Jeremiah 2 - 10.24.25

Scripture

Jerimiah 2:1-3

“The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:

This is what the Lord says: I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,” declares the Lord.”

Observation

When Jeramiah was writing this letter, Israel was divided into 2 nations, the northern which was Israel and southern which was Judah. Judgement had already come upon Isreal and was taken captive. Jeremiah was in Judah, the southern nation. Judah turned its back on God and He was asking why have you forgotten me. Judah had turned to idol worship. They forgot the God who brought them out of Egypt, from the wilderness to the promised land. God was about to use Judah’s enemies to pass judgement on Judah.

How does this relate to us now?  When our country was founded, they based the Government on the word of God. But nearly 250 years later we see the wickedness in many decisions of our government such as abortion, taking the Ten Commandments out of schools, and removing the cross in certain areas, and allowing all types of marriages. Many churches preach a different Gospel that certain sins are not sins, that Scripture was interpreted incorrectly from years ago, or that is not what God meant. The truth is we lost our first love. We don’t read and know the Scriptures like we should. We have churches that focus on entertaining the congregation and do not condemn sin.  A person I knew from high school recently post in Facebook “I am marked safe from the rapture.”

Application

It was just last week in our Bible reading in Revelation 2:4-5, God said “you have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Jesus wants to be first. He wants our love for him to grow stronger. We see that many have forgotten what it was like to love Christ with their whole heart. How do we start our day? Is Christ first? When is your first prayer of the day? When do you read any of his Word? Do we seek Jesus daily?  In Matthew 6:33 it says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Have we truly surrendered and submitted to Jesus who gave his life for us because he loved us? We have an advantage over the people in Jeremiah’s time. Most of us have access to and can read the Scriptures. Most of us have a phone that can pull up the Bible. Our Pastors have said many times if you need a Bible, DSC can provide one.  Psalms 119:103 says “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

People that call themselves followers of Jesus, repent and do the things you did at first. Let us love God, love each other, make disciples, serve, give generously and forgive often. Let us become the Bride of Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, you are worthy to be praised daily, the one we should bow down daily, and give glory and honor to.  Forgive me when I do not put you first daily. Forgive me when I do not remember my first love. The things that I put ahead of you are idols. Open my eyes to see those things and help me repent of those things. Let me thirst for your living waters. Let me hunger for your daily bread. Thank you, Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen.

- Robert Oberg

Jeremiah 1 - 10.23.25

SCRIPTURE

Jeremiah 1:11-12

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

OBSERVATION

Jeremiah’s first lesson in his training as a prophet.

Jeremiah, what do you see? Jeremiah would receive a message to speak, but before he could speak he had to see.  And in a simplistic explanation: Quotes of Spurgeon:

 “Before you can make an impression upon another person’s heart, you must have an impression made upon your own soul. You must be able to say, concerning the truth, ‘I see it,’ before you can speak it so that your hearers also shall see it.”  

AND A branch of an almond tree: Jeremiah saw well. He not only understood that it was a branch but was observant enough to know that it was a branch of an almond tree.

This was young Jeremiah’s first lesson in prophetic observance, and the lesson was simple. “We might have thought that, as a preparation for his prophetical work, he would have seen mysterious wheels full of eyes, or flaming seraphs and cherubs, or the wonderful creatures that were caused to appear in the dreams of Ezekiel and the revelation to John. Instead of this, Jeremiah simply sees ‘a rod of an almond tree;’ and, beloved friends, when you look into the Bible, you will see some very simple things there.”  

The significance of the branch of an almond tree was important in two ways. First, the almond was well known as the first tree to bud in the spring. This indicated that God was ready to quickly fulfill His word, just as the almond tree seems ready to bud. Secondly, the Hebrew word for almond tree is close to and derived from the Hebrew word for watchful, and this word is used in God’s response to Jeremiah. “These verses contain a play on words that is lost in English but is vital for the force of the vision. The ‘almond tree’ is saqed and God is ‘watching’ (soqed) over his word to fulfill it.” (Feinberg)

And I love to Google…and there are 30 scriptures in the Bible on branches.

Bible Verses About Branches--Connection to Christ

In our walk of faith, we find reassurance in the notion that we are intimately connected to Christ. Just like a branch cannot survive without the vine, we too draw our strength and sustenance from Jesus. This relationship is vital for our spiritual growth, allowing us to flourish and live fruitful lives. When we recognize this connection to Christ through these biblical teachings, it enriches our understanding and motivates us to take action in our faith journey. We can always rely on the strength that comes from being connected to Him, knowing we are designed to thrive in a close relationship with our Savior.

APPLICATION

Before we can make an impression upon another person’s heart, we must have an impression made upon your own soul. You must be able to say, concerning the truth, ‘I see it,’ before you can speak it so that your hearers also shall see it.” (Spurgeon)

But why of all that the Lord was speaking to Jeremiah to become a prophet would this have such meaning to me?  And I have tears..it begins in a one-on-one relationship with Jesus when HE calls us…and it is the simplest things in life where we are the most observant that He works thru us to see others and their struggles and relate it to others so that see that they need the LORD.  And then again when reading about a branch the word “rod” is the same as a branch..and there would be another way to look at it.  Staffs were made of rods.

PRAYER

Oh Jesus, it is the simplest things in life that hit our souls and draw us closer to you.  And it’s the eloquence of your divine word that is embedded in our minds and hearts so that everything we see and do brings forth your wisdom and sharing with someone in need.  In a simplistic forum…it’s to be an observer to see others as you do and step in to encourage them, by giving your words to them but in the manner in which you speak to us individually. It’s a personal relationship with you, Jesus, that is the desire of my heart to bring others to know you.  Jesus today let me see others as you do and step in with encouraging words and let it be for your glory…and as you always tell me each day…STEP OUT.. JUST GO…GOT IT!!??  Because this is how you speak to me and so I SEE IT. Thank you my Lord Jesus Christ..and always take care of my family and my friends. AMEN!

- Charleen Zakarian

Isaiah 66 - 10.22.25

Scripture

Isaiah 66:2 

These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.

Observation

I want God’s favor! I decided to look up the meaning of each of the words in this verse to help me understand.

Humble: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission

Contrite: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior

Tremble at God’s presence: to experience a profound and reverent awe of God’s holiness, power, and authority, which leads to a sense of humility and a desire to obey Him immediately. It is not a terrifying fear but a healthy respect that inspires a deep and immediate commitment to live according to God’s will, even when it is difficult or doesn’t make sense.

Application

God looks on us with favor when we are humble – when we acknowledge that He is the God of the universe – holy, mighty, and all powerful. It is only because of His great love for us that we are allowed to enter His presence. He tells us to submit to Him and His plans for us.

God looks on us with favor when we are contrite – when we are truly sorry for our transgressions, when we understand that it is only because of His great love for us that we are saved, when we understand that we are powerless to save ourselves.

God looks on us with favor when we tremble in His presence – when we stand before our almighty God in awe and we allow His presence to change us.

I watched a short video yesterday that explained why we sometimes tremble during exercise. Trembling happens when muscles are challenged, it’s part of the growing and learning process. Let’s challenge ourselves to spend time trembling before our mighty God so He can grow and change us and draw us into deeper relationship with Him.

Prayer

God, may I learn not to fear what man can do, but to understand the fear of God – a true reverence for who You are that leads to obedience. May I learn to put your will above my own. May I submit myself to you and allow myself to be changed when I stand in Your presence.

Debbie Dunn