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Today is Saturday August 14, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Jeremiah, chapters 1-3. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-14

Today's Message: Let God Handle It

As Christians we can be pretty hard on ourselves, especially if we get caught up in sin. The great thing about God is that even if we get caught up in the messiest of sins we can be forgiven. All the guilt, shame, and sleepless nights can be eliminated simply by asking for forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. Praise God! You say it is not that simple? Of course it is, we have a choice and there comes a point in our lives where we need to just stop trying to fix it all on our own and let God handle it. No one escapes chastisement for their sins, so, if one is caught up in sin, he needs to just accept it, take the punishment, and move forward, chastisement does not last forever and the longer one tries to avoid it the more he will suffer. The chastisement is actually a blessing and once it is over more blessings are to come.

The book of Jeremiah is the twenty-fourth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains fifty-two chapters. The author of the book is Jeremiah and it was written to Judah to warn of the coming judgment of captivity and call for repentance. What we are to learn from the book is that national disasters and deterioration is often due to disobedience to God, but like all storms when we call on God and repent, He will restore what has been lost. Jeremiah was actually very young when God called on Him to warn the people of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” - Jeremiah 1:4-9. There is an assurance from God listed in these verses, no matter how young or old a person is they can be used of God. In fact, before we are even thought of God has a plan for us and when He calls us we need to answer Him. Often a person will face lots of pain and suffering before they realize God's call, but once they do they realize just how much God loves them and wants the best for them.

I remember before I got caught up in a mess that God was calling me, I knew He was because I had the urge to start reading the Bible again and while I was out of town my brother called me to tell me he was going to church. I ignored it and it took a few years for me to completely commit to God, and I suffered for it too, but once I did I knew God had a better path for me than where I was going. Did you ever take a wrong turn and get lost? Sometimes it takes a long time to get back on the right road, but once you do you are relieved, even if you are a little late. I always imagine two paths in life, of course, one being God's path, the other our own. Sometimes we take a wrong turn and get lost for a while, but God always directs us back on the right road. Of course, it is usually affliction that directs us, but how else is He going to get our attention. If you were a child of God at birth and remained that way praise God that you never fell into the lusts of the world, if you were a backslider like I was praise God that He got you back on the right road. If you are a backslider or never even known God, praise God that you are reading this because He is calling you right now. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - I Corinthians 6:9-11. Praise God!

Through Jeremiah God illustrates our backsliding as an adulterous woman. “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD. And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.” - Jeremiah 3:8-12. God does not stay angry forever, we can all praise Him for His mercy and grace. If it were not for His grace we would all still be offering up animal sacrifices to seek forgiveness for our sins. He is telling all who have backslid, “You are forgiven, but in order to be forgiven you must return to me.” Until I with my mouth asked God to forgive me I suffered deeply, the guilt and shame of what I allowed myself to get involved in alone made me suffer, but when I finally made that choice to let God handle it I was set free. Yes, I was chastised a bit, but it was all worth it because as I look back now I realize God was always there trying to get me to get back on the right road. Praise God that He did. He can do the same for anyone else who let's God handle it.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and the rest of your weekend
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

All Scripture is quoted from the King James Version.
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