VIDEO Give to the Winds Thy Fears

“Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,” says the Lord, “for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy.” Jeremiah 42:11-12

A British newspaper carried an article by a woman who wrote, “I have a visitor that stops me [from] sleeping, wakes me early in the morning and hangs around most days uninvited and unwanted; I am living with fear.” The woman described her insecurities and anxieties, explaining how she lived in the grip of fear.¹

The survivors of the siege of Jerusalem were fearful too, but the Lord told them not to be afraid but to release their fears. He—their Almighty God—was with them to save them and show them mercy. As Jeremiah 42 unfolds, we find that the survivors rejected God’s plea—and their fears became realities.

When we’re fearful, we should own our fears by admitting them before God in confession. We should vigorously remind ourselves God will deliver us. And we should thank Him for His promises, presence, protection, and overcoming providence.

Give to the wind thy fears, hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
Paul Gerhardt

1. Marin, “The Heat or Eat Diaries,” The Guardian, March 8, 2023.

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A Prophetic Message to an Ungodly Nation (Jeremiah)

Jesus Dwells Within

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts. Ephesians 3:17 nlt

As a blizzard bore down on my state in the western United States, my widowed mother agreed to stay with my family to “ride out” the storm. After the blizzard, however, she never returned to her house. She moved in, dwelling with us for the rest of her life. Her presence changed our household in many positive ways. She was available daily to provide wisdom, advice to family members, and share ancestral stories. She and my husband became the best of friends, sharing a similar sense of humor and love of sports. No longer a visitor, she was a permanent and vital resident—forever changing our hearts even after God called her home.

The experience recalls John’s description of Jesus—that He “dwelt among us” (John 1:14 kjv). It’s a compelling description because in the original Greek the word dwelt means “to pitch a tent.” Another translation says, He “made his home among us” (nlt).

By faith, we also receive Jesus as the One who dwells in our hearts. As Paul wrote, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16–17 nlt).

Not a casual visitor, Jesus is an empowering permanent resident of all who follow Him. May we open wide the doors of our hearts and welcome Him.

By:  Patricia Raybon

Reflect & Pray

What does it mean for you to open your heart to Christ? How can you make Him more welcome?

As You live in my heart, loving Jesus, make me more like You.

Learn more about the life of Jesus.

Blessed to Bless Others

When we make giving a priority, God’s grace overflows in our life 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

God’s blessings to us aren’t meant to end with us. His desire is that they filter down to others. This principle applies in all areas of our life, including finances. Did you know that our heavenly Father has plans for our money?

The Lord supplies us with income so we can provide for our needs and, often, our wants. But He also wants us to use our money to achieve His plans. And one of His goals is that we share our resources with others. If we purpose in our hearts to participate in His plans, He commits to provide all we need.

Just look at His extravagant promise in verse 8 of today’s passage: “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” This encouraging scripture is a good reminder that when we share blessings with others, God promises to enrich us in response to our generosity. In other words, He will increase the harvest of our righteousness.

A hoarded blessing isn’t enjoyed as richly as a shared one. Using your gift to meet someone else’s need glorifies God by demonstrating His grace at work in your life. Don’t let His generous provisions end with you. Pass them on and discover the joy of a never-ending cycle of blessings.

The Perfections of God

Since God is Creator of the universe, all that He does is right, and all He says is truth, by definition. The world He created was perfect; the Word He inscripturated is perfect; every work He accomplishes is perfect; all the ways He follows are perfect; and the will He reveals is perfect.

His perfect world: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Of course, because of sin, the creation is now groaning in pain, but it was perfect as it came from God in the beginning. It will again be perfect in the ages to come, when God makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

His perfect Word: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). God has given us His inspired Word, providing perfect guidance for every need, “that the man of God may be perfect” (2 Timothy 3:17).

His perfect works: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Not only His work in creation but also His works of redemption and reconciliation—all His works throughout history.

His perfect ways: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). His ways may not be our ways (Isaiah 55:9), but always, they are the best ways.

His perfect will: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that…perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). His will is invariably right.

Thus, God is our standard of perfection, and we must never set a lower standard for ourselves. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (our text). HMM

On Loving The World

“Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it… The whole world-system… (is) based on men‘s primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they THINK is splendid… “(1 John 2:15, 16 – Phillips Translation)

But the glamour is alluring! We can identify with St. Augustine’s cry, “Give me chastity, but not yet.”

If the truth were out, many of us would have to admit that the WORLD’S GLAMOROUS ARE OUR CLOSET HEROES. We ogle their lifestyles which seem so smooth… leisurely, and in control.

Almost transcendent.

Perhaps they have mastered Lauren Hutton’s secret of success, “Never, ever let them see you sweat.”

Our lives, by contrast seem to muddle along amidst our rather tired and familiar surroundings of dirty laundry, unmowed lawns, and piles of unanswered mail.

James reminds us, however, that “flirting with the glamour of this world“ is akin to being “the world‘s lover,“ an “unfaithful wife.“It is by our love of the world… by our spiritual adultery, that we become “an enemy of God.“(See James 4:4 – Phillips Translation)

Years ago I remember attending a Rotary Club meeting with the rich, the powerful and the beautiful of our town. These were the guys with the tailored pin stripe suits, Italian hand crafted shoes, and manicured nails. Cool. Polished. Together. Cultured. Or, so it seemed.

However, as the meal progressed I realized how many of these men I had privately counseled. And in those sessions, they had wept, pouted, and agonized over disintegrating marriages, rebellious kids, severe financial problems, and self-doubt over their professional abilities.

It is vital for us to understand that true fulfillment is found in the daily struggle with loving, giving, and forgiving amidst piles of laundry, raucous kids and rushed schedules. It is here that the authentic beauty of Christ’s character is being forged.

And the “glamorous” world can never match that!

“God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.”

Ezra 4:1-6

Ezra 4:1-3

They resolved to maintain their separate position according to the Lord’s will. Christians also should be separate from the world.

Ezra 4:4-6

Ahasuerus, or Cambyses,

Ezra 4:4-6

The result of this letter was, not only an order to refrain from building the wall of the city, but the temple also was left till the reign of Darius. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred up the people, and the work re-commenced. Opposition was again excited, and appeal was made to Darius. He ordered a search to be made, and the original edict of Cyrus was found, whereupon the king issued a decree that none should oppose the work. The wording of it was as follows:—

Ezra 6:6-14

Ezra 6:8

Signally had all opposition failed, for their very enemies were compelled under pains and penalties to supply them with money for building the temple. Little did they expect this, but God can always do for his people exceeding abundantly above what they ask or even think. The king also ordered that animals for sacrifice should be supplied to them.

Ezra 6:11, 12

This was a very peremptory decree in the Jews favour, and the work went on gloriously when the people had been fully aroused by the prophets to do the work.

Ezra 6:13, 14

May the Lord also buildup his church in these days and glorify his son Jesus Christ our Lord.

To be sung or read

Thus saith the Lord to Jacob’s seed,

In me, the mighty God, rejoice;

No hostile weapon shall succeed

Against the people of my choice.

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Preach a Whole Christ

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

I reject the human insistence among us that Christ may sustain a divided relationship toward us in this life.

I am aware that this is now so commonly preached that to oppose it or object to it means that you are sticking your neck out and you had best be prepared for what comes.

But, I am forced to ask: how can we insist and teach that our Lord Jesus Christ can be our Savior without being our Lord?

How can so many continue to teach that we can be saved without any thought of obedience to our Sovereign Lord?

I am satisfied in my own heart that when a man or a woman believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he or she must believe on the whole Lord Jesus Christ—not making any reservation! How can a teaching be justified when it encourages sinners to use Jesus as a Savior in their time of need, without owing Him obedience and allegiance?

I believe we need to return to preaching a whole Christ to our needy world!