (4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

minister – diakonos – one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister. This is the same word that is translated "deacon".

In a way, you could say that the police out on the streets are God's "ministers".

beareth – phoreo – to bear constantly, wear

revenger – ekdikos – without law and justice; exacting penalty from one; an avenger, punisher

The government wears the sword in that it has the power to enforce the law. God gives them this authority.

Chuck Smith once said  "The next time you're stopped for speeding or violating the law, don't be nasty or angry. The officer may have saved your life. Be thankful for the police. If they weren't enforcing the laws, our society would be a much worse jungle than it is now."

Romans 13:5 KJV  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Your conscience should be telling you it's wrong to disobey.

Billy Graham said "Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want it to go."

A man consulted a psychiatrist. He complained, "I've been misbehaving, Doc, and my conscience is troubling me." The doctor asked, "And you want something that will strengthen your willpower?" The fellow replied, "Well, no, I was thinking of something that would weaken my conscience."

Charles Spurgeon writes, "It is a very terrible thing to let conscience begin to grow hard, for it soon chills into northern iron and steel. It is like the freezing of a pond. The first film of ice is scarcely perceptible; keep the water stirring and you will prevent the frost from hardening it. But once let it film over and remain quiet, the glaze thickens over the surface and it thickens still, and at last it is so firm that a wagon might be drawn over the solid ice. So with conscience, it films over gradually, until at last it becomes hard and unfeeling and is not crushed even with ponderous loads of iniquity."

Romans 13:6 KJV  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Paying our taxes shows our submission to the government.

Jesus endorsed paying your taxes:
(Mat 22:17-21 KJV) Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? {18} But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? {19} Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. {20} And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? {21} They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't be careful about how much tax we pay. You don't have to feel guilty for taking exemptions on your income tax. That's all part of the law. You aren't obligated to pay Caesar more than he's due. But don't cheat the government either. Don't fall into the world's trap of doing things illegally. If you are paid in cash, report it as income. Pay your taxes.

Romans 13:7-9 KJV  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.  (8)  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  (9)  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Paul is quoting the 7th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th commandments, in that order (Exodus 20:13-17).

adultery – moicheuo – to commit adultery

kill – phoneuo –to kill, slay, murder

steal – klepto – to steal; to commit a theft

bear false witness – pseudomartureo (pseudo, "false, lie", + marturero, "to be a witness) – to utter falsehoods in giving testimony, to testify falsely, to bear false witness

covet – epithumeo – to turn upon a thing; to have a desire for, long for, to desire; to lust after, covet

We often see this word translated as "lust".

We may never let anyone see the "lust" inside of us, but don't think that the "lust" isn't harmful. It is one of those "root causes", one of those things that can drive all of our actions if we aren't careful.

Are your actions driven by "lust" or "love"?

Romans 13:10 KJV  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Love obeys the law.

Some people have the idea that living the Christian life has nothing to do with "the Law". People will tell you, "I'm no longer under the Law!"

But what they ignore is the fact that while our lives are no longer judged by the Law, and while our righteousness and the ability to make the grade in heaven is based on what Jesus has done for us, our lives will still conform to the Law.

Jesus said,
(Mat 5:17-19 KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. {18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. {19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

As we learn to pay attention to loving others like we ought, we will find that our actions will parallel what is commanded in the Law.

You can tell a lot about a person by whether or not they are obedient to the law.

During his time as a rancher, Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers lassoed a maverick steer, lit a fire, and prepared the branding irons. The part of the range they were on was claimed by Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt's neighbors. According to the cattleman's rule, the steer therefore belonged to Lang. As his cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, "Wait, it should be Lang's brand." "That's all right boss," said the cowboy. "But you're putting on my brand," Roosevelt said. "That's right," said the man. "Drop that iron," Roosevelt demanded, "and get back to the ranch and get out. I don't need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me."

Romans 13:11 KJV  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

It's not hard to get cynical about Jesus' return and say something like, "Well Paul thought Jesus was about to come back, and boy was he wrong! Why should I be concerned?"

(Mat 24:37-51 KJV) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. {38} For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, {39} And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

It will be like the days of Noah. What were the days of Noah like? They were like any other ordinary days. In a sense there was nothing unusual about them. If it were so totally obvious that the flood was coming, why would people be doing things like "eating, drinking, marrying, etc."?

{40} Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {41} Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {42} Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Some people feel these verses could be talking about the people being taken away in judgment as when Jesus returns after the end of the Tribulation period. Others feel this could be talking about the Rapture, when Jesus will quickly snatch His church away.

{43} But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {44} Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Be ready. You never know when it could happen.

{45} Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? {46} Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. {47} Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. {48} But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; {49} And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; {50} The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, {51} And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Which servant thinks that the Lord is delaying His coming? The evil servant.

Which servant is ready for his Master's return? The faithful and wise servant.

Jesus is coming for us. It may be that we could suddenly die, and then we will find ourselves in His presence. It may be that the time of His return will finally come. Be ready.

Romans 13:12-13 KJV  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

drunkenness – methe – intoxication; drunkenness

chambering – koite – a place for laying down, resting, sleeping in; a bed, couch; the marriage bed; adultery; cohabitation. We might call this "sleeping around".

wantonness – aselgeia –unbridled lust, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence; sexual excesses, absence of restraint.

strife – eris – wrangling; persistent contention, bickering, petty disagreement, and enmity.

envying – zelos – excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit; an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy

These are all "night time" activities. These are all the types of things that we are to "cast off"

Romans 13:14 KJV  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Learn to think like Jesus. Learn to act like Jesus. Do the things that influence you to be more like Jesus.

Prayer, Bible Study, Worship, Fellowship, Witnessing.

Victory over sin doesn't just come by denying the flesh. You've got to fill the void with something else, and it needs to be Jesus.

How will Jesus find you when He returns?

Will you be caught by surprise, or will you be ready for Him? We get ready by "putting on Jesus" and not feeding our flesh.

God bless you as you follow Him. Keep on Keeping on.
With love from your sister in the Lord.

 

What has been the impact of the recent Economic Downturn on you or
your friends? What do you think the primary causes of the downturn are?
What are you doing to cope?

Being that we are a one income household of 5, I already have to make sure to be frugal with money. With prices going up (including gas) I am having to be even more frugal.

My husband has been cut back to 4 day work weeks, only 40 hours a week, when he used to get 60 hours a week. So with less money coming in and stuff costing more, we have to be careful. (We are thankful he has a job though as some employees were laid off)

We shop first at a discount / bent and dent grocery store for our stuff. Anything that is necessary that can't be gotten there is then gotten at wise where I am a wise club member.

I also love freecycle to watch for clothes for us and other things we may want/need.

Also our local Goodwill is really good. I have been told it is not that way in many areas, so I guess it is one of the blessings of living in an area with many Amish/Mennonites (our Goodwill even has a capedress section).

What are you doing?

Jeremiah 15:1-2 KJV  Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.  (2)  And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.

They had been warned but they didn't want to listen.
How do people end up in the lake of fire (hell)?

Romans 1:1-32 KJV  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  (2)  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  (3)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  (4)  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  (5)  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  (6)  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:  (7)  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (8)  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  (9)  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;  (10)  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.  (11)  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  (12)  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.  (13)  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.  (14)  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  (15)  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  (16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  (18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  (21)  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  (24)  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  (25)  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  (26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  (28)  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  (29)  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  (30)  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  (31)  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  (32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Jeremiah 15:3 KJV  And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

They will be killed and wont be buried.

Jeremiah 15:4 KJV  And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 33:1-13 KJV  (1)  Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:  (2)  But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.  (3)  For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.  (4)  Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.  (5)  And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.  (6)  And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.  (7)  And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:  (8)  Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.  (9)  So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.  (10)  And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.  (11)  Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.  (12)  And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,  (13)  And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

He was Hezekiah's son

2 Chronicles 33:14-17 KJV  (14)  Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.  (15)  And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.  (16)  And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.  (17)  Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.

Jeremiah 15:4 KJV  And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

God will forgive us when we repent but we still need to reap what we sow. Manasseh repented but he already had corrupted the nation. God will forgie but you still have consequences.

Jeremiah 15:5-6 KJV  For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?  (6)  Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

Forsook God

Jeremiah 15:7-9 KJV  And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways.  (8)  Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.  (9)  She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

fan – the picture is of grain being "winnowed".  After wheat is picked, it's taken to a threshing floor where it is beaten or crushed to separate the grain from the chaff.  Then the whole thing is tossed up in the air and the wind blows away the chaff as the grain falls to the ground.
Family wiped out.

Jeremiah 15:10 KJV  Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.

He says they hate me because I tell them what God says. Anyone experience that? Been called right wing, ultra fundamentalist, bigoted Christian. Apocalyptic, Jesus coming back, flame of fire, crazy Christian.
They say it about you.
Don't be surprised at opposition.
Some of it comes from hell itself.  Satan doesn't want you to serve the Lord.

Jeremiah 15:11 KJV  The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

God takes care of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 15:12-14 KJV  Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?  (13)  Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.  (14)  And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.

The people earned this.

Jeremiah 15:15-16 KJV  O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.  (16)  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

God's word sings to my spirit.

Jeremiah 15:17-18 KJV  I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.  (18)  Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?

Jeremiah is having a bad day. A me, me, me day.

Jeremiah 15:19 KJV  Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

Repent

Jeremiah 15:20-21 KJV  And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.  (21)  And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

One of the reasons we allow others to influence us is because we want to be liked by them.  We're looking for love in all the wrong places.

But if you get that love you're looking for from the Lord, then you don't "need" those other people to like you and instead of them influencing you, you can influence them.
Be a trend setter.

God bless you as you follow Him.

Jeremiah 14:1 KJV  The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

dearth – batstsoreth – dearth, drought, destitution
They are in famine

Jeremiah 14:2-3 KJV  Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.  (3)  And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

black – probably dressed in black for mourning
Drought

Jeremiah 14:4-7 KJV  Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.  (5)  Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.  (6)  And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.  (7)  O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

The deer in the wild gives birth and abandons its baby.
Forgive because of who you are

Jeremiah 14:8-9 KJV  O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?  (9)  Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

Then the Lord answers:
Jeremiah 14:10 KJV  Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

They were like sheep gone astray. They had a chance to repent and didn't take it.

Jeremiah 14:11 KJV  Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

This is the third time Jeremiah is told to stop praying for them.

Jeremiah 14:12-14 KJV  When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.  (13)  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.  (14)  Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Prayer and fasting can be very beneficial.
But it can become a ritual.  Some people feel that if they fast, that God owes them something.  Not so.
God would not respond to the people's cry for rain because they had not truly turned to Him.

There are religious leaders telling the people what they want to hear. (problem in American right now)

Jeremiah 14:15 KJV  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

The very thing they say wont come will be what kills them.

Jeremiah 14:16-18 KJV  And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.  (17)  Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.  (18)  If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

Judgement is inescapable.

Jeremiah 14:19-20 KJV  Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!  (20)  We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

When judgement comes they will call out.

Jeremiah 14:21-15:1 KJV  (21)  Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.  (22)  Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.  (15:1)  Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Aren't you glad what Jesus has done for you?
If God says He will judge, He will.
God will forgive the backslider. God will forgive the man/woman who has made a mess of their life because of pride and lust. God will forgive them, if they will come to Him.

Question is: Have you?

Have you made that decision?

There is only one way we can be saved and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

God bless you and draw you close to Him and help you walk in His holy will.

Jeremiah 13:1-4 KJV  Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.  (2)  So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.  (3)  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,  (4)  Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

There are times when you serve God that He is going to ask you to do things that might not make sense to you.

Jeremiah 13:5-11 KJV  So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.  (6)  And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.  (7)  Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.  (8)  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (9)  Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.  (10)  This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.  (11)  For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

Sometimes our own pride gets in the way of our relationship with the Lord.

Jesus taught:
(Luke 18:10-14 KJV)  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. {11} The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. {12} I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. {13} And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. {14} I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

We have a good thing going in our life and we get all caught up in how great we are.
We are faced with a choice, are we going to humble ourselves before the Lord so He can use us again, or is He going to have to humble us?

(1 Pet 5:5-6 KJV)  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. {6} Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

They were to be close to God. They were to be a light to the world. Israel was supposed to lead the world to God.

What does God want to do with you? What a shame to be on this earth and not grasp what God wants to do with you. He didn't have to put you here. You know that. You are here. He has a purpose for you. He has given you gifts. You have gifts from God. Step out and start serving. Don't bury your gifts.

Jeremiah 13:12-13 KJV  Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?  (13)  Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

Those who have forgiven much, love much.

Luke 7:36-48 KJV  And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.  (37)  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,  (38)  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.  (39)  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.  (40)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.  (41)  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.  (42)  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  (43)  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  (44)  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  (45)  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.  (46)  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  (47)  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  (48)  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Jeremiah 13:13-16 KJV  Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.  (14)  And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.  (15)  Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.  (16)  Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Turn back while there is still light to see your way.

Jeremiah 13:17 KJV  But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

God warned them. They wouldn't listen.
Jeremiah's heart is broken for the people that won't wake up and turn around.
How do you feel about people who don't know the Lord?

Jeremiah 13:18-19 KJV  Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.  (19)  The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

This was fulfilled

Jeremiah 13:20-22 KJV  Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?  (21)  What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?  (22)  And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.

being stripped, exposed, humiliated

Jeremiah 13:23 KJV  Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

There is one race...It is called human. It is evolutionary thought to think of different races. One race...human. Doesn't matter the color of your skin....technically everyone could use that stuff Michael Jackson used and everyone would have the same pale skin color lol.

They are so used to doing evil that they don't care to repent.
I think it's possible for a person to go so far from God that they can't come back.  I think there's a line that if a person crosses it, they're not going to turn around.

John 3:3-6 KJV  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

You can't birth yourself. You can't save yourself. For by grace by faith not of yourself a gift of God. God knocks...you answer. Humble yourself.

Jeremiah 13:24-27 KJV  Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.  (25)  This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.  (26)  Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.  (27)  I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

God sees our sin.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God sees everything. Turn from it and He will forgive. Give you eternal life.

God bless you and draw you close to Him.