JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS

It's Thursday morning, and I have enjoyed the services last night at church.  What a blessing to be with God's people.  It looks overcast outside, but it is early and we shall see what the LORD chooses to give us today.  I have several appointments with people today and will try to be a help to them.  Yesterday I was blessed to lead a man to Christ and I always enjoy that.  Today, I'm finishing up Jeremiah and going through Lamentations.  Here is a thought or two: 1) SAD INDICTMENT- Jer. 50:6 says: "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray,...."  It was sad to see Israel departing from the LORD, but sadder still to realize that their pastors were the ones that led them astray.  What would get into a "man of God" to possess him to led people astray?  Let me suggest a few: a. Loving the praises of men more than the approval of God. (The pastor wants to be liked,  and people don't always like the messenger because they don't like the message.  A pastor must realize He is called into ministry to please God, not man.  He endeavors to be kind and likable, but ultimately, it is God's favor, not man's he is after. This is why preachers get itching ears.) b. The fear of man.  (Some people don't like the message and then attack the messenger.  They try to impugn his character, or magnify his flaws and inabilities, and the man of God then runs like Elijah or changes the message to consul people.  The Bible says: Prov. 29:25  "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."  To fear the men to whom you preach the message is a snare to the man of God.  Best fear the God who gives the message from His Holy Word.) c. Watering down the message. (Men water down the message usually because they have watered down their living.  No man of God can live perfectly the message of righteous living, but it is our constant endeavor to please the LORD in all we do.  When we fail, we don't change the message, we let God work on us to improve the messenger.  It is the message that ultimately changes us, so to water it down means that little fruit is born in the lives of the listeners.  The Word of God is like medicine.  Water it down and it looses much of it's effectiveness.  Maybe that is why so many Christians have so little change in their lives around this world?)  *These are just a few ideas of why this would happen. 2) FIX WHAT IS BROKE- In Lamentations 3:40,41, it says: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.  Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."  When we feel distant from the LORD, it is usually that we have allowed some sin to become attached to our lives that defeats us and distances us from our God.  The answer is to fix what is broke in our relationship with God.  To fix it, we follow these verses and fellowship is again restored to the freshness we once enjoyed.  Turn again to the LORD.  Why not today, endeavor to get close to the LORD.  "Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice."  Have a wonderful day.  If I can be of help to you at any time, or answer any question you may have, please feel free to email me at any time.  May God bless you today!   Pastor Mike Mutchler