JIMMY DeYOUNG'S DAILY PROPHETIC DEVOTIONAL

November 30 Jeremiah 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. For further study - Jeremiah 7:1-20 The time of the writing of this passage is around 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ during the days of King Josiah, King of Judah. Daniel and his three Hebrew companions had already been taken into Babylon to be trained as "counselors" in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah, the prophet, receives a message from the Lord, verse 1, a warning to pass along to the Jewish people. The Prophet was to stand at the gate of the Temple complex and to warn all that came up to the Temple to worship. God's spokesman, Jeremiah, was to tell the Jewish people to amend their ways, in other words, to "get their hearts right with God or else face judgment." The judgment from the Lord was to start at the "house of the Lord," the Temple. The Lord had Jeremiah remind the people of Israel of the judgment that took place at Shiloh, some 500 years earlier, I Samuel 3 & 4. You might remember that Shiloh was the headquarters for the children of Israel when they came into the Promise Land under the leadership of Joshua. It is also where they erected the Tabernacle, to house the Ark of the Covenant. Shiloh was the political and spiritual capital of the Jewish people for the first 350 years they were in the Promised Land, Joshua 18:1. The account of God's judgment on the Jewish people at Shiloh in I Samuel 3 & 4 indicates that the "Glory of the Lord departed from Shiloh." God told Jeremiah to warn the Jews that it could happen again if they didn't get right with Him. Our extended reading for today details the "sins of the people" against the Lord in Shiloh and in the days of Jeremiah's ministry. This was the lifestyle of those coming to the Temple, to supposedly worship the Lord. This is a similar scenario at many churches in our present world. It was a very sinful time as indicated by the Lord's words to Jeremiah to pray not for these people, verse 16. Verse 17 gives us the information of the worship the Jews were offering up to the "Queen of Heaven." Let me give you some background on the "Queen of Heaven" from extra-Biblical material. The "Queen of Heaven" was the title of the wife of Nimrod, Semiramis, Genesis 11. Nimrod, who built a city, Babylon, Genesis 11:4, also established a religion. This religion was a "mother-son cult" where the mother, Semiramis, and the son, Tammuz, were co-equal recipients of worship. That worship consisted of serving "cakes" in honor of this false religion established in Babylon. It also involved the parents painting hard-boiled eggs and hiding them for the children to find on their special "holy day" for the "Queen of Heaven" called "Ishtar." Remember, God told Jeremiah not to pray for those who worship like this. The "mother-son cult," with worship of the "Queen of Heaven," was headquartered in Babylon until the fall of the Babylonian Empire in 539 BC. The false Babylonian religion moved it's headquarters then to Pergamus in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, until the fall of the Roman Empire when it moved to the "seven-hilled city" of Rome, Italy, where it is today and where it will continue to be during the first half of the Tribulation Period, Revelation 17. God's judgment will come even to those who supposedly worship Him. As we look at our world today we see a similar scenario, as was described for the last days. Judgment must begin at the "house of the Lord." We are living in the "last days." PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank you Lord for the warning of judgment for sin. Help me to be pure before you in these last days.

CROSSWALK.COM + + + THE DEVOTIONAL

Why Joy Is Never Dependent on Our CircumstancesBy Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com Writer

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24

Many of us may have heard this verse over long years. But what's interesting to know is that it's set right within a Psalm where the author is writing about huge adversity. It's not written about when times are good, but when times are hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy, he felt pushed back, and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles shared, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever." v. 1,29

Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. We can still choose to give thanks. We can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through all difficult seasons.

We might be facing the toughest of times, but the truth is this, He's still given us today. He's with us, and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us, His peace sustains us, and His joy gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings.

May His blessings overwhelm you today as you look to Him and choose joy.

Give thanks.

For He is good.

His love endures.

Forever.

Intersecting Faith & Life: No matter what you’re facing today, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you. If He’s given us today, then we still have breath left within us to bring honor to Him. Choosing joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. May He help us this day, to choose well.

Further Reading: Psalm 118: 1-29, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 28:7

Find more by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel/, or https://twitter.com/debbmcdaniel.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!

YOUR QUESTIONS. REAL ANSWERS @ JESUS.ORG

Quote of the Day

"Matthew 2:2 adds a detail that has baffled and intrigued Bible scholars and astronomers for 2,000 years: 'We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.' What was "his star in the east"?
- Dr. Ray Pritchard (from What Star Did the Magi See?)

Today's Answer

What Message Did the Angels Bring?
Greg Laurie

We were on our way to a certain judgment, but God sent Jesus. Because of His death and His shed blood, we have now been reconciled with God.

That was really the essence of the angel’s message to the shepherds as they watched over their flocks on that first Christmas Eve. Part of that message was, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV). A more literal translation of this statement would be, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.”

That is the key to peace on earth, peace between nations, and peace in a family: Peace on earth among men with whom God is well-pleased.

How do we please God? It is only through Jesus Christ, only through the way of reconciliation He has made available to us. So if we want to be reconciled to God and want to be reconciled with others, then it must be through Christ.

So many of us need reconciliation today. Husbands need to be reconciled to wives. Parents need to be reconciled with children. Sinners need to be reconciled with God. We all need reconciliation.

Sin is the great separator. Ever since it entered the world, it has divided people throughout human history. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, sin immediately began its work of separation. It separated Adam and Eve from God. It ultimately separated their sons, Cain and Abel. It was all because of the separating impact of sin.

But at the cross of Calvary, Jesus eliminated the wall that separated us from Him. He brought about reconciliation.

Taken from "The Key to Reconciliation" by Harvest Ministries (used by permission).

Today's Video

What is the Gospel? 
by Paul Tripp 

Do you have questions about the life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Get real answers at Jesus.org.

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH J.VERNON MCGEE + + + PART THIRTY-EIGHT

Part Thirty-Eight of the Series...Enjoy and God Bless You!

GOSPEL OF SALVATION

SERMON BY J. VERNON MCGEE

The Vine and the Branches...Enjoy and God Bless You!

THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST

SERMON BY ROBERT BREAKER @ CLOUD CHURCH

Locust...Like the Horns of a Unicorn?!  God bless and enjoy!

THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY CHRIST JESUS!

TRADITIONAL HYMN OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP

There's Power in the Blood...Enjoy!

SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY CHRIST JESUS

CONTEMPORARY SONG OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP

God of This City by Chris Tomlin...Enjoy and Be Blessed!

SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH

CHRIST JESUS

HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY

Cricket...

Do you play?

BUT...I think this is those little "annoying" bugs we country folk love so much!

GOD BLESS AND SHALOM!

+ + + WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH + + +

This is one of THE best videos, sermons or teachings on Salvation by Grace that I have ever seen.  WOW.  Jesus Christ IS grace!  His teachings are grace.  How we live is grace!  Amazing and must see!

"For ye are saved by grace through faith and not of yourselves.  It is a gift of God.  Not of works (nor deeds) lest ANY man should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN?  READ....

GRACE WON ON CALVARY!