DATE POSTED
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible, or click Jeremiah 11:14-23, to read today’s focal verses in the Living Bible (TLB).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, was known to be very empathetic towards his people and therefore prayed tirelessly for them. In knowing the heart and thoughts of His children, I believe that God is also very empathetic towards His children. However, He is a just God and will therefore call a spade a spade, rewarding the obedient flock and punishing the disobedient as needed. Pastors and church leaders grow tired and discouraged in praying for parishioners who seem to know of God when there is a need, yet they want no part of God, His commandments, or His church when they have no known needs. I would question the salvation of the latter group but, praise God, He is their judge, for He knows all about their actions, words, thoughts and the intent of their hearts. Some would probably never return to a church if the pastor shared that he heard from God, who told him that he was to stop praying for his disobedient church members. Yet Jeremiah shares with us in verse 14 that this is precisely what God ordered of him. In the following verses we might be surprised of God telling Jeremiah how it totally disappoints Him to see His children attend church (enter His temple) with such sin and disobedience going on in their lives. Although I’m not a theologian, I believe that we might use an analogy of a patient going in to see their highly trained doctor, with no intent of ever listening, or adhering, to the doctor’s instructions nor filling any prescriptions ordered that might improve their health. Attending church, especially after being blessed beyond all expectations over the past week but never raising your voice or hands in worship to our awesome Healer, Encourager, Giver of all good things, must confuse God as to why did you bother to come to His temple. Hearing the Word of God that is designed for correction, blessing, direction, and encouragement, yet walking away from a church service unchanged, must truly create a similar reaction from God as we see Him reacting to the stubborn Israelites. But in verse 17 we are given a verse that should really lead us to a time of introspection. God ordered Jeremiah to tell the people:  Now the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, has decreed disaster against you, the same tree He planted—all because of …. Friends, we can read the rest of verse 17 for the exact words given by God to Jeremiah, but more importantly, and to personally apply this Scripture today, I would encourage you to consider completing the verse in your own words, with your own circumstances as you imagine standing before God at this very moment. If you honestly have words to complete this verse, then you know exactly what you need to plead, pray, petition, and ask God for today. We could never be perfect here on this sinful earth, but God wants us to clear up any sin before Him so that we could always walk away from His presence perfect in His eyes. The pastor, nor any of his church leaders, nor me could do that for you. That’s a conversation you need to have with your Creator and final Judge to avoid the disaster He might bring against you because of your sin.

PRAYER
Lord, please forgive us for getting caught up in earthly religion. Some are teaching that You won’t punish or send us to Hell. Some would have us believe that there are many addons necessary for our salvation experience, while many others have their personal ideas about what we must do to be perfect like them, or possibly even You. It seems like many have lost sight of what You want, and the instructions You have left for us in Your Word. But I personally petition Your throne today asking that You always remind my readers and I that although we might successfully fool others at times, we could never fool You. Please help us to always be an open book before You, and knowing that You are all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present, this reminds us that we may as well be honest with ourselves at all times, every day. The unsaved are constantly looking for legitimate, honest and trustworthy imitations of Jesus, so I humbly ask that You make this so in my life today. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!