Today’s Reading: Jer 21:1–22:30, Rom 3:1–20, Prov 17:1–28

Today’s Theme: God’s Good Law

Today’s reading is rich with practical and theological truth. It is hard to do justice to the richness of the writing of Paul in Romans in such a short format these notes.

One of the most important themes we see today is the purpose of God’s good law which makes it clear to us that we are not good and therefore need the good news found in the gospel of God who is faithful to his word and people.

Jeremiah 21:1–22:30

Fighting a losing battle

I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, in anger and in fury and in great wrath.(Jeremiah 21:5, ESV)

If God fights against you then you are finished, it is like an ant fighting a man, there is no contest, we need to learn to humble ourselves before God not just because of his great power but because of his person.

Surrender and live

He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have his life as a prize of war.(Jeremiah 21:9, ESV)

To stubbornly take our stand has no virtue, sometimes we need to surrender and live. That was literally the case for the people of Judah. God gave them good advice through the prophet to preserve the lives of those who would humble themselves and listen.

There may be a situation in your life today where God wants you to surrender, maybe you need to surrender your right to retaliate in a disagreement with someone for example.

Justice in the city

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.(Jeremiah 22:3, ESV)

God wants to see justice in the city. The church has a big role to play in establishing God’s kingdom in the earth and see justice, mercy and truth reign in every place.

We should pray for and practically seek to establish justice in the city we live in and the world in the name of Jesus, to the glory of God for the joy and flourishing of all peoples.

A worker should be paid fairly

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages,(Jeremiah 22:13, ESV)

It is evil to have a man work for you with no remuneration (payment).

It is also wicked that the 3rd world is exploited in the production of goods for the 1st world.

We should seek to raise awareness and shop in a way that reflects our beliefs that the trading practices which see a worker on only pennies a day is wrong and not in keeping with Christian values.

What are your eyes for?

But you have eyes and heart only for your dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence.”(Jeremiah 22:17, ESV)

Lord help us to have eyes and hearts for you, in this context eyes means desire or longing for.

Romans 3:1–20

Replacement theology debunked

Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.(Romans 3:2, ESV)

Replacement theology (the idea that God is finished with the national / physical people Israel, having replaced them with the church) is shown to be an unbiblical teaching here.

Paul has spent the last two chapters consigning all mankind under sin and has shown that both those under the law as Jews and not under the law as Gentiles have the same problem which is the bondage of sin.

If Paul’s theology were over simplified at this point then there would no longer be any distinction and the Jews as an entity would cease to exist, however this is not the case.

Paul asks the question what advantage is there in being a Jew and in having the Jewish people and he answers that there are indeed advantages and distinctions.

Paul’s outline which he will expound upon further in Chapters 9-11 explain that for God to prove himself faithful to the Jews as a people matters a great deal.

We are given two simple examples to that end here. On the one had without the Jews there would be no OT to be fulfilled and on the other they were the ones entrusted with the scriptures upon which we now stand and depend.

So God has not discarded his people Israel, there are promises he has made which are yet to come to pass including Jesus ruling form David’s throne in Jerusalem (not in Rome, London or Washington).

God is faithful

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”(Romans 3:3–4, ESV)

Just because many Jews are unfaithful to God, this does not change Gods faithfulness. God will uphold the covenant and will fulfil every promise and decree.

Many are fulfilled in Jesus but there are some which Jesus is yet to fulfil in context to the actual (not inward or spiritual) Jewish people.

We take comfort form this as Disciples of Jesus Christ, if God’s promises, favour and relationship to us was based on our faithfulness we would be without hope, but even when we are unfaithful like many Jews, God remains faithful to us as his people of the New Covenant just as he is still faithful to the Jews as his people of the Old and New Covenant.

Us not believing God does not change God but we will suffer for our lack of faith. The proper response to God’s promises and person is to place our trust in him and remain faithful (theologically and relationally) to him.

With this in mind lets pray for the Jews today, because God has not changed, let’s pray that their eyes are opened to be faithful to their own scriptures and will see Yeshua (Jesus) as their promised Messiah and evidence of God’s faithfulness and commitment to fulfil his word.

We all need Jesus

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,(Romans 3:9, ESV)

The lie of the enemy to make either Gentiles or Jews feel or seem superior is dismantled here, we are all sinners in need of a saviour.

This is something Paul was dealing with in Rome, where Jews had been expelled from Rome the Gentiles began to dominate and disconnect themselves form their Jewish roots and even see themselves as replacing the Jews while on the other hand there had always been Jews who saw themselves as superior and would seek to force other to be circumcised and keep the laws of Moses.

Both of these extremes are of course wrong. Paul holds to the same truth he has been expounding on which is that both Jew and Gentile are bound under sin and so are in the need of the gospel of God which is the power of God to bring salvation through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

Total depravity

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;(Romans 3:10, ESV)

This and the following statements make clear that all have sinned.

The Reformers were right in affirming from this letter to the Romans that all mankind is totally depraved in our nature.

We denounce the ancient Pelagian heresy which says man can be righteous or without sin. We also denounce modern day heresy which says there is no sin. We affirm with Paul and the scriptures that every man that has ever lived is not righteous in themselves and have all committed sin except Jesus the Christ.

We also affirm that man’s righteousness is like filthy rags in comparison to the righteousness that God demands.

We finally affirm that true right standing with God is only available through Jesus Christ which is in agreement with the sound teaching of the bible and the gospel of God.

It is important to remember that this canvas of the universality, totality and helplessness of mans condition in sin must be well stated for the gospel to be needed, make sense and retain it’s context and power to save.

We are not good

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”(Romans 3:12, ESV)

No one is good!

Our human centred way of thinking has us believing the lie that man is essentially good when the reality is that man is essentially bad.

This is again why the Way of the Master really have grasped this truth of scripture so well. In their method of evangelism they encourage us to ask a person if they think they are a good person and when they answer yes we help them to see that they are not by reviewing a short number of basic commands.

You can do this as you share the truth today, help people to break the lie of the enemy and see that they are not good and need to be transformed by the power of God found into the good news of the victorious and glorious gospel of God.

Good is good and he seeks to save us bad people, remaking us In his good image, making us conform to the perfect good example, Jesus Christ.

The purpose of the law

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.(Romans 3:19, ESV)

God’s law shuts the proud mouth helping them realise they are not good and need God’s grace.

Gods law holds the whole world accountable before God.

Some say talking about God’s law makes us legalist but that is not true because then Paul would be a legalist as well.

We speak about the law to bring context to our need for not only salvation but supernatural transformation by the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit who makes us alive in Christ as new creatures.

As new creatures with new natures and motivations we live by faith in the Son of God and through our love for God and his glory keep the moral law, it literally becomes our nature as new creations and is the natural outworking of a genuine and loving relationship with God.

So the point is the law has a purpose in defining the need for the gospel and must not be absent form our gospel presentations.

The law CANNOT justify us

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.(Romans 3:20, ESV)

The law was not designed for justification before God but to highlight and give knowledge of what sin is before God so we would see our need for God.

We can’t be justified by it because it was not designed or purposed to that end. It serves as a large signpost on the road to our destination. Our destination is God.

The end of the gospel is to have God as our greatest treasure and to enjoy him forever, so God is the gospel because it is he who has come to save us, transform us, forgive us and keep us forever.

Use the signpost of the law to point others to the gospel of God and ultimately to God himself.

Proverbs 17:1–28

The crucible purifies

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.(Proverbs 17:3, ESV)

The analogy with the crucible and furnace show that when the Lord tests our hearts it is purifying process.

Cover offence

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.(Proverbs 17:9, ESV)

Lord help us to be those who cover offence to seek love and so we do not separate close friends.

Take rebuke deeply

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.(Proverbs 17:10, ESV)

Learn to take rebukes deeply, to the roots to grow and learn by it.

Quit the argument early

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.(Proverbs 17:14, ESV)

Lord help us to quit early before the quarrel breaks out and causes a mess.

True friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.(Proverbs 17:17, ESV)

Lord help us to be true friends and brothers.

The medicine of joy

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.(Proverbs 17:22, ESV)

Lord help us to have the medicine of joy in our heart.

Be cool

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.(Proverbs 17:27, ESV)

Lord help us to have a cool spirit, not to be hot tempered people who fly of the handle.

Today’s Reading: Jer 18:1–20:18, Rom 2:12–29, Prov 16:12–33

Today’s Theme: The Conscience

Today we read about the natural law of the conscience which God has given to all men, which means we are without excuse and so are in need of the gospel.

We also see God as the great potter who reworks us into a vessel for his use, the one who transforms our hearts making us his true people by faith.

Jeremiah 18:1–20:18

Reworked vessels

And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.(Jeremiah 18:4, ESV)

Lets be clear this refers to the nation of Israel at a specific time in history, however we can find application for our own lives because like Israel each of us is a vessel in Gods hands and are even a corporate vessel as the church in his hands for his use.

We are clay in Gods hands, he moulds us as he wills. We should not become hard and brittle but supple in the Masters hands so he can rework us into the vessel he wills us to be (not the one we will us to be)

Hope for our nation

and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.(Jeremiah 18:8, ESV)

So there is still hope for our nation too, please go to the prayer fuel area today and pray today’s prayer over our nation posted by Pastor Dennis yesterday https://www.wwmf.org/2014/12/09/prayer-fuel/daily-prayer-for-our-nation/

God desires your repentance

Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’(Jeremiah 18:11, ESV)

God in his love and tender care is calling the men of Judah to repentance at the same time he openly let’s them know that he is planning disaster for them in judgment upon their sin if they do not repent.

God’s desire has not changed, he desires that all men everywhere would repent.

The blood of the innocents

Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents,(Jeremiah 19:4, ESV)

The wickedness of Israel had become so great that slaying their own children had become common place. We look at this in horror but then must remember the genocide our western society is guilty of today through the abortion of unborn children, we realise we too have the blood of the innocents on our own hands.

Don’t be stiff necked

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.”(Jeremiah 19:15, ESV)

Today if we hear his voice we should repent. The worst thing we can do is to become stubborn in our sin and against God. Don’t become rigid or stubborn, be humble and pliable in God’s hand.

Fire in my bones

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.(Jeremiah 20:9, ESV)

When the Lord gives his servants an urgent word they just have to get it out. The fire speaks of passion, zeal and urgency. This is the spirit we should hold the word in so when it is released it is done with power in the Spirit.

Lord let that fire be shut up in our bones as it were like Jeremiah for your word today.

Romans 2:12–29

Hearing alone is useless

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.(Romans 2:13, ESV)

Paul makes the point that man is rightly judged on performance not hearing. Therefore those who seek justification by the law must keep the whole law which has been impossible for all human beings except Jesus.

So Paul takes away the false security in religion and moralism to leave the canvas blank for the presentation to both Jew and Gentile of the gospel of God which is the only means of Salvation.

The Conscience

They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them(Romans 2:15, ESV)

God has given all men a conscience to know right from wrong so all men are without excuse.

Here are a few definitions from Greek dictionaries (BDAG and Mounce) on the word used for conscience which is syneidēsis

1. Awareness of information about something, consciousness
2. The inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong, moral consciousness, conscience
3. Attentiveness to obligation, conscientiousness
4. Conscience, as an inward moral impression of one’s actions and principles
5. The inward faculty of moral judgment
6. The inward moral and spiritual frame

Even those who have never heard the law, bible or gospel are without excuse because the conscience gives all men moral judgement against the law written on their own hearts.

The moral structure inside the human being is universal, all men know murder, lying and stealing are wrong because we have a moral creator who made us as moral creatures having an innate sense of right and wrong.

This is why appealing to the conscience can be useful in evangelism as demonstrated by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron in the Way of the Master.

Live your talk

For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”(Romans 2:24, ESV)

We can cause people to speak evil of The Lord when we do not live right, this is why we must teach, judge and preach to ourselves before we open our mouth to share with others.

Inward Jews

But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.(Romans 2:29, ESV)

Paul’s point here is that circumcision is not the way to salvation. Outward works are worthless if they are not a reflection of an inward reality.

This is not new, God has always called his people in Israel to have circumcised hearts pointing to the true meaning of circumcision.

A Jew is identified as one of God’s covenant people, we are truly Gods covenant people by our hearts and relationship to God not by birth.

God praises the true Jews, the inward Jews who like all the faithful of Israel believe in God and have a relationship with him and not with dead religion.

Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus form a new humanity, a true Israel of God made of only those who are inwardly Jew’s in the sense that their hearts are circumcised.

God is the one who brings transformation to our hearts and makes us truly Jewish (this is one reason Christianity should not be severed from its Jewish roots) and in that sense God’s own people here in the earth.

Proverbs 16:12–33

Get wisdom and understanding

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(Proverbs 16:16, ESV)

Wisdom and understanding are the most precious things in the world, Lord we ask you a fresh this day that you would help us attain both, that you would graciously bestow these on us in Jesus name

Guard against pride

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.(Proverbs 16:18, ESV)

Lord please help us to guard against this in all areas

Give thought to the word

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.(Proverbs 16:20, ESV)

We should meditate on and study the word

What are you hungry for

A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.(Proverbs 16:26, ESV)

Hunger will drive us to work hard, what are we hungry for, if we hunger for righteousness we will be filled

Rule your spirit

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.(Proverbs 16:32, ESV)

This is the true test of a great man

God controls dice

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.(Proverbs 16:33, ESV)

There is no such thing as chance, God even controls apparently random acts like dice throwing

Today’s Reading: Jer 16:1–17:27, Rom 1:18–2:11, Prov 16:1–11

Today’s Theme: The Wrath of God

Today’s theme is the wrath of God toward every sinner regardless of their nationality or background. Here Paul lays the canvas on which the beautiful picture or redemption is skilfully painted.

Without the reality of Gods personal and active wrath and judgement then the Cross and Gospel lose their context.

Sub themes include mans depravity in sin and the rewards earned through fruitfulness or judgement through unfaithfulness

Jeremiah 16:1–17:27

Don’t follow your evil will

and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.(Jeremiah 16:12, ESV)

The modern and western exaltation of the will is a very dangerous thing… it seems we all have rights to choice and will except God.

Don’t follow your own stubborn, evil will, instead listen to God.

Who will you follow?

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.(Jeremiah 17:5, ESV)

The first two (trusting in man and human strength) results in the third (heart turns from the Lord). Who will you trust today, whoever you trust, your heart will follow

Well placed and watered

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”(Jeremiah 17:8, ESV)

Yes Lord we want to be like this well watered, well placed tree, always bearing fruit without anxiety.

This is the state of those who really do have a healthy, biblical relationship with The Lord. The evidence is in the fruit.

Total depravity

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?(Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)

This is every mans problem, total depravity. This is not just true of some men or those who commit a particular sin, it is true of all Adam’s children who have inherited sin and are evil by nature (the teaching of Original Sin).

We will read more about man’s depraved state in sin in our NT reading today.

Paid according to fruit

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”(Jeremiah 17:10, ESV)

With this being true, Lord we need your help, mercy and grace.

God will pay every man that has ever lived, if the payment has not been made for an individual in Christ then God will pay with his wrath.

Again we are called to be fruitful as this will determine our reward.

God actually saves

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.(Jeremiah 17:14, ESV)

God actually saves, not potentially saves. If God saves you then you are saved and can rest in that calm assurance that those he saves, he keeps.

Romans 1:18–2:11

God is angry

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.(Romans 1:18, ESV)

The truth of God’s active, personal, revealed wrath (anger) and judgement against all mankind’s sin is a teaching that has fallen on hard times.

Many attempt to teach today that God is not angry. This is not true. Paul begins his argument by consigning all men under the present and future wrath and resulting judgement of God.

This is connected to verse 17 from yesterday’s reading where we read the righteousness of God is revealed. It stands in contrast to the anger of God revealed against those who stand opposed to his righteousness which can only be received by faith through the power of the gospel message.

God’s wrath is against all sin not just select ones and it is not against sin as some abstraction from the sinner he is angry with the sinners themselves who by their sin supress the truth.

Preaching about the reality of God’s wrath is essential to the presentation of the gospel, it is the canvas on which the beautiful picture of grace and reconciliation is painted.

God’s anger is an important part of who God is, we do not need to sanitize God, he is who he is and he is righteously angry with the self destructive treason of man.

No excuse

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.(Romans 1:20, ESV)

Paul now makes the case that man in his sin is suppressing the very basic truth all men know, that God is Gods, Creator and King worthy of worship and honour.

Creation is a testimony to all men even atheists who are all liars, lying to themselves that there is no God when the creation is clear evidence of the creator.

This is often called general revelation, the truth that creation testifies to the reality of God to every creature and even the fact that we are moral creatures points to God.

All mankind are without excuse. Our sin is the wilful suppression of the truth about God.

Foolish, dark hearts

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.(Romans 1:21, ESV)

Paul continues to build his argument to show just how depraved man is in sin. He asserts that although all mankind knows who God is through creation, all (not just some men or sinners but all men) do not honour or thank God.

This wilful rebellion and thanklessness leads to God giving all men over to a futile, foolish dark heart.

Mankind is totally depraved in his thinking because he does not honour the Creator and so have become fools even asserting that there is no God

God gave all men up

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,(Romans 1:24, ESV)

We all need to recognise what a desperate condition we were in as children of wrath, we were all given up to a reprobate, lust driven mind.

We may try to sanctify our own past in sin as being respectable “natural” sins as opposed to the spectacular, gross “unnatural” sins but this is a false economy.

All sin at it’s core is the same, it is open rebellion against the King of Heaven, it is an honouring of the creation instead of the Creator.

God in his wrath gives men over to their sin which is in a sense the present judgement for their sins because sin by its corrosive nature will rot and destroy the life it holds.

Don’t worship creation

because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.(Romans 1:25, ESV)

Naturalism, Evolution, New Age even some Environmentalism is all guilty of this as well as the core nature off sin which is self and creation worship.

Homosexuality defined

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.(Romans 1:26-27, ESV)

The bible is bold in talking about homosexuality, it is called unnatural so it can never be redeemed as a way of life or being.

Homosexuality is described as a shameless act which receives a due penalty because of the wrath of God and the breaking of natural law. We see this today in sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS which used to be called GRIDS.

There is no confusion in the bible, homosexuality in men and women is a sin that must be repented of if someone claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

One of the problem with sin worshiping the creation is that creation was not made to handle worship and so the undue honour distorts the creation resulting in the most deplorable and unnatural deviations from God’s plan and created order.

A debased mind

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.(Romans 1:28, ESV)

Not an unredeemable but a worthless mind in sin. If we are willing to be honest all our minds were debased and reprobate in sin when we consider what we should be before God.

The death penalty

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.(Romans 1:32, ESV)

The wages of sin is death as decreed in Eden, the reason men die is the penalty of sin not old age, sickness or happenstance. All sinners (not just the worst) actually deserve to die for their sin.

Don’t be a hypocritical judge

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.(Romans 2:1, ESV)

All mankind have no excuse! When we start to judge one sin over against others and in light of our own sin we are being hypocrites hiding our sin behind the condemnation of others.

The proper response is to judge our own sin first and seek Gods grace and from that place judge all sin against the word of God…now without hypocrisy.

Kindness should lead to repentance

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?(Romans 2:4, ESV)

What do we do with Gods grace, goodness, kindness and mercy to us. Is it a licence to live in anyway we like… Of course not… The goodness and grace of God should lead us to initial repentance from sin and perpetual repentance in our daily walk with him.

Do not be presumptuous, God will not be fooled or used.

Stored up wrath

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.(Romans 2:5, ESV)

This is a word to all those who knowing the truth harden their hearts and refuse to repent.

It is also a word to those who seek to abuse Gods grace and will not repent.

In both cases Gods very real wrath is being stored up and not general but personal and specific judgement will be meet out on the day of judgement.

Jesus took the judgment and wrath due us on himself on the cross

Judged by works

He will render to each one according to his works:(Romans 2:6, ESV)

We may not be saved by works but we are judged by them so be fruitful

The reward of Eternal Life

to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;(Romans 2:7, ESV)

We must endure in doing well, the reward/gift is eternal life

A level playing field

For God shows no partiality.(Romans 2:11, ESV)

We are one in Christ, now we are all judged on our works this is why we need Jesus to be saved and then to be fruitful

Proverbs 16:1–11

Avoid self deception

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.(Proverbs 16:2, ESV)

Dear Lord, please keep us from thinking our ways are pure or right, help us to know our own spirit and be genuine so when you weigh each of our spirit we are not found wanting

Commit your ways to the Lord

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.(Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

As I read through my notes on this today I read a prayer I wrote this time last year committing every area and plan of my life to the Lord, the prayer included family, ministry and my career. I would encourage you to do the same today.

Sovereign over the wicked

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.(Proverbs 16:4, ESV)

God is sovereign even over the wicked

Punishment will come

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.(Proverbs 16:5, ESV)

Arrogance will be punished by the wrath of God so humble yourself today

Fear God and repent

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.(Proverbs 16:6, ESV)

There can be no repentance without the fear of the Lord

Seek to make peace

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(Proverbs 16:7, ESV)

He makes his enemies be a peace with him, they are not at peace with him by default of his ways pleasing the Lord but a man whose ways please the Lord will seek to make his enemies at peace with him

Make a plan

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.(Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

At least make a plan and the Lord will lead

Glorify God in business

A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.(Proverbs 16:11, ESV)

Good and fair business brings glory to God

Today’s Reading: Jer 14:1–15:21, Rom 1:1–17, Prov 15:1–33

Today’s Theme: The Gospel of God

Today we embark on one of the most fascinating journey’s as we enter the book of Romans which some would consider the greatest and most important letter in the NT.

Today we only get to read Paul’s introduction to the letter in which he makes clear his theme which is the gospel. He call this the gospel of God and we conclude that God himself is the gospel which has the power to save us.

Jeremiah 14:1–15:21

The intercessor

“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.(Jeremiah 14:7, ESV)

Jeremiah intercedes well by first recognising the sin of the people and their backsliding hearts. We can learn from his pattern of prayer as we intercede today.

The Hope of Israel

O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?(Jeremiah 14:8, ESV)

Jesus is the great hope of Israel and its only saviour in troubled times. Pray today for the opening of their eyes to see that Jesus is their true and long awaited great hope.

Use restraint

Thus says the Lord concerning this people: “They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.”(Jeremiah 14:10, ESV)

Lord keep us from wandering off and being unrestrained. We are called to follow and to have self control.

Don’t pray for them

The Lord said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people.(Jeremiah 14:11, ESV)

This does away with unerversalist tendencies of God not judging anyone, there are those who he does not want us to pray for so he can work out his justice and anger, this is sometimes what someone needs to genuinely draw them close to God.

Lying prophets

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.(Jeremiah 14:14, ESV)

This is indicative of so much happening in the church today, Lord expose them and save your people from false prophets.

We are not professionals

If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.’ ”(Jeremiah 14:18, ESV)

It is horrible to see this sort of professionalism in the church today, the ministry is a calling not a profession or trade.

Hope in God

Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.(Jeremiah 14:22, ESV)

All we can do is set our hope on The Lord, the one who brings rain when it is needed.

God is holy

And I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.(Jeremiah 15:4, ESV)

God is holy and just, just praying please forgive me doesn’t just work, Gods active grace and mercy are needed.

Don’t weary God with treason

You have rejected me, declares the Lord; you keep going backward, so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you— I am weary of relenting.(Jeremiah 15:6, ESV)

Mankind’s primary treason is directly against The Lord

God is a person not a force, God can be wearied from constantly turning form judgement to mercy. Lord keep us from wearying you

The joy of God’s word

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.(Jeremiah 15:16, ESV)

Yes Lord we found your words and they are a great joy and treasure to us.

They will turn, you will stand

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.(Jeremiah 15:19, ESV)

We should not capitulate, our hearers should.

We must speak what is right before God and not rubbish and emotionalism also we should not change our standards the world should change theirs

Romans 1:1–17

The gospel of God

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,(Romans 1:1-2, ESV)

The gospel was promised beforehand, this is the epic opening to possibly the greatest book the world has ever seen, Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Paul’s main concern and theme throughout the book is this gospel of God. Romans is one of the single most important books in the world, it defines the gospel more clearly than any other.

The Gospel being promised before hand gives us an idea of the scope and importance of the gospel, it has it’s roots in Genesis is realised in the Gospels, defined in the Epistles and consummated in The Revelation.

The gospel or good news was promised by God to humanity in the garden of Eden and that promise has been defined and reaffirmed throughout redemptive history finding its fulfilment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

All Nations

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,(Romans 1:5, ESV)

One of the first arguments Paul will make is that this Gospel is not for one nation, class or type of people. It is a message for the entire world, for all humanity.

The promise was made to Adam and Eve and is now fulfilled for all the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.

The gospel is universal in its appeal and does not require cultural, ethnic or religious rites. It is a message for all mankind because all men share the same origin (created in God’s image), problem (sin and it’s penalties) and destiny (eternity in heaven or hell)

The power for salvation

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.(Romans 1:16, ESV)

The message of the gospel is Gods power for salvation. The power is not in religion, rites, buildings, prayers, miracles, books, knowledge, fasting, being good, the law or anything else.

The power to save is only found in the gospel.

This is why Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel which is a message concerning what God has done to save those who believe through Christ, it is good news of God’s victory and our salvation.

We live by faith

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”(Romans 1:17, ESV)

Not by order or ritual but faith in God. This was the great cry of the reformation, we break the bonds of man’s own forms of religion today, we shall live by faith.

The gospel is just a message if we do not receive it with faith.

We must believe God and live our lives in light of this we must believe the gospel and in so doing believe God because at is core God is the gospel, the good news is that we can come into relationship with him

Proverbs 15:1–33

God knows everything

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.(Proverbs 15:3, ESV)

God sees and knows everything, good and bad… Not Santa

Spread knowledge of God

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.(Proverbs 15:7, ESV)

Lord help us to use our lives to spread knowledge of you. This is not just useless head knowledge, but should be rooted in experience, the word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

So let everyone know about God, especially now it’s the Christmas season.

Have a glad heart

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.(Proverbs 15:13, ESV)

Forgive us Lord where we have grown weary and tired, help us to always have a glad heart

Seek knowledge

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.(Proverbs 15:14, ESV)

The fact you are reading this now is a good indicator that God has put a hunger for understanding and knowledge of him in your heart

Be slow to anger

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.(Proverbs 15:18, ESV)

This is the man we need to be, one who is slow to anger

Get advice

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.(Proverbs 15:22, ESV)

Lord please help us to live this principle out in our lives

Answer well

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!(Proverbs 15:23, ESV)

Answering questions well should bring us joy as we give a reason for the hope we have

Think about your words

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.(Proverbs 15:28, ESV)

Stop and think about how you answer, we need to do this more. Our tone and words matter.

Listen to instruction

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.(Proverbs 15:32, ESV)

Listening to correction will make us more intelligent, so humble yourself to listen today.

Instruction in Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.(Proverbs 15:33, ESV)

Fearing the Lord is us instructing ourselves in his wisdom

Today’s Reading: Jer 12:1–13:27, Philem 8–25, Prov 14:15–35

Today’s Theme: Profit well

There are lots of good lessons today, one that we find in all three readings is that of profiting well through hard work and toil. When we work hard and in the right spirit we will profit, God wants us to be fruitful.

Paul could make his appeal to Philemon because of the investment he had made in his life.

Jeremiah 12:1–13:27

Don’t grow weary

“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?(Jeremiah 12:5, ESV)

We should remember that all we have to do or contend with could be more difficult so we should not complain. Don’t grow weary with whatever you are going through because it may be preparation for larger battles ahead

Profit well

They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”(Jeremiah 12:13, ESV)

Lord please keep us from this horrible fate, we want to sow well and profit well in your name. Jesus taught us about this all the time letting us know that fruitfulness and abundance is crucial to our lives and the kingdom of God.

God’s electing love

And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.(Jeremiah 12:15, ESV)

God loves his elect people Israel and shows them compassion. We can take confidence from this because we too are elect, subject to his electing love and compassion

A national warning

But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 12:17, ESV)

Many nations have gone this way, Lord keep our nation in your grace and mercy

Don’t be a useless loincloth

This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.(Jeremiah 13:10, ESV)

Dear Lord, keep us from stubbornly following our own heart. We don’t want to be like useless loincloths (shorts).

Listen to God

For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.(Jeremiah 13:11, ESV)

Man is in control of his own mind and is guilty before God for not listening or wanting to listen

More than hearing

Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken.(Jeremiah 13:15, ESV)

It’s more than just hearing, we need to listen too when God speaks

God seeks glory

Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness.(Jeremiah 13:16, ESV)

We must give God what he seeks, which is his own glory. God deserves all the glory.

Man’s finite ability

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.(Jeremiah 13:23, ESV)

This is not said in a negative sense, just to point at mans finite ability, he can’t just do whatever he wants

It is possible that God saw ahead and knew the black gods teaching (the heresy that says “black” people are gods) of our day could be spoken to directly from this verse, these black gods are not free to do just anything therefore they are not gods

Philemon 8–25

The following is the introduction to this letter form the ESV bible and is helpful in understanding the characters involved

Philemon is about reconciliation and relationships between Christians. Onesimus (which means “useful”) was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colossae. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled. At some time while Paul was under arrest, Onesimus met him and became a Christian. Paul apparently wrote this letter at the same time as Colossians and gave it to Onesimus to carry back to Philemon (see Col. 4:9). Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household, but as a brother in the Lord rather than a slave. In Paul’s estimation, Onesimus was far more “useful” (v. 11) now that he was a Christian. Paul even promised to pay whatever debt Onesimus might owe Philemon.

For loves sake

yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—(Philemon 9, ESV)

Love should be our motivation as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
We should be able to appeal to each other for Loves sake.

Refresh someone’s heart

Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.(Philemon 20, ESV)

Ask the Holy Spirit how you can refresh someone’s heart in the Lord today.

Proverbs 14:15–35

Don’t be gullible

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.(Proverbs 14:15, ESV)

We must not be simple, we need to look into things ourselves. For example we can’t just take someone else’s word for it because we all have a responsibility to read and study the bible ourselves.

Don’t be reckless

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.(Proverbs 14:16, ESV)

Being either reckless or careless is foolish. It is wise for us to be careful, measured and consider what we say, where we go and what we do.

Don’t have a short temper

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.(Proverbs 14:17, ESV)

A quick temper is bad because it causes you to act foolishly

Be generous

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.(Proverbs 14:21, ESV)

We are called to generosity, we were saved by Gods generosity

The is profit in toil

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.(Proverbs 14:23, ESV)

Rolling up our selves and working hard will always profit us

Don’t envy

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.(Proverbs 14:30, ESV)

Envy will make you ill and even age quickly through poor health

Righteousness exalts a nation

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.(Proverbs 14:34, ESV)

We need righteousness in our nation. Lets pray fro righteousness in our nation today