Bible Pathways 8/14/2001

August 14

Read Jeremiah 1 -- 3

God revealed to Jeremiah that He has a plan and purpose for each one of us even before our birth: The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you (set apart), and ordained (established, decreed) you a prophet unto the nations (Gentiles) (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

Just think! God knew you and had a plan for your life even before the day you were born. Through this revelation concerning the origin of human life, it is revealed that our birth is not our real beginning nor will our death be the end. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

The Holy Spirit led King David to write: I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Your works . . . . My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (Psalms 139:14-15). Both mother and father have the biblical responsibility to recognize that every unborn child, from the day of conception, belongs to its Creator God. Both parents are responsible for bringing that child into the world to know, love, and be obedient to God. He has chosen each one of us for His sacred purpose, but He has given us the freedom to choose whom we will serve. Jesus stated a fact when He said that no one can serve two masters. . . . You cannot serve God and mammon (material things) (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).

To the Apostle Paul, God revealed that He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4). Just think; God had a plan for you long before you were born -- even before the foundation of the world.

Like Jeremiah, we need to focus on what is the right thing to do. God is the Giver of Life! As believers, let us hold in honor the sanctity of life. God is saying: Whatever I command you, you shall speak (Jeremiah 1:7).

To avoid wasting our lives on what is eternally worthless, let us consider what God said to the Israelites: My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters, and have hewn for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that cannot hold water (2:13). The two evils, neglecting the Word of God and choosing worldly gods, led to a military alliance with Egypt, a type of this world.

The people of Judah were the only people in the world who had received a special revelation of the One True God and His Word, the only source of eternal, life-giving Spiritual Water. And yet, they had forsaken Him, relying on human wisdom, false gods, and false prophets.

Today, there are numerous man-made plans that claim to provide a productive lifestyle and, for many, these plans have replaced the Bible, the Only True Guide to Life. Some plans may be helpful, but nothing compares to what God has provided for "our profit." All Scripture . . . is profitable (II Timothy 3:16).

Christ Revealed: As the Fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus is the only Fountain that can satisfy the thirsty soul (John 4:1-26).

Word Studies: 2:3 offend means be held guilty; 2:14 spoiled means laid waste; 2:18 Sihor means the Nile River; the river means the Euphrates; 2:31 lords means independent; 2:33 trimmest means scheme; 3:2 been lien with means acted like a prostitute; 3:9 lightness means shameless behavior; 3:10 feignedly means deception.

Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. James Hansen (UT), Rep. Robert Hayes (NC), and Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY) · BPM Staff: Clarence Rathbone · Pray for Ray Mosley and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WJRA-AM, Decatur AL · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in honor of Irene Crook Reece · Country: St. Kitts-Nevis (42,000) in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies · Major language: English · Religious freedom · 74% Protestant; 7% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those who wrong you (Acts 7:59-60).

Optional Reading: I Peter 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 25:40