November 24, 2020

The book of Jeremiah is significantly different than Isaiah. Both books are very strong. I know it  is not a good time for them but he still loves them. 

1. There are times when God speaks directly to Jeremiah

2. Or sometimes Jeremiah speaks the word of the Lord to the people

3. Other times Jeremiah speaks to God

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE TO CONTROL YOU WITH THE BIBLE?

I scroll past an article and a young African American woman proclaimed that black people should not believe in God because the slave owners made it up and used the bible to control their slaves.

 After reading her thoughts I had some questions.

1. How can someone use the books of the bible such as Matthew, Mark, and Luke or the book of Psalms or even Genesis to control people. It is impossible. 

2. How is it possible to use any book in the bible to control people? 

3. It is possible for people to be manipulated by people who misuse the bible. 

4. The bible says there are false teachers/or prophets who teach false things. The best defense is to read the bible for yourself. No one can control a person but they can trick people into believing false things. 

5. Priest can be bad. If you follow someone that takes scripture to justify killing or hurting others it's the person doing that. We have a will to agree or walk away from people.  Church is okay but what happens to personal responsibility. 

God speaks against evil, oppression, and darkness through out the Old testament.  For example if you go to a church that teaches woman can't work. I am sure the devil will help them manipulate the scripture to fit their views about what they believe. The slave owners manipulated the bible and lied to the slaves. They were wicked men and of course they would do that. (And anybody can do that). People can use the bible to trick people out of money but God has nothing to do with it. The bible is not designed to control people and people cannot use the bible to control people.  Wicked people lie about the bible, they lie about God.

Jeremiah 14

Drought, Famine, Sword

 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: “Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.  The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.  The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. 

 Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.  Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.”  Although our sins testify against us, do something, LORD, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.  You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night? 

 Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!  This is what the LORD says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.” 

 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.  Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”  But I said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’ ” 

 Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.  Therefore this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.  “Speak this word to them: “ ‘Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for the Virgin Daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow. 

 If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.’ ”

 Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror. 

 We acknowledge our wickedness, LORD, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.  For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

Have a great day!