Eternally Minded

Therefore I still contend with you, declares the L ORD , and with your children's children I will contend. For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the L ORD , for My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters , and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.    (Jeremiah 2:9-13) Jeremiah (more specifically, God, through Jeremiah) is warning the people of Judah about their great sin: IDOLATRY. Idolatry is anything of higher importance in your life than God Himself. It's crazy in our age today, just as it was rampant in ancient Judah.  (1)  Therefore I still contend with you, declares the L ORD , and w...

Proverbs 10:29: The way of the L ORD is a strong hold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. It struck me when I was reading this verse in my devotions, that, indeed, this verse is so true. As Christians, the Christ who saved us is the same Christ who will punish the wicked and doom them to an eternity in Hell. But why? The truth is, God is holy [perfect/separate: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! Isaiah 6:3 ].  Omnipotent [all powerful: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... Romans 1:16 ]. Omniscient [all knowing: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God ! Romans 11:33 ] Just [judge: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? Genesis 18:25 ] He truly is all those things; He hates sin. He can't be near sin, He is separate from it. Because we are sinners, He can't be near us. And sin must be punished. Something has becom...

Moses said to the L ORD , "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither in the past or since you have spoken to Your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." Then the L ORD said to him, "Who made man's mouth? Who made him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the L ORD ? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else..." (Exodus 4:10-13) Moses, a courageous hero of the faith, doubted the L ORD . He doubted His supreme control - that He actually knew what He was doing. When the L ORD planned to bring the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, He chose Moses. For His own glory, He chose to use a man who had a speech hindrance to speak to Pharaoh and be the means of God's deliverance to His people. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph... And the virgin...