This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

Jeremiah 37

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Mark Shields

Image by Pete Reed via Flickr

What is the situation now in Jerusalem (See 2 Kings 34:8-25:7)? What is the charge against Jeremiah (See 32:1-5)? To what extent are you willing to accept the consequences of speaking God’s message when it is unpopular or considered treason? Why?

Passage Lookup

Jeremiah was simply telling the truth when he delivered God’s message but sometimes the truth is not what people want to hear and punish the messenger. That’s what happened to Jeremiah when He was put in prison for simply stating the truth.

What I took from this passage is the need for courage. My Pastor Steve Ramsdell wrote the following in a church newsletter, “When we truly believe that Jesus Christ is continually with us, we can take risk and step ahead to obey God in new and adventurous ways.

Today, I’m praying for the type of courage that Jeremiah demonstrated in this passage. I’m lifting my day up to God in prayer and asking for help to courageously go through my day telling others the truth even when it may not be what they want to hear.

As we set sail on the adventurous journey of each day, we want the wind at our back and the guidance we receive from God is like having the wind at our back. As we step into dangerous territory, the instrument we need is the instrument called prayer. We can listen to the God of truth for instructions and believe He is big enough to be there when we need Him the most.

Posted in Jeremiah | Tagged Christianity, Courage, God, Jeremiah, Jerusalem, Jesus, Prayer, religion & spirituality | Leave a comment

Jeremiah 36

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Mark Shields

Image by @boetter via Flickr

Passage Lookup

The King of Judah didn’t take God’s warnings seriously. He refused to listen to God’s counsel and burned Jeremiah’s scroll.

Today’s Word from God is a lesson on the need to listen, think, heed warnings, and work at transforming character to break the chains of a difficult past in order to be free to chart a new course for a brighter future. It’s a lesson on choosing to be molded by God, seeking freedom, and having a fulfilling life through Jesus. We should ask in prayer each day for help in making good decisions and for the strength to lead those we love in the right direction.

One song I’m reminded of when reading this passage is “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real. Here is a video link if you would like to take a look: Lead Me – Sanctus Real. List any videos you are reminded of as you read this passage.

My hope is that you will be moved by this lesson today and that it inspires you as you spend this day with God. In prayer time today, share with God any needs or concerns and set some time aside to listen to God.

Posted in Jeremiah | Tagged Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jeremiah, Jerusalem, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Sanctus Real, Thinking | Leave a comment

Jeremiah 35

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Mark Shields

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Jeremiah 35

Passage Lookup

The Recabites were disciplined people. They paid attention, learned lessons, and followed the instructions from God. We can learn from this passage that it takes discipline and hard work to be a champion for God. If you would like to get in better spiritual shape, find a friend or two to hold you accountable to Bible study. Pray for the ability to learn the values Jesus taught, the discipline to carry it out, and the persistence needed to stick to it.

As I read this passage, I’m reminded of a movie my football coach in High School took the team to see. It was at the end of those hot summer two-a-days and the team needed some inspiration so he took us to see “Rocky”. Here is a link to a Rocky video: Rocky III – Training Montage. My hope is that you will be moved by this video and that it inspires you as you spend this day with God.

The great quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970’s Roger Staubach said once, “Nothing good comes in life or athletics unless a lot of hard work has preceded the effort. Only temporary success is achieved by taking short cuts”. I invite you to subscribe to this blog. There is a place for you to enter your email and receive free notifications of updates made. As we go through the Bible book by book, we are learning the values Jesus taught and are gaining discipline in carrying them out. We are daily growing toward being more and more like Christ. This continuous effort and persistent work will get one in shape to be a champion for God.

Posted in Jeremiah | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Dallas Cowboys, God, Good Common Sense, Jeremiah, Jesus, Rocky III, Roger Staubach | Leave a comment

Jeremiah 35-37 questions

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Mark Shields

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The question(s) below are to be used to provide fuel for your thoughts as you study the blocks of readings:

Jeremiah 35
Passage Lookup

Why is God going to bless the descendants of Jonadab? What do you say when tempted to disregard your behavioral values?

Jeremiah 36
Passage Lookup

What was the purpose of the scroll? How do you think the leaders of your nation would respond to a reading of God’s word about destruction of their nation?

Jeremiah 37
Passage Lookup

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Jeremiah 34
Passage Lookup

Jerusalem was under siege so the king tried to get right with God by making an agreement with the people to free the slaves. The slaves were freed but the promise was later broken. One characteristic of God is that He can’t be tricked or cheated.

A person’s character is who they really are; God knows all about each individual. He desires people with character, with principle; those who take stands on important issues that affect the future. One man of character that God used in our nation was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He once said “Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace”.

For us today, our peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Fortunately for us, Jesus paid the price and freed us for all sins past and future. Today, I’m thankful in prayer because I fall short. I need help in knowing what to do. Today, I’m making a promise to daily remind myself of this eternal peace and freedom God gives. I’m asking God for help in keeping promises and being a person of integrity.