Bible Pathways 08/14/04
August 14
Read Jeremiah 1 - 3
In Today's Reading:
Jeremiah's call; his message to sinful Judah; its apostasy results in idolatry; Judah entreated to repent
God revealed to Jeremiah that He has a plan and purpose for each of us even before our birth: The Word of the LORD came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the belly I knew you . . . I sanctified (set apart for God) you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
Through Jeremiah's revelation concerning the origin of human life, it is revealed that our birth is not our real beginning, nor will our death be our end. Since God is the Giver of life, let us recognize the sanctity of all human life. Just think! God knew you and had a plan for your life even before the day you were born.
The Holy Spirit also led King David to write: I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Your works; and that my soul knows right well. My substance was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (Psalm 139:14-15). Both a mother and father have the biblical responsibility to recognize that every unborn child, from the moment of conception, belongs to its Creator God. Both parents are responsible to be faithful stewards of God and to teach their children to know, love, and be obedient to their Creator God.
God revealed that He (God) has chosen us in Him (Christ) before the foundation (beginning) of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. In (Christ) . . . we have obtained an inheritance. . . . I . . . (pray) That . . . the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom . . . The eyes of your understanding (mind) being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and . . . the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:4-5,11,15,17-18).
We are special! Even before God laid the foundation of the world, He chose us to be His children through Jesus Christ, and it is because of Christ that we have received this inheritance from God.
God has chosen each of us for His sacred purpose. However, He has also given us the freedom to choose whom we will serve. Jesus stated an often overlooked fact when He said that no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other (Matthew 6:24).
Christ Revealed:
As the Fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus is the only Fountain that can satisfy the thirsty soul. Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink (John 7:37; see also 4:1-26).
Word Studies:
2:3 offend = be held guilty; 2:14 spoiled = laid waste; 2:18 Sihor = the Nile River; the river = the Euphrates; 2:31 lords = independent; 2:33 trimmest = scheme; 3:2 been lien with = acted like a prostitute; 3:9 lightness = shameless behavior; 3:10 feignedly = deceptively.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Bonnie Wilhite · Government Officials: Rep. James Hansen (UT), Rep. Robin Hayes (NC), and Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY) · Country: Mongolia (3 million) in east-central Asia · Major language: Khalkha Mongol · As a 70-year era of communism wanes, Bibles are now on sale in the capital, Ulaanbaatar · 29% Shamanist; 2% Buddhist; 2% Muslim; .2% Christian
Prayer Suggestion: Trust in God and offer up your prayers night and day (I Timothy 5:5).
Optional Reading: I Peter 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 5:1