Posts Tagged ‘Fear of rejection’


Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 4:22 – My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding.  They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.

 Judah was skilled in doing evil and did not know how to do good.  Right living is more than simply avoiding sin.  It requires decision and discipline.  We must develop skills in right living because our behavior attracts attention to our God.  We should pursue excellence in Christian living with as much effort as we pursue excellence at work.


Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 4:22 –  My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding.  They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.

 Judah was skilled in doing evil and did not know how to do good.  Right living is more than simply avoiding sin.  It requires decision and discipline.  We must develop skills in right living because our behavior attracts attention to our God.  We should pursue excellence in Christian living with as much effort as we pursue excellence at work.


Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 3:11-13 – The Lord said to me, Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah.  Go proclaim this message toward the north: Return, faithless Israel declares the LORD, I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful, declares the LORD, I will not be angry forever, Only acknowledge your guilt-you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods, under every spreading tree and have not obeyed me.    

 Israel was not even trying to look as if it were obeying God, but Judah maintained the appearance of right faith without a true heart.  Believing the right doctrines without heartfelt commitment is like offering sacrifices without true repentance.  Judah’s false repentance brought Jeremiah’s words of condemnation.  To live without faith is hopeless; to express sorrow without change is treacherous and unfaithful.  Being sorry for sin is not enough.  Repentance demands a change of mind and heart that results in changed behavior.  

 


Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 29:1- A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes, will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.

 Warnings rarely come with countdowns.  We can’t tell when we’ve had our last chance to change.  When we, like the person in this proverb, refuse to consider valid criticism, we leave Ourselves open to sudden disaster.   The moment we realize that a change is necessary is the best moment to take action.  What significant adjustments have been on hold in your life for too long?


Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.  

 Who would prefer a friend’s wounds to an enemy’s kisses?  Anyone who considers the source.  A friend who has your best interest at heart may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good.  An enemy, by contrast may whisper sweet words and happily send you on your way to ruin.  We tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one who will say it.  A friend’s advice, no matter how painful, is much more valuable.


Under Gods Command

Proverbs 26:20 – Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies down.

Talking about every little irritation or piece of gossip only keeps the fires of anger going. Refusing to discuss them cuts the fuel line and makes the firs die out. Does someone continually irritate you? Decide not to complain about the person, and see if your irritation dies from lack of fuel.


Under Gods Command

Jeremiah 2.23-27 – How can you say, I am not defiled, I have not run after the Baals? See how you behaved in the valley, consider what you have done. You are a swift she-camel running here and there, a wild donkey accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her craving-in her heat who can restrain her? Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves; at mating time they will find her. Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you say, ‘it’s no use! I love foreign gods and I must go after them’. “As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the house of Israel is disgraced-they, their kings and their officials, their priest and their prophets. They say to wood, you gave me birth. They have turned their backs to me and not their faces. Yet when they are in trouble, they say ‘Come and save us!”

The people are compared to animals who search for mates in mating season. Unrestrained they rush for power, money, alliances with foreign powers, and other gods. The idols did not seek the people; the people sought the idols and then ran wildly after them. Then they became so comfortable in their sin that they could not think of giving it up. Their only shame was in getting caught. It we desire something do much that we’ll do anything to get it, this is a sign that we are addicted to it and out of tune with God.


Under Gods Command

 Jeremiah 1:16 – I will pronounce my judgment on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made. 

 The people of Judah sinned greatly by continuing to burn incense to and worship other gods.  God had commanded them specifically against this (Exodus 20 3-6) because idolatry places trust in created things rather than the Creator.  Although these people belonged to God, they chose to follow false gods.  Many “gods” entice us to turn away from God.

 Now let’s relate this to today.  Material possessions dreams for the future, approval of others, and vocational goals compete for our total commitment.  Striving after these at the expense of our commitment to God puts our heart where Judah’s was-and God severely punished Judah.


Under Gods Command

 Genesis 50:5 – My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.  Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.”

 Joseph had proven himself trustworthy as Pharaoh’s adviser.  Because of his good record, Pharaoh had little doubt that he would return to Egypt as promised after burying his father in Canaan.  Privileges and freedom often result when we have demonstrated our trustworthiness.  Since trust must be built gradually over time, take every opportunity to prove your reliability even in minor matters.


Under Gods Command 

Jeremiah 1:5-8 “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.”  “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 

 God knows us, as he knew Jeremiah, long before we were born or even conceived.  He thought about you and planned for you.  When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of us as valuable and that he has a purpose in mind for us.  If God gives us a specific task, accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence.  If God has not given us a specific call or assignment, then seek to fulfill the mission common to all believers to love, obey, and serve God until his guidance becomes more clear.

 Often we struggle with new challenges because we lack self-confidence, feeling that they have inadequate ability, training, or experience.  Jeremiah thought he was “only a child” to young and inexperienced to be God’s spokesman to the world.  But God promised to be with him.  We should not allow feelings of inadequacy to keep us from obeying God’s call.  He will always be with us.  When you find yourself avoiding something you know you should do, be careful not to use lack of self-confidence as an excuse.  If God gives you a job to do, he will provide all you need to do it.

 God does not keep us from encountering life’s storms, but he will see us through them.  In fact, God walks through these storms with us and recues us.