Scripture Nugget 9.2.2016

“But I will spare some. Some of you shall escape the sword among the nations and be scattered through the countries. Those of you who escape shall remember me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I was crushed by their wanton heart that turned away from me, and their wanton eyes that turned after their idols. That they will be loathsome in their own sight for the evils that they have committed, for all their abominations. And they shall know that I am the LORD; I did not threaten in vain to bring this disaster upon them.” Ezekiel 6:8-10)

A remnant spared. Praise God for allowing a remnant to be spared! Am I, are you, part of the remnant? If you say yes, don’t swell with pride until you realize the responsibilities God puts on the remnant. Those not spared, those who experience the downside of the covenant, the promised punishment, do so because of unfaithfulness (wanton hearts) and idolatry (wanton eyes) – as an unfaithful spouse breaks the marriage covenant. The promised punishment is destruction. It is the responsibility of those who remain to share the truth of God’s promises; the two sides of those eternal promises. Grace and truth go hand in hand. The grace that convicts, that woos, that justifies and sanctifies and the truth that eventually brings punishment to those who refuse to return to God. There is always hope, until God decides to act. “And they shall know that I am the LORD; I did not threaten in vain to bring this disaster upon them.” Oh Body of Christ, why are we not in a bigger hurry to share the Gospel with others? Many are going to be scattered, carried away and or crushed in the disaster to come. Yes, the remnant spared has a great responsibility!

Scripture Nugget 9.1.2016

“At the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me: Mortal, I have made you a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give them no warning, or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, in order to save their life, those wicked persons shall die for their iniquity; but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and they do not turn from their wickedness, or from their wicked way, they shall die for their iniquity; but you will have saved your life. Again, if the righteous turn from their righteousness and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before them, they shall die; because you have not warned them, they shall die for their sin, and their righteous deeds that they have done shall not be remembered; but their blood I will require at your hand. If, however, you warn the righteous not to sin, and they do not sin, they shall surely live, because they took warning; and you will have saved your life.” Ezekiel 3:16-21

“A sentinel clearly warns a city of impending catastrophe! That is all. If he does not warn or warns ambiguously, the people do not know of the danger. They will perish and he himself will pay. If he warns and his hearers pay no heed, they may perish, but he will save his own life. The sentinel image also raise hope – the people may hear and thus be saved.” Wesley Study Bible notes, pg 987

Preachers are sometimes called to be sentinels, to cry out a warning – to be prophetic voices in the ears of those they are called to preach to whether or not those people listen. O God I pray that I speak your Word to your people. Whether they hear or refuse to hear … they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. That I not be afraid to speak truth, not be afraid of stinging rebellious words spoken by those who refuse to hear and obey. That I stand firm in obedience to you O God. That I stand firm in your infallible Word, trusting your truth and never caving to whims of the world around me. That I stand firm in your grace, living by, for and with grace surrounded by and reinforced with your truth. That I be the sentinel you call me to be, providing advanced warning to those you expect me to protect.

Scripture Nugget 8.31.2016

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in silence when the LORD has imposed it, to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may be hope), to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. For the LORD will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.” Lamentations 3:21-33

Wesleyan Core Term – Convincing Grace.

Many understand grace as God’s assistance or comfort in times of trial or need. But salivation requires more than a warm smile from the Divine. A basic prerequisite is the necessity for a person to realize that he or she stands in need as a sinner before God, as seen in Lamentations 3. Unless a person recognizes that condition, there is no real hope in salvation. When we don’t recognize sin as a basic reality in our lives, the message of God’s salvation falls on deaf ears. God’s presence and power (grace) is not just a comforting thought. When Jesus says, “Remember, I am with you always,” (Matt 28:20b), the implication is that one cannot escape the presence of God, even on occasions when one thinks, says or does things that are sinful. Christ’s presence (convicting/convincing grace) helps us recognize such sinfulness, which is often called the conviction of sin. This recognition of our sinful condition is a necessary pre-requisite to repentance. Wesley Study Bible pg 978

Every day is an opportunity to assess the depth and completeness of one’s discipleship. Honestly answering the question, “How is it with my soul?” is a great a great place to start. Try it today, allow Christ to convict then confess, ask forgiveness and receive God’s ongoing salvation.

Scripture Nugget 8.29.2016

“You survivors of the sword, go, do not linger! Remember the LORD in a distant land, and let Jerusalem come into your mind: We are put to shame for we have heard insults; dishonor has covered our face, for aliens have come into the holy places of the LORD’s house. …. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile some of the poorest of the people and the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the artisans. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land to be vinedressers and tillers of the soil. …. So Judah went into exile out of its land. …. In the thirty-seventh year of exile of King Jehoiachin of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, King Evilmerodach of Babylon, in the year he began to reign, showed favor to King Jehoiachin of Judah and brought him out of prison; he spoke kindly to him, and gave him a seat above the seats of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes, and every day of his life he dined regularly at the kings table. For his allowance, a regular daily allowance was given him by the king of Babylon, as long as he lived, up to the day of his death.” Jeremiah 51:50-51, 52: 16, 27c, 31-34

A remnant is left in the kingdom, the poorest of the poor. Their purpose is to keep the grape vines alive and the soil prepared for planting – this is holy work. God gave Adam the same tasks Genesis 2:15, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” The remnant left for a long-long time, caring for a kingdom whose king was in prison. Even after being released from prison the king remained in exile. But there is a glimmer of hope! Look for the glimmer of hope even when it seems dark. God’s Over-the-Horizon Promises require Over-the-Horizon Faith. Keeping and tilling the vines and the land for a long period of time demand Over-the-Horizon Faith to keep at it. The king will return; will the kingdom be ready? Our King is coming back; will we be ready?

Scripture Nugget 8.28.2016

“My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains; from mountain to hill they have gone, they have forgotten their fold. All who have found them have devoured them, and their enemies has said, ‘We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the LORD, the true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their ancestors.’ …. I will restore Israel to its pasture, and it shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead its hunger shall be satisfied. In those days and at that time, says the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and none shall be found; for I will pardon the remnant that I have spared.” Jeremiah 50:6-7, 19-20

Lost sheep become hunted sheep, those who initially led them astray as well as the hunters who kill will be punished. The remnant of the flock that survives will return to their original pasture, forgiven and redeemed to start over again. O God that I be a good leader who leads others to you; that when I come across those separated from you I help them return to you not dismiss them. Lord, help me always to remember that I too, was once lost, wandering astray from you, but am now found and back within your boundaries. Thanks be to God!

Scripture Nugget 8.27.2016

“Thus says the LORD: I am going to break down what I have built, and pluck up what I have planted – that is, the whole land. And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for I am going to bring disaster upon all flesh, says the LORD; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go.” Jeremiah 45:4b-5

God responds to Baruch’s complaint. In a time when God is breaking down and plucking up, Baruch should be thanking God for not doing the same to him. Instead of complaining things are working out the way he wished them to, he should praise God for grace upon his person. “Rejoicing in sorrow does not mean denying the sadness that we feel, but instead means that God can work in us even then to help us grow in love.” (Wesleyan Core Term, Heaviness, Wesley Study Bible, pg 957)

Scripture Nugget 8.26.2016

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You and your wives have accomplished in deeds what you declared in words, saying, ‘We are determined to perform the vows that we have made, to make offerings to the queen of heaven and to pour out libations to her.’ By all means, keep your vows and make your libations! Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you Judeans who live in the land of Egypt: Lo, I swear by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no longer be pronounced on the lips of any of the people of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, ‘As the Lord GOD lives.’ I am going to watch over them for harm and nor for good; all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall perish by the sword and by famine, until not one is left. And those who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, few in number; and all the remnant of Judah, who have come to the land of Egypt to settle, shall know whose words will stand, mine or theirs! This shall be the sign to you, says the LORD, that I am going to punish you in this place, in order that you may know that my words against you will surely be carried out.” Jeremiah 44:25b-29

Idolatry makes God angry. Persistent idolatry, performed after being warned, results in dire consequences. When God responded, “By all means, keep your vows and make your libations!”, He wasn’t giving permission. God was saying keep this up and it will cost you! The folks he was speaking to had already separated themselves from God by going to Egypt against His will, they had separated themselves from God by worshiping other gods and they further cut themselves off by continuing to worship those idols after God instructed Jeremiah to tell them to stop. Separated from God they were vulnerable. Being separated from the flock makes it easy to be picked off. God doesn’t want us to be picked off, that’s why the shepherd lives 99 to look for 1. But when that one runs away from the shepherd, the shepherd can’t offer protection. Sooner or later destruction comes, maybe from the elements, or a wild beast or starvation. It’s no different for God’s people. O that I listen and obey God, that I hear His warnings when I am disobedient, that I return to His Way not my own. That I worship God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and only God.

Scripture Nugget 8.26.2016

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: You and your wives have accomplished in deeds what you declared in words, saying, ‘We are determined to perform the vows that we have made, to make offerings to the queen of heaven and to pour out libations to her.’ By all means, keep your vows and make your libations! Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you Judeans who live in the land of Egypt: Lo, I swear by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no longer be pronounced on the lips of any of the people of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, ‘As the Lord GOD lives.’ I am going to watch over them for harm and nor for good; all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall perish by the sword and by famine, until not one is left. And those who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, few in number; and all the remnant of Judah, who have come to the land of Egypt to settle, shall know whose words will stand, mine or theirs! This shall be the sign to you, says the LORD, that I am going to punish you in this place, in order that you may know that my words against you will surely be carried out.” Jeremiah 44:25b-29

Idolatry makes God angry. Persistent idolatry, performed after being warned, results in dire consequences. When God responded, “By all means, keep your vows and make your libations!”, He wasn’t giving permission. God was saying keep this up and it will cost you! The folks he was speaking to had already separated themselves from God by going to Egypt against His will, they had separated themselves from God by worshiping other gods and they further cut themselves off by continuing to worship those idols after God instructed Jeremiah to tell them to stop. Separated from God they were vulnerable. Being separated from the flock makes it easy to be picked off. God doesn’t want us to be picked off, that’s why the shepherd lives 99 to look for 1. But when that one runs away from the shepherd, the shepherd can’t offer protection. Sooner or later destruction comes, maybe from the elements, or a wild beast or starvation. It’s no different for God’s people. O that I listen and obey God, that I hear His warnings when I am disobedient, that I return to His Way not my own. That I worship God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and only God.

Scripture Nugget 8.25.2016

“King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for I might be handed over to them and they would abuse me.’ Jeremiah said, ‘That will not happen. Just obey the voice of the LORD in what I say to you, and it shall go well with you, and your life shall be spared. But if you are determined not to surrender, this is what the LORD has shown me – a vision of all the women remaining in the house of the king of Judah being led out to the officials of the king of Babylon and saying. ‘Your trusted friends have seduced you and have overcome you; Now that your feet are stuck in the mud, they desert you.’ All your wives and your children shall be led out to the Chaldeans, and you yourself shall not escape from their hand, but shall be seized by the king of Babylon; and this city shall be burned with fire.” Jeremiah 38:19-23

Surrender is a concept we aren’t comfortable with. Especially in situations where we are unsure of what might happen when we do. But when we are determined not to surrender to God’s will for our lives we will be drawn away and become stuck. This will negatively affect not only ourselves but our family and friends. What is God asking you to surrender to Him? Have you ultimately surrendered? Do you believe and trust Jesus is your Savior? No time like the present to get out of the mud……

Scripture Nugget 8.23.2016

“Thus says the LORD: If any of you could break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night would not come at their appointed time, only then could my covenant with my servant David be broken, so that he would not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with my ministers the Levites. Just as the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will increase the offspring of my servant David, and the Levites who minister to me. … Thus says the LORD: Only if I had established my covenant with day and night and the ordnances of heaven and earth, would I reject the offspring of Jacob and of my servant David and not choose any of his descendants as rulers over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy upon them.” Jeremiah 33:20-22, 25-26

God’s word is everlasting! God’s promises are true and forever! Over-the-Horizon Promises (OTHP), require Over-the-Horizon Faith (OTHF). God’s promises are steadfast and true; He will not break them. Do you see the guarantee in today’s verses? Only if day and night stop coming at their appointed time will his covenant be broken! This isn’t some tricky contract wording, “As long as the grass grows, the river flows and the sun is seen high in the sky,” as agreements between the US Government and Indian tribes on the plains were written. Sounds good and lasting but then a cloudy day in the middle of winter comes; the grass is dormant, the river is frozen and the sun is covered by clouds….. But God’s promises are based on Creation Order, order God created. Day and Night come at their appointed time in a balance that provides life and life abundant. Night and Day …. We can count on God’s appointed creation forever! The question we must ask ourselves, is this: “Can God count on me?” Not to worry, grace and mercy are promised. “For I will restore their fortunes, and will have mercy upon them.” Turn your face and heart toward God, grasp hold of, lean into and live in God’s promises. He will lead you today, tomorrow and forever into eternity.