In The Mire

VERSE:                                                            Jeremiah 38:6

So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king’s son, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire.

REFLECTION:

At church on Sunday our Pastor used this passage as well as those around it for his sermon. I found it interesting because this verse really struck me. Each of us from time to time are stuck and sinking in the mire of sin.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do there are times in your life that you might feel trapped. You might feel trapped in a dungeon that has no way out and no way to quench your thirst. All that is in there with you is a bunch of muck and mire. When you are at those times in your life you know that that mire is all your sin or even your problems. When you feel burdened with those problems of sin you feel there is no way out.

For Jeremiah there was no way out of that dungeon. They had to lower him down into that dungeon. In some texts it is referred to a cistern. The only way out for Jeremiah was for ropes to be lowered to bring him out of that cistern. When we are sitting in the mire of sin and there is no way out we only need to look up. God the Father lowered his Son Jesus Christ down to earth to die for our sins so we could be lifted up out of the mire. We need to drink of that Living Water that is Jesus and then we will be lifted out of the mire of sin.

Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Do you want to come out of the mire of sin? Then grab a hold of Jesus.

PRAYER:

Pray that God will help you out of the mire of sin. Pray for a way out of the problems you face. Pray for a heart for God.

Happy Thanksgiving!

VERSE:                                                                John 6:11

And Jesus took the loaves and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

REFLECTION:

Tomorrow is thanksgiving so I thought I would give a verse on thanks. Who better to look at than Jesus? This verse is from the story of the loaves and fishes. If you notice, before Jesus distributes the food to the disciples He gives thanks for the food. Do you give thanks to God for the food you receive?

I remember when I was growing up my family used to only say grace and give thanks at dinner time. But it wasn’t just dinner that we had food and it isn’t just food that God provides. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started thanking God for all my meals.

The thanks needs to go beyond just meals because God is Jehovah Jireh, He is our provider, He has provided us with the very air we breathe, the clothes we wear and the ground we walk on. Because of this we should be in constant thanksgiving to God for the life we have. Even in times of trouble or despair we need to find things to thank him for and know that He will also provide us with a way out of the problem we are in.

When you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner take time to reflect on all you have to be thankful for and then decide to thank God daily for your life and an opportunity to serve Him.

PRAYER:

Thank God for your family and friends. Thank Him for all that He has provided you with. Thank Him for the gift of Jesus who died on the cross for our sins.

Pilgrimage

VERSE:                                         Psalm 84:5
 
    Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
 
REFLECTION:
 
    A pilgrimage is a long journey.  A long journey is what we are on as christians.  It is a pilgrimage in a strange land.  We have been given a mission here on earth and that mission is not impossible.  The only way that the mission can be a success is to put our strength in God.  That is also the only way that we will be able to survive the pilgrimage.  We must be bound and determined to be successful in carrying out God's plan for our life.  This pilgrimage will not be a success if we do not let God do the work.
 

    How often have you had a problem in your life and not prayed about it?  That is like getting lost on your pilgrimage and not stopping to ask directions.  (I know all you guys out there never ever get lost.)If we don't talk to God and ask Him what we need to do or consult Him on our life we will become lost and we may never make our heavenly destination.  This verse says if we put our strength in God we will be blessed. God will help our time in this strange land be a little better, if we can just lean on Him during this long and arduous pilgrimage we call life.
 
PRAYER:

    Pray for strength from Jesus.  Pray for guidance and directions in God's will for your life.

 

 

Wise or a Fool

VERSE:                            Ephesians 5:15-17

 

    See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

REFLECTION:
 
    Do you know what the will of the Lord is in your life?  Is it to be a fool in the things you do or to be wise and understand the significance of what you do.  Circumspectly means to be cautious.  Are you being cautious in your walk?  If you want to watch a movie do you do some research about the content or do you just go without regard to what is in the movie?  Do you watch TV without regard to what is on or the content therein?  If you are truly a Christian and love God with all of your heart, soul and strength then you will want to honor Him by doing His will in your life.  Don't be unwise in your walk with Jesus.  Don't take Jesus to movies you know He wouldn't see.  Don't let Him watch Television shows that He wouldn't approve of.  The world is evil and many fall to the temptations of this world.  We as christians must stand firm in our walk with God and be cautious in what we do.  Show God what a good and faithful servant you are, rid your life of the evil that can penetrate your soul.
 
PRAYER:
 
    Pray for deliverance from something that is hindering your walk with God.  Pray for the will of God to be revealed in your life.