The Open Door

“Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and twoContinue reading “The Open Door”

Pretentiousness

“And the Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.” (Jeremiah 3:11, ESV) I remember once endeavoring to mentor a person in the ministry. I would often sit with this person and give some constructive feedback, both positive and negative. At the end of our sessions together, he wouldContinue reading “Pretentiousness”

Failure To Learn

“She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore.” (Jeremiah 3:8, ESV) When I was in the United States Army in Germany, I had several humorousContinue reading “Failure To Learn”

Marital Infidelity

“If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man’s wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 3:1, ESV) I recently heard of a proposed changeContinue reading “Marital Infidelity”

False Claim of Innocence

“Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the guiltless poor; you did not find them breaking in. Yet in spite of all these things you say, ‘I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.’ Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, ‘I have not sinned.’” (Jeremiah 2:34–35, ESV) IContinue reading “False Claim of Innocence”

Aways Remember

“O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee? Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” (JeremiahContinue reading “Aways Remember”

Do Not Reject Discipline

“Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the Lord. In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.” (Jeremiah 2:29–30, ESV) One of the most difficult but important things to do as a parent is to disciplineContinue reading “Do Not Reject Discipline”

Powerless or Powerful Faith

“But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.” (Jeremiah 2:28, ESV) Everyone has faith in something. Many years ago, I stepped out in the hope of running my ownContinue reading “Powerless or Powerful Faith”

Self-Inflicted Wounds

“Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way?” (Jeremiah 2:17, ESV) When I was working at the United States Steel Corporation, I worked as a management trainee in the maintenance department. One day, one of our employees hit his thumb with a hammerContinue reading “Self-Inflicted Wounds”

Joyless Pursuits

“Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountainContinue reading “Joyless Pursuits”