Jeremiah 40:1 – 45:5 (Continued)

November 30, 2011

Ishmael was plotting to kill Gedaliah and take over as ruler himself. Gedaliah was warned of the plot but just could not believe that his fellow Jew would try to kill him. Ishmael and his men went to Gedaliah and sat down "eating a meal" with him. Then they got up and killed him.

This is something that just blows my mind. How does someone do that? How does someone sit down to a meal together when they know what they are planning to do? My mind cannot fathom those actions, and for that I am grateful because evil actions have to start in the heart and mind. That is why the LORD says in Ezekiel 18:30–32:

"... I will judge each of you by what you do... Change your hearts and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring you ruin. Get rid of all the sins you have done, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new way of thinking. Why do you want to die, people of Israel? I do not want anyone to die, says the LORD God, so change you hearts and lives so you may live."  

Actions will never change unless the heart and mind changes, and the heart must change first. You can't "think" your way into a life change. You have to be willing to surrender your heart. The "thinking" and change of life will follow.

Ishmael had just witnessed everything God said through Jeremiah come true. Everything. Yet he did not change his heart or mind. He instead saw it as an opportunity to further his own agenda and become powerful. He used schemes and trickery to kill Gedaliah. He used lies and deceit to kill innocent people who were coming to Jerusalem to worship God. He only let the people live that said they had things of value hidden in the fields, probably so he could take those things. He massacred many and took the rest captive. He started to take the captives to the Ammonites. Another man of Judah, Johanan, saw what was happening and went to fight Ishmael. When the captives saw them coming they were glad and turned and ran to them. Johanan took the people back to Jerusalem, but Johanan and the people were afraid of the Babylonians. What if? What if the Babylonians were angry at them for what Ishmael did? What if?

They too had just witnessed everything God had done. But instead of turning to God, they became afraid, "so they decided to run away to Egypt," the very place of bondage that God miraculously freed their ancestors from many years before. On the way there, Johanan went to see Jeremiah, the prophet. Everyone went, all the officers and all the people, from the least important to the greatest. They said, "Jeremiah, please listen to what we ask. Pray to the LORD your God for all the people left alive from the family of Judah... there were many of us... there are few of us now. So pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."


Next Entry: Jeremiah 40:1 – 45:5 (Continued) 

Jeremiah 40:1 – 45:5

November 29, 2011

When Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guards, found Jeremiah he said this: "The LORD your God announced this disaster would come to this place. And now the LORD has done everything he said he would do. This disaster happened because the people of Judah sinned against the LORD and did not obey him. But, today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. If you want to, come with me to Babylon, and I will take good care of you. But if you don't want to come, then don't. Look, the whole country is open to you. Go wherever you wish." Then Nebuzaradan gave Jeremiah some provisions and gifts and let him go.

Wow! Those sound like words that God would have said (and did) through Jeremiah. But, those were the words spoken by Nebuzaradan, a Babylonian who had no belief or relationship at all with the LORD of Judah. A total non-believer totally understanding that this was the work of the LORD! Amazing. Amazing!

That is our prayer for our lives and "the storm." No matter what happens—ALL will know it was the LORD who protected us. May God, and only God, get ALL the honor, ALL the glory, and ALL the praise for what He has done and for what He is going to do.

Nebuzaradan puts Gedaliah, a man from Judah in charge of the small amount of the poorest people who remained in Jerusalem. Some officers of the Judah army were not captured and were still out in the open country. When they heard Gedaliah was made Governor, they returned... and brought trouble with them.  


Next Entry: Jeremiah 40:1 – 45:5 (Continued)

Jeremiah 39:1–18

November 28, 2011

Jerusalem falls. Jeremiah prophesied for eighteen years while Josiah was king; 11 years while Jehoiakim was king; and 11 years while Zedekiah was king. So for 40 +/- years Jeremiah was warning the kings and people what God said was going to happen. And 40 years later... it happened. Jerusalem was captured.

What God said would happen—happened. Nebuchadnezzar's men broke through the wall and went and sat down by the middle gate. Zedekiah and his sons try to escape. They run away during the night. But the Babylonian army chased them and caught them. They took them to Nebuchadnezzar and he passed sentence on them. Zedekiah's sons and important officers were all killed in front of Zedekiah while he watched! Then Nebuchadnezzar put out Zedekiah's eyes; put him in bronze chains; and took him to Babylon. How horrible! I can't imagine anything worse. The very last image you have in your mind is the carnage of seeing your sons killed as you watched. I wonder what was going through Zedekiah's mind. Was he thinking "what if"—or—"if only"?

He heard Jeremiah's warnings for years! He had to have spent that time living under a great deal of anxiety and fear. But even though Jeremiah told him what he needed to do to save himself, Jerusalem, and his family (surrender to God's will) he just would not do it. He risked everything. He couldn't stand the thought of being humbled before his own people. He would not surrender! He would be in charge! As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that working for you?" Because, here he is running for his life in the middle of the night trying to escape the enemy; he is captured; his sons are killed in front of him; his own eyes gouged out; and he is bound in chains and taken away. Living with the regret of knowing all that happened was a direct result of the choices he made, would have been an indescribable torture. I can't imagine.

What if—he would have decided to follow God's commands and surrender to God's will? If only—he had changed his heart and mind. But sadly, he did not and what God said would happen—happened. Oh what a difference there would have been if he had chosen to obey. Choose carefully. The choices we make affects generations!!

The Babylonians totally destroyed Jerusalem. They set fire to the homes and palaces. They broke down the walls and they took the people away. All except for the very poorest, who were given vineyards. Then Nebuchadnezzar gave these orders: "Find Jeremiah and take care of him. Do not hurt him, but do for him whatever he asks you." He didn't send just anybody to find him, he sent the commander of the guards, a chief officer, an important leader, and all the other officers. Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah stayed under guard in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured." When it is over—it is over. The officer's found Jeremiah bound in chains among the other captives. They turned him over to the man in charge and gave him orders to take Jeremiah back home. "So they took him home, and he stayed among the people left in Judah."

What a contrast. Zedekiah and Jeremiah were both in the battle. The possibility of destruction was a threat to both. Yet Jeremiah was delivered and Zedekiah's sons were killed, his eyes put out, and he was taken into bondage. The consequences each received were a direct result of the choices they individually made. God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Both His promises for reward AND His promise of punishment.

Before Jeremiah was released from the courtyard, the LORD spoke to him again. He told Jeremiah to take a message to Ebed-Melech. "Very soon I will make my words about Jerusalem come true through disaster, not through good times. You will see everything come true with your own eyes. But I will save you on that day... you will not be handed over to the people you fear. I will surely save you Ebed-Molech. You will not die from a sword, but you will escape and live. This will happen because you have trusted in me," says the LORD.

Ebed-Molech was the one who saved Jeremiah from the mire of the well in Jeremiah 38. He could have stood by and done nothing. But instead, he spoke up and put his own life on the line, and saved Jeremiah. God blesses faithfulness.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 40:1 – 45:5

Jeremiah 38:1–28

November 25, 2011

Jeremiah 38:19 - "Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I'm afraid of some Jews who have already gone over to the side of the Babylonian army. If the Babylonians hand me over to them, they will treat me badly."

This verse just really took hold of my attention when I read it two days ago... and it didn't let go. I already had two words underlined—"I'm afraid"—with a note written in my margins that said,

"It was fear that kept the king from surrendering. Fear drives the need for power and control. It is when we finally surrender that we become free from the bondage of fear. To die to self is to gain freedom and life—literally."

I got that Zedekiah was afraid. What I totally missed in all the other times I have read this verse is who he was afraid of. I read and re-read the verse. What does this mean God? Zedekiah says he is afraid of the Jews! Why would he be afraid of the Jews? His own people! Why? I don't get this.

Jeremiah was warning Zedekiah (and all the people) over and over again what God was going to do. In Jeremiah 38:2 it says the officers were complaining about what Jeremiah was saying. Surrender—live. Try to fight against God's words and His will—death. (See Jeremiah 24 - The Good Figs and the Bad Figs.) Jeremiah was still imprisoned in the courtyard (Jeremiah 33). The officers accused Jeremiah of undermining the morale of the people. So they threw him in an empty well and he was stuck in the mire until Ebed-Melech rescued him.

Zedekiah summons for him and wants to know once again what the LORD says. Jeremiah tells him again: If you surrender—you will live; Jerusalem will not be lost; and your family will be spared. If you refuse to surrender—Jerusalem will be destroyed; you will be captured; and your family destroyed. (See Jeremiah 52:10,11) And Zedekiah's response is, "I'm afraid" of some Jews who have already gone over (surrendered) to the side of the Babylonian army." What?? Why on earth would it be the fear of facing his own people that made Zedekiah too fearful to surrender to God's will? Why was the fear of his own people greater than the fear of the Babylonians?

Oh, I see what you are saying God. Now I get it. He was king. He was used to having all the power and being in control. He wasn't afraid of an enemy stripping him of his power. No, he was afraid of his own people seeing him stripped of his power. Pride—with a capital "I" in the middle. The KJV says he was afraid of being mocked. He was willing to risk everything, his life, the city of Jerusalem, and even his family, to avoid the humiliation of his people seeing him as Zedekiah (the man) instead of Zedekiah (the King). He could not face the possibility of others seeing the "true" him, so he risked it all, and lost it all.

Oh, this clarifies so much. Light bulb moment. Zedekiah was blinded by pride and blinded by fear. The same thing that blinds people today. Sadly, one reason someone is "afraid" of letting others see them for who they truly are is often because they themselves are afraid to face the truth and deal with who they are. The worst deceit of all is when we deceive ourselves. How sad to not clearly understand who you are in God's eyes, and that He loves you just as you are. The true you. There is rest, peace, and contentment in that knowledge, and it all comes from surrendering your life to His. Without total surrender comes fear, pride, anxiety, restlessness, the need to try and prove you are the best, the need for power and control, revenge, selfishness, and the list goes on and on.

Jeremiah warned them over and over but many did not "get it."

Jeremiah 5:21–22 - "Hear this message, you foolish people who have no sense. They have eyes, but don't really see. They have ears, but they don't really listen. Surely you are afraid of me," says the LORD. "You should shake with fear in my presence. I am the one who made the beaches to be a border for the sea, a border the water cannot go past. The waves may pound the beach, but they can't win over it. They may roar, but they cannot go beyond it."

Isaiah 44:18 - "Those people don't know what they are doing. They don't understand! It is as if their eyes are covered so they can't see. Their minds don't understand."

Proverbs 4:19 - "But the wicked walk around in the dark; they can't even see what makes them stumble."

Addendum: 8/11/15 ~ When I read Jeremiah 38 today, what stuck out to me was that the very thing Zedekiah was afraid of (his own people seeing him stripped of his power) is exactly what Jeremiah told him would happen IF he didn't surrender. "If you refuse to surrender... the LORD has shown me what will happen... your women will make fun of you..." The very thing Zedekiah feared would happen IF he surrendered was guaranteed to happen if he didn't surrender and yet he still could not (and would not) let go of his need to be in control—his pride. He risked everything hoping that somehow everything would work out in his favor. He forged ahead in his stubbornness, following his OWN wishes, his OWN thoughts, his OWN desires, his OWN plans.

What we are afraid of is what controls us. God calls us to surrender ALL. Whatever we refuse to relinquish and surrender becomes the very thing we will have to face, on our own, and without God's help. Oh, how much better it is to surrender ALL and to follow HIS footpath than to insist on going our own way.  

The other thing I noticed today is the very last verse of Jeremiah 38. "So Jeremiah stayed under guard in the courtyard of the guard UNTIL the day Jerusalem was captured." What God told Jeremiah was going to happen—happened.

When it is over—it is over.  The day will come. "The storm" will end.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 39:1–18

Jeremiah 37:1–21

November 23, 2011

In Jeremiah 36 God declared that Jehoiakim's (who burnt the scroll) descendants would not sit on David's throne. In Jeremiah 37 we see the fulfillment of that happen. Jehoiakim's son Jehoiachin was removed by Nebuchadnezzar and replaced by Zedekiah (who was the son of Josiah and a brother to Jehoiakim). The events in this chapter occurred prior to Chapter 30.

Zedekiah did not listen to the words the LORD spoke through Jeremiah. The NIV says, "they didn't pay attention." It's interesting to see how the core issues in Bible times are the exact same core issues as today. Zedekiah and the people did not listen to the LORD or obey His commands, yet when faced with hardship, on the surface anyhow, they wanted to know what God said about it. They knew but they refused. To actually obey meant they would have to change their hearts, minds, and actions. And that they refused to do. So, Zedekiah sends some men to Jeremiah. "Pray to the LORD our God for us." If it was truly "our" God, why did they need someone else to pray?

The Babylonians were surrounding Jerusalem but they heard the Egyptian army was advancing towards them so they left Jerusalem and went to fight the Egyptians. God tells Jeremiah to tell the men Zedekiah sent—I know why you are here. You've been sent to seek my help. The army that is surrounding you is leaving, but they will be back. They will capture Jerusalem and burn it down. This is what the Lord says, "...do not fool yourselves. Don't say 'the Babylonian army will surely leave us alone!' They will not! Even if you defeated all of the army that is attacking you and there were only a few injured men left in their tents, they would come from their tents and burn down Jerusalem!"

You cannot escape God's punishment! Cannot! We err when we think chance, happenstance, coincidence, and consequences are the reason for whatever happens to us. Jeremiah said (in Jeremiah 32:24), "because of war, hunger, and terrible diseases" they would be defeated. And God said—No Jeremiah, it has nothing to do with that. I forced the people out. It doesn't have anything to do with the strength, skill, or might of the opposing army. Even if there were only a few injured men in their tents they would be victorious over you because I AM IN CONTROL. I (God) warned and warned you. You (God's people) turned your back to me instead of your faces. The things that are happening are not chance, bad luck, coincidence, or happenstance. You are not a victim of others or circumstance. I have decided! I am in control!

The Babylonian army leaves. Jeremiah goes about his business. He wanted to leave and travel to the land of Benjamin to get his share of the property that belonged to his family. He was falsely accused of leaving to join the Babylonian army. Jeremiah denies it and says, "That's not true! I am not leaving to join the Babylonians." But his accuser refused to listen. He was arrested and put into a cell in a dungeon and "was there for a long time." Zedekiah, knowing what God said before and yet still refusing to listen, sent for Jeremiah. He met with him privately and asked, "Is there a message from the LORD?" Jeremiah answered, "Yes, there is... you will be handed over." Then Jeremiah asked, "What crime have I done" to be in a cell in a dungeon? Where are your "prophets" that said everything would be fine? Jeremiah felt like he would die if sent back to the dungeon. So Zedekiah had him moved to the courtyard to be imprisoned there. That is where Jeremiah was when the events in Jeremiah 30–33 were written.

Addendum:  7/28/16 ~ Oh my goodness. How did I not see this before? How did I miss the reason for Jeremiah being in prison in the courtyard of the guards in Jeremiah 33? I always thought Jeremiah was imprisoned because of preaching God's word. It is true that Zedekiah and Pashhur (along with many others) were upset with Jeremiah for speaking GOD's words. It is also true that Jeremiah was put in stocks, criticized, ridiculed, and falsely accused because of prophesying God's message. But Jeremiah 37:12–21 clearly states why Jeremiah was put in prison in the first place and why he was in the courtyard of the guards when God gave him the promise of restoration in Jeremiah 33.

How did I miss this???

I'm astounded. The circumstances around Jeremiah's imprisonment correlates exactly with our situation and "the storm." How did I miss this before? Thank you for showing me this now, Lord. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Here is what Jeremiah 37:12–21 says:

• Jeremiah was just going about his own business. (We were just working as hard as we could for the betterment of our joint project. We had no idea we were being looked upon with suspicion and we had no idea there was trickery and scheming going on behind our backs.)
• Jeremiah's accuser was motivated by fear. (In the January of '07 "meeting," my sister and brother-in-law said they were afraid of me and said they could no longer trust us for fear of what we might do. They used their stated fear of me as the rationalization for their behavior.)
• Jeremiah was falsely accused of leaving to join the enemy. (My sister and brother-in-law accused us of trying to leave our joint project so we could take it for ourselves. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. When hidden truths began to be revealed we eventually knew we had to break all ties with them, but we never for one moment contemplated "joining the enemy" and removing them from their interest in our joint project by either going on by ourselves or joining with a new "partner." 
• Jeremiah only wanted what was rightfully his. (Once we knew we had to separate ourselves from any type of business relationship with my sister and brother-in-law, the only thing we wanted was what was agreed upon and rightfully ours. That's it. Nothing more. If necessary, we were even willing to walk away with nothing if that is what it took to separate ourselves from them.)
• Jeremiah claimed his innocence. (We couldn't believe what all they accused us of. We were/are innocent. Period. But it didn't matter what we said. They were not interested in hearing the truth. Ironically, they accused us of their behavior.)
• Jeremiah's accuser refused to listen to him. (My sister and brother-in-law refused to listen to anything we had to say. They refused to believe anything other than what they wanted to believe to fit their agenda. They refused to sell to a third party; they refused to buy us out for a fraction of our interest; they refused to allow us to buy them out. They refused arbitration. They refused mediation. They refused settlement.)  
• For no reason Jeremiah was imprisoned. (My sister and brother-in-law had no legitimate, legal, moral or any other valid reason to file a lawsuit against us. But as we soon learned, anyone can file a lawsuit or any reason. They manufactured, surmised, and randomly put together their "case" against us in their attempt to get the courts to uphold their deceit, trickery and schemes.)
• Jeremiah remained in prison until what God said would happen—happened. (We are still "captive" in the court system. There will come a day when we are freed from their lawsuit and the promises God so divinely gave us through the words of Jane E. Wolfe will be fulfilled. Until then, we will continue to have faith and trust in the great I AM.)
• When those who refused to listen were taken captive, Jeremiah was set free. (There will come day when accountability happens. God waited patiently while Noah built the boat, but there came a day when the door was shut. A New Beginning IS coming. There will come a day when God's promise of restoration WILL happen in its totality. There will come a day when we hear the words, "You are free to go.")

Until that day comes we will continue to wait on the LORD.  Blessed be HIS name.   

Addendum #2: 8/12/16 ~ I wonder how I missed this all the many other times I read it and why I just now became of aware of the reason why Jeremiah was locked up. Why is it just now connecting with me? I look at why Jeremiah was locked up and the progression of steps that happened before he was freed, and I wonder if there is any hope for changed lives in my sister and brother-in-law.

I spent all day yesterday at the Global Leadership Summit. I had some tea to drink in the afternoon and it was obviously too late in the day for me to be drinking tea as I was wide awake until about 3 A.M. last night. As I was lying awake, I began to think about how often God's Word talks about the need for people to change their hearts and lives and "get a new way of thinking." I want to have hope that will happen, but so far, nothing points in that direction. And when I think about it, nothing in this whole journal that I have been working on for the past seven years even remotely points in that direction.

It has been nine years now since my sister and brother-in-law filed the lawsuit. They have had nine years to change their hearts and mind and get a new way of thinking, however, their devious plans were put into motion several years prior to them filing the lawsuit. So, for at least eleven years, they have been focused on their plan for ill-gotten gain. You can only conclude (after all the conflict resolutions they have refused) that there has indeed been no change of heart or a new way of thinking.

Throughout scripture there are all sorts of examples of people who heard truth but refused to submit their lives to it. So, last night in bed, I was trying to think of examples of people who did hear truth and did repent and did change their hearts and lives and did get a new way of thinking. I kept asking God to show me. Is there someone? Are their examples of what appears to be the inevitable not happening? Is there reason to still hope? As I lay in bed, I started back at the beginning of the Bible trying to find situations and times when those who loved doing wrong changed their hearts and minds and got a new way of thinking.

Some of the names and situations I went through:

• Cain—No
• Time of Noah—the people were warned and warned. They refused to listen; God decided on the punishment; He waited patiently while Noah finished the boat; and then the time came when the door was shut. Did they change their hearts and minds? No.
• Pharaoh—No
• Eli was warned. Did he change?  No
• Saul (of the Old Testament)—time after time Saul was given the opportunity to change. Did he change?  No.
• Absalom—No
• Kings of Israel—No
• God used prophets to be His mouthpiece to His people.They issued His warnings over and over. Did His people listen and change? For the most part—No
• Rich young ruler—No
• The religious unbelievers (Pharisees and Sadducees)—No
• Judas—No

That is just a small list of the people and situations I thought about. At first I thought I could use Saul/Paul as an example. But then I thought about it more. Saul was passionately following his beliefs. He was dead wrong in those beliefs, but he thought he was protecting the Lord's teaching when he was following his beliefs. He didn't know Christ. He was not motivated by pride, obtaining wealth, or personal disobedience, etc. When he came face to face with THE Christ, he confessed and became a passionate follower of Christ. So, I don't think Saul/Paul fits as an example I was looking for.

I suppose we could use the Prodigal Son. He for selfish reasons walked away from what was available to him in order to pursue his own desires. When things deteriorated, he DID change his thinking, and he DID return. I hope his change of heart and mind was sincere. I'm sure there are other examples in the Bible to point towards as well and they just aren't coming to my mind right now. But it is apparent there are many more examples of people who DID NOT change than there are people who DID change.

It is very disturbing to think about all of this. I want to have hope, but I also am a realist. What I do KNOW for sure is that God is a patient God who is full of grace and wants no one to perish. HE wants people to change their hearts and lives even more than I desire that for them. I take great comfort in that. While there is breath there is hope. While it may not be abundant hope it is hope nevertheless. I choose to continue to trust Him, no matter what.  


Next Entry: Jeremiah 38:1–28

Jeremiah 36:1–32

November 22, 2011

Make sure they know! Make sure they know Jeremiah. Write it all down. The king isn't leading them in the right direction, so write my words down and have Baruch read it in the temple. Maybe they don't know they aren't following my commands. Maybe they just don't get it. Maybe they will change their hearts, minds, and actions if they know. Maybe Jeremiah ... maybe.

Write it all down Jeremiah. Jeremiah 36:3 - "Maybe the family of Judah will hear what disasters I am planning for them and will stop doing wicked things. Then I would forgive them for the sins and the evil things they have done." Write it down Jeremiah. Make sure they know.  Maybe they will listen. Maybe they will ask God to help them. Maybe they will stop.

But, nowhere in this chapter does it make any reference to someone hearing the truth and changing their hearts. The irony of the situation is that Baruch was told to read God's words to the people in the Temple! The people were "doing" church. They were "doing" the traditions. They were giving up eating. They were going to the temple. They were going through the motions of "doing" church, but their actions away from "church" were anything but holy. The truth is they were doing the very things that God says He hates! So Jeremiah sends Baruch to read God's words and warnings to them in the Temple.

Jeremiah 36:7 - "Perhaps they will ask the LORD to help them. Perhaps each one will stop doing wicked things, because the LORD has announced that he is very angry with them."

One man (Micaiah, who was the son of one of the officers) heard what God was saying and thought he better make sure those in authority knew. So he went and told the officers of the king. They send someone to get Baruch, and Baruch reads the scroll to them. The officers became afraid and decide they should tell the king. They asked Baruch if what he wrote was Jeremiah's words. He replied, "Jeremiah spoke them all to me, and I wrote them down with ink on this scroll." The officers told Baruch that he and Jeremiah should "go and hide, and don't tell anyone where you are."

The officer's took the scroll and read it to King Jehoiakim. His reaction? Anger. How dare Jeremiah say these things! His solution? Get rid of the message and get rid of the messenger. As the scroll was being read he would cut off sections and throw it in the fire. He was angry, but he was not frightened! He saw no need to change his heart, mind, or actions. All he wanted to do was to seek revenge on the messenger, "but the LORD had hidden them."

Jehoiakim burned the entire scroll. Then the LORD spoke to Jeremiah again. "Get another scroll." Write down the words again. Did the king seriously think that burning God's words and getting rid of them would make them go away? You cannot thwart God's plans. His refusal to listen brought harsher punishment upon himself and his family. Jeremiah 36:31 - "I will punish... I will bring disasters... everything I promised but which they refused to hear."

"Maybe..." Sadly they did not change and the reality of God's words came true.

Jeremiah obeyed God. He took another scroll, gave it to Baruch, and once again, God's words were written down.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 37:1–21 

Jeremiah 34:1 – 35:19 (Continued)

November 21, 2011

Jeremiah 35 - The family of Recab.

For years the Recabite family followed the instructions of their ancestor Jonadab: don't drink, don't build houses, don't plant seed or vineyards, you must live only in tents. And for years they did exactly that. Then God speaks to Jeremiah and says, "Go to the family of Recab. Invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the Temple of the LORD, and offer them wine to drink."

God was not trying to trick the people of Recab. He knew their answer was going to be—No! God wanted to use them as an example of faithfulness. The people of Recab refused to drink and explained the reason why; they were obeying the instructions of their forefathers. And God tells Jeremiah to go and tell His children, the people of Judah and Israel, "You should learn a lesson and obey my message." Jonadab, son of Recab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and to this day they have obeyed. "But I, the LORD, have given you messages again and again, saying, 'Each of you must stop doing evil. You must change and do good. Do not follow other gods to serve them. If you obey me, you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.' But you have not listened to me or paid attention to my message." Recab's family obeyed him but my people have not obeyed me. So, the LORD God All-Powerful says, "I will soon bring every disaster I said would come. I spoke to those people, but they refused to listen. I called out to them, but they did not answer me."

Then God tell Jeremisah to tell the Recabites, "You have obeyed the commands of your ancestor Jonadab and have followed all his teachings; you have done everything he commanded." So, I am going to honor you for your faithfulness, "There will always be a descendant of Jonadab son of Recab to serve me," says the LORD.

The Recabite family was faithful to the instructions of their earthly fathers so God honored and blessed them. How much more we should be faithful to our heavenly Father, the LORD God All-Powerful. IF—we are faithful, THEN—the LORD blesses.

May the LORD find our family faithful NOW and for generations to come.

Life Lesson:

"Did you know it's not faith plus obedience that equals salvation, but obedient faith that equals salvation? True faith is verified in your obedience to God. Because Jesus is LORD, He demands obedience. There is no faith without obedience... In the beginning, it is your faith that is spread abroad, but in the end it is your obedience. Faith that excludes obedience won't save anyone. The delusion that it will causes many people to take the broad road that leads to destruction... Build your life in obedience to Christ. Then you'll know that you belong to him." ~ From Truth for Today by John MacArthur. 

"He want us to be loyal and obedient constantly. His answer to our prayers reflect his perfect will to us."

Obedience IS rewarded.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 36:1–32  

Jeremiah 34:1 – 35:19

November 18, 2011

Jeremiah warns Zedekiah that he will be taken captive and that he will see it with his own eyes. "And you will go to Babylon." He was not going to escape from what God planned. The LORD also promised him that he would not be killed by a sword but that he would die peaceably. He couldn't escape from God's plan of captivity, but he would not die violently.

Zedekiah attempted to do at least one thing the way God wanted it to be done. Zedekiah made an agreement with the people in Jerusalem to free all the Hebrew slaves. They were not to put or keep their fellow Jews as slaves. I Corinthians 6 in the New Testament makes it clear the same rule applies to us. We should not be doing things to enslave fellow believers.

The people agreed to free their slaves, but then they changed their minds and, "they took back the people they had set free and made them slaves again." God freed them but they refused to free others. God said, "A short time ago you changed your hearts and did what I say is right. Each of you gave freedom to his fellow Hebrews who were slaves. And you even made an agreement before me in the place where I have chosen to be worshiped. But now you have changed your minds. You have shown you do not honor me." So this is what the LORD says: "You have not obeyed me. You have not given freedom to your fellow Hebrews, neither relatives nor friends. But now I will give freedom, says the LORD, to war, to terrible diseases, and to hunger." You will be hated and I will hand you over. I will bring their enemies back. The enemy will fight against them, capture and destroy everything they own... says the LORD.

Addendum: 7/27/16 ~ "But now I will give freedom... to war, to terrible diseases, and to hunger." Oh my goodness. It is startling to think about the comparison between what God freely gave us through Christ's death on the cross—freedom from sin—and compare that to God giving freedom to disasters to come against us when we refuse to follow His commands. What makes us (people) think we can do whatever we want without there being consequences for it?


Next Entry: Jeremiah 34:1 – 35:19 (Continued)  

How God Brought our Paths Together

November 17, 2011

My encounter with Jane taught me so much. Meeting Jane was not just happenstance.  God scripted the winding paths of our lives and brought us together for such a time as this.  I am a different person today because of all I learned and am still learning as I reflect back on her life and as I read her thoughts, comments and hand-written notes written throughout her well-worn Bibles and in her journal.

Jane was first and foremost a faithful servant of Christ. She did not just "happen" to be a devoted Christ-follower. She purposely surrendered her will to God's will over and over again throughout her entire life. Jane understood from a young age that she needed a Savior and she relied upon Him for her salvation and help. Jane was intellectually gifted. She was the Valedictorian of her senior class, receiving many awards and accolades at her graduation ceremony, yet she understood her gifts and talents were God-given. During the family celebration held in her honor, Jane quietly slipped away to the privacy of her bedroom so she could kneel down and thank God for her accomplishments and to surrender her life and her accomplishments to His service. The surrendering of her heart, desires, and talents didn't stop there. Jane wrote in her journal about a time (while well into her 80's) she knelt down in the privacy of her bathroom to again surrender her will and her heart's desire to her heavenly Father's will for her life. Jane purposely pursued her heavenly Father.

Jane's life was not without difficulties and hardship. Her mother died when she was barely out of her teens. Jane was the oldest child and became the "Mom" figure to not only her two younger sisters, but also to a little cousin who was orphaned through a tragic family circumstance and was taken in and adopted by Jane's family. At a time when Jane should have been able to pursue her own dreams, she instead stepped up and took responsibility for her sisters. She freely gave of herself and put her own desires aside to do what was right for others. After high school Jane took some business classes and worked as a secretary in a law office. Later in life, almost 20 years after finishing high school, Jane enrolled in college. She worked to pay her way through school and eventually earned a degree in English Literature. She was a leader and well respected by her peers. Jane excelled at many things and used her gifts to teach English, German, and Bible at several different schools in underprivileged Appalachia mountain areas.

But then later in life the unthinkable happened. Jane lost her ability to speak and therefore lost her ability to teach and financially provide for herself. She was alone with no other support. What was she going to do? When faced with the reality she was no longer going to be able to support herself through teaching, she came face to face with the dire seriousness of her situation. Alone and vulnerable, she prayed for God to be her Father and sought his help, guidance, and protection for her future.  

In God's Sovereignty, the plan to bring our winding paths together was put into motion.

It just so happened...
Jane remembered the faith ministry work of the World Missionary Press, an organization located in Indiana with the same passion and servant's heart as her own. Many years earlier, while visiting her sister who married and lived in Indiana, Jane had the opportunity to meet the founders of World Missionary Press.

It just so happened...
Jane decided to write and inquire about any possible positions available at the World Missionary Press and whether they would hire her. The founders of WMP replied they were not able to pay her a salary, but they did have housing they were willing to allow her to live in if she wanted to come and work for them.

It just so happened...
Jane made the move to Indiana. She lived in the provided housing and handled all the written correspondence with donors and missionaries. She was a gracious hostess and often entertained traveling missionaries and other dignitaries in her home. In spite of her voice limitations, Jane was able to live independently in the WMP provided housing for many years.

Jane knew what it meant to live her life "Walking by Faith." When you read Jane's personal journals you understand how much faith she had to live out. Her life was not easy. Jane had disappointments and faced many difficult situations during her lifetime. And now she is elderly; she is alone with no children or husband; her sister who lived in Indiana has passed away; Jane now lives in an area without extended family close by; she has no family to assist or care for her; she still cannot speak above a whisper; she is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease; she knows her health is deteriorating; and she has no idea of what she is going to do. Alone—all alone. Jane talks over and over in her journals about putting herself in God's hands and trusting him to take care of her. Jane faithfully walked the footpath God scripted for her life.

Jane was wise and conscientious. Realizing she was most likely going to need assistance in the near future, Jane asked a woman with whom she worked at World Missionary Press to become her Power of Attorney. She continued to live independently for a time, but after several car accidents it became apparent it was no longer safe for her to live alone and arrangements were made for Jane to enter a nursing home.

During Jane's first years in the nursing home she would participate in the weekly Bible studies held for the residents. But as her condition deteriorated she was no longer able to do the things she loved. She was just there in the nursing home, barely existing. From outside appearances it appeared as if Jane's life held little value, just taking up space in an already crowded world. Her physical strength and her mobility—gone. Her accomplished and bright mind that brought her many academic honors—gone. But what was not gone was the true essence of who Jane was. Her Spirit (and HIS in her) was alive and well. Not just alive, but thriving.

When I look at the winding paths our lives took before we met for the first time in early 2007, I just shake my head in amazement. Jane's life begins in Pennsylvania, the daughter of a coal miner. Jane's mother dies at a young age and Jane helps raise her siblings after her Mother's death. Jane is active in Billy Graham crusades. She organizes a letter writing campaign for the local men in the World War II. She lives within walking distance of the Appalachian Trail, loves hiking it, and organizes group hikes on the trail. In her forties Jane goes to college and earns a degree. She teaches in KY and several other states. Then disaster strikes and she loses her ability to speak and provide for herself. All alone and in a desperate situation, Jane moves to Indiana. She works at World Missionary Press. Then Jane's health fails and she eventually ends up residing in a local nursing home.

I grow up in rural Indiana as the youngest in the family. I go with my family and the youth group of our church to the World Missionary Press to help put booklets together. I marry and my husband and I have two children. My life is fairly uneventful. We have a happy home, good friends, and we live a contented life. I too am an organizer; volunteer my time with various organizations; chair committees and serve on boards; love to hostess gatherings with family and friends; have a passion for teaching; and love hiking the Appalachian Trail. Our family experiences a few bumps along the road, but through it all our faith remained strong and the various difficulties we faced drew us closer to God.

Then the bottom falls out and our world is shaken to the core. I know I am supposed to take my eyes off of what was happening to us and to GO and DO—GO and DO something for someone else.

It just so happened...
Five years prior to this crisis, my husband and I began going to a local nursing home every Christmas morning. Our daughter was living in AZ and we celebrated Christmas with our son's family on Christmas Eve, so we just happened to decide to spread some joy to nursing home residents on Christmas morning.

It just so happened...
that of all the area nursing homes we could have chosen to go to, we chose to spend every Christmas morning at the nursing home chosen for Jane.

It just so happened...
at about the same time we began to go to the nursing home I also got the totally random idea to hike the Appalachian Trail.

How did I get the idea to hike the Appalachian Trail? It was the weirdest thing. I was going to be turning 50 and decided I ought to do something to make it stand out. Hmm... what should I do? I came up with three things. 1) Go to college; 2)  Learn to play the guitar; and 3) Hike the Appalachian Trail. Three odd and random things. Why would I want to go to college? There wasn't a thing I would change in my life. The only reason would be to prove to my Dad that I could. Dad and Mom paid for my older brother and sister to go to college. But when it was my turn, my Dad told me he wouldn't pay a dime to help me. He did not like what he felt college did to my siblings and he didn't want that to happen to me. I was hurt, but in the early '70's there weren't many options for a poor farm girl. My husband and I married soon after high school. If at the age of 50 the only reason to go to college is to prove to your Dad that you can, then something is sadly wrong in your life. So option #1 was out. (BTW - I can honestly say thank you to my Dad now. His decision shaped my life and made me who I am today.) Next on the list was to learn to play the guitar. While it would be great to play, who was I kidding?? I don't have the patience it would require to learn how to play. So option #2 was out. The only thing left on my list was #3. Hike the Appalachian Trail. Where on earth did that idea come from? I don't even know how I knew there was such a thing as the Appalachian Trail. I started researching the A.T. and loved the idea. I have a group of girlfriends (there are five of us) who have been friends since 1st grade. We always talked about doing something special for our 50th birthdays. Something normal like taking a cruise together.😊 Instead, I said to them, "What do you think about hiking a section of the A.T. together?" And that is what we did. In 2004 we celebrated our 50th birthdays by hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park—the first of my many trips to the A.T.

Unbeknownst to either Jane or myself, God was taking our winding paths and scripting a plan for the intersection of our lives. When Jane lost her voice it appeared to be a disastrous turn of events but it was actually God positioning Jane exactly where He wanted her to be. He had a mission for Jane to complete, and the mission was in Indiana. When our personal family circumstances changed and we were going to be alone on Christmas mornings, God put it into our minds to spend the morning visiting residents in a nursing home. And not just any nursing home, but the exact same nursing home chosen for Jane.

God knew what we didn't know. God knew that on January 4th and into the early morning hours of January 5th, my world as I knew it, was going to come crashing down. And in HIS loving providence, every single detail needed to bring Jane's path and my path together was perfectly in place and waiting for His divine appointment.

It was time for HIS plan to come to fruition!

When I went to the nursing home on January 05, 2007, the receptionist asked me to wait and speak with the Activities Director. While I waited I was annoyed and  irritated. Why should I have to wait to talk with someone? We have been coming here for years! Why can't I just walk the halls and visit with the residents? I was thinking all those thoughts while I waited. The Activities Director finally came. She introduced herself and we sat in the far corner of the cafeteria. We talked and shared together. I explained to her why I was there. Then she said, "Let's walk the halls and see where the Holy Spirit directs us." She took me down a hallway I had never been to before—and that is where I met Jane. God knew I would not have went where He wanted me to go on my own so He arranged for someone to take me there—and I was annoyed at being forced to wait. I learned an important truth that day. If you are going to "wait on the Lord," you have to give Him space to lead!   

When my world came crashing down Jane and I were each positioned exactly where God wanted us to be. God used something as random as our shared love for the Appalachian Trail to prove to me this was no ordinary happenstance event. What were the chances of an elderly person (in a nursing home in Indiana) knowing anything about the A.T. let alone growing up living just a few miles from it AND loving to hike it? Meeting Jane was not mere coincidence. It was a God-ordained divine arrangement for a God-ordained divine purpose. God in His great Sovereignty, took the seemingly disastrous situations in both of our lives to close the door on our past stories and bring the winding paths of our lives together so a new story could be written. What appeared to be disastrous endings brought about the opportunity for a New Beginning.

Jane and I did not just so happen to meet. Nothing along the winding paths of our lives just so happened. It was all scripted and part of God's greater plan.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11–13

It is humbling and gratifying to reflect back and realize that God has a perfect plan designed for each of our lives. Knowing God has a perfect plan grows our faith and brings peace and contentment, even in the midst of a storm. God has a plan for your life too. My prayer is that The Story of Jane will change your life as well and bless you as you walk on your own journey.

Some things I KNOW:

• God is in control
• We can trust Him
• We need to live in obedience to the Holy Spirit's promptings 
• You never know what your obedience may lead to, even five years later
• DO—do the right things
• God loves us
• He wants the best for us

I love how this list ended up. God first and last with our actions in the middle. That is exactly what it should be. What we do isn't first. God is first; we surrender and obey; and then God provides. It's ALL about you God.

God never forgot about His precious child Jane. He did not see her life as value-less because she was old, ill, and in a nursing home. He loved Jane so much that He used a rotten situation to bring us together so that every week, for the last sixteen months of her life, she had someone come and visit her every Monday morning. What an honor it was to spend time reading, singing, and praying with Jane. I am so grateful for the privilege of "walking" with Jane on her journey to her eternal home.

In response to our obedience, God used an elderly woman with dementia in a nursing home to reveal Himself to us and others around us. He knew! We were blindly working as hard as we could building our joint project. We had no idea there were schemes going on behind the scenes. But He knew! He knew the hearts and minds of all involved. What shocked us did not shock God. He knew the depths to which my sister and brother-in-law would go. He knew! And for years He had a plan in place and ready for the exact moment. And without us knowing it, for years He was preparing us to be in the position we needed to be in for Him to use our lives.

God has the plan, and we need to be obedient. All those circumstances we faced earlier in our lives took us down a path that led us closer to God. We need to carefully listen to and heed the Holy Spirit's promptings. What if? What if we had not decided to go to a nursing home on Christmas mornings? What if out of embarrassment, exhaustion, or pride I refused to go do something for someone else on 1/5/07 because of how I felt or looked? What if I wouldn't have chosen to be obedient? What if I would have refused to go and see Jane every week? I'm glad I'll never know the answer to those questions. What I do know is that God loves each of us and wants the best for us. He can be trusted. I love how He used something as random as the Appalachian Trail to show me this was the Hand of God.

As the old hymn says: Trust and Obey!

Addendum:  Two songs that have been running through my mind non-stop these last several days.

You Are God Alone
Our God


Next Entry: Jeremiah 34:1 – 35:19

Jane's Journey Home

November 16, 2011

Two years ago today I started this journal on our youngest granddaughter's birthday. Who could have ever imagined how much this journal would come to mean to me. I have absolutely loved writing about what I "hear" God's word saying. I must admit though, writing about Jeremiah 33 is very bittersweet. On one hand, what a joy to write about the very last scripture Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read—God's promise to restore His people. On the other hand, it is sad to think about being "done" with writing about Jane's God-ordained words because Jeremiah 33 it is the last spoken words Jane divinely gave us. 

I can still vividly picture the day. Jane was sitting right outside her room in what I affectionately called her "semi" wheelchair because it was so large and looming because of the way it reclined to keep her body in an upright position.The nurses had parked her wheelchair alongside the wall facing the end of the hallway. Her head was slumped forward. She appeared to be sleeping. I went into Jane's room, picked up her Bible and a side chair and carried them out into the hallway. I sat down directly in front of her. Her health wasn't good from the day I met her but now it was rapidly declining.  I knew her time left on this earth was short. I carried on a one-sided conversation for a few minutes and then I began to read to her from the Psalms. Psalm 1. Psalm 8. Psalm 124–126. Psalm 139, and other Psalms. There was no response.

Because I knew Jane's days left on this earth were limited, I decided to read Jeremiah 29:11–14 to her. "I know the plans I have for you....". I wanted her to feel comfort and the reassurance of God's plan for her life as she faced her final journey. I finished reading and started to close her Bible, and then Jane spoke. In a soft but clear voice she said—"Jeremiah 33." It had been seven months since Jane had requested a specific passage for me to read. Jane made comments about memorizing Psalm 1 back in January and said "precious promise" about Psalm 121 shortly after that, but other than those two comments, there had been no other mention of what to read since she asked us to read Isaiah 30 in September of 2007.

I must admit, my heart was pounding as I turned to Jeremiah 33. Does God have another message for us? I began to read. Restoration! Jeremiah was still locked up, but God was promising restoration to His people. We are still "locked up" in "the storm," but God used Jane as His mouthpiece one last time. His last divinely sent promise—an amazing promise of restoration. I laid Jane's Bible in my lap, I took both her hands in mine and I began to pray. With tears in my eyes, I thanked God for allowing our paths to cross. I thanked Him for Jane's life and how He divinely used her words to speak to us. I thanked him for the privilege of reading his words to his faithful servant. I concluded my prayer by asking God to surround her with His love, and that like Elisha of old, she would be able to see the angels surrounding her. When I finished praying Jane tried to pray. Puh. Puh. Puh. After many repeated attempts Jane got out three words. "Puh. Puh. Praise.the.LORD."

Everything had come full circle. The first scripture Jane told us to read was Psalm 150, an entire Psalm of Praise. And now Jane's last words to us were, "Praise the LORD." Of everything Jane taught us, by far the most important was the concept of praising the LORD for who He is. Everything else falls into place when we spend our lives first and foremost praising the LORD.

On my way home I called my husband to tell him what had just happened. Restoration! I also called our daughter. She said, "What if Jane meant Jeremiah 30:3?" So I looked it up. "The days will come when I will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity," says the LORD. "I will return them to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will own it!" says the LORD. The exact same message as Jeremiah 33—Restoration!

A few hours after I arrived home, the nursing home called. Jane was dying. Could I come in? I jumped in the car and took off. I called my husband on the way so I could tell him what was happening. I arrived at the nursing home and rushed to her room. She was still alive! Jane's Power Of Attorney was already there. She sat on one side of the bed holding one of Jane's hands. I sat on the other side of the bed holding Jane's other hand. Jane was extremely weak, but she raised her POA's hand and she raised my hand and she slowly moved our hands together over her body. Jane's POA asked Jane, "Are you trying to bring us together?" Jane nodded her head as if to say—Yes. I knew Jane had a POA but I had never met her, and Jane's POA knew someone came to see Jane every week but she had no idea who, or the story behind it. We sat on either side of Jane's bed and talked all night.

As we talked, I shared our story and Jane's impact on our lives. With tears in her eyes Jane's POA said, "Now I know why." She went on to explain that in early '07, Jane was put into Hospice care. This would have been just shortly after I first met Jane. Everyone at the nursing home thought Jane was dying. During the time she was in Hospice, Jane developed a bladder infection. Hospice made the decision (specific to this case) not to treat the infection. Jane's POA explained to me that for some unknown reason, she strongly felt she needed to pull Jane from Hospice so she could be treated for the infection... and that is what she did. After hearing our story, and with tears running down her cheeks she said, "Now I know why."

You have to understand, it would have been so much easier (and understandable) for Jane's POA to have just let Jane die. She shared with me how she had always resented Jane's Pennsylvania family for not taking Jane in. And here she was—a co-worker—just someone Jane worked with at World Missionary Press, carrying the weight and burden of being Jane's POA for years! It would have been so much easier for her to be done with this "job" and let Jane die, but she knew! She didn't know why, but she knew she had to do what was necessary to allow Jane to live! And here was the "why" sitting across from her and Jane was bringing our hands together. (I never thought about this before, but imagine being Jane and listening to our conversation and witnessing first-hand how God's hand was directing her life even though she was old, alone, and in a nursing home. There is one thing I absolutely KNOW, and that is Jane was praising her Lord and Savior while listening to us talk.)

I called Jane's adopted sister in PA to let her know Jane was dying. She immediately made plans to fly out. I picked her up at the airport and she stayed in our home. She got to spend several days with Jane. I'm so grateful Jane got to feel the presence of her earthly family beside her and her adopted sister got to once again see Jane (who was also her mother-figure) and say the things she wanted to say before Jane passed. When Jane's POA met Jane's adopted sister, her long held resentment towards Jane's PA family vanished. I really enjoyed meeting Jane's sister as well. What a special time listening to her tell stories of Jane's younger years, their excursions on the Appalachian Trail, and her fond memories of her "sister."

Jane lived for another week. Many memories were made during that week. I remember one night (as Jane's POA and I were standing on one side of the bed and my husband on the other side), Jane kept looking over at my husband and then looked upward. She lifted her hand, pointing upward and said, "Up! Up!"  It was as if she was seeing a glimpse of heaven and wanted to make sure my husband saw it as well.  I remember another special time. It was in the afternoon and it was just Jane and I alone together in her room. I wanted to sing some of the great and timeless old hymns to her so I went in search of a hymnal and found one in the cafeteria. As I stood by her bedside singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness," I looked down to see Jane's lips moving in perfect timing to: 

"Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; Great is thy faithfulness LORD unto me."

Incredible. She was to weak to speak but she was moving her lips in perfect timing to sing praises to her LORD about HIS faithfulness.

The night before Jane died, her sister and I were both in her room. Her sister was at the foot of the bed. I was on the left side of the bed holding Jane's hand. Jane had not responded to anything in days. I thanked her for all she had taught me; I told her I loved her; and I said, "Good-bye Jane." And incredibly, Jane clearly mouthed the words—Good-Bye. I said, "Did you see that? Jane said good-bye." Her sister came to the side of the bed. I told Jane once again that I loved her. I thanked her once again, I said "Good-bye Jane," and once again Jane clearly mouthed—"Good-Bye."  

Her sister's flight left the next morning. We stopped by the nursing home for her final visit on our way to the airport. An oxygen mask now covered Jane's mouth. Her breathing was rapid and shallow. Jane was now in the active stages of dying. I believe she was in a coma. Her sister said her good-byes, I told Jane once again how much I loved her, and we left for the airport. We received the call just shortly after arriving at the airport. Jane passed to her eternal home just minutes after we left her bedside. Jane's final earthly journey was complete, she was now in the safety of her eternal home.

Praise the LORD!


Next Entry: How God Brought our Paths Together

Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

November 15, 2011

Jeremiah 33 - Today I'm going to write about Chapter 33. Tomorrow I'm going to write about why Jeremiah 33 means so much to us.

Jeremiah is still locked up in the courtyard of the guard. He's done nothing wrong. He is there because Zedekiah was fighting against Nebuchadnezzar who was attacking the city and he didn't like what Jeremiah was saying. (See Jeremiah 32) What Zedekiah was mostly fighting against was obedience to God. He had lived his life doing it "my way" and he didn't want to hear the words of the LORD that Jeremiah was speaking. So instead of heeding the message he attacked the messenger, and Jeremiah was locked up. This was the second time the LORD spoke to Jeremiah while he was in prison.

The first time He said:

• Jeremiah, buy your cousin's field. I know it sounds crazy, but I want you to go out on a limb and do this.
• God reminds him that "nothing is impossible for me."
• God makes sure it is clear why the city is going to be destroyed and who is doing it.
• God gives a message of hope and redemption.

Now the LORD sends His second message to Jeremiah and says this:

• I AM the LORD
• I made the heavens and earth
• I shaped them and gave them order
• My name is the LORD

The LORD continues:

"Pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you have never heard before."

Jeremiah 29:12–14 - "Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart you will find me! I will let you find me and I will bring you back from your captivity."

Psalm 91:15 - "They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them."

Psalm 50:15 - "Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me."

Restoration! God gave hope and redemption in Chapter 32, and now He is telling Jeremiah: I will restore! "...Then I will bring health and healing to the people there. I will heal them and let them enjoy great peace and safety. I will bring (them) back from captivity and make them strong countries as in the past." Restoration! People from all around will be amazed at the things I am doing. They will be surprised and shocked. You are saying our country is empty and barren, there are no people or animals. "BUT this is what the LORD says," it is quiet now, but it will be filled with noise soon. Life will begin again. People will once again bring their offerings of thanksgiving to the LORD. They will say,

"Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever!"

They will say this because I will again do good things for Judah, as I did in the beginning," says the LORD. This place is empty now, but it will be restored.

"In those days and at that time, I will make a good branch sprout from David's family. He will do what is fair and right in the land. At that time Judah will be saved, and the people of Jerusalem will live in safety. The branch will be named: The LORD Does What Is Right." (See Jeremiah 23:5–6)

God continued to speak to Jeremiah and He said: "I have an agreement with day and night that they will always come at the right times. If you could change that agreement, ONLY THEN could you change my agreement with David and Levi." ONLY THEN. His promises are secure. There are five "only then" statements in verse 20–25. He will do what is fair and right. The only way He won't is if we have the power and/or authority to change His agreement with day and night. ONLY THEN. The LORD keeps His promises. Jeremiah 3:26 - "I will be kind to them and cause good things to happen to them again."

Hope! Redemption! Restoration!

"Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good!  His love continues forever!"


Next Entry: Jane's Journey Home...

Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

November 14, 2011

He says, "I will soon hand over the city..." Jeremiah what I told you is going to happen, IS going to happen. And the reason it IS going to happen is because the people have done the things I said were wrong since their youth. They worshiped the things they built instead of worshiping me. Instead of turning towards me and listening to me and following my commands, they turned their back to me and refused to listen or follow my commands. I tried Jeremiah. I tried over and over again, "But they wouldn't listen or learn." They replaced me with themselves. But Jeremiah, you have one thing wrong. You are saying it is because of war, hunger, and terrible diseases that the city will be handed over. That's not why, Jeremiah. It's not their circumstances, it's not that at all. It isn't the consequences of the battle. It's not that either. It wasn't chance Jeremiah. It was ME. I forced them out "because I was furious and very angry with them." It wasn't happenstance Jeremiah. It was ME.

The God who brings punishment is also a God of forgiveness and hope. "I will bring them back... they may live in safety... (they) will be my people and I will be their God." "I will make them truly want to be one people with one goal. They will truly want to worship me all their lives, for their own good and for the good of their children after them." I will never leave or turn from them again. "I will make everything as good for them as it once was."

What a promise. What a way to live!

Tomorrow I get to write about Jeremiah 33. But before I write about Jeremiah 33, I want to share about some thoughts that have been running through my mind.

I have been behind on everything for many years. My office responsibilities for our business, the joint project we began with my sister and brother-in-law, our responsibilities at church, watching grandchildren and visiting our daughter in AZ and OH, assisting elderly parents, assisting my husband's brother through his cancer treatments... and the list continues. Our responsibilities can become overwhelming. Yet, somehow I feel like I am the most caught up I have been in many years. I still have a few things I need to do, but for the most part everything feels under control. I'm even planning on making the personalized Christmas stockings for everyone. I've had the material since 2006 and there has been no time to even think about making them before now.

So, what is going on? Why does everything seem to be coming together? I told Mom last night that maybe the lawsuit was ready to heat back up. I said the same thing to my husband last night while talking together in bed. But then a new thought entered my mind. Maybe God was helping me to get everything under control so He could prepare me/us for what He wants us to do next. That was a totally new thought, yet it made complete sense. You can't be ready to move forward with whatever God is preparing you for if you are bogged down with the past. The thought of what God could be preparing us/me for is humbling, scary, and exciting all at the same time. Yesterday, one of my Sunday School girls from years ago, asked me if I would be willing to share the story of Jane with some of the students at her college. I told her I was ready and willing to tell God's story at any time or place.

Her question ran through my mind as I started to think maybe God is ready to move us into what He wants us to do next. Those thoughts brought me to my knees—literally. I got out of bed and headed up to the loft. There in the very room where most of these journal entries have been written, I knelt down and surrendered my life to God's will—again.

LORD, I want to bring Honor and Glory to YOUR name. Whatever YOU want me to do, I WILL do it. I don't have great abilities, but I am available for YOU to use me however YOU see fit. I'll go where YOU want me to go. I'll do what YOU want me to do. My hands are open, LORD. I surrender ALL.

It;s amazing to look back over our lives and see what all God has done. In man's eyes, some of what has happened would make no sense. If you look at the situation we are in, a lawsuit against us which puts our home and business at risk by seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars, the "natural" or logical thing "man" would do is to try and protect assets by transferring things to other people's name, hide things, etc. That is exactly what my sister and brother-in-law have done. But we have done none of that. In fact, we are more exposed today than we were when the lawsuit first began. Everything is on the line. We are out on the edge—totally exposed. God has now positioned us to be even more at risk now than we were when the lawsuit began. Simply amazing.

We have done nothing to protect our assets. Our faith and trust is entirely in the LORD. He either shows up or we fail. Either the truth is exposed and we are freed, or their lies are allowed to prevail and we lose everything.

The words of an old hymn is running through my mind.

"Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand."

We choose to stand with our only hope being our Solid Rock.

Addendum:7/16/15 ~ How interesting to be recording this entry now. It's July 2015, and I have to ask the same question as I originally asked in November 2011. "So, what is going on? Why does everything seem to be coming together?"

A lot has happened in the four years since I originally asked that question. My husband's brother passed away; last year we moved my husband's parents to an Assisted living Facility and then later a nursing home; my husband and I cleaned out their home of 65+ years by ourselves; and we are now handling all their personal affairs. Our responsibilities were overwhelming at times and very time consuming, but once again in spite of all of that, and in spite of how busy we are with our business, church, and family matters, I am once again completely caught up and organized. On top of being caught up with office work, my in-laws are finally settled and we just found out we will no longer be needed to teach Sunday School classes since the format has changed and they are joining the middle school classes into one big group. Twenty years of teaching—over.

Wow! Talk about being released from tremendous time constraints! So, then you really wonder, "So, what is going on? Why does everything see to be coming together?" And again, the thought came—maybe the lawsuit is going to heat back up. And once again, I came back to the same conclusion. We are not being "freed" from responsibilities and I am not caught up with my office work because we are once again going to be buried in major lawsuit junk. In the past, when the lawsuit was at its worst is when God kept us the busiest doing Kingdom work and helping others. No, that isn't why everything is falling into place. I believe God is preparing the way for our next step, the next turn in the trail, the next mountain we are to climb.

*****

Somewhere during these last years, I realized a new truth that I was unaware of before. And that is that we all tend to view others through our own eyes. Simple concept, I know, but I had never really thought about it before.

If you are an honest, upright person, you believe that of others as well. That is why we would have never dreamed in a million years that my sister and brother-in-law could purposely and deceitfully set out to harm us and that they would try to manipulate situations to their advantage. Our minds just don't work that way and so it was hard to come to terms with the facts—their actions were intentional, conniving, and deliberate. 

The reverse is true as well. If you are someone who takes advantage of others you assume everyone else is doing the same thing, so you try to get the "upper" hand and be in control. This is how my sister and brother-in-law responded. They said they filed this lawsuit as a defense against us afraid that we were going to go after them. Because of their trickery and underhanded methods, we would have had a legal "right," but because of our belief system we NEVER even considered it. We wanted to separate ourselves from any kind of business relationship with them, but not once did we consider any type of legal action. But because their minds think that way (because of their own choices, behaviors, and actions over many years), they assumed we would be like them, so they went on the offensive. The honest person naturally thinks well of others. The dishonest and unethical person accuses others, often of their own faults. 

We "thought" we knew them. We "thought" we were like-minded in our beliefs. But the truth is, the way my sister and brother-in-law think, and the way we think and approach life, is as different as night and day.

Next Entry: Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

November 11, 2011

"After hearing that, (God's promises of hope and restoration) I, Jeremiah, woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very pleasant." The peace that God gives, even in very troubled times, truly is a "peace that passeth all understanding."

"Peace, Peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the father above. Sweep over my spirit for ever I pray, in fathomless billows of love." (Wonderful Peace)

There is nothing better than the peaceful sleep God gives—nothing. We are so grateful for the peace God has continually filled us with.

Jeremiah 32 - I love this chapter. I love how God uses creative ways to get His message out. Zedekiah has put Jeremiah under arrest in the courtyard of the guard. Zedekiah decided to put Jeremiah in prison because he didn't like what Jeremiah was saying. "Why have you prophesied the things you have?" Zedekiah doesn't "get it" that Jeremiah's message was God's message and not Jeremiah's. Zedekiah had spent his years as king doing the things God said was wrong. (II Chronicles 36:11) He doesn't recognize God's voice. He doesn't realize that Jeremiah is relaying God's message and not his own. So Zedekiah blames the messenger instead of heeding the message. Jeremiah said, "This is what the LORD says." I will soon hand (you) over to the king of Babylon and he will capture (you)... (you) will be confronted face to face... (you) will see this with your own eyes (then you will know!)... if you fight against what I have decided will happen, "you will not succeed." So Zedekiah becomes angry with Jeremiah, and he puts him in prison.

Now comes the part I love. Jeremiah is stuck in prison; he has been telling everyone what God has said: the Babylonians are going to come; they are going to take over the land; and you will be taken away as captives. Not good news. And yet, while Jeremiah is in prison, God speaks to him and says—Jeremiah, your cousin is going to come and ask you to buy his field. And sure enough, his cousin comes to visit him in the prison and asks him to purchase his field, just as God said it would happen. In man's eyes this land was worthless! The Babylonians were already there. Jeremiah was saying they were all either going to be taken away captive or they were going to be destroyed. If that were true, who on earth would want to waste their money buying a piece of property that was either already captured or soon would be? But Jeremiah believed the message God gave him to tell. Not only were they going to be taken captive, they were going to be restored. Jeremiah had the opportunity to show them his walk matched his talk, and he bought the field.

You just gotta love the irony of it all.

I have no idea what his cousin's motive was in wanting to sell his field. I don't know if he wanted to make a quick profit off of worthless ground. I don't know if he wanted to put Jeremiah on the spot. Or maybe he was just following what the LORD wanted him to do. I don't know, and to me the motive doesn't matter. It is the result that matters. And Jeremiah, while he was stuck in prison, had the opportunity to step out on the edge of faith and proclaim the word of the LORD. "This is what the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: In the future my people will once again buy houses and fields for grain and vineyards in the land of Israel."

It took courage for Jeremiah to step out on the edge. He prayed to the LORD, "Oh Lord God, you made the skies and the earth with your very great power. There is nothing too hard for you to do." You show love and kindness, and you also punish. "Great and powerful God, your name is the LORD All-Powerful. You plan and do great things. You see everything that people do, and you reward people for the way they live and for what they do." You've done great things God. You brought them out of Egypt. You gave them the promised land, but they did not do the things you commanded. "So you made all these terrible things happen to them."

"Look! The enemy has surrounded the city and has built roads to the top of the walls to capture it." (Think about how long that took and the anxiety they would have felt watching it happen!) Jeremiah goes on, "Because of war, hunger, and terrible diseases, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians who are attacking it. You said this would happen, and now you see it happening. But now, LORD God, you tell me 'Buy this field with silver and call in witnesses.' You tell me this while the Babylonian army is ready to capture the city." (You want me to do what?!?)

Then God responds. "I am the LORD, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." I'm going to tell you what is going to happen Jeremiah.

Then He starts in...


Next Entry: Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

November 10, 2011

God's love. It is beyond human comprehension.

"And even today, after billions have chosen to prostitute themselves before the pimps of power, fame, and wealth, he still waits for them. It is inexplicable. It doesn't have a drop of logic nor a thread of rationality. And yet, it is that very irrationality that gives the gospel its greatest defense. For only God could love like that." ~ From God Came Near by Max Lucado

Hope. There is always hope. If (or when) man decides to respond to His invitation, God is there, loving him and welcoming him. Jeremiah 31 says the people "found help in the desert." God came to give them rest. "I love you people with a love that will last forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness." "I will build you up again." You will plant your vineyards and enjoy the fruit. You will sing and dance and be joyful. You will worship, be happy and sing praises. "They will be crying as they come, but they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead those people by streams of water on an even road where they will not stumble." 

Tell them this message:

• I will bring them back
• The LORD himself will pay for them
• He will buy them back from those who were stronger
• The people will shout for joy for ALL the LORD has done
• Their sadness will change to happiness, comfort, and joy
• They will be rewarded for their work
• There is hope for their future
• God will do good things for them
• He will give them rest and strength for the weary (Cross Reference - Isaiah 40:31)
• "I will be their God and they will be my people."

Next Entry: Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued) 

Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26

November 09, 2011

Promises of Hope!

God tells Jeremiah, "Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you." "The day will come when I will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity," says the LORD. "I will return them to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will own it!" Says the LORD.

"Write in a book..." In one week it will be two years since I began keeping a handwritten journal. Over the years I have always thought it would be fun to keep a journal about life happenings. I have multiple journals lying around that have a couple days worth of writing in them. I never maintained the discipline to write consistently. My good intentions were just that—good intentions. And then two years ago, I just knew that I was to "write in a book," and I began this journey through the Bible, writing down what I "hear" it saying and my personal thoughts and feeling about the situations in our lives. What an experience!! I have looked forward to it every day. It has not been a chore. It has been rewarding, encouraging, enlightening, and cleansing. There are not enough words to describe what a blessing it has been. I read through the entire Bible multiple times since "the storm" began in early 2007, but I never considered keeping a journal. Then in November, of 2009, I KNEW! I was to "write in a book," and this journey began.

Jeremiah was not just a prophet of doom and gloom. He also spoke of great hope. God's promises of hope. God's promises to restore His people. There will be a time of "great trouble... but they will be saved from it." At the right time He will break the yokes from their necks and "tear off the ropes that hold them."

• I will rebuild you
• There will be songs of praise
• There will be the sound of laughter
• I will bring honor

Jeremiah 30:22 - "So you will be my people, and I will be your God." And then Jeremiah 30:23–24:

 "Look! It is a storm from the LORD! He is angry and has gone out to punish the people. Punishment will come like a storm crashing down on evil people. The LORD will stay angry until he finishes punishing the people. He will stay angry until he finishes the punishment he planned. When that day comes, you will understand this."

So—

• Don't be afraid
• Don't be frightened
• I will soon save you
• I will save your family
• You will be safe
• You will have peace again
• There will be no enemy
• I am with you
• I will save you

Jeremiah 30:16–17 - "Those who stole from you will have their own things stolen. Those who took things from you in war will have their own things taken. I will bring back your health and heal your injuries," says the LORD.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26 (Continued)

What Kind of Trail Are You Leaving?

July 6, 2015

If someone is following your footsteps, where are they going to end up?

When our first grandchild was just a few months old we sent him a backpacking outfit and told him to tell his Mommy and Daddy to start exercising his legs because when he turned ten we would take him to the Appalachian Trail. Well, it's hard to believe, but the years flew by and here he is—ten years old. Last week we kept our promise. We took him hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park. What a great time we had. We climbed mountains; we saw beautiful views as we looked at the valley below; we saw the cutest triplet bear cubs playing in a tree right beside the trail we were hiking on; we saw waterfalls; we canoed the Shenandoah river; we explored caverns; we spent a lot of quality time together; and we had a great time.

For the last year we've been thinking that it was time—time to tell the grandchildren about "the storm" and the path we have been on for almost all of their entire lives. They are old enough. We want the older grand-kids to know the facts before it is over so they can experience firsthand what it means to watch the hand of God fulfilling His promises of protection. So, while we had this time alone with our oldest grandson we took the opportunity to tell him our story of following God's footpath. He listened. We cried. He asked questions. We had opportunity after opportunity to share with him what it means to trust God and to put your faith in Him. We talked to him about the importance of letting go and surrendering everything to God. I was so proud of how he expressed his thoughts and shared his observations. From the mouth of a child there came much wisdom and insight. And then it hit me.   

While we are following the Master's footpath, we are leaving a trail of surrender; and our children and grandchildren are following us on the same trail. 

I am SO thankful for that. If we leave them nothing else, we will have given them the most valuable gift that can be given: a trail to follow that leads to eternal salvation.

Thank you, LORD. We praise YOUR name. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

What kind of trail are you leaving?


Next Entry: Jeremiah 30:1 – 33:26