Day 235 a note from God: Ezekiel 16-17

The LORD God proclaims: I will do to you just as you have done, despising solemn pledges and breaking covenants. Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Ezekiel 16:59-60 CEB

Thank God for words like: NEVERTHELESS.

That is mercy.

Ever consider what life might be like if God treated us the way we treat Him?

That was the message through Ezekiel, but then God paused . . .

Nevertheless . . .

God remembers the covenant made with us.

and there it is . . . Mercy.

Give Thanks.

And consider your actions . . .

Day 234 A note from God: Ezekiel 13-15

Therefore, the LORD God proclaims: Because you spoke worthless things and had false visions, I’m against you. This is what the LORD God says! I’ll wield my power against the prophets, those seers of nothingness and diviners of lies.
Ezekiel 13:8-9a CEB

Early this year we had Harold Camping predicting unsuccessfully once again the return of Christ. He is not the first to act as a prophet and be found to be false. Ezekiel was calling out the many false prophets of the day 1000s of years ago.

As we approach December of 2012, we will undoubtedly hear from countless more prophets. The false prophets are among us, but God declares HE is against them.

A good reminder, that WE do not need to rise up against them. They will be revealed as tellers of lies and God will deal with them.

The hour is unknown. It is for us to live faithful until that final day.

Day 233 a note from God: Ezekiel 9-12

Therefore, say, The LORD God proclaims: I will gather you from the nations, assemble you from the countries where you were scattered, and I will give you Israel’s fertile land. They will enter the land, and they will remove from it all its disgusting and detestable things. I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them. I will remove the stony hearts from their bodies and give them hearts of flesh so that they may follow my regulations and carefully observe my case laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. As for those whose hearts continue to go after their disgusting and detestable things, I will hold them accountable for their ways. This is what the LORD God says!
Ezekiel 11:17-21 CEB

All of Jerusalem will be destroyed and no one will be left.

This is the message from God for Ezekiel to deliver.

Ezekiel must have thought, "You've got to be kidding! Pick someone else!"

Perhaps that is why the images and vision provided for Ezekiel were so incredible.
I would need that type of convincing in order to deliver such a harsh message.

In the midst of the harsh message of destruction, don't miss the message of hope -

I will give them a single heart, and I will put a new spirit in them. I will remove the stony hearts from their bodies and give them hearts of flesh so that they may follow my regulations and carefully observe my case laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

A new spirit. One in spirit.

Ezekiel delivered this promise.

Have you begun to live the promise in your life?

Day 232 a note from God: Ezekiel 5-8

You, human one, this is what the LORD God proclaims to the land of Israel:
An end! The end has come to the four corners of the earth!
Ezekiel 7:2 CEB

Ezekiel does not have an easy message to deliver: The end is near!

Ezekiel is bring the message of Jerusalem's destruction.

Put yourself in Ezekiel's place. He already knows that God had has told him that the people will not listen to him and yet he must declare the message! What a lonely and stange place to be.

God knows this because they would not listen to God.

What if we lived our lives as if the end was near?

Whatif we lived each day as if it were our last?

What if we loved as God intended?

Day 231 a note from God: Ezekial 1-4

As I looked at the creatures, suddenly there was a wheel on the earth corresponding to all four faces of the creatures. The appearance and composition of the wheels were like sparkling topaz. There was one shape for all four of them, as if one wheel were inside another. When they moved in any of the four directions, they moved without swerving. Their rims were tall and terrifying, because all four of them were filled with eyes all around. When the creatures moved, the wheels moved next to them. Whenever the creatures rose above the earth, the wheels also rose up. Wherever the wind would appear to go, the wind would make them go there too. The wheels rose up beside them, because the spirit of the creatures was in the wheels. When they moved, the wheels moved; when they stood still, the wheels stood still; and when they rose above the earth, the wheels rose up along with them, because the spirit of the creatures was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:15-20 CEB

For some this passage is Ezekiel's account of an obvious encounter with an UFO and an Ancient Alien Astronaut. For others it is Ezekiel's vision from God.

I simply ask which ever you choose to take the leap of faith and believe.

For me, I find it far more palatable to believe that God appeared to Ezekiel in a vision. This vision, like a dream, was distorted by our ability to even begin to comprehend the things of God; hence, a very bizarre description. For me, that is more comforting than the thought of a being from outer space appearing 1000s of years ago to direct our culture and then disappearing.

I'll grant you that I find the alternative (aliens) entertaining. I enjoy Sci-FI, Doctor Who, time travel, and all that it offers. I just don't buy it as an explanation for our existence and purpose!

As we journey through Ezekiel, you make the choice.

What do you want to believe?

Day 230 a note from God: Lamentations 3-5

You, LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do You always forget us? Why do You forsake us so long? Restore us to Yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless You have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.
Lamentations 5:19-22 NIV

How quickly we forget . . .

Even Jeremiah has seemingly forgotten.

How else do you explain someone declaring the enduring reign of God in one breath and then wondering where God is in the next?

The reality is that Jeremiah is heartbroken over the condition of the people.

Jeremiah believes in God's promise to restore the people, but doesn't want to wait any longer.

I think we can relate. God's promises to us are seemingly countless and yet for so many of us we still wait for them to manifest in our lives.

And so we are left asking, "Why do You always forget us?"

We can learn from Jeremiah. We can learn to remember all the ways God has been faithful in our lives. We can learn to wait because God is faithful to keep all of His promises.

You can count on the promises of God - some later than sooner.

Day 229 a note from God: Lamentations 1-3

So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”
Lamentations 3:18 NIV

Lamentations is a series of laments written by Jeremiah. At this point, the Temple has become a contradiction of all that God intended it to be. In spite of all the problems, Jeremiah still loved the Temple and is crushed by seeing the destruction of it.

In the midst of all the problems that exist in the church today, can we still have hope?

Perhaps the more important question is: In spite of all the problems that the church has today, can YOU be hope to this in search of it?

Day 228 a note from God: Jeremiah 51-52

“Flee from Babylon!
Run for your lives!
Do not be destroyed
because of her sins.
It is time for the LORD’s vengeance;
He will repay her what she deserves.
Jeremiah 51:6 NIV





In other words, Run Away! Run Away!

I just couldn't shake these words from Monty Python from my head as read today's passage from Jeremiah. Babylon is going to be destroyed and Jeremiah warns everyone to run away. It would have seemed absurd to those that heard that message. After all who could bring down the great city-state of Babylon? Why would anyone fear a nice little Rabbit?

A brief recap of the scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

In the film, King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table are led to the Cave of Caerbannog by Tim the Enchanter, and find that they must face down both the Rabbit and the Black Beast. The Cave of Caerbannog ("caer bannog" being Welsh for "turreted castle") is the home of the Legendary Black Beast of Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh. This is guarded by a monster which is initially unknown. King Arthur and his knights are led to the cave by Tim the Enchanter, and find that they must face down its guardian beast. Tim verbally paints a picture of a terrible monster with "nasty, big, pointy teeth!", so terrifying that Sir Robin soils his armour. When the guardian appears to be an innocuous white rabbit, surrounded by the bones of the fallen, Arthur and his knights no longer take it seriously. Ignoring Tim's warnings ("a vicious streak a mile wide!"), King Arthur orders Bors to chop its head off. Bors confidently approaches it, sword drawn, and is immediately decapitated by the rabbit to the sound of a can opener. Despite their initial shock, Sir Robin soiling his armor (again), and Tim's loud scoffing, the knights attack in force, but are driven to "run away!" as the rabbit leaps and attacks, killing Gawain and Ector. The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch is then used to kill the beast and allow the quest to proceed.

So what's my point?

We put our trust in things based on perception and not truth and reality.

So our sense of well-being varies based on the stock market.

Our feelings of security vary based on the evening news.

Our confidence in the future is dependent on words from our government.

Didn't work out to well for the people in and around Babylon.

Didn't work out to well for the folks that thought the bunny was safe.

Won't work for you today.

Things that last come from God - Peace, security, your future.

What are you trusting in for these things?

My hope is that you are not trusting a nice bunny that could be a "killer" or for that matter a modern day "Babylon."

It's your call. Maybe this note is your holy hand grenade.

Day 227 a note from God: Jeremiah 49-50

Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’ I will bring terror on you from all those around you,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.
Jeremiah 49:4-5 NIV

The litany of prophecy continues as seemingly no one is left out. The Ammonites are to be punished. They have been a thorn in the side of the Israelites beginning in the days of Joshua. They have continued to fight with the tribe of Gad, but that is to come to an end (so says God).

Apparently the Ammonites believed they were above reproach. They trusted in the earthly wealth they had as a sign that God was pleased with them. Apparently they went as far as to boast believing that no one would dare attack them - think again. All the gold in FOrt Knox won't save you this time.

It is easy to get comfortable and secure in the things of life and do not get me wrong there is nothing wrong with the riches of life. The problem comes when we begin to place our trust and value in the things of life. The Ammonites are about to get a big reminder from God regarding this . . . Do you need one as well?

Day 226 a note from God: Jeremiah 46-48

The nations will hear of your shame; your cries will fill the earth. One warrior will stumble over another; both will fall down together. Jeremiah 46:12 NIV

See the picture? Falling like dominoes.

John Wesley wrote in his notes on this verse

Stumbled — Stumbling one upon another, so that both those that went before, and those who followed after, should fall together

Jeremiah is delivering a prophetic message to the nations and chapter 46 details the judgement coming for Egypt. The image in verse 12 drew me in today. Especially the commentary made by John Wesley.

How often when we live outside of a relationship with God do we find ourselves stumbling around seeking meaning and purpose?

I think we all have been there at some point. The problem is when we are stumbling who do we go for to gain strength and direction.

The picture is that if you go to direction from others who are stumbling you simply topple over one another.

God constantly calls out to those that are stumbling and wandering, "Come to me!"

Don't wander alone. Find a church home. Find a small group led by a grounded Christian teacher/leader.

No need to topple over - Stand Firm!

You've Got Mail . . .

English is today as close to a universal language as we have in the world. And we owe the popularity of the English language to King James I of England. The name might sound familiar because that is the same King James of the Bible King James. James VI of Scotland ascended to the throne of England in 1604 after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. The now, James I, took the throne reigning for the first time over bot h England and Scotland and passing the throne from the Tudors to the Stuarts. His English coronation took place on 25 July “even though an outbreak of plague restricted the festivities.”

One of the first things done by the new king was the calling of the Hampton Court Conference in January of 1604 "for the hearing, and for the determining, things pretended to be amiss in the church." Here were assembled religious leaders from the Anglicans and the Puritans. Although Bible revision was not on the agenda, the Puritan president of Corpus Christi College, "moved his Majesty, that there might be a new translation of the Bible, because those which were allowed in the reigns of Henry the eighth, and Edward the sixth, were corrupt and not answerable to the truth of the Original." Finally on July 22, 1604, King James announced that a new translation would be produced by a committee of 47 scholars and theologians made up of both Anglicans and Puritans. He hoped the partnership between the two rival groups would help heal England’s great religious division.

Here are a few things you might not have known:

Most people have been led to believe that the King Jame’s Version of the Bible was the first English translation, but that is not true. In 1525 William Tyndale produced the first printed translation of the New Testament in English.

The King James Bible turned out to be an excellent and accurate translation, and it became the most printed book in the history of the world, and the only book with one billion copies in print. In fact, for over 250 years, until the appearance of the English Revised Version in 1881, the King James Version reigned without rival.

For the past 200 years, all King James Bibles published in America are actually the 1769 Baskerville spelling and wording revision of the 1611 edition. The original “1611” preface is deceivingly included by the publishers, and no mention of the fact that it is really the 1769 version is to be found as it was thought that it would hurt sales. The only way to obtain a true, unaltered, 1611 version is to either purchase an original pre-1769 printing of the King James Bible, or a less costly facsimile reproduction of the original 1611 King James Bible.

In 1620, The Pilgrim Fathers set sail to America, taking the English Bible with them. This was an immensely important step in the distribution of the bible world-wide. This was further enhanced by the Bible’s use during the expansion of British influence across the world with the East India Company and the establishment of colonies in Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The Bible was the primary text used for teaching in schools until the 19th century. All of these events aided by the availability of an accepted English text Bible helped make English the most widely accepted language of the world.

That brings us to Today’s Common English Bible. This is a brand new publication of the Bible released this year in the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible. Why? So people could understand the Bible. The translation involved 24 denominations, 120 Scholars (35% which were women) A First!

Why would they do this? One simple goal - providing the most current and accurate translation of the Bible that was easy to read and understand.

All of that as preface to our passage today which comes from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching on a number of topics, but most importantly He is trying to help people understand how the Kingdom of God works. Jesus, as a teacher, had a goal of trying to make the things of God easy to understand:

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him." Matthew 7:7-11 CEB

Back then, people had a similar view of God as people do today – you know the view that God is the Big Guy upstairs looking down and pronouncing judgment on all we do – God is the ultimate kill-joy – "that looks like fun, but I can’t God is watching" kind of kill-joy.

Jesus is trying to help them see God in a different light, but I have to admit he seems to be asking some real silly questions . . . Bread or Stones? Fish or snakes? Which would you want? Which would you give?

In the region where Jesus sat with the disciples there were stones that looked somewhat like loaves of bread and there were snakes that looked somewhat like fish. But even with that, how dumb did you have to be to not understand what Jesus was saying about God. I still picture Peter saying, “I’ll take the fish! Lord, Remember that I said fish before anyone else!”

I believe the reality is that God’s word is not hard to understand – until we make it hard. It is man that determines that God’s word is not understandable. It is man that reads new meaning into words. The message is pretty simple:

God loves you.
God wants to have a relationship with you.
But you have a problem that keeps you from this relationship and it is called sin.
Left to our own device we would die in our sin and left to judgment.
God loves us so much He sent his own son so that we might have a right relationship with God.

How many have prayed or even thought: “Life would be so easy if God would just talk to me!”? God on the other hand says, “You’ve got Mail!”

Today the Bible is the must owned book and the least read. 90% of American homes have at least one Bible in them. 80% of Americans admit to rarely reading the Bible and only 20% have ever read the entire Bible. And yet 65% of the people believe the Bible has answers to today’s problems and 76% believe that reading the Bible brings people closer to God.

400 years ago The King James Bible was introduced. Prior to this The Bible in English had been declared illegal . . . Change came . . . God’s word became available to everyone in their common language.

Today we repeat history. Introduce the Common English Bible – easy to read – easy to understand – Truth is the Bible is not hard to understand. Translations and study bibles are aplenty and make reading and understanding easier than ever. Don’t continue to be a statistic. Don’t continue making excuses.

I challenge you to spend five minutes each day reading the Bible. Don’t have a Bible or don’t have a translation you understand? Need a plan? A commitment is important – a plan is equally important because sometimes the mail doesn’t have much to offer on a given day, but we keep checking our inbox and we keep walking to the mailbox to look and we keep hoping. We hope to find something of value. Your relationship with God should be no different, but you have got to check the mail.

President Woodrow Wilson once said, “The bible is the only book I know that I can read everyday and find something new.”

You want to hear what God has to say about your life? You’ve got Mail! It really is that simple.

If you need a Reading plan, contact me direct and I will connect you with a reading plan and the means to read the new Common English Bible - rodney.frieden@inumc.org

Day 225 a note from God: Jeremiah 41-45

Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the LORD your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left. Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”

"I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray to the LORD your God as you have requested; I will tell you everything the LORD says and will keep nothing back from you.”

Jeremiah 42:1-4

Interesting that when crisis comes we find ourselves turning to God for guidance.

Interesting in that we often find ourselves in crisis because of our failure to listen to God's direction in our lives.

The Good News is that this is not a new phenomenon.

The Bad News is that is no excuse.

Remember the words of Habakkuk from yesterday?

Seek God's guidance always.

Live your faith always.

When crisis comes, don't be making your first call to God!

What a difference . . .12 months and Counting . . .

12 months ago we were moving into our new home in Hagerstown. In just a few weeks, I would become the newest in a long line of Senior Pastors at the First United Methodist Church in Hagerstown. We watched the Jubilee Day parade from the front lawn of the Huffines's. I met the church secretary as she waived from a float as it went by us. We seemed strangers in the town. On my first Sunday, I referred to the church as First Church - no one had done that before. It was new. It was different. It was refreshing and it stuck . . .


What a difference 12 months can make . . .

Today we participated in the parade. I walked with our church float and greeted the many people along the way. I actually knew people this time.



We waived . . .



We laughed . . .



These past 12 months has allowed me and our church to ReThink what it means to be a church and be a part of Hagerstown.

Today, I hope we helped the community begin to ReThink Church and to ReThink what it might mean to be a part of First Church.



12 months and counting . . .

Can't wait for the next 12!

Day 224 a note from God: Habakkuk

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

It wasn't that long ago that I became addicted to Farmville (a game on facebook). I admit I farmed every day and every night. I had farm friends all over the world. On several occassions, I would be delayed and unable to get to my crops and they would wither and die. The frustration of losing the investment in time and coins was . . . well frustrating. BUT then something wonderful would happen, I neighbor would stop and restore your crops to health! Oh Happy Day!!!

Life dosen't work that way. It would be great if in the middle of tragedy and advesity someone could come along and wave a wand and make it all the way it was before. But, alas life doesn't work that way - wait I already said that.

Habakkuk understood that.

It is easy to sing God's praises when everything in life is good. But what about those times when it is not?

Habakkuk says, "It don't matter. I'll sing God's praises no matter what comes my way!"

So, when your crops wither and your friends disappear. When trouble comes and help seems far away.

Remember, God is still with you and you can still rejoice in the hope that comes from being in relationship with God.

Day 223 a note from God: 2 King 24-25 and 2 Chronicles 36

He did what was evil in the LORD’s eyes, just as all his ancestors had done.
2 King 24:9 CEB

Monkey see, monkey do is a saying that originated in Jamaica in the early 18th century and popped up in American culture in the early 1920s. The saying refers to the learning of a process without an understanding of why it works. Another definition implies the act of mimicry, usually with limited knowledge of the consequences. (source wikipedia)

"Monkey see, monkey do" is not an excuse you can use with God.

The Old Testament tells the story over and over of a generation that repeated the actions of the previous. In other words, it can't be their fault - they are just acting as they were taught.

Begs the questions, "What are you teaching the next generation? What are your actions teaching them over and above your words?"

Oh and by the way - NEXT GENERATION - you are not with excuse. God has written His law on your heart. In other words, you know better.

Live your faith - now and always!

Day 222 a note from God: Jeremiah 38-40 and Psalms 74 and 79

Do something, God! Defend yourself.
Remember how those fools sneer at you all day long.
Psalm 74:22 CEV

Then we, your people, will always thank you. We are like sheep with you as our shepherd, and all generations will hear us praise you.
Psalm 79:13 CEV

Do you see the contradiction?

I find it strangely comforting to know that not much has changed in 26 centuries.

Things are not going well so the people cry out to God, "Do Something!"

The cry out as if they had no role in the way things are, but they also cry out knowing that God alone can rescue them.

As they ask, they promise. The promise to never forget all that God has done. They promise to always praise God.

What a crock! God has rescued them over and over only to watch them forget in less than a generation.

Sound familiar?

We have done it in less than 10 years. Remember 9-11? The nation gathered and cried out to God for comfort, healing, and peace. The nation worked together, grieved together, and bonded as one.

And now . . .

What empty promises have you made?

Day 221 a note from God: Jeremiah 35-37

The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: Go and tell the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem: Can’t you learn a lesson about what it means to obey me, declares the LORD?
Jeremiah 35:13 CEB






There's nothing worse than saying or believing you can't do something only to be shown your belief isn't true.

I bite my nails. I mean I really bite my nails. It is a habit that try as I might I can't beat it. I find comfort that my father does it as well. The comfort is that it is heredity that causes me to bite my nails.

Horror of all horrors, my father at Age 68 has beaten the habit and actually grown nails! What will my excuse now be?

The Rechabites provided a similar picture for the people of Israel. They have been unable to do what God asks them to do. They have every excuse in the book and then here come the Rechabites and there goes the excuse "it can't be done."

I'm once again working on not biting my nails - apparently it can be done and I am without excuse.

What's your excuse?

Day 220 a note from God: Jeremiah 32-34

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.
Jeremiah 32:14 NIV

This is a really a strange action considering all that is going on. Jeremiah is under 'house arrest', the Babylonians are at the gates, and Jeremiah has again declared there is no hope of rescue. The Babylonians are going to take over and cart the people off into captivity and slavery.

While that is going on Jeremiah buys some land. Really? Are you nuts? What a waste of money?

Not so fast . . . Jeremiah also knows and trusts in the promise of God. There is hope. Not hope that the circumstances of this day are going to change, but that this is not the future that God has planned.

Jeremiah's action is an act of hope - a declaration that things will be better.

Now, cue Annie . . . "The sun will come up tomorrow . . ."

Day 219 a note from God: Jeremiah 30-31

The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. It won’t be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant with me even though I was their husband, declares the LORD. No, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my Instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. They will no longer need to teach each other to say, “Know the LORD!” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD; for I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 CEB

For the people in Jeremiah's day, the time was coming.

The promise that God's new covenant was coming was comforting. IT was a promise they could hold on to.

For us today, the new covenant has come. Jesus declared the arrival of the new covenant at the Last Supper.

We no longer must wait. We know God. He has been revealed in Christ.

What are you waiting for?

Day 218 a note from God: Jeremiah 26-28

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:4-9 NIV

The people of God are in exile - held captive by Babylon. There are those (false prophets) who are telling the people that God's rescue is imminent and to prepare to return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah says quite the opposite - you are not in a good situation, but do not make it worse instead work hard to make the most of the situation you are in.

There are times in our lives that we find ourselves in adverse situations beyond our control. In those moments we cannot wait for God to bail us out while we do nothing. We need to be patient and wait upon God and do our best with the given situation. God promises to be with us in ALL moments.

Whatever the situation, be patient with God. Be faithful to God. Remember, in the darkest of moments eventually the stars come out.

Day 217 a note from God: Jeremiah 23-25

“But you did not listen to me,” declares the LORD, “and you have aroused my anger with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.”
Jeremiah 25:7 NIV

The nation had long been living in sin, but now the consequences of their actions were coming to bear upon them.

That is thing with sin - eventually it brings suffering. In the short term, sin can be fun and seemingly without consequences, but truth is sin leads to suffering for all people no matter who they are or where they are - God will not be made to look silly.

That is a tough lesson to learn. God is full of grace, but that does not mean that there are not consequences for our behavior.

Day 216 a note from God: Jeremiah 18-22

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
Jeremiah 18:1-4

I have long been a fan of Jeremiah. After all he is the first herald of the new covenant that comes to be through Jesus. He wouldn't like that guy.

But, I must confess I have often struggled with how could a consistent God change to plan B with Jesus. And how could Jesus be plan B?

But then in a passage so familiar to me in Jeremiah I often gloss over it. Today I read it again and there was the answer.

For those that have worked with clay on a potter's wheel this passage makes even more sense. Sometimes the best laid plans are changed when the clay doesn't cooperate with the potter.

That is what Jeremiah sees in the potter's house. God had a plan, but the people's response to the plan required God to make something new from the same creation.

I am thankful for Plan B. I like grace a lot more than the law.

I am thankful for a God that is willing to work with the stubborn clay that is called His people.

Day 215 a note from God: Jeremiah 14-17

Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
Jeremiah 14:11-12 NIV

Kansas, sang a song years ago, The Point of No Return. Jeremiah must have been shocked at these words from God.

God was done.

God expects those who enter into covenant with Him to take it seriously and be faithful to His demands.

The time for repentance had passes. Judgement was coming.

The good news is that God is not done. He still loves His creation.

A New Covenant is being heralded . . .

A new plan is coming . . .

a new call to faith is coming . . .

Stay tuned . . .

Day 214 a note From God: Jeremiah 10-13

The LORD proclaims: Don’t follow the ways of the nations or be troubled by signs in the sky, even though the nations are troubled by them. The rituals of the nations are hollow: a tree from the forest is chopped down and shaped by the craftsman’s tools. It’s overlaid with silver and gold, and fastened securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. They are no different than a scarecrow in a cucumber patch: they can’t speak; they must be carried because they can’t walk. Don’t be afraid of them, because they can’t do harm or good.
Jeremiah 10:2-5 NIV

Jeremiah points out the misguided trust of the people. They are putting their trust in the things they have made. They are in effect worshipping the idols they have created. Jeremiah points out their confusion by contrasting God with a scarecrow.

Today, we have people in a panic because . . . the Government, their jobs, their investments, you name it . . . those man-made things that they trusted in to care for them are failing them.

When you place your trust in anything other than God, you are placing your trust in a scarecrow in a field. It may keep away the scary things for a season, but your peace and security won't last.

Place your trust in the One True God and begin to discover the peace that passes all understanding.

Day 213 a note from God: Jeremiah 7-9

“‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!”
Jeremiah 7:2-4 NIV

Jeremiah calls the people out today for their wicked ways. He calls on them to repent. The people have grown complacent in their faith. They believe it doesn't matter how they live and act - God will take care of them. After all God is Love.

Sounds a lot like the debate that is raging through theological world of book writers telling us Hell isn't real because God is love.

If Jeremiah was a song writer, he would have written this song long ago. Thanks to Matt Redman for reminding us that we need to return to the Heart of Worship. Thanks to Jeremiah for reminding us to repent and live a life of faith.

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

Day 212 a note from God: Jeremiah 4-6

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
Jeremiah 6:16-17 NIV

We ask for wisdom and guidance and then upon receiving it - we ignore it and choose our own way. We are given warnings of the pending trouble and choose to ignore the warnings. When trouble comes we then cry out, "Why didn't you tell us?!"

“Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!”
Jeremiah 4:18 NIV

The story of Jeremiah and the warnings given by God to Judah would be comical if they were not true. They would be easy to read for entertainment if they didn't reflect like a mirror our own society.

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city." Jeremiah 5:1 NIV

God stills is searching for good people that will take a stand for the things of God.

Now is the time to stand up.

Now is the time to declare what is important - what is of value - what is important.

The time is now longer coming - the time has come for us to pay the price for the choices and actions we have made as individuals and as a society.

Will you take a stand for what you believe?

Day 211 a note from God: Jeremiah 1-3

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 1:4-9

The book of Jeremiah begins with the call of Jeremiah by God to become a prophet. This call will be important to Jeremiah. There will be times he wants to quit, but remembering this moment will sustain him.

Think back to the days of your childhood and playing games on the playground . . .

Remember how good it was to be picked?

Remembering that he had been picked by God was able to sustain Jeremiah through the difficult times.

Maybe you were never picked to be on the team . . .

So remember that like Jeremiah, you have been picked by God.

You are chosen. Live that call in your life.

Day 210 a note from God: Zephaniah

Zephaniah 3:5 simply says, "Every new day, God will not fail."

Maybe I should just type that over and over in this blog. I mean it's what makes every day doable. Your co-workers will fail you some days, your boss will fail you, your family will fail you, your mate (or boy/girlfriend) will fail you, your church will fail you, fellow believers will fail you, even spiritual leaders fail you.

But "every new day, God will not fail."

Look, life is a grind, so, some days you're going to wake up anxious. Some days you're going to wake up dreading the day. Some days you're going to be excited about what's ahead. Other days you're going to be overwhelmed by what's ahead, some days you may be discouraged, or eager, or exhausted.

But however you are, no matter what that day holds - God will be there. So why don't you claim God's guarantee for yourself.

In fact, say it out loud right where you are, you need to hear this promise,
"Every new day, God will not fail!"

Day 209 a note from God: 2 King 22-23 and 2 Chronicle 34-35

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.
2 King 22:11

The law had been so forgotten in the land that the book containing all the laws had been long misplaced in the temple. It is easier to stray from God's teachings when they are not a part of your everyday life.

Josiah upon hearing the law for the first time, responds with complete humility. And begins the process of restoring the law in the land.

400 years ago the Bible was translated into English and the people were able to read it themselves for the first time. No one else needed to interpret the Bible for them. It was a fresh rebirth for Christianity.

Here were 400 years later and the Bible is the most published, most purchased book in the world. Most people own several copies of it. And yet, it sits on most of our shelves misplaced and forgotten.

Rediscover the teachings of God for yourselves. Pick up a Bible today and read it. Perhaps you too might respond like Josiah.

Be careful though. It is easy to forget the value of the teachings . . .

Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his predecessors had done. 2 King 23:31-32

Day 208 a note from God: Nahum

The LORD is slow to anger but great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.

Nahum 1:3 NIV

One hundred years earlier, Jonah preached in the streets of Nineveh and a revival broke out. A few generations later and things are back to usual. Evil once again reigns and God has had enough. Nahum pronounces the judgement of God that is to come. The message of judgement brings comfort to the people who have long sought to seek after God's ways.

It is a stark reminder to us that a conversion in foxhole is only as valuable as the life of faith lived after the danger has passed. Not sure? Ask Nineveh. Oh wait, you can't - God destroyed them!

God is patient. God is slow to anger. But with each passing day, each passing generation . . .

What is God waiting on in your life?

What is causing God's anger to simmer?

Today is as good as any to seek again after God's way.

Tomorrow may be to late.

Day 207 a note from God: 2 Chronicles 32-33

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made.2 Chronicles 33:21-22 NIV

Fathers and sons have a special bond and that isn't always a good thing.

As I watch my son grow up, I notice some of things that he does are just like me. These are not things I set out to teach him. He just does them because he has observed me.

I have also noticed that as I grow older I become more and more like my father. I do things that are just like him.

Manasseh taught his son a lot in 22 years. Amon was a mini-version of his father.

If it is true that we become like those that we spend the most time with . . .

Who are you spending your time with?

Wh are you becoming most like?

Day 206 a note from God: 2 King 20-21

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.” In the two courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger. 2 King 21:1-6 NIV

File this under: You have got to be kidding me!?!

After all that has happened. After all that the prophets have taught and has come to be . . . this is the actions of the king.

It is easy to read this story of one of the most evil kings in the history of the nation - Manessah - and get angry or frustrated.

But then the proverbial other shoe drops and you realize that we are not the different from Manessah. After all that has happened. After all that the prophets have taught and has come to be . . . this is the actions of the people.

Believing is a call for living your faith today - not later.

Day 205 a note from God: Isaiah 64-66

Isaiah finishes his writing on roll. Three observations:

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ Isaiah 65:1 NIV

A promise to the Gentiles that the message of God's love is for all and not just the Jews. Therefore, you who know God should be about sharing the message.



In verses s11-16 of chapter 65 God declares there are only two kinds of people - those who serve Him and those who don't. Which are you?



"The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain" says the LORD. Isaiah 65:25 NIV

This is not a promise of Heaven, but rather a promise of the coming kingdom of God on earth - the millenial reign of God. Not only is God going to restore you and I, but God is also going to restore His creation. No more destruction. A promise of Heaven on Earth. What are you waiting for?