02.16.08 - Jer. 15:1-6, 15-21

RE:flect
"You have rejected me, declares the Lord; you keep going backward, so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you— I am weary of relenting."

Again, it is HEALTHY to have a good understanding that God has tremendous patience. But patience has an end. Many will mock us today saying "Where is this Jesus that you preach?" They do not understand why he is patient (for their salvation). However, we are also guilty of not understanding the horror of what is to come. And of what could happen to us if we walk away from God and abuse his grace, only to return to the life that lead to spiritual death before. There will come a time when God will again be "weary of relenting" his judgement for the world.

RE:act
Today consider something. Just one thing -- How do you want to relate to God? We automatically relate to him according to his design and holiness after we are born. This is the "door" of holiness that we all are born on. This door allows us to receive what we deserve (and we have failed). God will be "fair" to us. We receive our wages (death).
Now consider the other option (door) that has been opened through Christ. That you can relate to God through his love/GRACE. Through this door he will be "unfair" in judgement. Jesus gets the punishment we deserve, we get the rewards of his perfect life. and God is proved righteous in the process of keeping his promises and rescuing those calling for help!

RE:ply
Lord, help us to not stray from your words, commands, presence and truth.
Lord, we are helpless and hopeless apart from you. Help us to see how truly evil we can become as pride, selfishness and hatred could corrupt and kill our spirits. Teach us a healthy view of the power and affects of sin.
Lord, remind us of your victory over Satan, sin and death. Remind us of WHO we are and WHOSE we are. Hold us tight to you. Never let us go.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."
II Peter 3:9-10