Jeremiah 33

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

There is this reassurance that God will hear me when I reach out to Him.

Jeremiah 33:11
the voice of the mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: "Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

God's everlasting promise to love us is undeniable. His grace covers us and provides us with salvation. As long as the hosts of heaven can't be numbered and the sands of the sea can't be measured, so God will continue to provide and help people multiply one another to be a part of God's kingdom.

Jeremiah 32

There's an interesting relation between spending money and God. Jeremiah buys a field of land after confirming that it was God who told him too. It makes me reflect on how I steward the money I earned, of course all that by the grace of God.

I've done a lot better this past month with spending. It's more controlled, thought threw, and necessary. Incorporating God into every aspect of life, including your expenses is crucial. How are your purchases going to further your walk with God? How will it further His kingdom?

Jeremiah 31

As I continue to read through Jeremiah, the first thought that comes to mind is "This book is so sad since all it talks about is God's wrath upon Jerusalem". I was reminded by my mentor to look deeper and to understand God's character behind it all.

This chapter was like a breath of fresh air, but again reinforces God's nature: fair, just, but still loving beyond all things.

Jeremiah 31:2-4
This is what the Lord says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel." The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. 

Life can be tough. At the moment it's figuring out the finances for my future, the prolonged wait till my licensing exam for my career, and scheduling time for the bf despite both of us working many hours and long distance. Although there may be many other worries on the plate, I continue to rejoice and find peace in God's direction in my life. Not many people are fortunate to have two jobs and be able to earn a living, or have a roof over their heads, or have an able body to do activities like participate in a 10k run (which I'm doing this Sunday). All of these things are little in God's big plan for each of us. I find peace knowing that God will give me rest and provide for me because He loves me. These things are nothing compared to what others have to endure on the daily so I'm thankful for the circumstances I'm in.

Jeremiah 31:13-14
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:19-20
After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.' Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the Lord. 

The constant reminder that sanctification is a lifetime journey. What's important is constantly remembering to let go of pride, lust, and materialism and strive for what's most essential... a life glorifying the Lord in all aspects of life. God always forgives, so we should also always make it up to Him in everything.

Jeremiah 31:28
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the Lord. 

Jeremiah 31:34-35
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the Lord Almighty is his name:

Continuing to strive for holiness, even if it takes a lifetime.

Jeremiah 31:37
This is what the Lord says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the Lord. 

The heavens can only be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched only by the one and only God Almighty. What a promise this is because God will not reject us ever.

Jeremiah 30

God broke the yoke on our necks when we were enslaved in sin but by His unconditional love with Jesus, we are now free from a life enslaved to sin. How great is that gift of life? How impacted are we to stop falling into sin as much as we can?

Jeremiah 29

Reading this chapter was in God's timing. As the bf waits for hiring, I'm reminded and hope to constantly remind him that God knows what is good for us beyond our knowledge, understanding, and control. 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

The beauty in this promise is that God doesn't demand us for anything in order to get a bright future and a restoring hope in His abounding grace. It's automatically blessed to us because God loves us. Our trust and foundation in God also rests upon this exact love that was demonstrated on the cross for us. Jesus didn't just go on the cross and sacrifice for no reason... it was for you and I, so that we can live a glorious life under God's care. All we need to do is simply seek after the Lord, because all the good things are from Him. 

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

Jeremiah 28

Prophets back then prophesied the destruction of the Lord and how He would bring war and famine to them for disobeying. Verse 9 was such a beautiful verse as it foreshadowed Jesus coming, but also as a prophet of peace... The true one. Isn't it so exciting to know that we don't have to live like the people in the Old Testament, but now by God's grace and His unconditional love we are free from that life.

Jeremiah 27

A word that was repeated several times in this chapter is "restoration". What does that mean to you? 

To me it's allowing the Spirit to continuously transform all areas of my life so that I can continue my journey of becoming righteous and fully restored in the image of God.

Jeremiah 25 & 26

Jeremiah is prophesying to the people of Judah but they're not listening and continue to do wrong things against God. However, Jeremiah is persistent and he still continues to reach out to them with the word of God. 

Are we persistent in sharing the knowledge of God? Are you affected at all when you see peers do things that are not in accordance with God's way? This is an extension of how we believe the Gospel needs to be urgent.

Jeremiah 24

This was a short chapter that only spoke of the analogy of good figs and bad figs. Good figs are those who follow the Lord, believe and trust in Him, but also included people who would one day turn to God with their heart. Bad figs were those who will never seek God and will forever be in darkness. We're blessed to be called a good fig. Something as simple of truth as that is also the hardest to grasp in our hearts.

Jeremiah 23

How certain are you about the decisions that you've made? Did God play a part in the process? Were you thinking of God when you made your decision? God always is the correct and wise council for everyone. He will make your paths straight... the question is: do you let God do just that?

Jeremiah 23:18
For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and to hear his word, or who pas paid attention to his word and listened?

Jeremiah 22

Jeremiah 22:3
Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. 

These describe what we want to see when we go out on missions, whether it's locally or internationally. When we are able to do these very things, the people there will get a glimpse of what our Glorious Father is like. He cares and loves them. He will let no harm come to them. Praying for my dear sister in Christ who is about to go on missions to India. May God continue to guide her and the team as they witness to the unreached there.

Jeremiah 20 & 21

Jeremiah 20:11
But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. 

Wherever you are, God will protect you. As you are doing the work of the Lord, He will be by your side. He will help you overcome any attacks towards you.

Jeremiah 18 & 19

Jeremiah 18:6
"O House of Israel, , can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O House of Israel. 

God is the potter and we are the clay. When we allow God to move us and work in us, he can turn us into something beautiful, a work of art... with purpose and use. It's something that God knows I need to work on: allowing Him to mold me. I don't know what the outcome will be, I don't know how it'll turn out, but with God as the potter He will not let me be damaged or ruined because His children are considered a work of art, His family.

Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah 17:7-8
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. 

God is the living water, when we drink this living water we will not be thirsty ever again. When we allow God to move in our lives we will never find anything more worth than Him because He provides what we need always.

Jeremiah 17:10
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

God knows us to the core. He knows when we are faithful and when we walk away to sin. We praise God because despite us always doing that He continues to reward us with eternal life and righteousness in Him.

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

All we need to do is ask Him into our home and allow His truth and word to transform us. It shakes our foundations and beliefs but we come out strong with a changed mind. He will save us as long as we ask of it from Him and believe He has.

The Sabbath day is meant to for us to drop what we're doing and bless that day to God. It's hard to do that but when have you been dedicating a specific time for God? If you love Him then you will be able to sacrifice anything for Him. It's a reminder that I tell myself as well.

Jeremiah 16

What if God was not merciful and compassionate? Because of our sin He could've caused devestation and disaster to come upon us. He could've wiped us out because we do not obey Him.

Instead He chose to forgive us. He chose to give mercy, love, and compassion. For all the wrongdoings there had to be punishment because He is a just God. He sent His own Son to take that wrath. It is far worse than what is described in this chapter, all taken by a single man. This man saved us and reconciled us to our God. We can now stand free and continue to worship Him.

Thank you Jesus for taking my place. There's nothing that I can do to repay this debt but to simply continue living out a life glorifying God.

Jeremiah 15

Jeremiah 15:11
The Lord said, "Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress. 

Jeremiah 15:16
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.

Do I delight in the word of God? Do I find joy in reading this precious book that contains the truth and life? I don't take the Bible seriously enough. It's the guidebook that I should follow everything by. God breathed these words into this book. He is living in these words.

Jeremiah 15:19-21
Therefore this is what the Lord says; "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the Lord. "I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel."

Be honest and acknowledge the wrong in your life. Acknowledge that you need God. Once you acknowledge your brokenness it will allow God to change your life. You'll be open to the change. Things that are not in the ways of God seem very easy but God makes things hard and challenging so that we can grow. Don't fall into the illusion that all easy things are good. God will stand by you and help you overcome obstacles that you never thought you could. He will be there beside you when you are in trouble.

Jeremiah 14

God's dominion and authority over all. Over me.

Jeremiah 14:22
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O Lord Our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

Our hope and love is in You because You gave us life and all that we have. Nothing belongs to us. Nothing was gained through us but through your grace and providence.

Why does it feel so terrible knowing that I may have to let go and lose all of what I have? I am too attached to things of this world. Ultimately I am called to do what God first wanted... to be His hands and feet and share the goodness of God. I don't need the luxury around me because God will grant me enough.

Jeremiah 13

Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.

This verse spoke out to me. We sin because those actions and feelings make us feel deceivingly good or comfortable. We fall into the bad habit. We keep wanting it. But it's not right at all.

Doing good and being obedient is hard, but that is how God trains us to be great as His sons and daughters.

One other evil or sin would be feeling comfortable living in North American society and not wanting to leave it. I'm not sure yet, but God may be calling me to serve in overseas missions in the future with the significant other, potentially in a dangerous area. It terrified me when I first thought about it, and it still does. However, what am I terrified about? The danger there? For sure. The fact that I'll have to leave the comfort of home in North America? I admit, yes. I shouldn't be feeling this way though. I should be living out a life that is glorifying to God, wanting to spread His love to the ends of the earth.

God, I pray for discernment. Are you calling me to overseas mission as well? I know this will be a true test of faith and may you change my heart and mold it to be like yours. Take away this deep fear because regardless you will give protection and safety wherever we are. Let your light shine. Let me trust in his leadership and his calling to go out for you. Open our eyes and minds to where you may want us to go in the future.