Monday, March 8, 2010

The Wonderful Name of Jesus!

LENT--DAY 17

SCRIPTURE

Jeremiah 11:1-17 (NRSV)

Judgment against the olive tree

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed be anyone who does not heed the words of this covenant, which I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron-smelter, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God, that I may perform the oath that I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then I answered, "So be it, Lord."

And the Lord said to me: Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them. For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of an evil will. So I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.

And the Lord said to me: Conspiracy exists among the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors of old, who refused to heed my words; they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant that I made with their ancestors. Therefore, thus says the Lord, assuredly I am going to bring disaster upon them that they cannot escape; though they cry out to me, I will not listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they will never save them in the time of their trouble. For your gods have become as many as your towns, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal.

As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. What right has my beloved in my house, when she has done vile deeds? Can vows and sacrificial flesh avert your doom? Can you then exult? The Lord once called you, "A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit"; but with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed. The Lord of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done, provoking me to anger by making offerings to Baal.


DEVOTION

All I have to say today is, "Bless that Wonderful Name of JESUS!"

Today we are reminded exactly why we are so grateful that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

For today's scripture reading makes one thing clear. None of us is able to perfectly keep God's holy and righteous law. Not a one of us has always chosen to listen to God's voice and heed God's every command.

The Law certainly points to our need for the Gospel. Law shows us why we need the grace and mercy of God revealed to us on the Good Friday cross.

Aren't you glad that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life? Aren't you glad that Jesus averted our disaster, saving us from the fire of God's judgment?

Glory to God in the Highest!

I don't know about you, but I'm doing my "happy dance" today! Thank God for Jesus!

Let us pray...

Holy and righteous God, you have commandment me to hear and heed your voice, but I have not always listened and obeyed. Please forgive me for this sin and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live into the holiness and righteousness that Jesus shares with me. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is wonderful good news! Please inspire me to share this good news with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name! Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL


ANNOUNCEMENT

During the Lenten Season, all Good News readers are challenged to forward this blog to one person each and every day! Read, share, and BE good news! Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)



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