DATE POSTED
Wednesday, June 4, 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 Jeremiah 29:24-32 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the New Living Translation (NLT).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I was flabbergasted by the boldness of the priest, Shemiah, to ridicule the prophet Jeremiah before the people that God supposedly sent them to minister to. As in the case of earlier chapters of the book of Jeremiah, it seems very obvious that God was working mightily through Jeremiah to inform His people the joys that lie ahead for those who obey God, and the disaster that lies ahead for those who refuse to obey God’s commands. I am of the impression that Jeremiah had earned the trust of the people, just like we would learn to love, trust, and obey the teachings of our beloved pastors today. However, in the middle of these sobering warnings by Jeremiah, and his wonderful messages of hope for the Israelites in captivity, then comes another Priest who had an opposing/contradicting message for the people. This must have been a very confusing time for the people, and this must have caused the people to doubt all messages coming from God’s supposed messengers. You see, when an audience is distant to God and His commands, they are undoubtedly numb to discerning God’s call to recognize the true and genuine messenger sent by God, and the accurate message that God had intended for them. The same remains true today, for judging God’s message and His purpose for our lives. This can only be discerned by those who are faithful and consistent in their walk with the Lord. I believe a good rule of thumb for us to follow is that if we are confused by the message from God, then it is probably an indicator that we are not close enough to God as we should be. If we were, then God would speak to us and direct us in the path He would have us go. Why not take this as an opportunity to renew your commitment to God and ask for His strong power to help you stay consistent and intimate in your relationship with Him? Prayer is our medium for communicating with God. Reading God’s Word and reminding yourself of what He teaches in His Word is the primary tool we use to hear back from God. If you question how this might be, let me assure you that God left His living Word, the Bible, for us to receive instruction and direction in our walk here on earth. If you have surrendered your life to the control of Jesus Christ, then the Holy Spirit is embedded in you, and His purpose is to keep us on track as believers in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – our triune God. Notice that Shemiah didn’t go to Jeremiah directly to clear the matter up but instead went to the people with his false message. This kind of deliberate circumvention could only serve to cause division, unbelief and mistrust in God’s messengers. The Bible tells us that our God is not a God of confusion nor One who leads us to mistrust in our God. So, when we see this occurring, we must become more diligent in prayer with the only One who could open our eyes and minds, while also dealing in the heart of the one Satan is leading to divide God’s people. Something that is very personal to me, and causes me much agitation is when I hear a messenger of God putting down another who claims to be God’s messenger. Yes, the people should be warned of false teachers, but I pray that our messengers of the Gospel will stick to obeying their calling to challenge the lost unto salvation and disciple/teach believers so that they might grow deeper in their faith. Seeing that we (believers) are all commanded to go and preach the Gospel, then this challenge also applies to us. Tell the lost about Jesus, not how awful the church down the road is about obeying the Bible. One finger pointed at them, leaves four pointed back at self!! When we listen and obey the voice of God, He will open the eyes of discernment of each believer to detect false teachers. There is so much for us to teach and preach without having to prop ourselves up by putting others down. ‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path‘ (Psalms 119:105). Imagine the disappointment in unbelievers when they hear believers putting one another down, for it shows that we are no example for them to follow. Lord, please take charge of your messengers so that Your Word might be extended to the whole world and bring forth fruit.

PRAYER
Thank You Lord for Your messengers who are obedient to Your call and minister to us each week. You spoke through the prophets of old, and I have no doubt that You continue to enlighten the hearts and minds of our pastors, evangelists, elders, and even us believers, so that we may extend the Gospel to everyone we come into contact with. Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we are like clanging cymbals – useless for extending the heart and mercies of our God. Lord Jesus, I am pleading with You today for a special touch that will embolden us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, without seeing the need to put others down in order to build ourselves up. The Gospel speaks for itself, and I am convinced that no amount of special emphasis by us will enhance its effectiveness. I love the ministry of the late Billy Graham, who, in spite of very large stadium gatherings, or the extra special gospel singers who performed, yet he spoke the very simple gospel of Jesus Christ and You brought forward the fruit. Please Lord, we need more of that in ourselves, our churches, our evangelists and our missionaries, for You are always the main event and Your Word is sufficient for saving the lost and opening the eyes of the fallen. Help us to hide behind the cross as we speak of the One who once hung on that cross for our salvation. Speak to the one reading this devotional who needs the Savior and encourage and embolden the saved looking for a closer walk with You. 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 Bible teaching 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!