Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Having been married a whopping one year, one month, and 10 days, I'm going to venture a little marriage/relationship advice for those who are as clueless as I was (and still am) as a newlywed. This really applies to just about any relationship, but I learned it primarily in my marriage, so here goes.

Love them the way they want to be loved.*

Pretty simple, right?

We all have different desires in our relationships. Some of them are basic to every person but come with varying levels of need. The point of loving someone is not to love them the way you need to be loved, but to love for them. Love isn't something you do to try to get something for yourself, so it's silly to think that loving them the way you want to be loved is helping them. Love is a verb, an action that implies you are placing the other's needs and desires foremost.**

For example, I feel loved when my husband buys little gifts or flowers for me, writes me notes, and spends time just listening to me talk. He doesn't usually have that much to say, so this works out well for us.

Well, when we first got married, I just assumed he would feel most loved if I wrote him notes to take to work and cleared the evening so we could sit and converse over a quiet dinner at home. These certainly made him feel loved, but they weren't at the top of his list.

My husband feels most loved when I work on projects with him, even if we're not talking. He knows I care about him when I give him time to himself to unwind sometimes. And he is most definitely blessed on the rare occasion that I complete his chores for him. These things are just about opposite to my way of thinking, but they are special to him.

This might sound crazy to some women, and it might change when we have kids, but I honestly couldn't care less most days if I'm always the one to clean the bathrooms and do the dishes. He does those things for me, and I really do appreciate it, especially if we're hosting a party and scrambling last minute, but I don't usually get warm fuzzies over it. Sorry, ladies.

So I'm learning to love for him. I shouldn't have to insert the "for" in the middle there, but it helps me remember that love means denying myself and even what comes naturally to me to love Randell the way he feels most loved. I'm terrible at it, but by God's grace, I think I'm growing.

Like I said, this principle can apply to any relationship. We just need to take the time to get to know our loved one's needs. Let's love for them and not for ourselves.



*A great resource is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.
**The important exception to this rule is any form of unhealthy behavior or abuse. If you're concerned this might be something your loved one is going through, or you are being mistreated or coerced in any way, please talk to someone you trust and find a counselor. They can help you work through steps you may need to take to help your loved one or get help yourself.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:14-18a, emphasis mine

Belt of Truth: When Satan hits you low, you have to know the Truth (what God's Word says) about who you are. Study up!

Breastplate of Righteousness: Cover your heart with Christ's righteousness because nothing can take that away.

Shoes of Peace: Be quick to spread peace. Don't be contentious or complaining. Instead, walk in love and grace.

Shield of Faith: When doubts about your mission or God's goodness creep up, acknowledge them, bring them before the Lord, and hold up your faith for the enemy to see. As Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Even when you think you're fighting in the dark, you can recall all of the times God proved His faithfulness to you and others.

Helmet of Salvation: Satan can't take away your salvation, so protect your head with that assurance (1 John 5:11-13).

Sword of the Spirit: Like I mentioned in a previous post, your most powerful weapon is the Word of God. Soak your mind and heart in the Word and allow the Spirit to bring it to mind during temptation and conflict.

I am borrowing this topic from what our church's worship leader shared at tonight's choir and orchestra rehearsal. Thanks, Andy!

What comes to mind when you think of the word, excellence?

Some thoughts people shouted out tonight in rehearsal when Andy asked that question were: perseverance, practice, endurance, giving your all.

Let me ask a further question. What is an area of your life in which God is calling you to pursue excellence?

This is a stressful topic for me to think about tonight because, to me, excellence seems to be a word that narrows, and I believe God has given me a word to meditate on and practice this year that broadens: serve.

Think about it. When I think of an excellent pianist, I think of my friend who practiced 4+ hours a day in addition to teaching piano as her full-time job. That is a narrow path. While she did serve at church frequently with her gift of piano, she didn't have a whole lot of time for other tasks. When I think of serving, I think of doing a lot of kind, loving things for a lot of people - cooking meals, driving to appointments, babysitting, cleaning houses - and while I'm sure many people can do these much better than I can, it seems there are far too many service opportunities to do any excellently.

How do I serve, and serve, and serve, whatever God puts in front of me, with excellence? How do I just keep doing the next thing God gives me to do, but continue to give my whole self? Won't I run out of... self?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

God wants us to hand over our whole selves - everything we are, everything we have - to Him, and to do this as worship. Singing for Almighty God is worship. Dancing for Jesus is worship. Washing my dishes creates a peaceful environment at home and serves my family, which is worship. Taking extra time to make a yummy meal for someone in need is worship. Studying hard and working well honors God with your mind and body, and that is worship.

This is overwhelming because I think I must not be able to do everything with excellence. But what am I feeling? Anxiety. And what does He command us?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6

I can't do it all. I just can't. But God tells me to not be conformed to this world - in which people run around, getting anxious and trying to do things in their own strength - and to renew my mind and pray for discernment. He promises to give us peace. He doesn't promise to give us an easier or smaller task list, but He will give us peace.

When we live full of the peace that passes understanding, we live empowered to do all things through Christ's strength. And His strength is excellent.

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:11-14

Ever wonder who you are? Ever wonder why you do what you do or why you were born when you were born?

Have you ever asked God, "Who am I?"

God had just spoken to Moses through the burning bush and assigned him to free his Hebrew people from slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt.

No small task.

Moses, understandably, is questioning his qualifications for the task. God doesn't really answer his query directly.

"I will be with you," He says.

That is awesome! thinks Moses as he shields his face from the holy fire, turning to leave and begin his mission. Surely this God is powerful and mighty. But wait, I don't even know Your Name!

"I am who I am."

Let's review.

What was the first question Moses asked?

"Who am I?"

What was the second question Moses asked?

"Who are You?"

And the answer to both?

"I will be with you. I am who I am."

So Moses' identity is not found in his adequacy for his assignment; it is found in His God, who is completely able. He is I Am.

The next time God tells you to do something - care for a cranky family member, witness to a coworker, advocate for a refugee family - stop thinking about whether you can. In the end, it doesn't really matter because He is I Am, and He will be with you.

Even though I've been trying to stick to Jeremiah over the month, I find that, while there are many chapters I haven't drawn from yet, and since I am not a skilled expositor, I have nothing left to say. If you want to hear all that God has to say through Jeremiah, read it for yourself. Do follow it up with Philippians or something, though, because it can be pretty heavy.

With that being, said, I am going to finish out the month of #Write31Days, and today I have a few thoughts from some popular (or at least formerly popular) TV shows. Sadly, these are all drawn from first hand observation because I have a weakness.

Okay, in order:

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

Parks and Recreation: My all-time favorite show provides many belly-laugh, I'm-about-to-die-from-suffocation-I'm-laughing-so-hard-moments. It is, of course, exaggerated on many points, to make a point, but what I would like to point out (see what I did there?) is the shameless teasing of Jerry. Jerry is a character who doesn't always "get" things. Therefore, the other characters think it's harmless to make fun of him constantly. No. I don't care how slow or oblivious people may seem. Teasing is never harmless. Even if it's a good friend and you're being sarcastic, people always say there's a bit of truth in sarcasm, and we have to be mindful of how someone might take it. Sorry to preach. I just feel bad for Jerry. He's such a nice guy.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing...
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, 5

How I Met Your Mother: Aside from the pathetic frequency with which the writers use green jokes to fill space, what I took away most from this show is that the relationships are unrealistic. I have set my ideals of friendship way too high based on shows like this. You can have a group of friends, and you can have a best friend for life, but if you hang out that much and know everything about each other all the time, you probably have codependency issues. I've always wanted to have a "kindred spirit" like Anne and Diana, and I do have regrets about choosing grades over friends in college, but there are seasons of life. Sometimes friends will be closer than other times. And I would be happy to open my home to a friend if they need to crash in the basement or something, but it's not going to happen every other night we go to the bar, however much I would like them to need me that much. Okay, preaching to myself here. Faith, be realistic.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

Modern Family: Really? Yet another show that characterizes the mother as smart and bossy and the dad as a lovable goof? Do we really undervalue fathers that much? Sure, Phil Dunphy is leaps and bounds better than an angry, distant patriarch, but can we please recognize that this is a weak way to elevate our view of Claire as a strong mother? Men can be strong without being harsh, and they can be loving and involved in their children's lives without being a pushover. I would just like to take this moment to say, I'm really thankful for you, Dad.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3

Glee: I am Rachel Berry. No, I am not so vain to think I am as talented as Lea Michele. But I do love to sing, and - confessions - I love the spotlight. As a child, I often attempted to make my own stage in the middle of the room at family gatherings. At some, I was successful; others, not so much. Clarification for those who know me now - when I say something really weird or stupid at a gathering, I am only trying to fill the silence because it makes me uncomfortable. And frankly, I am terrible at small talk. I apologize. Anyway, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion over the last year that I am a very selfish and ego-centric person. This is nauseating to watch in the character of Rachel Berry, but it is honestly rather overwhelming to me. How do I change? How do I become an other-centered person? How do I stop thinking about how I can make myself likable and just start being a friend? Any thoughts? Seriously, I need help. Please be gentle.

Well, that's all, folks. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but today is evidence that we can truly learn something from our entertainment, however reverse the lessons are. Cheers!

For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded;
    I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
    Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of the daughter of my people
    not been restored?
Jeremiah 8:21-22

I don't even know how to write this post. I just know that God gave me this Scripture as I drifted off to sleep last night, and that has rarely (if ever) happened in such a clear and quick manner before. So I praise the Lord.

Why do I praise if I have no clue what to write? Because God knew that I and some of you needed to know that it's okay to mourn, and it's okay to doubt.

Jeremiah is weeping and asking questions here. He's having some serious doubts about why God doesn't seem to intervene more in the fate of Israel. Can't You just wave your wand and make it all good, God? Why are You just waiting for them to turn to You, when You already know they won't? Why, God, why?

If all you want to do is follow Jesus because He was a good guy, here's my simple response:

Jesus wept. (John 11:35)

And Jesus asked questions. (Matthew 27:46)

If you know God is real because you have seen His work with your own two eyes and you have felt His presence on your skin and in your bones, and you just don't understand why He hasn't chosen to prevent all wrongdoing and heal all diseases and make everything that's awful in this world good now, or yesterday, or from the start...

Jesus wept.

And Jesus asked questions.

I used to think people like me who wrote and talked about how awesome and good God is never asked questions, never had doubts, that their faith was super-sized, definitely not as small as a mustard seed.

Let me tell you that is not true.

Because I know He is real, and I know He is mighty, and I know He is good. But I grieve and I wrestle and I question with why suffering? And why couldn't You have made Yourself known without the Fall? And why do You only heal some faithful people who pray and ask for Your good gifts and not others?

These questions are hard, but they're real. That is reality, folks. We have questions.

And I know He blesses and works through all of my doubt because He wants me to work out my salvation with fear and trembling and to give an answer for why I believe and to have my own faith, not just the faith of my father and mother.

No matter how small my mustard seed is, He's holding it. Better yet, He's planted it. And every time I stretch to ask these questions, it's reaching out roots.

Don't be afraid to doubt. God is bigger than your doubt. I don't know when and how and what I may question, but I have experienced the living God and the power of His Word, and He is alive, let me tell you!

I had a pretty bad night last night. I had an stressful conversation on the phone, and I cried for a while, and I used a lot of language as I poured out my heart to God in my journal. I wanted to scream it out, but my husband was downstairs, and I didn't want him to call an ambulance or the police. But I was mad, and I hurt.

You know what? He forgave me when I confessed my anger and doubt and fear and heartache to Him. And He blessed me. He went above and beyond and answered two of my prayers immediately, which is way more than I ever could have expected.

One of my prayers was, "God, I have no idea what to write on this blog. I know You want me to write, even if it's only for my good, but I don't want to write just for me. I want to write to glorify You and help others glorify You. I just don't know how to do it when I'm so mad and hurt."

Now you know.

And as I drifted off to sleep, I heard a voice say, "9:20 to 8," which of course is backwards, but I woke up and turned on my Bible app on my phone and opened it to Jeremiah 9:20, which says:

Hear, O women, the word of the Lord,
    and let your ear receive the word of his mouth...

People, I do not have the book of Jeremiah memorized, and I had not read chapter 8 or 9 through in I don't know how many years. That was not a reassembling of what I ate  or heard the day before. That, my friends, was the voice of God.

And then chapter 8 - well that's what today's passage is drawn from.

So I still have questions. But I have some answers, too. And I pray that you will experience the mighty power of God. It takes a lot of humility and vulnerability, and I will be working on this until the day I die, but we've got to open ourselves up so that He can blow our minds. He is awesome. That is all.

An excerpt from Kamea by Jeri Howe:

Kamea was not sure what he meant when he said "the truth" about her. She grimaced and braced herself as he pulled the cloth from the mirror. On the beautiful wooden frame it had the word "Faith" engraved on the top and, as she looked, she did not recognize what she saw. There was a woman there, a beautiful, good, pure, spotless, unblemished woman. She was radiant. As Kamea studied her, she seemed faintly familiar. Kamea was stunned. She reached and touched her own face, and the woman in the reflection did the same. Kamea was speechless. That woman, could that be Kamea herself?

I just finished reading the book, Kamea, by Jeri Howe, a couple days ago. This excerpt really touched me for two reasons: One, the mirror is labeled "Faith", and that name is dear to me. :) And two, the woman reflected in the mirror was radiant, and that is the goal of my blog.

I am writing this blog to remind myself and anyone else who is in Christ that when we look to Him, we are radiant. I want you to remember that the next time you look in the mirror and are tempted to see your old self, the old, sinful self that is ugly and distorted. That is no longer who you are, and that is no longer who I am because, in Christ, we are new creations. The old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). When God looks at us now, He sees beauty and perfection because of Christ!

Kamea is an allegory along the lines of Pilgrim's Progress based on the story of the Woman at the Well from John 4. If you're interested in learning more about it, you can check out Jeri Howe's website: www.jerihowe.com/kamea. FYI: Jeri has no idea who I am or that I'm writing this post, so I'm receiving no benefit for mentioning her book here. I just wanted to share that message with you all. :)

There is none like you, O Lord;
    you are great, and your name is great in might.
Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
    For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms
    there is none like you.
Jeremiah 10:6-7

Do you fear God?

I spend a lot of time thinking and talking about how good God is, how much He loves us, and how He wants to be in relationship with us. These are easy for me because I am a touchy-feely person. My favorite way to praise God is through music, and much of modern worship music is about God's love and provision for us.

God is Love. And He is so much more.

God is Holy. He is Mighty. He is Righteous. He is Worthy. He demands our awe and reverence.

I do not fear God enough, and I sense that most people (Christians included) today do not fear Him enough. If we did, I think we would be much more careful in the way we talk about our Lord and what we view and hear.

God extends boundless grace to us, and He is slow to anger, but sin is sin, and it is repulsive to our Holy God. Are we mindful of this on a daily basis? Are we grieved by our sin? Do we seek to live holy lives? "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

The greatness of God is qualification enough to worship and fear Him. May we stand in awe of our God, knowing that He is both great and good, Holy and merciful. May we seek to reflect His glory rather than the pattern of this world.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:10

Learn not the way of the nations,
    nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
    because the nations are dismayed at them,
 for the customs of the peoples are vanity.
Jeremiah 10:2b-3a

Christians have got it wrong. Many, many times.

The Crusades.

Slavery.

The earth at the center of the universe.

The first two were horrible, horrible misinterpretations of Scripture that I just can't understand how anyone who says they follow Christ could justify.

The third is just embarrassing.

Each time in history when someone suggests a new way of looking at the world, there tend to be two camps of Christians. One camp says, "No. We've always seen it this way, and that's what the Bible says." The other camp says, "Yes. Let's go for it. We've got it wrong before, and we don't want the culture to perceive us as fools."

I think both of these camps are wrong because they're missing the point. The point is not to fight for what's traditional or what's futuristic. The goal is much loftier.

What if there's a third camp?

What if, instead of panicking and trying to "defend" long-held beliefs, or automatically adjusting our view of God and His Word to fit culture, what if we chose to open our Bibles and just sit and wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal God's will and way?

Because it's true: we have got it wrong. And it's true: we have been too quick to adapt to mainstream culture.

We don't have to be afraid of culture, what scientists may "discover" or what sociologists may "suggest". We don't have to clutch our Bibles in fear that someone may find out God is really dead after all or that maybe Jesus didn't need to die. And we don't need to just jump into the popular camp and forsake long-held beliefs at the drop of a fedora and the next issue of Journal of Archaeological Science.

Because our God is so much bigger and stronger than that! We must have faith that He will defend Himself if need be because we simply cannot defend God. I mean, we might as well be ants trying to defend an elephant! And we must have faith that He will help us to interpret Scripture rightly, through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and that we can then interpret culture by Scripture.

Are we willing to soak ourselves in His Word, to take the time to really know the Bible and meditate on its truths and promises? Are we willing to take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit and wait for Him to reveal its meaning?

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit...
Jude 1:20

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26

Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Break up your fallow ground,
    and sow not among thorns.
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord;
    remove the foreskin of your hearts,
    O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
lest my wrath go forth like fire,
    and burn with none to quench it,
    because of the evil of your deeds.
Jeremiah 4:3b-4

Have you experienced a dry spell in your relationship with the Lord lately? Do you feel far from Him? Do you know why?

Could it be that your heart is hard toward the Lord? Have you closed off the deep regions of your heart to Him?

I have experienced several seasons of drought in my relationship with the Lord. I wish I could say that my passion has never waned, but it has. Praise the Lord that He recognizes my weakness and extends grace to me.

Looking back on those times of distance, I notice a common thread: unconfessed sin. I began to form a wall or barrier between myself and the Lord because I didn't want to acknowledge or deal with my sin before Him.

In some ways, it was easier to scrape through my days with that gap between me and my Lord because I didn't have to repent of my choices. In the end, though, I always suffered. Recalling those periods, I realize I was suffocating inside because I had cut off my opening to the source of Life.

How could I compromise my Life for some short-lived satisfaction, or at least short-lived escape of pain or consequences?

Once again, we are left with a choice.

We can choose the immediate pleasure of laziness, letting our garden run amok, only to watch it die as the hardened soil eventually chokes it.

Or

We can choose the immediate pain of breaking up the soil, turning it over to expose the raw, untouched parts of our hearts to the Sun, and watch our garden grow healthy as it receives Life.

We cannot become hardened or desensitized to our sin. We must keep looking to the Holy Spirit to convict us, comfort us, and renew us. Day by day, we will see that "He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23), and that we will be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Praise God for this promise!

“If you return, O Israel,
declares the Lord,
    to me you should return.
If you remove your detestable things from my presence,
    and do not waver,
and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’
    in truth, in justice, and in righteousness,
then nations shall bless themselves in him,
    and in him shall they glory.”
Jeremiah 4:1-2

If you could create your own god, what would he/she be like?

Wait. What?

If you could create your own god, that god would not be God.

God must be infinite, outside the bounds of humanity and beyond our fathoming. God cannot be a human creation.

We worship what is beautiful, too great for us to comprehend. We stand in awe at the edge of the Grand Canyon, unable to see it in its fullness. We wonder at human life, realizing that we are so much more than collections of cells. We praise the works of Bach and Mozart because we recognize their musical genius.

We worship God because He is holy. His holiness cannot stand sin. This tastes bad because in our humanness we want God to be tolerant, but God will not tolerate sin. Tolerance we can understand. Tolerance is small, something you and I can manage. But God is big, big enough for grace.

Tolerance is allowing an addict to do what they do until they die. Grace is showing them life until they stop doing what they do.

Grace is what God spoke when He regretted the utter sinfulness of mankind that drove us away from Him, yet He gave us His Son. That is unfathomable. And that is who God is.

Grace is what He speaks when we have wrecked and ruined lives, yet He redeems every part of us so that we can become blessings.

Grace is what He was for the Israelites, rescuing them time and again when they didn't even ask Him to and giving us Jesus through their line. Grace is what He is to you and me today, when this fallen world has broken us to pieces, re-shaping our lives into His intended masterpiece.

Do not underestimate the holiness of God. And do not underestimate His grace.

And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.
Genesis 4:7b

My husband and I had the awesome opportunity to hike in the Grand Canyon today. It was gorgeous the whole way, but God blessed us at the end with a rainbow!

It took about and hour to travel down the trail. It was a pretty easy hike down, and the path was relatively smooth. I hardly got short of breath.

We rested for a while at the bottom, enjoying the views, then decided to return to the top. Wow. We knew it would take about twice as long to climb up, but we didn't imagine we'd have to take such frequent water and rest breaks. It was exhausting, and I'm sure it did our hearts good to pump that fast.

Sin is an easy slope down. It's a smooth slide, and it doesn't take long to get to the bottom. Even though it seems enjoyable at the time, soon you realize you have only two options - be stuck at the bottom by yourself, with no food and water, or make the long, hard climb back up.

While climbing up is hard, God's not gonna leave you there. He is walking with you, encouraging you to just put one foot in front of the other. If you find you simply cannot take another step, He won't leave you there to die. He loves you and wants you to come home! Call out for help!

On our way up the trail, we saw a man resting on a rock to the side. He seemed tired, but okay. Farther up, another man passed us on his phone, calling for medical assistance. It seemed the resting man was on the brink of a heart attack. Not long after, a helicopter came into view and landed a ways down the trail where he had been sitting.

God is ready and waiting to rescue you from sin. If you find your life is falling apart and you can't find a way to climb out of the canyon, just call out the name of Jesus! There is power in His name, and He is ready and waiting for you to turn to Him!

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.
Jeremiah 3:24-25

Shame. We need a remedy.

We know when we have sinned. And we know when others have sinned against us. And we are ashamed.

Our enemy wants to use that shame to manipulate us, to make us feel unworthy. To make us hide from God. Remember Eden?

But our God understands our weakness.

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:14

And He wants to heal us. He wants to make us whole and remove our shame.

Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5

That is why I write. My face was once covered in shame. I once hid from God. But He pursued me until I couldn't resist Him anymore. When I turned to Him, He removed my shame and gave me a radiant face with nothing to hide.

I want you to know that freedom, that joy. Freedom is scary and painful at first, but it is the only way to live, to truly live. He offers the same to you. Will you look to Him?

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the Lord, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.
Jeremiah 3:15-18

Is the book of Jeremiah starting to feel a bit depressing? I've certainly felt bummed the last few days. It's all very good and important stuff, but sometimes you just want to hear the good news.

And here it is. In abundance!

There are three wonderful promises God offers to the Israelites in these verses.

1) Shepherds after my own heart. Israel and Judah had been ruled by a string of godless kings over the last few hundred years, with only a couple exceptions. They were sheep led astray and starving for a good, honest, wise leader. The Lord promises to shepherd them through good leaders, people who are after the heart of God.

2) The presence of the Lord in Jerusalem. Up to this point the presence of God for the Israelites was manifested in the ark of the covenant, a precious and holy chest carried before them in travels and war, which rested in the tabernacle. This verse is not only a prophesy of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, where the Lord's presence would dwell, it is a foreshadowing of how His presence would be manifest through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The presence of the Lord would become available to all nations!

3) The house of Judah shall join the house of Israel. Judah and Israel had split long before, even though God's desire was that they dwell in the Promised Land as one people. God promises they will be reunited and return from captivity to the Promised Land together.

God is so good! Even as the Lord is warning the Israelites of their impending captivity and offering them a second chance to repent of their sin, He reassures them things will not always be this bad. He is going to show them grace even as they continue to turn away from Him.

That is a gracious God. The Lord offers the same promises to you and I, no matter how far we have wandered from Him. He promises to shepherd us, to bless us with His presence, and to unite us with other believers as the one body of Christ. We can choose to receive these promises, or we can choose to run back to Babylon. What will it be?

Return, faithless Israel,
declares the Lord.
I will not look on you in anger,
    for I am merciful,
declares the Lord;
I will not be angry forever.
Jeremiah 3:12

Most of us would agree that we want people to get second chances. Perhaps that is the image of God in us.

No one deserves a second chance. Wrong is wrong. And wrong deserves punishment.

Why do we get second chances, then?

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 103:8

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4

God isn't waiting to strike people dead, like some would think. He is a God of justice, yes, but He is also a God of mercy. He longs, more than anything, that people would turn to Him to find joy and peace and life in Him. That is why He gave the people before the flood in Noah's day an extra 120 days (Genesis 6:3). That is why He gave the Ninevites many chances to repent (Jonah 3:5). That is why He gave the Israelites 5,000 chances.

And that is why He sent His Son.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9

If you have heard His voice calling you, don't resist. Come home!

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Romans 2:4

He does not force you to love Him. That is your choice. But He has lavished love on you, and all He desires is that your eyes be opened to His love and you see Him for who He is and fall down and worship.

And, oh, my heart longs to see you find peace in Him!

Though you wash yourself with lye
    and use much soap,
    the stain of your guilt is still before me,
declares the Lord God.
Jeremiah 2:22

Some things you can wash away. Others you can't.

You can wash away dirt. Mold. Baby spit-up. Dust. Even blood.

You can't wash away cancer. Or heart failure. Or Epilepsy.

You can wash away a stressful day.

You can't wash away your response to it.

You can wash away a lot of change.

You can't wash away the hurt and dysfunction that caused it.

You can wash away the memories of what you've done.

But you can't wash away what you did.

I think we too often try to clean up the outside while the inside is dilapidated.

And sometimes we convince ourselves it works.

As long as the neighbors see the lovely exterior of our house, they'll think everything is fine on the inside.

Unless they get too close.

Are you trying to clean up your act so you can feel better about yourself around friends and family?

Has it worked?

Or are you still dying inside?

I know what it's like to hide under a good girl facade. I understand the burden of shame because once you pick it up, it is nearly impossible to get rid of it.

But I know that there is no amount of scrubbing and polishing that can remove the truth that, deep down, I am stained and scarred.

There is only one way to remove the disease - surgery and medication.

We need to have Someone cut out the junk, remove it from us as far as the East is from the West.

...as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

And we need to be cleansed through a medicine, a sort of antibiotic that kills any traces of it in our system.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

This is the only surgery and medication that has a 100% success rate, praise the Lord!

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

Yet I planted you a choice vine,
    wholly of pure seed.
How then have you turned degenerate
    and become a wild vine?
Jeremiah 2:21

As I was thinking through what I would write about this verse, John 15 came to mind.

I believe that once you place your faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins and right-standing with God, you are held in His grip and cannot lose your salvation (1 John 5:11-12; John 6:39).

However, the Lord does tell us to "work out our salvation" (Phil. 2:12), and we can chose to remain "in the vine".

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5

God's "pruning" of our branches involves conviction of sin and learning to trust Him during the harsh elements of life. Quite frankly, growing and being pruned is painful, and it is a regular process.

I really doubt the Israelites wandered from the Lord intentionally. Just like it is for the rest of us, sin for them was a "slow fade" (check out the Casting Crowns song with the same name).

Plants don't become wild vines overnight. But what keeps them - and us - healthy is regular trimming and shaping toward what we were meant to be.

When we abide in Christ, we are empowered to be fruitful in the Kingdom.

The question remains: Are we willing to be pruned?

Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant?
    Why then has he become a prey?
The lions have roared against him;
    they have roared loudly.
They have made his land a waste;
    his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant.
Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes
    have shaved the crown of your head.

Have you not brought this upon yourself
    by forsaking the Lord your God,
    when he led you in the way?
And now what do you gain by going to Egypt
    to drink the waters of the Nile?
Or what do you gain by going to Assyria
    to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
Your evil will chastise you,
    and your apostasy will reprove you.

Know and see that it is evil and bitter
    for you to forsake the Lord your God;
    the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord God of hosts.
For long ago I broke your yoke
    and burst your bonds;
    but you said, ‘I will not serve.’
Yes, on every high hill
    and under every green tree
    you bowed down like a whore.

Jeremiah 2:14-20

Are you compelled to sin? When you wake up in the morning, do you immediately begin submitting to impure thoughts and selfish motives? When you go to sleep at night, are you overcome and tortured by anxiety?

Are you living like a slave?

The Lord had set the Hebrews free from slavery in Egypt hundreds of years earlier. He had performed numerous miracles to accomplish this and then even more to bring them into their Promised Land. Yet they began living like they were still enslaved. Only this time, instead of being in slavery to the Egyptians, they were in bondage to other gods.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

God wants us to be free. He wants us to live an abundant life, free of the yoke of sin and evil, free to enjoy walking with Him in the light.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Are you still walking with the yoke of the world's evil, despair, and chaos on your shoulders?

Take it to the Lord, and lay it down at His feet. Surrender the yoke of oppression.

Then take up His yoke. The yoke of Christ is His presence, which we can carry with us through every moment of every day - no matter what we encounter.

Because that is why Christ set us free - to have the freedom to dwell in His presence and perfect peace.

For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see,
    or send to Kedar and examine with care;
    see if there has been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
    even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
    for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
    be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
    the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
    broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:10-13

What provoked you to wander?

Why are you still trying to make your own god?

God questions why the Israelites left Him. None of the surrounding nations had, even though their gods were made of wood and stone and couldn't do a thing for them.

"I was your glory," He says, "yet you left me for a fantasy."

Have you wandered from the Lord? What fantasy are you trying to hold on to? Does it have any real power?

Does your significant other have power to save you?

Does food have power to save you?

Does alcohol have power to save you?

Does sex have power to save you?

Does money have power to save you?

These are all good things God has given for us to enjoy, but when we rely on them to hold us together, we realize our lives keep slipping through the cracks. They are broken cisterns.

Our God is a Fountain of Life. Return to Him, and you will never thirst again.

...whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:14

Today we take a break from Jeremiah for a very important message.

I had to replay this message in my head all day today to remind myself.

I am a friend of God.

God wants me. He chose me. He pursued me.

Do you need to hear this, too?

But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:8-10, emphasis mine

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 15:15-16, emphasis mine

Therefore I still contend with you,
declares the Lord,
    and with your children's children I will contend.
Jeremiah 2:9

How seriously do you take your life?

Do you realize that everything you do - even when no one can see - affects your family?

Of course you do. We all know that.

But really. Do you really understand the affect even secret and past sins have on your spouse and children?

The Lord told Jeremiah to warn the Israelites that because of their disobedience, He wouldn't only punish them, their children would be punished, as well.

Seems unfair, doesn't it? One passage in the Bible, at first reading, makes God look flippant - one minute like a kind grandfather and the next like an angry, vindictive mob boss.

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.
Exodus 34:6-7

How do we reconcile this?

Similar to our discussion of the responsibility of leaders versus individual accountability to God, we have to look at parents and children separately and together.

Parents are accountable to God for the choices they make and how they follow God.

Children are accountable to God for the choices they make and how they follow God.

But, sins of parents will affect their children's lives, directly or indirectly. Your unhealthy and ungodly choices will open your home to Satan's influence and remove God's hand of blessing from your family (see the story of Achan in Joshua 7 - thanks to Pastor Samra from Calvary Church for explaining this). The effects of this can be seen for generations. There are many examples of this, prevalent among them being abuse and sexual sin.

While children are ultimately accountable to God directly for their salvation and choices, parents have a great responsibility to demonstrate who God is and model how to follow Him.

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Deuteronomy 11:19-21

This is truly a weighty and seemingly impossible task. But there is hope. Remember that when we are following the Lord, He gives us supernatural power to accomplish whatever task He has set before us. I don't have kids yet, but I know from the testimony of many godly parents that this is true.

How do we do this?

1) Ask the Lord to reveal any unconfessed or unrepentant sin in your life.

2) Ask God for wisdom on how to teach your children the law of the Lord.

3) Ask Him to give you a hunger for His Word and His presence to strengthen your walk with Him.

God is faithful. He will be walking with us.

The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
    Those who handle the law did not know me;
the shepherds transgressed against me;
    the prophets prophesied by Baal
    and went after things that do not profit.
Jeremiah 2:8

Pastors and spiritual leaders have a huge responsibility for their flock. While we are each individually accountable to God for our relationship with Him (see this post), leaders are held accountable to a greater degree (James 3:1).

The leaders of the Israelites did not take their role seriously. Instead of seeking after the Lord, they began to look into other religions and "things that do not profit." Sadly, many pastors and teachers today are guilty of the same.

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psalm 10:4

Universalism was born out of exploring how to reconcile Christianity with other ideologies and religions instead of holding fast to God's Word. The idea that "all paths lead to God" is absolutely contrary to Scripture, which teaches there is only One God and One Way of Salvation - through Jesus Christ alone.

In some churches, the Gospel isn't preached. This is because people are uncomfortable with the hard truths of Scripture such as sin, suffering, the cross, and hell. Pastors have begun talking about "things that do not profit" because they are less controversial and leave the congregation with warm fuzzies.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Revelation 22:18-19

If you are in a leadership role at a church or Christian ministry, you have a weighty responsibility. Humble yourself before the Lord, seek His face, and plead with Him daily to keep you pure and help you to teach the Truth so you do not lead the flock astray.

If you are not a leader, you are responsible to lift up your pastors and teachers before the Lord (2 Thess. 3:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-3). Ask that God be present and working in their lives, that they humbly submit to His correction and sanctifying work, and that they always speak the truth in love. Pray that they would live above reproach and that God would protect them from the attacks of the enemy.

This is not a happy-go-lucky message. This is serious stuff. But if we each humble ourselves before the Lord and seek His face daily, we will experience the joy and freedom of walking in the Light. May we walk in the Light of His Word, so that we have nothing to hide and everything to enjoy!

Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5

Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord:

“What wrong did your fathers find in me
    that they went far from me,
and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?
They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord
    who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us in the wilderness,
    in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness,
    in a land that none passes through,
    where no man dwells?’
And I brought you into a plentiful land
    to enjoy its fruits and its good things.
But when you came in, you defiled my land
    and made my heritage an abomination.
Jeremiah 2:4-7

When we look at the history of Israel in the Old Testament, sometimes it's hard to not roll our eyes.

Example: The first thing Abraham does after God calls him is go to Egypt and lie to Pharaoh about his wife.

Example: After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and began leading them toward the Promised Land, the first thing they did was complain about the lack of variety in the miraculous food He provided.

Example (and this is where Jeremiah comes in): God brings the Israelites, in spite of their complaining and idolatry, to the Promised Land because He promised! But what do they do? Instead of continually praising and thanking Him for His faithfulness and goodness and provision, they begin worshiping other gods, including the land itself.

Wait. That last example sounds so familiar.

When was the last time you thanked God for all that you have? For even being alive?

Have we become so complacent and self-centered that, like the Israelites, we have begun worshiping the created rather than the Creator?

Or do we mock God by irreverently thanking Him for things that we have perverted? Like when I'm feeling down and say, "Thank God for chocolate!" while I bite into my third candy bar?

God created all these things for us to enjoy (v. 7a)! Yet when we enjoy the stuff more than the loving, gracious Father who provided them, we have become idolaters.

Try making a list of the things and people you really enjoy. Then spend some time thanking and praising God for each item. And it's okay to praise God for chocolate! But if you have a hard time praising Him for something on your list, consider whether you have been abusing that item and turning to that thing or person instead of the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you and help you place Him above all else.

And He will (1 John 1:9). Because, unlike us, He is faithful.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,

“I remember the devotion of your youth,
    your love as a bride,
how you followed me in the wilderness,
    in a land not sown.
Israel was holy to the Lord,
    the firstfruits of his harvest.
All who ate of it incurred guilt;
    disaster came upon them,
declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 2:1-3

Have you ever been in love? Perhaps it was a person or an activity you enjoyed so much, you couldn't imagine being away from them/it for any length of time.

Was it the first time you were finally able to play your favorite song on your instrument?

Was it your honeymoon?

Was it when you ran a marathon and reached a runner's high and wondered why you haven't done this before?

Was it the first time you held your newborn child?

Do you remember the love you felt when you first fell into God's arms? When you gave up running from Him and finally accepted His love?

The Bible is filled with metaphors of God's people as His bride. He is jealous and passionate for us, and all He desires is that we receive His love and love Him with zeal.

Do you? How is your heart? Are you filled with that first love for the Lord? Or has your heart grown distant?

Theologian D.A. Carson said, "People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord." Have you drifted? Or are you still running toward Him, abiding in Him, remaining close to His heart, and working out your Salvation with fear and trembling?

Daily, hour-by-hour I feel myself drifting away from my Lord. Worries, to-do lists, and a fleshly desire to be entertained constantly - these all pull me further from Him.

Are you drifting today? What is pulling you away? Will you do one thing today to seek the Lord and draw near to Him? He is always waiting for you, wanting to love you with His everlasting love.

My Precious Savior, I need you! How I need you! Every hour I need you! You are the only One who gives life and loves me fully and completely. You are the One who restores my soul. I love You, Lord! Rekindle my first love for You! Strengthen my heart to keep choosing You over things that cause me to drift. Refresh me with Your presence today! Because of Jesus, Amen.

And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.
Jeremiah 1:18-19

Christ is offensive. The Gospel is offensive. The Bible is offensive.

"Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." 1 John 3:13

Think of all the articles on the Internet and posts on Facebook calling Christians bigots, haters, and hypocrites. Unfortunately sometimes people who say they follow Christ act this way, which grieves God's heart.

But even if we speak the truth in love, it will not always be well received. No one wants to hear they're a sinner in need of a Savior. Mainstream culture tells us we're essentially good and we can improve ourselves. The idea of the Gospel is just so offensive.

Jeremiah's message was not going to be accepted, and he knew it. He was, understandably, quite afraid of how the people of Judah would respond. Yet God made Jeremiah impenetrable. God promised to be with him every step.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Jeremiah was not fighting against the people of Judah; he was fighting against Satan, who was trying to steal their hearts. We are in the same battle. Do not ever think a discussion about sin in the world should be done by attacking and demeaning those who are doing wrong. Our battle is against the devil, not people.

If we are speaking what God wants us to when He wants us to in the way He wants us to, we need not fear.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."
Matthew 10:28a

Nothing people say or do to us can remove our salvation. When we trust in Christ alone, we are guaranteed eternal life because of what Christ has done, and there is nothing anyone can do to negate that. Not even death can separate us from His love!

It is scary and heart-wrenching to think of what some Christians have endured for the sake of the Gospel. But Christ is our firm foundation, our cornerstone. We will not be shaken. We may endure pain, suffering, and rejection in this world, but our Lord has promised He will never leave us. We may be called to die for the sake of the Gospel, but if we do, we will be with the Lord.

Our mission may be offensive to many, but Almighty God is our defender.

But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.
Jeremiah 1:17

Dressing up for work instills a certain confidence. Some people have their "power suit." Maybe it involves a red tie or a black pencil skirt that makes you feel like a million bucks. We tend to wear these outfits when we feel we need a boost: for interviews, meetings, or presentations.

God told Jeremiah to get dressed. He just finished explaining how and why He is sending destruction to Judah (vv. 11-16). This must have been overwhelming to Jeremiah, and once again, he had to be thinking, "How am I going to say this to these people?"

The Lord knew Jeremiah needed to be prepared to deliver this message to a hostile audience, so He tells him, "Dress yourself for work."

How do we dress ourselves for the Lord's work?

Whether your audience is hostile or amicable, you are dealing with the Word of God and representing the Lord, so you need to suit up with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6).

Also, in a very concrete way, I recommend getting up and ready early in the morning. This is a huge struggle for me, especially since I don't have an outside job right now. But I find that the days I get up with my first alarm and immediately complete my morning routine (including quiet time with the Lord), while I may be a little tired physically, I am much stronger mentally and emotionally throughout the day. See Proverbs 6:6&9, Ephesians 5:16, and Romans 12:11 for the biblical basis to my claim.

I encourage you: get dressed every day. Be ready for anything God would have you do or say. Pray that the Spirit will give you the right words and assure you that God loves you and has a plan for you no matter the response of people. People are fickle, but God is unchanging. Base your worth in Him, and get dressed with His armor.

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,

“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:9-10

Do you want to leave a legacy? I'm sure the answer is yes. Well, I have the answer! And it's very simple.

Speak God's Word!

"...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

God's Word is powerful! It encourages, convicts of sin, shows the way of salvation, offers hope, declares good and evil, and gives life to the soul. It is sweeter than honey and brings joy to the heart.

Perhaps you, like Jeremiah, wonder what to say in difficult situations - perhaps during a conflict at home or when a friend is hurting. God promises that as we walk with Him and seek to honor Him in our relationships and communication, He will give us His words. Not only that, as the Matthew Henry commentary states, He will enable us to speak "bold and easy." We don't have to fear because the Author of Life will guide our words!

Don't know where to start? Here are three suggestions for beginning to leave a legacy of God's Word:

1) Memorize Scripture. This is absolutely the first thing because the more you have stored up in your heart, the more you can speak at a moment's notice. Try finding a verse that really encourages you and just write it out once a day on a sheet of paper and recite it out loud a few times a day for this coming week. Then pick a new verse next week.

2) Speak Scripture out loud in your home. As you're doing chores or cooking or applying your makeup, try just saying Scripture out loud. Perhaps you could try reading a Scripture passage out loud during your devotional time. This practice can obviously overlap with your Scripture memory, but as you memorize more and more verses, use them. When ungodly thoughts arise or you're tempted to respond to a situation with anger, speak the Word of God out loud to yourself and see what happens. Hint: What happens is always good because God keeps His promises!

3) Pray Scripture over your family and friends. When you are praying for people, search for a passage of Scripture that applies to their situation and incorporate that into your prayer. It does something both for them and for you because you are speaking God's words, which are infinitely more powerful than your own, and you are reminding yourself of truth in that situation.

Become a person who speaks God's words. That is a legacy. I am always moved and deeply touched when someone speaks the Word of God over and into my life. I encourage you to begin memorizing the Word, speaking it out loud, and praying it over your loved ones. Nothing else can leave such a legacy.

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 1:6-8

When God gave Jeremiah his commission as a prophet, Jeremiah responded with an objection I and many of you can identify with: "I'm too young."

Raise your hand if you've ever felt unprepared and unqualified for something God has called you to (my hand is raised).

Even Jeremiah feels ill-equipped for the job, but he is coming from a place of humility, which is a great thing in the sight of God. I could list twenty verses just dealing with the importance God places on humility. It is only when we are humble, when we recognize our weakness and humanity, that God can show His power through us.

And He promises to do just that. God doesn't leave Jeremiah hanging with no clue how to go about this prophecy thing; He assures the young man that because He has called him to this appointment, He will equip him.

The same is true for you and me, if not magnified. Why? Because, if we are children of God, we have been given the Holy Spirit!

Here are just a few amazing examples of what God has done and promises to do through us when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us:

He will give us words to testify in the presence of those who want to harm us.
When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:19-20

He will give us abundant life.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11

He will work the power of Christ in us.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me..."
2 Corinthians 12:9

If you feel you are too young, too old, too unhealthy, too healthy, too poor, too rich, too introverted, too extroverted, or too anything, you are probably right. But if you present your fears and weaknesses in humility before God, He will raise you up. Nothing is impossible with God. And the power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you!

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:4-5

It's not fair. Sarah gets to be a professional singer, while I'm stuck here without even a "normal" job. John has led a church and written a plethora of books, and I'm just wondering how to finish this blog post. Liz is as good at making friends as she is at brushing her teeth, but I have always struggled with friendships. Why?

Jeremiah may have asked similar questions when God signed him up to prophesy doom to his people. Now that is an undesirable job. Perhaps he was thinking something along the lines of, "But God, I was just starting to get in with the king's son," or, "All I wanted was to settle down and start a family."

Each one of us has been given a unique calling by God. Sometimes those callings are for seasons, and sometimes they require a lifetime of discipline and sacrifice. Sometimes our callings are easy to enjoy, but sometimes they are downright miserable and leave us crying out, "Why?"

When we're left asking, "Why?" we need hope to continue working and seeking God. The Lord knew Jeremiah needed that hope because he was entering into a lifetime of rejection and pain, so He told him the thing we humans all need to hear:

You are known.

God speaks to us the same truth He gave to Jeremiah: I knew you before you were conceived, and I set you apart to do my work.

We are known. And we are never forgotten. No matter how difficult our calling, no matter the conditions into which we were born or the conditions in which we now live, God knows us. And He is faithful to complete the good work He began in us (Phil. 1:6).

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16

God chose you for this time and this place to be who you are to the people in your life. You are called. You are known. And you are loved infinitely.

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month.
Jeremiah 1:1-3

These are a very exciting three verses, filled with epic descriptions of kings and prophets and dates.

Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

At first glance, the opening verses of the book of Jeremiah are not all that thrilling. I've never been a fan of lists and chronologies, although I do love history. So let's look at the history.

First, we have the question of why Jeremiah was called to prophesy. The Lord was warning the people of Judah of their impending captivity by the Babylonians if they did not change their ways and turn to the Lord.

Second, we look at the people to whom Jeremiah prophesied. Jeremiah prophesied during the reign of three kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. If we turn back to 2 Chronicles 34-36, we learn more about these men.

Josiah inherited the throne at eight years old, and he was a great young man. "And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." (2 Chr. 34:2) Josiah cleansed the land of idols and commissioned repairs to the house of the Lord.

During the rebuilding of God's house, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law, or the Torah, and gave it to the king. Once he read the Book of the Law, he realized the people of Judah were in danger of the wrath of God because they had not kept the Law. Josiah made the people swear to follow the words of the Book of the Law, and they did. "All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers." (2 Chr. 34:33)

After Josiah was killed in battle, his son Jehoahaz became king, but was deposed by the king of Egypt and quickly replaced by his brother, Jehoiakim. "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God." (2 Chr. 36:5b) Jehoiakim was captured by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon. The same thing happened to his son, Jehoiachin. Jehoiachin was replaced by his brother Zedekiah.

Zedekiah "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel. All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem." (2 Chr. 36:12-14)

It's easy to blame the leaders for the poor condition of their followers sometimes. After all, when Josiah was king, the people obeyed the Lord, but when the evil kings reigned, the people turned away from the Lord. Surely leaders have significant influence on their people.

At the end of the day, however, God was after the hearts of His people. He wanted them to turn their hearts toward him. Outward obedience can be required and enforced, as in the case of Josiah (the people followed the Lord all the days of his - Josiah's - life). But because the people's hearts were not humbled before the Lord, one good leader could not save his people.

We see at the end of 2 Chronicles how long-suffering the Lord was with the people of Judah.

"The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy." (2 Chr. 36:15-16)

It is a great thing to have strong, godly leaders in our lives such as pastors, parents, mentors, and teachers. But the Lord wants a relationship with you and I individually. He can use these leaders to encourage us, and even command us, to do what is right, but in the end we are responsible for whether we choose to follow the Lord. He doesn't want only our obedience; he wants our hearts.