October 28- An Empire Fallen

October 28, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 51:1-52:34; Titus 3:1-15;
Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19

Jeremiah 51:1-52:34

Imagine, if you will, that a prophet comes and writes a book that says that the United States of America will be devastated, defeated, and will fall.  As part of the prophecy, the man says that the country will be so destroyed that it will become a deserted wasteland.  Perhaps some of you remember the movie The Planet of the Apes.  In this movie, astronauts land on a planet in the distant future where apes are the dominant species and humans are mute animals wearing animal skins. The shocker at the end of the movie is the realization that the planet overtaken by the apes is the earth.  How do we discover this?  The charred remnants of the Statue of Liberty are seen half submerged on the beach at the end of the movie.  The implication is that this new society is a result of a global nuclear war.  Today, Jeremiah writes the future of the great Babylonian empire and it includes the fact that God is going to make Babylon a deserted wasteland, devastated by a war.

Jeremiah gives his prophecy about Babylon's destruction to King Zedekiah during the fourth year of his reign.  We know that King Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon and eventually after a long siege of Jerusalem, the Babylonians broke through the walls of the city and captured the king and the royals.  Zedekiah was forced to watch as his sons and royal officials were killed.  Zedekiah had his eyes gouged out and was bound in bronze chains to be led away to Babylon. Just as predicted, the city and the Temple were burned down and all of the wealth that had been accumulated by David and Solomon were carted away to Babylon.  There is a description of the majestic nature of the bronze pillars in the Temple and the large bronze sea that sat in one section of the Temple. We see that a prediction that Isaiah gave came true as these precious objects are taken by the conquerors. Remember that King Hezekiah had shown the ambassadors from Babylon many years before the great wealth in his treasury.  God told Hezekiah that this would result in future problems for Jerusalem.  Hezekiah was only concerned about his own life at the time. God's predictions were accurate.

The book of Jeremiah ends with a description of what happens to the royal line of David.  This is important to God because of his promises to the nation of Israel.  God has promised that a son of David will rule on the throne in Jerusalem forever. Although God does not intend to allow any descendant of King Jehoiachin to reign in Israel, God in His wisdom has Mary, Jesus' mother, come from the line of Nathan, rather than from the line of Solomon.  Jehoiachin is from Solomon.  God is able to fulfill both prophecies in the end.  Jeremiah records how this is fulfilled during the Babylonian captivity.

God is intimately involved in His Story on earth.  Does this surprise you?  Do you believe that God is intimately involved in your story too?  He is a detailed-oriented Being.  The details of your life and mine matter to God.

Titus 3:1-15

As Paul continues his instructions to Titus, he gives Titus topics on which to teach.  Today, he reminds Titus to emphasize to the body of believers that they should obey the government. They should be ready to do good for others and avoid quarreling. If you are gentle and humble, your life will not be marked by arguing with others.  How are you doing in this department?

If you hate others and they hate you, you are living a life of disobedience and foolishness. God shows us His kindness and love.  This is out of His character of mercy. He also pours out his Spirit upon those He has forgiven and promises the gift of eternal life. This is the message that should motivate people to do good works and live lives that please God. What motivates you to do good works for others?

The final reminder from Paul is that people should not fight about spiritual pedigree or Jewish laws.  This would have been a problem among Jewish believers at that time.

What would the Apostle Paul tell your local pastor to speak to you about in your church?  What areas need to be exhorted and taught to you?

Psalm 100:1-5

We are His sheep and we enter His gate (Jesus Christ) with thanksgiving.  Read this psalm in light of what the Apostle Paul was saying to Titus today.

Proverbs 26:18-19

Wow.  Don't lie to your friend and then act like you were only joking.  Not a good plan...

What did you read that was of interest today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 27- The Golden Cup

October 27, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 51:1-53; Titus 2:1-15;
Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 26:17

Jeremiah 51:1-53

Do you have a favorite coffee mug?  Over the years I have had a series of favorite cups.  Whenever it was time to have coffee or tea, I would grab the mug my friend gave me on my birthday or the tea cup I received one year at a tea party.   Somehow drinking out of my favorite cup made the whole experience better.  In our reading today world empires are likened to favorite cups and God changes his mind about which empire is his favorite cup.  For a period of time He made the Babylonian Empire His golden cup of favor.  He used this nation/city to conquer the whole world.  As a matter of fact, the whole known world at that time had to drink from this golden cup and get drunk on her system.  Those days are about to end.  God is warning that He intends to smash that golden cup for reasons that tie back to the nation of Israel.

If you read secular history you will learn various facts as to how and why the Medes and Persians defeated the Babylonians.  The Bible gives us God's interpretation of the events of history.  From His perspective, God used Babylon to punish Israel for her rebellion against God and to punish her surrounding neighbors for idol worship and their treatment of Israel, but now, God is going to turn around and punish Babylon for her treatment of Israel.  Babylon is also punished for worshipping false gods.

We see that God mentions the lifestyle of the Babylonians, which includes much drunkenness and feasting. God specifically mentions that He is going to punish their god, Bel.  Does this surprise you?  These people were worshipping demons who are under God's control and will be judged and punished in the future. Do you think the Babylonians realized that their gods were demons?  Probably not.  God holds people accountable for their choices.

Do you rest in God's sovereignty?  Do you realize that God has a spiritual purpose for secular history?  Do you realize that you will be held accountable for your choices? His story is not over yet.

Titus 2:1-15

The teaching that Titus gives to the people of Crete should result in changed lives and changed behavior.  Here is what Paul is hoping for:  He would like for the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely.  In our day and age it is a shame to see older men chasing after younger women and having affairs.  It was the same back then.

The older women are not to become gossips, spreading evil words against others.  They are also cautioned not to be heavy drinkers.  In our day and age, wine is a big deal to many women.  They rely on it for comfort and the coolness factor.  God wants women to be noticed for helping younger women learn to love their husbands and children. Women should also be revered for living pure lives. Alcohol can be a trap that ruins a person's effectiveness.  Women need to be warned of this and careful that they do not become lushes. In this way shame is not brought upon God's word through bad behavior.

The young men should be wise and follow Titus' example of good deeds.  Titus' teaching must be strong.  All Christians are encouraged to live with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God.

Paul reminds Titus that he has authority from God as the pastor over these people to teach these things.

Are you concerned with your life style?  Does it reflect well on God?  Do you drink too much wine?

Psalm 99:1-9

God is backing up His statements in Jeremiah with this psalm.  His message is consistent.

Proverbs 26:17

Wow.  I guess the message is to butt out.

What did you learn as you read today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 26- Make It So!

October 26, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16;
Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16

Make it so!  
~Daddy Warbucks  from Annie

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46

Here are the kids in their costumes.

When the children were little, there was a group of families that would produce musicals on people's driveways in the summertime.  It was great fun to have the kids try out for the various productions and be part of the fun atmosphere of putting on an outdoor play. One year, the musical was Annie.  Fortunately, both kids got a part.  My son played Daddy Warbucks and my daughter played his secretary, Grace.  We have a film of the play and we all get a good laugh from the fact that the kids voices are so high that they sound like little mice saying their lines.  Inside of themselves they felt so mature, but the video does not lie.  They were just little munchkins up there acting their hearts out.  My son had a line from the play that he relished.  At one point he would thrust his pointer finger in the air and shout, "Make it so!"  Daddy Warbucks was an industrial tycoon.  Anything that man wanted done was done.  Today, God is like Daddy Warbucks.  Anything He wills to happen is going to occur.  If God wants to judge a nation, all He has to do is say, "Make it so!"


As Jeremiah prophesies, God gives him messages for Damascus, Kedar and Hazor.  These places are in God's cross hairs of judgment.  God will use Nebuchadnezzar to punish these nations for their rebellion against God and their relationship to His chosen people, the Israelites. Damascus claims to be the oldest city on earth that is still in existence.  They could be correct in their claim.  Although the city has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, it still is the capital of Syria.  This is not the case for the other places mentioned in this prophecy.


Next, Babylon is up for judgment.  We see that God had a good purpose for Babylon.  He allowed Babylon to rise and be the first great world empire.  Remember that the tower of Babel was in this area.  But, having served her purpose as an instrument of judgment upon Israel and her neighbors, God now predicts the demise of Babylon. 

Israel is described as a group of lost sheep who were led astray by their shepherds.  God intends to find His lost sheep and bring them home. They are to flee Babylon in the future and return home. God describes Babylon as becoming the least of the nations.  It will be a dry and desolate land. People who visit the ancient ruins of Babylon today can see that God fulfilled this promise.  One of the greatest empires the world has ever known is simply a desert wasteland.

We see mention of times in the far future, "no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve."  Obviously, there is sin in Israel in our present day.  This part of the prophecy has not been fulfilled.  It behooves us to understand that just as Babylon was indeed defeated, the day when the remnant in Israel will have no sin is also going to occur.  How?  By the power of God.

God mentions that he will punish Babylon for their many sins which include worshipping the gods Bel and Marduk.  Here we go again with idol worship.  The ancient world was familiar with the God of Israel.  It was CNN Headline news when 1 million people left Egypt after the plagues.  No person had any excuse to be following pagan idols.  God makes His invisible qualities known through His creation.  Therefore, God is justified in judging the Babylonians.

The other picture that God wants to paint for us is His role as Israel's redeemer and rescuer.  Although He sent Israel into captivity to punish her for her rebellion against God, He must also fulfill His role as her redeemer.  Remember, God is our redeemer, also.  He rescues His children from the Babylon of this world system.  It is through His death that we are redeemed from our sins and the world system that fuels itself on pride. When God promised Adam and Eve that He would solve the problem of sin with a child who would save the world, the prophesies that we are reading about in Jeremiah are part of the process of bringing us to that solution.

Babylon will be defeated by the Medes and the Persians.  This is ancient history to you and me.  When Jeremiah wrote this this prediction seemed unlikely.  If God wants to, He can "Make it so!"

Do you rely on God's promises and prophesies?  Do you believe future events will happen that God has laid out for us in the Bible?  Have you studied God's Word enough to know what He says about the future?  Keep reading, my friends.  We will be talking about all of this!


Titus 1:1-16

Once again, Paul is writing a pastoral letter to a man named Titus.  We just finished reading his letters to Timothy.  Timothy was Jewish and was a pastor to the church in Ephesus.  He was younger and needed encouragement to stick to a strong message with a church that was surrounded by goddess worship. 

The Isle of Crete as it looks today.

Titus is a Gentile.  He is pastoring on the isle of Crete.  We see that Paul is not all that impressed with the character of the people on this island.  He spends most of his time in this letter to Titus emphasizing the need to set up a proper organization for the church.

Paul begins his letter by calling himself a bond servant of Christ and by establishing his authority and position as an apostle of Christ. You know that the position of apostle is limited and unique.  The church is founded on the testimony and teaching of the apostles.  Paul knows his purpose and is clear that he has been sent to bring faith to those whom God has chosen to be His and to teach them how to live godly lives that reflect God's truth.

Titus is called Paul's true child in the faith.  Both Timothy and Titus are Paul's spiritual children who do not fall from their faith.


Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders in the various towns of Crete. Again, just as we discussed in the letters to Timothy, elders must be a certain kind of man.  He should be married to one wife, have raised children who did not rebel, he should not be arrogant or quick tempered.  He cannot be a heavy drinker, violent or greedy about money.  He should be hospitable and live self-disciplined life.  He must be able to encourage others in their faith.

We learn that the people of Crete have a reputation of being liars who are like cruel animals and gluttons.  Not a good portrayal, in my estimation.  Paul does not refute this reputation, but encourages Titus to rebuke the people sternly when necessary. Again, Paul warns against false teachers who attempt to ruin peoples faith with rules like insistence upon circumcision.

Do you think the modern church sticks to these strict standards for picking elders? 

Psalm 97:1-98:9

Here is a psalm with a wondrous God who controls the lightning and has power over heaven and earth.  Sing Him a new song!

Proverbs 26:13-16


Have you seen people on this earth who are so lazy that they won't do any work to earn money to feed themselves?  We must be wary of promoting this sort of behavior.  The Bible does not condone this or condone supporting people who behave this way.

What did you learn?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 25- God Will Judge The Earth

October 25, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22;
Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22

For years the Israelites dealt with certain enemies.  They were influenced by these people and came to worship their demon gods named Chemosh, Molech, and Baal.  Many Israelite children were sacrificed in the fire of these idols.  Now, God's day of judgment is coming upon these nations. Today, Jeremiah is given a word on Moab, Ammon, and Edom.

Moab:

First, God warns through Jeremiah that the people of Moab will be destroyed.  They are described as a bottle that will be smashed.  The people of the god of Chemosh will be no more. You may remember that the Moabites come from Lot and his daughter.  Do you remember that when Lot fled from Sodom and Gomorrah, his wife was turned into a pillar of salt after she looked back at the cities being destroyed?  Lot and his daughters escaped to a cave where Lot slept with both of his daughters. Moab was his son from his oldest daughter.

The Moabites are the people who hired Balaam to curse Israel.  David's grandmother, Ruth, was also a Moabite.  God is proclaiming that their time is up.  He has endured the false religion of the Moabites long enough. Their sons and daughters will be carted away to captivity.  Interestingly, God promises to restore the Moabites one day.

Ammon:

The Ammonites also descended from Lot.  Ammon was the son of Lot and his younger daughter. The Ammonites refused to let the Israelites pass through their land in the Exodus. They also worked with Eglon in the book of Judges against the Israelites. 

They worshipped a demon god called Molech.  Very similar to Chemosh, Molech also required child sacrifice.  The Israelites fell into worshipping Molech, too. God describes the Ammonites being pursued and overtaken in the future, but once again, He promises to restore their fortunes.

Edom:

The Edomites come from Esau, who was Jacob's twin brother.  You probably remember that Jacob deceived Esua out of both his birthright and his blessing.  The brothers eventually reconciled, but Esua's descendants were a thorn in the side of the Israelites, who were Jacob's descendants. Edom also did not allow the Israelites to pass through their territory on the way to the Promised Land. God promises destruction for Edom and punishment for their past sins against Israel.

2 Timothy 4:1-22:

Paul reminds Timothy that Jesus will one day judge the living and the dead.  With this in mind, Paul admonishes Timothy to preach the Word of God. Be persistent in this, even if the timing does not seem right. A teacher is to patiently rebuke, correct, and encourage people. Paul warns that in a future day, people will be very hard to teach.

He encourages Timothy to be prepared for suffering. Don't be afraid of it. Work at bringing people to Christ.

We see Paul's swan song.  His life has been poured out as a drink offering to God. What a beautiful picture of humility and surrender.  Paul knows he has fought the good fight. He has finished the race and has remained faithful. Paul is looking forward to a reward for a life lived by faith. Paul is showing up til the last minute of his life.  This is how one should look to Christ for hope.

Paul says that Luke is with him.  He asks Timothy to bring his coat, books, and his papers. Here is a true and honest relationship. We learn that Paul has felt alone in some of his trials in Rome. He says that only the Lord stood with him. Paul confirms that it is the Lord who is going to successfully bring Paul into His Kingdom.

This is the hope of all Christians.  Have you ever felt alone in a trial?  Have you ever felt abandoned by people who should have supported you?  Paul shows us that Christ is always near.  He is faithful and true.  Ultimately, it is only Christ who will bring you into eternity and His Kingdom.  We all face death alone.  Nobody walks through that door with us, except Christ. This gives us proper perspective in life.  Once we understand what will happen in death, we are better prepared to face life.

Psalm 95:1-96:13

Here is a song of praise for God and His salvation. Here is verse 13, "For the Lord is coming! He is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with righteousness and all the nations with His truth."

Our reading today confirms this.

Proverbs 26:9-12

More poetic comments about fools.  This helps as we deal with fools in our lives.

What did you learn today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 24- A Series Of Messages

October 24, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17;
Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7

Here are a series of messages that the Lord has for various people and nations. 

To the Jews in Egypt:

Although they felt that they could flee to Egypt and escape the hand of the Babylonians, they will not be able to run from Nebuchadnezzar. In addition, because they have not given up their devotion to the Queen of Heaven, God will use the Babylonians to punish the Israelites.  Only a few will survive the mayhem that will come upon the land of Egypt.

To Baruch (Jeremiah's friend and assistant):

Although he is not going to have an easy life because of the judgment God is bringing upon his people in Judah, Baruch's life will be preserved. God is going to be with Baruch, even in the midst of his sighing.

To Egypt:

Although Egypt likes to suppose that her army will overflow the land like a flood from the Nile in Springtime and she and her allies will defeat all enemies, in reality Egypt will be defeated by Babylon. 

About King Nebuchadnezzar's attack on Egypt: 

The Pharaoh is a loudmouth who missed his opportunity. The city of Memphis will be destroyed without a single survivor left. Egypt's famous mercenaries will turn and flee from the Babylonians. The Babylonians will come with axes and cut down the people like trees. Egypt will be humiliated and handed over to men from the north.

To Amon (the god of Thebes):

God will punish the idol gods of Egypt. He will also punish the rulers and the Pharaoh for trusting these gods.

To Israel:

God will bring Israel home again from distant lands in the future. They will have peace and quiet one day and will not have anything to fear. God will destroy the nations to which the Israelites have been exiled.  First, God must discipline Israel. God cannot let them go unpunished.

To the Philistines:

The Philistines will be destroyed.  Their time is up.  An army from the north will come and destroy them. The city of Gaza will be demolished. The city of Ashkelon and the people living by the sea must be destroyed by the sword of the Lord.

What do you think about God being able to tell the future in advance and more importantly, His willingness to tell us the future in advance?  What does this tell you about Him?

2 Timothy 2:22-3:17

How must a person who is going to be a Christian leader and teacher behave?  The first thing Paul suggests to Timothy is to RUN from anything that stimulates youthful lust!  How many leaders have been destroyed by a sex scandal?  Way too many have.  But FOLLOW anything that makes you want to do what is right.

Here are other suggestions to Timothy from Paul:

• Pursue faith, love, and peace.
• Be a companion of those with pure hearts.
• Don't get involved with foolish arguments.
• Be kind to people.
• Teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.
• Know that in the last days there will be difficult times.
• People will only love themselves and money.
• They will be disrespectful to parents.
• They will consider nothing sacred.
• They will be unloving and unforgiving and given to slandering others.
• They will have no self-control.
• They will act as if they are religious, but have no power in their faith.
• Stay away from these sorts of people.

Paul sets himself as an example to Timothy of true faith and confirmed purpose from God. Suffering is part of the program.  Did you hear this, people? Persecution should be expected. Everyone who lives a godly life will suffer. At the same time, it will appear that the evil will flourish.

Do you realize this as you come up against problems?  Do you take these words to heart? Can you take Paul's suggestions to Timothy and apply them to your life?  How?

Rely on the truth found in the Scriptures. 

"Scripture is inspired by God (God breathed) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

True dat! This is why consistent Bible reading and study can transform your life.

Psalm 94:1-23

This psalm speaks of God eventually judging the earth and making all things right. What a relief!

Proverbs 26:6-8

Don't trust a fool.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 23- Stay Or Face The Consequences

October 23, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21;
Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 26:3-5

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23

Today we are reading about the remnant of people who were left behind when the majority of the people of Judah were carted away to the land of Babylon.  The people who remain in Jerusalem want to flee to Egypt to prevent any further conflict with Nebuchadnezzar.  The leaders come to Jeremiah to ask him to pray to the Lord for direction on this.

After ten days, the Lord answers Jeremiah and specifically tells the people NOT to go down to the land of Egypt.  The Lord tells this group that He intends to punish Egypt and if they go down there, they will not avoid war, famine, and disease. After hearing this warning, the proud men who were leading the remnant shout that Jeremiah is lying in order to get them killed.  The large crowd including Jeremiah and Baruch end up going down to Egypt because they refused to obey the Lord.

They get as far as the city of Tahpanes in Egypt and the Lord gives Jeremiah another message. In this message the Lord confirms that He is going to send Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt to punish Egypt for their idolatry.  The people of Judah who live in Egypt when this occurs will suffer the consequences.

It is revealed that the Judeans feel that since they have stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven (Ashtoreth), they have fallen upon these hard times.  Jeremiah rebukes them saying that God's judgment has come upon them precisely because they were burning incense to the Queen of Heaven.  Note that the women/wives are blamed for promoting this kind of worship.  It seems to be led by females.  It is interesting to see that the women claim that their husbands willingly followed their lead on this.  Very Adam and Eveish, if you ask me.  Please note that the tendency in our modern Roman Catholic Church to venerate Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and pray to her is treading in the same waters that these early Judeans were swimming in.  It is also what the Apostle Paul was having to deal with in the early church because goddess worship and praying to the Queen of Heaven was still being an issue.  Paul wanted women to be silent in the church to prevent this situation from occurring again.

I must spend a moment discussing that this concept of the Queen of Heaven is a distortion of the promise given in the Bible that the Redeemer Child would come through a woman (Genesis 3:15).  Mankind began to worship the idea of this woman who would bring forth the Savior.  Eventually, people wrongly worshipped this woman as a provider for all fertility and productivity (including crops) on the earth.  God is not pleased with this distortion of truth.  He, alone, is to be worshipped.

Do you see that Mother Earth worship is once again making a comeback in our day?  It behooves Christians to understand the history of what man desires to put before the one true God of the Universe.

2 Timothy 2:1-21

Timothy is called to be a good soldier serving in active duty to God. Paul entreats Timothy to follow God's rules, just as an athlete must follow rules in order to not be disqualified in a competition.

One key thing that Timothy must teach is that Jesus was a man born through the line of King David and that he was raised from the dead. Paul is imprisoned for teaching this. The Good News is that God's Word cannot be put in chains. Paul reminds Timothy that if we die with Christ, we will also live with Him. If we endure hardship, we will also reign in the millennium. If we deny him, he will deny us.

As a pastor Timothy must work hard to show himself approved by God. He is to be a good worker, who is not ashamed and can correctly explain the Word of Truth to others.   Paul feels that he should avoid godless, pointless discussions. Paul is discouraged by two men who have misled people by saying that the resurrection of the dead, which will occur when Christ comes to receive His Church, has already occurred. 

Paul comforts himself by reminding Timothy that the Lord knows those who are His own. Timothy must live a clean life, so that he is a pure utensil that can be used for God's purposes.  In this day and age of sexual promiscuity by our leaders, Paul's advice is a breath of fresh air.

Have you been a good enough workman in the Scriptures to be able to explain God's story to someone else?

Psalm 92:1-93:5

Here is a good song to sing to the Lord!

Proverbs 26:3-5

Love this..."Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!"

What did you notice as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

October 22- Time's Up!

October 22, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18;
Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18

Well, you can't say that they weren't warned...  Today, Jeremiah's prophecies come true.  As the reading begins, the Babylonian troops return to Jerusalem and break through the walls. As the Babylonian army sits in triumph, King Zedekiah and his royal guard flee the city at night.  What a coward!  The Babylonians chase Zedekiah and capture him.  When he is brought before King Nebuchadnezzar judgment is pronounced upon him and he is forced to watch all of his sons killed, along with all of the nobles of his land. Zedekiah's eyes are gouged out and he is bound in chains and led away to exile in Babylon.  All that Jeremiah prophesied came true.

Meanwhile, King Nebuchadnezzar is aware of Jeremiah and wants him protected.  He is allowed to live wherever he would like.  Jeremiah chooses to stay in Jerusalem with the other poor people who are left to work the land. Jeremiah stays with the newly appointed governor of the land named Gedaliah.  Life is never easy and we learn that this new governor has enemies in a group of Judean guerrillas.  He is eventually assassinated by the lead guerrilla named Ishmael. This causes a group of the remnant who stayed in Jerusalem to want to escape to Egypt.

Today's passage confirms that God is true to His Word.  He controls history and uses all things to work for His good purposes.  Do you see His hand in your life?  Do you trust that He is involved in the details of your existence?

2 Timothy 1:1-18

Today we begin Paul's final letter written prior to his death by beheading in Rome in the year 68 A.D.  It is a letter tinged with sadness.  Many references are made to the people who were part of Paul's ministry on earth. Advice is given to his spiritual son, Timothy, with emphasis being put on proving himself to be a workman approved by God.

Paul expresses his love for Timothy and his desire to see him again.  There is complete trust in Timothy's faith in the Lord and his heritage of faith passed on from his mother and grandmother.  What a beautiful example of how important a mother can be in the life of an individual. Paul encourages Timothy to never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord.  He also ask that he not be ashamed of his association with Paul, who is facing death. Paul even asks Timothy to be willing to suffer with him for the Good News.

Paul explains that it was God's plan from long ago to send Christ as the Redeemer who would provide everlasting life and redemption.  This is the Good News for which Paul is in prison. Paul states that he knows the One that he trusts, and he is sure that that One is able to guard what he has entrusted to him, namely, his soul.

The Holy Spirit has been entrusted to Timothy and Paul encourages Timothy to be trustworthy with the Holy Spirit by living a godly life. Paul mentions that some of the Asian Christians have deserted him, but Onesiphorus and his family have visited him and encouraged him. Paul hopes that God will reward them when He returns to earth. 

What will God reward you for when He returns to rule on this earth?

Psalm 90:1-91:16

Moses is wise in asking the Lord to teach us to number our days, so we may develop hearts of wisdom.  This is my prayer.

Proverbs 26:1-2

Fools don't receive honor from the Lord.

What did you notice as you read today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton