Continuing my read in Jeremiah; I see time and time again, people inquiring of The LORD, through the prophet and then not obeying what The LORD spoke to them, through him. And God was very specific; if you do this - you will be saved. If you do that - you will die.
They believed enough to inquire, but then didn't believe the message he gave, but followed the evil dictates of their heart, when what they heard did not go along with what they desired to do.
“and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.’” Jeremiah 43:2b NKJV
Isn't that what we do?
We pray, or we ask people to pray to get our own way. We tell God what we want, or what we need, and then go about to do what we had intended to do all along.
Then we claim His blessings in our disobedience.
We believe The Word, when it suits our desires, but when it goes against our wants we claim - "well that's OT; that doesn't count anymore." "That was for them! Not for us now!"
The only OT that applies for them is the good stuff; not the bad!
This is salad bar religion.
I know, because that's the way I was too; before!
BC - does mean "before Christ", in my life. I was as obedient as my church required me to be.
Before God got a hold of me, I did exactly what I wanted to do and it was okay, because that's what everyone else did, and besides, "God knew my heart!"
I had not read my Bible. I did not know what The Word said about the heart! (Jeremiah 16:12, Jeremiah 18:12, Luke 6:45, Hebrews 3:12)
Then I began to read The Word!
I have always loved to read. I realized I had never read The Bible from cover to cover; like I read every other book. Oh, I carried it every Sunday. I would highlight the passages the preacher would mention. And if I happened across a Scripture that was a lyric from a song I knew, I would get so excited.
But to sit and read - No.
Then God put it on my heart to read His Word; and I began - "In the beginning. . . " and I haven't stopped. That was 6 years ago.
Did you know - it doesn't take a year to read The Bible? All it takes is a hunger and thirst for Him; for Him to speak to you; to know Him, like He knows you! The Word is life!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4 NKJV
Do you believe that?
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5 NKJV
Most don't! Most believe it has been corrupted by men.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
II Timothy 3:16 NKJV
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”” Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
Being a Christian is not about going to church. It's not about believing.
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
James 2:19 NKJV
It's about Following.
It's about obedience!
Examine your heart.
Ask God to show you where you have missed it, and He will!
The repent.
This time of year; when everyone is saying "put Christ back in Christmas" -
Make Him LORD!
Become a Follower!
He has to be THE Principal Purpose of your life - or He is not LORD!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
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