something impure

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

something impure

Lamentations 1:16-17 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:16 I cry because of these things; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to keep me alive. My children are desolate because the enemy has won.
Lamentations 1:17 Zion stretches out her hands; there is no one to comfort her. The Lord has issued a decree against Jacob that his neighbors should be his adversaries. Jerusalem has become something impure among them.

something impure

The city was being treated like a leper colony. No one wanted to see the once beautiful and majestic land — now defeated and in disgrace.

The pain of being ignored after once being honored and appreciated can be worse than physical pain. All you want to do is cry out, but you are afraid of the empty space all around you. It is humiliating to break down, and have no one around to comfort you.

Lord, rescue us from our incredible desolation. Only you can restore us to yourself, and that is what we need.

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trampled

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

trampled

Lamentations 1:13-15 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:13 He sent fire from high up into my bones; he made it descend. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, sick all day long.
Lamentations 1:14 My transgressions have been formed into a yoke, fastened together by his hand; they have been placed on my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot resist.
Lamentations 1:15 The Lord has rejected all the mighty men within me. He has summoned an army against me to crush my young warriors. The Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah like grapes in a wine-press.

trampled

The Lamenter describes Virgin daughter Judah as having been trampled like grapes in a wine press. It speaks of the aftermath of violent confrontation, and a loss of strength and integrity.

When Jesus returns, his domination of the nations is described with similar wording. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he will tread the wine press of God’s fierce wrath (Revelation 19:15).

At this time, it is God’s own nation who is experiencing this fate. It is their transgressions that have been formed into a heavy yoke.

But we are fortunate to be living in an age of grace, and that great warrior — Jesus — comes to us today and offers us a light yoke for our necks.

Lord, give us the wisdom to accept your offer of peace, because the day of wrath and judgment is quickly approaching.

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detested

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

detested

Lamentations 1:7-12 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:7 During the days of her misery and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all the precious belongings that were hers in the old days. When her people fell into the adversary’s hand, she had no one to help. The adversaries looked at her, laughing at her downfall.
Lamentations 1:8 Jerusalem has sinned grievously; which is why she has become an object of scorn. All who honored her now detest her, because they have seen her nakedness. She herself groans and turns away.
Lamentations 1:9 Her uncleanness stains her skirts. She never considered her end. Her downfall was astonishing; there was no one to comfort her. Lord, look on my misery because the enemy boasts.
Lamentations 1:10 The adversary has seized all her precious belongings. She has even seen the nations enter her sanctuary – those you had forbidden to enter your congregation.
Lamentations 1:11 All her people sigh while they search for bread. They have traded their precious property for food in order to stay alive. Yahveh, look and see how I have become despised.
Lamentations 1:12 Is this nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see! Is there any pain like mine, which was dealt out to me, which Yahveh made me suffer on the day of his burning anger?

detested

The once beautiful city has lost it all and is now looked on and detested. Do you feel that shame? And it is a shame that could have been prevented. She lost it all — included her honor and glory — because she sinned against God.

Lord, forgive us and restore us. We feel the shame and ugliness of sin.
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overtaken

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

overtaken

Lamentations 1:3-6 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:3 Judah has gone into exile after misery and harsh slavery; she lives among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in narrow places.
Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to the appointed festivals. All her gates are deserted; her priests are sighing, her young women grieve, and she herself is bitter.
Lamentations 1:5 Her adversaries have become her masters; her enemies are taking it easy, because Yahveh has made her suffer due to of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives in the face of the adversary.
Lamentations 1:6 All the glamour has disappeared from Daughter Zion. Her leaders are like stags that find no pasture; they stumble away exhausted in the face of the hunter.

overtaken

The once beautiful and powerful city now sits defenseless like prey surrounded by predators. They have already overtaken her, and are in the midst of devouring her.

And it is her fault. This fate is hers because she has offended her God. Is there no hope?

Not yet. There will be hope, but it is important for Jerusalem to see the consequences of her choices.

Lord, help us to learn from this terrible truth. We run to you and seek help so that we are not overtaken.

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abandoned

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Lamentations - 1

abandoned

Lamentations 1:1-2 (JDV)

Lamentations 1:1 How isolated she sits, the city which was crowded with people! She who was prominent among the nations has become like a widow. The princess among the provinces has become a compulsory laborer.
Lamentations 1:2 She cries bitterly during the night, with tears on her cheeks. There is no one to offer her comfort, not one from all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.

abandoned

The Lamentations are prophetic words delivered in poetic fashion, like the Lament Psalms. Here an unknown author (I will call him the Lamenter) describes Jerusalem in exile as a princess who has been betrayed and abandoned by her former lovers — the kings of the nations. The once crowded city is now isolated, rejected, lonely. The city that was intended to draw the nations to God now mourns at night with no one to comfort her.

Lord God, our lives do not reflect your plan for us. We feel abandoned. Restore us to your favor and your intended destiny.
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read it to everyone

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

read it to everyone

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself consecrate you completely. And may your whole breath, throat, and body be preserved sound and blameless at the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who invites you is faithful; he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also.
1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter is read to all the brothers and sisters.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

read it to everyone

One of the hallmarks of the Reformation was the belief that the Scriptures belong to everyone, so no one should keep their message to himself. Paul understood the importance of his letters and wanted to ensure that their words were heard and understood by the entire congregation, not just a few elite members of the clergy.

There are segments of the population of this planet who do not have access to the Bible, written in their language. Even where the Scriptures are available, there are still many obstacles keeping people from hearing their message and responding to it. If we believe the Bible’s message, we should be seeking ways to get it to those who need it but don’t yet have it.

Lord, show us ways to get your word to those who haven’t heard.
bbjv - 1

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grateful, but not gullible

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

grateful, but not gullible

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Don’t stifle the Breath.
1 Thessalonians 5:20 Don’t discredit prophecies,
1 Thessalonians 5:21 but evaluate all things. Hold on to what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

grateful, but not gullible

Paul’s instructions for the Thessalonian Christians are designed to keep them in balance. That is why the positive attitude reflected in verses 16-18 (gratitude for everything) is balanced out with what sounds like its opposite in today’s text.

Those promoting a more supernatural approach to life are quick to quote verses 19-20 as proof-texts. It is true that we should not stifle the true work of God’s Breath (his Holy Spirit) or discredit true prophecies. They are given by the power of the Holy Spirit. But what Paul warns here is that there will be false prophets as well. Believers must evaluate all things. We are responsible to hold on to only what is good and stay away from every kind of evil — even the religious kind.

Lord, keep us grateful but keep us from being gullible.
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always, constantly, everything

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky

always, constantly, everything

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray constantly,
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in everything; because this is God’s preference for you in Christ Jesus.

always, constantly, everything

We are used to rejoicing sometimes, praying occasionally, and giving thanks for a few things. But that is not God’s preference. Since we are in Christ, we have the ability to see God’s hand at work in the worst of times, to stay connected to our supply source constantly, and to find reason for appreciating the things the people of the world are not grateful for.
bbjv - 1

Lord, we want to stay connected to you, always.

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mutual attention

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

mutual attention

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we encourage you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort those who are discouraged, help those who are weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

mutual attention

Everyone in the congregation is important and needs our attention and our ministry. Even if our ministry is specialized, we can not ignore anyone’s needs. If we see a lazy brother, we need to put on our warning hat. If we see a sorrowing sister, we need or comforting hat. The weak need us to show them strength. Everyone needs us to serve patiently.

If we chose to chase anything, it should not be personal preferences or pet doctrines. It should be one another’s good.

Lord, keep us from getting sidetracked on our pursuit for one another’s good.

bbjv - 1

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special ministry leaders

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky

special ministry leaders

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who are working among you and leading you in the Lord and admonishing you,
1 Thessalonians 5:13 and to regard them very highly in care because of their achievement. Be at peace among yourselves.

special ministry leaders

The New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers, but it is not silent about the people called to special ministry within the congregation. They work among the believers as equals, but have special spiritual gifts which enable them to lead the believers, and admonish those who are lagging behind or failing in some way.

For these front-line leaders, Paul urges the believers to recognize their service, and to regard them highly in care because of what they are achieving.

Lord, thank you for our special ministry leaders.

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