False Prophets

*Jeremiah 13-14

Psalm 125

*Luke 8

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

            Luke 8 alone (ironically) has enough material for about 8 devotions all by itself by my reckoning, so please read it thoroughly as we’ll be moving along quickly to get to some other juicy bits today.  Aside from the (1)women supporting the ministry (see below), we have (2) the parable of the sower (hugely important concepts) and it’s explanation, (3) the parable of the hidden lamp (nothing is hidden that will not be revealed!), (4) Jesus’ mother and brothers (are the ones hearing and doing the word of God), (5) Jesus calms the storm (and teaches about faith), (6) Jesus casts out demons (into pigs, and gains a follower), (7) Jesus heals a woman who touches him (whose affliction would have kept her from going to the temple to worship), and (8) Jesus raises a dead girl (who he says has “fallen asleep”).  Whew.  Busy chapter, easily 8 full devotions worth.

            The first 3 verses here are interesting because after it mentions Jesus and his disciples (specifically “the twelve”) travelling about and preaching, it also says “certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, and then lists 3 specific names, but says that there were “many others” who were providing for them out of their own resources.

            Of the 3 ladies mentioned by name, Susanna has no other references in the bible, Mary Magdalene* has numerous other references in scripture, and then Joanna, who was married to Chuza, has no other mention in the bible.  An interesting note though: Joanna was Chuza’s wife, who was Herod’s manager.  This would be Herod Antipas, there were 5-6 Herods in scripture starting with “Herod the Great” (who was not so great, and was responsible for the massacre of infants in the Bethlehem area shortly after Jesus birth).  Herod Antipas was Herod the Great’s son, and is noted for his rule and roles in the executions of John the Baptist, and Jesus of Nazareth.  That Herod.  His manager’s wife was a noted follower of Jesus.  Interesting, isn’t it?  You’re welcome, history nerds!

            The Jeremiah reading today is going to be our focus.  In Jeremiah 13, God commands Jeremiah to buy a linen loincloth (skivvies).  The word used here can also be translated as “belt, waistband, or girdle”, but the idea is that it was a cloth that was worn close to the body around the waist.  He’s told to go bury the loincloth and then retrieve it “after many days” and when he does it’s worthless and gross, and this is to be a visual sign to Israel and Judah.  As visual signs and prophecies go, as gross as it sounds putting on a nasty ruined loincloth, in this instance Jeremiah could have had it a lot worse (See Isaiah 20 for comparison).  This visual prophecy, like most that God gives His people, is another attempt to guide them back to Him, which really speaks a lot toward the character of our loving and merciful God.

            Here’s what I’d like to focus on today, though.  In Jeremiah 14, false prophets have come among the people of Israel, telling them that everything is going to be fine and not to worry.  Jeremiah is upset about this, and mentions it to God, see below:

13Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You will not see the sword, nor will you have famine, but I will give you lasting peace and prosperity in this place.’” 14Then Yahweh said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I did not send them, nor have I commanded them, nor did I speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, and worthless divination, and the deceptions of their own heart. 15Therefore this is what Yahweh says: As for the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, yet they keep saying, ‘Sword and famine will not be in this land,’ By sword and famine those prophets will be consumed. 16And the people they prophesy to will be cast out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword, and they will have no one to bury them—them, nor their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters—because I will pour their wickedness on them. (REV translation)

            There are false prophets among the people, they are telling the people what they want to hear, but they are telling lies and God didn’t send them or tell them to say these things.  Sound familiar? The point of concern here though is that the people will still be held accountable!  God gave us His word as a template, by which we are to measure the words of men.  Why is it important to be discerning with your understanding of scripture? Because God has already told us: of His nature, of what is to come, of what our expectations are.  We change these precepts, ignore them, or listen to others who speak contrary to these things at our own peril.  We will be held accountable.

            There are false prophets today, too.  In 1 Timothy 4:1 it tells us that in the last days they’ll abound.  We generally think that we’re in the last days now.  Why would they do such a thing, though?  Well, we had a discussion about this just recently at church Saturday morning: it could be people seeking profit or gain, it could be people seeking fame or social status, and it could also be genuine people who themselves have been deceived and are now in all earnestness and good intentions deceiving others.  The point is, it doesn’t matter why.  If you allow yourself to be misled, you will be held accountable.  How then are we to discern what is truth, and what is a lie?

            Isaiah 8:20 “Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light of dawn in them.“  (REV translation used).  Think about it.  If you listen to someone who speaks against exactly (and only) what the Bible says, they don’t have a morning, and neither will you.  Be discerning.  Abhor tradition and teachings where it contradicts scripture.  In Ephesians 6:10-17 when speaking of the “Armor of God”, among all of the defensive items of armor listed there is only one offensive tool mentioned with which we can fight, and it is the sword of the spirit, the word of God, the scriptures.  If you don’t know how to wield it, there’s a good chance you’re going to get murdered.  Practice with your sword and read your Bible, for your own sake, and for the love of God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. How many false prophets can you think of, off the top of your head?
  2. How many of these do you think are genuinely earnest people, who have themselves been decieved?
  3. How many times a day/week do you read your Bible?  Would you read it more if your life depended on it? (spoiler alert: it does.)

Prayer

Father God, you have warned us of those who have eyes but are blind, and those who have ears but are deaf.  Please Father, open our eyes, clean out our ears, and speak to us clearly so that we are not deceived.  Lead us and guide us, whisper to us and tell us the way in which we should go.  Have mercy upon your people, Lord God, for your own name’s sake.  Thank you, in Jesus name, amen.

* Since the rooting out and exposing of unscriptural church traditions has become something of a hobby for me, it should be noted regarding Mary Magdalene that the belief that she was a repentant sex worker or the sister of Martha and Lazarus stems from later church traditions and misinterpretations, not from scriptural text. She was however “healed of seven demons” and contributed to Jesus’ ministry financially, in addition to getting honorable mention in all 4 of the gospels, and being the first to arrive at the empty tomb of Jesus after his resurrection.

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Are You Keeping Your Promises? 

The devotion by Cayce Fletcher reflects on the nature of promises and covenants, highlighting humanity’s tendency to break commitments. It draws parallels between God’s covenant with Israel and our relationships today. Despite human unfaithfulness, God remains steadfast. Fletcher encourages readers to evaluate their promises and live faithfully, inspired by God’s unwavering commitment.

Jer 11-12

Ps 125

Luke 7

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

One of my favorite movies is the original animated Beauty and the Beast. In one of the scenes, Cogsworth is explaining how to ‘woo’ a woman, and he says you do it with “flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep.”

A promise is supposed to be something that is lasting. That you are committed to upholding. But, unfortunately, today, promises are viewed as disposable. 

From the covenant of marriage, to the relationships between family members, to simple contractual obligations, everyone seems to be breaking their word. It’s almost like the human bent is to break our promise. 

In today’s passage, we read of a similar story: God is reminding Israel of their covenant promise, but Israel refuses to listen. In Exodus (through Deuteronomy), God establishes the Mosaic covenant with His people. In Deuteronomy 30, he presents to them a choice: Choose life and keep the covenant, or choose death and reject it. 

Jeremiah reminds the people of the covenant that was made in the wilderness, which the people continue to break (Jer. 11). God continually called them back, but the people continued to reject Him. 

The old covenant has given way to the new covenant, which we are under today in Christ. The curtain is torn (Matt. 27:51), the old covenant is done away with, and through Christ we are able to enter into the Most Holy Place (Heb. 10:19). We don’t have to wear bells and fear dropping dead; instead, the very Spirit of God has come to dwell in us as His temple (1 Cor. 6:19). 

The story of Israel reminds us just how easy it is for people to make promises to God and then slowly wander away from them. We can sing the songs, say the prayers, and profess our devotion—and then live as though those promises have little bearing on our everyday lives.

But God is not like us. He does not make “promises He doesn’t intend to keep.” Throughout Scripture, even as His people prove themselves unfaithful again and again, God remains faithful.

And because He has been faithful to us, we are called to be faithful to Him.

So take some time to consider the promises you have made. Are you living faithfully in your covenant relationship with God? Are you keeping your word to your spouse, your family, your church, and the people around you?

In a world where promises are increasingly treated as disposable, let us be people whose word means something—because we belong to a God who always keeps His.

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is keeping promises important? Why is it so hard to keep promises? 
  2. How are covenants similar to and different from promises? 
  3. What is so unique about the New Covenant that we have in Christ?

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the New Covenant that we have in Christ—that we can enter into the most holy place and not be afraid. We praise you and honor you with our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

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Words That Are Seasoned With Grace and Truth

Cayce Fletcher reflects on the power of words, emphasizing their impact on relationships and the importance of truth in speech. Drawing from scripture, she warns against deception and advocates for gracious communication rooted in honesty. The message encourages readers to align their interactions with the truth of God to foster genuine connections.

Jer 9-10

Ps 124

Luke 7

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

We have probably all experienced quick jabs that left a lasting mark. Growing up, many of my friends viewed this kind of trait as something worth having. You need to be quick on your feet and thick-skinned. The person who can make the remark that makes others laugh the most (at someone else’s expense) is the one who gets the most ‘brownie points.’ 

I’ve realized that this is a foolish way to live. I’ve been on the receiving end of those comments that have ultimately ended relationships because of how hurtful they were. 

Words have power. 

I keep coming back to this idea over and over. Through the Word of God, the world was created. The Word is what we call his message to His people. Through the reading of His Word, we believe that real, lasting change can happen in our hearts. Jesus is the embodied Word.

Our words cannot create the cosmos, but they still have power. 

Jeremiah speaks of the power of words in our passage today. In Jeremiah 9:3, it says, “They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies.” Later on, it says, “Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning” (Jer. 9:5). 

One of the central sins was a sin of deception. Because they had exchanged the ultimate Truth of God for a lie, every one of their interactions became characterized by lies. 

Jeremiah 9:6 says, “‘You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,’ declares the Lord.”

The way that we interact with others shows the importance that we place on our relationship with God. If our interactions are characterized by deception, lying, and deceit, what does that show us? 

Proverbs speaks of this. Proverbs 26:18–19 says, “Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”

If our speech with others is not rooted in truth, we become like this maniac. We are spreading death around without care of who gets shot. 

What should our speech look like in contrast? 

Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”

We should be gracious—but this does not mean that we just allow sin and deception to reign. Instead, our speech should also be seasoned with salt (reminiscent of Matthew 5). This salt is truth. 

May all our words point people back to the Word of Life: Jesus!

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What does deception in speech look like? Where do you see people spreading deception?
  2. Have you ever experienced someone who spread deception? What was the outcome? 
  3. How can you be more intentional about speaking with grace and truth in your interactions? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, you are the source of all truth. May our lives reflect your truth. May we reject deceptions and seek to glorify you in all our interactions. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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What kind of fruit are you producing? 

In Jeremiah, God calls for reform in ways and actions, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith over mere ritual. The teachings remind us to pursue justice, avoid idolatry, and maintain moral integrity. Jesus highlights that one’s heart influences life’s outcomes, urging us to nourish our spirits with good influences for fruitful living.

Jer 7-8

Ps 124

Luke 6

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

Reading through the books of the prophets can sometimes feel like you’re hearing the same things on repeat. But rather than become desensitized to what you read, remember this: If it’s repeated, it’s important. 

What themes have we seen hit on again and again through these opening chapters of Jeremiah? 

Jeremiah 7:3–4 says, “Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!’” This call from God summarizes what has been repeated across all the preceding chapters. 

We learn: 

  1. God desires relationship with us. He wants to live in communion with us, but that can only happen in keeping with his holy character. 
  2. We have to reform our ways and actions. We come just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. 
  3. The natural bent of people is to soften sin and ritualize it. We live with fake religion, acting like if we just go through the motions of religion, that will be enough to ‘make God happy.’ 

Of course, nothing that we can do is ultimately enough to balance the ledgers of sin and righteousness in God’s book. Jesus paid it all, and all to him I owe. 

After we have accepted Jesus and committed to following after him as Lord of our lives, what then must we do? 

Jeremiah describes the types of things expected from us: 

  • We must “deal with each other justly” (v. 5–7). This looks like not being a bully to the people weaker than us—whether that’s the foreigner, widow, or fatherless. We cannot pervert justice and shed innocent blood. 
  • We must not “follow other gods to your own harm” (v. 7). Pursuing idolatry may feel good and right in the moment, but it will only result in pain in the end. God created in his perfect wisdom. When we choose to go our own way, we are choosing to reject that wisdom—which often just results in pain. 
  • We must not “steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury” (v. 9). What may look like a random collection of sins is actually a reference to ‘the big 10.’ Jeremiah is reminding us that we have to take a high view of the gravity of sin and avoid it at all costs. 

From this passage we learn that we must treat each other rightly, be faithful to God, and pursue holiness (rejecting sin). 

How do we have a life defined by these principles? In Luke 6, we read Jesus’ words: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (v. 43-45).

Out of what we have stored up in our heart comes the fruit of our lives. If we want to have good fruit and live in the way that God is calling us to, we have to be feeding ourselves good things. Then from the good stored up, we will produce a life of lovely fruit. 

What does it practically look like to feed ourselves good things?

  • Spend time in Scripture before the world gets the first word. We are constantly being discipled by something. Make a habit of reading God’s Word—not simply to check a box, but to allow it to shape what you believe is true, good, and worth pursuing.
  • Pay attention to what you consume. Think about the music you listen to, the shows you watch, the books you read, and especially what you scroll through. Ask yourself: What is this teaching me to love? What is it teaching me to laugh at, desire, envy, or accept? Not everything we consume has to be explicitly Christian, but we should notice what is shaping our hearts.
  • Surround yourself with people who point you toward God. We need relationships where we can talk about more than schedules, work, kids, and what happened this week. Spend time with people who will remind you of truth, encourage you toward faithfulness, and lovingly correct you when you need it.
  • Fill the ordinary moments with good things. Listen to Scripture while you drive. Put on worship music while you clean. Memorize a verse and think about it throughout the day. Talk about what you’re learning with your family. Small choices repeated over time determine what gets “stored up” in our hearts.

We cannot expect to continually fill our hearts with what is shallow, worldly, or sinful and somehow produce godly fruit. What we store up matters.

What are we storing up in our hearts? And what kind of fruit is it producing in our lives?

May we be a people who pursue what is good, holy, and righteous. For we are judged by our fruit. 

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Look through the list of things we can learn from this passage in Jeremiah. Where do you see yourself excelling or falling short? 
  2. What kind of fruit is your life producing? Think about your attitude and actions. What are you leaving in your ‘wake’? 
  3. What is one practical way that you can add more ‘good things’ to your life this week? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being a God who always calls us back no matter what our current circumstances are. You are a good and holy God. May our actions reflect your character. Please fill our lives with the good things that produce good fruit—and please let us produce fruit that is in keeping with those good things. Soli Deo gloria. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

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Guilt, Shame, and Conviction

Jer 5-6

Ps 123

Luke 6

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

When I was in elementary school, I sat by a girl in one of my science classes who I became close friends with over the course of the year. In the midst of kid-friendly science experiments (probably involving something edible), she mentioned something she told me in confidence. 

And something that I soon told someone else. 

Somehow, word got back to this girl that I had spread this secret around. She confronted me and told me how it made her feel. Ultimately, sharing this secret was something that she couldn’t forgive so easily, and our friendship wasn’t the same. (She moved at the end of the year.)

I still remember the way that I felt at the end of our conversation. When she first brought it up, it was like my stomach dropped. I was afraid, and I could feel my cheeks get hot. It was a Friday, and as I went home, I kept thinking about it—wishing I could take it back. And I knew that I shouldn’t have shared what I did. 

All of these emotions were unfamiliar to me. It was the feelings of guilt and shame. 

Shame was not something we were originally created with. With the introduction of sin, we also were introduced to shame. Adam and Eve hid from God when they knew they did wrong. We still want to hide. 

This elementary school conversation was one of the first times I navigated these feelings—but it has definitely not been the only time since. 

Guilt and shame are inevitable in a world marred by sin, but what I find interesting in this passage is the lack of shame exhibited by the people. Their faces are like stone (Jer. 5:3); they are unapologetic about sin (Jer. 5:7–8); and they take a low view of sin (Jer. 5:12).  

In the garden, Adam and Eve had a childlike impulse to literally hide what they were doing, but today, we have become so desensitized to sin that we don’t even try to hide what we are doing. In our pride, we hide our hearts from the gravity of sin. We say that it’s not a big deal.  We say that everyone’s doing it. We say that it’s good to go our own way. But truly, this is just the path to destruction. 

God was calling the people back to Him, but that call required a right understanding of sin. 

When we have a wrong view of sin, we minimize it and justify ourselves. We compare ourselves to others. We make excuses. We tell ourselves that what we are doing isn’t really that bad. Instead of allowing conviction to change us, pride hardens our hearts and allows us to continue down the same path.

But when we have a right view of sin, conviction leads us to repentance. We recognize sin for what it is: rebellion against a holy God that damages the relationship we were created to have with Him. Instead of defending ourselves or hiding from Him, we confess our sin and turn back to God.

The answer to sin isn’t to live buried beneath guilt and shame. It is to let those feelings alert us that something is wrong—and then respond to God’s call to return to Him.

Guilt and shame—also known as conviction—are a clue that we need confession and repentance. 

We don’t have to live in the land of guilt and shame forever. Christ has made a way for us to break free from those shackles and step forward into freedom. Praise God! 

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin impact our relationship with God? 
  2. Do you have a low view or a high view of sin? How serious are you about sin and its effects? 
  3. What is one area where you feel shame (aka conviction), and how might you practice confession and repentance in that area? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, we know you are a holy God. We also know that we fall short. When we face these feelings of shame, may we not grow prideful or distant from you. Instead, please let these feelings draw us closer to you through the practices of confession and repentance. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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Unfaithfulness of Israel—and the Faithfulness of God

In today’s passage, Jeremiah paints a picture of “faithless Israel.” The relationship between Israel and God (and later the Church and Christ) is always compared to a marriage.

Jer 3-4

Ps 123

Luke 5

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

In today’s passage, Jeremiah paints a picture of “faithless Israel.” The relationship between Israel and God (and later the Church and Christ) is always compared to a marriage. 

Marriage was one of the first societal systems God put in place. In the garden, he described marriage: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). 

Later on, Paul references this passage when he says, “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:29–32). 

The oneness that is experienced in the covenant of marriage is supposed to symbolize the unity that we experience under the covenant relationship with Christ. 

This is why the word faithfulness is central to our relationship with God. 

Faithfulness is the “quality of being loyal, trustworthy, and steadfast in performing duties, keeping promises, or adhering to facts.” When we are faithful in our marriages, we are completely honest and trustworthy. We are loyal to our spouse. To be unfaithful means to step outside that covenant relationship and pursue a relationship outside those bounds. 

In today’s passage, Jeremiah describes Israel (and Judah) as unfaithful. They continually pursued idols rather than pursuing a relationship with their first love, God. Jeremiah, speaking the words of God, puts it strongly: “Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame” (Jer. 1:3). 

But in spite of God calling to the people of Judah, she “did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense” (Jer. 1:10). 

 What does unfaithfulness look like in our relationship with God? 

  • We give something else the devotion that belongs to God. Our idols may not be carved images, but anything we consistently look to for our security, identity, satisfaction, or hope can begin to occupy a place that belongs to God alone. Money, success, comfort, approval—even good things like family or ministry—can become objects of misplaced devotion.
  • We obey God selectively. Faithfulness isn’t simply believing the right things or showing up at church. If we gladly follow God where it is convenient but ignore Him where obedience costs us something, we aren’t giving Him our whole heart.
  • We go through the motions without giving God our hearts. Judah returned to God “only in pretense.” We can pray, read Scripture, attend church, and say all the right things while our hearts are somewhere else. Faithfulness isn’t merely maintaining Christian habits; it is continually turning our hearts toward God.

If you feel convicted by this, we can remember these words of Paul: “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Tim. 2:11–13). 

God will remain faithful, despite our unfaithfulness. We see this in today’s passage. Just a few verses later, God gives a glimpse of the future hope of redemption, when the people will be gathered together and follow God faithfully. 

No matter where you are at now, today is always a new chance to follow God faithfully, completely, wholeheartedly. God is always faithful and will listen to the one who trusts in Him. 

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think marriage is so often referred to as a metaphor for God and His people?  
  2. What does unfaithfulness to God look like? 
  3. Where might you be unfaithful to God? What choices could you make to pursue Him wholeheartedly? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. You are a good God—a God who is rich in mercy and love. May we be a faithful people, wholeheartedly committed to you. Reveal to us places where we are unfaithful and draw us more fully into relationship with you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Following God When You Are Young… And When You Are Old

Explore the impact of youth on faith and calling through Jeremiah’s journey and personal reflections on devotion and God’s purpose.

Jer 1-2

Ps 122

Luke 5

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

Growing up in the COGGC, one rite of passage, and the highlight of everyone’s year, was the annual national youth camp, FUEL. We all loved to load up in the big charter bus at 2 am and drive the 14+ hours to a campus nestled between cornfields in northern Indiana. 

We would worship, learn, and play—and at the end of the week, everyone would be faced with a choice: How was this week going to impact the rest of their life? What would they do when they returned home? 

For some, this was the moment when they made the decision to be baptized. Others recommitted themselves to a life lived for Christ. Still others made the big leap to attend Bible college, some even dedicating their lives to a life of ministry. 

It’s been over a decade since those high school days, and a lot of life has happened. You never realize how much can change from the bright-eyed days of your youth until you live through it. Friends have grown up, married, had kids, and gotten divorced. Friends have gone to college, moved, started businesses and careers, and changed those again and again. And friends have grown closer to God and away from Him. 

Jeremiah is one of the longest books of the Bible and is nestled between the books of the prophets. It’s easy to read these books and gloss over them, thinking, ‘I’ll just understand this when I’m older.’ (Hey, I still think that sometimes!) 

But Jeremiah actually begins with him feeling the inadequacy of youth. He was probably 15–25 years old, the son of a priest (aka a Levite) from one of the towns in the land of Benjamin. 

God called him: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,  before you were born I set you apart;  I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’” (Jer. 1:4–5). 

God had a plan for Jeremiah. He wanted to use him in great ways. 

But Jeremiah responded in v. 6, “‘Alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’”

It’s interesting to me that one of the first messages that Jeremiah was told to give to Jerusalem was about how Israel was so devoted in “the days of her youth” (Jer. 2:2). It reminds me of those days at camp when my friends and I all sat around and dreamed of the big things we would do for God. 

But as I’ve seen, Israel also went on a wayward path. Just like in marriage, the wedding is not the hardest part. It’s the daily choosing to be devoted to one another despite the trials of life. 

This passage in Jeremiah tells us two important principles: 

  1. God can use anyone, no matter what their age, to do his work. If he calls you, he’ll equip you. 
  2. There is a reason God says that we must become like a little child to enter into the Kingdom of God. Yes, folly is bound up in the heart of the youth—but so is unreserved passion and devotion. It’s easy to let the worries, pleasures, and cares of this life suck out our fruitfulness. We have to choose daily to seek the Kingdom of God. 

Maybe you came to faith later in life. Maybe you got baptized when you were still in the single digits. Your testimony can be full of twists and turns… or it can be rather boring. 

Regardless, you need to choose to follow God daily, when you are young and when you are old. 

Like Jeremiah, you were also knit together in your mother’s womb by God (Ps. 134). He knew you. He called you. And he loves you. 

Will you live for Him? 

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you describe your testimony? When did you feel “called” by God? 
  2. Do you believe that you can do “big things” for God now? How is God equipping you for ministry? 
  3. Where might our love for God have “grown cold”? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, may we always keep you at the forefront of our minds. May our eyes not turn to the right or the left, desiring something that is not you. Please equip us for the good work that you want to do with our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen 

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What path are you walking on?

Explore the call to holiness in Isaiah 65-66 and discover the hope of redemption through God’s sovereign love and grace.

Isa 65-66

Ps 122

Luke 4

-Devotion by Cayce Fletcher

We live in a world that takes a soft view of sin. Our highest virtue is acceptance. We believe that a person is noble if they are flexible on their boundaries. The person who is the most “loving” is the one who is willing to conform their beliefs to what is trending in culture. 

Isaiah 65 speaks to the same tendencies. The people are “obstinate” and pursue “their own imaginations” (v. 2). They say they are holy (v. 5), but they are actually doing the most base and unclean acts (“burning incense in altars of bricks,” “sit among graves”, eating the “flesh of pigs” (v. 3–4)). Quite simply, they call good evil and evil good (Is. 5:20). 

Though the sins of the people are different from those we see today, the heart behind it is the same. Pastor Adrian Rogers said, “We may not have metal idols, but we may have mental idols.” And when we choose to pursue these idols, we exchange the good things of good for the “dirty” things of sin. 

Romans 1 describes this downward slope into sin that comes from a heart of rebellion. It is the great exchange. We exchange the almighty Creator for these simple and unfulfilling created things. That ultimately results in a life that is debased and defiled. 

The beauty of the gospel is that we are rescued from this even if—on our own—we would never choose it. Is. 65:1 says, “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name,  I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’”

God calls us to him. He beckons us. 

We may be caught in the downward spiral of sin, but even there, God meets us and invites us back into relationship with him. 

The ending of our reading in Isaiah today points to our great and glorious hope. We see God’s sovereignty over all of time and space (“The heavens are his throne and the earth his footstool” (Is. 66:1)). And we see that the sovereign plan of God is ultimately to bring redemption to the world. 

God sets before us a choice—echoing that of Deuteronomy 30—in Is. 66:17: “‘Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,’ declares the Lord.”

Under the New Covenant, we don’t have to worry about what we put into our bodies (other than making sure that we choose things that are healthy). But we do have to worry about what is coming out: our speech, actions, and attitude. 

Will we choose to follow the right, holy, and righteous path of God? Or will we pursue idolatry? Will we choose the unclean act of sin? 

May we choose the path of life!

If we do, we will dwell in the new heavens and the new earth. We will see the beauty, delight, and joy of the promises of Isaiah 65:17-25. There will be no more death, no more grief, no more mourning, no more scarcity. 

God will dwell with us. We will be His people. And He will be our God. 

What a wonderful hope! 

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and mom of three. In addition to homeschooling and other ministry projects, she writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, motherhood, and theology. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some of the idols that people pursue today? 
  2. What is the relationship between sin and uncleanliness or impurity?
  3. How does your future hope help you to live for God now? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for the gift of your Son. Thank you for the ability we have to take off the clothes of sin and unrighteousness and be dressed in the perfect, white clothes of righteousness. We look forward to your Kingdom. Help us to glorify you in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Jesus Announces His Ministry

Isaiah 62-64    

Psalm 121        

Luke 4

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI) – Some days are hard…but taking some extra time in God’s Word never hurts..so today – you get to have two devotions – here’s your second one on today’s passages.!

What an extraordinary series of readings we have today.  We read in Isaiah so much revelation showing us the true nature of God.  These chapters give us so many examples of how God relates to his people and how they should respond to Him.  We read in Isaiah 64.

Isaiah 64:4-6(NLT) For since the world began,
no ear has heard
and no eye has seen a God like you,
who works for those who wait for him!
5 You welcome those who gladly do good,
who follow godly ways.
But you have been very angry with us,
for we are not godly.
We are constant sinners;
how can people like us be saved?
6 We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,
  and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Why does God always have to bring up the problem of sin in our lives?

When we walk with God on the pathway to life, we are constantly faced with the problem of our sins and their consequences on our lives.  As Isaiah says to us our “sins sweep us away like the wind” sweeping away the autumn leaves.  UGH!  Why are the best works that I can do by myself compared to “filthy rags”? I am captured by the ugly thoughts and depression of constantly being less than I know I should be.  Our memories of our sins and shortcomings follow us around like a bad smell keeping us from relationships with God and others. 

However, God doesn’t leave us in the midst of our bad smell and depression.  He has given us an answer in the person of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  Read the uplifting verses from Luke about what Jesus does in synagogue when he reads that daily reading.

Luke 4:14-21(NLT) Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”
20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

God gives us the answer to sin and death, and his name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus reads the daily reading from Isaiah 61 which we looked at yesterday.  God sees the spiritual captivity of people, and their need for help because we are poor in all parts of our lives.  God sends Jesus to open our eyes and unstop our ears that we can see and hear the truth of His Word.  God has not left us in our sins and faced with death.  Jesus reads and then claims the prophetic mantel that Isaiah spoke so long ago. 

Does this section of scripture send your heart to God for help?

Jesus begins his ministry that starts here in his hometown of Nazareth and then proceeds to go about Galilee and then further throughout the land there.  What starts here goes to the uttermost parts of the earth.  Indeed, there is no place where the Word of God has not gone with the record of His love for us and the salvation He has offered to all who obey Him.  God is the author and originator of salvation, and then Jesus is the agent that God uses to bring mankind back to Him.  God desires to save us from captivity, heal our diseases, give us an abundant life, and then save us from death with gift of life eternal with Him.

Isaiah 64:8-9(NLT)  And yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We all are formed by your hand.
9 Don’t be so angry with us, LORD.
Please don’t remember our sins forever.
Look at us, we pray,
and see that we are all your people.

What is the form of the clay of your life that God is shaping you into?

Luke 4:42-43(NLT)  Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

Jesus is sent by God to preach the good news of the gospel to the children of Israel.  Then  as well to those that heard his words and saw God’s power revealed in Jesus’ life.  This responsibility of speaking these words of life have now been given to us that are the followers of Jesus.  We are now the agents of salvation speaking the words of life to all that will hear.  We are God’s chosen people today.

Acts 1:7-8(NLT) He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Reflection Questions – and above

What is the message of salvation that we bring to all the world?

Can you give a summary of this to people who ask?

PRAYER

Father God, the God who is like no other, we pray earnestly to You today.  We ask for the reassurance of Your love for us that comes from Your Word.  We thank you for this  forgiveness of sins that You have so freely extended to us.  God shape our lives to Your purposes and direction.  We pray for Your help in all our lives as we strive to find You and obey You.  Thank you for this wonderful gift of life in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In Jesus’ name we pray to You. We love You Father.

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Learning from Jesus

Quote from Luke 4:43 (NIV) on a blurred map background, stating the necessity of proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom.

Isaiah 62-64

Psalm 121

Luke 4

-Devotion by Kyle McClain (originally posted for SeekGrowLove on Dec 5, 2019)

In Luke chapter four, we finally get to see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  However, before we get there, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the wilderness by himself with no food.  He was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.  We are never told the purpose of the Spirit leading Jesus to the wilderness, but I imagine it served as a great time for Jesus to focus in on God all by himself before he began his earthly ministry.

While Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days, the devil came to tempt Jesus.  Three times the devil tempted Jesus, but he had zero success.  To combat the temptation, Jesus responded each time with scripture (verses 4, 8 and 12).  Scripture offers us a great way to combat temptation, as Jesus demonstrated here.  Psalm 119:11 supports this notion, as it states, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Whenever we are confronted with temptation, as we all are, a great way to resist and combat that temptation is by quoting scripture.  Now, this is only possible if you have scripture memorized in the first place.  This is a big reason why it is important to store God’s Word in our hearts.

After Jesus withstood the temptation of the devil in the wilderness, Jesus officially began his earthly ministry in his hometown of Nazareth.  He did not have quite the warm welcoming, as the Jews tried to throw him off of a cliff (Luke 4:29).  This was just the beginning of the Jews seeking to end and kill Jesus.  They were constantly taken back by Jesus’ bold claims that he makes.  In the end, the Jews send him to the Roman government to have him killed because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (Matthew 26:54).  The Jews seldom got along with Jesus because they did not believe that he was the Christ, the Son of God.

Luke chapter four ends with Jesus telling us his purpose, as Jesus states, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent,” (Luke 4:43).  Jesus himself stated that his purpose was to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.  From the very beginning of his ministry, he preached all about the Kingdom.  The message of the kingdom was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry, and it should be at the heart of our ministry as well.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think Jesus fought temptation with Scripture? What Scriptures could be most helpful when you are facing temptation?
  2. What Scriptures do you already know and have memorized? When do you bring them to mind? How have they been helpful? What verse would you like to memorize next?
  3. What is your God-given purpose? How will you seek to do that today?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for Your Son Jesus who You gave to save the world including me. Help me learn from him and follow in his steps. Show me how to be victorious against temptation. Guide me in fulfilling the purpose You have for me, that I might be faithful to You in all things. Protect me from evil until that glorious day Your Son returns to earth. In his name I pray, Amen.

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