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Jeremiah 1:4-10 Excuses are a dime a dozen. Maybe a nickel a dozen! We’ve all had them handed to us by our children, spouse, friends, boss, co-worker, etc. “I forgot.” “You didn’t say not to.” “I was tired.” “When did you say that?” “Something came up.” “I didn’t mean that.” “What else was I supposed to do?” If you’ve received such excuses, you have probably countered with the “Don’t give me that!” response. If not verbally, you thought it. And, of course, you’ve never given any such smooth sounding side steps to anyone yourself - have you? Why, certainly not. In our text, I’m not sure if Jeremiah’s response to God is an excuse or not, but it could be. The Lord has formed him in the womb and called him to be His prophet to the nations. The soon-to-be prophet counters with, “I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.” (When we look at verse 8, it appears that Jeremiah is also concerned for his life.) But the never-to-be-deterred Almighty responds to Jeremiah with “Do not say, ‘I am a youth.’” In other words, “Don’t give Me that!” The Lord says that Jeremiah will go where he is sent and speak what he is commanded, and He gives him reassurance that He will be with him in this work and deliver him from those who would seek to harm him. From time to time we all stand in Jeremiah’s sandals. We have a very clear call from God to do something in His kingdom, but we hesitate and roll out our excuses. “I’ve never done that before.” “I don’t care for that kind of work.” “I’m too busy.” “I have kids.” “I don’t have kids.” “I’m already involved in...” “I’m too old.” “I’m too inexperienced.” “I just don’t have time.” “I just don’t want to get tied down..” “Someone else could do that better than I.” “I’d probably just mess it up.” And on and on and on... When you use any one of these or some other of your own, be sure and listen for God’s: “Don’t give Me that!” But also be sure and listen for His, “Do not fear. I will be with you.”

Revelation 6:9-10 The vision is given to us in Revelation of the souls of those who had been put to death because of their faith and open testimony crying out from underneath the altar: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” God is a God of justice, and He promises it will come - sometimes in this life, but certainly at the Judgment. There are yet many people today whom God hears crying out for justice who for weeks, months, years have lived lives of pain, hopelessness and desperation. “How long, O Lord,” cries... ...the missionary locked away in a damp, dark cell in a foreign prison with little to eat and no medical treatment. ...the ten-year-old who has been instructed yet again to go forage in the dumpsters behind the town restaurants to see if he can find some food for the day. ...the wife who waits in fear to see whether her husband will come home drunken again and beat her until she can hardly stand. ...the infant who has just survived a botched attempt at abortion whose cries for someone to pick her up and hold her and comfort her are falling on deaf ears. ...the bed-ridden elderly parent who waits for hours for their “child” to bring them something to eat or tend to their other needs. ...the little boy who lives in confusion and dread because his uncle has threatened to kill him and his mother if he ever tells about the “fun” things they do in the camper. ...the seven-year-old who sees her parents doing drugs nearly every day and cries herself to sleep at night because she is hungry and no one ever gives her a “good night” kiss. Let us be engaged in setting right the wrongs perpetrated upon the human family and give them the hope of Christ Himself.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 No one recalls exactly when he took up his post. There was so much rejoicing and celebrating at the time for the Holy One Christ Jesus had returned and was enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Daniel 7:13-14). Sometime during all of that jubilation the angel quietly took up his place outside the throne room as instructed. He is no different from any other angel. He is dazzling and formidable in appearance, a minister who serves the Almighty and His saints like all other angels. But his task is unique, similar to no other. For, you see, at one side he firmly holds the trumpet of God. And his sole responsibility is to listen for the voice of God Almighty and blow that trumpet when he is commanded. Now, everyone in the heavenly realms understands what is to happen when that trumpet is sounded. It will be the end of the age on earth, the end of time that was spun into motion “in the beginning.” The Lord Jesus will descend from heaven for the great day of judgment (Acts 17:30-31), to take His people home. The spirits of the dead will again inhabit bodies, and these will rise from their scattered resting places on the earth. The earth and all its works will be burned, and “new heavens and a new earth” will be ushered in. It will be the great and awesome day of the Lord! Through the years on earth as events unfolded, many thought that surely the signal would come. When whole populations were being enslaved, when famines and pestilence raged, when armies marched and madmen ruled - “Surely,” some thought, predicted and even hoped that “the end must come soon.” But the word has not come yet, as we all can attest. We are still here, and life continues on Earth with both the good and the evil. In fact, not even this angel knows when he is to sound the trump, nor even the Son of God ( ). Only the Father. In the meantime, the angel faithfully stands his post, listening for the voice of God.

Romans 3:27-30 The scriptures teach us that God chose the Hebrews through Abraham to be a people for His own possession. But His choosing of Israel had purposes. They were to demonstrate to the world how blessed it was to have the Lord God as their God and ultimately to be the family through whom the Messiah, the Savior of theworld would come. They did have privilege, but they also had responsibilities. Often when we consider the place of Israel in God’s plans, we begin to think that God didn’t care much about Gentiles and that He left the nations to be on their own. But scripture teaches otherwise. Paul affirms that God is “the God of Gentiles also.” In the days of Abram, the Hebrew, after his victory over the kings, he was met by a certain king of Salem by the name of Melchizedek (Genesis 14). This man “brought out bread and wine” to thank God for Abram’s victory, and he blessed Abram. He is called “a priest of God Most High.” From where did this priest of God come? We must conclude that God had interacted with this Melchizedek to place him in his position. He was not a Hebrew. Later on, Moses encounters the priest of Midian named Jethro whose daughter he married. After Israel flees Egypt (Exodus 18), Jethro brings Moses’ wife and sons to him in the wilderness. He offers sacrifice to the Lord and shares a meal with the elders of Israel. From where does Jethro get his faith in the Lord? He is no Israelite. Again, we encounter a prophet by the name of Balaam whom Balak summoned from around the Euphrates River to pronounce a curse upon Israel (Numbers 22-24). Balaam’s response: “I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.” Who is this man? He is not a Hebrew. What about Job? The Magi? The Ethiopian of ? None of these were Jews. We must conclude that God continued to interact among the nations in certain ways and for His own purposes. He is God of the Gentiles as well as of the Jews.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Have you ever been separated from someone you love? Military deployment? Business trip? Family crisis? Most of us have experienced this to some degree. You know the feelings of emptiness which these situations create. You know the companionship which is no longer available. You know the interaction which is no longer possible: conversation, touching, doing things together, etc. The barriers of distance and circumstances keep you apart. Isaiah declares to Israel that “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you...” Isaiah’s words provide us insight into the real problem which sin creates: it creates a barrier between the sinner and God. In fact, it is the barrier between a sinner and God! This is more than a spiritual condition of “lostness.” The sin has broken the relationship with God. He is no longer accessible to the sinner. This idea is aptly illustrated by what happened with Adam and Eve when they sinned. They were removed from the garden and the presence of God. They no longer had the intimate fellowship which they had enjoyed with their Creator, and they were not allowed to return for there was no remedy for their sin. They were separated from God, the source of life, and thus they became subject to death. Now separated from God, mankind began a downward spiral into wickedness as recorded in the first six chapters of Genesis. By Noah’s day, “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). When relationship with God (the source of light, truth and everything good) is broken, the result is darkness. Thank God for His Son Jesus who provides the reconciliation for us (Romans 5:6-11)! He brings us back into a right relationship with God by removing the sin barrier. Now we can have access to the Source of life, light, truth and what is good. Now we can walk with God. This is what the cross of Christ is all about. Thank you, Jesus!

Psalm 119:92-94 Life will hit us hard at times with all types of adversity: illness, financial woes, death, etc. Such troubles can also shake our faith and turn us away from God. In Psalm 119, the psalmist found himself in some severe difficulties, and his response to them provides valuable insight for us when we experience the turmoils of life. As we read through the psalm, it becomes apparent that the psalmist is in the midst of adversity. Numerous times he uses the word affliction/afflicted. His soul “cleaves to the dust” (v 25), and it “weeps because of grief” (v 28). “Trouble and anguish” have come upon him (v 143), and he rises before dawn to “cry for help” (v 147). The nature of this trouble does not appear to be an illness or personal problem but an oppression by enemies. He speaks of princes who talk against him (v 23), being reproached (v 42), and of the arrogant (v 51) and the wicked being against him (v 61). He has oppressors (v 121), persecutors and adversaries (v 157). We are not informed of the specifics about these enemies, but he sees himself in dire straits because of them This brings us to the psalmist’s understanding of his situation. He recognizes that the Lord has been behind his affliction (v 75), and that He has done it out of faithfulness to him. How could this be? What could be God’s purpose in allowing such troubles? The writer readily confesses (v 67) that this current situation has brought him back to serving the Lord. He admits that this has been good for him (v 71) so that he might learn the statutes of God. This is likely the learning of how to live by the word and trust one’s life to God rather than mere “head” knowledge. In fact, he fully asserts that if God’s word had not been his delight, he would have perished (vv 92-93). Lesson for us? When disappointment and adversity strike, get out God’s book! Read His promises and assurances. Listen to His voice. Read how others persevered in the face of trials. Delight in God’s word so that you, too, will live and not perish.

John 10:24-39 With the advent of the 24-hour news cycle on television, campaigning is virtually a year round activity. Those in office and those planning to run for an office are regularly jockeying for position, expressing opinions on virtually every issue in the public square and getting plenty of face-time on camera. But we can always recognize the consummate politician. When pressed for specific answers to tough questions, they break out their high-sounding phrases, well-worn generalities and heartfelt expressions. But very little of substance is forth coming. I guess it’s always been that way. Jesus, on the other hand, was certainly no politician. Not even close. He always said exactly what He meant to say and made His positions clear. He spoke the truth for all to hear, and each person was challenged to either accept or reject Him and what He had so say. He would not compromise on anything. That’s why He was loved and adored by some and absolutely hated by others. This ultimately paved the way to the cross. In our text Jesus is speaking about His heavenly Father and asserts that He and His Father are one. The Jews who were listening to Him could not accept this because that made Him God. Of course, He was God! But He stood up to them and defended Himself from scripture against their charge of blasphemy while they were standing there with stones ready to kill Him. It’s rather easy to be a politician. Don’t say much to offend anybody. Give indefinite and vague answers. Smile a lot. Kiss the babies and say nice things to everybody. On the other hand, if you have solid beliefs that stand for something, then you must be prepared for the crowd’s reaction. Christians are to stand for what their Master stood for - truth, love, righteous living and real good news. There can be no compromise with the truth. There should be no over-reaching where there is room for opinion. There should always be love in abundance. And be ready to face the crowd.

Psalm 119:18 It seems that few people realize what a precious commodity we have in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. Consider that without these revelations from our God we would not know: ...how this planet really came into existence (the secular cosmologist’s theory is certainly unsatisfying on several fronts). ...the nature of this God who made all things - merciful, gracious, compassionate, forgiving, faithful, full of lovingkindness, all the while being holy, just and opposed to all evil. ...that we are actually related to this God, being His offspring and made in His image. ...the reason why Death stalks every person, and troubles and heartache come into every life - SIN! ...the origin of the sin on this planet and the hopeless condition in which we find ourselves as a result - separated from our God and having no remedy for this situation! ...the eternal purpose and plan of God to save His offspring from the power of this sin because of His love for His children. ...the unfolding history of God’s rescue of humanity through the lives of certain people - Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Nehemiah, Mary, John, et al. ...the sacred mystery of the conception of Immanuel, God With Us. ...the life of Jesus of Nazareth - His teachings, ministry, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection. ...the meaning of Jesus’ cross and His rising from the dead. ...the appropriate response to Jesus’ sacrifice in order to avail ourselves of the grace of God given to us in Christ Jesus. Without the Word of God, NONE of this would be known and a whole lot more! No wonder the psalmist exclaims: “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”

Devoted Hebrews 10:39 Though the mountain is high, I choose to climb it. Though the river is wide, I choose to ford it. Though the storm is strong, I choose to weather it. Though the cold is chilling, I choose to endure it. Though the forest is thick, I choose to make a way through it. Though the trail is steep, I choose to hike it. Though the wilderness is daunting, I choose to trek across it. Though the heat is sweltering, I choose to bear it. Though the swamp is foreboding, I choose to wade through it. Though the desert is parched, I choose to traverse it. Though the snow is deep, I choose to slog through it. Though the ocean is vast, I choose to cross it. These things I will do because my life belongs to my Lord Jesus, and He has asked me to do them. He will be with me every step of the way, and in so doing I will see Him at the end of the journey. This is my hope and His promise to me. Praise the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!!

Eyes to See Matthew 13:14-17 Days pass, and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among the miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing. Let there be moments when your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk. Help us to see wherever we gaze that the bush burns unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness, and exclaim in wonder: “How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it! Blessed is the Eternal One, the holy God!” –from The Hebrew Book of Prayer Let us not be like those who... ...have eyes to see but don’t perceive; ...have ears to hear but don’t listen; ...have fingers to touch but never feel; ...have tongues to taste but don’t savor; ...have noses to smell but never enjoy; ...have minds to know but don’t comprehend; ...have hearts to wonder but never consider; ...have lips to praise but never glorify. ><> Jeff

Hebrews 6:10 If you’ve been to a major league baseball game in the last few years, you know that the national pastime has moved into the technological age. Modern ballparks are bedecked with electronic displays of all kinds and are flooded with music and sound. Advertising is everywhere, and screens showing scores of games, players’ bio’s and videos abound. When a player comes to bat, a large screen will display his hitting statistics for everyone in the park to see. Batting average, home runs, runs batted in, et al - they are all on display. How embarrassing it must be for a player who is having a miserable year at the plate to have his lowly statistics displayed for all to see. He surely must have “thick skin” and not let it bother him. Reflecting on all of that, I had this thought. What if our statistics were on full display for all the church to see? Number of prayers offered, visits made, hungry fed, time in Bible reading and study, words of encouragement offered, grief shared, gifts to the needy, ministries supported, times sharing the gospel, sins confessed, kindnesses rendered, tears wiped away, comfort given, truth taught, forgiveness sought, et al. Would I be embarrassed? Would you? Let’s not get the wrong idea here that our collective number of good works will obtain eternal life for us - that isn’t the case. However, our works are an indication of the treasure we hold dear and of whom we love. The writer of Hebrews noted: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” It sounds like God is very interested in works done by His people and their love shown through service to others. Even though our “statistics” are not on display for all to see (We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief!), we should be fully aware that our Lord Jesus has full access to our “statistics” at all times. What does He see when He looks at your stats?

Hebrews 2:1-4 In our last piece we looked at this great salvation which God is offering to all humanity from a broader, heavenly perspective. In this, we want to observe that this salvation has great and marvelous purposes for those who are saved. We can become rather overcome in our self-adoration in thinking that God simply saved us to give us an eternal home. There is much more to it than that. This salvation saved us from our sins to lead a righteous life. This salvation freed us from the grasp of Satan and brought us into the loving arms of Christ. This salvation broke the chains of death and gave us life. This salvation brought us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light. This salvation freed us from serving Satan so we could serve the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation brought us from hopelessness into a great hope. This salvation conveyed us from the wrath of God into being at peace with God. This salvation released us from captivity and put us into the army of the Lord. This salvation removed our heart of self-gratification and gave us a heart of self-sacrifice. This salvation freed us from believing lies to knowing the truth. This salvation changed our hearts of despair into hearts of joy. This salvation replaced worldly babble with a heavenly gospel. This salvation crucified me to let Christ live in me. So great a salvation can only come from God. A new birth! A new creation! A new purpose! A new future! Praise the Lord!