Don't quit

Most of what I know about Jeremiah, the book, is the verse that shows up all over the place, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And that's not a bad thing to know, a good promise. Yesterday, we looked at the earlier Jeremiah, at the man, the prophet who struggled for 20 years with the message that God sent. People hated him. He struggled to do God's will, answered the call, and people really hated him for it. And Jeremiah got really angry at God. Who could really blame him? He's suffering, he's obedient, and it looks like nothing is changing. I'd be angry and bitter and depressed, too. And disappointed in God. It's a tough place to be. I've been there.

Jeremiah 20:18 says
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame?

But there was hope for Jeremiah. This wasn't the end. Now we know that his life was going to change, radically change. Things were going to get better. He'd see results. But he had to hold on. The 2 key points of the sermon were:
1. Even when God is silent, He is still working. Even Jesus felt the absence of God. But God was still working in the world. Saving the world.
2. Don't stop talking to God. Jeremiah ranted at God, but he didn't give up on God. He continued to claim God's promises. I've been here. Angry and disillusioned but totally hopeless without something to hold on and believe in. And I know that God has promised me that He's going to bring about something good from all the stuff in my life because I belong to Him.

We talked also in my joy Bible study about how it's so easy to sit in judgement of other people who seem to lead a charmed life, no difficulties at all. There really aren't many of them out there, but there are some. And I can sit back and think to myself how much stronger I am than they are until I run up against someone else who's carried more and better than I have. What right do I have to be angry and disillusioned when I've had such an easy life? Thank goodness God doesn't quit on us either. And he loves me even when I rant...or worse, whine.

Taking a Fruit Break

Ever had one of those days where you just need to stop and catch your breath? I'm having one. So I need to turn my focus away from the demands to a reminder of what I'm here for from Galatians 5. It could be the self control where I'm falling apart.

Galatians 5
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

And...MJ, since you and I are the only ones around, sorry to unload. I'm better now. For the moment.

Another Lesson from Peter

PETER IN THE BEGINNING:
Impetuous, loud, a little "look at me" in the group. He loved Jesus and wanted to do the right thing even when he messed up...he jumped out of the boat and walked on water until he realized what he was doing and then sank like a stone, he fished where Jesus told him to fish even though he had his doubts, he cut off the ear of one of the men who came to arrest Jesus and he proclaimed himself willing to die for Jesus but then denied him...and then had to meet his eye. He obviously loved Jesus. And he obviously had some big weaknesses to battle.

And Jesus knew all of this about Peter. He also knew how Peter would change the world. In spite of his weakness. Jesus prayed for Peter. He didn't take away the thorns of his sometimes too eager personality or fear. He prayed for Peter. Peter worked with his weakness. And he changed the world.

Luke 22:31-34
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

33But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

34Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

PETER NEAR THE END:
Strong, firm, steadfast.

1 Peter 5:8-11
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Joy in Weakness

Tonight's lesson at the Bible study is about joy in weakness. It's based on 2 Corinthians where Paul talks about his thorn, given to him to keep him from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 12
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

For when I am weak, then I am strong? Or when I am weak, God is strong. The Bible is filled with examples of people who appeared too weak to do what they accomplished. Only God could be responsible. It's easy to pray to remove the thorn. In fact, it seems natural to me to desperately desire to get rid of the thorn, to blame the thorn for preventing me from reaching success. It also makes sense that God uses the thorn and our weakness to work on others, to reach others who might not connect with a religious superstar. Of course, there's also hope for all of us mere mortals. Paul started out as only a mortal, maybe worse than your average dude. And he became a religious superstar because God could work through him and his weakness.

This was a great study. My favorite, Peter, pops back up. I'll come back to him tomorrow.

So Long Self (the song's title)

In this area, I could only say "Do as I say, not as I do" if I were to throw around advice. One of the hardest parts of being a Christian...learning to be selfless. In a world filled with authorities and bosses and requirements, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and underappreciated. It's not so easy to remember "Believe it or not but life is not apparently about me anyways" every day.

MercyMe - So Long Self
From the album Coming Up To Breathe

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand

Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

Chorus:
So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long Self

Stop right there because I know what your thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end

And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this

Friday again

Why couldn't anyone on the ark play cards?
Because Noah was standing on the deck.

And the photo's from Cute Overload. If you aren't visiting C.O. daily, you're missing out on some serious joy!

The joy of the Lord is our strength

Since we've been working on this study of joy, this Chris Tomlin song keeps running through my head. It's called "Holy is the Lord God Almighty" but the part that keeps playing for me is "the joy of the Lord is our strength."