God With Us - For Us - In Us

John 1 [selected] KJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.
11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 52 NIV

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

13 See, My servant will act wisely ;

He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at Him—

His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man

and His form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so will He sprinkle many nations,

and kings will shut their mouths because of Him.

For what they were not told, they will see,

and what they have not heard, they will understand. [all emphasis added]

************************************************

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

THANK YOU, GOD!

Ezra 3

... as prescribed by David king of Israel.

11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD :

"He is good;

His love to Israel endures forever."

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Psalm 42

4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

A Proclamation.
The Year that is drawing to a close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke the aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversion of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascription's justly due to Him for such singular deliverance's and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth. [bold added]

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

[Thank you, Mr. President…]

THANK YOU, GOD!

Psalm 95:2

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

Choosing JOY with a new heart of Thanksgiving,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

Click here: President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Begging YOUR Pardon

PRAYING - Daniel 9

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:

"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from Your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your Name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 "Lord, You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to You. 8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against You. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws He gave us through His servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You.

"Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him.
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for Yourself a Name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from Jerusalem, Your city, Your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and Your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear your Name." [all Scripture emphasis added]

I'm so glad that Daniel was not above saying "we" - even when He desired to obey all that God asked. Our only hope for our sinful ways is to beg for forgiveness, mercy, and restoration. Thankfully - WE have a God who is able to forgive sin - ALL SIN. None of us have a sin that is 'too big' for God to forgive. His complete forgiveness is there for the asking - when true repentance comes from our humbled hearts!

So Let US Pray - and ask - individually - and on behalf of our nation.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

LAID BARE

Psalm 119 [selected KJV]

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy word.

Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

"When we give the Word of God space to live in our heart, the Spirit of God will use it to take root, penetrating the earthiest recesses of our lives." ~ Ken Gire

GOD'S WORD is the basis of ALL TRUTH! Bank on it!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

With a SINCERE HEART

Deuteronomy 30 (selected)

6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as He delighted in your fathers, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep His commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The Offer of Life or Death

11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Hebrews 10:19-23

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere [pure] heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. [all Scripture emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

A Cure for the "Blues"

Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 I will exalt You, my God the King;

will praise Your Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise You

and extol Your Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;

His greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation will commend Your works to another;

they will tell of Your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty,

and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of Your awesome works,

and I will proclaim Your great deeds.
7 They will celebrate Your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all;

He has compassion on all He has made.
10 All You have made will praise You, O LORD;

Your saints will extol You.
11 They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom

and speak of Your might,
12 so that all men may know of Your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful to all His promises

and loving toward all He has made.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You,

and You give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand

and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and loving toward all He has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call on Him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.

Let every creature praise His Holy Name

for ever and ever. [EMPHASIS ADDED]

**********************************************************

A year ago the LORD had given me Psalm 145 [the entire Psalm] to pass on to people over the Christmas holidays. God even bought me plaid wrapping paper from Walmart that when I got home and opened it up- it had a verse from Psalm 145 stamped all over the paper! Only God! So many of the gifts I gave out were wrapped in that very Psalm.

Last night at a Thanksgiving Dinner at my sister church in Newfield the Pastor shared Psalm 145 [again]. I couldn't help remember how God had shown it to be what I call: My PRAISE PSALM. I'm sharing it again!

Often - as the holidays approach many people get depressed [for many reasons]. This Psalm of Praise is the answer to that despair - because where there is PRAISE there cannot be despair. One will always override the other. [see: Isaiah 61:3]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

A GOOD GOD, A JUST GOD

Lamentations 3 (selected)

31 For men are not cast off

by the Lord forever.
32 Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,

so great is His unfailing love.
33 For He does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to the children of men.

37 Who can speak and have it happen

if the Lord has not decreed it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that both calamities and good things come?
39 Why should any living man complain

when punished for his sins?
40 Let us examine our ways and test them,

and let us return to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands

to God in heaven, and say:
42 "We have sinned and rebelled...

47 We have suffered terror and pitfalls,

ruin and destruction."
48 Streams of tears flow from my eyes

because my people are destroyed.
49 My eyes will flow unceasingly,

without relief,
50 until the LORD looks down

from heaven and sees [EL ROI]. [emphasis added]

May we lament as Jeremiah did over our own sin - and the sin of our nation in turning away from a Holy God. He desires good for us - He desires a relationship with His people - He loves beyond measure.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

POWER to PRAY

James 5:15-16

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Deuteronomy 9:25-27
25 I lay prostrate before the LORD those forty days and forty nights because the LORD had said He would destroy you. 26 I prayed to the LORD and said, "O Sovereign LORD, do not destroy Your people, Your own inheritance that You redeemed by Your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 27 Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-12

8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power 10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. [emphasis added]

This morning I awoke to check the time on my alarm clock and found no big red numbers that are usually right there on my nightstand. I realized that the electric must be out and scurried downstairs to check the pendulum clock to see what time it really was. It was still dark but I was already an hour late getting up. It was now 6AM. I found some candles and began lighting a few to place on the dining room table. I had planned to leave early this morning to head to my sister church. I realized that if the electric did not go on within the next hour and a half - that I would not be going anywhere - nor doing anything that I had planned. It was cold since the outdoor temperature had dropped dramatically during the night - and there was no heat since the gas heat was run with an electric pilot control gadget. I could not use the water - no shower - no flushing toilets, no microwave - no hot tea - no toast - even if I could have gotten dressed and been presentable, I could not gotten the car out of my garage because it has an electric door opener.

There is a sense of helplessness where there is no electric. How long could this last? An hour - 4 hours - 10 hours - a day - 3 days - a week? What if?? You can see where my mind was headed.

What to do? As I was preparing to begin reading my Bible - I felt a strong pull of the Holy Spirit to PRAY instead. I got my prayer list and flipped to the page where I had left off. Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment. God simply said, "PRAY."

After an hour of praying I heard something. I have a keen sense of hearing and smell. I heard a humming noise. It was the refrigerator. I praised God and realized that without even knowing it - the POWER was now restored!

The LORD showed me that when we feel disconnected to life - to circumstances - to things that are out of our control - it is time to PRAY! Without prayer there is nothing else we can do. It is our lifeline to GOD - our power source to connect with His Holy Spirit. I can do nothing on my own. I need that power. Just like with the electric lines - there was nothing I could do without it.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

... if my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. [emphasis added]

Ponder the call to PRAY. Some of the verses above are hard to swallow - but they are God's Holy Word. They are not there to scare us - but to warn us - guide us - and to lead us into His paths of righteousness.

My house could not stand nor function without its power source of electric. Your life - nor mine - cannot be sustained nor function without its power source: PRAYER.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

A WISE YOUNG OWL

Psalm 40:1-4a
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

He turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man

who makes the LORD his trust...

Psalm 27:5

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 31:2

Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my Rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

I will proclaim the Name of the LORD.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, His works are perfect,

and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is He. [selected Scripture emphasis added]

This little guy [or gal] wandered under the netting of my pond yesterday when it was pouring rain. He was worn out from trying to find his way out of the trap he found himself in. I opened the netting enough to allow access for his departure - however he crawled up into the rock of the waterfall instead - and promptly fell asleep [it was daytime]. So I shut off the pump to the waterfall and placed my Shepherd's staff on the rock in front of him making a perch where he could come out once it got dark. This morning he was gone.

How often do we praise God for caring for us - when we are trapped in a pit - a pit of awful circumstances - a pit of despair? Sometimes we beat ourselves silly trying to escape them. If we would only learn to rest in the cleft of the Rock until He brings release - and rescues us - as only He can. When we stop fighting [God] - is usually when the release comes... just like for the owl.

Rest in God's unfailing love and wait for Him to move!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

Living the Life

A dear friend called me yesterday morning and shared some verses with me. She shared the second half below 11-17 - but I wanted to add the beginning of the chapter to put it all in context. May God speak to your heart through these passages today.

1 Peter 2 (selected)
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. *******************************************************

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4 As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

BE CONTENT

1 Timothy 6:6-8

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Proverbs 19:22-23

22 What a man desires is unfailing love;

better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life:

Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

*****************************************************************************************************************

1 Peter 5:6-7 [The Message]

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

Worldwide Blessings

I don't know where to begin - to share with you all that God did while I was away in Mexico with a hand-picked team of saints who blessed me beyond measure from the beginning of our journey to the end. I am attempting to give you a Link to my photo album here - not sure if it will work. So - Pray and Click!! Click here: Snapfish:Album:Owned

God did make November 1st the very special day that He said it would be from weeks before when He told me to "trust His heart for an explosion of faith" on that day!

God was working [that day] in the heart of a young 16 year old Mexican girl [Lucy] who had pretty much been abandoned by her family. She felt lost and unloved. The women on our team sat down and shared Christ with her for over 45 minutes, each of us taking part in what God had for her. At the end, she received Christ as her Savior, and she was transformed from the inside out. The JOY of Jesus shone on her face for the rest of the time. The Mexican Pastor's family took her in and she now lives with them. They don't waste time - they just love without question.

At almost the same hour - back in the USA - my 7th grandchild was born. Malachi James came in with a struggle and fought for his life as the cord that brought him life was wrapped around his neck twice. He was born face up and the doctors had trouble getting him out. He was not breathing for a long time - but God sustained him and gave him life in spite of the struggle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * He joins his big brother Jyden Luke. Malachi means "Messenger". May his life bring the message of the gospel as he grows and becomes a child of the King.

Two of the main passages our team shared along our journey in Mexico were these:

Psalm 103 (selected)
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His love for those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on His children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him;
14 for He knows how we are formed,

He remembers that we are dust.

19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,

and His kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you His angels,

you mighty ones who do His bidding,

who obey His Word.
21 Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts,

you His servants who do His will.
22 Praise the LORD, all His works

everywhere in His dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

God's Judgment

Jeremiah 28
The False Prophet Hananiah

1 In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people: 2 "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.' "
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD. 6 He said, "Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the LORD's house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. 7 Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8 From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."
10 Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, 11 and he said before all the people, "This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.' " At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.
12 Shortly after the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13 "Go and tell Hananiah, 'This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. 14 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.' "
15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. 16 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.' " 17 In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died. [emphasis added]

Ezekiel 9 (selected)

Idolaters Killed

1 Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, "Bring the guards of the city here, each with a weapon in his hand." 2 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.
3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it."

8 While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?"
9 He answered me, "The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.' 10 So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done."

Our only hope...

Jeremiah 29:10-14

A Letter to the Exiles

10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 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. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

REPENT... PRAY...SEEK GOD with ALL YOUR HEART... KNOW GOD'S WORD by HEART!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]