Powerful Words from the ProphetsJeremiah the prophet said to all the people in Judah and Jerusalem, “For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the LORD has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.” – Jeremiah 25:2-3 (NLT)“Don’t Be Stupid” On May 8, 1902, there was a h...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Then the LORD gave me this message: ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians. I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that recogniz...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD. – Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NLT)“He’s Here and There” Several years ago, I coached a pastor who lived in Australia. He had planted a church there, and I was assigned to help ...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“In that day,” says the LORD, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them....

Powerful Words from the Prophets“For the time is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.” – Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NLT)“The Lord Is ...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the LORD. – Jeremiah 22:15-16 (NLT)“How God Defines Su...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsSing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For though I was poor and needy, he rescued me from my oppressors. Yet I curse the day I was born! May no one celebrate the day of my birth. I curse the messenger who told my father, “Good news—you have a son!” – Jeremiah 20:13-15 (NLT)“The Rollercoaster” Do you like rollercoasters? I’ve found that I like them less the older I’ve g...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsWhen I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the LORD have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! – Jeremiah 20:8-9 (NLT)“What’s the Fire in Your B...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.” – Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)“Innocence and Deception” My wife and I just took care of our oldest granddaughter for 12 days. With her autism, it’s no small task. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a wonderful...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)“How Deep Is Your F...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“The wonderful possession I have reserved for you will slip from your hands.” – Jeremiah 17:4 (NLT)“Get a Grip” Some years ago, I had a friend who was really sharp. He had a great mind and, as an engineer, developed some pretty cool stuff. He was also a committed Christian, husband, father, and leader in the church. But something happened. Maybe it was the success. ...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“LORD, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble!” – Jeremiah 16:19 (NLT)“Surrounded” Have you ever felt all alone in the middle of a crowd? Have you ever felt as if you were going through something, and there was no one who really “gets” you or understands what you’re dealing with? Have you ever felt as if you’re on a shore watching a tsunam...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“But the time is coming,” says the LORD, “when people who are taking an oath will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exi...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsThis is how the LORD responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!” – Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)“Who Is Influencing Whom?” In John 17, in His prayer for us, Jesus asks the Father to help us be “in the w...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O LORD our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us.” – Jeremiah 14:22 (NLT)“When All You Can Do Is Wait” The last few days, it has POURED down rain. I’m talking street-flooding, streams-overflowing, an umbrella-won’t-help-you ki...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsThen I said, “O Sovereign LORD, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The LORD will surely send you peace.’” Then the LORD said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They spea...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil.” – Jeremiah 13:23 (NLT)“People Can’t Change, But They Can BE Changed!” Sometime ago, I read a story about a man named Danny whose life had been completely taken over by drugs. When bounty hunters found him (he had four f...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Listen and pay attention! Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom. And if you still refuse to listen, I will weep...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“LORD, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts.” – Jeremiah 12:1-2 (NLT)“Take the Long View” A few years back, a couple of b...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsThe LORD gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them.” – Jeremiah 11:1-2 (NLT)“Keeping the Covenant” It’s funny how verses like this, which are so straightforward on the surface, can hit you between the eyes when you sit with it for a moment or two. Reading it today caused me to reflec...