Oct 14 Grow Your truth in me

Father, Jeremiah was Your man on the ground, Your man on the scene.  He was the one of the few who spoke Your truth, yet no one listened to him or believed him or turned back to You because of it.

Paul spoke Your truth and taught it to the Thessalonians, and it took root.  Yet they were persecuted, endured hardship, and were deceived and confused by false teachers and liars.

It’s as if Your truth is seed that was scattered, but the ground Jeremiah sowed it on was too hard to accept it.  It fell where it could not take root, and just blew away.

The Thessalonians were better ground and accepted the seed, but it’s as if thorns grew up to choke out what sprouted, or birds tried to take it away.  Paul’s second letter was a good reminder for them to pull the thorns out and shoo the birds away in order to hold on to the truth that had grown in them.

You have given me the ability to discern Your truth by giving me Your written Word and Your Holy Spirit residing within me, who speaks truth to me.   I feel as if I have the benefit of being given the most fertile soil of all.

And it is up to me to protect Your truth growing in me.  I need to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings passed on to [me].”

Father, help me be faithful to make time each day to read Your precious Word.  And to come to You in prayer, and listen to You.  Enlighten me with understanding Your Word and what You say to me in prayer.  And strengthen me to be faithful and obedient to all I understand.

Remind me to guard Your truth in my heart and mind, and bring every other thought and teaching, philosophy and prophecy, to be measured against the plumb line of Your truth.

Your Word has taken firm root in my life.  Help me protect it and nurture it.  Let it leaf and flower and produce good fruit all my days.  I know that when Your timing is right, I will be with You for eternity.  Amen

Jeremiah 25:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Oct 9 Evidence of belief

Father, Jeremiah saw wicked people prospering and called for their demise.  You answered saying their end was coming.

I see much the same today.  People who have denied You and live their lives for fame, power or profit are indeed prospering.

My society elevates them rather than calling for righteousness.  And every day the time approaches when You will uproot and destroy them.

So how do I choose to live in these times?  I will remember that You have chosen me.  You have set me apart.  So I will not seek the things society promotes.  But will seek to be like the believers at the church at Thessalonica.  Paul said of them: “Your faith has become known everywhere”.   Father, let me live a life that these words will be true of me also.

Many years ago, a Sunday School teacher was telling about believers who were being persecuted in another country.  And she asked, ‘If you were on trial today, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?’  That really stuck with me.  Help me live in a way that my faith in You is evident without a doubt.

Like the Thessalonians, let me also show “[my] work produced by faith, [my] labor prompted by love, and [my] endurance inspired by hope in [my] Lord Jesus Christ.”  Show me how to work alongside You, not just look for anything I can do to stay busy.  Let me see where You are working, and join You in a faithful labor of love.   Let my hope in You inspire and hearten me to continue in whatever task You show me.

The Thessalonians were inspired to endure hardship and trials by the hope that You would return to earth soon.  I too am encouraged to be steady in my faith, believing that the time is nearing when You will return to earth, bringing eternal rewards.  Thank You that Your Word is true.  Thank You that Your justice is right.  And that in Your Sovereignty and Authority, You are righteous!  Amen

Jeremiah 12:1-17, I Thessalonians 1-2:8