One Year Bible - October 19, 2010

JEREMIAH 33:1 - 34:22                                                                                                    
RESTORATION PROCESS: In the face of imminent disaster and destruction, God is offering Jeremiah more proof of His plan to restore everything after the nation (and its individuals) is CLEANSED.

(33:7-8) It (we) must be sifted, the evil destroyed and the city cleansed. Like a farmer burning over a field with fire, he is cleansing it before a new planting, not just destroying the field.

(33:9-12) Cleansing leads to JOY of salvation and deliverance.

(33:12-13) Joy permits Kingdom peace and prosperity. When we are cleansed and contented, it leads to peace and prosperity.

(33:14-18) This will come to pass via the Righteous Branch, "the Lord is our Righteousness". JESUS!!!

GOD'S UNBREAKABLE PROMISE: The establishment of restored order is associated with "the Righteous Branch", Jesus - Who brings FORGIVENESS and "a cure":  cleansing, joy, deliverance, peace - all are the results of restored order.

LOOKING BACK: This is the time of the SECOND invasion by Nebuchadnezzar, after Jehoichin had been taken captive to Babylon, and Zedekiah was made puppet-king of Judah. The Babylonians are coming, and Zedekiah tried to placate God by decreeing that all the bonded slaves had to be released. TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE! When Egypt saw what was happening and swept up to take on the Babylonians, the Babylonians left Jerusalem and went out to meet them. When Zedekiah saw that, he rescinded the decree to release slaves. Here's Jeremiah's response to that: (34:15-17) "You profaned My (God's) Name."  Blaspheme!  God expects obedience.

UNDER SIEGE: Chapters 34-38 cover the siege of Jerusalem.  Nebuchadnezzar is banging at the door, there is no food left in the city, and the royal family (puppets of Neb) are quaking in their boots because Jeremiah has threatened them with extinction because of their sin. 2 Kings 25:1-9 tells the story. When Zedekiah tried to escape, the Babylonians captured him. The Babylonians killed Zedekiah's sons in front of him, then put his eyes out, so that the last thing he ever saw was the death of his sons. Then they took Zedekiah in chains to Babylon.

RESPONSE:   I don't do well when I feel pressured. I have been known to get real cranky! Is it fear? Is it unbelief? I know what it is NOT: peace, joy, deliverance, etc.  I like things to be orderly, in order.  When we are "under siege", there is "perceived chaos", and that makes me crabby.  Of course, I know that real, true chaos is not possible because God is in control. There is some kind of order in my chaos, but I sure don't see it when it is happening. It is like that old game, "fruitbasket upset".  Remember that?  While we (fruits) stood in a circle, the called-out fruits would trade places.  BUT, "fruitbasket upset" meant that everyone ran for a new spot.  It looked like confusion and violent churning.  Sometimes I feel like someone has called "fruitbasket upset" at my house.  The pressure I feel is that things are out of control, and it is my job to "fix it".   When things feel out of control, take our cues from Jeremiah - "Ah, Lord God....there is nothing too hard for You."

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16                                                                                                                 
"PURSUE GODLINESS AND FIGHT THE FIGHT OF FAITH":  Timothy may have been overwhelmed by the church at Ephesus. He was probably young, about 30-35 years old, and some of the oldtimers in the church were teaching false doctrine. This was a large church, probably close to 25,000 people in a city of 500,000. So this letter has firm, concise advice for standing strong. (Chap 1) Ministry to ALL people of every race is legitimate, ALL can be saved, regardless of their background - so keep going strong!  (Chap 2) The lifestyle that pleases God is quiet and peaceable, in godliness and integrity, so be bold and tell those who oppose you to sit down and be quiet!  (Chap 3) The Church is the foundation for truth and God's witness in the earth, so the leadership must reflect the purpose and mission God set out.

CHAPTER 4: Here's how to be an "excellent servant" of God. (4:6)
(V.1-6) Warn people of error. "Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" can cause people to "depart from the faith".   The problem with being deceived is that we don't know it when it happens! And so we need to be warned by an "excellent servant".   BUT....I will say this: most of the time, we get deceived when we ignore the warnings of our conscience.

(V.6-9) Study and Understand the Scriptures, the "words of faith and of good doctrine". Stay away from unholy teaching and be submitted to the Word of God and disciplined in personal godliness.  Avoid the unholy and pursue the holy.  This is a relentless pursuit of God and of understanding in the Scriptures.  Just like building up physical muscle and stamina, It requires repetition and self-denial.  It also takes discernment and judgment.

(V.10) Work hard, often without any thanks.

(V.11) "Command and teach" - Passing on information from the Word comes in the form of a command. Confront sin, unbelief, disobedience, and lack of commitment, with authority.  So, tell them what Scripture expects of them, and then teach them how to do it.  "Command and teach...."

(V.12-13) Live as an example to believers, "in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." This is the most powerful tool of the ministry.   In fact, if you don't back up your words with the life, you authority and teaching lack credibility.  In Phil 4:9 (and several other references) Paul said, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice." The way to gain respect is in living the godly life.   And as part of your example, continue to study and learn for your own growth.   Be relentless in your pursuit of excellence as a believer.  Study and dig into the Word, then explain it, apply it, and exhort people to DO it.   Systematically learn, explain, exhort - the whole process.

(V.14-16)  "Give yourself completely" - be totally committed to the work God gave you, and so avoid distractions. Continue to make progress, thru strenuous effort (Gr: prokope) and by the power of the Spirit (thru laying on of hands).  Thru right conduct and right teaching, you will attain the goal of the ministry: to save yourself and those who hear you.  When pressure comes from the outside to defect from what God told you to do, "take heed to yourself" - remember that you were anointed to do what God asked of you. You have what it takes to complete your assignment!

RESPONSE:   We can gauge what the pastor is REALLY all about by looking at what he has reproduced in the people around him.   Is the church clique-ish and hard to "break into"?  The pastor is probably standoffish and elitist too.  Are the people real soul-winners?  The pastor is probably an outspoken witness also.  Is everyone friendly and accepting?  The pastor probably "smells like sheep" from being AVAILABLE and approachable.  The pastor ALWAYS reproduces himself in the people around him. I thank God that our pastor has set a wonderful example.

PSALM 89:1-13                                                                                                                   

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS: The word, "faithfulness" or "faithful" is used 7 times in this Psalm describing the results or effects of God's faithfulness. The word for "faithfulness" is from a word that means fulcrum: a fixed point that supports and sustains, the weight rests on it. God is our "fixed point of support and sustenance".  He is absolutely reliable.   God's "mercy" is His covenant obligation to His elect,  God perpetually keeps repairing and building on His mercy; it is "new every morning".  God's "mercy" is also translated "lovingkindness" and refers to God's full and free flow of affectionate response to us.  It is like the response in a mother that causes her milk to let down when the baby cries.  It is as if God is so faithful that He can't help Himself! Psa 89:3-12 tell us that God's rule in the cosmic order is Absolute Ruler, with Absolute Power and Absolute Ownership (v.11).  The earth was NEVER the devil's; the devil is a usurper, if anything.  The rigor and vitality with which God binds Himself to the relationship He has entered with us, causes great joy and a confident, assured walk.   The "joyful sound" (v. 15) is the sound of freedom because of our all-sufficient God.  The words "You have...." in reference to what God has done because of His righteousness and justice, in faithfulness to us, is used 18 times in this Psalm!

PROVERBS 25:23-24                                                                                                       
A quarrelsome and scolding wife is so awful, a man would rather take his chances on the roof!
If you do not listen to, but frown on, the backbiter, you put him to silence. The receiver of gossip encourages and shares the guilt of the "busybody".

RESPONSE:   I love what my sister-in-law does when she senses "gossip" about to be spoken: she puts her fingers in her ears and sings! I guess she'd rather not hear it.