Transition: God wants us back. God is abundant in His mercy and grace, longsuffering, is just in His justice, will not tolerate feigned religious lip service, will be faithful to His word, and to His promises. Romans 15:4 (NLT) 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures…
Romans 15:4 (NLT) 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Bible scholars often call these four chapters ch’s 30-33 “The Book of Consolation.” In them, the Lord unpackages the amazing promise…
Jeremiah 24:1–10 (NLT) 1 After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon along with the officials of Judah and all the craftsmen and artisans, the Lord gave me this vision. I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem. 2 One basket…
Words are important. Like in Germany one of the words that re-emerged in the pandemic (from World War II) was hamsterkauf. Literally “hamster buy,” it referred to “the act of succumbing to our basest animal-brain instincts to hoard more necessities than we would ever actually need” (R Schuman). Like toilet paper. Actually, the Germans have…
Jeremiah 14:21 (NLT) 21 For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break your covenant with us. Unprecedented National Disaster A Communal Lament The People Cry Out to God Lying Prophets The God who weeps
A Hope and A Future
A Hope and A Future When Sir Ernest Shackleton set out to find a crew for what turned out to be his ill-fated voyage to Antarctica in 1915, he placed an ad in the Times of London which read: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of…
A Hope and a Future: Today we’re beginning a new series where we will be introduced to a prophet that was way tougher than McLaren. His name is Jeremiah, twenty-year-old priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. Right at the outset we are reminded of two key truths that undergird this prophet and the word he would bring. When we hear…