I attended the late service at Timberline Church today. At the end of the service a family came forward to greet me. Some months ago, they had me pray with them about a pending adoption. The were looking for the opportunity to reconnect and introduce me to Samuel, their newly adopted son. What a joy to give thanks for the Lord’s faithfulness, and pray a prayer of blessing on this family. They made the comment about the first time I prayed with them saying, “Sometimes when you can’t pray for yourself, you need others to have faith for you.” Boy can I relate to that with the history of my health crisis.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But if someone obeys God’s teaching, then in that person God’s love has truly reached its goal.”  1 John 2:5 NCV

While we can not grasp the endlessness of God’s love, John is clear in communicating the goal of God’s love for our life. It is simply that we obey Him. We agree with God’s Word, what He says about our life and the solution to the problem of separation from Him. The solution is found in placing our faith in Christ, entering into relationship with Him in a way that transforms our life.

Have you noticed that couples who are married for a long time, seem to reflect more things in common than not? That relationship of love and their closeness over the years is reflected in their actions. Perhaps you have noticed the same between a Father and a son. I recall, a young adult son who had some of the same mannerisms as his father. Since the son had been adopted, I knew it was not genetics. Often times a father will be reflected in a son or a mother in her daughter. John says, “Since you know that Christ is righteous, you know that all who do right are God’s children.” (1 John 2:29 NCV) Our lives are to reflect the nature of the Father who is in us.

It is John, who in his gospel records Jesus’ words, “If you love me, obey my commandments.“ (John 14:15 NLT) In the same chapter we read Jesus’ words, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.“ (John 14:23 ESV)

In John’s epistle it is clear that love motivates our behavior. I believe that is something we can all relate to. When you love someone it has an impact on what you do. You desire to please the one you love. Also, when we are a recipient of unconditional love, it impacts our life as well. God’s love for us motivates us to obey and our obedience in turn reflects our love for God.

When you reflect on 1 Corinthians 13, the short chapter on love, you will notice that it is all about action. Love is described by what it does and what it does not do.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.  Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.” (1 Cor 13:4-7)

God has a plan and purpose and goal for our life. At times that is not always clear when it comes to our personal life. But as it relates to the “goal of God’s love” it is clear: we are to obey the Lord’s teachings. This is not a goal that is reached by our striving, it is realized by our trusting.

Last Sunday, we had a Summers family reunion. Today, was somewhat of a Haffner (my mother’s side of the family) family reunion. The occasion was the 100th birthday of my  Aunt Hilda Entz ( she is one of my mother’s ten sisters; four sisters and five brothers are deceased ). Several family members, many from out of state joined to help my aunt and her family celebrate. The other six sisters who are still living are in their 90’s and 80’s and keep hanging in there facing the challenges of longevity. I’m not sure how my mom and aunts were doing but I was tired by the end of the day.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “To those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.”  Titus 1:15-16 NCV

As a pastor Titus had his work cut out for him. He lived in a challenging culture with challenging people. Paul had left Titus in Crete to solidify the work of the gospel that he had preached. Paul in the opening verses of his letter to Titus says, that his preaching was intended to, “…help the faith of God’s chosen people and to help them know the truth that shows people how to serve God.” (Titus 1:1 NCV)

We see in Paul’s words and the teaching of the apostles, that faith in God is not just what we believe, but it is also related to how we live. Paul writes not to criticize but to confirm what others said about those in Crete, “Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil animals, and lazy people who do nothing but eat.” The words that prophet said are true.” (Titus 1:12,13 NCV)

To be and effective spiritual leader in this climate Titus’ was to focus his efforts on…

1 – Appointing Elders. “…appoint elders in every town, as I directed yous.” (Titus 1:5 NCV) For those who complain about “the organized church” it is important to see that much of scripture is about an organizational structure for God’s people. We see this in both the Old and New Testaments. I also understand that the issue is not the “organization” Per Se, but the conduct of people.

Paul address this as he instructs Titus. Those who were to help with the work of the gospel in various towns were to have lives that would set them apart in character and conduct from the “typical Cretan.”  I like the leadership adage, “the higher the calling the fewer the choices.” It is one thing for the average citizen to be a liar, lazy and glutton, but it is not acceptable for those in a position of spiritual leadership.

2 – Faithful Instruction. “By holding on to the trustworthy word just as we teach it, overseers can help people by using true teaching, and they can show those who are against the true teaching that they are wrong.”  (Titus 1:9 NCV) Paul told Titus, “At the right time God let the world know about that life [eternal life and a life that pleases God] through preaching.” (Titus 1:3 NCV) God has used the same approach through history, the declaration of God’s truth to see lives changed and to challenge people in their faith and conduct.

3 – Courage to Rebuke. “…firmly tell those people they are wrong so they may become strong in the faith, not accepting Jewish false stories and the commands of people who reject the truth.” (Titus 1:13,14 NCV) In our day of relative truth, it is not popular to tell someone they are wrong. But if someone’s direction in life places them in danger, you would want to warn them they are headed for disaster. Titus and the Elders he was appointing had the spiritual responsibility to let people know when they were being influenced by teachings that did not line up with God’s truth and were from those with impure motives.

4 – Promoting Godly Conduct. “They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16 NCV) Paul lets Titus know that “knowing about God” and faith in God are two different things.

Our faith in God will empower us to live according to God’s truth. Paul warned about those whose “minds and conscious has been ruined.” What is the evidence? Their character and conduct is in contrast to the character of God. They hate instead of love. They refuse to obey, rather than submit to God’s truth. The are self-centered and self-absorbed, only concerned about their needs and are useless “for doing anything good.”

I wonder how many modern “Cretans” we encounter today? First of all, we have a duty to examine our own lives. Are we living a life of faith and truth that is borne out in our actions? Do we possess the hope in the eternal that helps maintain an “upward look” as we live “down here?”

We also need to allow the Lord to use us to influence others. When we live by faith and God’s truth we set our lives apart from others. Not in some kind of spiritual arrogance, but just by virtue of where we place our faith and hope. We need to share God’s truth and be willing to sound warnings to those whose lives are in spiritual danger. Lastly, we need to be on guard against those who says they, “know God” but their character and conduct is opposite of the character of God.

We returned to some sunshine today, which was nice. I had a breakfast meeting with members of my LEAP Steering Committee. My mother and I had haircut appointments, how about that! Since her’s took longer it gave me time to get in a workout at the fitness center. Tomorrow is my aunt, my mom’s sister, 100th birthday celebration.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “So pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” Then Jeremiah the prophet answered… I will pray to the Lord your God as you have asked. I will tell you everything he says and not hide anything from you.” Then the people said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and loyal witness against us if we don’t do everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us.  It does not matter if we like the message or not…” Jeremiah 42:3-6 NCV

I am reminded of the story of the  man who was hiking and fell off a cliff. He grabbed hold of a branch and frantically called, “Lord help me, I will do whatever you want me to do.” He heard a voice  say, “This is the Lord, let go of the  branch.” The man cried out, “Is anyone else up there!”

I think of that story as I read the full account of the last days for God’s people in Judah. Nebuchadnezzar has lead his armies to take the people captive. There is a remnant of poor people left in the land under the rule of Gedaliah , a Governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar. Gedaliah is killed in an uprising and the people are afraid of retribution from the Babylonians and are considering fleeing to Egypt as a place of refuge.

The people were recognizing that what had happened was due to their sin and rebellion, so the leaders came to Jeremiah to seek the Lord’s direction. This seems to be a step in the right direction and Jeremiah prays for ten days and then gives them the Lord’s message.

“This is what the God of Israel says:  ‘If you will stay in Judah, I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not pull you up, because I am sad about the disaster I brought on you.  Now you fear the king of Babylon, but don’t be afraid of him. Don’t be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘because I am with you. I will save you and rescue you from his power.  I will be kind to you, and he will also treat you with mercy and let you stay in your land.’ “ (Jeremiah 42:9-12 NCV)

The Lord through Jeremiah warns the people of dire consequences if they insist on going to Egypt. He says basically what you feared would happen, will happen to you in Egypt.

The message is clear, the Lord honored their request through His servant Jeremiah and the people respond…..“You are lying! The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to live there.’ … you [want] to hand us over to the Babylonians so they can kill us or capture us and take us to Babylon.”

Oops! What happened to we will obey regardless?! How do we respond when the Lord’s direction for our life is different than our preconceived plans? Do we ask the Lord for direction or just confirmation and endorsement of what we want to do? Do we treat the Lord’s direction and provision with contempt or with integrity?

I am reminded of a young lady my kids were familiar with during their college years. This fellow student fasted and prayed and believe God for a miracle provision of finances to attend college. The Lord came through in a truly miraculous way. However, the prayer and promise of “Lord if you provide the finances for me to stay in school, I will complete my education” became viewed as an option and she ended up leaving school any way.

My heart sinks when I hear of accounts like those. But before I become to “self righteous” I need to reflect on times, even if they are less dramatic, when the Lord says, “do” and I don’t or He says, “don’t” and I do. I believe the reason we connect with the history of God’s people is because we can see ourselves in them.

In the end we see God’s people fleeing to Egypt and what they feared happened. Some were killed and others were captured and taken to Babylon. The other part of it was the nation of Egypt succumbed to the power of Babylonian Empire in the process. I know, the conquest of Egypt by the Babylonians was destined to take place regardless, but we need to understand that our disobedience often impacts others. We also see that what we think we will avoid or accomplish by taking control over our own life doesn’t happen.

We can have confidence that the Lord hears the cry of sincere hearts. He will guide and He will provide as we place our trust in Him. The question is, “will we be faithful to follow even when His will conflicts with ours?”

Our rain continued today in greater amounts than yesterday. It looks like it will be clearing over the next two days. I had my morning LEAP conference call and then a joint lunch meeting with the Loveland and  Berthoud Chambers of Commerce. Some interesting information on proposed changes to employment classifications. Later this afternoon I had my fitness workout. I took my mom with me so she could see some of my regimen.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be saved. Jerusalem will not be burned down, and you and your family will live. But if you refuse to surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, Jerusalem will be handed over to the Babylonian army, and they will burn it down. And you yourself will not escape from them.’” Jeremiah 38:17,18 NCV

I sure you have heard the saying, “we can do this the easy way or the hard way!” I’m not sure of the origin of that statement, but it certainly applied to what the Lord was trying to communicate to Judah and its rulers.

Thousands of Jews had already been taken captive by Babylon. Judah was under the control of Babylon, but soon rebelled against them. All of this was from the hand of God who was using an ungodly nation to punish His people for their ungodly acts. Yet in the midst of coming Judgment the Lord was using His prophet Jeremiah to let them know that the Lord would one day restore people to the land and that prosperity would one day be restored.

The Lord said, “I will bring health and healing to the people there. I will heal them and let them enjoy great peace and safety. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and make them strong countries as in the past.”  (Jeremiah 33:6,7 NCV)

All of this would happen after their time of captivity. The captivity was decided in God’s mind and would happen. So Jeremiah’s message to the King and people was to surrender to the Babylonians. That message was not well received! Jeremiah’s life was threatened, he was placed in prison, put in an empty well, and faced continual persecution for his words. He was viewed as a traitor, his words were viewed as a discouragement to the people and the army. King Zedekiah looked to Egypt for help; but that didn’t work.

King Zedekiah, whether in pride or fear of the people or fear of the Babylonians hung onto his position to defend a city doomed for destruction. In the end instead of Zedekiah and his family being saved, his sons were killed before him and then his eyes were gouged out. The last visual memory for him would be the consequences of failing to heed the instructions of the Lord.

We see alongside the words of coming judgment the promise of restoration, we read,

“The Lord says, “The time is coming when I will do the good thing I promised to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time, I will make a good branch sprout from David’s family. He will do what is fair and right in the land. At that time Judah will be saved, and the people of Jerusalem will live in safety. The branch will be named: The Lord Does What Is Right.” (Jeremiah 33:14-16 NCV)

We need to remember, “the Lord does what is right.” We don’t always understand what the Lord is doing, what He allows and why things are the way they are. There are times the Lord tries to get our attention and we ignore His word. If it doesn’t make sense to us, if it is the opposite of what we believe we should do, it is easy to dismiss it.  Solomon observed, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Prov.. 14:12 NIV)

We see that Pharaoh hardened his heart to the point that the land of Egypt laid in ruin and his was oblivious to what was happening. His pride and hard heart blinded him to the reality that was before him and he refused to accept the inevitable.

Solomon cautioned, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”  (Prov. 32:9 NIV) David in his prayer of repentance prayed, “…grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12 NIV)

The Lord’s ways will prevail. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.“ (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) We need to have the confidence that His plans for us are “good.” That He knows the beginning from the end and that if we yield our lives to Him, we will find our way through the forest of difficulties and confusion and come out offering our praise to God. Jeremiah told God’s people of a coming day where…

“There will be sounds of joy and gladness and the happy sounds of brides and bridegrooms. There will be the sounds of people bringing to the Temple of the Lord their offerings of thanks to the Lord. They will say, ‘Praise the Lord All-Powerful, because the Lord is good! His love continues forever!’ (Jeremiah 33:11 NCV)

We need to remember, the Lord’s ways are the “easy way” and our ways are the “hard way.” Whose way will you choose?

We finally have a touch of fall, with some rain and cooler weather. I attended the monthly “Professionals for Seniors” breakfast. It is always amazing to see the number of individuals and organizations mobilized to provide a variety of services to seniors. Other than that is was a low key day with my Chiropractor appointment later in the day.

BIBLE VERSE TODAY… This is what the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, says to all those people I sent away from Jerusalem as captives to Babylon: “Build houses and settle in the land…Have many children in Babylon; don’t become fewer in number…Also do good things for the city where I sent you as captives. Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also….This is what the Lord says: “Babylon will be powerful for seventy years. After that time I will come to you, and I will keep my promise to bring you back to Jerusalem….“And I will bring you back from your captivity. I forced you to leave this place, but I will gather you from all the nations, from the places I have sent you as captives,” says the Lord. “And I will bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:4-14 NCV

I remember when I was in my first pastorate. The church was growing and that attracted people who often had their own agenda. I recall the remark of one lady, who in exasperated tones commented, “You really do know what you are doing, don’t you?!” How do you respond to a comment like that? I think I said, “Yes, I do!” and smiled.

God’s people weren’t sure if God really knew about them and what He was doing. So, they wanted to help Him out and insert their own agenda into their future. The Lord sent His prophets in an attempt to get the attention of His people and communicate His plans.

Jeremiah had prophesied for twenty-three years without much response. He faced deaf ears on one hand and the threat of death on the other. Whatever he said was the opposite of what the King in his wisdom thought should be done. Many Jews had been taken captive to Babylon and it was only a matter of time before the Jerusalem and land would be completely taken over by Nebuchadnezzar and his armies. The Lord told the people “this is my plan, submit to my discipline through Babylon.” But they couldn’t believe that was really God’s plan.

God knew that hearts of His people and what it would take to see a change. The land of God’s people would rest for 70 years. God used an ungodly nation to punish an ungodly people. And then the Lord would bring an end to the power of Babylon and would use the succeeding nations to restore God’s people to their land. All of this was foretold by the prophets.

In the mean time, God’s instruction was for them to relax, adjust, multiply and work for the good of the land in which they lived. But they were to do so, knowing that their time, in a foreign land, would one day come to an end. It is in this context that the Lord speaks the well known words, “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11 NCV)

In our lives we need to have confidence in the Lord, that He knows what He is doing. The circumstances around may not look like it. We are often tempted like Gideon to ask, “If you are with us, why is all this happening to us?” (Judges 6:13 NIV) In our lives we walk by faith and trust in the Lord in the present and when we get to a point of deliverance from our troubles, we are able to look back and see the evidence of God’s hand working in the circumstances of our lives. We find the view from the mountain top is greatly difference from the view in the valley.

It is difficult to “relax” and to make the most of our painful circumstances; but that is often what the Lord call us to do. It is during the captivity of God’s people that we see the accounts of Daniel and the “three Hebrew children.” It is during this time we see the account of Queen Esther; we see the Lord reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar and other Kings as the powerful Lord of God of all the earth. It is often in those “valleys” and our painful experiences that we see God’s miraculous work. Sometimes that happens even in and through those who do not follow Him.

Finally using the parallel of the Promised Land to Heaven (our eternal home), we are to remember this world, this life is not our permanent place of residence. For us it is a “foreign land.”  Yet, we are to maintain our trust in the Lord; we are to pray for and seek the well being of the country in which we live, knowing that one day the Lord will come to take us to our eternal home.

In our personal lives, in the affairs of this world and God’s people we need to remember the Lord still, knows what He is doing. Even when we don’t have the details or understand how that can be the case, we can look at His history and know that He never changes. I believe our God is still sovereign over the affairs of people and nations.

After my morning prayer gathering, I attended a new member orientation for the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce. It was well attended and was interesting to see their many activities and services they provide members. This afternoon, my mom helped me with some work outside. I did some more work on my landscaping project and got our patio furniture ready for winter.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Let there be a curse on the day I was born; let there be no blessing on the day when my mother gave birth to me. Let there be a curse on the man who brought my father the news: “You have a son!” ...Why did I have to come out of my mother’s body? All I have known is trouble and sorrow, and my life will end in shame. ”   Jeremiah 20:14-15,18 NCV

I recall a pastor friend of mine knew that his church need to make some changes was going to be facing some challenges. He shared his heart with his deacon team and asked if they were with him and prepared for what was ahead. I remember when he told me about this event; he said, “they said they were prepared, but they really weren’t prepared for the challenges we are facing.”

The Lord call Jeremiah and said he was ordained as a prophet from his mother’s womb. But the Lord cautioned Jeremiah, “Don’t be afraid of the people, or I will give you good reason to be afraid of them….They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, because I am with you to protect you!” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:17-19 NCV)

Even though the Lord warned Jeremiah about what he would face, he was not prepared for what he would face. We see him complain, “…I tell the people about the message I received from the Lord, but this only brings me insults. The people make fun of me all day long.” (Jeremiah 20:8 NCV) People plotted against Jeremiah, put him in stocks, ridiculed him in all sorts of ways and tried to silence his voice.

He even wanted to give up, “Sometimes I say to myself, “I will forget about the Lord. I will not speak anymore in his name.” But then his message becomes like a burning fire inside me, deep within my bones. I get tired of trying to hold it inside of me, and finally, I cannot hold it in.” (Jeremiah 20:9 NCV) When he spoke he was rejected and persecuted, when he wanted to be silent he couldn’t’ no wonder he “cursed the day he was born.”

We see Job doing the same thing, “Job cried out and cursed the day he had been born, saying: “Let the day I was born be destroyed, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is born!’ Let that day turn to darkness. Don’t let God care about it. Don’t let light shine on it.” (Job 3:1,2 NCV)

Some of the most godly men, ones whom the Lord used the most, experienced hardship and difficulty and times of testing and the temptation to “give up.” They had to come to grips with the question, “is it worth it?”

Saul of Tarsus experienced a divine encounter with Jesus and was called to proclaim the good news to Jews and Gentiles. The Lord warned, “…I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16 NCV)

As Saul became Paul the Apostle we see the many hardships and sufferings that came his way as a result of his obedience to “the heavenly vision.”

Paul would later write to Timothy and give him this warning, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) Jesus himself warned his disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (John 15:8 NLT)

It is difficult to be adequately prepared for what we have never experienced. I have learned that in my life as a pastor and as a politician. You may know, you may be warned, but when the trouble or slander or difficulties come you are never fully prepared. Some basics to keep in mind, to help you keep your mind…

1 – Hardships are hard. Whether it comes unexpectedly like Job, or whether you are forewarned like Jeremiah, Paul and even Mary, Jesus’ mother. (Remember the words of the angel to Mary? “…And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:35)

2 – Discouragement and wanting to “give up” is normal. Jeremiah 20 lists the prophet’s sixth complaint to the Lord. We see Elijah wanted to give up, Jonah was frustrated by the Lord’s actions and wanted to die. Paul wrote, “…about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV) At times the way we feel when bad news comes or the crisis continues and we are having a difficult time, it can make us believe we are “failing in our faith” or “less than what we should be.”

3 – Discover the Lord’s word and work in your low places. In this midst of his struggles and confusion we see Jeremiah declaring, “But the Lord is with me like a strong warrior, so those who are chasing me will trip and fall; they will not defeat me.…Lord All-Powerful, you test good people; you look deeply into the heart and mind of a person.” (Jeremiah 20:11,12 NCV) Jeremiah also said, “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:24 ESV)

Job in the midst of his suffering declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.“ (Job 19:25 ESV)

When Paul despaired of life he said, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9 NCV)

The Lord works through His Spirit in our lives and through others. Paul said, “…[at] Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…” (2 Corinthians 7:5,6 NIV)

We may or may not be forewarned about the troubles and challenges of life, but we can be assured, when they come they will be more difficult than we can handle. But as we look to the Lord and His strength, He gives us the encouragement to keep moving forward with our eyes on Him.

My mother is spending the week with us. After taking care of some “office work” this morning, I went to Denver for a meeting. I’m glad the weather was good and traffic manageable.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “A curse is placed on those who trust other people, who depend on humans for strength, who have stopped trusting the Lord.…the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that he can be trusted.” Jeremiah 17:6,7 NCV

Where we place our trust reveals much about our life. Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) David declared, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7 NIV)

The Bible is not against physicians and those who can be of help in our lives in a myriad of ways. God works through human instruments to accomplish His work. What happens is when human help and intellect is placed above God. It is a matter of where we find confidence and security for our life. There are times when doctors are perplexed and when things happen that defy an explanation. The Bible says of the women with the “issue of blood” that she, “…suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” (Mark 5:26 ESV) That sounds like many in our world today.

We read of of King Asa, that although he had known the miracles of deliverance the Lord could bring, he became ill and, “Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.“ (2 Chronicles 16:12 NIV)  We see that those who place their trust in the humans alone forfeit knowing what the Lord alone can do. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah and said,  “They don’t know about the good things God can give.” (Jeremiah 17:6 NCV)

Jeremiah says the Lord stands ready to prove Himself faithful to those who trust in Him, “The Lord will show him that he can be trusted.” (Jeremiah 17:7) I think of the words of the old hymn that say, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

We see that the Lord promises to provide the strength that is needed for the difficulty that we face, “He [the one who trusts the Lord] will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream.” (Jeremiah 17:8 NCV)

I was visiting with family members this weekend who had prayed for me during my health crisis and commented that my survival and recovery was an, “answer to prayer.” I have come to understand that my condition was at many times confounding to doctors and they were uncertain as to what my outcome would be. I believe they were able to recognize God’s hand on my life during my months of hospitalization.

As I have shard my story on occasion, I state that it is important to “be careful where you place your trust.” When we place our trust in the Lord, we have a sure foundation, for today, tomorrow and eternity.

Today was a good “family” day. We traveled to Lakewood to join the morning service for the Lakewood Hub of Mile High Vineyard. This is the six week old church, where our son Christian is the site pastor. Christians shared the message and it was good to see a good group that has formed for this new work.

We then went to Golden for a Summers family reunion. It was good to not only see many of my cousins and aunts and uncles but some their children and grandchildren as well. It was also good to see some other distant relatives from around the state.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “This is what the Lord says: “Stand where the roads cross and look. Ask where the old way is, where the good way is, and walk on it. If you do, you will find rest for yourselves.” Jeremiah 6:16 NCV

Yogi Berra, the famed baseball player and coach was know for is “one liners.” One his most known is “when you come to a fork in the road take it.” Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry during the time of King Josiah of Judah. Josiah was actually a godly king  who lead many reforms for the nation. This was an opportunity for the people along with those reforms to heed the words of Jeremiah and make some significant corrections.

As they faced the future they stood at the crossroads or a “fork in the road.” When you stand at a place where roads intersect or separate, it is a point of decision. If you know for sure where you are headed, it is not a difficult decision, but if it is new territory or if you are feeling “adventurous” that decision gives reason for pause and consideration.

At times when we travel we may take a new road or direction just to see where it leads. Sometimes the well known becomes taken for granted and is view as “boring.” That is where God’s people had been for years. They found themselves traveling down the “wrong road.” At first is seemed to be new and exciting and it was a path that seemed to have many travelers. It was the road away from the Lord and toward idols and sensuality and dishonesty and all kinds of behavior that Lord had spoken against.

Much of Jeremiah’s message is the Lord pointing out the behavior of His people and warning them about what their future would hold. With warnings of judgement is also a call to repentance to take the “right road.”

The prophet Joel would speak of the “valley of decision.” The Lord through Jeremiah calls His people to stand at the crossroads and consider…consider the paths and the choices. He calls them to look for the proven and tested road. He is calling them to a road of blessings and comfort. When we are in “familiar territory” it does creates greater peace and confidence in our lives.

In Jeremiah’s day the roads were not established, by governmental infrastructure projects, as much as the constant path of travelers over the same territory time after time. The roads “well traveled” were well marked and had a smoother path.  New roads in comparison were barren,dangerous and unreliable. So, the Lord tells His people, “if you want to find your way, look for the “ancient way” the “good way” then walk in it and find rest.”

Isaiah the prophet spoke God’s message and said, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)

The challenge for  God’s people in Jeremiah’s day and in our own day is the same. It is not so much, knowing “the way” it is our willingness to choose the “way”….God’s way. This is what the Lord said about His people standing at the crossroads, “But they have said, ‘We will not walk on the good way.’ (Jeremiah 6:16 NCV) It is like they don’t stop and consider, they just “follow their instincts.” But our instincts always lead us in the wrong direction.

Once again were read the words of Isaiah, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:6 NIV)

To travel the “right path” and choose the right fork in the road, we need a guide. We have that in Jesus Christ and the life He brings. He is able to help us find our way and get us headed in the “right direction.” Like the disciple Thomas we need to admit, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 NIV) Then we need to hear Jesus say, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” (John 14:6 NIV)

We just need to listen, respond and follow; and as we do, we find a path that leads to God’s promise of a destiny in His presence; a path of peace, rest and blessing.