Text: Psalm 148, Jeremiah 31, Proverbs 5, Revelation 9
COMMAND TO OBEY
*Psalm 148:5-7,12
Let all things praise the name of the LORD, because they were created at his command.He made them to last forever, and nothing can change what he has done.All creatures on earth, you obey his commands, so come praise the LORD! Every man and every woman, young people and old, come praise the LORD!
~We are created to Praise the King of Kings, Lord of LOrds!Adora Hesus!! Praising the Him is a command. :)
*Proverbs 5:7, 17,20
My son, listen to me and do everything I say.Save yourself for your wife and don't have sex
with other women. 0Don't go crazy over a woman who is unfaithful to her own husband!
~listen and obey.~Be pure.
~Be faithful [to Jesus (your real Bridegroom and to your future Husband. :) ]
I am a Bride -- and I am for my Bridegroom. Be faithful [to Jesus (your real Bridegroom and to your future Husband. :) ]
*Jeremiah 31:7
So don't lose hope. I, the LORD, have spoken.
~Be Hopeful Megan! :) It was the Lord who spoke! <3
Take hold of His promises. :)
PROMISE TO CLAIM
Jeremiah 31
The LORD said:Israel, I promise that someday all your tribes
will again be my people,
and I will be your God.In the desert I was kind
to those who escaped death.
I gave them peace, and when the time is right,
I'll do the same for you.I, the LORD, have spoken.
Some time ago, the LORD appeared to me and told me to say:
Israel [Megan], I will always love you; that's why I've been so patient and kind. You are precious to me, and so I will rebuild your nation.
Israel [Megan], I will always love you; that's why I've been so patient and kind. You are precious to me, and so I will rebuild your nation.
Once again you will dance for joy
and play your tambourines.You will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria and enjoy the grapes.I, the LORD, will bring my people back from Babylonia and everywhere else on earth.
The blind and the lame will be there.
Expectant mothers and women about to give birth
will come and be part of that great crowd.
They will weep and pray as I bring them home. I will lead them to streams of water.They will walk on a level road and not stumble. I am a father to Israel, my favorite children.
Listen to me, you nations
nearby or across the sea.
I scattered the people of Israel,
but I will gather them again.
I will protect them like a shepherd
guarding a flock;
I will rescue them from enemies
who could overpower them.
My people will come
to Mount Zion
and celebrate;
their faces will glow
because of my blessings.
I'll give them grain, grapes,
and olive oil,
as well as sheep and cattle.
Israel will be prosperous
and grow
like a garden
with plenty of water.
I will bless my people
with more food
than they need,
and the priests will enjoy
the choice cuts of meat.
I, the LORD, have spoken.
But I, the LORD, say
to dry your tears.
Someday your children
will come home
from the enemy's land.
Then all you have done for them
will be greatly rewarded.
The LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, said: I promise to set the people of Judah free and to lead them back to their hometowns. And when I do, they will once again say,
"We pray that the LORD
will bless his home,
the sacred hill in Jerusalem
where his temple stands."
The people will live in Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah. Some will be farmers, and others will be shepherds.
Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy,
and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed. [j]
Someday, Israel and Judah will be my field where my people and their livestock will grow.
In the past, I took care to uproot them, to tear them down, and to destroy them. But when that day comes, I will take care to plant them and help them grow.
Here is the new agreement that I, the LORD, will make with the people of Israel:
"I will write my laws
on their hearts and minds.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
"No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me. I, the LORD, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done."
I am the LORD All-Powerful.
I command the sun
to give light each day,
the moon and stars
to shine at night,
and ocean waves to roar.
I will never forget
to give those commands,
and I will never let Israel
stop being a nation.
I, the LORD, have spoken.
MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
The people of Israel moan and say to me,
"We were like wild bulls,
but you, LORD, broke us,
and we learned to obey.
You are our God--
please let us come home.
19When we were young,
we strayed and sinned,
but then we realized
what we had done.
We are ashamed and disgraced
and want to return to you."
20People of Israel,
you are my own dear children.
Don't I love you best of all?
Though I often make threats,
I want you to be near me,
so I will have mercy on you.
I, the LORD, have spoken.
21With rock piles and signposts,
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.
22Will you ever decide
to be faithful?
I will make sure that someday
things will be different,
as different as a woman
protecting a man.
~God has been ever so merciful. He was patient and abounding in Love. He broke me at this point so I can see myself obeying the LORD. Yes, I was threatened of his warnings -- yet it was a threat of love. He warned because he wants me to near with HIM. And yes, I lost the sight of my home where He is -- but he directed and lead me back. I am lost -- because of unfaithfulness. But now, I decided to be faithful. So help me God.
[Lord, I desire to home with you again. I remember this day the day I have encountered you. I realized that I am so lost and needed so much of your grace. ='( ]