Primary Source

An Eternal King Promised

Jeremiah 27:1-22

Reflection: Primary Source

What “voices” are you listening to each day?

In what way do you struggle with worry and fear?

Think of three ways you can dwell on God’s promises-instead of what you fear-today?

This reflection made me think about all of the technology that we are inundated with today. You can find the most vulgar and disgusting images imaginable on the internet. The world is so different than it was when I was a child. I am concerned for my daughters and what the future holds for them. We are constantly bombarded with images of destruction and desolation around the world and sometimes in our own neighborhoods. These images often remove us from the reality of our own live s and cause us to see more bad in the world than good. It seems like an uphill battle that we may never win. But when I read the title of today’s reflection :Primary Source,  it gave me some perspective.  What we are reading and experiencing in our world today is a form of plagiarism. This is not the life that God intended for us. We are not here to worry about all of the evil in the world because to do so insinuates that God is not the author and finisher of our faith. Why should I commit myself to reading and studying the word of God and then spend the remainder of the day worrying about what bad thing will happen next? I trust him to do everything that he promised. We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his Holy Word, he never failed me yet.   We can’t turn around so we may as well trust him. I’m changing the voices that I listen to. Rather than CNN I’m tuning in to the gospel Channel. When I hear something negative on the radio, I turn on my gospel playlist on Pandora. Don’t like what I’m reading in the paper? I go to Hebrews 2:2 where I can “fix  my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (NIV).” The negative images and bad news make good headlines, but there are just as many people doing good. Yes, I know that in these uncertain times I will continue to struggle with the negativity of the world, but I know that if I change the station, I can dwell on the word of God and his promises.

Related Readings

2 Kings 24:8-17

Psalms 27:1-3; 94:19

Philippians 4:4-9

Many Kings Fall

Many Kings Fall

Jeremiah 1-17

Reflection: Inside Out

What “Enemies of the Soul” (busyness etc) cause you to sometimes forget to take time with God  ?

How much time do you spend daily in prayer and Bible Study, preparing your heart for today?

What are some practical ways you can become more balanced in your life? 

“Help me God to slow down, to be silent, to do Your will, not mine.” -Marian Wright Edelman

I had heard parts of the book Jeremiah, but had never sat down and read the book through. Well I read the first chapters this morning and it was an eye opener. I woke up at 4am and couldn’t go back to sleep. I watched some of the Australian open and began to think about all of the things I could do if I just got out of bed. I do this sometimes but I usually try to clear my mind to go back to sleep. Well, today I did something different. I just got up. I hadn’t planned it, but here I was at 4:47 out of bed. I knew that I couldn’t do all of the things that needed done before getting ready for work but I thought surely I can spend some time in my bible and perhaps that will prepare me for the rest of the things that I have to do. Well, this passage of Jeremiah was just what I needed. Here I am with my busy self, running from here to there taking care of everyone’s needs that some days I don’t even take the time to read my bible. Have I really gotten that busy? The book of Jeremiah starts as a scolding. The honeymoon is over. I had to do some soul searching on this one. Why do we, I, sometimes turn away from God? He has given us everything. And not only do we turn away; we justify. We come up with all of the excuses of why we can’t come back. Yes, I’m going to say it: The church is greedy, the pastor is shady, people are too bougie, they so ghetto, They want me to do what? With basketball, soccer, PTO, family, blah blah blah… I just don’t have the time. We will stay at a job we hate, return time and time again to a fruitless relationship that we should have left a long time ago, forgive our trifling family, bail our kids out of trouble for the umpteenth time, but we don’t have time for GOD? The one who put everything on pause to 1. Create us, 2. Save us, 3. Give his only begotten son so that we may have eternal life? I could go on but you get it. He has done everything and given everything. And what do we do in return? Defile his land, break his laws, and worship false idols, cheat, steal, and lie, adulter. We have given up our birthright on one end and our inheritance on the other. We just need to stop it. But you know what? In the end God is Patient, Righteous and Faithful. I take this passage of Jeremiah as a warning. The God who has given us everything can surely take it away. But, even in our selfishness, he remains faithful. And so should we.

Related Readings

Psalms 5: 1-3

Proverbs 31:30

Romans 12:1-2

Ephesians 4:21-24

1 Peter 3:3-6 

The Sin of the People

The Sin of the People

Read 1 Ezekiel 20:5-26

Reflection: Hard Truth  (Ezekiel 22:17-22)

1. How do you think suffering can strengthen your relationship with God?
2. Have you experienced pain that drew you closer to God?
3. What would it be like for you to embrace the difficult things of your life today-physical pain, a strained relationship or a major disappointment-as part of God’s redemptive work in you?

I never really knew what it felt like when God poured out his wrath upon you. I have always considered myself to be saved. I was baptized when I was seven and have always belonged to one church or another. But I have only recently developed a relationship with God. It is only recently that I began to grow and mature by fasting and praying daily. Before, if I was going through something I would worry about how things would turn out, or even try to alter the outcome in my “favor”. I may get angry or even lash out, but it never felt like God was angry at me. I didn’t direct my dissatisfaction towards him, nor did I pray about it. I tried to fix it myself. Now, it just feels different. This situation feels like an attack; a storm that has arisen out of nowhere; without any warning. I have gone to God prayerfully today asking what I should do now. Not just for my own sake but for those around me who are in pain and turmoil. I believe that I have seen the wrath of God. I do not know its cause or place of origin; I just know that it hurts like nothing I have ever experienced before. The thing is, now I know that God is the only one who can fix this. When I looked around and saw the anguish of the people over a situation that was out of their control, I asked God why? How could this happen to a group of people who do so much good for so many people even when they are struggling themselves?  In response to today’s reflection, it is so appropriate for this time, but it must be meant for someone else because I am at a loss for words. I realize that we must go through painful things to get closer to God, but this pain is so new and fresh that I cannot begin to say how I will grow from it. I can only pray that growth is possible for me and those around me and that the devastation of certain events is not so severe that someone who is just beginning their walk with Christ is unable to recover from it.

There was a passage in today’s reflection that read: ”God loves what he created but he will pour out his righteous wrath as a reflection of that love. Sin alters the created order so significantly that it leads to the sickness, disease, sadness, stress and fatigue that we experience. ” But…”suffering can point us to God’s power to console and redeem.” I pray that as we are melting in this fiery furnace of God’s wrath that we are recreated in his image and become newer, stronger creatures who are able to reflect Gods transforming love to the world. God's wrath is one of those hard truths that we must live with, but his Grace is Amazing.

Related Readings

Psalm 103: 1-22

Zechariah 7:8-14

Revelation 20:1-14

Why Do The Wicked Prosper?

Many Kings Fail

Read Jeremiah 1-17

Reflection: Why do the Wicked Prosper?

1.   What situation has caused you to wonder why the wicked prosper?
2. When you’re tempted to question God’s actions, what steps can you take to remember his wisdom?
3. What assurances do you have that God will render his justice one day?

Lately it seems that the prosperity of the wicked is more and more short lived on earth. With today’s twenty-four hour news cycle we very quickly hear about those who swindle the poor out of their hard earned savings, sell drugs to those who are most vulnerable and shoot maim and kill innocent children. I rarely watch the news anymore because it is so disheartening. I saw a story on the news last night about the Taliban hunting down a fourteen year old Pakistani girl on the bus and shooting her in the head because she desires that she and her female peers receive an education. These people will be brought to justice. When I do see these people, flying in their private jets, living an opulent lifestyle on the backs of others, I simply think about my father’s riches in Heaven. When I see the wicked prosper, I know that what they consider prosperity is not why we are here. I don’t become envious, or desirous of what they have because I know that if they are wicked, their wickedness will be revealed and God will deal with deal with them accordingly. I am always amazed by things that I thought would destroy me, and that were meant for my destruction by others were turned into a blessing. And those who sought to prosper from my suffering lost everything. That is why I know God is the only Justice in the world. He’s over every State, Federal, District and Circuit court. When I see the wicked prosper, I just sit back and watch God go to work, in my life and theirs. Just when they think they have reached the pinnacle of success, God reminds them that He is still the giver of all prosperity and if you soul is not alright it doesn't matter how many things you have, how big your house is, how much money you have in the bank, where your kids go to school or what kind of car you drive. THESE THINGS DO NOT EQUAL PROSPERITY.  You see, for me prosperity is in the eye of the beholder. What the world sees as prosperity may be a mask for the strife and turmoil that is going on in that person’s soul. I don’t believe that the wicked can prosper. They may give that appearance, for a while. But eventually, no crime, wicked thought or deed will go unpunished. God said so in Luke 18:7-8 “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” So I don’t worry about the prosperity of others, nor their justice because I know that God’s got it. 

Related Readings

Job 21: 7-21;

Psalms 73:1-28

Proverbs 11:21-23

But, God

Saul Fails and Is Rejected

Read 1 Samuel 15:17-23

Reflection: But, Lord

1. How is “But, Lord” a phrase that creeps into your vocabulary?
2. In what way have you tweaked God’s instructions to suit your convenience?
3. What are some practical ways you can turn from temptation in your life? Make a commitment today to take whatever steps you must to obey God with no ifs, ands or buts.

I recently started a journey of self-improvement. The goal was to make me a better me for my family in the long run. In the past, I have begun this same journey only to beat myself up somewhere along the way and turn back to where I was coming from. I am learning that these big decisions take courage and perseverance. I am that one who has had to pay the price for all of the times I have said but, God. The cumulative toll that these buts have taken on my health and my life have not always been good. I know that where I am now is a result of the times that I turned away from what God was telling me to do. I returned like Saul with a job half-done and God has let me know time and time again that this is not what he wanted. Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows that I love to write and that I have volumes of poems, stories and even a novel on the shelf. For years I have been told that I have a gift of writing. I have always said thank you but am still hesitant to share that part of me with others. I am constantly telling others that if they have a God-given talent and don’t share it with the world, they are not following the will of God. But why can’t I seem to take my own advice? I have made excuse after excuse; I don’t have time, my writing is not that interesting, it’s not really as good as they say. The buts go on and on. If I could count how many fitness programs that I have started only to stop before I could see any real results, I’m sure they would number in the hundreds. The constant choice of what tastes good or feels good for the moment over what I know will benefit me best in the long run has led to some unexpected health concerns. All because I said but, God…one more won’t hurt-It’s not the one that gets you but the two and the three. It’s okay if I don’t exercise today-The one day doesn’t hurt, but when the days turn to weeks and years, damage is done. I recently started an exercise program that involves my family. We work out together two days a week and then I work out two days a week by myself. I recently watched a video by Bishop T.D. Jakes where he talked about the importance of commitment . This video had a powerful influence on me.

Today I acknowledge that I have been a but, God person, doing things that are convenient for me but costly in my walk with God. I also acknowledge that that’s Okay…sometimes, but God rewards obedience and in order to receive the FULL blessing of God, I have to stop beating myself up in those moments, turn around and get right back on track rather than giving God my buts instead of my best.

Related Readings

Proverbs 4:20-27

Matthew 26:36-46

1 John 3:21-24 

This is a powerful word

Are You Listening?

The People Demand a King

Read 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Reflection: Are You Listening? 1 Samuel 3:10

1. What are some things that drown out God’s voice for you? What makes it difficult for you to be still in God’s presence?
2. Are personal sins blocking you from hearing God’s voice? Take time to confess any wrongs you have committed and ask God to cleanse you.
3. Read Psalm 84 to prepare you to spend some time in God’s Presence.

Life, Life is what keeps me from doing what I know I should for God. My noisy, busy life is in constant competition; always trying to get the floor. It seems that I am just too, too busy. First, I have to work, then the kids need me, my husband is next in line, and then if there is anything left, I will take some for myself. And then the phone rings; dishes need to be washed; laundry folded.  I recently took a vacation and stopped all of my data. I wanted to take a vacation. When I returned, I had ONE HUNDRED and NINETY emails, and that is just on one account. It seems that daily, the needs of those around me are more than I have time to give. It seems that everything and everyone needs me all at the same time. Maybe it’s just me, but I thought that technology and all of the modern inventions of industrialized society were supposed to make life easier. Instead, I am always bogged down and occasionally overwhelmed with all that I have to do in a day’s work. I promised the Lord that I was going to read DAILY for just thirty days, reflect DAILY and blog DAILY about my reflections. I must admit that it has been a challenge. I have been able to read and reflect, but many of the blogs remain in my head. I am trying to get them out. One thing that I have to do is stop beating myself up. I believe that God knows my heart. I did find encouragement in a passage that I read the other day. It simply said, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that I have that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may not know about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone (Thomas Merton).”  I think this is the point of our busy lives. It is there to remind us of God’s grace. Even when we don’t keep our promises He is faithful and always in our presence, waiting patiently for us to return to his presence. When my busy life tries to drown out the voice of God, I just say the name Jesus (selah) and I know that he is with me.  And I have found that when I put Him first, the rest of the day seems much easier, and less busy. 

Related Readings:

Psalms 84: 1-12; 86:1-17

Matthew 5:8

John 10:1-6 

Deborah The Sabra

Cycles of Disobedience

Read Judges 2:10-19 and Judges 4-5

Reflection: Deborah The Sabra

1.   Who among your friends are most like the prickly pear cactus (tough on the outside but sweet on the inside)?
2.    In what ways are you sometimes sharp on the outside yet sweet on the inside?
3.  Spend some time praying that God would soften your edges. Pray for the friends in your life, asking God to strengthen them when necessary and sweeten them when needed.

This week’s reflection compares the name given to today’s Israelites to the prickly pear cactus, tough on the outside yet sweet on the inside. This analogy applies to so many people in my life, including me. I will not place the blame on any of my friends; many times I am the prickly pear. This gives me empathy for the times that they are difficult; I completely get it.  I had never really seen myself this way, but I have more and more lately uttered the words, "I have zero tolerance for....(fill in the blanks)".   It seems that today’s woman is tough skinned. We have to have that exterior that protects us in the work place. Many of us are driven to get ahead and in order to do that, we have developed this thick skin, this impenetrable outer layer that allows only our closest allies inside. It has become a means of survival in today’s world. I sometimes feel myself preparing for a meeting and getting all girded up because I know that I will have to present some defense. I am not defensive, just prepared for anything that may come my way. I know that I have to be better prepared and more efficient  than my counterparts. Maybe I am misguided, but in many ways, I have learned that this is what is expected and the “catch more flies with honey” analogy does not always fly in the workplace if you want to be taken seriously as a professional. This, coupled with my natural tendency toward introversion,  occasionally creates a barrier to me becoming close to people that I do not know. Sometimes in life, it is necessary to be the prickly pear, all the while maintaining that inner sweetness. I ask God to soften my edges, thorns and barbs when necessary, allowing some of the sweetness to seep out, and not allow me to bring my cactus skin home with me so that I can be a more loving wife, mother and friend.

Donnie McClurkin "Search Me, Lord"

Related Readings

Exodus 15:20-21

Isaiah 51:3

Ephesians 6:18