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Today is Wednesday August 19, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Jeremiah, please read chapters 19-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-august-19.php

Today's Message: Holding to The Truth
As Christian's, we will face many trials and persecution for holding on to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but no matter what we face we have Jesus and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Learning what happened in Judah and Jerusalem in Jeremiah's day is important to us living today, it is a mirror of what this entire world is about to face, this time however, it will be Satan ruling the entire world with his one world religion system. This all gives us knowledge of what we will face very shortly, and that is why we must pay close attention to all the things that happened. Though it was spoken over 2500 years ago, it is just as important today. Through Jeremiah God spoke to the elders and wise men, “Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests; And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee, And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.” - Jeremiah 19:1-6. The potter's earthen bottle is a clay pot and represents human flesh bodies, which are formed of clay. God told the elders that He will bring evil to Jerusalem because they have forsaken Him and worshiped false gods. This is in fact what happened in Jerusalem when king Nebuchadnezzar entered into Jerusalem, he took many captive, and slaughtered many others.

During the last days of the kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah courageously faced the son of the chief governor of the high priest. “Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib. For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.  5Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.” - Jeremiah 20:1-6. Soon the people of Judah learned of the defeat of Assyria and then of Egypt. With Nebuchadnezzar's victory in the battle at Carchemish, Babylon emerged as the new dominant world power. This confirmed what Isaiah had foretold about 100 years earlier.

Even after being fully informed of the results of rejecting the Word of God, the religious leaders not only refused to repent, but they began a campaign to discredit Jeremiah before the king and the nation. Jeremiah sat alone in prison and was discouraged, “O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” - Jeremiah 20:7-9. Jeremiah felt like failure because he gave the people the true Word, but no one would listen and although Jeremiah did not know the effect of his words, there were those few that did listen to him, and take heed of the warning.

Sadly, we learn very quickly that when one teaches the truth, especially God's word that it will often bring persecution. However, mockery can not hurt you when you are teaching the true Word of God. Jesus Said, “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.” - Luke 21:16-18. There is so much truth to these verses, I have aunts, uncles, cousins, even brothers and my own father, who disregard the truth and treat me as if I do not exist. The same thing will happen with all True Believers, but we can rest assure that We Have Jesus with us and no matter what they say or do we are safe. Many people over the years have died over their faith in Christ, but one thing is for sure, they are up there with Jesus right now enjoying eternity. That is something we all have to look forward to. Praise God!

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week.
God Bless You,
Christina

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